David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion

David, Karen, Jen and I are doing a buddy read for Grave Mercy starting Friday, March 7th! Everyone is welcome to join!

There are no set chapters per day, we just read at our own paces and start each post with how far along you are, i.e., Chapter #, %, using spoilers where needed. Have fun!

I kinda sorta started it last night after I finished Independent Study :) But I only read the first chapter (4%). It's a pretty long book, but off to a good start! Loved how the MC (view spoiler)[ showed a bit of her shoulder after she got off the boat to tantalize the boatman and the priest LOL!! Her voice is really good and the writing is really strong so far. (hide spoiler)]

Ismae definitely has grit.

I also have it, I will join you guys tomorrow

Yay, glad you're joining in Jesse!

Leigh wrote: "Ismae definitely has grit."

Ha, no doubt about that! She is completely cracking me up. It's a dark story but with a really light-hearted feel to it, which is exactly what I like :)

Yay, Jesse!! :)

Love it so far!

I am really enjoying this read, (10%) done, I really got freaked out when (view spoiler)[ Sybella was tied up and turn to smile to Ismae (hide spoiler)]

I started my reread last night but only got in the first chapter before falling asleep. I think I like it even better this time around knowing what's going on!

I'm at 29% and I am in LOVE with this book!! Its everything I love in a good adventure/historical/fantasy! (view spoiler)[ Oh my, Ismae is quite the character! I'm really curious as to the Reverend Mother at this point, is she working for the right cause? (hide spoiler)]

27% done (view spoiler)[ yeah Jenny, I was also wondering the same thing about her (hide spoiler)]

20% in... It's been awhile since I've read this and I've forgotten all the small details. I love the historical aspects. This is one of my favorite eras.

Jesse wrote: "I am really enjoying this read, (10%) done, I really got freaked out when [spoilers removed]"

Me too! She really was a bit freaky! Glad you're enjoying the buddy read :)

Sorry all, I'm a lot behind as haven't read in over 24 hours (eek! I'm going through withdrawal!)

No worries! I did that earlier this week. ;)

No worries, David, whenever you have time :)

I'll probably finish this one rather quickly, despite its size. Actually, the bigger the book, usually the quicker I read it! I love good long stories!

Ha... We posted the same thing, Jenny, at the same time!

LOL Karen! Great minds.... :)

I need to google to see if any of this story is based on real history.

I was wondering this as well, but I'm going to wait until I finish, so I don't accidentally get any spoilers! Researching a book while you are reading it is never a good thing!

http://www.robinlafevers.com/history/

When you finish, read this. It's not really a spoiler though. But, most of the historical things are true, Duchess Anne...

45% done I like the (view spoiler)[ way how Ismae always wants to take a look at Duval's face, I think she is getting in love with him (hide spoiler)]

I'm at 47%... And yup, I agree, Jesse!

Jenny invited me to join this buddy read for Grave Mercy! I'm going to start reading it. Do I have to join this discussion or once I post this will I just get updates? I feel so dumb but I'm new to this! Thanks for the help!

Yay, Rose! You should get updates!! :)

Thanks Karen :)

56% in... (view spoiler)[ I really liked the beginning of this book and seeing how Ismae becomes an assassin. I'm at the part that is tedious though. A bit too much of the politics. I hope it gets interesting again soon! :) (hide spoiler)]

Oh God, all of you are going so fast! I am still at 25% I need to catch up fast.

And hey, where is David? Haven't heard anything from him in 3 days.

Karen wrote: "56% in... [spoilers removed]"

It will. That was the lull in the storm. I hard a hard time with that too.

67% done. You are right Karen too much politics, (view spoiler)[ I´m very fascinated with Ismae reading souls, I want to that too hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Raby wrote: "Oh God, all of you are going so fast! I am still at 25% I need to catch up fast.

And hey, where is David? Haven't heard anything from him in 3 days."

