Johansen, Erika--The Invasion of the Tearling informal buddy read starts May 21, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen.



Synopsis
Kelsea Glynn is the Queen of the Tearling. Despite her youth, she has quickly asserted herself as a fair, just and powerful ruler.

However, power is a double-edged sword, and small actions can have grave consequences. In trying to do what is right - stopping a vile trade in humankind - Kelsea has crossed the Red Queen, a ruthless monarch whose rule is bound with dark magic and the spilling of blood. The Red Queen's armies are poised to invade the Tearling, and it seems nothing can stop them.

Yet there was a time before the Crossing, and there Kelsea finds a strange and possibly dangerous ally, someone who might hold the key to the fate of the Tearling, and indeed to Kelsea's own soul. But time is running out...

Erika Johansen's fierce and unforgettable young heroine returns in this dazzling new novel of magic and adventure, set in the beguiling world of the Tearling

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Laura]

Checking in from team Newt Scamander. Looking forward to reading this. See you all soon.

[Suzanne]

Check in in also. It'll be a bit before I start, but I'm looking forward to reading this.

[Annalisa]

Checking in from Team Severus Snape. I'm looking forward to reading the book. It's been about a year and a half since I finished the first novel so the first few chapters will likely be getting reacquainted with the story and characters.

[Laura]

Annalisa wrote: "Checking in from Team Severus Snape. I'm looking forward to reading the book. It's been about a year and a half since I finished the first novel so the first few chapters will likely be getting rea..."

I'm happy I 've recently read the first one!

[Geri]

I’m swamped. I have a problem saying no to BRs. LOL But I do plan on participating for team Ginny Weasley. Looking forward to it.

[Laura]

Lol, I knew your team would love you for buddy reads! Thought you might particularly enjoy that part of Towers!

[Annalisa]

I've read a few reviews of the first book and I think I'm remembering enough of the story and characters to start the second this evening.

[Geri]

After starting the book, I realized I never finished book 1. So this will be interesting! LOL I read the first 5 chapters of book 2 and have a sort of grasp of what is going on. The story is interesting. Interested in reading what everyone else thinks.

Chapter 1 & 2

(view spoiler)[ I find it interesting that Kelsea is having visions of Lily. Why? I want to know! And Lily’s life with her husband sounds awful. I am not surprised she does not want to have children with him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Who is this beguiling man that is really a monster? The story is getting more intriguing! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ Kelsea’s looks are definitely changing. I wonder what the significance is for this? She doesn’t seem to consciously be doing this. I did feel badly for her when she propositioned Penn and he turned her down. Awkward! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[ UGH! I hated the graphic and violent abuse scene between Lily and Greg. He is a monster. I wonder if the fact Lily feels guilty about her sister getting taken in by the government is why she stays with Greg? A way to punish herself? Helping a separatist may be a turning point for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Annalisa wrote: "I've read a few reviews of the first book and I think I'm remembering enough of the story and characters to start the second this evening."

I know how that is! Trying to remember what happened in a previous book. Sometimes I like to wait til a series is done before starting it.

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "After starting the book, I realized I never finished book 1. So this will be interesting! LOL I read the first 5 chapters of book 2 and have a sort of grasp of what is going on. The story is intere..."

Teeehehe, I can't believe you didn't finish the first book!
I'll be back to read this one tonight.

I much prefer to read a series all together than waiting for the next one too!

[Suzanne]

I always THINK I'll remember.... then I don't.

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "After starting the book, I realized I never finished book 1. So this will be interesting! LOL I read the first 5 chapters of book 2 and have a sort of grasp of what is going on. The st..."

I think the book was returned to the library before I finished. And I forgot to borrow it again. That happens to me too often. :)

[Geri]

Real life got in the way from my finishing yesterday. But I managed to finish today. How is the reading going for everyone?

Chapter 6-10

(view spoiler)[ This was an exciting section. I got too into this part and I didn’t write much. LOL I am finding Lily invading Kelsea’s life interesting. And curious Kelsea is starting to look like Lily. I’m sure I am missing the importance of this. The end of this part was exciting. The Mort army has finally arrived and Hall is in charge! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11-15

(view spoiler)[ Lily’s story is difficult to read! Horrible!

I finally realized the significance of Lily and her trip to a better world with William Tear. I hope we get to see how this group survives in their new world.

I do feel like I went on a real journey with Lily and Kelsea. So sad Jonathan died! I wonder if the next book will continue Lily’s story? It was interesting how Lily and Kelsea’s lives were intertwined! (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I started it,but this has been a busy week for me and I think it won't be until tomorrow that I really get to read much.

[Suzanne]

I may be a little slow on this one, but I'll get there - I hope!

I read the first chapter and realized that I'd remembered a lot from book one....and forgotten even more!

[Laura]

Suzanne wrote: "I always THINK I'll remember.... then I don't."

Ha, yes, that too Suzanne!

