Series: Worldbreaker Saga by Kameron Hurley ("The Mirror Empire")

[Silvana]

Basically I am making this thread so I'll remember to post in it. I won't be having internet connection from Nov 4-11. So, see you, Sarah and anyone who wants to join too!

[Meagan]

I will be joining! i have been meaning to try this series forever. I read her some of her other books, God's War, The Light Brigade and her short story collection this year and I am hooked. I love her writing style and the way she explores war, women (particularly angry women) and gender roles. plus her worlds are always so unique. can't wait!

[Silvana]

This will be a reread for me, I love how fluid the genders are in it.

[Jordan]

I'll join this one. I loved Light Brigade and have this one sitting on my Kindle, so a BR will motivate me to finally read it. :)

[Silvana]

I find this one (an epic fantasy) is much more complicated than her usual SF stories. Maybe that's why it takes a long time to finish it. Anyway, the last book has been confirmed for next year so I am happy.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I’m excited for this! I’ve been waiting since the buddy read was scheduled. This will be my first time reading Kameron Hurley- but the premise (from what I remember, I don’t plan to re-read before starting) was brilliant.

[Meagan]

the premise does sound amazing! I was initially put off by the lower rating. but since reading her other work I have faith that I will really enjoy this. I'm excited to see what you think, Sarah, since this will be your first Hurley.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

To be honest, I was put off a little by the low rating as well, but I have a tendency to enjoy those things not everyone else appreciates as much. They turn out to be some of my favorite books sometimes.

[Meagan]

I plan to start this tomorrow. I am finishing up my reread of The Fifth Season. I can't wait!

[Silvana]

Nobody started yet? Just got back from vacation and apparently I did not even finish one book. Plan to start this one tomorrow.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Silvana I’ll start with you tomorrow. I was hoping to grab a library copy, but of course I waited too long to grab it and now it’s on hold. I think I’ll just suck it up and purchase the ebook. It’s still only $2.99.

[Meagan]

I am at 20% now. I am really liking the world and magic system. just waiting for some action to happen.

[Joelle.P.S]

I read this 1 for an IRL bookclub about 18 months ago but am rereading now, hoping to launch myself into the rest of the trilogy. :-)
I'm at 24% now.

[Silvana]

@Meagan: I too love the magic system, (view spoiler)[with the satellites powered magic people. Kind of reminded me of Sailor Moon haha (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

Some interesting stuff in this book (only open after you finish 10%)
(view spoiler)[
Five genders
Consensual physical contacts
Living buildings (she did it again in her space opera The Stars are Legion)
A main character with disability
It is a portal fantasy (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

Yes! the magic system is so cool (view spoiler)[ the sailor moon comparison is spot on! (hide spoiler)] we haven't seen much of the magic yet so I am waiting to see what can really be done. And all the talk of (view spoiler)[ omajistas and how powerful they are really has me anticipating when Oma finally fully ascends (hide spoiler)].

@Silvana (view spoiler)[ I am in love with the consent before physical contact <3 and the alternative family structures and all the rep. the fact that this is a portal fantasy hasn't even crossed my mind! I also really like the setting with things like bone trees and predatory plants. so many cool ideas in this one! (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting to learn that Hurely like all things squishy and prefers tech infused with living things or living things acting as tech instead of actual/traditional tech, which makes everything so interesting.

[Meagan]

*tech and weapons

[Meagan]

I'm at the end of chapter 22.

(view spoiler)[i like Ahkio's character but I think all these rash decisions he is making will come back to bit him. I also think he is accusing the wrong Yisaoh of stabbing Roh and killing his sister. And I'm so sad Lilia just left Gian :'( I was starting to ship them (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "

@Silvana [spoiler..."

Have you read her Bel Dame Apocrypha books? Bug punk :D

[Silvana]

30% and boy that chapter 17 is a massive info dump

(view spoiler)[Even though it's a reread I still don't understand why the Tai Mora went into so much trouble with their mirrors and stuff, if they already controlled their world.

