Seven Realms Series by Cinda Williams Chima -> Restarting August 15th, 2021

[Alaina]

Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for his family. The only thing of value he has is something he can't sell—the thick silver cuffs he's worn since birth. They're clearly magicked—as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.

One day, Han and his clan friend, Dancer, confront three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea. Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to keep him from using it against them. Soon Han learns that the amulet has an evil history—it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago. With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana'Marianna, princess heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight. She's just returned to court after three years of freedom in the mountains—riding, hunting, and working the famous clan markets. Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea—the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But her mother has other plans for her...

The Seven Realms tremble when the lives of Hans and Raisa collide, fanning the flames of the smoldering war between clans and wizards.

[Jenn]

24%: (view spoiler)[ Honestly, not a whole lot happening right now. It's just been a lot of explanations. Han seems all right. I do feel bad for him and am gonna say I'm sure he's somehow related to the Demon King. And Then Raisa so far seems like any other princess who would rather be free than reign. Hopefully it picks up soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

50%: (view spoiler)[ Well now it's picking up. I don't trust the Queen at all. Han has kidnapped Raisa not knowing she's the princess so this should be fun seeing how they get out of this (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

75%: (view spoiler)[ I have a feeling her father is going to be killed. Also the Queen is in way too deep with the wizards. Raisa needs to be smarter about everything. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished:(view spoiler)[ holy crap that escalated quickly. The queen tried to get Raisa to marry Micah going against all their laws. Thank God her dad isn't dead. I really like him. Also totally called Han's ancestry. Seems like all hell is about to break lose in the next one. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.8 (28%)
I was ha omg some trouble connecting and getting into this atfirst but now I’m really enjoying it. I enjoyed Raisa’s perspective more than Han’s to start but now I’m starting to get a little more interested in Han’s as well. :-)

[Jenn]

26%: (view spoiler)[While the first book ended on such a high note, I'm finding the beginning of this one dragging. Both of the MC"s are just journeying through the countryside trying to get to their destinations and not a whole lot is happening but travel and more travel and more travel... (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

49%: (view spoiler)[ Ok well they are all at the school now. Still not a lot happening. Just training and going to school. This definitely feels like a filler book right now and I'm hoping that Han and Raisa interact more - even though I don't ship them. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

75%: (view spoiler)[ I do not trust this Crow person. I don't trust Fiona. Both Han and Raisa are acting like idiots. This book is just..gah. It's very frustrating and I'm not enjoying it as much as the first one still (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ well finally something happened but it waited until the very end. Raisa was taken by Micah only to get ambushed and escape on her own. So now she's riding north to home by herself. Amon is off looking for her and now Han is off as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 27TH, 2019

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[Keri]

Ch.10
(view spoiler)[ I really like Amon and am so much more a fan of Raisa with him than Micah. Micah is so cocky and doesn’t seem very nice, always used to getting what he wants.
I’m so curious about Han’s cuffs and what it is about him that we don’t know, and even he doesn’t know...I know there’s something... (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

@Keri Agreed. I really like Amon. Micah just needs to go away lol

[Keri]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[ Wow! This book really picked up, especially in the last half. I am so glad Raisa escaped before being forced to marry Micah! Lord Bayar is BAD NEWS. There is some serious foreshadowing going on with him and how the queen acts with him, etc. I love Raisa's dad though, I'm glad she has him. I can't wait to see where her story takes her now!
I can't believe Han is a distant descendant of The Demon King--so cool how that all played out and as soon as he was thinking it was for sure Dancer I knew it was him instead. I can't wait to see how all that plays out too. The next book is bound to be action packed!

Now that I'm done I'm really glad for the slow moving start because it was necessary to develop the characters and world so we really understand the connections and stories. Yet I STILL feel like we're just at the edge of this world, which is great! I'm excited to read the next one! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Jenn wrote: "Finished:[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I agree I was so worried Raisa's dad would get killed and was so relieved when he didn't!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Keri wrote: "
Finished!"

So glad that everyone seems to be on the same page regarding this book! The slow burn in the beginning really exploded midway through and just left so much open!

