A Reaper at the Gates

[Janett]

We've reached the final day of our discussion!

Share our final thoughts and expectations with the group.

[Janett]

Personally, I enjoyed this book immensely. It was highly stressful, heart wrenching, aggravating and left me wishing I had the final book in my hands!

I loved the development of Helene's character the most. For me, she's sort of become the Queen of this series. I'm hoping and praying that she and Harper end up together when all is said and done! I ❤️ those two!

As precarious as things look for Elias 😭 I need him to be released from the prison of the Waiting Place. Whatever Cain intended or meant by Elias finding freedom, this is NOT what I had in mind! He deserves to live a normal life with the girl he loves! I NEED that to happen...seriously!

The Nightbringer - Although I empathize with him at some level because he's done and doing what he feels he needs to do to free his people, I think that now his need for vengeance and thirst for revenge has blinded whatever his good intentions were. He's seeking to destroy the Scholars and enslave everyone else. His guilt has allowed him to become this manipulative, evil thing whereas this is not what he used to be. His name is Beloved for a reason. Yet, I'm still confused about him.

I really don't know what I want to be Keri's "THE END" story. She's a mad woman who probably was tested to the limit where she's lost all humanity within herself. Do I wish for her to die or be redeemed?
I don't think Keris is a good person. Has she ever been a good person? It's hard to tell. She shows tiny glimpses of being a feeling person but her hard shell is so thick it overpowers any spark of good she has shown. I'm hoping more that she remains evil because anything else would diminish her evilness if that makes sense.

I really don't have much to say about Laia. I think her character has taken a backseat with this book. She's there but not really captivating is she isn't sharing a scene with one of the other major characters... Elias/Helene. Her story didn't impact me as much as the other two. But, she was going through this funky "find your purpose" period so maybe that'll change with the next book. Instead of feeling so lost now that she has direction her role will be more intriguing once again.

Overall, this book was AMAZING and I cannot wait to see how Sabaa ends it all!

[Joy]

I also really enjoyed this book and am impatiently awaiting the final book. I am both excited and scared. This book was stressful, and sad and overwhelming, but I think it needed to be. Not everything can just go perfectly right for these characters. I hate those books. It's too unbelievable. Plus, sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.

Helene's development was definitely the best part of this book. I am amazed how much my opinion of her changed. I do think she is at a pinnacle at the end of this book-she COULD lose all her humanity and turn out like Keris, or forge her own path to save the empire (and sister) she loves. I would love to see more interaction with her and Laia. I think Helene's strength and Laia's heart make them a great duo who could take over the world. Plus, I think this book needs some more women helping women in it.

Elias does still have remnants of his humanity, as he still feels a pull to Laia. I have no idea how his story will turn out. I don't want some simple ending where he just randomly is able to leave the waiting place. But I DO want him to be able to find a way back to who he really is. I also hope the final book brings us a better explanation for Laia's and Helene's magic. Is this augur blessed? A part of their plan to prevent the Jinn from destroying everything? Or is this something they were born with, and if so, how? And what IS Elias's connection to the waiting place?

I want to see more of Laia's brother, Darin. His rescue was such an important part of the second book and I felt he should have been more prevalent in this book than he was. I also want to know more about Musa.

The Nightbringer - I also empathize with him, but agree he is now consumed a bit with revenge (kind of like Laia was consumed with stopping him in this book). While his original intent and anger is understandable, he's gone too far now. Attempting genocide is just wrong.

I want more backstory about Keris. Her dad obviously hated her-why? How did that start? Is he just a sexist jerk? Is it because she's evil? Was it her choice to love a plebeian? What is her end goal? Power? Revenge? I admit I am a sucker for unlikable women. I am probably one of the few who still really loves Aelin in Throne of Glass series. I always want to see strong women show a softer side. BUT, I do also love a complete villain. I love when books show that sometimes people are just plain evil with no redemption.

I would like the final novel to show Laia growth like Helene grew in this book. I want her to come into her role as a leader for her people and leave her plans for revenge against the Nightbringer to instead focus on saving her people. The Empire needs to change, obviously. I want to see her and Helene work together to create a better country for both their people.

I know I will be happy no matter how this ends. Sabaa has done an amazing job and she has known from the very beginning where this story would lead, so I know she won't lead us astray in the final book.

I enjoyed everyone's insight! Thank you all for sharing!

[Joy]

Teresa wrote: "Helene's always been my favourite character. I know a lot of people didn't really like her in the first book because of her loyalty to the Empire. But that's why I liked her. I read an Ember in the..."

So, I actually guess that Cook was Laia's mom. There was something about Cook that just made me think she was once a leader. I actually discussed this theory with Janett before Reaper came out!

I am ALL IN on a Laia/Helene power duo. ALL IN.

I was actually more invested in Elias's story than Laia's this book, for some reason. Watching him struggle with who he is and what he had to become was heart wrenching to me. I got annoyed with Laia's hyper-focus on stopping the Nightbringer.

[Janett]

Joy wrote: "So, I actually guess that Cook was Laia's mom. There was something about Cook that just made me think she was once a leader. I actually discussed this theory with Janett before Reaper came out!

I am ALL IN on a Laia/Helene power duo. ALL IN.

I was actually more invested in Elias's story than Laia's this book, for some reason. Watching him struggle with who he is and what he had to become was heart wrenching to me. I got annoyed with Laia's hyper-focus on stopping the Nightbringer. "

I loved our discussions on this book, Joy! I can't wait to see how many of our theories will come true!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspectives on this! 💗

And I'm ALL IN as well on a Laia and Helene girl power duo! YES!!!

Thank you, MaryGrace, Lord, Teresa, April and dancingdragon for your contributions as well ❤

Hope we get to do this again for the finale!

❤ Janett

[Grace Bolling]

Hi, everybody! I'm new to the group and I finished reading this book back in October while on a bus trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon. I finished the book on the trip back home and was almost in tears. I came across this series shortly after graduating high school and I will go to my grave sharing it. Some of the greatest fantasy storytelling I have ever come across, and some of the most fantastic writing I have ever seen. Sabaa Tahir is a master.

One of the most empowering things of this book for me was actually Laia's character development, and it's showcased especially in her fight with Darin halfway through the book, which is my favorite part. As angry and harsh as Laia gets in it, she gets the breaking point she's been so long overdue for, and it's extremely empowering:
1. She openly acknowledges her sufferings without feeling sorry for herself, and thus presents them as hardships she's overcome instead of things she brought on herself.
2. She refuses to be swayed and gaslighted about what she's capable of.
3. She takes responsibility in her fighting and leadership and has a full, grounded purpose to devote herself to after so much hopelessness.

And most importantly,
4. She stops blaming herself for the deaths of her grandparents.

And yet despite this new, emboldened version of her, she retains the mercy and grace that she's always harbored, and it becomes a major source of healing for all of those around her and dwindling in hope. I wholeheartedly can't wait for the final book, hopefully it'll be out in April if the rumors are true.

[Janett]

Grace Bolling wrote: "Hi, everybody! I'm new to the group and I finished reading this book back in October while on a bus trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon. I finished the book on the trip back home and was almost in tears...."

Hi Grace!

Im glad you enjoyed this book. It was definitely intense and left us all on the edge!

I appreciate your take on Laia's character development. I agree that by the end of the book she finally discovered her purpose and direction. There was plenty of emotional baggage she was carrying throughout the book, mainly her obsession linked to the Nightbringer's betrayal.

I'm hoping for a more focused and intense Laia in book #4! I think she will be completely badass.