Challenge Corner discussion

From the award-winning author of the Dreamland series comes a new dark romantic fantasy about a young woman finding hope in her powers of destruction.

The Thief Kingdom is a place hidden within the world of Aadlior. Many whisper of its existence, but few have found this place, where magic and pleasure abound. There, the mysterious Thief King reigns supreme with the help of the Mousai, a trio of revered and feared sorceresses.

Larkyra Bassette may be the youngest of the Mousai, but when she sings her voice has the power to slay monsters. When it’s discovered the Duke of Lachlan is siphoning a poisonous drug from the Thief Kingdom and using it to abuse his tenants, Larkyra is offered her first solo mission to stop the duke. Eager to prove herself, Larkyra accepts by posing as the duke’s potential bride. But her plans grow complicated when she finds herself drawn to Lord Darius Mekenna, Lachlan’s rightful heir. Soon she suspects Darius has his own motivations for ridding Lachlan of the corrupt duke. Larkyra and Darius must learn to trust each other if there is to be any hope of saving the people of Lachlan—and themselves.

Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where lords and ladies can be murderers and thieves, and the most alluring notes are often the deadliest. Dare to listen?

Prologue thru Chapter 8 - 27% - world building, character introductions, and plot explained

(view spoiler)[I am really liking this fantasy. The world is multi-layered but well explained so that I can envision it. I think most of the major characters have been introduced and enough background to determine good, bad and quasi. As for the plot there are hints as to what the story-lines will be: how Hayzar is getting illegal magic, ruining Lachlan, and how Darius will attempt to overthrow him and reclaim his homeland with the assistance of Larkyra.

The loss of Larkyra's ring finger at the beginning gave a good twist to the start and showed her learning a lesson about thievery and how she controlled her gift, then her saving of Darius showing her compassion. (hide spoiler)] on to the next quarter

I'm starting today! I'm already liking it right from the opening scene in the dungeon

Chapter 9 thru Chapter 17 - 51% - Larkyra's mission
(view spoiler)[ At Larkyra's coming of age celebration she learns of Duke Hayzar's illegal use of phorria and that he wishes to marry her. Appalled she, nevertheless, agrees to a visit to his home so he can court her, as a means of finding his source of the illegal drug. This is her first family assigned mission.

We get to see more of Darius' true generous nature and the Duke's evil one. Lark witnesses the Duke's torture of Darius and has to control her power to save Darius in order to be able to complete her mission. It will be so satisfying when the Duke gets his comeuppance. I really like this fantasy. The last couple of things I read of this type were real letdowns. (hide spoiler)]
back to the story.

Chapter 18 thru 26 - 76% - Larkyra's confession and change of mission
(view spoiler)[ After another brutalizing of Darius by Hayzar and Larkyra's decision to heal him, she decides to appraise him of her mission and her magic. (I am a big fan of hero and heroine working together against a problem rather than extending the whole hidden agendas and big misunderstanding type plot. By the time the plot's problems are solved the H/h have had time to trust each other and understand where each is coming from. It avoids the whole final chapter rush of solving everything and expressing their feelings - the end.)
Then Larkyra adapts to the new situation and decides to bring her family into her change of plans and seek their help. (This is definitely the kind of story I like whether fantasy, mystery, suspense or plain romance.) (hide spoiler)]
Looking forward to the completion and I already know I will be looking for the following volumes.

Read all your notes! Just finished chapter 26
About your Prologue thru Chapter 8 - 27% notes

(view spoiler)[
Your note--"The world is multi-layered but well explained so that I can envision it. I think most of the major characters have been introduced and enough background to determine good, bad and quasi."--I totally agree about the world and the explanation. AND it's so well done that you don't feel the "info-dumps" that sometimes happen in fantasy. Instead we get that awesome opening scene with the dungeon and I went away from that feeling like I already had somewhat of a good understanding of the world and the characters even though it knew it was only the tip of the iceberg (hide spoiler)]

About your Chapter 9 thru Chapter 17 - 51% notes

(view spoiler)[
Your notes-- "It will be so satisfying when the Duke gets his comeuppance. I really like this fantasy. The last couple of things I read of this type were real letdowns." --Yes seriously, hating the Duke so much! The Duke's torture of Darius is so horrible. I have to confess that even before we knew it was the Duke, I did suspect it was him when Darius didn't know where the marks were coming from. I don't think I've read this type of torture or pain-inflicting in another book. I am curious what you read recently that were letdowns. Fantasy is like that I think some are super good but most are meh. Nevertheless, it's what I mostly read so I could give you some good recommendations. (hide spoiler)]

Response to your question on fantasy letdowns (not related to this book, so no spoiler alert needed).