[Jenn]

27%: (view spoiler)[ Han finally found Raisa - or Rebecca as he knows her but she's not doing so hot. She's been shot with a poisoned arrow. Hopefully he gets her back to the clan before anything can happen. I cannot wait for this because I'm sure this is where all the secrets will come out! Also, they killed Amon's dad??? I really didn't see that coming and I feel so bad for him. His own Queen had turned against him and he was just trying to protect her and her daughter. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

49%:(view spoiler)[ Ugh this book is frustrating. Han is mad at Raisa for lying to him which I get, but at the same time, he refuses to hear her reasoning which is super important. Also, Raisa's little sister is a power hungry little girl with a crush. And am I the only one who thinks 13 is too young to be wed??? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

74%: (view spoiler)[ Raisa has taken back her throne but now the hard work begins. I don't trust her sister at all. Micah is interesting as I do believe he cares for her but is scared of standing up to his father and he also wants power. It will be interesting to see what becomes of him (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ All bow to Queen Raisa. She actually made it. I still don't trust Micah. I want to know who's killing these people and blaming Han. And now this King of Arden looks to be trouble. Poor Raisa. So much to deal with right after her coronation. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

23%: (view spoiler)[ Hmm the clan is keeping an eye on Han and has a plan if he veers from their ideals. I wonder what that could be. Also I do not want Micah as high wizard even though he would be better than his father. And who is killing the wizards? My guess is on Bayar. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

49%: (view spoiler)[ Well shit. this is why you don't keep secrets people! Also, I find it funny how quick everyone is to believe the Bayars when they've been trying to kill Raisa since the first book. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

75%: (view spoiler)[ Oh Micah you little snake. And Dancer better not be dead! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ Oooh Nightwalker was the killer?? What a slimeball. And go figure, Princess Mellony was a love sick fool. But I like how it ended. The war is far from over but at least the betrayal from inside is taken care of. The ending with Hanalea and Alger was a sweet touch (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Jenn wrote: "
26%: [spoilers removed]"

This is exactly how I felt!! I was debating continuing it started out so boring for me after it picked up so much at the end of the first one.

[Keri]

Jenn wrote: "
49%: [spoilers removed]"

LOL also how I’m feeling right now...this is where I’m at.

[Jenn]

Keri wrote: "Jenn wrote: "
49%: [spoilers removed]"

LOL also how I’m feeling right now...this is where I’m at."

Yeah the beginning of this one was tough. I think this is my least favorite out of the entire series. It just felt so long.

[Keri]

Ch.24
(view spoiler)[I’m really loving this now. Han and Raisa’s stories are connecting and it’s so interesting, plus each of their individual storylines is great!
Also, it breaks my heart for Raisa and Amon not being able to be together but being in love. So sad! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.28
(view spoiler)[Okay...I didn’t think I shipped Han and Raisa but I feel like I do now. I love their interactions and how they are with each other. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[I’m so happy I stuck with this-it got so much better as I read on and now I’m so excited to start the next book and find out how all these new problems and situations unfold!
There’s so much building up with Han about to most likely find out Rebecca is Raisa, still needing to know who Crow is, figuring out if Raisa can make it back before getting captured again and I’m sure so much more! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.6
Already loving this one for both sets of storyline. I have a good feeling that this is the one where I get 100% hooked!

[Keri]

Ch.24
(view spoiler)[I cannot stand Reid Nightwalker. He’s so egotists land overconfident. I just picture him as Gaston type. I hope Raisa co tongues to shit him down he’s so irritating. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.35
(view spoiler)[EVERYTHING is stressful. Omg. So many politics and plans going on. And I just want Reid Nihtwalker to jump off a cliff. Micah to move to another realm, as I despise him and his high opinion of himself only slightly less than Reid.
And Han and Raisa need to find a way to make it work. There must be a way. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[oh no, why do they assume Han killed those wizards?! I feel like it stinks of a setup tho who knows he is using the demon king symbol? Does Crow? Could he have gotten another wizard to take control over to further his plan and put Han where he wants him? I can’t wait to start the fourth and final book!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.23
(view spoiler)[wow I have grown to love this series!! I just can’t wait to read more each time I have to stop!
I’m so upset at how Han’s being framed for basically everything...and glad Raisa is fighting against believing it but it just keeps looking worse.
I laughed out loud when Han became high wizard at Griffin’s comments and how awesome that whole part was!!
I wish Raisa wasn’t so stupid to even be around Reid aka Creep Nightwalker. I really can’t stand him, or Micah and think she needs to reevaluate her options. Han is her only good judgement.
I loved how they used Fire Dancer and Willow’s connection to Bayar to bring him down a few pegs that was great. Sad that he’s that despicable to do that to Willow but at least they got to bring it to others attention what a horrible person and hypocrite he is. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch. 34
(view spoiler)[So many irritating characters here. I still can’t stand stupid Reid ‘I think I’m the best and all women want me’ Nightwalker. He’s such a creep and really like a bad guy in thebgood guy group. Raisa better not marry him or this will be ruined. Sorry Daddy demonai, Raisa is(hopefully) smarter than you. (hide spoiler)]

