Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Ashley and bamaace83
Challenge: (Impossible) Reading the Tarot
Book: Alchemised by SenLinYu

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

ooh I got the audio on Everand and used credits for the Kindle so I am set. But I may not complete as the Debut challenge. We will see. So far so good though,

Catherine wrote: "ooh I got the audio on Everand and used credits for the Kindle so I am set. But I may not complete as the Debut challenge. We will see. So far so good though,"

You can still use it for that, you just miss the "timely bonus" if you move out of January! And if you BR it, you'll get those points at least!

I am going to read this one too, but will be taking my time with it so I can get other books done. It best fits for the debut book, I think. At least it does for me, so I'm going with that.

For sure:

Read a book that was originally self-published.
Read a debut novel that’s 600+ pages.

I probably won't start until around mid month but joining in for this one

Alright, I'm starting, but I'll probably only read a chapter or two to start with.

Just creeping 👀 I've already read the book when it came out, but just wanted to say I recommend listening to the audio while reading it. I really loved the narrator!

I read to Ch 4... I have a physical copy of the book, so I don't want to purchase the audio as well, considering how expensive the dang book was, but I'm enjoying it regardless!

Very interesting so far!

Naturally I had not placed on hold yet with Library - this seems popular all over the place and was available when I checked in December. Right now on a hold pattern, but hopefully comes in within next two weeks on Libby for me.

I need to finish another book and then I will at least start this one later in the day.

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Naturally I had not placed on hold yet with Library - this seems popular all over the place and was available when I checked in December. Right now on a hold pattern, but hopefully comes in within ..."

It's quite popular - I had originally planned to use my ereader, because this book is HEAVY 🤣, but the wait is miles long at the library!

I was able to get the kindle with my credits and Everand audio. First month free 👍

Alright. I just finished Part 1.

This is making me emotional, but I'm not sure what to say until more people catch up!

So I'll wait!

I’m at chapter 8 and omg this world would be on the top of my list of never wanting to visit.

Right!!!?? It's a heavy place!

I just finished chapter 4 - I may be reading it slower than everyone else in this group :) lol

I don't think so! I'm not sure very many has even started. I had extra time the last 2 days, so I got a ways in - today, I haven't even cracked it open... but off to do that now (in bed!!!).

I grabbed this one on audible, although it might be a few before I can jump in but I can't wait.

I'm only on Chapter 3. Another book is due so had to stop for the moment.

Through Ch. 4

I finally had a chance to start this one. Jeez, it has taken me a minute to try to understand the world being built. It has a lot of vocabulary that I haven't heard of before, such as vivimancer, necromancer, necrothrall, mithridatism and more. Maybe it's because of the kind of ficiton this book is, so I've had to "study" some of these chapters to get hold of the story. lol

(view spoiler)[I think Helena is a strong woman. She's already been to hell and back, but with her now being with the High Reeve, Kaine, and their history of both being total brains at the Achemy Institute, I think the futire battel between the two will be "fun" to watch. She is determined now, I think, to outwit him. And, Aurelia, ugh...she is a bitch with a capital B!

I have some questions that need answered as I read:
1. What exactly do Helena's captors need from her that can't just be taken by force?
2. Why is she choosing silence in certain places of her interrogations and other times she engages? Is it to make them think she's trying or to protect Luc and others?
3. Is Helena in control of anything at this point?

I completely understand why she has wanted to kill herself, but I am glad that she has decided to fight...Kaine, I think. (hide spoiler)]

As I'm further, I will just say I think a lot will get answered in Part 1 and will add a HUGE LIST OF MORE QUESTIONS to replace them. 🤣

Ashley, I’m 101% sure that you were absolutely right! Lol

Ok I am lost I am restarting the book. Travel day tomorrow so hoping to get through all the chapters I had read previously.

Just a little bit of advice from learned experience lol - don't get too hung up on the details in the part 1. I spent so much time trying to understand all the systems, and they explain it all in part 2. Many of the minor details don't actually end up mattering that much anyways

However, if it's really bugging you, here are the guides I used 😂😂

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgYVYNw/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgYxKGc/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgYwo4v/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgY3U3V/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgYpQpe/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTMgYG2MA/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPzJvx1ge...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPF3tTeDO...

I'm on Chapter 3. I'm liking the audio version of this one so far. I got it on audible and plan for it to be my car book for the next week-ish so I'll be in and out checking in. I'm not far enough in yet to really have any questions or opinions.

Through Part One and holy moly!

