sitemap
FOLLOW SNITCHSEEKER:

Email Us!

Members

There are 1114 users online including...

1 members
1113 guests.

Members in Chat:



If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > Floo Network (Extra Fun) > The Book Seekers (Book Club) > Book of the Moment


Book of the Moment Join us to read and discuss the current and past books of the moment!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 02-01-2020, 07:26 PM
natekka natekka is offline
 
Default 'An Ember in the Ashes Series' by Sabaa Tahir (Sa16+) [SPOILERS]


Welcome to The Book Seekers' Book of the Month for February 2020!

During February, we read An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir - and we noticed how hooked you all got! So we're opening up the discussion thread for the whole series: come in, settle down and discuss An Ember in the Ashes, A Torch Against the Night, A Reaper at the Gates and, of course, the highly anticipated finale, A Sky Beyond the Storm!


Age Rating | Sa16+
Genre | Fantasy
Summary from Goodreads | Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

CONTENT WARNINGS
SPOILER!!: CW
Moderate violence. Mentions (no descriptions) of rape and suicide.

Let's go over some ground rules...
  • All Book Club Rules and SnitchSeeker Board Rules apply in this forum.
  • You can discuss ANYTHING that is related to An Ember in the Ashes in here. However, it must be kept SPOILER FREE until at least February 15th. You can include spoiler-y content as long as it is under a spoiler tag. Remember that other people might not be as far along in the book as you.
    • Any posts that contain spoilers (that aren't under spoiler tags) will be edited by a Book Club mod.
  • This discussion will be active until March 15th. That being said, the thread will remain open for everyone to discuss the book after that time, too.

There's more? There is! While we're reading and discussing An Ember in the Ashes, there are other related things that you can get involved with.
  • Feeling inspired? Contribute some An Ember in the Ashes fanart to our new Bookish Fan Art thread.
  • Submit An Ember in the Ashes related posts to our Tumblr!

If you have issues or queries, contact Harron Peasley, natekka or Stormdancer – and don't forget to nominate books for future Book of the Months!
Ready, Set, Read!
Reply With Quote
Old 02-02-2020, 05:07 PM   #2 (permalink)


DMAC & DERP
Pygmy Puff
 
emjay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: working
Posts: 18,087

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Phoenix Marchbanks
Ravenclaw
Fourth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Wiley Whittebrook
Hufflepuff
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Kendra Jordan-Durand
Accidents & Catastrophes

Ministry RPG Name:
Gunnar McCarthy-Toussaint
Ecological Protection

x12 x5
Default
Unforgivably Cursed | adultescent

Sooo, I know we were supposed to start this one yesterday, but I actually finished it yesterday lol. I started it at the end of January and I could hardly put it down. It was really so good! There might have been an overused trope or two in there, but it really kept my interest and I really, really enjoyed it. I know this is a series so I'm going to have to pick up the next one. But I gave it five stars (which some of you know I'm a little stingy with) and I'm really excited to talk to you guys about it. I hope you all love it too!
__________________
started like a knight in a fairytale_______________________________________________
ended like a moth in flames______________________


______________________don't you worry I'll be fine
_________________________________________________you were good for the plot line
emjay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-03-2020, 03:57 PM   #3 (permalink)

DERP & DMGS
Shrake
 
siriusblackliveson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: (EST)
Posts: 12,974

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jacoby Rivers
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Callista Rivers
Gryffindor
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Nathaniel Flannagan
Games & Sports

Ministry RPG Name:
Patrick Dooley
Ecological Protection
Default
Stealthy Ninja Queen | Snake For Life | waddling baker | binge royalty ♚

So Emjay told me to start this as my read before a new release I’ve been waiting for Dame out. I’m about halfway and hooked. So far I can agree about some of the troupe stuff. But I’m hooked.
__________________
siriusblackliveson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-04-2020, 09:18 AM   #4 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

DoM & DIMC

Bicorn
 
natekka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 16,721

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jade Archer de Leon
Slytherin
First Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Olive Gracae-Ryans
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Clara Rider (née Wilde)
International Cooperation

Ministry RPG Name:
Riley Archer de Leon
Mysteries
Default
Little Fox | ½ of Lauralie | Ravenclaw with a Hufflepuff heart and a Gryffindor soul | #HouseNATARIANA

