Autumn Readers discussion

Here you guys go hope you like it!!

Thanks RoRo!

Btw, I'm reading the Finnish translation so I might mess up some of the words this book uses.

I don't think it would be that big a concern, as long as it doesn't stray too far ?

There are a lot of made up words in these books. Like in Harry Potter.

Oh, like incantations ? I guess we can put chapter numbers in each discussion so that other person can understand what they are referring to

I hope the name of the places remain the same in both versions lol. So far, I'm loving it.

The names are the same but some of the terms and names of the creatures are so different in translations it can be hard to tell which is which.

Like in Harry Potter
a dementor = ankeuttaja
a patronus = suojelius
Hogwarts = Tylypahka

And some are easier to recognize
a thestral = thestraali
an auror = aurori

oh okay, so far the only creature I came across is named "Volcra", so maybe it will be named different in Finnish version, but I googled and found out that maps looked similar, so there wouldn't be any issues there

Chapter 1 : I really don't like that Alina is written as having feelings for Mal straight away 😏 The world building is really great and I actually had to make up notes as I read along so that I don't miss out on any important characters or factions 😄

Makes me angry that I let this book sit on my shelf for too long untouched 😄

Volcras are just volkra in Finnish so no biggie there.

I'm actually already in chapter 7. The world building is great but a little confusing. All the different types of grishas haven't really been explained and I refuse to make notes. If I have to make notes to keep up with the world building or plot it's just bad writing. I trust that the grishas and the magic system and the different factions of the army get more familiar once Alina starts her journey as a grisha.

The Alina x Mal situation is a little odd, I agree. I don't like it either. I bet there's gonna be a moment for her when she realises she didn't actually have a crush on him but rather what he represents: home. These two could've had a simple siblinghood rather than a one way crush
And because of this crush Alina has, she seems to hate pretty much every other female character.

I honestly didn't expect this kind of book. There's so much hype about it I somehow thought this might be a little over-hyped. (Might still be, I need to read the whole series before I can know for certain).

I'm at Chapter 13 and Alina's journey is still similar to how she was at chapter 7. But thankfully, things are looking up ( I won't spoil anything until you reach there )

I had the same issue with Alina × Mal situation. It's just way too early for us readers to invest in her one sided crush. Alina has some flaws but so far nothing has made me hate/dislike the character. Same can't be said for The Apparat, he's real creepy lol.

And you are right that it gets confusing, like it's hard to remember all the different coloured cuffs within red,purple and blue grishas ( I hope the colours remain the same in both versions ) And sometimes I had to refer back to previous chapters to understand a term. So I just created a note and referred to it so that I don't feel lost, bear in mind, it's my fantasy book ( other than HP and Percy Jackson series )

It's actually easier to read because it's written in a First person form, but so far I'm loving this book and maybe the hype is warranted.

I am actually not that convinced with Darkling's true aim for Ravka, even though he's been super nice to Alina so far. Hope he doesn't turn out be a murderous villain. And watching the teaser for the show helped me immensely in picturising the characters to some degree.

I actually know how this story ends because I've already read King of Scars and that book takes place after events of this series. But don't worry, I won't spoil that.

I just finished chapter 14 and (view spoiler)[this Alina x Mal situation is actually interesting now that Alina decided to let go. He was just a reminder of home and childhood.

I don't really like the whole Darkling x Alina thing. It seems to be mostly physical which would be fine but Alina's dress is BLACK?! It's so blatantly marking her as his that I can't stand it all. Obviously he had it made for her and it's a little rude not to even give her the opportunity to choose between a blue and a black dress. But I guess that was the point because we all know she would've chosen the blue one. Mal's reaction to seeing her is justified but I don't like how he didn't give her a chance to expain her side and he just assumed what had happened.

There's definitely something going on and everyone is trying to warn Alina or get her to understand. The Apparat, Genia and even Baghra. I think Mall can tell at least partly about what's going on "behind the scenes" and what hasn't been told to Alina but he doesn't realise that she doesn't know. (hide spoiler)]

This is such a good book. I don't know if it's just so interesting or the fact that I'm reading in my native language (or both) but I'm going through this so fast.

Oh, I hope you're enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying it. And you're right, the story is paced perfectly and it makes it easier to read and understand it.

(view spoiler)[ I know right, now that they had some disagreements, I feel like I can invest in their future relationship if that happens. The time she tells her mind to let go of Mal was really moving and the first time she expressed her power on her own is beautiful.

I thought Mal came across as a major jerk in that chapter. Sure, Alina was swooning for Darkling, but she is his friend since childhood and his reaction to seeing her for the first time since Kribirsk was just wrong. And he still acted like a jerk even after Alina told him that she had written a dozen letters for him. I feel like they are going to end up together when the trilogy ends, but I hope he apologises to Alina before that.