Were they afraid the escaped omajistas return and continue Nava's rebellion? Or simply just to conquer other worlds just because they could?

I felt like I am missing another motivation. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "I'm at the end of chapter 22.

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Ahkio was not experienced politician, I guess. He was awfully unprepared for the title. (hide spoiler)]

Love the fight scene with (view spoiler)[Kalinda. She's like this powerful airbender, cracking people bones and all with air. (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

@Silvana I read God's War and Apocalypse Nyx. I haven't read the rest of the series but I plan on finishing before the year is out. I love Nyx and that world is so amazing! With the bug bullets and engines and bug magic. it has to be one of my favorite worlds.

[Meagan]

I have 7 highlights (the most for one chapter so far) for chapter 17 lol. Which are all theories that I have. I'm usually wrong but it's fun to guess. I didn't even realize it was so infodump-y lol but I went back and reread and it definitely is a big info dump.

(view spoiler)[I guess it is logical for Ahkio to make such stupid decisions because he never trained to be Kai. it would be totally unbelievable if he stepped into the role and was just flawless. And what I got from the Tai Mora wanting to take over the world Lilia got sent to and going to the extent they did with their mirrors was that their world was dying (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

I am in the middle if chapter 25 (42%).

I am interested in seeing where Zezili and Lilia's characters go. I am also sooooooo interested in Anavha's character. Hopefully his character plays a bigger role later in the book. Maralah and the Patron's chapters are boring. (view spoiler)[ I am waiting for Lilia to come into her power and just become this powerful Omajista HOWEVER if that doesn't happen, I'm hoping she becomes this badass strategist. I can't believe Taigan pushed Lilia off the cliff! But I love Hurley's choices because while Lilia is falling I kept saying "this is when she is going to snap and come into her power" but kudos to Hurley for making the complete opposite choice and keeping it unpredictable. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "I have 7 highlights (the most for one chapter so far) for chapter 17 lol. Which are all theories that I have. I'm usually wrong but it's fun to guess. I didn't even realize it was so infodump-y lol..."

(view spoiler)[ah, I did not get the dying part. that makes sense indeed. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "@Silvana I read God's War and Apocalypse Nyx. I haven't read the rest of the series but I plan on finishing before the year is out. I love Nyx and that world is so amazing! With the bug bullets and..."

I also love the main characters in Bel Dame especially the interaction between Nyx and her team mates especially Rhys.

[Jordan]

Okay, finally getting actually started on this one. I read the prologue a while back and was kind of not sure about it, but now I should have some time to actually sit down and give it a chance.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I just finally started too (sorry for the delay!). The magic system is really cool! But- I am confused about (view spoiler)[what the satellites actually are? At first I thought they were moons, but then it mentioned moons separately. Are they stars? (hide spoiler)]

I'm only at 6% so far. I didn't realize this one was so long.

[Silvana]

Sarah wrote: "I just finally started too (sorry for the delay!). The magic system is really cool! But- I am confused about [spoilers removed]

I'm only at 6% so far. I didn't realize this one was so long."

Pretty sure they're moons since there are the ascending and descending parts....stars don't do that, I think.

[Meagan]

@Sarah (view spoiler)[ I thought they were moons too until there was distinction made between them and the moons. I have been just thinking of them as more irregular shaped satellites (kind of like asteroids) orbiting the planet. The characters have been referring to Oma as the "The Dark Star" so I've just been thinking of that as a star (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Silvana wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I just finally started too (sorry for the delay!). The magic system is really cool! But- I am confused about [spoilers removed]

I'm only at 6% so far. I didn't realize this one was s..."

Stars don’t rise, but sometimes they are only visible at certain times of year. It seems like the satellites maybe last longer than that (years at a time)... now I’m intrigued.

