First Year (The Black Mage #1) by Rachel E. Carter - Restarting February 17th 2020

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

Before the age of seventeen, the young men and women of Jerar are given a choice —pursue a trade or enroll in a trial year in one of the realm’s three war schools to study as a soldier, knight, or mage…

For fifteen-year-old Ryiah, the choice has always been easy. Become a mage and train in Combat, the most prestigious faction of magic.

Yet when she arrives, Ry finds herself competing against friend and foe for one of the exalted apprenticeships. Everyone is rooting for her to fail—first and foremost among them is Prince Darren, the school prodigy who has done nothing but make life miserable since she arrived.

Will Ry survive, or will her dream go down in flames?

[Alaina]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[I can't believe I forgot how much of a douche Prince Darren was. However, I'm till in love with Ella. She is my everything. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[Priscilla and Darren would make a great couple. I love how Ella is such a good friend and gives her great advice but we all know Ry isn't going to follow it. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[The teachers here are so weird. Being happy about kids dropping out just seems odd to me but I guess I get it because of how hard these competitions or challenges are that they want the best of the best to teach. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[Ugh I hate these popular kids. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[Kind of predictable ending but I still ended up loving this book just like I did the first time I read this. I can't wait to dive into the second book! (hide spoiler)]

[Anna 'Bookbuyer']

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Date changed. Restarting February 17th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

I'll jump in! This has been on my Kindle for yonks

[Katriann]

I've meant to read this for a long time so I'll try to join. :)

[Dannii]

Awesome :) We are also reading the prequel novella before this one, if you wanted to jump on that too?

[Katriann]

Oh, I didn't know there was a prequel novella. I doubt I'll have time to read it before this buddy read but maybe I'll read it later. :)

[Maddie]

I prefer to read the first novels before the prequels so I'm already in the world and it doesn't feel jarring

[Dannii]

I think the first time I read the series I read the prequel after I'd read the first two books and I would say you could read it either way. It didn't impact the books for me at all, but did provide a back-story for two of the characters.

[Dannii]

I know I'm four days early, but I just finished reading the prequel novella and I can't not jump straight into this book! They are just so fun and fast-paced. I'm going to start it now but will obviously be checking back in to hear all your thoughts whenever you get around to reading it :)

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[This opens with Ryiah and her twin brother Alex travelling to the magic academy when they are set upon my bandits... and later a brooding prince. Definitely an impactful beginning!

Reading this after reading the prequel novella hasn't provided me with lots of extra context but it is interesting to note Ry and Darren's differing perspectives to the academy. It is full of grandeur to one and basic to the other. (hide spoiler)]

[Katriann]

I may be able to start this weekend too. :)

[Dannii]

Katriann wrote: "I may be able to start this weekend too. :)"

Yay! I'm 15% through but have stopped for now :)

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[The academy training is tough! I adore learning of class schedules and how each are structured, in fantasy novels, so I flew through this portion of it. I loathed the apparent class inequality, same as Ryiah, but really appreciated how she was determined to overcome it.

Her late night library sessions with Darren are seeing them grow snarkier but also closer with each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[They DRUGGED the first years as so many of them were too strong to quit or fail on their own. Ryiah woke on her own and the mages are realising her magic is stronger than any, even Ryiah herself, had thought. I'm glad we are seeing our girl getting some acknowledgement! Especially after Priscilla's actions earlier in the trial. That made my blood boil!

The prince finally kissed her. Their enemies to lovers was an obvious one but I'm not mad about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[I wanted to scream at Ryiah when it was obvious the prince was luring her away from the hazing. He repeatedly told her to go back but she ignored him. He also refused to fight her, and thought that was another point in his favour for me. He is losing his bad boy image, a little.

Alex fighting for his sister's honour was so heart-warming. He is another good boy, beneath all the constant flirting. I really didn't appreciate seeing him so enamoured with the new attentions from girls and using it to hurt Ella.

This was such a solid first book. I could honestly have read another ten that detailed the academy classes and the trials at the end. On to book two! (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Starting today.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

20%

(view spoiler)[ I like the way this one is from her point of view. So only a few will go through but then it's sounds tough and that why. I can't believe that they all thought they would just be doing magic and not proper training. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

35%

(view spoiler)[ The way she's trying to do as much as possible to get ahead. I think the masters are tough on her now because she's making so much progress. I like the way that the prince saved her when they were trying to get to the library. I hate that his still so stiff around her and makes out that she is worthless but I think his slowly changing. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

51%

(view spoiler)[ Wow these trails are hard and your not just fighting the course but everyone else. I understand they have to cut the field but maybe get rid of some of the bullies would be nice lol. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - !
..."