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "After starting the book, I realized I never finished book 1. So this will be interesting! LOL I read the first 5 chapters of book 2 and have a sort of grasp of what is go..."

Yes, I return way too many before finishing. I think I am on my 5th attempt trying to read this before its due back yet again.

Planning to get back to this one tonight or tomorrow night.

[Suzanne]

Chapter 2 really surprised me. (view spoiler)[ Although in the last book we had hints of the crossing - it was more than a hint to go to a dystopian America. I was wanting to find out more about the background of the story, and looks like we will! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Chapter 4-5: I am curious just like Geri (view spoiler)[ about Kelsea's looks changing. And I think we had our first visit from the evil dark man - sounds like he is the same one who gives the evil queen her powers.

And wow - I HATE the head priest - he is just awful. I also hate Greg and I hope Liza gets the courage up to leave - really given the situation, she is quite brave already!! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Suzanne - Your spoiler is filling in some of the story I am missing. I really like the direction the series is going! (view spoiler)[ The situation between Lily and Greg is horrible! I couldn’t believe how graphic and violent it got! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Yes, I return way too many before finishing. I think I am on my 5th attempt trying to read this Parting Shot (Promise Falls, #4) by Linwood Barclay before its due back yet again.

Planning to get back to this one tonight or tomorrow night. “


It’s time to finish the book, Laura! I hope you are enjoying it!

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "Yes, I return way too many before finishing. I think I am on my 5th attempt trying to read this Parting Shot (Promise Falls, #4) by Linwood Barclay before its due back yet again.

Pl..."

I haven't started Parting Shot yet and I'm in chapter one of The Invasion of the Tearling
. There 's not enough time!!! Shh, I crashed last night and actually went to bed at a reasonable time. 9 1/2 hours sleep and I feel on top of the world today!!

[Suzanne]

About that alternate point of view:
Spoilers through chapter 5 with vague spoilers through chapter 7.
(view spoiler)[ First, I'll say - it fascinates me - I keep wanting to glimpse more of Lily and her life. However - yes it got very graphic and violent - yikes! Book one of this series, I remember thinking that this is one I could recommend to my pretty innocent nieces - so many books classified as YA they are not ready for. However, with the turn this took, I wouldn't feel right recommending it to them. I'm so glad we are learning more about the crossing and the reasons for it. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Suzanne wrote: "About that alternate point of view:
Spoilers through chapter 5 with vague spoilers through chapter 7.
[spoilers removed]"

I agree. Not a good book for teens. I don’t want to spoil anything but things get worse later in the book!

[Geri]

Laura wrote: " I haven't started Parting Shot yet and I'm in chapter one of The Invasion of the Tearling
. There 's not enough time!!! Shh, I crashed last night and actually went to bed at a reasonable time. 9 1/2 hours sleep and I feel on top of the world today!!
"

Great! A good night sleep does help my attitude too. I haven’t been sleeping great lately. But finally slept last night. Hopefully, you are enjoying the book. Very interesting story.

[Annalisa]

Book 1 Chapter 1 through 5

So it took me a while to figure out who the characters were and remember the story from the first book.

(view spoiler)[I'm surprised by the number of points of view we have in this novel so far. I don't remember the first novel jumping around so much. I'm sure it did though.

In the first novel I wondered how it could be a dystopian story. Now we are getting some answers. I still have a lot of questions. Where did the magic come from?

Kalsia spent a lot of the first novel being upset with being plain now she is becoming pretty. I'm am wondering if she is causing the change subconsciously. Also, I'm wondering if she is doing so as a result of her visions of Lily.

It will be interesting to see where the conflict between Mort and Tear go and between Kelsia and the Church.

I forgot how much I really enjoyed the first novel. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Annalisa wrote: "Book 1 Chapter 1 through 5

So it took me a while to figure out who the characters were and remember the story from the first book.

I'm surprised by the number of points of view we have in this n..."

(view spoiler)[ I too liked how book 2 explained more about book 1. I especially enjoyed how Kelsea and Lily’s lives were intertwined. I wasn’t sure why Kelsea was having visions of Lily. But it becomes clear in the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I'm hoping to get back to this one soon! Other buddy reads and library loans are preventing me from getting here sooner!

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I'm hoping to get back to this one soon! Other buddy reads and library loans are preventing me from getting here sooner!"

I overbooked myself and decided I had to bow out of a few BRs. :( So I understand. I’ll keep checking back!

[Annalisa]

Book II - Chapter 6 through 11

Now that I'm back into the story I'm really enjoying it.

(view spoiler)[Okay that was not what I was expecting. I have so many questions after finishing this part of the book. Also, the surprise of the Red Queen being a Raigleih was well done. I didn't see that coming. I should have with the portrait gallery.

I think I'm beginning to understand why Kelsea and Lilly are connected but I'm not positive yet. I'll be interested to see how that progresses.

I found the different points of view less distracting now that I'm finally into the book. I like seeing things from different people's perspective.