Currently, I'm about 3 hours off finishing the audio book. I decided to change format with this reread, rather than reading it again on my kindle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by emjay View Post
Sooo, I know we were supposed to start this one yesterday, but I actually finished it yesterday lol. I started it at the end of January and I could hardly put it down. It was really so good! There might have been an overused trope or two in there, but it really kept my interest and I really, really enjoyed it. I know this is a series so I'm going to have to pick up the next one. But I gave it five stars (which some of you know I'm a little stingy with) and I'm really excited to talk to you guys about it. I hope you all love it too!
Quote:
Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson View Post
So Emjay told me to start this as my read before a new release I’ve been waiting for Dame out. I’m about halfway and hooked. So far I can agree about some of the troupe stuff. But I’m hooked.
I'm so, SO happy that you two are enjoying it! I completely agree with you on the troupes but I'm a sucker for those troupes so I never minded. I can't wait to discuss this book with you both in more depth soon!

@MJ: It's one of my favourite books of all time! I've read the second book and I enjoyed that one, too. I still need to read the third book.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You?

You are Honey!
natekka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2020, 02:43 AM   #5 (permalink)

Site Manager

MO
Manticore
 
Cassirin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: *Nom nom nom*
Posts: 43,196

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mercer Branxton
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Genevieve James
Minister's Office

x7 x8
Default
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee

I finished this book today! It was a quick read, and I really enjoyed it. I spent a lot of time thinking I knew exactly what was going to happen next, and then immediately figuring out that I was wrong.

I'm definitely going to pick up the next one in this series.
__________________
★ Dawn ★

Awakening ★ Spiritual ★ Hopeful ★ Honest
Cassirin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-11-2020, 01:11 AM   #6 (permalink)

DERP & DMGS
Shrake
 
siriusblackliveson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: (EST)
Posts: 12,974

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jacoby Rivers
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Callista Rivers
Gryffindor
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Nathaniel Flannagan
Games & Sports

Ministry RPG Name:
Patrick Dooley
Ecological Protection
Default
Stealthy Ninja Queen | Snake For Life | waddling baker | binge royalty ♚

After finishing I need to talk with others about how they visualize the scenery. I’ve got a hodgepodge of images.
__________________
siriusblackliveson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2020, 02:25 AM   #7 (permalink)

Site Manager

MO
Manticore
 
Cassirin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: *Nom nom nom*
Posts: 43,196

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mercer Branxton
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Genevieve James
Minister's Office

x7 x8
Default
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee

Let's talk about the scenery! Which one in particular were you trying to envision? Blackcliff?
__________________
★ Dawn ★

Awakening ★ Spiritual ★ Hopeful ★ Honest
Cassirin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2020, 08:54 AM   #8 (permalink)

DERP & DMGS
Shrake
 
siriusblackliveson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: (EST)
Posts: 12,974

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jacoby Rivers
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Callista Rivers
Gryffindor
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Nathaniel Flannagan
Games & Sports

Ministry RPG Name:
Patrick Dooley
Ecological Protection
Default
Stealthy Ninja Queen | Snake For Life | waddling baker | binge royalty ♚

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casanova_ View Post
Let's talk about the scenery! Which one in particular were you trying to envision? Blackcliff?
I’m going to go ahead and spoiler this just so people don’t accidentally see something they haven’t read about yet.
Text Cut: SPOILER!!!!

Blackcliff is an odd mixture to me. Like I’m picturing it in the middle of no where in the woods. Which I know isn’t the case. And i for some reason keep picturing marble or something shiny for all of buildings. But run down kind of like divergent and hunger games.

And I don’t know why but the masks remind me of some movie I’ve seen but can’t recall where they float. And so the commander I kept picturing as a floating mask. but also kept seeing her as the things that steal eggs in Spyro which I know isn’t even close, and a mix of the headmistress from monsters university.
__________________
siriusblackliveson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2020, 12:07 PM   #9 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

DoM & DIMC

Bicorn
 
natekka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 16,721

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jade Archer de Leon
Slytherin
First Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Olive Gracae-Ryans
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Clara Rider (née Wilde)
International Cooperation

Ministry RPG Name:
Riley Archer de Leon
Mysteries
Default
Little Fox | ½ of Lauralie | Ravenclaw with a Hufflepuff heart and a Gryffindor soul | #HouseNATARIANA

SPOILER FREE IS NO MORE!

