Tahir, Sabaa--A Torch Against the Night--informal buddy read starts June 25, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir.

width="300"/>

Synopsis
Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

[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

[Laura]

I’m in. Team Tom Riddle.

[Eldarwen]

I'll do my best to be here on time. (Severus Snape)

[Vicky]

I'm actually already reading this - I'm about halfway through. I'll make some notes of things to mention once everyone else dives in, but for now I'll will say that I forgot how intense this book is!

I read them both back to back originally and re-reading Ember it was feeling a little slow and I was trying to remember what I really loved about the series. And then I started Torch and holy crap does it take off and keep running!

[Eldarwen]

Uuuh that makes me excited to read it!!

The first one was a little slow but I enjoyed it a lot!

[Joanne]

I'll be ready to start this one on the 25th. Team Draco Malfoy

[Joanne]

A little late but I’ve started. Up to chapter VI: Laia

(view spoiler)[This one really hits the ground running. So far I’m interested to see what the Commandant has up her sleeve and why she basically let Elias go after their fight.

Also super excited to see POV chapter for Helene, since I was wishing for it throughout the entire last book. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I'm so late getting to this one. Quidditch has destroyed my monthly reading plan! But I'm almost done with Ember, so I'll start listening to this one soon.

[Eldarwen]

I haven't started this one yet either, still trying to finish up another BR book. Will try and get that one done as soon as possible, but will start this one latest over the weekend.

[Cathy M.]

I'll be starting this one today - NEED to know what happens next! :)

[Cathy M.]

So I've gotten thru Chpt 11 -

(view spoiler)[So far I'm really enjoying this one! It has almost been non-stop right from the beginning. Didn't realize it would start immediately after where the 1st one ended but I guess we needed to see them escape Serra.

They should've killed the Commandant. How could they leave her alive after everything she's done?!?!?!?! Can't believe she used poison though. Would've thought she would've wanted to kill Elias by her own hand. And now he only has a couple months to live? He IS a main character so think they'll find a cure by the end of the series but he'll suffer these seizures until that time. So how is that going to work? How can he really be of use if that's the case? Grrrrr.

Loving Helene's chapters & love that she called up Faris & Dex since she knows she can trust them. Not looking forward to her actually catching up to Elias & Laia. And that last bit? I'm confused. Laia referred to Cook as an old woman in the 1st book, and she had the limp. So I'm having a hard time reconciling this woman in Helene's room with my memory of Cook. Guess we'll be seeing more of her which is awesome! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 29 -

(view spoiler)[1st off can't believe it just skipped 4 weeks. So what has Elias been up to?

And WHAT?!?!?! I can't believe she killed off Izzi!!!! And now that the wagons have been destroyed, how are they going to hide & travel to Kauf??? And will Afya continue to help them with all those deaths?

And what is Keris' deal now? She's awfully chummy with Marcus so wondering why she didn't have Helene killed when Helene was imprisoned at the beginning. Is it just the game that she is enjoying? And technically, Helene is higher on the totem pole than Keris but feels like Keris takes every opportunity to demean her. Elias & Laia really should've killed her...

I wonder what the deal is with silver or is it Laia's armlet? Everyone seems to want it so wondering if it will be important later on.

And really interested in where the Soul Catcher storyline is going. (hide spoiler)]

[Eldarwen]

Breathing through! haha :-)

I'm going to finish my current book tonight and launch into this one tomorrow! :-)

[Jenny]

Team Remus Lupin here. I think that the last Quidditch match scrambled my brain. I was all set to read Reaper at the Gates, when I realized I hadn't read this one yet. So, reading it this weekend. Mind if I join the discussion?

[Laura]

I should be starting today. I have about an hour left in Ember. The audios are quite well done.

[Suzanne]

I'm not going to re-read this because I just have so many buddy reads on my plate, BUT it is nice reading through the comments/spoilers to be reminded about key plot points.

