"The Devourers" by Indra Das (BR)

[Silvana]

Starts on March 25.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I just picked up my copy so I’m ready to go for Sunday! The cover is gorgeous!

[Silvana]

Indeed. I do not usually pick books also based on the cover but this one's cover is so enchanting.

I am ready to start soon!

[Silvana]

14%

Oh this reminds me a lot of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire.

Similar lush language and setting too.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Sorry Silvana, haven’t had much time to read today or yesterday. I read part 1.

That’s exactly what it reminds me of too! Interview With the Vampire was my favorite book as a teen.

Very vivid, beautiful imagery. I feel like this book is going to be a breath of fresh air compared to everything I’ve been reading (and have lined up to read) and I’m really happy about it.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Ok, just read part two, and took a peak at part three but I’ll read more tomorrow. I’m entranced!

[Silvana]

Ashley wrote: "Sorry Silvana, haven’t had much time to read today or yesterday. I read part 1.

That’s exactly what it reminds me of too! Interview With the Vampire was my favorite book as a teen.

Very vivid, be..."

I agree. It was a breath of fresh AND fragrant air. India reminds me of spices.

I am 1/3 already. It is a very easy to read book. Everything just flows.

Very intrigued with the origins of these shapeshifters. It seems that the MC (view spoiler)[came from Scandinavian origin? Vikings were mentioned a lot. (hide spoiler)]

He reminded me a lot of Louis in Anne Rice's vampire series, the sensitivity, the longing to connect, and so on. Makedon, his companion, is definitely the Lestat in this story.

I do hope that by the end (view spoiler)[the interviewer/journal writer does not become a werewolf. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I’m not being a very good reading buddy! I’m at 30%, part 5.

I’m loving it! It’s kind of seductive; it’s really pulling me in. I’m definitely experiencing Alok’s senses of wonder and bewilderment, and longing for more!

On MC’s origin: (view spoiler)[I’m assuming Scandinavian too, but I’m gathering that the MC (the stranger) is the child of the original writer/narrator of the scrolls, that was conceived when he raped that woman, Cyrah. The MC said he’s not the narrator of the scrolls, that he doesn’t have blonde hair, and that he’s half-warewolf. (hide spoiler)] Which makes me wonder, who is on the front cover? The MC/stranger?

Speaking of the cover again, this whole book is gorgeous. Are you reading the hardcover version as I am? Even the artwork for each “part” is lovely. And I really like how the writing is formatted into small sections/stories, with intervals and such. It makes it easier and more fun to read through, for me.

I agree with the Louis & Lestat comparisons (I love Louis! Used to have a black cat named after him), and with what you’re hoping will not be the ending.

This is making me want to read Interview with the Vampire again after this. I never finished that series either. I should really get on that sometime soon.

[Silvana]

Ashley wrote: "I’m not being a very good reading buddy! I’m at 30%, part 5.

I’m loving it! It’s kind of seductive; it’s really pulling me in. I’m definitely experiencing Alok’s senses of wonder and bewilderment..."

No, Ashley, you've been great. I am so thankful to have you for our first BR together :)

I think the novel is also one of those you want to savor because the writing is so atmospheric and immersive.

I think my definition of MC is broader ;p Actually the one I referred to was the one in the tale. i.e. (view spoiler)[Fenrir. Yes I also think the interviewee - the real MC - was the son of Fenrir and Cyrah. (hide spoiler)]

I have reached half-point and ooh boy, I think you would enjoy the part when (view spoiler)[Cyrah went on a horrifying buddy trip with Gevaudan. And that piggy back ride. Oh gods. (hide spoiler)] And now we also got the origins from Fenrir's companions and how his entourage got there.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Silvana wrote: “I think the novel is also one of those you want to savor because the writing is so atmospheric and immersive."

Yes! I’ll admit I have been reading it slowly and trying to put myself in a trance to experience each story. :D

I’m excited about your spoilers and as soon as I finish The City & The City (50 more pages) I will jump back in!

[Silvana]

Take your time, I just started reading another book for a buddy started on March 1st haha

[Silvana]

I am 2/3 of the way. Interesting that we perceive the shapeshifters differently based on our culture. The Europeans might see them as werewolves, the Muslims as djinns and the Hindunese as rakhsasa. In my culture, we just see them as demons. And no matter what we call them, fear of something greater is the common factor.