I read and , both with good ratings. However, I did not feel invested or like many of the characters or the world building and will probably not read anything further in those series. The worlds were confusing to picture despite maps. Moral and ethical choices left me unconnected to characters. I need to feel more moral fiber from characters, or a good explanation for questionable actions.

I will comment further on this topic later after I look back at my reading and find other examples.

I felt the same way about Six of Crows but I liked the characters when I watched the show. I liked the other three books in that universe better. Shadow & Bone, Seige & Storm etc

I haven't read the other but I totally know what you mean and agree

The show would probably help when envisioning the world, now that I've watched it I may try to read Six of Crows again

Here are another couple of fantasies; one I liked and one not.

My review of the one I didn't care for:
The Mortal Blade (Magelands Eternal Siege, #1) – Christopher Mitchell (3 stars)
This was a slow world building as each of the first 4 chapters featured a different MC giving us a different look at the world. Aila, a demigod, former traitor, pardoned and now Adjutant in one of the towns, secretly continuing her rebellion. Corthie, brought from outside to battle the invading horde, with an almost godlike skill. Maddie, a reject from every branch of service in the Blades where the defense of the City is everyone's life and there is no escape, who ends up in a life or death job. And lastly Daniel, son of a noble family just graduated from officer training, and engaged to marry into another noble family though who does not want to be in the military or responsible for saving the family name.
I want to know what is going to happen to the main characters but I really don't feel the pull of the drama. I feel slightly removed as an observer rather than drawn in. Not sure if I really care enough about these people to read any more volumes especially since I'm sure we will have another cliff-hanger before getting resolution in volume 3.

My review of the one I liked:
Warrior (Doppelganger, #1) – Marie Brennan (4 stars)
Mirage is a bounty hunter, skilled in the physical. Miryo is a witch in training, about to be tested and come into her power. But it doesn't go as expected. Miryo is told of her doppelganger, her other half that should have been killed at birth and who now stands between her and her powers. She is sent out to do the deed. At the same time Mirage has been given a commission to find out who assassinated one of the witches and who was behind the plot. She and her partner set out on their investigation. But soon these two will converge. This was full of action as well as a good world building backstory. Looking forward to the follow-up to this story which will cover the changes wrought here and the side characters.

The first was slow, the characters OK but I felt I was being told about them and didn't get pulled in. Then it just ended after a battle but with little character resolution. Other reviews all mentioned that it just picks up right there in the next book. It was a trilogy so basically you have to read 1200 pages to read one story.

The second one has a more defined over-arching problem. The world was well defined. The two women whose psyche was split reach a resolution and draw in side characters throughout their story. These characters and the growing evil force get stronger through the book and you can see the plot shifting and building for the next book. No cliffhanger, you could finish the book, anticipate the second but be satisfied with the story you read if you didn't get back to it right away.

If you like fairy-tale re tellings, I recommend Bitterburn. It is a Beauty and the Beast story but one of the best versions I've read.

Chapter 27 thru the end - 100% - very much enjoyed and will look for the next volume in the series.

(view spoiler)[ The need for Larkyra to find out how to make a potion by going to the Fade (afterlife) to question her mother was a great option for releaving her guilt over her mother's death. The need for getting the flower ingredient for the elixir by going to Esrom and stealing a frond from monsters was great adventure. But the best part was having the butler/valet misinterpret the use of the elixir and take it upon himself to offer it to the Duke. What at first seemed to botch their plan ended up being the perfect revenge.

I'm very pleased with this book and the set up for the next. Somehow we have to make a pirate villain into a hero, hmm. (hide spoiler)]

24% (view spoiler)[ I’m really digging this storyline. Magic in a land that reminds me of Aladdin? I’m in. Also I love that the girls bicker but are cute; the relationship feels very genuine. I’ll be interested to learn more details about their mother’s death and Darius’ family too. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Linda C wrote: "Here are another couple of fantasies; one I liked and one not.

