Red Sister (Book of the Ancestor #1) By Mark Lawrence - Restarting April 1st 2022

[Abi]

I was born for killing – the gods made me to ruin.

At the Convent of Sweet Mercy young girls are raised to be killers. In a few the old bloods show, gifting talents rarely seen since the tribes beached their ships on Abeth. Sweet Mercy hones its novices’ skills to deadly effect: it takes ten years to educate a Red Sister in the ways of blade and fist.

But even the mistresses of sword and shadow don’t truly understand what they have purchased when Nona Grey is brought to their halls as a bloodstained child of eight, falsely accused of murder: guilty of worse.

Stolen from the shadow of the noose, Nona is sought by powerful enemies, and for good reason. Despite the security and isolation of the convent her secret and violent past will find her out. Beneath a dying sun that shines upon a crumbling empire, Nona Grey must come to terms with her demons and learn to become a deadly assassin if she is to survive…

[Gillian]

1/4 (view spoiler)[ The way the children are sold or given away if they show any indication that they may have a gift is so sad. Ok some may end up a lot better off but the ones who end up not really having enough of a gift to be of any use, what will become of them I hate to think. (hide spoiler)]

[Gillian]

1/2 (view spoiler)[ The is a definite Hogwarts feel to the convent (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting October 9th 2017. Happy Reading ☺

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[Abi]

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Reading from the 18th of May 2018

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[Abi]

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Reading from the 1st of September 2018

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[— Massiel]

chapter 6: (view spoiler)[I'm still a little confused about this whole new world and who are these sisters. Still, I kinda like it. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

chapter 11: (view spoiler)[starting to already like this book, Abbess Glass is so kickass but still I keep asking if Saida is really dead, I hope Nona can became this kickass Sister/Mystic/etc. later, I can't stand Arabella, she is just so annoying.

Also, I don't believe either trust any Nona's histories, there are so many details left or just odd. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

chapter 17: (view spoiler)[omg! this is getting so good! once again Abbess Glass is so badass I hoped the High Priest Jacob stopped the test with the candle but now with Nona's test I'm really curious if she really is The Shield I thought she was the Chosen One but now I'm curious who is who. This is getting so good. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

chapter 20: (view spoiler)[so I'll not trust any words or prophecies of this book, I still don't believe any Nona's stories, and just now the prophecies are not true at all I'm so confused but this book is getting so good. I already suspected that Arabella/Ara and Nona will be either the Chosen One and The Shield just didn't know who was who. I hope they bounded soon.

Also I can't stand Clera, she is just bad news. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

chapter 24: (view spoiler)[I'm glad Ara and Nona finally are bounding and even better they're friends now, I can't wait to see what happens with the Emperor's sister and this new girl Zole it's like Nona can't be the hell out alone and peace for a few chapters. And she is becoming this badass and kickass I can't wait. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

chapter 30: (view spoiler)[I like Zole but I would like her more if she's sides with Nona, also seeing old characters when she was in the Caltess was nice and the fights even better. Nona receiving Ara's punishment... She seriously takes a lot of pain from herself and others, I'm not pretty sure if this book is a 3 or 4 stars yet. (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

finished: (view spoiler)[O M G!!! O M G!! I WANNA READ SO BAD THE SECOND BOOK RIGHT NOW! HOW MARK DARE TO LEFT THAT CLIFFHANGER? YISUS!

I can't believe Hessa is dead and Sister Flint I just really hope Sister Kettle isn't dead either. Hessa's dead hurts so much she was so special. I wasn't surprise to see Clera's betrayal like I said she was just bad news since she was exchanging the coins I started to suspects her. And finally Nona told the truth about her story which I was so surprised and even now that Zole is the Chosen One and Ara and Nona are her shields. Also seeing old characters like Markus and Chara was so nice, I like all the crossover Mark makes.

GO GURLS! DARLA, NONA, ARA, RULI, JULA AND HESSA BABIE <3! I really hope Zole turns Nona's side on the next book or even a better character. I love the battle so much! And even more how they are supported each other and attacks the guards and Raymel! YOU FUCKING GO GURLS!

About the epilogue I mean... WTF? I'm so glad that they become all sisters but Clera is really a Sister? Or is she a spy? Is this set in a further future or is more a present one? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.