(view spoiler)[SO much has happened. I still feel horrible for everything that Helena is going through. Jeez, can she get a break! There was one point where I thought Lancaster was actually on her side and going to save her. I'm wondering now if ANYTHING will save her ever or if she is doomed forever. Her rape was just awful, especially how she didn't want to feel anything normal or warm towards Kaine but did. And after Stroud gave her the drugs and it was worse...ugh!

I hope that the baby is all right and nothing happens to it. I think she's going to begin to care about her baby now and will likely eat and do what she must to have a healthy baby. I'm guessing it will be a boy.

I also feel like even though Ferron has been a total ASS to her that somewhere deep inside he cares about her. I have felt that for a little while now. And man, Aurelia is just the worst of the worst!! I am totally into this book now. I want Helena to be treated kindly somehow, somewhere in the story, but I hope she doesn't fall for Kaine because way too much damage has gone down for them to be together. I am so anxious to see what happens in her and her baby's life. Stroud definitely indicated Helena's life is on the line after the baby is born. Ugh...I need to know! (hide spoiler)]

Vicki!! I know! I've been busy and only made it a few chapters into Part 2, and I'm already dizzy with the implications!

Amanda wrote: "Just a little bit of advice from learned experience lol - don't get too hung up on the details in the part 1. I spent so much time trying to understand all the systems, and they explain it all in p..."

Is there a way to get a printed copy of the index of words? It goes by so fast and I don't see a way to go back and snapshot it on IG. I'm not on TikTok.

Ashley wrote: "Vicki!! I know! I've been busy and only made it a few chapters into Part 2, and I'm already dizzy with the implications!"

LOL This is a book that I could spend a LOT of time on just trying to fully understand the world, the characters, the Eternal Flame and Undying, all of the various forms of magic with so many different names, and so forth. I'm just reading it to get the answers because I need to know! And it doesn't help that today and tomorrow are my husband's days off. lol

Ch 27
(view spoiler)[


"Shall I tell you everything I've done?"
"Do you want to?"

(hide spoiler)]

Ahhhh I'm dying!

Idk, but I am getting the feeling that both sides of the war are both morally grey... not very far along but that is what I keep thinking...

Ashley, I never got a chance to begin part two but seeing your spoiler about chapter 27 is killing me because I’m dying to read it! Lol I need to know what is really going on!

I skipped past the spoiler of Ashley's, whew. I am just starting Part two but really want to finish since I am almost finished.

So those have read up to part two. What did you think of the first part and do you think having part 1 being the middle of the book is fun, confusing, like it, love it?
How do you feel about reading in third person?

Vicki wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Vicki!! I know! I've been busy and only made it a few chapters into Part 2, and I'm already dizzy with the implications!"

LOL This is a book that I could spend a LOT of time on just..."

I think a movie series would be very popular.

I loved the first part! I don't find it super confusing, but I haven't been overly concerned with the mechanics of the magic system, I'm just taking it in.

I actually don't mind any tense; the only one I find odd is second person, so first and third are things I don't really even pay attention to.

I love me an amnesiac story so I enjoyed the first part. I'm currently in the middle of the 2nd and really liked the order the book is going in. I'm trying not to think too hard about the magic system. My kid just finished Mistborn, which I have read, so I just keep thinking about how they both use a metal magic system. I am currently taking a break. It's starting to drag for me. Currently on Chapter 44.

I didn't even notice the tense so I guess I am fine with 3rd person! In a romance I prefer 1st person, but in other genres I am good with all. I actually love 2nd person, but that is hard to find.

I finished Part 2 yesterday, and almost powered through the rest, but my head hurt too much (and my heart)

I just know this is going to end with sadness.

I had to pause it for a few days but I'll start it back tomorrow. I'm doing it on audio still.

I finished. I really liked it. 5 stars!

I also had to pause it, but I am totally loving it!

gonna join this

Ok ok party 2 has me hooked and I’m liking so much more now. I usually don’t like books that start with the ending or middle of the book though so it makes sense part one was hard for me.

Starting back up again. Hoping to finish by tomorrow.

At the end of Part 2 I kept thinking this could have a happy ending and then reminding myself, it doesn't. Remembering where Part 1 started!!!! In Part 3 now!!! Good chance I will finish tonight!

I just finished and need time to process lol

I am in part 2 about 51% and I just want to know

(view spoiler)[how she ended up in stasis or whatever and I definitely want to know if Kaine knows what really going on or playing along with everything(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Finished! Ending up giving it 5 stars! I loved how the book took its time wrapping up and didn't rush through it like so many books do.

Catherine wrote: "I am in part 2 about 51% and I just want to know

[spoilers removed]"

🤐🤐🤐🤐

My loan from Libby JUST came in. Woohoo! Will try to start soonish