My review of the one I didn't care for:
The Mortal Blade (Magelands Eternal Siege, #1) – Christopher Mitchell (3 star..."


ah I see! After reading about the one you liked and the one you didn't, I can tell you like to feel connected to the characters and that when there's a lot of characters or a world-building that is not done well-it lost your interest. I haven't read either of those!

I haven't read Bitterburn either but I'll have to check it out b/c I LOVE fairy tale retellings. I just read a really good one that's a beauty and the beast retelling too OMG it was so good. Best B&B retelling I've read thus far. I'll have to see how Bitterburn compares.

Will you try the Six of Crows show or the other series by Leigh Bardugo like I mentioned in my earlier comment?

About your Chapter 27 thru the end - 100% notes

(view spoiler)[

Your note: The need for Larkyra to find out how to make a potion by going to the Fade (afterlife) to question her mother was a great option for releaving her guilt over her mother's death. ---YES! Loved this and loved that her Mom was able to explain so now she feels better



The need for getting the flower ingredient for the elixir by going to Esrom and stealing a frond from monsters was great adventure. But the best part was having the butler/valet misinterpret the use of the elixir and take it upon himself to offer it to the Duke. What at first seemed to botch their plan ended up being the perfect revenge. ----Yes! So many twists and ended up different than I thought was going to happen but really well done

I'm very pleased with this book and the set up for the next. Somehow we have to make a pirate villain into a hero, hmm--Same! We will have to BR again for the next one (hide spoiler)]

Some of the best fantasy I've read is SJMaas books which I know everyone recommends them but seriously they are so good.

A recent really good fantasy read besides the B&B retelling I recommended above was unique worldbuilding, feel connected to characters, unexpected twists and turns. I think you'll love it. let me know if you do!

I read Maas' Throne of Glass and have the rest of the series on my kindle. Very Good

I also have Curse of the Wolf King but haven't read yet. I will have to check into The Infinity Courts

Ruthie wrote: "Will you try the Six of Crows show or the other series by Leigh Bardugo like I mentioned in my earlier comment?"

What network has the Six of Crows?

Linda C wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Will you try the Six of Crows show or the other series by Leigh Bardugo like I mentioned in my earlier comment?"

What network has the Six of Crows?"

Sorry its called Shadow & Bone for the other series but has the Six of Crows characters. They have a bit of a different storyline than in the book. It's on Netflix

Linda C wrote: "I read Maas' Throne of Glass and have the rest of the series on my kindle. Very Good

I also have Curse of the Wolf King but haven't read yet. I will have to check into The Infinity Courts"

TOG is so good! Glad you like it. Her other series ACOTAR is my favorite (book 2 is the best of that one) and I've also read her new one from last year Crescent City and loved it too.

I'm pleasantly surprised that you have Curse of the Wolf King because Tessonja is a self-published author so a lot of people I've talked to haven't heard of her. I only just heard of her last month through my participation with Book of Matches Media book tours on Instagram. I'm curious how you heard of her? Curious because maybe we heard about her the same way. If you have a bookstagram too, I'd love to follow you.

Yes, please look into The Infinity Courts, it's super good!

I belong to Kindle Unlimited and found COTWK through that, however I am going to be cancelling that after the trial period ends in August, so I purchased COTWK for 4.99 since I wasn't sure I would get to it before the trial ended. I have 8 other titles to read by 8/20 before they disappear.

I also belong to 2 book trading sites and when I hear of something that sounds good I put it on my wish list there and hope someone puts a copy up for trade. That's what I did for Infinity Courts, since it was 10.99 on Kindle. A credit on the trading sites is the cost of mailing the book which is around 3.00, so that makes it possible to keep down the cost of my reading habit.

Linda C wrote: "I belong to Kindle Unlimited and found COTWK through that, however I am going to be cancelling that after the trial period ends in August, so I purchased COTWK for 4.99 since I wasn't sure I would ..."

ah! cool! I've wondered if Kindle Unlimited is worth it but I honestly love audiobooks more so I think I'm good with my audible membership and the library app. My library lets me recommend a few titles per month too so I always recommend audiobooks and sometimes they come through which is fun to see.