Now that it's the 15th, let's get this discussion really going. First, tell me your initial thoughts after finishing the book. What did you like the most? What did you perhaps not like as much? Did you have any expectations going into the book, and where they met?
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You?

You are Honey!
natekka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2020, 03:47 PM   #10 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

MO & DMGS
Forest Troll
 
Bazinga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 27,991

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Kirsten Delbin
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mateo Theodore
Slytherin
Fifth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Alana Potter
Minister's Office

Ministry RPG Name:
Bart Culloden
Games & Sports

x11 x9
Default
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...

I finished listening to this book today. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get the second one. Something I've come to lean with Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and even Harry Potter do not fall for any of the characters in the first book because someone you love will die by the third. I never listen to myself and I fall for so many characters. This book was no exceptions, my first thought with Laia was she was a brilliant girl that just needed to see it for herself. As the story went on I picked up on a few things such as Mazan being a lying jerk from the start. I had a feeling he would never do what he says and still don't fully believe he actually knows where her brother is. I love Elias, his struggles make you really feel for him and understand him. The author makes him very likeable and you want to go hug him and protect him, I feel the same with Laia and Izzi.

Cook was one I had trouble liking at first, I don't know what it was about her, but I didn't trust her character for a while and even when Laia went back I was worried Cook might just turn her in. I still don't trust Helene and I'm not a huge fan of hers, though I've gone back and forth with it. Elias' grandfather I had a feeling had a heart even though he seemed to be just like the others and in the end, being smuggled out because he wanted to save Elias showed me that he did.

In the end, I can't wait to read the second book and find out what happens next. I'm not sure which male I ship Laia with yet, I like both so much for different reasons. I hope to see Izzi again and Elias' grandfather helping him. I would love to see Mazan and the Commandant defeated.

Marcus is another I can't stand. He is horrible and I've wanted to see him defeated from the beginning. There was only one instance that I saw a little shift in him and hoped that maybe he would turn, learn, change, but it quickly went away and he went back to the way he had been raised/brainwashed by the training he has had since youth.
__________________
Bazinga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2020, 05:58 PM   #11 (permalink)

DERP & DMGS
Shrake
 
siriusblackliveson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: (EST)
Posts: 12,974

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jacoby Rivers
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Callista Rivers
Gryffindor
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Nathaniel Flannagan
Games & Sports

Ministry RPG Name:
Patrick Dooley
Ecological Protection
Default
Stealthy Ninja Queen | Snake For Life | waddling baker | binge royalty ♚

My expectations: I went in not expecting much. Sure everyone said how good it was so I figured you all wouldn’t pull my leg. But I’ve found while other people love books like the hunger games or divergent. I cannot be forced into reading those books otherwise I slowly start to hate the story all together even if i would like the story on my own. I was actually really surprised by how drawn in i got with it.

I really liked getting to see both Elias and Laia’s perspective. In other books similar to this I always wanted to know what the other “hero/heroine” if you will was doing. Here I got to see just that. I got to see what was running through his head, what he was thinking exactly. It was really neat.

I got really frustrated around the second task when Elias was becoming a pushover. Like you were clearly marked for greatness of some kind, figure it out and do something about it. But then it all switched and went going way faster.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga View Post
As the story went on I picked up on a few things such as Mazan being a lying jerk from the start. I had a feeling he would never do what he says and still don't fully believe he actually knows where her brother is.
I disliked him from the beginning. He just left a bad taste in my mouth and felt like an absolute traitor.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga View Post
I still don't trust Helene and I'm not a huge fan of hers, though I've gone back and forth with it.
Ugh. Helene. She was soooo frustrating. It was like she was rough and trouble emotionless then all the sudden big bold feelings for Elias. And not to mention she fluctuated so hard between follow the rules and go against them that I couldn’t ever establish if I liked her at all. I’m interested to see if she changes her ways in the coming book.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga View Post
I'm not sure which male I ship Laia with yet, I like both so much for different reasons. I hope to see Izzi again and Elias' grandfather helping him. I would love to see Mazan and the Commandant defeated.
Right? The comment from the Aguars mentioning this was 100% on point about her feelings for the two boys and just how different they are. I may actually cry tears of happiness at the defeat of Mazan and Commandant.
__________________
siriusblackliveson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2020, 02:36 AM   #12 (permalink)

Site Manager

MO
Manticore
 
Cassirin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: *Nom nom nom*
Posts: 43,196

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mercer Branxton
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Genevieve James
Minister's Office

x7 x8
Default
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee

Quote:
Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson View Post
I’m going to go ahead and spoiler this just so people don’t accidentally see something they haven’t read about yet.
Text Cut: SPOILER!!!!