One thing I noticed is that it took me a LOT longer than most of you to like the book at the start. I think it was my YA grumpiness - in fact I know it was. General spoiler for first couple chapters: (view spoiler)[ They were being chased by assassins through the desert, but there was just so much internal dialogue along the lines of "does he like me? or does he LIKE me like me" (hide spoiler)]

Lol at least that was how I felt the first time when I read it, and I almost quit because I just wasn't in the mood. And then it destroyed all my negative ideas and became its own interesting story.

[Suzanne]

Laura - it is good to know the audios are well done. I'm trying audio for book 3 because I needed a new audio book, and it cost me the same for a credit vs. the kindle copy (my library doesn't have it).

[Eldarwen]

I'm sorry guys, but I'm going to have to bow out of this one. I just realised that tomorrow is the 1st already and I have too many books coming up. I won't be able to keep up :-(

Enjoy!

[Joanne]

Cathy M. wrote: "So I've gotten thru Chpt 11 -

So far I'm really enjoying this one! It has almost been non-stop right from the beginning. Didn't realize it would start immediately after where the 1st one ended bu..."

(view spoiler)[After reading this bit combined with our interactions with Cook in the first book, she is actually the character I'm most curious about. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

I'm finally ready to really dedicate myself to this one. Just finished Goblet of Fire last night.

Up to Chapter XIV: Helene

(view spoiler)[Way more interested in Helene's chapters and what is going on in Serra than Elias and Laia. Desperately need to know more about Cook and am interested in how Helene is going to have to work with her torturer and Commandant's spy to try to catch her closest friend. Also liked the interaction between Helene and the Nightbringer and the discussion of healing powers and being a teacher.

Was not all that excited to see Keenan, because it's boring and annoying to have to read the jealousy and macho posturing between him and Elias, although I liked Keenan's character in the last book. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Chapter 11

(view spoiler)[Could Helene ever get over Harper torturing her? Because I have a feeling that there will eventually be a relationship there. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 11

[spoilers removed]"

Ooooh I did not get that vibe, but that would be VERY interesting.

[Joanne]

Up to Part II: North

(view spoiler)[Loved the interaction between Helene and Elias. Even though they are enemies, he saved her life and she let him go. Am I the only one who kind of ships those two together even more than Elias and Laia? lol

Kind of annoyed that Elias is leaving to go save Laia's brother without giving Laia any say. It's HER brother after all! Although I think he probably does stand a better chance on his own than with all of them together. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Joanne, it’s his reaction to her, not her reaction to him.

[Joanne]

Laura wrote: "Joanne, it’s his reaction to her, not her reaction to him."

(view spoiler)[He does seem to be softening and trying to be more helpful... (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

I started listening to it this morning. I really hate the Commandant more and more. When I don't think she can do anything worse than she already did, she proves me wrong.

I didn't think about that with Harper and Helene. I think it would be good for Helene to get over her attraction/love for Elias.

[Ora]

I just finished listening to this one. I am really glad I listen to this one again before starting the next book. There were a few things I forgot and a couple things I got mixed up with another book with similar things happening in both books.

Completely forgot about who Keenan (sorry if any names are misspelled since I only have the audio) really is.
(view spoiler)[Harper and Elias have the same father!!! I hope Helene can put that information to good use.
I was happy with Darin waking and curious what his role will be in the next book. I can't wait until the Commandant sees Elias. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finished last night!

(view spoiler)[Wow, can't believe Keenan manipulated Laia like that! Didn't think she would go that far with Keenan. I'm no prude but I didn't see their relationship going there. Totally thought he was genuine & really did care for her & then that?!?! So he's the jinn king so has a lot more power than any of them so what hope is there to stop him?

Elias making that deal saved him from the poison but that has to mean that there can never really be anything between him & Laia though that's where it seemed to be leading. Looking forward to learning more about his new role & how that will help them fight the Nightbringer.

So if Marcus was aware of Keris' coup then why did he let it continue? Or did he just say that to save face? (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "I'm not going to re-read this because I just have so many buddy reads on my plate, BUT it is nice reading through the comments/spoilers to be reminded about key plot points.