First Mark's book I read and it really surprise me, I can't wait to read his other work. (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

25% (view spoiler)[This world is so dark, and Nona feels like such a dark character, but a part of me thinks that who we saw in the prologue isn't actually her, I don't know why! I wonder if the story she told is actually true. (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

50% (view spoiler)[Sister Kettle and Sister Apple are together, how did I not notice this before. I like Ara more now for some reason, but I doubt she is the chosen one! and I was right about the sister in the beginning, it wasn't Nona, it was Ara, i wonder how in the hell it comes about! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

75% (view spoiler)[The arrival of the kings sister is strange, I don't think we know everything yet. Also this Zole character being introduced this late seems weird! (hide spoiler)]

[Ritika]

100% (view spoiler)[So it wasn't Ara or Nona, it was Zole, I'm surprised but not? No idea, so is the prophecy true after all? Hessa dies, really, Hessa, why? Nona is a badass, and hell Ara is not the stereotypical princess she was introduced as! I loved the sisterhood and way they backed each other in here! Can't wait to read the next one! (hide spoiler)]

[— Massiel]

Ritika wrote: "100% [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised to see that (view spoiler)[Ara is not the cliché of a princess, she is really cute! And kickass too. I can't believe Hessa is dead. Also, I don't truly believe in all this prophecy thing but let's see in the second book how it goes. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 20th of January 2019

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[Emma☀️]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this! I loved reading about the covenant and Nona's history. I'm waiting for the magic system to be introduced because apparently there are witches and wizards? (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[I’m really curious on what Nona can do, magic-wise. It seems like she has super speed and create phantom daggers out of thin air. Also I don’t know whether to believe Nona when she tells her story because everything seems so vague. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[This is so intense! Seems like Nona might kill Ara in the future (but I’m not too sure if that is her) (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

Finished (view spoiler)[The middle was a bit slow for my liking, but the ending was amazing! I really hope Ara will be okay. Clera's betrayal wasn't a surprise to me. She was acting super suspicious throughout the whole book. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Loving this! Starts off a little slow but I love the school setting, it reminds me of The Poppy War and The Name of the Wind. Nona is such a complex character, how she always stops herself from reaching her full potential to avoid annoying others. I want to see what she can really do. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ Woah, that was intense! I do find some of the dialogue a little too lengthy and complicated but this is so cool overall. Nona defending Hessa and the high priest being taken down, I'm so into it. (hide spoiler)]

[Emma☀️]

✨Skye✨ wrote: "Up to chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

I agree! Nona reminds me of Rin from The Poppy War. They are both curious about the world and really determined. Plus, they are both complex main characters and I love that.

[✨Skye✨]

Up to chapter 32 (view spoiler)[ So interesting to see her back at the Caltess and see Tacsis again! I really like her friendship with Ara, Clera is toxic though. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Done (view spoiler)[ What an exciting ending! I really hope Ara is okay. I feel so sad about Hessa :( Hoping the sequel is just as good! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

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Date Changed. Restarting September 1st 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Adriana]

Chapters 1 - 12

(view spoiler)[Ooh! I am so in love with this book right now. Obviously Nona is the chosen one. Although it would be interesting if she had a hand in helping the chosen one instead to surprise the reader... although I just want her to be the chosen one.

I'm very confused about her father. Did she meet him? I was thinking he was a full blood or whatever. The ice thing makes me think either the big guys or magic. I'm assuming she's the one with all four blood lines but clearly two have only been shown. Does this mean she'll go really large or maybe she'll just have great strength.

The sword/knife thing. At first I thought her father was a spirit thing like the lie she told those girls. You know when she told them some spirit saved her and killed the men who killed her mother. Then I'm thinking maybe there is some spirit, ancestor, or her father having her back. Maybe she was born from an otherworldly being. She has a thing with knives in her arms protecting her. Is it knives? I don't really understand. She must be summoning them without her knowledge or something.

Clera and trust. I feel like I know she is going to betray her. That story about the coin. I think she's going to find a way to sell her off or something. I don't know. I just don't trust that chick. Nona is way too trusting for a girl who's had a lot of bad things happen to her. Just because someone says they are your friend doesn't make it so.

When will they all figure out what this girl can do? I can't wait until the day it happens. (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapters 13 - 18

(view spoiler)[ I had a feeling she wasn't going to be the chosen one! She's a Shield. The thing is what's bothering me is that she knew how to move fast/stop time at nine years old and all these kids don't sound/act nine years old. I can suspend disbelief for this book though. (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapters 19 - 20

(view spoiler)[ !!!!