[Silvana]

I finished. That was quite a journey. Wow. I felt like crying a bit at the end. This book feels personal to me. It made me feel like I am being devoured by the stories, the tales, all the spit, blood, and tears.
Sorry, kind of shell shocked here.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I need to catch up! Been busy prepping for Easter and my son’s birthday, and reading other books too, but today should be pretty relaxed so I will get as much reading as I can done. I’m glad you liked it so much! I know I will too, I already love it. I can see where you’re getting a personal feel from it - it is a deep, personal story that grabs you and seduces you and devourers you and doesn’t want to let go. I’m really curious as to what made you tear up! I’m a big crybaby so I’m sure whatever it is will make me cry too!

[Silvana]

I was not really crying, it was more like a... Choke? 😆 Pent up emotions and the likes.

I just realized that this book won the Lambda award. Ticked lots of diversity boxes.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Family time has not been allowing me to read much this week - it’s spring break for the kids and my husband is off work all week - plus today’s my son’s birthday and we just celebrated Easter and my mother-in-law’s birthday. Of course we’ve been having lots fun though! :)

So I’m finally at 50%! And I love this so much. The beautiful descriptive language, the way it’s formatted and the way the storytelling takes place, the footnotes, the characters, the myths, the setting! There’s nothing so far that I dislike, and I have a feeling there won’t be.

[Silvana]

Ashley wrote: "Family time has not been allowing me to read much this week - it’s spring break for the kids and my husband is off work all week - plus today’s my son’s birthday and we just celebrated Easter and m..."

Glad you are having a blast so far. I wish my Easter vacay was longer. Allison plans to start this, so you can take your time.

[Ashley in Wonderland]

I finally finished!

OMG. Intoxicating is the best word I have to describe this. The writing is so beautiful and detailed and vivid and just completely pulled me in.

I wasn’t thrilled with the ending simply because (view spoiler)[I wanted to see them reunited. But, true to the rest of the book the ending was an intoxicating, dream-like experience. (hide spoiler)]

I loved that at the end of the acknowledgements Das said he hopes he protrayed well the viewpoints of the characters who belong to groups he doesn’t, and that if he didn’t he’s open to comments so he can do better next time. I also loved that at the end of the “about the author” it said he’s busy writing his next novel. :D

[Rachel]

Ok so my biggest problem with this book was....
Too much Urine!!

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Rachel wrote: "Ok so my biggest problem with this book was....
Too much Urine!!"

Haha! I won’t disagree with you there. I could’ve done with less bodily fluids. But, it also added to the realness of the strange, monstrous lives of the shape shifters, for me.

Also, I may have somewhat of a crush (infatuation?) on Gévaudan, and I wanted more of him in the book.

[Silvana]

Haha well dogs tend to urinate a lot to mark territory?

Glad you girls loving the book.

[Ninna]

I was hoping to join this buddy read but suddenly 6 holds I had at the library all came through in 2 days. AH! So, I need to get through those books first before I can tackle The Devourers but I have to say the first words I saw on this thread was "so much urine!" Now, I'm thinking my young daughter would enjoy it. hahaha!

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Ninna wrote: "I was hoping to join this buddy read but suddenly 6 holds I had at the library all came through in 2 days. AH! So, I need to get through those books first before I can tackle The Devourers but I ha..."

I hope you enjoy it when you get to it! I know there were others who were interested in the buddy read so hopefully you’ll have some people to join you!

[Silvana]

Yes, I hope more can join. This book is a hidden gem.

And Ashley, I also kind of had a crush on Gevaudan. Probably because he is so nice lol

What do you think about (view spoiler)[the mother finally got eaten by the son? (hide spoiler)]

[Ashley in Wonderland]

Silvana wrote: "Yes, I hope more can join. This book is a hidden gem.

And Ashley, I also kind of had a crush on Gevaudan. Probably because he is so nice lol

What do you think about [spoilers removed]"

Yes, by the end Gévaudan seemed more like Louis (from Interview) than Fenrir did, to me. Fenrir was not very likeable.

(view spoiler)[That was hard to read (and justify), but I did like the twist where he was able to write down her story and possibly molt and become her at the end..which is another reason I wanted a different ending, to see if that would happen. It would’ve given her a more epic ending to her epic story, and also, for me, somewhat rectify all she’s been through. (hide spoiler)]