The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the Phantasma Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on October 19th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 10/18
October 19: Chapters 1-4
October 20: Chapters 5-8

Week of 10/21
October 21: Chapters 9-12
October 22: Chapters 13-16
October 23: Chapters 17-20
October 24: Chapters 21-24
October 25: Chapters 25-28
October 26: Chapters 29-32

Week of 10/27
October 27: Chapters 31-36
October 28: Chapters 37-40
October 29: Chapters 41-44
October 30: Chapters 45-48
October 31: Chapters 49-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Edith
~ Hafs

Sorry for asking, I‘m new here… Can I join this or is it not possible? 🙈

Yes of course! We don’t start until the 19th of the month, but the more the merrier!

I'm gonna try to jump in also! (If that's ok..., I might be doing too much, but I can try to keep up lol)

has anyone started this one yet? I'm up to chapter 10 as of now, just haven't been as active this month lol

Edith wrote: "has anyone started this one yet? I'm up to chapter 10 as of now, just haven't been as active this month lol"

@Edith yes, I started, but just up to chapter 3.

Chapter 1-4:
Oh, I already know I will probably Like This Book. The supernatural beings and hierarchy sounds so exciting.

It took me a while to realise the story doesn‘t take place in the now. To my defense, I usually don’t read book descriptions, but start right with the book. I also struggle a little bit with the writing style, but I‘m positive I‘ll get the Hang of it. Also keep getting cobfused which sister is which.

Chapter 5-8:

I‘m hooked! And I like how it’s fast paced so far. Giving me Caraval vibes.

Chapter 9 - 12:
It‘s still giving me Caraval vibes, but it’s ok… Maybe I just read too many Books lately where one sister tries to save the other.

Overall it‘sa good read and I can’t wait to see how the story between Blackwell and Ophelia will develop. I absolutely don’t trust him.

Chapter 13 -16:
Cade and Beau are such horrible and selfish human beings. I couldn‘t resist to smile, when Cade got what he deserved.

Ophelia on the other hand is such a pure hearted and kind person, helping that boy and putting the well being of others before her own.

These 4 Chapters flew by so quickly, couldn‘t take my eyes off it was so interesting.

okay okay, sorry I've been a little MIA but I absolutely agree. the relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell is interesting to say the least 👀

I absolutely despise cade and his gang. luci also gives me weird vibes, am I the only one?? also these trials have me on the edge of my seat sometimes, like I'm so nervous for Ophelia. I'm hoping she and Genevieve reunite at some point and Ophelia's efforts aren't for nothing 😭

I was behind for a while but finally read a big chunk of the book so I'm on chapter 33 now but I'll reply as you read because I'm curious to see your thoughts process to all this 👀

Edith wrote: "okay okay, sorry I've been a little MIA but I absolutely agree. the relationship between Ophelia and Blackwell is interesting to say the least 👀

I absolutely despise cade and his gang. luci also g..."

@Edith No worries! I have been MIA too and I‘m way behind with this read. Thank you so much for doing this together with me.

I agree Cade is the worst. And basically everyone in Ophelias group is giving me weird vibes. Except maybe septum Girl.
The trials definitely keep one on the Edge.

(view spoiler)[

Chapter 17-20:
Nooooo, I was so hoping Ophelia wouldn‘t Take Blackwells deal… but obviously she did.

No comment about Cade. He needs to disappear asap.
And I was also hoping Ophelia would get through the second trial without Blackwells help as she‘s strong and smart enough to do it. (hide spoiler)]

I agree, she's super smart on her own! the second trial was honestly super trippy. I didn't expect the bloodlust to be mixed in there with lust lust, but it makes sense looking back on it. no surprise that she lusts after Blackwell already lol. I'm really enjoying the book so far, it's exceeding my expectations. I've never read caraval either so I might pick it up after this one if you say it's similar 👀

Edith wrote: "I agree, she's super smart on her own! the second trial was honestly super trippy. I didn't expect the bloodlust to be mixed in there with lust lust, but it makes sense looking back on it. no surpr..."
@Edith yeah the trials are tricky and definitely mess with you on another Level.
Absolutely enjoying this book as well. The plot sister looking after sister and having to play a game to find her sister is similar in Caraval. The world and magic system are completely different.

spoiler: (view spoiler)[
Chapter 21 -´24
I‘m really starting to enjoy the dynamic between Blackwell and Ophelia. The way he teases her. It‘s so funny.
Felt sort of sad when Ophelia realised her sister had a whole different life going on without her knowing.
Also wondering if Blackwell could help with her shadow Voice. (hide spoiler)]

I’m done…I’m flabbergasted lol. I really really liked this book and now it feels like I have a hole in my chest 😭

Chs. 49-end
(view spoiler)[ there’s so many things that happened I don’t even know where to start. Blackwell being freed?? Salemnaestrus?? As soon as I read that I immediately guessed the reincarnation part and lo and behold I was right. I didn’t mind the ending, if anything I’d do the same as ophie and surrender my soul for eternity as well lol! Can’t believe even Poe was in on it 😂 (hide spoiler)]

5/5 for me overall 🤩 Absolutely excited to see what you end up thinking of it!

Edith wrote: "I’m done…I’m flabbergasted lol. I really really liked this book and now it feels like I have a hole in my chest 😭

Chs. 49-end
[spoilers removed]

5/5 for me overall 🤩 Absolutely excited to see wh..."
@Edith Definitely agree with you. Finished it by the deadline today and I just flew through the last third of the book. It was definitely building a lot of tension and was so interesting.

(view spoiler)[
At the beginning of Blackwell starting to hang out with Ophelia I was suspecting that he‘s the master behind Phantasma. But as the book and their love story went on, I ditched that idea, just to find out at the end of the book, he indeed kind of is. Such a great plot twist. Also suspected the heart locket to be somehow involved.

Only things I didn’t quite grasp was, why was Blackwells father not supposed to know his real Name? Maybe I missed something here, not a native English speaker.

Overall it‘s a solid 4 Star Read for me. Took one star off, because the end seemed a little bit rushed and the solution to free Blackwell and for Ophelia to get rid of the curse seemed a little bit „too easy“ to what I expected. But overall amazing book. (hide spoiler)]

Can‘t wait to read Enchantra when it comes out,