Blackcliff is an odd mixture to me. Like I’m picturing it in the middle of no where in the woods. Which I know isn’t the case. And i for some reason keep picturing marble or something shiny for all of buildings. But run down kind of like divergent and hunger games.

And I don’t know why but the masks remind me of some movie I’ve seen but can’t recall where they float. And so the commander I kept picturing as a floating mask. but also kept seeing her as the things that steal eggs in Spyro which I know isn’t even close, and a mix of the headmistress from monsters university.
I'm not going to spoiler my response, since we're out of the spoiler zone. It sounds like your mind is FULL of interesting visualizations. I want to visit there! For me, Blackcliff is just dark and foreboding and castle-y. Like Dark Hogwarts with no magic.

I have trouble remembering the masks until someone mentions them, so I often tried to picture characters and then would have to mentally edit the mask in when it came up. It'll stick eventually!

Quote:
Originally Posted by forget-me-nat View Post
Now that it's the 15th, let's get this discussion really going. First, tell me your initial thoughts after finishing the book. What did you like the most? What did you perhaps not like as much? Did you have any expectations going into the book, and where they met?
I read this book without even reading the synopsis, so I didn't have any expectation about where the plot was going. There were a few times where I thought I knew what was going to happen next and then was pleasantly surprised that I had no clue what was happening when it happened. I sort of think fantasy novels play to common themes and can be predictable... perhaps people found this one predictable too, but I didn't!

I found myself wanting to shake Laia and make her stop doubting she could do things and just DO them, but we see so many strong female characters who know they are strong and act completely foolhardy. It's nice to see a character who shows courage even when it's hard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazinga View Post
I finished listening to this book today. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to get the second one. Something I've come to lean with Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and even Harry Potter do not fall for any of the characters in the first book because someone you love will die by the third. I never listen to myself and I fall for so many characters. This book was no exceptions, my first thought with Laia was she was a brilliant girl that just needed to see it for herself. As the story went on I picked up on a few things such as Mazan being a lying jerk from the start. I had a feeling he would never do what he says and still don't fully believe he actually knows where her brother is. I love Elias, his struggles make you really feel for him and understand him. The author makes him very likeable and you want to go hug him and protect him, I feel the same with Laia and Izzi.

Cook was one I had trouble liking at first, I don't know what it was about her, but I didn't trust her character for a while and even when Laia went back I was worried Cook might just turn her in. I still don't trust Helene and I'm not a huge fan of hers, though I've gone back and forth with it. Elias' grandfather I had a feeling had a heart even though he seemed to be just like the others and in the end, being smuggled out because he wanted to save Elias showed me that he did.

In the end, I can't wait to read the second book and find out what happens next. I'm not sure which male I ship Laia with yet, I like both so much for different reasons. I hope to see Izzi again and Elias' grandfather helping him. I would love to see Mazan and the Commandant defeated.

Marcus is another I can't stand. He is horrible and I've wanted to see him defeated from the beginning. There was only one instance that I saw a little shift in him and hoped that maybe he would turn, learn, change, but it quickly went away and he went back to the way he had been raised/brainwashed by the training he has had since youth.
You have a lot of feelings about the characters, Ali. I think that's a mark of a good book. I can't wait to find out more about Cook's story. Personally, I kept trying to guess who she was, as if they had provided clues along the way, but she didn't end up having a mysterious reveal in this book. Maybe she never will (disappointing!).

The end of this book leads me to believe we won't see a lot of these characters again. I hate plot threads left unresolved!
__________________
★ Dawn ★

Awakening ★ Spiritual ★ Hopeful ★ Honest
Cassirin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2020, 03:03 AM   #13 (permalink)
Moderator
Potterdom Mod
Book Club Mod


DMAC & DoM
Giant
 
Lissy Longbottom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ferrix: GMT-6
Posts: 56,907

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Moritz Schultz (#0f667e)
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Nancy Schultz (#ac6f77)
Hufflepuff
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jabari Rahal (#c54031)
Mysteries

Ministry RPG Name:
Calloway Bennigan (#b8b323)
Accidents & Catastrophes
x11 x1
Default
curly haired prefect - "sometimes I get angry!" - 30/90 - *chicken emoji* - probably @ Disney - I speak dog

So I finished this book last night and OH. MY. GOSH. I ate it up. I couldn't stop reading and I immediately ordered the second one as soon as I finished. I'm a sucker for these dystopian young adult novels, I really am.

