The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn #2), by Renee Ahdieh → Start Date: August 25, 2016

[Vicki]

Join Trisha and me when we read book 2 of this series!

[Vicki]

Trisha, are you okay with pushing this out a few days? Maybe until Thursday?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Yeah, I have a bunch due at the library

I changed the date! Good luck, I hope teaching is going good!

[Vicki]

Awe, thank you so much on both accounts! :o)

[Vicki]

I couldn't quite finish book 1 today but I only have about 100 pages left, so if I can't stay awake to finish it I'll finish it tomorrow. But I definitely won't start book 2 until tomorrow.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

:) no worries. it's been a wild week so I have gotten behind.
but....I plan to start tonight after my husband and I go out on a date!

[Vicki]

Woo hoo!! Date night?? Have fun!!! :)

[Vicki]

I am going CRAZY!! I can't find my book!!! Ugh, I've been looking for an hour!

[Vicki]

Oh jeez...found it. I love my husband but...DON'T TOUCH MY BOOKS!!! Lol

[Vicki]

I ended up finishing book 1 yesterday and read the three extras, so I plan to start this one today BUT I'm going shopping with my daughter for 2 of my grandsons' birthday, the her son has a soccer game at 1:00, and at 5:00 there is a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese for the boys. Both were born in August, one the 25th and one the 29th so at least we get to kill two birds with one stone. LOL So it will be later tonight when I can start. I might be able to read a few pages before tonight but I won't post until I've read a decent chunk.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

HA! wow, your day sounds crazy busy.

We spent a lot of today running around too, after yard work

I'm finishing up one and then starting this one :)

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I forgot these books don't have chapter numbers
so I'll just tell you where I stopped - at about 50 pages in the hardback copy

last chapter read: An Indelible Line
Chapter I stopped at: A Gateway between Worlds

Now...the first chapter, I'd already read. My copy of the first book already had it in there

Originally(view spoiler)[ I was worried the story had jumped 11 or 12 years and that Khalid was talking to his child. His daughter.
but I'm so so glad it's not. I would hate to miss all those years (hide spoiler)]

Shazi(view spoiler)[ awful. I forgot she was in such unstable surroundings. Tariq is still angry. Many of the town people are angry...and although I understand they are angry that the Khalid left so many bodies of dead women behind
I STILL don't understand how anyone can be mad at Shazi. they should be glad she's gotten the murders to stop - no matter how she did it (hide spoiler)]

Spider(view spoiler)[ what was that boy thinking. stupid move. I'm glad he didn't hurt Irsa
or rape Shazi. (hide spoiler)]

Khalid(view spoiler)[ he's in bad shape. they were always stronger together. sucks that they are apart (hide spoiler)]

Baba(view spoiler)[ the book, the chanting, the sleep. what on earth was he doing when she found him? what was that book?does it possibly hold the secret to the cure?? (hide spoiler)]

This one is so hard to put down but I have a long run in the morning
so I will read more tomorrow :)

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

OH and I completely forgot about the novella's!
I'll read those tomorrow too! :) thx

[Vicki]

I'm not going to get to it until tomorrow. I had a LONG day!! Now I'm wiped out!

[Michelle]

I think I will be able to join the discussion since I am currently reading this right now. I've never done one of these. What do I do?

[Vicki]

That's awesome Michelle! Welcome! All you do is after reading a certain amount or any time you want to say something or ask your partners something for clarification post it using spoilers. I'll read Trisha's post after I read the first 50 pages and respond and/or post my own thoughts. We usually decide to post after a certain number of chapters but that is not a rigid rule. When there are no chapters we try to let our partners know where we ended reading so that when we read their post it won't spoil it for us. Good luck and I look forward to reading your posts!!

