Tahir, Sabba--A Reaper at the Gates informal buddy reads starts June 28, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir.



Synopsis
Beyond the Empire and within it, the threat of war looms ever larger.

The Blood Shrike, Helene Aquilla, is assailed on all sides. Emperor Marcus, haunted by his past, grows increasingly unstable, while the Commandant capitalizes on his madness to bolster her own power. As Helene searches for a way to hold back the approaching darkness, her sister's life and the lives of all those in the Empire hang in the balance.

Far to the east, Laia of Serra knows the fate of the world lies not in the machinations of the Martial court, but in stopping the Nightbringer. But while hunting for a way to bring him down, Laia faces unexpected threats from those she hoped would aid her, and is drawn into a battle she never thought she'd have to fight.

And in the land between the living and the dead, Elias Veturius has given up his freedom to serve as Soul Catcher. But in doing so, he has vowed himself to an ancient power that will stop at nothing to ensure Elias's devotion–even at the cost of his humanity

[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 for team Tom Riddle.

[Vicki Willis]

Am here too Laura.
Let me know when you get to this one.

[Annalisa]

I'm here from team Severus Snape. It looks like I will get the book from the library in time to join.

[Laura]

Yay!

[Vicky]

I'm here, I'm here! I'm reading Torch now and will likely jump into Reaper but I will be ready to discuss when everyone gets here!

[Rachel]

Is it okay if i jump in even if I already read the book?

[Laura]

Rachel wrote: "Is it okay if i jump in even if I already read the book?"

Yes! Vicky said you still get participation points if you read it at any time during TT.

That's three of us here from Tom Riddle. :)

[Vicky]

I've only read the first chapter of Reaper so far - I finished Torch this morning and I'm so glad I did I re-read. My memory is such trash that I forgot about some MAJOR plot points - like Keenan's backstory and what Avitas reveals to Helene at the end of Torch.

I feel like I would have had NO clue what was happening in the first chapter if I hadn't reread. I need to start taking notes or something... >.>

[Rachel]

Vicky wrote: "I've only read the first chapter of Reaper so far - I finished Torch this morning and I'm so glad I did I re-read. My memory is such trash that I forgot about some MAJOR plot points - like Keenan's..."

I should have done what you did because my memory if the same. But, I didn't because I couldn't wait to read reaper

[Vicky]

Oh. My. God. I finished this last night and the feels are so serious. I was so weepy eyed.

So, some thoughts.

Cook - I called that! (view spoiler)[Ok, I will admit I wasn't 100% sure. I was torn on whether she was Lis or The Lioness. I was definitely leaning more toward The Lioness, though. I was at work when I listened to the part when Laia finally found out and I was in shock over what happened in Kauf. I literally stopped what I was doing and stood there like a lunatic with my mouth hanging open. (hide spoiler)]

Keris - (view spoiler)[How about The Whisp being Elias' grandmother? I have a feeling that's going to play a huge role in the next book. I'm starting to think that there's more to Keris than we think, she obviously has layers and she's always been the one to train the masks to hide their true feelings. Just because she's hiding them doesn't mean she doesn't have them - and I think the revelation that she's been slowly killing off the group of masks that killed Arius shows that she has some good feelings in her. (hide spoiler)]

Marcus - (view spoiler)[OMG. Marcus is the worst of the worst and I still cried when he died. Sabaa Tahir is a heartbreaker. (hide spoiler)]

Avitas - No spoilers, but I love him.

I don't even know what to say about Elias, Helene and Laia. My heart is so broken for all of them, but I have a feeling the next book will be epic.

[Vicki Willis]

I will start this one in a couple of days. I am a little worried about it being so long since I read the others, but I can't really go back right now. I might have to pick your brains!

[Vicki Willis]

Vicky wrote: "I've only read the first chapter of Reaper so far - I finished Torch this morning and I'm so glad I did I re-read. My memory is such trash that I forgot about some MAJOR plot points - like Keenan's..."

Hi Vicky
Would you be willing to spoiler share in a sentence or two Keenan's backstory and what Avitas revealed?

[Jenny]

Hi all. May I join in the fun? Team Remus Lupin. I want to do a quick scan of Torch, and read Reaper this weekend.

[Annalisa]

Hi, team Severus Snape here. I'll be joining but I might be a bit late getting started. I want to finish a couple books before I start this one.

[Suzanne]

Hi. Pomona Sprout here. I'm going to try this one in audio - I'm not sure how well I remember book 2, but hopefully enough to continue on!

