BOTM July 2017: The Wrath and the Dawn

[Ilsen]

Yes that's ok

[Ayla]

TH wrote: "I already read this book, so is it okay if I follow the discussions while not rereading?"

Sure! As long as you make sure you don't spoil anything :)

[Hayli]

I would love to join! If I still can! :)
I just won't be able to participate until the 10th (ish).

[Ilsen]

Of course you can! The readalong doesn't start until the 8th so you're good

[Hayli]

Awesome thanks!! :)

[Ayla]

Hayli wrote: "I would love to join! If I still can! :)
I just won't be able to participate until the 10th (ish)."

I added you!
Thanks for joining :)

[eesha]

Sign me up too, excited to read this one :D

[Ayla]

🥀•eesha•🥀 wrote: "Sign me up too, excited to read this one :D"

Thanks for joining :D
I added you to the list of participants

[The Half-blood Reader]

So many people joining in! *excited*

[Emily]

cool ! thank youu 😊💛

[Tal]

Can you add me to join as well?

[Ayla]

TH wrote: "Can you add me to join as well?"

Sure! Do you want to reread as well, or just discuss?

[Tal]

Ayla wrote: "TH wrote: "Can you add me to join as well?"

Sure! Do you want to reread as well, or just discuss?"

I think I might just discuss because I'm really busy; all of my family from around the world came for my sister's birthday

[Ayla]

TH wrote: "Ayla wrote: "TH wrote: "Can you add me to join as well?"

Sure! Do you want to reread as well, or just discuss?"

I think I might just discuss because I'm really busy; all of my family from around ..."

That's okay! Congrats to your sis :)

[Tal]

Ayla wrote: "TH wrote: "Ayla wrote: "TH wrote: "Can you add me to join as well?"

Sure! Do you want to reread as well, or just discuss?"

I think I might just discuss because I'm really busy; all of my family f..."

Thanks (＾▽＾)

[lena☀️]

Ayla wrote: "Hi Lena! Thanks for joining in :)
Can I put you on the list of participants?
How did your exams go by the way?"


I'm so sorry I didn't see this!! yes you can put me on the list :)
exams went ok, i am changing courses so I didn't expect to do well just to get 50% and pass which I did!

[Bec]

Okay, I am super early but I got the book today and have already read up to page 40. I am vowing to myself not to read ahead (too much )

(view spoiler)[
I normally hate stories within a story. Even in the LOTR books I would skim through any of their stories told within the actual main plot. BUT this one has not bugged me or bored me in the sway they normally do. Perhaps it is because of how much it feels the story may play into the main plot. Or maybe it's the writing style and/or lack of the 'story' being detached and italicized like a lot of books do. Whatever it is, I am intrigued in the book and the story within so far.

Also, please tell me that I am not the only one picturing Khalid as an Arabic Jofferey. I really want to shake this image before I potentially start having more positive feelings towards him
(hide spoiler)]

[Ayla]

Lena wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Hi Lena! Thanks for joining in :)
Can I put you on the list of participants?
How did your exams go by the way?"


I'm so sorry I didn't see this!! yes you can put me on the list :)
ex..."

Okay, no problem!
Good to hear you passed :D

[The Half-blood Reader]

Lena wrote: "Ayla wrote: "Hi Lena! Thanks for joining in :)
Can I put you on the list of participants?
How did your exams go by the way?"


I'm so sorry I didn't see this!! yes you can put me on the list :)
ex..."

Congratz!

[The Half-blood Reader]

Until chapter 3

I don’t have much to say this time, the story and characters have left me intrigued. Especially the mysterious curse mentioned in the prologue.

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Becca

(view spoiler)[ Oh god, no. Never! Don't implant that mental image xD That's so creepy. I mean, Jofferey is like an effeminate spoiled cruel midget-troll with mental issues... No offence to any possible fans of the character. (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

Ok so I'm not on page 40 but I have the soft paperback so that might be why. Well I have finished reading until chapter three and I don't really have much to say as of now but I'll try.

