Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I finished .5, 1, and 2. I'm making myself wait on 3. I want to at least start one of the August brs since I have so many at the start of the month. If I can finish Naamah's Kiss fast I might jump ..."

I'm halfway through Invisible Library already... then I'm free until the 4th... which is the last Edge BR... another IA book :)

I am done with .5 and one... I love this world! I love Kate! On to book 2!

Miche, i am seconding Diana in being stoked about how much you are enjoying the series! It truly is an awesome coming home type of experience, isn't it?! 😉

Finished Book 2

This is probably the most powerful we will see Kate for some time. The Flair really amplified her power. But also this book showed just how savagely and effectively she can fight when she has nothing to lose. Honestly (view spoiler)[ Kate is scary. Imagine you are Morfran. You are a God who has just unleashed an army of unkillable creatures at your enemies. And one woman runs out and cripples 20-30% of your force with one word. And then murders her way through the rest of the army. I can just imagine his confusion and terror.

And that part at the end where she threatens Red and knows without any doubt that she can take on Morrigan - its a nod to what her potential is (hide spoiler)]

And then there is that ending scene - (view spoiler)[ I feel like this is Curran's first direct and open overture to Kate. The soup was for himself, it was a Beast Lord thing. The coffee was for Kate. If nothing else it showed that he empathized with her, that she may not need to be alone forever. I always love that scene. (hide spoiler)]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I finished .5, 1, and 2. I'm making myself wait on 3. I want to at least start one of the August brs since I have so many at the start of the month. If I can finish Naama..."

I didn't like the last one as much as the others. I thought 1 and 2 were best, 3 was ok, and 4 was bleh. They all kept the same formula so by book 4 I was kind of over it.

Choko wrote: "I am done with .5 and one... I love this world! I love Kate! On to book 2!"

yay!

I am going to stop for the moment and try to stick to the schedule. I really want this read to take some time.

Just one thing - can we move the schedule up, maybe try to finish by September?

Arkadeb wrote: "Just one thing - can we move the schedule up, maybe try to finish by September?"

I'm on board with that idea. It looks like most people are going pretty quickly anyway.

Arkadeb wrote: "Finished Book 2

This is probably the most powerful we will see Kate for some time. The Flair really amplified her power. But also this book showed just how savagely and effectively she can fight w..."

Yea... I was kinda surprised (view spoiler)[by that scene where she started speaking in Power Words... that it happened so early in the series, I mean... I don't think that happens again until towards the end, either... (hide spoiler)]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Just one thing - can we move the schedule up, maybe try to finish by September?"

I'm on board with that idea. It looks like most people are going pretty quickly anyway."

I know it's pushing Virginie, but I'd like to read the whole thing relatively close to the release of Magic Triumphs...

Actually... I'm reading Rithmatist and was hoping to finish White Sand after that but... Too much Sanderson at once. So I don't have anything on ebook until the 4th, or even the 10th if we're not reading Ravensong immediatly with the NBC.

Summary: LET'S BINGE WOOHOO

I'm thinking I can do #3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5 by the 10th. I'll be swamped in BR until the 20th but after, I'm game.

lol... One of Us... One of Us... One of Us...

This next chunk is great... you lasted all of 12hrs?

Yup. I also really dived into Rithmatist and realized I read almost half the book just today. I thought it would take me longer...
I tend to associate with 1k pages doorstep because of SA hahaha.

Iain wrote: "lol... One of Us... One of Us... One of Us...

This next chunk is great... you lasted all of 12hrs?"

This is my favorite chant and I tend to use it way more than ever I thought I would, all in this group lol

I'm still going to start Naamah's Kiss tonight, but I have a feeling it'll be one of those books that I get bored with that'll need to be broken up with other books. So I might move to KD book 3 tomorrow.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "lol... One of Us... One of Us... One of Us...

This next chunk is great... you lasted all of 12hrs?"

This is my favorite chant and I tend to use it way more than ever I thought I woul..."

I like using Peer Pressure as a joke...