I'm just thinking that Thorn or Arabella turns evil. It's interesting that Nona picked Cage. She's in a cage? Is that what she thinks? I'm so curious to see these two grow up. I think Arabella must betray her in some way. Ooh, this is getting good. (hide spoiler)]

[Shar]

Chapter 1-7: (view spoiler)[Although the book is hard to follow at times with flashbacks and whatnot, I'm actually really enjoying it. I love the writing style, it's just so interesting to read.

I love the plot so far, the school kind of scene is very interesting and it's such a cool way to learn about the world along with Nona. (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapters 21- 27

(view spoiler)[ Arabella's trick were she turned into three was awesome. I think Zole is going to be a great motivator for Nona to get stronger and all the older grey class. I knew she had quantal in her. It was obvious. I wonder if she has a third but I don't really know about all of them except the giant one.

I'm glad we are getting to see the girls grow older. It's nice to have a series where the characters grow up and you get to see their changes. What will it be that Nona decides to attack Arabella? Is Nona the chosen one? Was I right all along? It would be interesting if it were true.

One question that keep bothering me is who her father was. Did she ever meet him or just knew stories about him?

I forgot until now but I didn't expect her mother to give her up like that. I would love it if she meets up with her again so I can see that interaction. (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapters 28 - 30

(view spoiler)[ Something I forgot! Leno Tascis I believe, the second son, is the one who brought that army to get Thorn. He and Nona work together in the future! Mind blown when I realized that. I'm sure that Nona will have that magic revealed of Marjal if not by the end of this book but in the second book.

Ooh, Clera's fighting in the ring. I knew it. With the way she pulled down her friend to get to the door first. This girl can't be trusted.

So something recognized when she looked at Raymal but what? Something from the path? (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapter 31 - 36

(view spoiler)[ She finally told someone of her blades! I didn't know much about marjal or I kept for getting what they could do but I did think before maybe she conjured blades through shadow before. She must have four though. How will the last one manifest itself? (hide spoiler)]

[Adriana]

Chapters 37 - Done

(view spoiler)[ Very interesting ending! I knew Clera was going to stab everyone in the back. That was obvious. I didn't know that she is the one who hurt Arabella in the future.

The black eyes thing must be marjal based.

I don't know about Zole being the chosen one. I can't trust we know who the chosen one is or if there is one.

The moon song. Looks like it's going to come true.

They killed off Hessa! I think that's how you spell her name. Anyways, that was messed up. The ones that were to kind and "weak" were killed off.

I need to know about why Nona is the way she is. Why does she have war in her veins. And did she take that boy's heart out when she was little? I doubt it. I think she got a bunch of his blood though. (hide spoiler)]

Loved this. I ordered the other two from the library so if you want to read them when you are done with Red Sister, I'll buddy them with you Shar.

[Adriana]

@ Shar - I am appreciate the index of names in the beginning of the story and the explanation of everything because I would get lost too.

[Tiera]

I'm trying to hurry up and finish a couple of books so I can crash the tail end of this! Are you guys wanting to move on through the series or stop with book one for now?

[Shar]

Tiera wrote: "I'm trying to hurry up and finish a couple of books so I can crash the tail end of this! Are you guys wanting to move on through the series or stop with book one for now?"

I'm still reading this one but yea I will be wanting to continue the series.

[Maddie]

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Date changed. Restarting October 15th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Jennifer]

Tiera, I've got this one downloaded, but I need to finish up several other books before I get it started. I will probably start on Friday or Saturday if that's ok with you.

[Tiera]

Yea I'm down. I need to finish and and Ninth House is going so sloooooowwww

[Tiera]

Ok I'm ready to start Red Sister need me to pick something else first?

[Jennifer]

Um, yeah. Would you be terribly upset at me if we put it off until next week?

[Tiera]

Your good we can start it whenever!

[Jennifer]

Sorry! I just finished up a couple heavy reads and am in the middle of another. I need to do a few fun easy reads to cleanse my brain before starting on a Mark Lawrence. I've just got the audio for Instinct to finish up that series read, and I think I'll start the Comin Up a Cloud tomorrow.

I should be ready on Monday. Will that work for you?

[Tiera]

Yep I'm down!

[Tiera]

Did you start this Jennifer or do we need to maybe put it off till next month?

[Jennifer]

I have not started it. I am glad you asked. I really want to read it, but I just keep getting distracted by other (mostly quicker) reads. What do you want to do? Have you started it? I am happy to put it off until next month. If we do that, we should probably restart the thread. JIC

[Tiera]

Yea I haven't started it yet and I just looked and the audio is 19 hours so Im thinking we should start next month!