(view spoiler)[ Yes the two views are very different but I think that it's needed so you can see the differences between the characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter -."

(view spoiler)[ Yes they are forming a budding friendship it's just a shame that outside of the library he seems cruller to make up for it. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "51%

[spoilers removed]"

They are BRUTAL!

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

68%

(view spoiler)[ They are dropping like flies now for one reason or another. It does seem really tough I wonder if the whole gang will make it to the end? I liked the dance they had. Nice to know that they will have a positive memory from the time there. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Well what a finish. I can't believe the black mage stood up for her that was nice. Hopefully Priscilla wont cause too much trouble now that their group has gotten smaller. (hide spoiler)]

When you do want to do book 2?

[Dannii]

I'm good with starting whenever :) I can do whichever date is best for you

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

How about Wednesday?

[Dannii]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "How about Wednesday?"

Perfect for me :)

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Okay. I'll set it up when I get back, just taking son to swimming practice.

[Dannii]

Thank you :)

[Katriann]

35% percent.

So far I really like this. I'm working 10 hours a day at the moment but I'm slowly making progress.
I agree with you both that (view spoiler)[ the inequality at the Academy is annoying. I also find it surprising that the students thought they're just going to practice magic. It's a military school. What did they expect? (hide spoiler)]

I'm interested in seeing (view spoiler)[ how the classes will be now when they're starting to actually use magic. I bet it's not going to get any easier. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Katriann wrote: "35% percent.

So far I really like this. I'm working 10 hours a day at the moment but I'm slowly making progress.
I agree with you both that [spoilers removed]

I'm interested in seeing [spoilers..."

Ooh, that's tough. I hope work lets up for you soon!

I wondered why they thought the academy was going to be any different too. They just wanted to jump straight into the fun stuff without learning any basics.

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Sorry forgot to do it last night. Here's the link for book 2.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Dannii]

Thank you so much!

[Katriann]

I finally finished this and I really liked it. I liked (view spoiler)[ it that the training was so hard for the students. They're supposed to become war mages, so they must become tough enough to survive the battles. (hide spoiler)]

I must say (view spoiler)[ I got quite frustrated with Riyah when she repeatedly failed to see the prince was trying to help her. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like (view spoiler)[ we got to read a lot about combat training in this book. I would love to learn more about restoration and alchemy later in the series. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 4.


(view spoiler)[So far Ryiah and Alex are the only two I like. Hopefully at the school they will be good enough to knock the prince down a peg or two. He really comes across as a jerk. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - This opens with Ryiah and her twin brother Alex travelling to the magic academy when they are set upon my bandits... and later a brooding prince. Definitely an impactful beginning!
..."


They certainly did have an interesting trip to the academy.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 8.


(view spoiler)[I can see that Darren is going to be the type of person who changes his mood a lot. One minute he is nice and helping then next he is a jerk. After that nightmare from the potion I'm hoping Ryiah will learn more about her magic. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Dannii wrote: "Second quarter - The academy training is tough! I adore learning of class schedules and how each are structured, in fantasy novels, so I flew through this portion of it. I loathed the apparent clas..."


I just wish that her classmates were more likable.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm up to Chapter 12.


(view spoiler)[I see that the teachers aren't much better than the students. I'm not surprised they finally kissed. Too bad his moods change. I hope they do stop the hazing. It's not good when so many people are getting hurt. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - They DRUGGED the first years as so many of them were too strong to quit or fail on their own. Ryiah woke on her own and the mages are realising her magic is stronger than any, even ..."


I wasn't surprised that they kissed either.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

I'm finished.


(view spoiler)[It's crazy that she destroyed a building during her trial/test. Thankfully her, Alex, and Ella all passed. I really hope that Darren doesn't actually end up with Priscilla. She is a horrible person. (hide spoiler)]

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - I wanted to scream at Ryiah when it was obvious the prince was luring her away from the hazing. He repeatedly told her to go back but she ignored him. He also refused to fight her,..."


It bugged me that she wouldn't trust him.

[Dannii]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 8.


[spoilers removed]"

He definitely can't make up his mind to be the brooding bad boy permanently or not.

[Dannii]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "I'm up to Chapter 12.


[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I hated the hazing! And yes, that kiss was obviously coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

☆☆Hannah☆☆ wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Fourth quarter - I wanted to scream at Ryiah when it was obvious the prince was luring her away from the hazing. He repeatedly told her to go back but she ignored him. He also refuse..."

That was one of my peeves with this book!