One thing I noticed is..."

I had read before about the relationships so went in aware of them, which is probably why it didn't bother me as much :)

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 11

[spoilers removed]"

I had the same thought! (view spoiler)[I think her & Elias would be better as friends/maybe working together in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Lol I think the whole relationships bothers me in YA more or less depending on how much I've been around teenage girls who are doing the same thing :)

End of book spoiler (view spoiler)[ and I was SHOCKED by the end of this book and what happened with Keenan too. I did not see that coming at all, and I'm really interested to see where things fall out in the next book (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Ora wrote: "I just finished listening to this one. I am really glad I listen to this one again before starting the next book. There were a few things I forgot and a couple things I got mixed up with another bo..."

I need to check out the audio on this series!

(view spoiler)[Re Harper - I had originally thought maybe one of the reasons Keris hated Elias so much was because of his father. So if she had watched over Harper because of his father's wish, then why did she hate him so much? And wondering how that information can help them?

And I'm looking forward to the next time she sees Elias too! I wonder if he has any powers (ie can't die now because of being brought back to life) now that he's working for the Soul Catcher.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Sorry 1 more thought (for end) -

(view spoiler)[Oh my god, what Marcus did to Helene's family O.O Holy crap that was cruel!!!! I hope she's the one to kill him, slowly and painfully.... (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "Lol I think the whole relationships bothers me in YA more or less depending on how much I've been around teenage girls who are doing the same thing :)

End of book spoiler [spoilers removed]"

Very true! Or by how many other YA books you read before :)

[Joanne]

Definitely plan to finish this one today but am currently up to Chapter 35. Just have to put down a major theory that I've had since the first book and this last chapter seems to go with:

(view spoiler)[Could Cook be Laia's mother??? Ever since the first time Cook discussed Laia's mother and her voice was shaking, I knew they had a relationship and my initial thought was that maybe Laia's mother didn't DIE but was tortured and disfigured. Her voice and face are unrecognizable. It would make sense that she didn't want to reveal herself to Laia because that would make them both vulnerable. She says she doesn't care for Laia, but her actions seem to indicate that she does, in some way. She helped her at the end of the last book.

She seems to have good skills in hiding and sneaking in that would make more sense as a resistance leader than a cook. In Chapter 34 when Helene was healing Cook, she described how it felt healing Elias and Laia and I was waiting to see if she got a "familiar" feeling at all healing Cook and she did! So now that's my theory. She also got her wound killing someone and I think that person was Mazen, who was the one who betrayed her maybe?

Also I've been thinking about Elias and his death sentence. Obviously he can't die because there are more books, so Helene would have to heal him right? And I can't see Laia and the others breaking him out of Kauf, if he couldn't even break in with his knowledge of the place, which means Helene will have to save him from the prison herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Finished

(view spoiler)[OMG these books are killing me. I did not think Elias would actually die. Interesting to see where this will go in the next book.

I saw them leading the way toward Keenan not being who we thought he was by the feelings of unease Laia kept getting. Fascinating how she was able to see into his thoughts though.

So now there are two characters who have developed new powers after being exposed to efrits. Such a useful thing to be able to heal or be invisible. Is there an efrit around that I can just quickly touch? lol

The slaughter of Helene's family was brutal, and honestly, I was wishing that Helene would have just mercy killed Livia. Now she has to be Marcus' wife and who knows how he will torture her and use her to control Helene. Although from the last scene with the two of them, it seems like Livia maybe will be able to get through it.

I like Marcus as a villain better than the Commandant (even though I liked her more at first) because it's becoming more clear that she is just plain evil, which is not as interesting as the way that Marcus is more conflicted and complicated. Also him being haunted by his brother's ghost is a nice touch.