Although to be honest the love triangle trope is getting exhausting, but that may be because I read so many of these books that they're just downright predictable. Although this is more of a love square...I ship Laia by herself. Girl power and all. She don't need a man.

I don't think I've ever wanted to reach through a book and smack a character as much as The Commandant. And we've seen some pretty vile characters in YA novels - there was just something about how COLD and brutal she was, for literally no reason other than to exert power, that really made my blood boil. And the way she treated Elias, who is an absolute gem and my favorite character by far, was just disgusting. Ugh. Can't wait to see some good old fashion revenge against her.

Anyways yeah. I loved it. FIVE STARS!
__________________
I'm still standin'________________________________________ better than I ever did

Lookin' like a true survivor_________________________________feelin' like a little kid
Lissy Longbottom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2020, 03:05 AM   #14 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

MO & DMGS
Forest Troll
 
Bazinga's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 27,991

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Kirsten Delbin
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mateo Theodore
Slytherin
Fifth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Alana Potter
Minister's Office

Ministry RPG Name:
Bart Culloden
Games & Sports

x11 x9
Default
Puff by day, snake by night | Mj's bestie | Always UP to Something...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Casanova_ View Post
I'm not going to spoiler my response, since we're out of the spoiler zone. It sounds like your mind is FULL of interesting visualizations. I want to visit there! For me, Blackcliff is just dark and foreboding and castle-y. Like Dark Hogwarts with no magic.

I have trouble remembering the masks until someone mentions them, so I often tried to picture characters and then would have to mentally edit the mask in when it came up. It'll stick eventually!



I read this book without even reading the synopsis, so I didn't have any expectation about where the plot was going. There were a few times where I thought I knew what was going to happen next and then was pleasantly surprised that I had no clue what was happening when it happened. I sort of think fantasy novels play to common themes and can be predictable... perhaps people found this one predictable too, but I didn't!

I found myself wanting to shake Laia and make her stop doubting she could do things and just DO them, but we see so many strong female characters who know they are strong and act completely foolhardy. It's nice to see a character who shows courage even when it's hard.



You have a lot of feelings about the characters, Ali. I think that's a mark of a good book. I can't wait to find out more about Cook's story. Personally, I kept trying to guess who she was, as if they had provided clues along the way, but she didn't end up having a mysterious reveal in this book. Maybe she never will (disappointing!).

The end of this book leads me to believe we won't see a lot of these characters again. I hate plot threads left unresolved!
I think you are right on some, but I do think we will have to see Marcus, Mazan, and the Commandant. Those three at least are very tied to the outcome of the different groups that I think we will see them by the third book.
__________________
Bazinga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2020, 10:21 AM   #15 (permalink)


MLE & DERP
Puffskein
 
aRogueOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 1,565

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Sloane Aubrey Knott
Slytherin
Second Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Hooper Ridley-Rush
Gryffindor
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jude Joel MacAfee
Law Enforcement
Default

I have somehow avoided this book all together and I do not like it. I'm going to read it as soon as I can and I shall most likely post in here much much later!! Sorrrrryyyy
aRogueOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2020, 08:05 PM   #16 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

MLE & DoM
Banshee
 
BanaBatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gotham
Posts: 51,207

Hogwarts RPG Name:
TBD
Gryffindor

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Zara H. Bunbury-Foster
Slytherin
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Bernadette O. Grantham
Law Enforcement

Ministry RPG Name:
David O. Truebridge
Mysteries
Default
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB

I finally finished this! I loved it. I had a hard time picturing the setting at first, until they started talking about "The Empire" and then I just pictured like a bunch of Kylo Rens in training at a Sith lair because they're about to participate in the 177th annual Hunger Games.

Elias is my favorite character by far, and I also like Izzi and Cain. I can't wait to read the sequel! I don't usually get into fantasy novels anymore, but I really enjoyed this one. It had twists, turns, and did not rely too much on macguffins to deliver the post-apocalyptic feel of the story.

