Harmon, Amy-- The Queen and The Cure informal buddy read starts June 25, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon.



Synopsis
"There will be a battle, and you will need to protect your heart."

Kjell of Jeru had always known who he was. He'd never envied his brother or wanted to be king. He was the bastard son of the late King Zoltev and a servant girl, and the ignominy of his birth had never bothered him.

But there is more to a man than his parentage. More to a man than his blade, his size, or his skills, and all that Kjell once knew has shifted and changed. He is no longer simply Kjell of Jeru, a warrior defending the crown. Now he is a healer, one of the Gifted, and a man completely at odds with his power.

Called upon to rid the country of the last vestiges of the Volgar, Kjell stumbles upon a woman who has troubling glimpses of the future and no memory of the past. Armed with his unwanted gift and haunted by regret, Kjell becomes a reluctant savior, beset by old enemies and new expectations. With the woman by his side, Kjell embarks upon a journey where the greatest test may be finding the man she believes him to be.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

res

[Geri]

Thanks for starting the thread! Looking forward to Kjell’s story.

[Suzanne]

Yay! I'm excited to read this installment.

[Laura]

I'll be back next Monday; sorry couldn't start this one today but can't wait to read it!

[Laura]

Geri and Suzanne are you both closer to reading this?

[Geri]

I can start this when you can, Laura! The book is available through Hoopla and I can borrow at any time. Just let me know when you want to start.

[Laura]

Hi Geri,
I still can't wait to read this. Ha as you have figured out I'm slow with all these buddy reads! Do we want to start on Tuesday? Does that work for you?

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Hi Geri,
I still can't wait to read this. Ha as you have figured out I'm slow with all these buddy reads! Do we want to start on Tuesday? Does that work for you?"

Sure!

[Suzanne]

I just came to check and see if it is even possible to join in this one, now that I have stuff cleared out a bit. Looks like the answer is yes - yay! Starting next Tuesday seems fantastic to me!

[Laura]

A lot of Harmon's books are free on Kindle Unlimited. This one isn't but less than 2.50$ is great! I'm going to check out Hoopla.

[Laura]

I had to wait for people today so started this one. I'm 20% in.
Through chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ Kjell fights his gift. I love that Sasha helped him heal the people from her town/village. I'm looking forward to seeing the relationship between Kjell and Sasha grow. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I read through chapter 6. Once again the writing and story are good!(view spoiler)[ I find it interesting that Sasha does not know her past. Is she the queen from the title of the book? She has special abilities... (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "I had to wait for people today so started this one. I'm 20% in.
Through chapter 4
[spoilers removed]"

Harmon writes emotional, passionate romance. I think you will be happy how this progresses!

[Laura]

Geri wrote: "I read through chapter 6. Once again the writing and story are good![spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Oh, good call. I bet you are right. I was so interested in the story I missed that. Its not the same as book 1 but its still really great. Harmon certainly does do emotional, passionate romance and very well. (hide spoiler)]

I may have to bump this one up....From Sand and Ash

[Geri]

Read through chapter 13. This is an exciting and surprising story! (view spoiler)[ Well, I did guess right about Sorsha being a Queen. But I was surprised that she was Queen by marriage and the King may or may not be alive. Kjell is such a hero, going with her to her land and protect her. [sigh] (hide spoiler)]

This is a quick read, Laura. I will try to have this finished by Friday.

[Laura]

Ok , I 'm right behind you. I finished Chapter 12 last night before I fell asleep. I agree it's a quick read and I will have it finished tonight or tomorrow evening.

(view spoiler)[
Now that Kjell has accepted that he has feelings for Sasha; its heartbreaking that everyone learns she is Queen and he can't be with her. I found the conversation with Kjell and Tiras very sad, emotional. Harmon is magnificent in evoking strong emotional feelings isn't she?
I wonder if Saoirse's ... (beautiful name) husband is alive? How awkward is that.. to serve the husband of the woman you love? I can't wait to see what happens on the journey to Dendar and how this relationship between Kjell and Saoirse plays out. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I had one of those nights, not much sleep. So I was able to finish the book. So exciting in some parts! Loved the scenes with the Volgar. Harmon knows how to write those. And yes, the romance was heartbreaking at times. I liked how their romance developed too.

(view spoiler)[I couldn’t believe how many people Kjell had to save in this book! Bringing the people back who were stuck being trees, that had to take a toll on him and years off his life! But I found that a fascinating storyline.

Some of the book felt predictable because I knew the King had to either die or be gotten rid of in order for our hero and heroine to be together.

My only complaint is how Kjell reacted after the King returned to being a tree. He was like a petulant child wailing about how he needed Sasha by his side. When she was clearly grieving. Even though she did not love the King like she loved Kjell, she clearly cared for him. The King was good to her. Anyhow, enough of a rant! LOL (hide spoiler)]

I will read another by this author. This was a sweet romance. A little predictable. But I did sigh a few times and got my HEA.