Book trading that's super cool I haven't heard of that! Though, I wouldn't be able to participate because I don't really buy books only borrow or buy audio

Which titles do you have to read by 8/20? I can check if there's a library copy or audible and we could do more BR

Here are 4 of the ones I have to read on KU

Where The Pieces Fall

Bewitching the Bounty Hunter

There Are Only Four

Phantom Wolf

The other 4 are by a favorite author (Carla Kelly) who generally writes Regency romances - but these 4 are set on the frontier and feature Mormon characters, a new area for her and I'm not sure I'm going to like, so this is a way to try them out or delete them if I don't like after reading one. Didn't think they would be of interest to you.

50% (view spoiler)[ it’s wonderful that Darius is sneaking items to his town but he’s thinking too small. And like Al said, he’s trying to do it alone. I’ll be very curious to see how Larkyra makes it through the duke’s bender; that soup scene was no joke. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Kim, glad you're enjoying it so far. Both Ruthie and I loved it. Unlike some I've read that did not do well at world building (see my comments and example) this one was easy to imagine and had likeable H/h. Looking forward to your take on the 2nd half of the story.

Linda, I just stumbled onto this book and am really glad I found it. I agree the world is vivid without being too “gone with the wind” you know?

72% (view spoiler)[ oh snap I can’t believe she told him and then took him to the Thief Kingdom. Girl what are you planning on doing?! Also loving this side thing of Zimri and Ara. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Linda C wrote: "Here are 4 of the ones I have to read on KU

Where The Pieces Fall

Bewitching the Bounty Hunter

There Are Only Four

Phantom Wolf
..."

I didn't see these in my library app. Must be because alot of KU is self-published authors You'll have to let me know how they are! And how your regency romances and frontier romances are! I read more fantasy romance like how we were talking about SJ Maas or mostly fantasy with a touch of romance. But, regency romance is like bridgerton right?

I liked the show but haven't started the books. I'm pretty open to trying different genres

Linda C wrote: "Kim, glad you're enjoying it so far. Both Ruthie and I loved it. Unlike some I've read that did not do well at world building (see my comments and example) this one was easy to imagine and had like..."

Same! I like reading your notes Kim. I lol'ed when you said (view spoiler)[ The soup scene was no joke and I totally agree (hide spoiler)]

Ruthie wrote: "Linda C wrote: "But, regency romance is like bridgerton right? "

Yes, but Carla Kelly is less sexual than the Bridgerton books.

100% (view spoiler)[ so friggin cute! I must admit I was a bit worried with that old butler meddling but it worked out for the best. Darius’s speech is so beautiful. Thanks for more unrealistic expectations lol. I’ll definitely read book 2. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Linda C wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Linda C wrote: "But, regency romance is like bridgerton right? "

Yes, but Carla Kelly is less sexual than the Bridgerton books."

Ok cool I'll have to check her books out. Always up for less bedroom scenes lol less is more I think. Which one is the best to start with?

So glad you liked it Kim and I agree. Looking forward to book 2 we will have to have another BR

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2021

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I’ve started this and it’s really good so far. I have lots of unanswered questions.

Ch 9
(view spoiler)[ so the family are like the Robin Hood of the Thief Kingdom (hide spoiler)]

Ch 15 (view spoiler)[ Darius seems to have a heart of gold. He clearly is developing feelings for Larksyra. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 17
(view spoiler)[ Darius’ stepfather is a complete bastard! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 27
(view spoiler)[ really pleased for Larkyra that she meets her mum in the Fade and learns her mother’s death is not her fault (hide spoiler)]

Ch 30 (view spoiler)[ Darius and Larkyra falling in love is so cute! (hide spoiler)]

Finished: loved it!

Emma wrote: "Finished: loved it!"

YAY! I want to read the next one. it's coming out soon

Emma wrote: "Ch 27
[spoilers removed]"

YES!!! This was so necessary for her

Emma wrote: "Ch 9
[spoilers removed]"

Love that comparison!

Ruthie wrote: "Emma wrote: "Finished: loved it!"

YAY! I want to read the next one. it's coming out soon"

And on KU if you have it!

Emma wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Emma wrote: "Finished: loved it!"

YAY! I want to read the next one. it's coming out soon"

And on KU if you have it!"

I don't have KU but, I listened to the first one on audible audio so I'll prob use a credit for it and do that again