Challenge Corner discussion

Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan has spent the last ten years fighting for survival in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, working as the prison healer.

When the Rebel Queen is captured, Kiva is charged with keeping the terminally ill woman alive long enough for her to undergo the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals.

Then a coded message from Kiva’s family arrives, containing a single order: “Don’t let her die. We are coming.” Aware that the Trials will kill the sickly queen, Kiva risks her own life to volunteer in her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom.

But no one has ever survived.

With an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva’s heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can’t escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

Going to dive into this after I finish One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Falling Down Under!

I haven't gotten much listening done today. I had too much work to catch up on since I was off Friday and Saturday.

I'll get to this in a couple days

Oh man, I was just given another work project on top of the one I'm still working on. Not sure if I will dive into the book since I have the physical with me.

Alaina wrote: "Oh man, I was just given another work project on top of the one I'm still working on. Not sure if I will dive into the book since I have the physical with me."

Ah, so many projects!

Yeah, I might actually dive into the book tomorrow. Maybe. So I can play around with the new project today and get used to it.

Starting this now!

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Eeeeeeeeeeeeeck! Okay, that's a good way to start off this book. I'm excited. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Prologue: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah very intense!

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ I love the premise and am interested in what will happen. It was maybe a bit slow but with the trials I'm sure things will pick up.

Also, her family constantly saying they're coming even though it's been 10 years is kind of shitty. It gives her hope, but it's a false hope (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Chapter 10 .."

Makes me think of Annie with her damn locket and the note from her parents.

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Wow, okay, that prologue was intense but then things slowed down with all those trials. Blegh. I hope things pick up again because I don't want to be bored with this one.

I'm also very intrigued with this Rebel Queen, the little prophecy - don't let her die, and her family...which I feel like is a trick being played on her right now? Like giving her false hope. Not sure. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Chapter 10 .."

Makes me think of Annie with her damn locket and the note from her parents."

Yes!

Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: Wow, okay, that prologue was intense but then things slowed down with all those trials. Blegh. I hope things pick up again because I don't want to be bored with this one.

I'm also very i..."

Same. (view spoiler)[ Is it even her family actually sending those notes? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Wow.. these people can be really mean. Calling her a whore. I wanted to slap a bunch of people. (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 1-10: Wow, okay, that prologue was intense but then things slowed down with all those trials. Blegh. I hope things pick up again because I don't want to be bored with this one.

..."

Hmm.. (view spoiler)[maybe someone higher up in the prison?!? Not sure right now. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-20: [spoilers removed]"

Right?? She heals them! They should be grateful

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ I thought we'd be halfway through the trials by now. I'm a bit bored waiting for them.
Also, of course her family hasn't come. I still don't think they're the ones who have been sending notes (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 11-20: [spoilers removed]"

Right?? She heals them! They should be grateful"

I would let them die after that lol

Aly wrote: "Chapter 20 ..."

Yeah, I kept waiting for something exciting to happen in these trials.. maybe it will happen eventually?

I hope so

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Oh man.. the trials are stiiiiiiiiill freaking going on. (hide spoiler)]

I have theories! Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[ I've been wondering if the prisoners are being poisoned, maybe for population control and now it seems like that's right!

I also think Naari and Jarron (no idea how it's spelled) are linked. Like they're both rebels or with the royal guard or something and were sent into the prison to check things our or get someone out.

I think the notes from her family are being faked. Whether it's the Warden to keep her hopeful so she'll be his informant or someone who is just trying to be nice, Idk. I know she said the handwriting is her sibling's but I don't buy it (hide spoiler)]

Aly wrote: "I have theories! Chapter 25 .."

So cruel to do that to the prisoners. As for the second theory. Things will soon make sense.

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[Lots of secrets came out to play so I'll have to say that the second half of this book was more entertaining than the last. Especially towards the ending - which did feel a bit rushed but also makes me want to dive into the next book at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[ Ah, he's the prince! That makes a lot of sense and that he's the one who helped her with the fire trial. Now they need to gtfo this place! (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-30: [spoilers removed]"

I thought we'd be through them by now lol

Aly wrote: "Chapter 30 [spoilers removed]"

Knees to chest people! Knees to freaking chest!

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-30: [spoilers removed]"

I thought we'd be through them by now lol"

LMAO.. watch us go into book 2.. and the trials are STILL going

Finished (view spoiler)[ What???? Tilda was her mom and she's the rebel heir? Did not see that coming at all. Wow (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

Definitely a better end than the beginning

Aly wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, mind blown!

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 31-Finish: [spoilers removed]"

Definitely a better end than the beginning"

So much better!

I requested the sequel on NG but probably won't get it lol

I've been pending for like ever

Boo