[Keri]

Ch.50
OMG I’m so close to the end! So stressed and also super sad it’s going to end soon ;-(

[Keri]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
That was so perfect. Raisa and Han together for real and married! My heart is smiling. And I was right all along!!! Reid Nightwalker WAS a bad guy!! Even worse than I thought. Glad he finally got what’s coming to him. Man this book was good. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JANUARY 1ST 2021

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[Celia]

20% (view spoiler)[It's starting off really interesting. I like that the past events are common knowledge in the story and are not explained until a little bit through the first part, which gives you enough to wonder about in terms of the story.

I don't trust Micah though, and I don't think Raisa should either. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[This is really impressive, like a mix of Harry Potter and Aladdin that somehow works perfectly.

I'm still not sure what happened at the temple, although it kind of makes sense if Han wanted to slip away unnoticed. It does seem like an odd plot point to have, though, for Han to kidnap Raisa, and it doesn't really fit with the image of either character. Even so, it gives the story a very interesting jump-start. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[Really glad I'm getting into this as a recommendation and gift from a friend. I love the way this series starts off, and that we don't have MC instalove along the way, but instead teenagers exploring relationships, as they should at that age.

It's still hard to tell if Han and Raisa are going to end up together, and I don't know if I want them to.

I'm also interested in what's going on with Micah and what Marianna's plans are. Does she want them to end up together, or maybe Raisa with Lord Bayar? It's all so intriguing. (hide spoiler)]

90% (view spoiler)[I had a feeling things were going this way. I do wonder what Gavan has planned, and whether he is the true villain of the story. Definitely grateful to have the sequel at hand and ready to go. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED: (view spoiler)[Okay, I had a feeling the wizardry stuff and the amulet had something to do with Han. I'm excited to see where this goes, as well as what the queen knows or doesn't know. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

I have my book next to me so I'll start re-reading the first book soon :) I forgot everything but I'm curious to see if memories will come back once I start reading.

[D.G.]

Kelly wrote: "I have my book next to me so I'll start re-reading the first book soon :) I forgot everything but I'm curious to see if memories will come back once I start reading."

I remember some things but not many details! I'm getting it from the library but I'm in a team challenge that still has 5 weeks and not sure this will fit any of the tasks. But if you're starting it soon, I'll start it as well so we can follow at similar pace.

[Celia]

I'll probably take a break after I finish so if you guys want to start later in the month instead I can keep the thread going. I might wait until I get back to school anyway so I can borrow the last two books from my roommate instead of having to buy them right away.

[D.G.]

I'll probably start it by mid month!!

Good news is that my library has all the audios!! There's a wait list for the second book so I'll likely get it in by Feb or so but I'm downloading the rest now so I'll have more flexibility moving forward.

[Kelly]

I finally started the first book! Sorry it's taking me so long. I haven't made much progress but I'll try to read some of it tomorrow :)

[Kelly]

D.G. wrote: "I'll probably start it by mid month!!

Good news is that my library has all the audios!! There's a wait list for the second book so I'll likely get it in by Feb or so but I'm downloading the rest n..."

Are you going to start soon D.G ? I've been prioritizing other brs but this one is at the top of the list now

[D.G.]

Yes, I'm about to start!! I'm in a team challenge in another group and none of the tasks fit this book until this week!!

The bad news is that I didn't realize the hold for book 2 came in and I missed it, so who knows when that one will come again...sigh...

[Celia]

I'll be starting in early Feb.

[D.G.]

Celia Buell wrote: "I'll be starting in early Feb."

Hopefully I won't have to wait too long...

[D.G.]

20% (view spoiler)[ I like how the set up for the story is explained throughout those first few chapters - also how we hear the POV from different folks, after 1000 years, it makes sense that everybody sees things differently! Although Micah is set up to be the bad guy already (I mean, that encounter with Han and Dancer that set up the whole story!) I sort of understood his POV when he was questioning what had happened.

Like how hormones are getting in the way of the relationships so far!! Han & Bird, Raisa and Micah, Raisa & Amon, etc. It's eyerolling in YA when the girls never look at another guy until they meet their "one true love" (barfs). Like that's the way it happens!! (hide spoiler)]

I'm listening in audio and I'm not sure exactly what's going on with the accents. Some characters seem to have a bit of a British influence - Raisa, Dancer - but not sure why because they're from two different areas. Is it because Raisa was fostered in the clans? If somebody is also listening and can clue me in, please do! :)