[Vicki]

I stopped where you did, Trisha after "An Indelible Line"

I thought the EXACT same thing you did when I read (view spoiler)[the first chapter with the 11 year old girl. LOL (hide spoiler)]

Shazi (view spoiler)[I agree with you here too. She hasn't really done anything wrong, and God only knows her heart was in the right place to begin with and, as you said, the murders have stopped. People don't know everything and are just being awful. (hide spoiler)]

Baba (view spoiler)[I wondered what the heck the book was too that he was so curled up with it and like protective of it. It wasn't just a good romance. LOL I hadn't thought about it being some kind of cure but I want to know what it was too. (hide spoiler)]

Khalid (view spoiler)[really needs Shazi to be complete. I hate that they are apart too. I'm not sure why I've been rooting so strongly for them, but I am. I don't like Tariq, especially not for her lover. (hide spoiler)]

What do you think is the significance of (view spoiler)[the girl named Shavi? At first I thought that Shazi's friend was alive until I realized that she was only a little girl. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Vicki wrote: "That's awesome Michelle! Welcome! All you do is after reading a certain amount or any time you want to say something or ask your partners something for clarification post it using spoilers. I'll re..."

I don't really have a partner. Would it be ok if I converse with you Trisha?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Michelle wrote: "I don't really have a partner. Would it be ok if I converse with you Trisha? ..."

Yay! Welcome Michelle!

Yes, absolutely!! You can click on my spoilers and respond or you can post your own comments on where you are in the book and what you think! It's completely up to you! But Yes! I'd love to chat as we read this one! So glad you are joining us!

[Vicki]

Michelle, by partner I meant the people that you are doing a buddy read with, so in this case you would be discussing the book with both Trisha and me. The three of us will post our thoughts and respond to each other. I didn't mean you needed to have a particular partner (only one) to work with. Sorry for the misunderstanding

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

ha! I'm so excited! I"m going to meet this author this weekend!!

EEE! I have about 10 or so authors I'll be meeting this weekend! I love book festivals! So excited!

[Michelle]

Trisha wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I don't really have a partner. Would it be ok if I converse with you Trisha? ..."

Yay! Welcome Michelle!

Yes, absolutely!! You can click on my spoilers and respond or you can pos..."

Thanks

[Michelle]

Vicki wrote: "Michelle, by partner I meant the people that you are doing a buddy read with, so in this case you would be discussing the book with both Trisha and me. The three of us will post our thoughts and re..."

Oh ok...See my first buddy read and I'm a bit clueless..lol.

[Michelle]

Trisha wrote: "ha! I'm so excited! I"m going to meet this author this weekend!!

EEE! I have about 10 or so authors I'll be meeting this weekend! I love book festivals! So excited!"

I am so jealous. Which book festival is it? I went to Book Con in NYC 2 years ago and it was awesome. I talked to Marie Lu for 15 minutes outside of the penguin books kiosk before it dawned on me who she was.

[Michelle]

Trisha wrote: "I forgot these books don't have chapter numbers
so I'll just tell you where I stopped - at about 50 pages in the hardback copy

last chapter read: An Indelible Line
Chapter I stopped at: A Gateway ..."

The beginning Scene (view spoiler)[I found that to be a very significant scene. It was almost like a huge turning point for Khalid. (hide spoiler)]

Shazi - (view spoiler)[People are still angry and since they did not know about the curse it seemed to them that she was taking his side and excusing all that he done because when she married him she became Calipha. It seems like a basic human reaction for people to need someone to blame. (hide spoiler)]

Baba - (view spoiler)[That man is in over his head, (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

How far is everyone else? I finished today so I don't want to get too far ahead in talking about what happened?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Michelle wrote: "Trisha wrote: "ha! I'm so excited! I"m going to meet this author this weekend!!

EEE! I have about 10 or so authors I'll be meeting this weekend! I love book festivals! So excited!"

I am so jealo..."

It's a Decatur Book festival which doesn't seem too great, right?
I mean....it's just the name of a city in Georgia...
but the stage in the YA area is so close, I could almost touch the authors.....SO close

there are so many authors who are going to be there! Last year I got to meet and chat with Sarah Dessen and I don't remember if it was last year or the year before, but I got to chat with Maggie Stiefvater (yes, I still completely freak out when I think about it! good thing I kept my cool around her :D) Maggie even brought hand made/painted/drawn book covers that she handed out to everyone there!