[Laura]

Suzanne, there’s a BR for books 1 & 2, too. And you can ignore the start dates because Quidditch. :)

[Jenny]

Wow, I just realized that I had only read the first book. So, I will read Torch first, then catch up here soon.

[Suzanne]

Thanks Laura!

"because Quidditch" is becoming a by-word - I have so many undone RL things - but so many cool books to catch up on too - - because Quidditch :)

[Vicky]

Vicki Willis wrote: "Hi Vicky
Would you be willing to spoiler share in a sentence or two Keenan's backstory and what Avitas revealed?"

Yes! I'll spoiler tag them but they're only spoilers for Torch so no one who is on Reaper needs to be afraid of them! ;)

Keenan: (view spoiler)[At the end of Torch, Keenan and Laia arrive at the cave outside Kauf Prison where Elias indicated they wait for him. Laia gives him her mother's silver armlet that she always wears to remind him that he doesn't have to be alone anymore. When he gets it he turns into The Nightbringer - Keenan, the traitor in the rebellion and The Nightbringer have always been the same person. The Nightbringer has been collecting silver items that are the pieces from The Star (the weapon the scholars used to trap the Jinn forever ago), but they have to be given to him freely. (hide spoiler)]

Avitas: I don't want to say too much about this because more details are revealed in Reaper and since I read them back to back this read I honestly don't remember which details were where, but the jist of the reveal from Torch is that (view spoiler)[he is Elias' half-brother through their father Arius Harper. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Through midbook of THIS book

Comindant (wow I realized I don't know how to spell that) (view spoiler)[ it sounds as if learning her backstory is a key to what is needed. And it sounds as if she was nice at some point. Weird! It'd take a lot to make me have any sympathy for her though, because she has been truely evil (hide spoiler)]

Helene (view spoiler)[ I think I like her story as the Blood Shrike the most. She is so alone and has so much to deal with. I was also surprised to see how brave her sister is as the wife of insane/cruel Marcus. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Starting this tonight!

[Suzanne]

Yay!!

[Cathy M.]

So far thru Chpt 6 -

(view spoiler)[Right off the bat think its interesting to show how Helene has evolved that her chapters are all listed as Blood Shrike rather than Helene. Her motivation now to keep Marcus happy so nothing happens to Livia is a heavy burden to bare.

I wondered what force gave Laia the invisibility power. Assume that she somehow has the soul of the Nightbringer's wife? Or is that his guilt? Interesting that Helene is tied to Laia after healing her. Wonder how that will play out!

Shaeva can only die by the hand of another jinn right? So then the Nightbringer coming to the Waiting place doesn't look good for her! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Through Chapter 6 - reply to Cathy

(view spoiler)[ I totally don't remember/know how Laia got the invisibility power - lol maybe someone else does. I was thinking that she got it in the prison last book, but since I read the last book a year ago and you just read it - I must be wrong :)

Good point about the change in Helene's chapter headings from her name to "Blood Shrike". She is my favorite character/chapters - even though interesting stuff is happening in all of them. I like how brave Livia seems too. And Marcus....wow - his insanity is beginning to show. He is scary! (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

Just finished ch 39

(view spoiler)[I can't believe who Cook is!!! I did not see that coming. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "Through Chapter 6 - reply to Cathy

..."

(view spoiler)[Reading more it started after an efrit touched her (just like Helene) but want to think it was already a part of her & just awakened by the efrit. (hide spoiler)]

Haven't had a chance to read much more today because work was too busy but will come back tomorrow to comment some more.

[Ora]

I finished

Wow a lot of sacrifices were made.
Elias (view spoiler)[I hate what he had to do in order to embrace his choice. I was really hoping that he and Laia would find a way to be together. (hide spoiler)]
Laia: (view spoiler)[She drove me crazy with always comparing herself to her mother's courage. I did like it when Darin finally told her she is just as strong and have a different type of strength. I do hope she is able to see him again so she won't have any regrets with how she left things with him. (hide spoiler)]
Helene (view spoiler)[I was disappointed with some of the things she did in the beginning of the book, even if her intentions were for protecting her sister.
I hope in the future that she and Harper can be together. She needs someone she can lean on. Have to say I was surprised that she and Laia are going to be working together. (hide spoiler)]
Marcus: (view spoiler)[He surprised me at the end. With the things he did and said, it was surprising that he concerned about Livia's welfare after giving birth. AI( think that was probably the only reason Helene gave him mercy. (hide spoiler)]
Commandant: (view spoiler)[I have to wonder how smart she is. I believe she is cunning, however I don't believe she would have been able to do everything without the Nightbringer guiding her. He said she is his servant, so how disposable is she? He has given her what he promise, but did he say how long she will hold it? (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 29 -

(view spoiler)[Love how Helene bested Keris at Navium, though I don't think Keris will stay in the interrogation cells for long. And what Keris said makes me really scared what will come!