(view spoiler)[ Well I'm confused. Intrigued but confused. There is a lot of characters and a lot of unique names but it makes things a little confusing. The glossary helps a little so I'm not as confused. I didn't see that they were talking about a curse in the prologue. I'm interested to know more but right now I'm just ok. (hide spoiler)]

Not really spoilers but whatever

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen

I took it as a sort of curse *shrugs*

[The Half-blood Reader]

Until Chapter 6

(view spoiler)[I am enjoying Shahrzad’s character. It’s so rare to see a young female protagonist with her priorities straight. With the mind power to focus on the pressing matters.
I’m sure Khalid is one of those poor unfortunate tormented souls. Even though it’s only the beginning, that’s where the bases for his story are being set.
Even though nobody wants Shahrzad to die, I keep thinking she’s going to interfere with some dark forces that will harm everybody in Khorasan, so my mind goes likes “No! Don’t break the cycle!” which is terrible.

I don’t know if I trust Jalal yet. Japanese character design has taught me to mistrust kind and charming characters. I mistrust too well-adjusted people also, but that’s a lesson from life. (hide spoiler)]

[Bec]

Okay, so I've just realised that my edition is out. I think I'm two chapters ahead. Can I just clarify - chapter 6 which we're up to today, is that Draw Weight? Chapters aren't numbered in my copy. I just don't wanna be ahead and throwing spoilers everywhere.

[Ilsen]

My edition doesn't have chapters either. Which is very confusing

[Ayla]

Ilsen wrote: "My edition doesn't have chapters either. Which is very confusing"

Becca wrote: "Okay, so I've just realised that my edition is out. I think I'm two chapters ahead. Can I just clarify - chapter 6 which we're up to today, is that Draw Weight? Chapters aren't numbered in my copy...."

I'm sorry for your confusion!
My copy will arrive today, and I'll see if I can adjust the reading schedule to a less confusing one.
Do the chapters have names, instead of numbers?

[The Half-blood Reader]

Chapters aren't numbered, they're named, but we can all count :)
That's what I'm doing.

[The Half-blood Reader]

Becca wrote: "Okay, so I've just realised that my edition is out. I think I'm two chapters ahead. Can I just clarify - chapter 6 which we're up to today, is that Draw Weight? Chapters aren't numbered in my copy...."

Yes, chapter 6 is Draw Weight.

[Ayla]

I just received my copy! :D
The reading schedule is adjusted now, so you can find the name of the last chapter between brackets each time.

[The Half-blood Reader]

Ayla wrote: "I just received my copy! :D
The reading schedule is adjusted now, so you can find the name of the last chapter between brackets each time."

Yes, now you can join! I can't wait for your opinions.
And thank you.

[Bec]

Ayla wrote: "I just received my copy! :D
The reading schedule is adjusted now, so you can find the name of the last chapter between brackets each time."

You're amazing.

[lena☀️]

just read to the end of chapter 6

(view spoiler)[I'm getting drawn in right away, I was kind of worried I wouldn't be because I read the prologue and first chapter a month or two ago and it didn't really grab me but I think this plot is probably too much to establish in just one chapter,
I'm definitely more intrigued now.
I don't normally have heaps of little thoughts when read such short chunks at a time but one thing I did think during this was when she was pretending to be bad at archery then testing the arrows like aaah anyone could see through that please be more careful shahrzad pls (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Lena

(view spoiler)[ It really depends on the story and writing style, this one isn't raising a lot of theories and ramifications of certain expressions, reactions, etc...
For instance, with Simons vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda, I always had plenty to say xD
This one leaves me quite intrigued and I've had some small thoughts, but not as much. Everything is so uncertain, the scenery hasn't been properly set yet. (hide spoiler)]

[lena☀️]

@Regsly


(view spoiler)[for sure! Simon vs was so much faster and all the main pieces were there within the first few chapters. This is still getting set up which is expected from fantasy, they always take longer,
hopefully some more questions will come as we go along, I think this will be a fun one! (hide spoiler)]

[Bec]

Read to chapter 9

(view spoiler)[ Is anyone else super intrigued about what Jahandar is up to with the book? I can't for the life of me place where or what this is going to play in the main plot line.

Part of me is very willing to 'ship Tariq and Shahrzad but they are so far apart and there has been nearly nothing about their relationship yet. I'm being so impatient

(hide spoiler)]

[Bec]

Read to chapter 12 (early again...)

(view spoiler)[ Wait what? So it is not the caliph that is trying to kill her?!? Does that mean he is not behind the other deaths of all his former wives? So many questions and so hard not to binge read ahead.

Who were the soldiers under orders from that tried to strangle her? Surely he didn't order them to kill her and then interrupt them to save her as well? And what about the poison at the end of chapter 12?