One character I never really connected with? Laia. Am I the only one who thought her relationship with her brother was strange? It wasn't developed enough in the book's exposition to serve as her "spine" or motivating experience, imo.
__________________

yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________

__________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
BanaBatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2020, 01:55 AM   #17 (permalink)

DERP & DMGS
Shrake
 
siriusblackliveson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: (EST)
Posts: 12,974

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jacoby Rivers
Hufflepuff
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Callista Rivers
Gryffindor
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Nathaniel Flannagan
Games & Sports

Ministry RPG Name:
Patrick Dooley
Ecological Protection
Default
Stealthy Ninja Queen | Snake For Life | waddling baker | binge royalty ♚

Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl View Post
I finally finished this! I loved it. I had a hard time picturing the setting at first, until they started talking about "The Empire" and then I just pictured like a bunch of Kylo Rens in training at a Sith lair because they're about to participate in the 177th annual Hunger Games.
The 177th annual hunger games made me giggle more than I should.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl View Post
One character I never really connected with? Laia. Am I the only one who thought her relationship with her brother was strange? It wasn't developed enough in the book's exposition to serve as her "spine" or motivating experience, imo.
I too struggled to connect with her. It made reading her chapters so hard. She was wishy washy to me. On one hand she would be all let’s be brave and then on the other she was like I can’t do anything because I’m so afraid.

But it didn’t seem like she was all that close to her brother to go through life or death. But maybe it’s developed more. I’m curious to know a bit more about the iron smith. He intrigued me.
__________________
siriusblackliveson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2020, 11:55 AM   #18 (permalink)


MLE & DERP
Puffskein
 
aRogueOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 1,565

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Sloane Aubrey Knott
Slytherin
Second Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Hooper Ridley-Rush
Gryffindor
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jude Joel MacAfee
Law Enforcement
Default

So, I’m 330 pages in and I just had to stop because I’m so frustrated. I get the sense that I know what is going to happen and I don’t want it to happen!!! These characters are so infuriating.

In all seriousness, I’m enjoying the book so far and I’m curious to see what happens when I finish it. First impressions:

Not the biggest fan of Laia which kind of makes me sad. I’m guessing there are more books after this so she’ll develop and become this strong female character but so far, I’m not of her. Maybe its because she’s doing all of this for her brother but at the beginning, it started with her saying that they’d been growing apart and he’d been keeping secrets from her.

Next, I feel like I’m back in school here but…In my head, I want certain characters to end up with each other and I don’t think it’s going to happen and it’s making me sad even before I finish the book. Feel free to tell me I’m stuuuupid or if you have a different pairing you prefer but I just want Elias and Helene to end up together.

AASDIFUHWOUEFOHE. Anyway, I’m going back to reading it now because I want to finish the book today hopefully. Also, I have no idea if you guys have talked about any of this because I’m avoiding spoilers.

Last edited by aRogueOne; 02-23-2020 at 01:07 PM.
aRogueOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2020, 02:06 PM   #19 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

DoM & DIMC

Bicorn
 
natekka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Wales
Posts: 16,721

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jade Archer de Leon
Slytherin
First Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Olive Gracae-Ryans
Hufflepuff
Fifth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Clara Rider (née Wilde)
International Cooperation

Ministry RPG Name:
Riley Archer de Leon
Mysteries
Default
Little Fox | ½ of Lauralie | Ravenclaw with a Hufflepuff heart and a Gryffindor soul | #HouseNATARIANA

AHH. So much discussion, I love it!

I've been popping my head in and out over the past few days and I'm really enjoying hearing all of your thoughts on the book and the characters. It's interesting how some opinions differ from my own and some are very similar.

Unlike several of you, I actually really like both Helene and Laia. This might be because I've read the second book as well and there is (as you would hope) character development in that book. Helene is a character that I think has a lot of potential tbh. That being said, I think Ern hit the nail on the head and I feel the same way as she does about Laia in this book.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassirin View Post
I found myself wanting to shake Laia and make her stop doubting she could do things and just DO them, but we see so many strong female characters who know they are strong and act completely foolhardy. It's nice to see a character who shows courage even when it's hard.
There has also been talk of shipping, so I'm curious. Which pairing(s) do you think like best and would want to see developed more in the next book?

There are many more character-related questions I want to pose but first I would love for us to dive into visuals and theme a bit more.