MeaganCM wrote: "@Sarah [spoilers removed]"
Interesting! I’ll have to think on this some more. (view spoiler)[Maybe they are technological some how? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

At 11%:

(view spoiler)[I wish I understood the titling system better. Oras are like priests/priestesses right? What is a Kai? Lead priest?

Also- I’m excited to see how people are coming out of the sky! (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

Sarah wrote: "At 11%:
!"

there's a glossary at the end :D

(view spoiler)[
Ora: magician/priest/teacher/advisor
Kai: leader of the Dhai (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

Kameron Hurley created a quiz to know which kind of jista you are.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/kameronhurle...

I am a (view spoiler)[tirajista! (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Silvana wrote: "Sarah wrote: "At 11%:
!"

there's a glossary at the end :D"

Thank you! I’m in an ebook so i wouldn’t have thought to look.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Silvana wrote: "Kameron Hurley created a quiz to know which kind of jista you are.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/kameronhurle...

I am a [spoilers removed]"

I got (view spoiler)[Omajista! (hide spoiler)] but I was playing as my fictional self. Lol

[Silvana]

Sarah wrote: "Silvana wrote: "Kameron Hurley created a quiz to know which kind of jista you are.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/kameronhurle...

I am a [spoilers removed]"

I got [s..."

Oh wow you're basically (view spoiler)[The Avatar, master of all elements (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

Silvana wrote: "Kameron Hurley created a quiz to know which kind of jista you are.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/kameronhurle...

I am a [spoilers removed]"

I got (view spoiler)[sinajista! lol but I wanted omajista :'( sadly I am not a worldbreaker. lol I love how we all got something different. (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

I am in chapter 34

I am wondering about Liaro and Ahkio (view spoiler)[It says they are cousins and lovers BUT with the way the family structure is (multiple fathers and mothers) they may not be related by blood, right? (hide spoiler)]

I love Anavha! I can't wait to see where his character goes

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "I am in chapter 34

I am wondering about Liaro and Ahkio [spoilers removed]

I love Anavha! I can't wait to see where his character goes"

I think so, yes.
(view spoiler)[
Then again, incest might not be something taboo in this world. (hide spoiler)]

I am at chapter 36. Things are getting more complicated. (view spoiler)[do you all think Zezili will do an about face? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33, (view spoiler)[it was a hair-raising one when Roh realized he saw assassins during the event.

Again, I liked how diverse the genders, sexes, gender expression, sexual orientations etc are in this book. (hide spoiler)]

[Meagan]

@Silvana (view spoiler)[ I am loving the gender exploration as well! I am just getting to the portion where Taigan has transitioned from male to female. It is extremely interesting and so refreshing! (hide spoiler)]

chapter 36
(view spoiler)[Yes! that scene with Roh seeing through the wards was so good! I am curious to see how Roh's power will develop. It is such a cool power to be able to see through wards. I do wish how the wards are made would be depicted more. I think that conversation Roh had with Dasai about the slave enduring until they can escape and not fighting and Roh's response...is so ominous (and little bit of foreshadowing). I think Roh is going to be slave.

Zezili is starting change and I hope she let's this momentum build and continue on this path of trying to destroy the mirror. I hope she doesn't just give up and go back to how things were. I imagine she can't now because her eyes have been opened.

it seems like now that we are traveling more around the world that the sentient plants are not as prevalent. I guess they are just concentrated more near the Dhai's home? I wish there was more of the sentient plants though (hide spoiler)]

What does everyone think of Lilia? (view spoiler)[ I like her character, but I wonder if she is going to become as powerful (or be as useful) as everyone thinks she will be. So far she has only been good at strategy. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

I'd also like to see more of the plants. Looking at the map, it still seems to be located in the same continent though the areas with the same latitude can have very different climate, e.g. Dhai with its temperate climate and Dorinah with its icy lakes.