I am very sad that my library doesn't have any ebook copies of the third book yet and that the paper copies are still in processing. I'm #18 on 4 copies so I won't get to it in time for this challenge, but when I can read it I'll be reading the buddy read comments for it. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

I meant to get to this this weekend, but I had to do other things. So, I am about a quarter of the way in, and remembering the first book more, the further I get into this one. Since everyone here has read the first one, this is not a spoiler----There are some really icky characters in this book. The Commandant, and the Snake, and a few others. I understand the need for there to be baddies, so the goodies have an arc, and a mountain to climb, but wow. I keep wanting to fast forward through the torture and plotting scenes to get to the nice people again, but then I remember I am not reading a cozy mystery.

I hope to finish by the morning, and perhaps then I may have a more cogent comment to make. And I will have read all of your comments. (I haven't read the spoilers yet).

[Cathy M.]

Joanne wrote: "Definitely plan to finish this one today but am currently up to Chapter 35. Just have to put down a major theory that I've had since the first book and this last chapter seems to go with:..."

Crazy theory! Would never have even considered that!!

(view spoiler)[Think you are right about how she got that wound - Mazen totally manipulated, used & put Laia in danger so could see her getting revenge on him for that. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Joanne wrote: "Finished

..."

Hope you're able to get your copy for the 3rd book soon!!

[Vicky]

Ora wrote: "Completely forgot about who Keenan (sorry if any names are misspelled since I only have the audio) really is."

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one! I was so mad at myself for forgetting since it's kind of a big deal, but it seems most people had forgotten about it!

[Vicky]

@Cathy - About Harper and Elias (and Keris).

I think what's so interesting about Keris is that we don't know what's going on in her mind. Elias and Helene always talk about how Keris is the one who trained emotion out of them and I think that's important. I don't think anything we've seen from her has been completely sincere. Even though she says she hates Elias, I think she more hates the fact that her motherly instincts make her feel weak.

[Jenny]

Vicky wrote: "@Cathy - About Harper and Elias (and Keris).

I think what's so interesting about Keris is that we don't know what's going on in her mind. Elias and Helene always talk about how Keris is the one wh..."

That's interesting. I found her character boring. Evil without any inner conflict or outer emotion doesn't make for an interesting character. But, perhaps there is more there than has been written about so far.
Only a couple chapters left for me.

[Cathy M.]

Vicky wrote: "@Cathy - About Harper and Elias (and Keris).

I think what's so interesting about Keris is that we don't know what's going on in her mind. Elias and Helene always talk about how Keris is the one wh..."

That is true - we only see Keris from the outside, we don't REALLY know her. As much as I loathe her, would be interested in seeing things from her perspective. Just to see how she thinks, her motivations.

[Cathy M.]

Jenny wrote: "Vicky wrote: "@Cathy - About Harper and Elias (and Keris).

I think what's so interesting about Keris is that we don't know what's going on in her mind. Elias and Helene always talk about how Keris..."

That's the things about the masks though. They were taught to never show emotion or their emotions were beat out of them. So you don't get the whole picture just seeing her from the outside.

[Jenny]

Alright, I finished yesterday, and I can't decide whether to start the next book, or give myself a break. This one got to me. Maybe because there is so much evil crap happening in the real world right now, that the torture and genocide and disregard for the value of human (or any) life was just hitting too close to home.
That, and the fact that (view spoiler)[ absolutely no one is who they say they are, (hide spoiler)] made this a not so comfortable read.

(view spoiler)[ I am looking forward to seeing what happens with Elias and Harper's dad. And who or what is Cook? I do hope that Helene can get her revenge, and I hope that the good people in this story get some happiness. Sometimes a Hollywood ending is what I want about. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I've got about 2 1/2 hours left. I can't believe I forgot about Keenan! Good thing I did a re-read before the next one! :)

[Jenny]

One other thing- (view spoiler)[ What was with the efrit that wanted the silver and touched Laia? Did that being have something to do with the Nightbringer and his goals? Was it trying to gather the pieces of the star thingy? I am missing something or just confused. (hide spoiler)]

[Joanne]

Jenny wrote: "One other thing- [spoilers removed]"

Jenny, that is how I interpreted it.