As some of you pointed out, there are many visual aspects to this world - Blackcliff Academy and the Masks, for example. We aren't told that much about HOW the masks work and what - aside from signifying rank - their purpose is. What are your thoughts on what the masks look like? And how do you picture Blackcliff? Sabaa Tahir based it on Ancient Rome but, personally, I quite like Ern's description of Dark Hogwarts without the magic.

Finally, what do you think is the significance of the book's title, An Ember in the Ashes?


BONUS EXTRA THING FOR MUSIC LOVERS:

Sabaa Tahir actually created playlists for many of the characters, which I thought you might be interested in listening to. If anybody has any favourites from these playlists, I would love to know. Clicky clicky. There are specific playlists for Elias, Laia and Helene, if you want to skip straight to those.
__________________
Days of Potter 2023:___________________________ Which Bertie Botts Flavour Are You?

You are Honey!
natekka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2020, 08:02 PM   #20 (permalink)
Moderator
Potterdom Mod
Book Club Mod


DMAC & DoM
Giant
 
Lissy Longbottom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Ferrix: GMT-6
Posts: 56,907

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Moritz Schultz (#0f667e)
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Nancy Schultz (#ac6f77)
Hufflepuff
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jabari Rahal (#c54031)
Mysteries

Ministry RPG Name:
Calloway Bennigan (#b8b323)
Accidents & Catastrophes
x11 x1
Default
curly haired prefect - "sometimes I get angry!" - 30/90 - *chicken emoji* - probably @ Disney - I speak dog

As far as shipping goes, the author is def trying to get us to root for Elias/Laia but I honestly really would rather have Laia/Keenan get together because they both KNOW what the other is going through. They're both the last of their family and have lost essentially everything to the Empire. And Elias/Helene seem like a MUCH better fit to me.
__________________
I'm still standin'________________________________________ better than I ever did

Lookin' like a true survivor_________________________________feelin' like a little kid
Lissy Longbottom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2020, 09:11 PM   #21 (permalink)


MLE & DERP
Puffskein
 
aRogueOne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: UK
Posts: 1,565

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Sloane Aubrey Knott
Slytherin
Second Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Hooper Ridley-Rush
Gryffindor
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Jude Joel MacAfee
Law Enforcement
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom View Post
As far as shipping goes, the author is def trying to get us to root for Elias/Laia but I honestly really would rather have Laia/Keenan get together because they both KNOW what the other is going through. They're both the last of their family and have lost essentially everything to the Empire. And Elias/Helene seem like a MUCH better fit to me.
I'm not sure what it is but I like Helene. I guess because I've been damaged by someone in the love department, I can sympathise with her. I was 100% in the Elias/Helene camp. I was never fussed with Keenan really and Laia was a slow burner for me so I kind of wanted those to end up together for that reason.

Quote:
What are your thoughts on what the masks look like? And how do you picture Blackcliff? Sabaa Tahir based it on Ancient Rome but, personally, I quite like Ern's description of Dark Hogwarts without the magic.
I really enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson books and then the Heroes of Olympus books after so I always kind of pictured Blackcliff similarly to how I pictured Camp Jupiter but with more sand.

As for the masks, my interpretation of them was that were kind of like secret police? Kind of like the elite part of the police. I always forgot to picture them in masks for some reason and then whenever I read the word mask, I'd have to stop and picture the scene again
aRogueOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2020, 01:11 AM   #22 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

MLE & DoM
Banshee
 
BanaBatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gotham
Posts: 51,207

Hogwarts RPG Name:
TBD
Gryffindor

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Zara H. Bunbury-Foster
Slytherin
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Bernadette O. Grantham
Law Enforcement

Ministry RPG Name:
David O. Truebridge
Mysteries
Default
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB

Quote:
Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson View Post
The 177th annual hunger games made me giggle more than I should.

I too struggled to connect with her. It made reading her chapters so hard. She was wishy washy to me. On one hand she would be all let’s be brave and then on the other she was like I can’t do anything because I’m so afraid.

But it didn’t seem like she was all that close to her brother to go through life or death. But maybe it’s developed more. I’m curious to know a bit more about the iron smith. He intrigued me.
hehe.

I will say that she gets better. I've read the second book and have started on the third, and Laia definitely grows on you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by natekka View Post
AHH. So much discussion, I love it!

I've been popping my head in and out over the past few days and I'm really enjoying hearing all of your thoughts on the book and the characters. It's interesting how some opinions differ from my own and some are very similar.

