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In a fallen kingdom, one girl carries the key to discovering the secrets of her nation’s past—and unleashing the demons that sleep at its heart. An epic fantasy series inspired by the mythology and folklore of ancient China.

Once, Lan had a different name. Now she goes by the one the Elantian colonizers gave her when they invaded her kingdom, killed her mother, and outlawed her people’s magic. She spends her nights as a songgirl in Haak’gong, a city transformed by the conquerors, and her days scavenging for what she can find of the past. Anything to understand the strange mark burned into her arm by her mother in her last act before she died.

The mark is mysterious—an untranslatable Hin character—and no one but Lan can see it. Until the night a boy appears at her teahouse and saves her life.

Zen is a practitioner—one of the fabled magicians of the Last Kingdom. Their magic was rumored to have been drawn from the demons they communed with. Magic believed to be long lost. Now it must be hidden from the Elantians at all costs.

When Zen comes across Lan, he recognizes what she is: a practitioner with a powerful ability hidden in the mark on her arm. He’s never seen anything like it—but he knows that if there are answers, they lie deep in the pine forests and misty mountains of the Last Kingdom, with an order of practitioning masters planning to overthrow the Elantian regime.

Both Lan and Zen have secrets buried deep within—secrets they must hide from others, and secrets that they themselves have yet to discover. Fate has connected them, but their destiny remains unwritten. Both hold the power to liberate their land. And both hold the power to destroy the world.

Now the battle for the Last Kingdom begins.

I fell behind but my hold for the audio for this expires in 8 days, so I'll need to get to it soon.

Chapters 1-4
(view spoiler)[ I am loving this so far. Such a strong intro and I love how fleshed out the world is already. I'm very nervous for Lon with this jerk, I'm really hoping that was magic that hurt or killed him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Eleven
(view spoiler)[ So glad they made it. What is this presense in Zen and what happened 12 cycles ago? It must be connected to what happened to Lan's mother. I wonder how they will heal her arm, and what the power is that she has? This world is so fascinating, I can't wait to learn more. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Seventeen
(view spoiler)[ This is so fascinating. I liked getting to learn about the school and I'm very much team the rebel master whose name has escaped me. Poor Zen, I can't imagine what he went through and how dare people make fun of him for what he did to survive it. I'm also very much feeling like the teachings are all wrong and actually they need to go wayward to save things. That it isn't actually a bad thing if you don't lose yourself. Very curious about what Lan's mom left for her. But also you idiots why are you going when the tracking spell is still in her arm? I think this was explained but I don't remember what the reason was and it just seems like such a colossally bad idea. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty Three
(view spoiler)[ Whoa so much has happened. Finding that school and the room and her ocarina. Learning about his demon, having it come out and destroy everything, learning the Elantian's plans. And that's why Dilaya and her mother hate Zen so much, makes sense. But also how are going to get out of this? And how will they alone be able to make a stand against the Elantian's, even with the demon gods power surely two of them are not enough. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ oh my god. Zen I can't believe you did that, you idiot. But then Lan having one too, and one being at the school and the grandmaster was her father. Oh my god. Starting the next one now because I have to know what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[ Thus far all of Zens chapters are omg dude why are you so stupid. He keeps making the wrong choices and it's so frustrating. Lan's journey is fun, it's nice to see her paired up with Dilaya. I really have no idea where this going to go, but I'm enjoying the ride. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter sixteen
(view spoiler)[ continuing on in my wtf Zen, the seeds are souls?! And he ate it anyway. Wtf. Then there's the prince with Lan and his demon god. I'm guessing there will be four of them, each bound to a demon god. Are those seeds what the prince is treating himself with? And if so again WTF. (hide spoiler)]

I'll try to join for the second book! :)

Chapter Twenty One
(view spoiler)[ Okay wow that makes so much sense and also I love this. They were gods then were corrupted by us, and the Godkiller will release them. This is so so good. I'm curious how the Elantian's tie and will be defeated. Up until now we haven't really focused on them. (hide spoiler)]

Started, but... I remember nothing!

Andy wrote: "Started, but... I remember nothing!"

Oh no, that always happens to me. Hopefully it starts to come back.

Ah! Unfortunately not really... I wonder if I should reread the first one...

Chapter 3 : ok, thankfully Zen's inner monologue is helpful (view spoiler)[Zen is making bad choice after bad choice despite not doing anything much apart from exploring - an accomplishment! But does Lan have a Demon God? Seems wrong, I am confused...Also, finding the tombs of the ancestors who can rise to be an army is way too covenient
come on! (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "
Chapters 1-6
[spoilers removed]"

Agreed...
Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[Zen is so annoying!!! Just tell Lan why you are looking for the Phoenix, actually? Come on! If you have time for kissing you have time for explaining! And now the Turtle is taking over anyway... I mean... I totally expect Zan not to make it out at all, but give it a try?
Also, everything is too simple - I need the thing, ah, I know the info of where the thing is, it is over there, let's go over there - 2 seconds later: here we are, where is the info? Next chapter: here is the info! Come on! Fewever McGuffins and more difficult to find please! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[Sure, everyone is in love with Lan... Anyway, the Emperor is fishy... (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Twenty One
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[Yes, it makes sens4, though I suspected it since they started talking of "finding the truth". They are also called Demon GODS... It is all very dramatic in these last few chapters... (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Ok, fine, the end was good... :P (hide spoiler)]