And Helene may have the last piece of the star?! Did not see that coming though probably should've since it's been said more than once that she is all that holds off the darkness. There is NO way she would fall in love with someone else, especially right now. So what is the Nightbringer's plan?

I'm sorry to say that I'm not as invested in Elias' story this time around, probably because he's off on his own at the Waiting Place. Same with Laia's story. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "Through midbook of THIS book

Comindant (wow I realized I don't know how to spell that) [spoilers removed]

Helene [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was really surprised by Livia too! She goes to Marcus because she knows they need an heir. And she stays strong & brave when Marcus is abusive. I wish we had more scenes with her, but then again, Marcus is always hurting her so that might not be best! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

I finished it yesterday but didn't have time to comment. Let's see....

(view spoiler)[
I hate that Elias had to basically give up his humanity and feelings in order to do his job. (I hate that with the whole Jedi thing too - that they can't have love/relationships.)

The ending with Marcuus was surprisingly touching.

Helene giving up her part of the star thing because of love of her people was VERY touching. I really like her character.

I was very surprised by cook - I didn't see that coming at all - although the clues were there!

I didn't get super invested in Laia's story. I think it is weird the Nightbringer keeps coming back to almost taunt her.

I think a lot of the next book will be about Keris. It is interesting she has been taking revenge on her lover's killers, and obeying the Nightbringer about things. But wow - hard to see how she could ever be sympathetic!

(hide spoiler)]

[Jenny]

I finished Torch yesterday, and thought about taking a break from this world, but I really want to know what happens. So, starting now.

[Jenny]

I just finished this one. My first thought is that there will be more in this series.
(view spoiler)[ I had issues with this story. The Empire is disgusting. Like the worst of humanity. Oligarchy mixed with slavery and extreme prejudice, and yet we (or at least I) end up rooting for some of the characters that support that system. It's like watching The Godfather and being sort of fond of Sonny and Luca Brazzi, until you remember what complete slimeballs they are.

What I found frustrating is that Helene was a terrible Blood Shrike. She was out maneuvered at every turn. The "bad guys" were much better planners, and won at every turn. On one hand, this makes the story refreshing, on the other hand, it is disappointing.

It was nice to find out about Cook. But perhaps we will never find out, or have to wait to find out about Elias' father. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finished yesterday.

(view spoiler)[I hated how Elias had to essentially give up his humanity/his human self to become the Soul Catcher. I was really hoping that he would find a way to do his duty & to help/be with the ones he loves. Maybe later on that will work but at this point, doesn't seem possible.

That scene with Cook/Mirra at the end so made me cry. Didn't expect to feel all those emotions but her sacrifice for Laia! Really hoping there was some way she survived & we'll be seeing her again.

So glad that Marcus died but at the end, I couldn't help but feel a smidgen of sympathy for him. At least Livia & the baby are okay.

Keris, ugh. That woman is always a step ahead of everyone else. It's so frustrating that no matter how Helene tried, she could never get a step ahead. And with Keris now claiming the throne, it's only going to get worse. And we thought Marcus was bad! So waiting for her downfall...

Laia was a little more annoying this time around. And why didn't she just ask Helene for the rings? Interesting turn that the mask was actually the last piece and not the rings. So did not see that coming! And for Helene to give it to the Nightbringer for the love of her people just shows exactly how good she really is. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Vicky wrote: "Oh. My. God. I finished this last night and the feels are so serious. I was so weepy eyed.

So, some thoughts.

Cook - I called that! [spoilers removed]

Keris - [spoilers removed]

Marcus - [spoil..."

You & Joanne (when she read the last book!) called it about Cook. (view spoiler)[I didn't see it but then again I guess I wasn't looking for the clues. But can't believe Keris kept her alive & working as her slave!

The Wisp - Thought the Wisp would come into play later on (maybe to help Elias) but wasn't expecting her to be Elias' grandmother!

Keris - She is definitely complex. The story about her killing the Masks responsible for Arius' death almost didn't match with who we know Keris to be. Hoping we get a lot more answers about her! Maybe even chapters in her POV.
(hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "I finished it yesterday but didn't have time to comment. Let's see....
..."