Here is the page with authors....
https://www.decaturbookfestival.com/s...

I definitely plan to sit and chat with Shaun David Hutchinson, Beth Revis, Victoria (V.E.) Schwab (as in A Darker Shade of Magic!! and The Archived!! YES, I plan to ask her if there will be a book 3! lol) and

so many names. I can't wait to see the talk with all the others!!

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I'm so sorry guys, I wish i could say I was done with this one
but I"ve been slogging through another book that I just can't seem to get through

I'm going to push and get through that one right now
and I'll finish this one up tomorrow (and post about all my thoughts :D)

[Vicki]

Holy my, Trisha! That's amazing! I'm so excited for you to see so many authors and such good ones!!

Don't worry about finishing except when you're ready.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

I finally finished the book that was dragging
and now I've finally caught up and read all the novellas


NOW I can finally get back to this one :)

[Maddie]

Quick question (sorry for popping in) are the novellas all meant to be read before the 2nd book?

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

YES! 1 gives details of between the two books and 2 give details about before even book 1 :)

[Maddie]

Alright awesome thanks :)

[Vicki]

Congrats, Trisha! I'm sending you a PM. Please read it ASAP.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

sorry, running club night :)
I'm posting then off to read it!

Last chapter I read: The Boy by the Sea
I stopped at: Where there is Ruin

Tariq(view spoiler)[ i'm glad he's disagreeing with his father...wait, is it his father or uncle? I think uncle. anyway, the guy running the war effort (hide spoiler)]

Shazi(view spoiler)[ she did it! she got that carpet to take her! but who is this boy? and why is he so aggravating? lol (hide spoiler)]

Dad(view spoiler)[ we knew the book was bad. but to burn at the touch. and now that we've been in her father's POV, the magic and power the book holds (and has over him) frightening! (hide spoiler)]

Despina(view spoiler)[ why did she run? did she not think Jalal would take care of her? I don't remember, because I read book 1 so long ago
but I'm so sad she ran. he really does love her - but shame on him for not letting her know (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Also finished reading The Boy by the Sea

Despina (view spoiler)[simply didn't want to Jalal to know about the pregnancy because she didn't want him to feel trapped and obligated to marry him because of his social position and her social position in their society. At least that was it in part from what I remember. But once Shazi blurted out that Despina was pregnant, I got the feeling he might have wanted to marry her. He definitely loves her just as Khalid loves Shazi. (hide spoiler)]

The book (view spoiler)[is scary to me! It has horrible powers, but I wonder if they could possibly be used for good at some point. (hide spoiler)]

Shazi (view spoiler)[needs to reconnect with Khalid! I was beginning to wonder if the carpet would ever really be a part of the story. I'm glad that she wasn't raped! I think Khalid would have taken out terrible revenge somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Tariq (view spoiler)[is despicable. I like him less and less. I don't like his violent nature. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Vicki wrote: "Also finished reading The Boy by the Sea
Tariq [spoilers removed]"

ooh I agree(view spoiler)[ I'm not impressed with him either (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

Last chapter finished: To Sleint and Feint
stopped at: An Arrow to the Heart

Artan(view spoiler)[ his aunt was awful and so hungry to search her mind. I'm glad she was stopped
but the curse sounds tough to break (hide spoiler)]

Shazi(view spoiler)[ OMG she can't possibly die, right? she can't.
does her sister jump in front? is this the push for Tariq to realize he needs to let his broken heart go....stop acting rash and throwing tantrums like a child (hide spoiler)]

Khalid(view spoiler)[ I'm so glad they are back together. (hide spoiler)]

Irsa(view spoiler)[ poor thing, every time she tries to help, she always bumbles something (hide spoiler)]

The book(view spoiler)[ what a frightening book. I'm so glad they are going to destroy it. I hope it doesn't hurt her dad to take it away - or he doesn't hurt himself or others to get it back (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I'm about 25 pages behind you. After I finish grading if I have time left during lunch I'll catch up.