I realize that it's entirely possible that he made the orders before he left to see the sultan however I'm getting the feeling there is definitely more to it than that.

And does this mean the caliph is good (or at least not the horrendous murderer that we thought) and that Tariq and co. are going to storm in with an army of nomads to kill the wrong guy??? (hide spoiler)]

Okay, I'm done for now. Off to distract myself with a different book.

[Ilsen]

Until Chapter 6 (I know I'm so late but I'm catching up I promise.)
@Regsly @Lena @Becca

(view spoiler)[ The story within the story is pretty interesting. I'm curious to how it relates to this story and her intentions. The pure tension between Shahrzad and Khalid is electrifying and so very savage like. You can tell the way she really hates him and Khalid is very suspicious. Hence the spy Despina and the bodyguard she now has. Very suspicious.

Jalal seems to have good intentions I think. He just wants to see Khalid be a good person again instead of this shattered boy who is surrounded by death. Of course what he did is inexcusable but he gives a reason as to why he is like this.

I agree with how this is very slow paced and it is taking a while to set the story so right now we really don't have much to say. With Simon vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda, everything was pretty much set up in the first chapter. Not all fantasies are like this however. I am reading Shadow and Bone right now and the premise of the story kicks off in the first two chapters. Here it is taking a while but I may be mixed with this story. I'm hoping that I will have a good time with it (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

Until Chapter 9 @Becca

(view spoiler)[ I feel like a ship between Jalal and Shazi is too early right now. Besides her first real love is Tariq and I want to see them together even though I know it won't happen.

I really like Shazi. She's really strong and determined to get her vengeance. And she is a pretty strategic person. Tariq is literally going to start a war for Shazi so no one else will get hurt. Can't wait to see what happens. Khalid is mysterious. I can never tell what his intentions are. This is getting interesting. (hide spoiler)]

I can see why you keep reading early. XD

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Ilsen for chap 6

(view spoiler)[ I still wonder how exactly she plans to kill him.
Jalal seems to be that way, but I need more proof before I trust xD (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

Until Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[Reaction: Guys, please don’t kill your horses! Specially you, Tariq…

Best quotable thing I’ve read so far, according to my personal taste:
"You can’t foresee the future. And there’s nothing you can do about the past."
“You’re wrong. I can learn from it . . .” Tariq, you're so wise already! I like it.

So after so many deaths, finally comes the possibility of revolution. But what if a cliché happens? Tariq’s efforts will become unwanted to an extent... Especially since Khalid's and Shahrzad's chemistry is each time more explosive. (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Becca & @ Ilsen

(view spoiler)[ I feel so bad 'cuz I feel Khalid x Shahrzad in the air xD

Khalid has obviously closed himself off to try to protect himself from the terrible things he has to set in course.

Jahandar has to know the story behind this well, and if this is a curse, he is worried about the consequences of not being a sacrifice. Also, he's learned a lot about people on his job, so he sees Shahrzad is up to something (maybe nefarious?). But who knows? Maybe he's a villain xD

She is strategic though she messed-up in a pretty obvious way for someone so sharp - at the archery lessons. But I like though females. (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ SAME!! I don't know how she's going to kill him. In my opinion, she had plenty of opportunities. She could have poisoned his drink while he was listening to her big story. Like I think she could have done that.

Yea she messed up big time with the archery. I think she was too excited to play that she forgot that she had to pretend to not know what she was doing. I haven't seen much development to ship Khalid and Shazi yet. It's mostly tension between them and I can't tell Shazi is already falling for him subconsciously or just really hates him. The same thing for Khalid. I can't tell where his true intentions lie.

The more I'm reading it, the more I think that it is a curse. The way Jala talks about it, it seems that he thinks Khalid has no choice. If that is the case, then I want to know more about the curse.

Tariq is pretty wise. Am I the only one that finds Rahim annoying? He's just there with Tariq and I understand that he was Shiva's lover but not even Shazi likes him so why are you joining Tariq? Also, I like to know how are they just gonna suddenly start a war out of nowhere? Just some questions that I would want to know while reading. (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@Ilsen
(view spoiler)[ As far as Khalid goes, I'm still sticking to the "he has to kill people because of a curse or the land won't be fertile & liveable anymore". So of course, he'd close himself off, but he'd also be lonely and starved for someone.