I'll be really interested to see how this wraps up, and wonder if we are going to have a cliff hanger. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Annalisa wrote: "Book II - Chapter 6 through 11

Now that I'm back into the story I'm really enjoying it.
."

It took me awhile to get into the story. But once I did, like you, it really got interesting. (view spoiler)[ It takes a while to figure out the connection between Lily and Kelsea. But I think you will like the ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I finally finished the book last night. I didn't see the end coming but at the same time I really liked it. I'd like to read the next book in the next couple of months. That way I won't forget everything. I know most who joined the BR haven't had time to finish yet. If anyone is interested in doing a BR of The Fate of the Tearling in late June or July sometime I'd be interested in joining you.

(view spoiler)[There were a lot of surprises in this last part of the book and it moved quickly. I liked Lily's story and how the distance between Lily and Kelsea got smaller and smaller. It's like Kelsea is becoming Lily in someways.

I think the connection between Lily and Kelsea is clearer, but I'm not sure that I see the full connection between them. We know Lily was maybe one of the early queens of the Tearling and she is the mother of Jonathan who was betrayed. I'm wondering how that will play into the next book. I expected to have questions at the end of the book and I do. However, there was less of a cliff hanger than I expected. I wonder if the next book will have more of Lily and past events or if we have all of her story now. I'm looking forward to seeing how things turn out.

So I went back and read the spoilers from earlier, I didn't want to read the ones for later in the book and ruin it. I think we all agree that we would like to see what the new world is like when the get there. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

Suzanne wrote: "About that alternate point of view:
Spoilers through chapter 5 with vague spoilers through chapter 7.
[spoilers removed]"

Suzanne I remember thinking the first book was Young Adult. However, most places do not categorize it as such. My library has it in the adult section. The first one was much less graphic, however, I still think it was an adult book not a young adult. The writing style fits more the adult fantasy than young adult fantasy. Well at least that is my opinion.

[Suzanne]

I'd be interested in a buddy read in late June or July - it would be nice to have a finished series!

[Suzanne]

I'm glad I read this as a buddy read with all of you so my 'Not young adult" opinion feels not as lonely

[Annalisa]

Something that just occurred to me: End of the book spoiler. (view spoiler)[Do you think the better world is the future or an alternate reality or something else entirely? (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

End of book spoiler (view spoiler)[ for awhile I thought the better world might be the past - but that makes no sense since it was deserted (far as we know). So maybe an alternate reality? Also, why did they put all their doctors on one ship? Although I guess they also destroyed a lot of tech on purpose. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

Suzanne wrote: "End of book spoiler [spoilers removed]"

End of book spoiler. (view spoiler)[I'm hopeful we will find out exactly where they are in the next book. If I remember correctly the first book says they lost their boat with the doctors. I wonder was that on purpose? I think it was. (hide spoiler)]

For those who are interested in reading the next book, The Fate of the Tearling, would a start date of June 29th work?

[Suzanne]

June 29 works for me!

[Geri]

Annalisa - I can do a BR for the next book June 29 too.

[Annalisa]

I'll make a request for a thread when I get home from work.

[Annalisa]

For anyone who wants to join the Buddy read for the next book here is the Thread for Fate of the Tearling

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "I'm hoping to get back to this one soon! Other buddy reads and library loans are preventing me from getting here sooner!"

I overbooked myself and decided I had to bow out of a few BR..."

Thanks, thanks! I was able to renew it and the third one! ( here's hoping I can knock a few out and catch up on a few that I'm behind in!)

[Kate S]

Before I could join this BR, I had to read the first book. Which I did. Then I played some Quidditch, and now I am working on this one. I will be focused on this book for the next 26 hours (or so) as my copy from the library is about to expire.

I thought Chapter one did a good job of demonstrating where we are in the time line and the story.

Suzanne wrote: "Chapter 2 really surprised me. [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[took a dark turn and it took me a minute to figure out what we were doing. I completely agree about the dystopian America and wanting to get more of the backstory and the crossing. (hide spoiler)]

Starting chapter 3 now.

[Suzanne]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one surprised by that, Kate. And welcome to the BR! =)

[Kate S]

Thanks, Suzanne! Interested to see how this plays.

[Kate S]

Suzanne wrote: "Chapter 4-5: I am curious just like Geri (view spoiler)[about Kelsea's looks changing. And I think we had our first visit from the evil dark man - sounds like he is the same one who gives the evil queen her powe (hide spoiler)]..."

I am through chapter 7.

(view spoiler)[I also am not a fan of the head priest. I think the conflicts going on between the secular world and the world of faith is interesting. Kelsea is dealing with the church. And the Mort have outlawed (most) magic in favor of science. I hope this is further explored.

I am loving the backstory. I could do without the violent abuse, but the glimpses into the tyrannical government and the rebels help me better understand not only what happened but give clues as to where we are going. (hide spoiler)]