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Cassandra Clare

Thanks Courtney

Started today, just over 100 pages in. The world is interesting and I like the characters and the writing too. What do you think so far?

I read 25 pages or so before bed but I can definitely tell I like it. Couldn’t really tell too much so early in but I didn’t want to put it down! Intrigued for sure!

I have a bit more reading time nowadays lol

yay thanks Courtney! :)

I've been liking this a lot so far! I like how sweet the little prince was, giving the sword catcher a choice if he wanted to take on the role or not. it did seem like if he said no, he would be killed for knowing too much now though haha so maybe it wasn't so nice

Lol I like him too! I haven’t been reading so much over the weekend but I’m gonna read it as much as I can in the meantime !

Indeed, I mean at least Kel wouldn't grow hungry or end up in the streets.

yeah, exactly! I'm on Chapter 3 now :) curious about the other characters perspective we got in chapter 2!
and same, Courtney! catching up this week :)

I like Lin too. She is fierce haha.

I’m super behind on this one! I got caught up with iron flame which I have not started yet, but it’s been crazy with Amazon and target the last two days

Haha...I saw everyone is going crazy about it. I will probably listen to it at some point just out of curiosity as I wasn't blown away by Fourth Wing.

Also, sorry, I finished this one already, but there is no rush anyway. I won't reveal anything and will just discuss as you girls go along. :)

I can already tell that this one’s gonna be good though I just gotta get my head space right. I’m glad that this one is a series

I was so disappointed with how they did iron flame I mean obviously they knew that there was going to be a huge following behind it so the problems that they had because they were not equipped for the outcome like they should’ve been is insane not only were people having problems at orders of like six months ago, but the actual book that we got was sprayed edges and all that it looks like somebody use sharpie and just colored the edges. I mean it it looks horrible. Not to mention all the books that were damaged I mean it’s crazy.

I knew you were going to finish fast when you were already 100 pages in like the first night lol

Wow, really? That is so bad of them. I mean you would assume they would be prepared especially when people I assume are paying extra for the special edition. Hopefully they are admitting fault and reimbursing or sending another copy?
Haha...sorry. Maybe we should set a pace for the next read lol. It was the only book I was reading other than an audiobook. Plus I'm mostly at home now with the baby, so have a bit more extra time on the days my other little boy goes to daycare.

i'm on chapter 5! listening to this one on audiobook but it's still taking me a while lol. for some reason, British accents sometimes make me sleepy! maybe because I used to watch Planet Earth to go to sleep lol. but yeah, the narrators voice is a little too soothing so I'm only listening sporadically

I'm curious about the prince's "mistakes" though... and if Kel is really entertaining the invitation from the Ragpicker King...

Lol Bella...I get what you mean, some accents/voices seem more soothing. My husband is English, but I don't think he can put me to sleep hahaha.
Chapters are actually quite long. I feel for Kel, most people at the palace don't really know him but also most are not good people either.

lol that's funny!! who knows! haha
yup, I don't think we've met a palace character who seems genuine. we'll see I guess!!

Lol...most of them are rich and entitled

Haha what else is new ^^^

Haha...true. Did you already read Iron Flame, Courtney?

No I’m about 100 pages in. It’s long. I’m reading sword catcher tonight though

I didn’t start it the day I got it bc I was already reading this one and finishing the ballad of never after but I couldn’t help myself so I started yesterday :) I’m just gonna read both lol 😝

Hahaha...I will probably give into the hype and read it out of curiosity, but will be getting the audiobook for it.

I also got the Audiobook for Iron Flame! I'm going to start it as soon as I finish Sword Catcher lol.
what annoyed me about the audiobook was that I felt like they could've chosen literally any other narrator for the main character. the one they chose in the first book had like a cold or something for the first half! her voice was so nasally, and it put me off, but decided to keep listening and then all of a sudden, her voice sounded normal. She also had one of those voices that sounds like it would be better suited for animation... maybe I'm comparing her to Julia Whelan too much. I'm probably being a little too critical, but since I primarily listen to audiobooks and don't really complain about a narrator, I felt like this one was particularly annoying lol.

COURTNEY POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD:
I'm on Chapter 17 and something big just happened!! Lin is healing the Prince from his lashes :'( and she's thirsting over him super bad lol. enemies to lovers??