He is super busy right now, trying to get settled in Hawaii. :)

Raby wrote: "Oh God, all of you are going so fast! I am still at 25% I need to catch up fast.

And hey, where is David? Haven't heard anything from him in 3 days."

I'm here *waves hand* Sorry, I'm so busy trying to edit my new book, manage some promotions, and get settled in Hawaii that I've had so little reading time :( But we might have found a place to live!!! YAY!!!

I'm at around 45% (view spoiler)[ Things are starting to get a little tedious for me. The writing is still very good, but the book is a little on the long and over-descriptive side for my taste. Or maybe my attention span is getting shorter. I'm looking forward to move on with the plot. (hide spoiler)]

Rfuentes wrote: "Jenny invited me to join this buddy read for Grave Mercy! I'm going to start reading it. Do I have to join this discussion or once I post this will I just get updates? I feel so dumb but I'm new..."

Yay! Join us! You'll probably catch up to Raby and I, so we look forward to your comments :)

I saw Adele's post on Facebook, my fingers are crossed for you guys :)

Reading time tonight, definitely--Daylight Savings Time kicked my butt yesterday. My free day became sleep day, and when I was awake, I just couldn't concentrate. I ended up watching House Hunters and other stimulating programming on HGTV. That is seriously one of the only channels I watch! lol

Welcome back David
I´m so happy that you are getting thru everything you have planned. Cheers for you and Adele

Thanks so much Jenny and Jesse, I really appreciate it!

I don't think I will catch up to you David as I am only at page 40 and 8% in. I haven't read a book like this one before, genre-wise, but I'm actually loving it so far! I am trying to finish up The Book Thief so juggling two books right now :)

No worries, we all read at our own pace. I'm about at 35% at the moment :) Still loving it!

Yay! Good to know :-)

89%done oops I think I went to fast but it gets better and better (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Ismae disobeyed the abbess's command, she acts by herself and tries to put a solution for not killing one of characters that has a marque (hide spoiler)]

Never too fast, Jesse! I've finished buddy reads in one day!! ;)

Good to know it picks up!! I read a bit last night and the action finally picked up! Glad to know it stays that way! :)

Rfuentes wrote: "I don't think I will catch up to you David as I am only at page 40 and 8% in. I haven't read a book like this one before, genre-wise, but I'm actually loving it so far! I am trying to finish up Th..."

Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying it, I'm really loving it too :)

Jesse wrote: "89%done oops I think I went to fast but it gets better and better [spoilers removed]"

It's okay, everyone reads at a different speed, nothing wrong with finishing before everyone else!

I'm at 65%. Although it was slow for a while, things have sped up like crazy lately and I. Love. This. Book! Such a refreshing read, I'm enjoying every word :) I loved how (view spoiler)[ She took down the two guards of Noumers (not sure if I spelled that right) that were traitors. I think I'm weird because I love reading about her killing people, but it's the way she does it and the fact that they're EVIL. (hide spoiler)]

I'm right at about that point too, David!! And I agree! (view spoiler)[I love how she sees their marques and then ends up killing them however their marque shows up. And I adore the Duchess! That was so sad that her betrothed was killed! (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, the marque thing is really creative, huge props to the author for that. I feel incredibly bad for the Duchess, it's just a shame that (view spoiler)[ she doesn't get to choose her husband. And now the best one is dead! (hide spoiler)]

Ok it is good to know Thanks Karen and David

Well I'm done, you are right David at first it was to slow but it gets better , just an incredible read looking forward to read the second book
(view spoiler)[ the sad part was that Duval's friends left this world, I got excited when Ismae got to see St Mortain, and the abbess got so jealous but happy that Ismae saved Duval (hide spoiler)]

18% in on Grave Mercy! Still loving it!

I'm up to 48%. Its taking me awhile, mainly because my real life keeps interfering!! And I have a few library books that have to be returned in a few days that I really want to read!

You are farther than me me Jenny :) I'm not a very fast reader though & Im also trying to finish The Book Thief.