Laia/Nightbringer - (view spoiler)[you are so right! I kept wondering why he kept showing up because he already got what he needed from her. It did seem like he was taunting her but for what purpose? He said (when talking to Cain) that he wanted to destroy her heart but hasn't he already done that? Then that means that he's not done with her yet. *shakes head* (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Jenny wrote: "I just finished this one. My first thought is that there will be more in this series.
I had issues with this story. The Empire is disgusting. Like the worst of humanity. Oligarchy mixed with slav..."

(view spoiler)[It was frustrating that Keris was always a step ahead, working with the Karkauns & the elite & to undermine Helene. But then again, they didn't have the Nightbringer on their side, whose magic & power was far superior to anything guiding them. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki Willis]

I have been camping so just getting caught up on spoilers...

I am at chapter 44 now.

Agreed (view spoiler)[about Cook! I had to read it twice. Shocking what she did to her own family.

Was surprised that Helene has the piece the NB wants. She is my fav character and storyline by far.
I love the banter between her and Harper.
I love (and dread) the scenes with her sister too.

Elias' is boring me. Disappointed in his storyline. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Vicki Willis wrote: "I have been camping so just getting caught up on spoilers...

I am at chapter 44 now.

Agreed ..."

(view spoiler)[What Cook did to her daughter & husband was horrifying. But can also understand why she did it. How terrible is the memory of that!

I wondered why Cain & her father even said that she was all that kept the darkness away. Makes sense then that she would have the last piece.

I think a couple of us felt that way about Elias' storyline. Was disappointing for sure. But hoping that it will be better in the next one! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I'm through chapter 22. (view spoiler)[I'm worried for Helene right now. (hide spoiler)]

Anyone else notice that in the previous book Helene's POV chapters were titled with her name and in this book they are titled Blood Shrike?

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "So far thru Chpt 6 -

Right off the bat think its interesting to show how Helene has evolved that her chapters are all listed as Blood Shrike rather than Helene. Her motivation now to keep Marcus h..."

I noticed the switch in her chapter titles, too.

Laia's invisibility (spoiler for previous books, not this one, but I'll spoiler it): (view spoiler)[It's mentioned that it began happening when the effrit touched her during their escape at the end of book 1/beginning of book 2. And Helene developed the healing after her encounter with the sand effrits during the trials. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "I'm through chapter 22. [spoilers removed]

Anyone else notice that in the previous book Helene's POV chapters were titled with her name and in this book they are titled Blood Shrike?"

Yea I noticed that too. (view spoiler)[Thinking it's because of what happened at the end of Book 2 - a part of her died when her family was killed (she was unmade/broken) and in order to keep Livia safe, she had to evolve (remake herself), become harder, become what the Blood Shrike was meant to be. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I've finally gotten to starting this book. So far I'm doing a lot of remembering what happened in the last book. I was very confused with the opening from the Nightbringer but then I remembered.

I'm maybe 4-5 chapters in and I'm struggling to get bak into the story. I really liked the previous book so I'm not sure if I'm just not in the mood or if it is the change in the story. I'll see as I continue reading.

[Laura]

Finished! And wow! So much happening. And so much still to come.

Elias - My heart breaks. (view spoiler)[I hope Laia can reach him in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

Helene - Again, breaking my heart. (view spoiler)[She needs Harper. And she thinks letting him in would make her weak. But I can see that together they would be so strong! (hide spoiler)]

Laia - (view spoiler)[To find your mother and lose her again, before you can even go through all the baggage between them? How sad.
And I think it's going to be her heart/love that will save everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Vicky wrote: "Oh. My. God. I finished this last night and the feels are so serious. I was so weepy eyed.

So, some thoughts.

Cook - I called that! [spoilers removed]

Keris - [spoilers removed]

Marcus - [spoil..."

I agree about Marcus! And possibly Keris, as well. I reserve final judgement until the next book.

[Vicki Willis]

I am at about 75% right now.
I am not finding this one as good as the other two. It is taking me a while to get through it, while the first two I flew through. I should finish up this weekend and will read your spoilers.

[Annalisa]

So far I agree with you Vicki. This one is is hard for me to connect with. I'm not as far as you are and am hoping to finish it this weekend. I flew through the first books, but this one not so much. I keep wanting to pick up and read something else, I'm making myself not do so in the hopes that this one will become more engaging and I can at least read some of it before everyone else is finished.

[Vicki Willis]

Still trying to get to the end.
I don't know if I am just not in the mood or what, but the struggle is real.
I hope the last part grabs me. I can't wait to read your spoilers to see how you all felt about the end and the book as a whole.