It's blatantly visible that Darkling is going to end up as the bad guy. Even when he told Alina about Morozova herd, I just felt like he's going to use it for his own gain since the chapters before he told that "Age of Gersha is coming to an end" and I'm ticked off by that Black dress too. But maybe it was written that way, so that Mal can have a reason to be angry at Alina ? Even then, it felt not right when Mal blew up at Alina.

Maybe that's why Mal is ticked off because he knows more about the consequences it will bring to Ravka and if that were the reason, maybe I can cut him some slack 😂 I'm not sure how many people are in this plan to usurp Ravka and the whole world, so far I can only eliminate Alina and Baghra.

The story is moving along nicely. The only problem I got is, whenever I read a series, atleast by this point in its first book, I will root for a character. But in this series, I still don't know who to root for, not even Alina. Maybe, I can root for Genya to have a romantic moment with David lol. I am excited to find out how it's going to end.

And did you like that grand party in King's ballroom ? It was really good and the finishing touch from the Darkling and Alina was my best part of that party. I think it's shown in teaser maybe, but to read that scene, it was so awesome. (hide spoiler)]

Also, am I the only person who cringes at the fact that we've been calling him "Darkling" ? When I first heard it, it sounded bad ass but now I just feel like maybe they could have given him another cool name ? 😂

In the Finnish translation his name is translated and the word "darkling" is actually pretty hard to translate so his name is Varjo which means shadow and I think Shadow would've been way better name for him.

I think the scene in the trailer is when Alina first arrives to the palace and the next morning she and Darkling go to the king.

"Varjo" sounds more cool in English than Darkling, lol and Even Shadow sounds cooler than Darkling. When I hear that name I think of a small boy,😂 when in reality he's like the most powerful being in that world.

Yeah, you're right. I saw that trailer again and it was during her first meeting in the court before King.

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Now I can hop into Alina × Mal relationship. It got better with each chapter and even though it's kind of a cliche, now I can root for them to succed whatever Darkling throws at them. Some of the situations where it's written as characters having a laugh, especially after the parade, just didn't feel natural to me. Like, I understand the reason they laughed about the situation and it's funny too, but when Mal eased up, it felt like it was bought up unnaturally and kinda early ?

I was unconvinced with the whole Morozova herd plotline until this chapter, but now it's my favorite part. The stakes are high now and it was unnerving to think that Darkling now can use Alina's full power whenever he pleases. Also I suspect, Mal has some secret power maybe ? I'm just throwing it out here, so that I can say "told ya" in future lol

I'm glad Mal apologized to Alina for the way he behaved at the party and now it makes sense since from what I've seen so far, he kinda has a crush on her for some months. Nice that they atleast had a kiss before everything happened. I wish few of the Grisha's to go rogue before something bad happens.

What is wrong with the King here ? Seems like everyone other than King knows that his time is coming to an end 😂 (hide spoiler)]

I finished it! (view spoiler)[I don't like Mal x Alina. It's just too much of a cliche. Too much boy/girl next door type of innocent romance.

After Darkling got a hold of her power I was so worried the next book would be so boring, just her moping around unable to do anything and being bound to him like that. I can't wait to hear what happens in court now that Alina stood up to him. Maybe some of the Grishas will desert him and try to find or somehow contact Alina.

I got so many spoilers from the King of Scars I'm a little too excited to finish the whole series. I just wanna know what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

I finished it too. (view spoiler)[ I completely agree with your Mal × Alina assessment. It's just too cliche like I mentioned and it's kinda bland.

I had the same feeling of dreadfulness when they got captured, it would have made me not pick up the second book if they hadn't escaped by the end. Since Apparat is gone now, maybe there's a chance for resistance from the First Army ( King's army ) and I don't think Darkling planned for a situation like that. Maybe this will make the second book interesting ( other than the fact that it's written in third person, which I love )

It would be nice if some of the Gersha questions his authority now, that he failed them spectacularly. Maybe there's hope for them yet. I did not predict that ending, it was nice they let Alina grow in character ( when she did "The Cut" and broke the boat in the shadowfold, so that she and Mal can escape ) The Alina of Chapter 18 wouldn't have done that and that gives me hope that it will get better with next books.

Honestly, until the final act I wasn't convinced with that book. Sure it was a good story but most characters felt a little bland for my liking but now that it's done, I'm excited to finish the whole series as well. I'm excited about the next book 💚 (hide spoiler)]

When are you picking up the next book ? And thank you for letting me buddy read with you, reading Fantasy is amazing and I'll never forget this book.

I'm not sure when I can get the next book. I have to wait for someone to return it to the library first.

If it's okay with you, Can I read with you once you get the book ? I already have the book but I don't like to read it alone : )

I'm actually having a really busy spring and summer so I don't know if I'm gonna do buddy reads anymore.

okay