Challenge Corner discussion

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

Can't wait to start!:)

Me too Jackie! I'm going to start at 7 (10 your time) Don't think I can do a lot of reading tonight, I just got in and I still have laundry and some other fun household chores. I really hate cleaning up, I'd rather be reading, but I just have to persevere or my house would look like a pig pen..lol

Are you able to start soon Jackie?

Do you think this could be put in the supernatural category?

Looks like I've finished all my homework for tonight so I might try and start it after my shower.:) Haha, I spent some time tidying up my dorm as well.

That's funny we were on the same mindset to clean up! :)

I read 4 chapters, I think I will stop here for the night.
It started out really fast paced and picked up right where the first book left off, Laia and Elias on the run. And there is a surprising moment when Elias faces his mother, The Commandant, alone. I'm curious as to what this means.

Chapter 5: This is intense! Wonder what the price was.

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[I'm glad they made it away from the tribesman. I feel terrible that Laia had to kill him though because that can't have been easy on her. As for her ability to make herself disappear, I wonder if she'll use it again. If she has an ability and Helene has one, I'm wondering if Elias has one as well. I'm still wondering what the exact price Helene's father paid was. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't get on at all yesterday, my son was sick. I'm going to try to get some reading done today. How is going for you Jackie?

I finished 3 more chapters. I'm on Chapter 8 right now.
I still can't believe what an evil witch Elias has for a mother!!
I like how they put in Helenes POV as well, she is an interesting character.

Yeah, but I think I'd have liked the Commandant's pov a little better.

Oh she definitely would be interesting to get to know, and find out what makes her tick. She is an extremely smart but twisted woman!

Now that you have me thinking about that, it would be a great addition to the third book Jackie, to have The Commandants POV! Hopefully the author will have the same smart idea. That would really liven up the series.

I'm about to continue on. Still on Chapter 8. I'm going to have to do some power reading soon!

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[What! The cook? What does she want? Could she be Laia's mother/some sort of relative? (hide spoiler)]

Jackie wrote: "Chapter 10: [spoilers removed]"

I know it was surprising she has the gift to disappear, I think The Augurs know she has some kind of power that's why they wanted to save her. I bet Elias has a gift too.

Chapter 10:

(view spoiler)[
I'm beginning to feel like poor Elias and Laia are never going to have a moments piece. They are constantly fighting for their life. And now Elias only has a few months to live, thanks to his crazy evil mother! Although I'm hoping some cure will present itself right before he's about to go. Or maybe Helene will find him and heal him!

I probably don't need spoilers since you are ahead of me Jackie. But I thought maybe good in case somebody stumbles on thread that hasn't read it yet. (hide spoiler)]

Jackie wrote: "Chapter 11: [spoilers removed]"

OMG that was so shocking. I'm thinking it might be!! Why else would she be so protective?

Chapter 12:

(view spoiler)[

I wondered when Keenan would show up. This is about to get good! I really like love triangles because it helps build anticipation and you always have a favorite to root for. But honestly this one is hard...I want Laia to get with Elias but I really like Keenan too. And part of me wants to see Elias with Helene. So confusing!! (hide spoiler)]

I made it to Chapter 17. I think I'm done for the night.

(view spoiler)[

Laia and crew can't catch a break. They are constantly in a battle for their lives. Now I'm worried about Izzi..hoping she doesn't lose her other eye from the sand storm.
And I think Elias and Laia hit the nail on the head. I think something is trying to stop them from making it to their destination and controlling the elements. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, that's kind of why I do spoilers.:) Haha, now you're ahead of me. I should have time to catch up tonight--my plan is to read at least five chapters a day.

That's a good plan Jackie.

Colleen: (view spoiler)[Yeah, I agree that it is hard to choose who's the favourite this time. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[What even!! I can't say that I can't believe it, but still, I was hoping she wouldn't kill Izzy off. I don't even know how to feel! I wonder what they'll do with the other scholars. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 39: (view spoiler)[Wow! This is getting really intense. I can't believe everything that's going on right now. What is Elias going to do? How will they get him out? Why did he actually think Darin was dead? (hide spoiler)]

Wow Jackie you made it far!

I just finished Chapter 18.
I don't think I like Afya Ara-Nur, maybe I will change my mind. I guess I can't fault her she is worried about her tribe, but I'm not sure I trust her.

(view spoiler)[
Seriously I teared up a bit when when Elias gets to see Mamie Rila for the first time in 14 years. He is going through so much anguish for the things he has done as a Mask hopefully she will help him deal with his pain a bit. I'm so glad he got to see her but at the same time I'm worried Afya may have put her in danger. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[

That chapter just broke my heart! I can't believe the people most important to Elias in Tribe Saif, the people who raised him as a little boy, were captured by Martials. And it looks like Mamie Rila, his true mother in spirit, is dead. (hide spoiler)]

I am still not anywhere near you Jackie!
I'm on Chapter 28 and I think I'm done for the night.

I don't think Harper is as bad as Helene thinks or just The Commandants spy, I get this feeling he is going to become important to her or at least a friend. What do you think?

Colleen wrote: "I am still not anywhere near you Jackie!
I'm on Chapter 28 and I think I'm done for the night.

I don't think Harper is as bad as Helene thinks or just The Commandants spy, I get this feeling he ..."

Yeah, I definitely agree. I can't really make him out even now, but I definitely think he has a role to play.

Jackie wrote: "Chapter 29: [spoilers removed]"

Seriously wasn't expecting that!! I had some tears in my eyes. I hope Laia gets her revenge.

Middle of Chapter 30

(view spoiler)[

No way!! Darin can't be gone. All that trouble for nothing. I don't believe it. I'm not sure if I'm buying this yet. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30

Stuff just went from bad to worse for Elias! Crap!!! :(

Chapter 38

(view spoiler)[

Please let it be true!! I was really hoping Darin was still alive and had a feeling he wasn't really dead. I hope this is the case. (hide spoiler)]

Jackie wrote: "Chapter 39: [spoilers removed]"

I'm wondering what Helene is going to do when she gets to him!
I hate the Warden of Kauf about as much as The Commandant. They are both evil. I'm also wondering what question Harper needs answered. I knew he wasn't fully intent on spying for The Commandant.

Chapter 41


(view spoiler)[
I just had a thought come to me and like duh...it should have come a long time ago!! I bet Helene can heal Elias from the poison...maybe? (hide spoiler)]

Just finished Chapter 41. And OMG!!!!!

(view spoiler)[

I can't believe Keenan is helping The Warden!! I felt uneasy about him a couple of times but that was a shock, and Laia is going to be heartbroken!!
There are a lot of good twists in this book. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 45

I can usually tell where a book is leading, and there are some things in this book I already guessed, but there are some things that have absolutely shocked me while reading this book!

(view spoiler)[

Ewwwwwww...Laia slept with that thing!! Yuck. I was torn between wanting Laia with Elias or Keenan, but I always had a little resistance towards Kennan, now I know why! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 49:

(view spoiler)[

Noooo. Elias can't be dead!! Hopefully he is not really gone! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I never liked Keenan at all. He was just too...pompus or something for my liking. (hide spoiler)]