Challenge Corner discussion

After joining forces to save Castallan from an ancient magical evil, Alfie and Finn haven’t seen each other in months. Alfie is finally stepping up to his role as heir and preparing for an International Peace Summit, while Finn is traveling and reveling in her newfound freedom from Ignacio.

That is, until she’s unexpectedly installed as the new leader of one of Castallan’s powerful crime syndicates.

Just when Finn finds herself back in San Cristobal, Alfie’s plans are also derailed. The mysterious organization responsible for his brother’s murder has resurfaced—and their newest target is the summit. And when these events converge, Finn and Alfie are once again forced to work together to follow the assassins’ trail and preserve Castallan’s hopes for peace with Englass.

But will they be able to stop these sinister foes before a new war threatens their kingdom?

Chapters 1-10

(view spoiler)[
Really happy to be back with these guys again :) Although I hate they're not together.
I think Alfie's memorial thing was such a beautiful idea and I was heartbroken when things went so wrong. I know it was a lot to assuage his guilt but it was meaningful to some people at least. I can see this book involving Alfie beating himself up a lot...

Does anyone else remember that series of Supernatural where Sam has Lucifer in his head and only he can see/hear him? I get the same vibes with Finn and Ignacio lol.

Finn as a thief Lord?? Woah. Also, she was being so stupid it was *almost* unbelievable by using the same modus operandi in the same places... but never mind. Creepy new propio stuff.

Gonna get going! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 11-20

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*Definitely* feel like Ignacio is like Lucifer in Sam's head in Supernatural - I hope someone else gets this reference!

Anyway, really enjoying this, more than the first one I think (unusual for a middle book) because I'm invested in the characters *and* there's a good plot.

Finn being the Thief Lord, Le Madre, is priceless - I love it! And I really love Emeraude, and her characterisation - Motayne isn't just going with stereotypes and makes all her characters so interesting with fun backstories!

I'm worried about my boys - both of them... Alfie is pretty desperate and just so *sad.* I'm sure Finn will help at some point ;) And Luka is more messed up than I'd realised - the gravehopper tattoo thing is pretty disturbing. Both of them feel responsible for the dark magic of the last book - I just wanna give them a hug!

(Side note: also got HP vibes from the moving tattoo!)

Favourite description so far in Chapter 14, The Reunion: it managed to be comic (Finn watching Alfie naked), both of their vulnerability (although more Alfie's), nice bit of banter, but actually really moving.

They both looked away from each other, just as a curious child jerks her hand away from a lit candle, fingers singed by the heat.

Finn's worried about how happy Alfie was to see her, but she's just as deep in (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 21-40

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Ugh, uni is soooo busy - I planned to be finished by now!
Anyway, I realise in previous updates I said virtually zilch about the plot and just fangirled away about the characters lol.

So, just read the chapter where Finn and Luka go back to The Tattooed King and - gross. I mean, really well described but grim. What would he have doe to Alfie if Alfie hadn't escaped? Become part of the flesh wall? Eeeeew.

I knew the Englassans were bound to find out about the murders - it did seem like a really bad idea to keep it a secret tbh... but I'm pleasantly surprised by Princess Vesper -

- until she PROPOSED. Yes, politically it makes a lot of sense but she's screwing everything up! I can't be mad at her, she's too sweet. And Finn jumping to conclusions as always - these guys need to work on communication big time.

I'm guessing that the Englassan non-nobles won't have to wait 50 years to get their magic and status back (... mostly because this is YA) but it all sounds pretty grim right now. Alfie did well at the summit; I feel like a proud parent lol.

Just need to knock all their heads together, find Los Toros and somehow nullify Marsden who's just a git. Can't his sister inherit the throne instead?

[edit] forgot to say, feeling for Finn right now as she grapples with her new propio magic. She needs Alfie to tell her she's a good person - which starts with them speaking again... (hide spoiler)]

Starting this now!

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Ooo so happy to back in this world! I'm sad that they aren't together but praying for a reunion soon. (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Chapters 1-10..."

I have actually never seen Supernatural but I've heard it's good.

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[I'm thriving off of this banter. I'm also still dying over Finn being the Thief Lord. I just can't. As for the tattoo? Well, I'm like worried, disgusted, and back to being worried for Luca. Let's see how this all plays out. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Seriously, can this group do any wrong when they are together? I'm just laughing so much. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-40: (view spoiler)[Uh, the flesh wall sounded really gross, and I would not like to see that ever in my life. Just saying. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 41-50: (view spoiler)[Heck yes. Use it for good. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 51-Finish: (view spoiler)[Ooo I'm excited for the next book with how this one ended. (hide spoiler)]