All the cool kids are reading it :D

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I'm still going to start Naamah's Kiss tonight, but I have a feeling it'll be one of those books that I get bored with that'll need to be broken up with other books. So I might move to KD book 3 to..."

Going to start as well, hope its slightly faster paced than the last book.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "lol... One of Us... One of Us... One of Us...

This next chunk is great... you lasted all of 12hrs?"

This is my favorite chant and I tend to use it way more than ever I thought I woul..."

I kinda feel like it's cosmic payback for all the times I sprung surprise BRs on you xD

Just started #3: I've always had a bit of a problem with this opening segment... (view spoiler)[IA basically reused the "theoretical situation" from the 2nd book, about a grandma Harpy... an event that was already based on a true story, I think, at the time... (hide spoiler)]

Are we starting 3? We are? Excellent!

I just caught up on some Curran PoVs in the meantime.

Arkadeb wrote: "Are we starting 3? We are? Excellent!

I just caught up on some Curran PoVs in the meantime."

Yup, I upped the schedule to try and finish closer to the release of KD #10. So far, it's #3, 3.5, 4 and 4.5 until the 10th. Let's see if we can read even further than that in that time :D

After that, we have a 10 days break until the 20th. That's my schedule however, you can go on without waiting 10 days of you want :)

I will read all the comments when I get to my computer sometime this week.

These books are messing up my sleeping schedule. I just keep reading "one more chapter", "ok, just one more", "this is really the last one tonight", "I can't stop here, I need to know what is happening", "ok, I can stop here". Looks at the clock: "ops..."

Me this morning: "I will sleep early tonight!"

I can see myself tonight: "sleep is overrated! Just one more chapter". lol

Choko wrote: "Miche, i am seconding Diana in being stoked about how much you are enjoying the series! It truly is an awesome coming home type of experience, isn't it?! 😉"

It is awesome! I will be rereading this one for sure! 😍😍😍

Virginie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "lol... One of Us... One of Us... One of Us...

This next chunk is great... you lasted all of 12hrs?"

This is my favorite chant and I tend to use it way more..."

Ha! lol

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I'm still going to start Naamah's Kiss tonight, but I have a feeling it'll be one of those books that I get bored with that'll need to be broken up with other books. So I..."

I'm 20% and already hate it. Switching to Magic Strikes.

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I'm still going to start Naamah's Kiss tonight, but I have a feeling it'll be one of those books that I get bored with that'll need to be broken up with other books. So I..."

I'm 20% and already hate it. Switching to Magic Strikes.

Iain wrote: "Just started #3: I've always had a bit of a problem with this opening segment... [spoilers removed]"

It's probably a common occurrence. And in the last book I think it was an aunt ;-)

Miche wrote: "I will read all the comments when I get to my computer sometime this week.

These books are messing up my sleeping schedule. I just keep reading "one more chapter", "ok, just one more", "this is r..."

I love this comment so much lol

Iain wrote: "Just started #3: I've always had a bit of a problem with this opening segment... [spoilers removed]"

Just started as well and I thought: "wait, didn't that happen already?" ;)

Miche wrote: "I will read all the comments when I get to my computer sometime this week.

These books are messing up my sleeping schedule. I just keep reading "one more chapter", "ok, just one more", "this is r..."

Sleep is for the weak.

I forgot book 3 was the one with the games. I loved this book.

Yea... I love this book every time...

#TeamPillowFightClub #Diana'sCuddleCorner

Not a real spoiler so I'm not tagging it. 15% in. Raphael is explaining how a lion hunts. He keeps saying "he" in relation to the lion. Problem is male lions don't hunt. They sit on their fat, furry butts while the females do all the work. You'd think a were would know that.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Not a real spoiler so I'm not tagging it. 15% in. Raphael is explaining how a lion hunts. He keeps saying "he" in relation to the lion. Problem is male lions don't hunt. They sit on their fat, furr..."

And Curran says exactly this in a later book.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I love this comment so much lol "

😘😘

Virginie wrote: "Sleep is for the weak."

