Nocturna by Maya Motayne -> Restarting March 4th, 2022

[Dr. Andy]

Set in a Latinx-inspired world, a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed.

To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her…and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.

As a talented faceshifter, it’s been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that’s exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she’s forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan’s royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.

After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can’t help but feel that he will never live up to his brother’s legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.

But when Finn and Alfie’s fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power—which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan’s fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts.

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 9 (view spoiler)[ So far I'm interested in this. I don't know who's side I'm on more of yet: Finn or Alfie. I don't know if Desmond really is alive, it seems possible but not probable. Though I was wondering if it was all an elaborate setup so Desmond could run away from his life. Also I think Finn overheard someone pouring poison into Alfie's liquor supply. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 20 (view spoiler)[ Okay totally digging Finn and Alfie's partnership now. Even if it's a begrudging partnership. I love the magic system in this and learning more about everyone's magic. I wonder if Finn and Alfie could be related some way because of how rare their gifts seem to be? Idk something is bothering me about how Ignacio stole Finn and made her his "daughter". Also totally called the gray man in the cloak being Ignacio (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Ch. 31 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad they got Luca to help them. The prison break was pretty intense. I still feel like this whole plan to trap the god's magic isn't going to work. But i am enjoying it, i love the mythology and magic system of the world. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ Damn that ending was crazy!! I really enjoyed this. I hope to god that Desmond walks out of a void with the dark gods magic and causes the hugest fucking shit show ever. I WILL LIVE FOR THAT (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

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RESTARTING MARCH 4TH, 2022


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[Ellen-Arwen]

Just reminding myself where the thread is and checking in ;)

[Ellen-Arwen]

Chapters 1-5 (from very late last night when my internet went down)

(view spoiler)[
I remember finding the writing kind of clunky the first time I read it, but I'm not finding that now :) Maybe I'm just in a less critical mood or something ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Like most rereads, I'd basically forgotten what had happened, so - yay new book! Loved the card game - I don't think they play it again, but I can imagine that being really well adapted in a film.

Got a bit confused between people's propio's and what their elemental magic is - I'm probably just tired. I wanted to read more today but uni is neverending :(
(hide spoiler)]

Chap 5-14 Was hoping to get more reading time today :(

(view spoiler)[ Things get going reeeeeally fast in this book (this applies to yesterday's chapters as well) which I'm enjoying because, as much as I love detailed world-building, I'm in the mood for an easy read.

I really hope Luka doesn't do anything stupid out of his anger for Alfie... I think their relationship is portrayed really well.

Now that Finn has the invisibility cape but she's not planning to hand it over - does that mean she'll still be without her propio? I can't remember...

I can't remember if this goes enemies-to-lovers but I kind of hope it doesn't because I'm just enjoying the snark! Also loving the Latinx background and descriptions of the city. The writing is fairly simplistic, but effective.

Also, I LOVE the description of magic from Alfie's PoV - it's really beautiful, and refreshing to see a different magic system (a lot of fantasy books seem to riff off each other). (hide spoiler)]

Now, I would love to be reading more but I have to be up super early tomorrow :( This is the kind of book that is best read in one or two sittings I think - if I had the time.

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[I think this is the first time I've listened to the book and I'm really enjoying it so far. love the magic so far like the changing features of yourself. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Blegh. Don't put me down for the parasites. Anyone else can have that. Thank you, next. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[This makes me think of Ron carrying the horcrux necklace. Like when she told him to take the necklace off. Definitely gave me HP vibes. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[Okay, invisible cloak?!?! TOTAL HP VIBES. I love it and need the sequel right now. (hide spoiler)]

[Ellen-Arwen]

Oops, I forgot to add the rest of my comments - doh! Here goes:

Chap 14- 20

(view spoiler)[ loved learning more about Finns's past with Ignacio - super duper creepy though! I think I'm noticing more symbols this read through but I'm not sure what they're pointing towards... (hide spoiler)]

Chap 21-30
(view spoiler)[ I so agree Alaina, I had total HP vibes! Horcruxes and cloaks of invisibility! But it's also completely original and VERY different from HP which I'm grateful for. I could really see Alfie's life draining from him, really visually written, I was very 'in' the story. (hide spoiler)]

Chap 31- end
(view spoiler)[ As ever, I'd forgotten how this ended lol. I think I must have early Auzheimer's or something...
Looking forward to the next book - but with rather a lot of trepidation! I feel like Alfie is going to crucify over the people hurt by the dark magic and he's so lovely and sweet that it's no fun seeing him in pain. And Finn has gone off... I'm sure they'll meet at some point during the book but I hope it doesn't go on with them alone for too long! Finn can pretty much get by by herself but Alfie can't. I'm also really pleased how Luka has come around.

Ah - just noticed more HP vibes: golden trio made of The Chosen One (Alfie), Sidekick (Luka) and The Token Girl lol (Finn). She's much more than token - but she isn't the smart one in the same way as Hermione so I wasn't sure what to say lol.
(hide spoiler)]

Hopefully I'll have time to start Occulta today *fingers crossed* (stupid work)