Haha Bella...I also listened to the audiobook for Fourth Wing, but didn't notice that...or if I did, it didn't phase me that much lol. Not everyone is as good as Julia Whelan though...and January Lavoy who did The Diviners is amazing too.

SPOILERS COURTNEY :)
I know, I think the Prince is thirsting over her too, hence why he is pushing her away. I had a feeling he will be since Lin healed Kel.

What do you think of the Ragpicker King?

yesss January Lavoy is amazing!

I think he's a pretty complicated character! I love it when authors have characters like him where they're super flawed but still have some sort of morals? Like how he considers himself a criminal and kills people but won't force Lin to join his ranks, and is willing to help her as long as she helps him. I feel like he easily could've taken the stone from her but decided to let her keep it.

Totally agree, Bella! I do like this type of character too...a criminal with a code let's say haha. The Maharan and some of the people in the Sault make so mad with the way they consider Lin as not being worthy of certain things because she is a woman.

yes!! it reminds me of those memes... "I'm a villain but I'm not a monster" lol.
Lin is my favorite character!! I look forward to her POVs!! But yes, it's incredibly frustrating that she has had to work so much harder than the other physicians in order to be seen as even WORTHY of practicing medicine - not even as an equal. I relate to her a little, being a woman in engineering :')

Lol...true.
Lin is my favourite too. She is so driven and unapologetic. I do like Kel as well.
Its so frustrating that even nowadays women need to work harder to prove themselves in fields considered more "male". Well done you :)

Yess that's a perfect description of her!!
It really is!! Thanks ❤️

COURTNEY, POTENTIAL SPOILERS!!
I just got to the part where it's the day after the party, Lin danced in front of everyone and then Conor kissed her! and now it's the next day and he goes to her house and is like "it didn't mean anything btw, I don't even remember it, I kiss lots of people" like okayy Conor did you really have to make the trip to tell her that LOL!! I'm giggling to myself listening to it haha. And now he said, "you said I was a selfish bastard, but would a selfish bastard gift you this?" oh my goodness, he wants her so badddd

SPOILERS COURTNEY!
Lol...I know. He made the special trip there but doesn't mean anything by it haha. He was mesmerised when she danced. But he is pushing her away cause he doesn't want to feel this way...I guess there is no future for them with how the country is at the moment.

SPOILERS!
and with his 12 year old bride-to-be!! like what?! I'm loving this book, I don't want it to end lol. I'm happy it's a series!! I'm at the part where Kel is pretending to be him at Conors coronation ceremony (I think that's what it is). I think it's very dramatic of him to not attend his own ceremony because he's upset about Lin haha but I also love the sassiness of it. oh and I was SO MAD that they took Lins book away!!! literally my heart was beating fast and everything while reading that part >:(

Thanks for putting the spoiler alert on there lol I’ve been avoiding this chat for the same reason but I just picked the book back up and hopefully I’ll be able to join in on the conversation here soon

Excited to hear your thoughts Courtney!! :)

SPOILERS, SORRY COURTNEY!
I know...didn't expect the 12 year old...feel sorry for the little girl, she is just a pawn. It was the engagement party that the queen organised I believe. Connor doesn't know what to do about his feelings for Lin haha. I feel for Lin, just because she is a woman and she dared to be a doctor...made me so mad too.

Yes, Courtney! no worries :)

SPOILERS!!
yeah, my heart broke when they tried to force her to dance in front of everyone! it was so humiliating. but I do like that the author added that. I feel like before then, we were mostly aware that they were just assholes, but that scene really showed their cruelty.

SPOILERS!
I know...that was just awful...but I was annoyed that Connor just sat there. I know he was fascinated by her, but it was humiliating for her. She was brave to do it.

SPOILERS!
I just finished the book last night! I was NOT expecting THAT to be her plan!! what?!

SPOILERS!
Me either...I guess she thinks she will have access to get the book? But what if she actually is? Or something close to it, like one who can wield more magic than others.
Also, didn't expect the general to know that much about Kel and the Ragpicker King. Felt sorry for the little princess...and what was up with the king? How was he that powerful all of a sudden. Hopefully Connor will wise up a bit in the next book lol.

Lmao I knew not to come here! I am hoping to be finished this week I’m so glad you guys liked it though :)

Ps. Iron flame did not live up to its hype. I was really hoping for violets character to become developed even more in this one into a strong female woman but in this book she regressed and I literally wanted to fight here the whole book. This book was so rushed in every single way