[Vicki]

Artan (view spoiler)[ I don't like him either and so far I don't trust him, but you are right about his aunt! (hide spoiler)]

Shazi (view spoiler)[definitely can't die or I'll be so angry!!! No way! And Tariq, I hope you are right and that he gets over it! (hide spoiler)]

Khalid (view spoiler)[I love him. LOL I am glad they are together too. (hide spoiler)]

Irsa (view spoiler)[is adorable. I felt bad for her and how bad she felt when Shazi kept leaving. (hide spoiler)]

The book (view spoiler)[is scary and its powers are frightening. I hope they are able to really destroy it. I guess they have to for the plot to progress, but I don't trust their "helpers" so we'll see. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I read through and finished the chapter titled The Sandstone Palace

Shahrzad (view spoiler)[is really in quite a predicament, but man is she gutsy! I am SO MAD that she's been betrayed by her uncle, her dad, AND Despina! (hide spoiler)]

Khalid (view spoiler)[and Tariq appeared to have almost earned a certain respect for each other but I'm not sure how valid or lasting that it is, if that's what it was when they bowed to each other. Khalid is going to KILL someone when he finds out what they have done. He is sitting back thinking she is perfectly safe. He'd better hurry! (hide spoiler)]

Irsa (view spoiler)[I am worried for her because she isn't nearly as gutsy as Shahrzad and I just hope she holds up under what she is going through. (hide spoiler)]

Despina (view spoiler)[OMG!!! I am SO MAD!!! I can't believe she was a spy, she never really loved Jalal, I guess, and she is really Salim's daughter!! Ugh. Total betrayal to Shazi! Shazi was GOOD to her and now she sends her to what? A dungeon to rot? I am nearing the end of the book so I went and looked to see if there is a book 3 because I was wondering what happened to Despina because I really liked her, but now? I am SO mad! I don't know if she is really pregnant by Jalal or not. I think she is because he never denied that he was or could be the father when Shazi told him. (hide spoiler)]

The guard (view spoiler)[ got what he deserved! I'm glad Shazi has the nerve to hit a guard in the stomach and that she doesn't go down without a fight. She makes me proud but I want her OUT of there! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I finished last night but was too tire to post my thoughts.

Khalid (view spoiler)[scared me to death when I thought he was actually going to die! I'm so glad he didn't. (hide spoiler)]

Despina (view spoiler)[ redeemed herself. LOL I am so thankful she wasn't exactly as she seemed to be but it stlll seems like she could've accomplished the same thing without dumping Shahrzad in the dungeon. But I am glad she is with Jalal and all is well. (hide spoiler)]

Shazi's father (view spoiler)[finally gave her the love she so desperately wanted her whole life. His dying for the sake of his daughter's happiness and to have love was beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

Lots of twists in this book and, for me, they all worked.

[Trisha, lives on coffee]

wow, I"m done too!!

this one was so good!

Khalid(view spoiler)[ OMG I thought he was going to die at the end too! I was seriously so mad. (hide spoiler)]

Despina(view spoiler)[ I was so so angry too! I couldn't believe she had just switched sides and done so much lying
but then when it all came out, I was so glad
I'm glad she went hom to Jalal too :) (hide spoiler)]

Father(view spoiler)[ wow, I mean...I knew he'd be mad about the book
I never thought he'd attack him right then. I'm sad he had to die - but I'm glad he gave his life to save Khalid. he needed to (hide spoiler)]

Irsa(view spoiler)[ ugh....she breaks my heart. she was so alone and then she found love. and he was so great
and then he was gone. I was so sad with Rahim died (hide spoiler)]

phew. that one was GOOD!

[Vicki]

Oh, I'm SO glad you loved it too!! This one was amazing! I'll read your spoilers when I can.