Challenge Corner discussion

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

**This BOTM thread will be open until May 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

I started this morning. Even though I have the hard copy, I will mainly be reading via audiobook. I'm loving it so far. The initial set-up of the world is intriguing and it kicks right off into action as far as our main character is concerned. Loving the world and interested to learn more about this magic system. I made it to 13% in the first sitting, hoping to get further after work.

Made it to 26% in the audiobook tonight. I think that is around chapter 8 or 9. This is definitely a harsh world.
I like that we are getting to learn about it at the same pace as Deka.
What's new to us is pretty much new to her as well.
Also, glad she has Britta so she isn't completely alone anymore.

At 37% in the audiobook.
Current thoughts: I'm loving the training aspect of this as the cohort of girls learn how to become warriors. That's always a theme I enjoy in fiction of this type. Deka is learning so much about herself, but I'm also anxious for (view spoiler)[her to get into the archives/library, so she can learn more about her Mom and maybe her own powers. (hide spoiler)]

At 59%, chapter 23!!!
I am flying through this now!
Learning so much.
This would make a great TV series...

At 85%, hoping to finish with this today. Some non-spoiler thoughts:
This is soooo good.
I love how intriguing it is because there is a lot of mystery surrounding Deka's true nature/purpose, as well as other characters like White Hands and her shapeshifting pet, Ixa, that I'm sort of picturing as a cat-dragon.
Is this only a duology? I need to do some research. Luckily, I have the second book so can start it immediately! It's going some places that I did expect. I knew there was a lot more to Deka than we were initially being told, but yikes! She's got a lot of power.

I finished! I wish others were reading this right now! I need someone to swoon with. I loved this. Final rating, 4.5-stars rounded up. Hoping to post my final review tomorrow. I just loved how badass this is. And for a debut!? Yikes!

Today is the LAST day to get BOTM points for this book!