Rahim seems a tad annoying, 'cuz he's the loud-mouth smartass friend to the charismatic guy stereotype. But until now there's been no mention of him being Shiva's lover. He said he loved her, just like he said he loves Shazi. Rahim does like Shazi, though, also he's his bro, so of course, he's joining.
Maybe there's an underground revolutionary movement already. Usually there always is... (hide spoiler)]

[Ilsen]

@Regsly

(view spoiler)[ Weird I thought it said Rahim was Shiva's loved. That's what I got out of it. And I can see that for Khalid but I want it to be explained. (hide spoiler)]

[Bec]

(view spoiler)[Ilsen says: Jalal seems to have good intentions I think. He just wants to see Khalid be a good person again instead of this shattered boy who is surrounded by death.
In face value I see this, but just like others have already said, I have a real difficulty (from other YA fantasy experience) that his intentions are necessarily good.

Regsly says: I still wonder how exactly she plans to kill him.
I feel like so much on the 'plans' the characters in this book have aren't actually well constructed plans. I feel like she doesn't really have a method, it was more "I'll get in, and then I'll figure out the rest later". I would LOVE to see a big master plan come out of Shazi at the end though.


I actually love this theory. That Jahandar knows the entire story and is going to stop some big evil from happening.

I'm honestly just loving the fact that I have no idea what is actually happening. Everyone's intentions seems up for debate.

(hide spoiler)]

[Hayli]

Okay so oops I have been catching up for the past few days and I am now up to date! And only have little things to say about each section.

prologue-chap3 (8/9)
(view spoiler)[ The prologue with the introduction of this curse thing sounds really intriguing. Though it hasn't left many answers to what is exactly going on. That or I'm just not picking up on them.
Shahzad was pretty sneaky to use that story to convince the caliph to keep her alive for another day. I admire that. (hide spoiler)]

chap4-chap6 (10/11)
(view spoiler)[ I admire Shahzad. (I wrote that down and I can't completely remember why but I agree with myself.) Though I kind of feel like she's a little too sneaky or quirky? If that makes sense? I don't know, something like that.
I'm interested in learning more about this Jalal, though. (hide spoiler)]

chap7-chap9 (12/13)
(view spoiler)[Oooh, I'm interested in what this mysterious book is. I feel like there is something kind of supernatural maybe going on here?
Okay I kind of like the caliph tho. (hide spoiler)]

chap10-chap12 (14/15)
(view spoiler)[Shahzad and the caliph have such a strange relationship.
I want to know what exactly was going on when Shahzad was almost executed. Why the caliph wasn't there (or Despina even) and how he could let that happen when he didn't want it to. Also want to know why he and Jalal went busting in there to rescue her. And then didn't explain anything to her???? Smh, Khalid. (hide spoiler)]

The only bad things I have to say are that the way the story is told makes it seem kind of odd and jumpy. And the writing style or something just isn't clicking with me. I mean it's good. Really good. And I'm getting into the story. But it's just not something I would end up binge reading in one sitting. You know? Or is that just me?
Also I feel like I jumped into a story without reading a prequel or something. I feel a little out of place. Does anyone else feel like that?

[The Half-blood Reader]

Until chapter 12

(view spoiler)[While they took Shazi to her death, I could only think it was being done behind the caliph’s back and that the general was behind the order… (for the ultimate plot-twist, it could be one of Khalid's advisors.. buuut)

Okay, so I must confess Khalid is giving me good tummy feelings.
Falling for your best-friend’s killer – the struggle.

At the moment, Tariq’s the one annoying me, not Rahim. He’s being too rash.
And I still say they are completely wrong. Khalid isn’t evil...

One-oh-one on poisoning: silver changes colour when in contact with poison. That's why they used silver back in the day. Also, that's why when someone brought a drink or food to your house, they were the first to eat/drink: to prove it wasn't poisoned... (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Becca

(view spoiler)[ I mean, there is a lot of magic hinted already. Her father is bound to do something. And Shazi did said she heard the story, though it wasn't specified to which one she referred or if she was correct...

But if I'm correct, we're gonna wish the characters weren't doing some of the things they're doing... (hide spoiler)]

[The Half-blood Reader]

@ Hayli

I feel like this is a plot device made to keep us curious and wondering... If certain things remain the way they are, though, it may be hard to connect with Shahrzad's love for her friends and crush, for instance. The relationships may not seem real and worthy (it's not just enough for the author to tell us so, we have to believe it)