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Ok , I 'm right behind you. I finished Chapter 12 last night before I fell asleep. I agree it's a quick read and I will have it finished tonight or tomorrow evening.

Now that Kjell has accepted..."

Yeah, not sure how Harmon does it, but she sucks me in to the story very easily and makes me care what happens to the characters.

I listened to the audio so did not know how they spelled the Queen’s name. That is a pretty name!

[Suzanne]

I'm almost halfway through, and I agree it is a sweet romance. Clearly some bad things are in store (view spoiler)[ I'm guessing relating to his shapeshifter ex-love. In fact, I'm totally thinking she was the horse that ran off the cliff. I like seeing the Queen and King and baby! from book one too (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I bet the pronunciation of the Queen's name is different that I have been saying! I loved this book too. I gave it a 4 star. If I had to choose which book I loved more it would be the first one though.

Geri, I agree that the ending was predictable and like you I enjoyed the HEA. Also loved the progression of their relationship but like you said Kjell acted like a petulant child after King Aren died expecting Saoirse to come to him immediately.

I think the author did a good job portraying how Kjell felt; that he felt like he didn't belong anywhere which definitely contributed to my loving the scene when King Tiras comes to find Kjell and then stands beside him and fights. Kjell belongs to Queen Saoirse, to Caarn, the people of Caarn; his brother. I loved his character growth from an angry, unhappy fighter to a fighter/healer/King.

Good bye Lady Firi!! Hehehe it seems Queen Saoirse doesn't tell everything she sees!

Sweet, HEA romance. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Suzanne wrote: "I'm almost halfway through, and I agree it is a sweet romance. Clearly some bad things are in store [spoilers removed]"

I liked seeing (view spoiler)[ Queen Lark & King Tiras as well! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Suzanne wrote: "I'm almost halfway through, and I agree it is a sweet romance. Clearly some bad things are in store [spoilers removed]"

You have a lot of exciting things to look forward to!

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "Finished

I bet the pronunciation of the Queen's name is different that I have been saying! I loved this book too. I gave it a 4 star. If I had to choose which book I loved more it would be the fi..."

The narrator pronounced her name like Seer-Sha. Probably not the way you were saying it in your head.

(view spoiler)[ I didn’t really think about it, but you are right about Kjell. He did grow and finally found the place where he belonged. That’s what the book was all about.

I agree good riddance to Lady Firi! She made a good enemy, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

I just finished - wow you were so right - I did have so many great things to look forward to. I really enjoyed it. I also like being able to comment to others that read it, since I can't put the same types of things in my review.

(view spoiler)[

I thought the first couple of chapters were ok, and I never disliked the book, but I started really liking it once Kjell and Sasha admitted they love each other - well I suppose it was mostly him admitting it.

And I never saw the big memory reveal coming - that she was married to someone else. Wow! I really was amazed at how they handled it They were both totally honorable, while not denying their feelings for each other, and also not hiding things from the king.

The author's writing expressing that love was just beautiful.

I like the kingdom and that they are welcoming and work together.

(hide spoiler)] So yes - it was a total fairytale (in a good way) and I loved it!

[Laura]

@ Geri & Suzanne
(view spoiler)[ Beautiful fairytale. I also didn't see the big memory reveal coming either. Lady Firi was a good villian though. Her ability to shift into different animals was cool.
I thought Harmon's fantasy world was really neat. I don't think I 've read anything with people turning into trees. Can you imagine being a spinner ? The scene where the kingdom came forward and displayed their talent was pretty cool. Which talent did you like best? Which would you want to have? (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Laura - great question! (view spoiler)[ I think I would love being a shape changer like Lady Firi. Ha but part of that is thinking - wow I would never have to diet and workout! I would NOT want to be a seer. I would kind of like to be a healer, but wow that restriction on once per person is harsh. I'd probably end up as the loud voice guy or something though (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

(view spoiler)[
Thanks! I wouldn't want to be a seer either. I can see why Kjell fought so hard to accept that he was a healer. Its hard to wrap your head around knowing you are a great fighter but can heal as well. They are kinda at odds at each other. And knowing that you can only heal a person once.
I think I 'd like to be a healer or a shifter like lady Firi. (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

Laura wrote: "@ Geri & Suzanne
."

That’s a difficult question to answer for me! There are always disadvantages to every choice. It would be fun to be a shifter, though. I would love to be able to fly like a bird. Not sure I’d want to be a healer since every time I used the power, my life would be shortened by a day. Selfish of me, I know! LOL

[Geri]

Suzanne wrote: "Laura - great question! [spoilers removed]"

I found the guy with the booming voice hilarious. And yeah, it would be great to have the metabolism of a shifter! LOL