Lilia was (view spoiler)[an interesting one, she clearly has the coming of age stuff going on, suffused with her own background and education and later all those ordeals. She is a tragic figure, she needs to learn how to control her powers and learn from her mistakes, but she is a survivor and thus makes her a great character to follow.

Her relationship with Taigan was a bit puzzling - she did not rage when they met after her fall (which was because of him!)

Looking forward to a dynamic between her and Zezili now (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

Finished!

My e-book copy was a bit deceiving since it says I still have forty minutes till the end but apparently it also includes the sample chapters, glossary and so on.

My rating stays the same, I really look forward to the last book coming out next January.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I’m still way behind you guys- I don’t know why this is so slow going for me.

21%
(view spoiler)[Is anyone else as grossed out as I am by some of this stuff? Washing your hair in your sisters blood? Eating her heart? Ick. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

Sarah wrote: "I’m still way behind you guys- I don’t know why this is so slow going for me.

21%
[spoilers removed]"

The book is dense, even in my reread it's is still challenging.

I...... might have been desensitized with those kinds of stuff....New Weird authors like Mieville, Vandermeer and Hurley, they taught me well :D

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I don’t know- I’ve read a lot of what VanderMeer’s written and it’s not that gory. I think the idea of (view spoiler)[cannibalism (hide spoiler)] really gets to me.

Totally off topic- but I’m also reading VanderMeer’s new one right now and omg is he taking New Weird to a whole new level of bizarre.

[Meagan]

@Sarah (view spoiler)[ I like when authors push the envelope and Hurley certainly does that in all her work. So I am not grossed. The only thing that grosses me out would be excessive descriptions of phlegm, vomit or mucus (which is discussed a lot in the book Beyond Redemption. I had to put that one down). (hide spoiler)]

@Silvana (view spoiler)[I am just getting to the part where Taigan and Lilia meet up at the camp. And I am shocked that Lilia is not even a little mad! Maybe she just doesn't feel like anger would do her any good because Taigan is so powerful???

Lilia is definitely a survivor and I love that despite people trying to use her she stuck to her own goals and followed her own path. but, oh boy, has she made some stupid decisions along the way. I hope she definitely learns from them. I really like her character though. She is a strong female character, though, not in the "traditional" way. I am totally looking forward to the dynamic between Zezili and Lilia. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 44

(view spoiler)[ I really want to see what happens to Roh now that Kadaan has "claimed" him. Will he be a slave or lover? Like why did Kaddan really save Roh? And that scene where Roh killed the Patron was so badass!
I wasn't really that interested in Roh's perspective before this scene.

I also just realized that the invaders have been playing a long game. They were so successful at infiltrating Dorinah (what with the empress agreeing to kill all the dhai slaves). I think the empress is a shadow and working with the other world. Then they are killing all the people in Saiduan and no one has put all the pieces together yet. I don't see how the people of Dhai/Dorinah/Saiduan of this world are going to win a war with the shadow invaders. (hide spoiler)]

[Silvana]

MeaganCM wrote: "..."

I seriously don't remember what happened in book 2, but it does seem very dire for them so far for now!

Sarah wrote: "I don’t know- I’ve read a lot of what VanderMeer’s written and it’s not that gory. I think the idea of [spoilers removed] really gets to me.

Totally off topic- but I’m also reading VanderMeer’s ne..."

You are right, Hurley tends to side with Mieville and not VanderMeer when it comes to gross, repellent, visceral stuff. Almost all her books have those aspects, especially The Stars Are Legion.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Silvana wrote: "MeaganCM wrote: "..."

I seriously don't remember what happened in book 2, but it does seem very dire for them so far for now!

Sarah wrote: "I don’t know- I’ve read a lot of what VanderMeer’s wri..."

Are you going to reread book 2 also? If I like this one, I think I’ll keep going with the series and just finish it out.

[Silvana]

Yes I plan to do that, mayyyybe in December in between all the BRs.