Unlike several of you, I actually really like both Helene and Laia. This might be because I've read the second book as well and there is (as you would hope) character development in that book. Helene is a character that I think has a lot of potential tbh. That being said, I think Ern hit the nail on the head and I feel the same way as she does about Laia in this book.



There has also been talk of shipping, so I'm curious. Which pairing(s) do you think like best and would want to see developed more in the next book?

There are many more character-related questions I want to pose but first I would love for us to dive into visuals and theme a bit more.

As some of you pointed out, there are many visual aspects to this world - Blackcliff Academy and the Masks, for example. We aren't told that much about HOW the masks work and what - aside from signifying rank - their purpose is. What are your thoughts on what the masks look like? And how do you picture Blackcliff? Sabaa Tahir based it on Ancient Rome but, personally, I quite like Ern's description of Dark Hogwarts without the magic.

Finally, what do you think is the significance of the book's title, An Ember in the Ashes?


BONUS EXTRA THING FOR MUSIC LOVERS:

Sabaa Tahir actually created playlists for many of the characters, which I thought you might be interested in listening to. If anybody has any favourites from these playlists, I would love to know. Clicky clicky. There are specific playlists for Elias, Laia and Helene, if you want to skip straight to those.
So I read the second book and I dunno, I still don't really like Helene.

She DOES have some redeeming qualities, but anyone who is super loyal to the Empire just irks me. I feel like I know more of the masks now, though, and they also grow on you some...

Elias is still my favorite.
__________________

yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________

__________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
BanaBatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 01:17 AM   #23 (permalink)

Site Manager

MO
Manticore
 
Cassirin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: *Nom nom nom*
Posts: 43,196

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mercer Branxton
Ravenclaw
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Genevieve James
Minister's Office

x7 x8
Default
Made of Awesome | Ern-la the Best-wa | TZ's Apogee

I just finished the second book in this series and I would be happy to discuss it with ANYONE who wants (in spoilers).
__________________
★ Dawn ★

Awakening ★ Spiritual ★ Hopeful ★ Honest
Cassirin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2020, 11:45 PM   #24 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League

MLE & DoM
Banshee
 
BanaBatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Gotham
Posts: 51,207

Hogwarts RPG Name:
TBD
Gryffindor

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Zara H. Bunbury-Foster
Slytherin
Fourth Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Bernadette O. Grantham
Law Enforcement

Ministry RPG Name:
David O. Truebridge
Mysteries
Default
Professor Pink | Mrs. Bruce Wayne | I'm on a Goat | Glitterpuff | Dumbledore's Defense Squad | BHB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cassirin View Post
I just finished the second book in this series and I would be happy to discuss it with ANYONE who wants (in spoilers).
I'm in!!!!!!!!!

SPOILER!!: WELL, WHAT DID YOU THINK?!
I loved it.
__________________

yeah, there's one thing about me that you should know________________________________

__________________________________________that I can't help from speaking my mind
BanaBatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2020, 01:08 AM   #25 (permalink)
Formerly: Tegz
Dark Force Defense League

DERP & DMT
Demiguise
 
TeafortheSoul's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hobbiton
Posts: 24,244

Hogwarts RPG Name:
???
Ravenclaw

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Ronnie Thurkell
Gryffindor
Seventh Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Stella Jarsdel
Transportation

Ministry RPG Name:
Calyx Morgan-Bott
Ecological Protection

x12 x12
Default
lives in a hobbit hole || Ern and Touz's Nuzzle || roflysst || looking at a seed packet

My mum actually got me into this series you guys make me want to reread it so I can share all my thoughts. I really enjoyed it too. Just wait till you finish them all!
__________________



love is like a letter wrote :: and life is like an envelope
be careful who you give it to :: they might not give it back to you
TeafortheSoul is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 05:40 PM.


This Harry Potter and Wizarding World fan website and community is not endorsed by Hogwarts, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Quidditch, Deathly Hallows, Sorcerer's Stone, Wizards, Muggles, No-Maj, MACUSA, Newt Scamander, Video Games, Half-Blood Prince, Orders of the Phoenix, Goblet of Fire, Philosopher's Stones, Chamber of Secret, Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, Cursed Child, or any other official Harry Potter source.

All content is copyright ©2002 - 2022, SnitchSeeker.com unless stated otherwise. Privacy Policy

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Site designed by Richard Harris Design

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252