Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Luminaries by Susan Dennard starting on October 14, 2023.


Happy Reading!

Started and up to chapter 7 I believe. I love how our MC is a kid and responsible for (view spoiler)[ collecting corpses from the woods!! How messed up haha.
So far I'm not blown away by it but trying to stay open minded. (hide spoiler)]

Whee! I'll jump in hopefully late today or tomorrow. Looking forward to it!

😊😊

Started! Through Chapter 7. An interesting world... and even in just the first few chapters feels very YA. Makes me think of stories like The Darkest Minds or Divergent... I went into this without even reading the book blurb, so I wasn't expecting it to be a mix of monsters--mentions of witches, werewolves, vampires, and more--in a modern-day setting... (view spoiler)[and with that modern-day setting, I really want to know... what happened? Where did these creatures come from? It seems like we have a post-apocalyptic dystopian government, with Luminaries, Hunters, Outcasts, and a sub caste below Outcasts too... and people separated into Days of the Week.

Don't have a great grasp on the story yet, outside of the obvious--child of a (supposed) traitor father wants to become a Hunter and is planning on taking Trials... but the bigger questions--what happened with her father? What ARE the Luminaries? Hunters? Dianas? I always enjoy a story I have to pick apart... (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Started! Through Chapter 7. An interesting world... and even in just the first few chapters feels very YA. Makes me think of stories like The Darkest Minds or [book:Divergent|133350..."

Yes it does feel very YA. And i'm still hoping to answer some of those questions too! I'm just accepting it all and letting it wash over me, but would be nice to understand some more :D

Yeah--me too. I'm in "ok, YA"-mode. ^_^ But I am definitely wondering which of these questions are book questions and which are series questions--what pace will we get those reveals?

Through Chapter 15--(view spoiler)[Enter Jay... I am sensing romantic emo interest! Fingers crossed that we don't get a love triangle.

Though... I wouldn't mind one of the werewolves--like maybe the weird thing that the MC saw in the woods--becoming a love interest. Hunter + Monster forbidden love trope is a fun one. (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Yeah--me too. I'm in "ok, YA"-mode. ^_^ But I am definitely wondering which of these questions are book questions and which are series questions--what pace will we get those reveals?

Through Chapt..."

(view spoiler)[ The thing in the woods is really confusing me! Like was it a physical thing or some sort of evil mist?! The forest started "moving" or "distorting" or something like that and the werewolf ran away, I got a bit lost haha. Didn't even take in the killing of the banshee that she's getting credit for.

I'd be alright with a bit forbidden love too! (hide spoiler)]

re: Chapter 15--that scene was totally confusing!! I think... (view spoiler)[The Banshee was attacking her... then a werewolf came along and looked like it was going to attack the Banshee... and then the misty whispering thing came along--maybe even only heard, rather than seen--and they both ran away?? (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book! It was the wee hours of the morning for me and I wasn't overly brain-worthy, so my end impressions are about as fuzzy as the forest scene, sadly. (view spoiler)[Was not at all surprised to discover that her father (is telling her at least, that he) was set up.

I'm a little bummed that the main conflict seemed to be over the MC lying about her trial--and that turning out not to be an issue... I feel like we got very little advancement on the world or overarching plot.

I did really like the real world connections--though they seemed jarring at time. References of things like Pokemon, or popular movies--where did those come from? What exactly happened? I still want to know more details. (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book and agree with you Nirkatze (view spoiler)[ there was basically no conflict and no resolution to anything. No progression of this story. The whole thing was just a prologue. First books should have an arc and a resolution of their own without you needing to read the whole series.

The passing the trials thing seemed inevitable anyway, and her aunt knowing her secret all along wasn't too surprising. The love interest wasn't really explored at all, your ideas of love triangles even would have made for more interest! I was sure towards the end when Emma ran off into the forest and Winnie followed that either a) she was the werewolf, or b) she was the whisper! But no, she was just luring her in as part of her trials. I was also thinking maybe Mario could have been the werewolf, that teacher she trusted, but this wasn't explored at all. All totally open.

I did enjoy it overall, but don't think I'll rush out to buy the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, I'm curious--but honestly, when I came here to read your comment, I was like... "what is this? did I read this book?" LOL. Easily forgotten.

I really like your summary of events and failed possibilities... great recap of events, for whenever we do meander over to that next one.... I guess book 2 is set to come out next month? Let's see how long it takes for the library to get a copy... and for the line to die down...

Nirkatze wrote: "Yeah, I'm curious--but honestly, when I came here to read your comment, I was like... "what is this? did I read this book?" LOL. Easily forgotten.

I really like your summary of events and failed p..."

Yeah I'll be waiting for the library too, not buying it!

Hmm... actually looks like my library *does* have it--it just doesn't show up on searches yet because it's on preorder... I have to actually click on the first book in the app, scroll down to the bottom, and it lists it as "coming soon" with a 6 week wait.

What about your library? Any luck there?

Ooh I don't know if mine does that! I was searching for the new Richard Osman and Beth O'Leary and neither appeared on release date, few days later I looked again and suddenly there's a 6 month wait! Haha.

I will double check now though in case that is a thing!!

It works in Libby--I'm not sure about other apps, and I imagine each website is different too... Oh, and I searched some titles with no luck, but was able to find them by searching by ISBN too--and hit the little "notify me" button...

I'd be willing to queue for the book and read it when it becomes available... already forgetting book 1 so sooner the better! Though also not in a hurry. lol

I'll set myself a reminder to check my library app (Borrowbox) after book 2 is released and see when I can get it :)

Shiny! I went ahead and got in line for mine--I can always delay it.

My hold for #2 came available--I delayed it and can keep doing so until yours is up--let me know!

Nirkatze wrote: "My hold for #2 came available--I delayed it and can keep doing so until yours is up--let me know!"

Thank you for reminding me, I checked the other day and it still wasn't on my library app but just checked and it is now! My hold is now for 2nd Dec, think you can extend until then? No worries if you need to start sooner.

Should be able to! want to just read here or put in a request?

Nirkatze wrote: "Should be able to! want to just read here or put in a request?"

I'm easy either way :) As a new release might be a few other people want to join.

Cool! Let's set for say, Dec 5th? I'll put in a request tomorrow.

Request made!

Book 2 link is live!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Thanks so much!