Nori > Recent Status Updates

It's just a subplot romance I guess but it's enough that not feeling the chemistry is dragging this down a lot for me

Like for example- earlier- they are walking on the train tracks, completely missed the part where they get back on the (stopped) train (how long is this thing?) - suddenly they're inside again. Might just be me though

I'm just feeling bamboozled- we start off with very strong plant horror. But right now? It's forced proximity enemies-to-lovers-kinda-its-been-like-a-day. The shift is jarring. I'm also not having the best luck keeping up in places.

I'm truly suspecting EVERYONE rn (not literally, but this section is very fun)

Loving the humour in this, though audiobook narration much too dry for it in places e.g. Grace's section when talking with her bff

Immediately charmed by the world, premise, and prose

Still just bored? Not enjoying Talasa's POV overall. The two biggest events are still just Mahon and the subsequent evacuation, and finding Mathilde. Sure there's bits of action here and there but not enough to engage me personally. 300+ pages in and yeah there's gods, war, and rebellion, but it doesn't feel like we're building to anything on Sister Wake's end. Maybe Abelard's story sure, but yeah.

Also I am STUPID I found the map idk how I missed it before other than I be dumb. I will still struggle through sections of details since I'm not as invested as I want to be but yes my bad 😭

Also I picked this up expecting a more cathartic experience of fighting the oppressors, but our intro to the Croí is human sacrifice, whereas we just hear about Awnsering oppression. I'd rather see that vs. hearing about so and so's brother getting beaten for pissing of Answering. I know they're evil but I'd still rather see vs. Hear

Still a struggle for me. This could have used a map. I don't want paragraphs on which rivers meet which mountains. That info is enriching, but not at the cost of establishing more interesting things. I'm not checking the glossary of these things because it drags me out of reading+these details are just for worldbuilding.

The first 3rd of this should interest me more. There's enough intrigue and action, but it's more what I'd expect from the 40-60% mark following a more intense beginning. Audiobook may be hindering my experience. Enjoying 2 of 3 povs. Preference definitely a factor. Went into this mostly blind too.

This makes me feel like watching too many old sitcom episodes on a loop until the streaming service asks if you're still alive. Or when you eat too much cheese (except I quite like cheese, whereas I do not care for this)

I don't think romantasy is for me 🥲

Not hitting like the last ones - an onslaught of side characters, named and described isnt helping so early on. Wish I reread the old ones first so that's on me. Some clunky prose but nothing offensive

I loved the visuals of the most recent fight scene, namely the weather was a very nice touch, but there is some glaring stupidity there too on the part of the characters. Also, red and blue? Surely there were other options to take.

Ive been using the kindle app to keep notes, and it's been a bit up and down. The biggest issues are saying that Laia knows nothing to report back when theres plenty to say, and the disregard of threat over time when spying as they all get involved (including Cook), say plans out loud, and simple lies solve a lot.

The fact that so far the only reason Elias cares as much as he does about Laia is because she's pretty is just making me ship him and Helene harder. Also, Laia did know some things she could have brought to the resistance, like the letter she peaked at and we can assume she heard about the four traits of the trails. But hey, still can't put this book down.

Feeling those initial concerns be explained now and still intrigued chapter by chapter. Might even get the second book alright while it's cheap.

Relieves that the mask difference were explained. Very cool concept.

Nitpicking but why are they called Yearlings if it encompasses 4 years of training? Fivers is not a great name, especially given how interesting that period of training is, and then Skulls is out of place thematically with the other names.

Within the first chapter I considered buying it, no regrets. I personally really appreciate a fast pace, especially so early on.
While the world so far feels very generic and unfinished, especially the names of things, it's too early to tell as that is how language can develop, so hopefully we'll see these societies develop in depth.
Excited to explore Laia's journey with grief and guilt, fingers crossed.