After having a triple latte this morning, am as good as new, so I agree with you. lol

Takes a special book, these days, to keep me awake when I'm tired... partially because I'm listening instead of reading myself...

Finished Book 3

This and Book 4 are my two unreservedly favourite books. They are my comfort reads and I come back to them often.

Some highlights

The first battle : (view spoiler)[ Probably the funniest part of the entire series. Kate and Curran have to pretend to be incompetent. Yeah right. I love how Kate is utterly deadly even without making any effort. And Curran's "Did he expect me to catch him" line is utter gold. I can visualize this entire fight in funny anime mode. Especially Dali randomly casting the Crimson Jaws of Death (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Julie (view spoiler)[ I giggled throughout the school visit. Kate just understands these things - she is an awesome crazy aunt. (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Curran (view spoiler)[ This is the book where their dynamic finally softens. I love how Kate unconsciously acts the Alpha - from volunteering to put Derek down to agreeing entirely with Curran why Dali was reckless - and Curran appreciates this. Plus the sexual tension had to be released a bit - that hot tub scene from both their PoVs is an excellent way to understand how badly they want each other and while Kate always holds herself back slightly, Curran will not budge from his own stance of respecting consent. Not even a little bit (hide spoiler)]

The ending scenes (view spoiler)[ I laughed so hard at Raphael's gesture. And it was very touching how tender all the shapeshifters are with Kate. Andrea did explain to them how she had saved them all and clearly it was a lot for Jim to digest. But I especially loved how tender Kate and Curran were to each other - for that moment there was no pretense, no toughness, no ego (hide spoiler)]

Powerlevels (view spoiler)[ after the epic battle at the end of the last book it might seem a bit odd to talk about power levels, but what this book showed was how utterly above the average both Kate and Curran are. They can both appreciate and identify their opponents and take them out almost casually. Curran in particular showed exactly why he is the Beast Lord - he slaughters the rakshasas without even thinking. (hide spoiler)]

I loved book 3! It is so hilarious and sad at the same time! I love tjat it has pretty much all of my favorite characters and all of them get involved 😀! Poor baby wolf though... If it wasn't for his experience, I would call tgis book almost a slap-stick comedy😎

I'm so annoyed I took the Amazon Prime testing in order to have my books today... but I forgot I changed my credit card. Well, not exactly. I remember my banker saying to me that my new card would have the same number as my old one. I asked him "so it will have the same number on the card and the same code PIN" he said "yes that's what I was telling you" like I'm retarded. Thanks a lot, Mr Banker, it is NOT the same code on the card, and now my reading of Kate is delayed. Fortunatly, I was asking this because I was going to London a few weeks later and had reservations with my first credit card... but didn't have to show it. Phew. (but I would have changed my credit card on my Amazon account if I had known ! and tonight I would have been with Kate ! that only mean more Fitz for me tonight, I guess)

Magic Strikes 40% (view spoiler)[There is nothing more satisfying than a first kiss after 3 books worth of heavy build up. (hide spoiler)]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Magic Strikes 40% [spoilers removed]"

It was a great moment!

One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)

Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

That's honestly my favorite thing about Ilona Andrews books. They have great romances, but the romances are always second to the awesome plots.

Just passing here to confirm that sleep is indeed overrated. 😂😂😂😂

I just finished Magic Slays and I am starting Magic Rises.

I decided to stick only to the main series for the moment. I will read the novellas and other novels after.

Miche wrote: "Just passing here to confirm that sleep is indeed overrated. 😂😂😂😂

I just finished Magic Slays and I am starting Magic Rises.

I decided to stick only to the main ser..."

You are on a roll!

I'm at the very end of Magic Strikes. I love this book if for no other reason than the banter and the romance. But of course there are many other reasons, too 😋

Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

Yes! It's the balance between the plot-action and the plot romance, and the immense amount of snark that makes this series so good.

Also I totally love OP protagonists. One reason I can't enjoy Mercy Thompson is that she is so weak.