The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos --> Starting June 5th 2020

[Aly]

Living in a small town where magic is frowned upon, Sam needs his friends James and Delia—and their time together in their school's magic club—to see him through to graduation.

But as soon as senior year starts, little cracks in their group begin to show. Sam may or may not be in love with James. Delia is growing more frustrated with their amateur magic club. And James reveals that he got mixed up with some sketchy magickers over the summer, putting a target on all their backs.

With so many fault lines threatening to derail his hopes for the year, Sam is forced to face the fact that the very love of magic that brought his group together is now tearing them apart—and there are some problems that no amount of magic can fix.

[HeatherH]

Through ch 5

(view spoiler)[ I'm liking this so far but definitely wish we had more exploration/explanation of the actual magic in this world. I like that there is already some tension in the group of friends - and I'm listening to the audio so I may have missed it, but did it ever say exactly what happened at the bowling alley? The group at the co-op definitely feels very cult-ish so I hope Liv gets out of there.

Really hoping for a blossoming romance with Denver and Sam. I don't want some weird blow up of Sam and James friendship because feelings came in between them. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch3. Anyone else surprised by the odd timing of the new arrival and the idea of some mystery connected to the party mentioned?

[Karen]

HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5

I'm liking this so far but definitely wish we had more exploration/explanation of the actual magic in this world. I like that there is already some tension in the group of friends - ..."

Up to ch 6. (view spoiler)[ I don't think anyone has given us any detail about the bowling alley. It seems to me this is just to highlight the start of tension between the group. James does seem suspicious of Denver, but I agree some explanation of the world would be useful. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I'm still waiting for this to come in from the library. Hopefully soon!

[Karen]

Up to ch8. (view spoiler)[ Okay, the art stuff was seriously weird. What on earth is this place/magic stuff? Why are some seemingly immune? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch15. (view spoiler)[ Why is it only Sam who seems bothered by the shifting relationships? Why are they allowing themselves to get sucked into this weird stuff? How is nobody else noticing anything weird going on? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch21. (view spoiler)[ They’re fracturing and yet Sam still seems to think it’s his fault. Was suspecting this betrayal might have worse consequences, but I assume we haven’t see whatever the group are actually planning. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. Something of an odd read, where I felt I wanted to know more about the magic than the characters. Somewhat vague ending with regard to Delia.

[Harishma]

HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5

I'm liking this so far but definitely wish we had more exploration/explanation of the actual magic in this world. I like that there is already some tension in the group of friends - ..."

Through chap 5 ((view spoiler)[ I liked it so far and hoping for a Romance between Sam and Denver too. They haven't said anything about the bowling alley incident as of now. What do you think of Isaac's darker side... At the start he seemed like a good person when he didn't seem bothered by the fact that he had to pay extra for the rent of the guy who ran away... I agree that we need more information about the world and how that magic seems to exist... I love Sam's mom.. by the way! (hide spoiler)])

[HeatherH]

Ch 6-11

(view spoiler)[Slowly learning more about the co-op group and the situation Liv has found herself in. I do find her bits of storyline more interesting than the drama between James and Sam tbh. And I'm wondering what is going to play out with Delia after Grace saying they may have found an ally.. (hide spoiler)]

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

I'm curious as well. The magic here is just not as fleshed out as I had hoped.

[HeatherH]

Harishma wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5

(view spoiler)[ If you haven't yet made it to ch 10, we get some backstory on Isaac that explains a little bit more. Definitely intrigued by their group. I find the whole cult like feel to it super interesting.

Sam's family is awesome! I love how supportive they are of him both sexual orientation wise and of his magic! <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Harishma]

HeatherH wrote: "Harishma wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5

If you haven't yet made it to ch 10, we get some backstory on Isaac that explains a little bit more. Definitely intrigued by their group. I find the..."
Yeah they are awesome.. I'm not in chp 10 yet...

[HeatherH]

Ch 11-17

(view spoiler)[ So sounds like Liv got herself away from First Light and has now somehow found her way to QATL (can't recall if that is the right abbreviation..) and has met Sam. Delia is refusing to hear Sam's concerns and James has basically turned his back on his friends for the new girl. The Fascinators are definitely in a rough spot with everyone upset with someone else.. (hide spoiler)]

[Harishma]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch 6-11

[spoilers removed]"
Through ch10
(view spoiler)[ How did James send the book to the past? That was confusing. Poor Sam, they broke his car's window. (hide spoiler)]

[Harishma]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[ Yep, Sam points out that the canvas is empty, all of sudden the paintings come to life? (hide spoiler)]

[Harishma]

Aly wrote: "I'm still waiting for this to come in from the library. Hopefully soon!"
Yep hopefully soon! When will you get it?☺️

[HeatherH]

Harishma wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Ch 6-11

[spoilers removed]"
Through ch10
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah I was lost too. Another example of the magic not being explained well.

[HeatherH]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Something of an odd read, where I felt I wanted to know more about the magic than the characters. Somewhat vague ending with regard to Delia."

Finished as well. Left feeling very underwhelmed. Wish I understood the magic better and wish the characters had had a bit more chemistry.

[Harishma]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Something of an odd read, where I felt I wanted to know more about the magic than the characters. Somewhat vague ending with regard to Delia."

Finished..."
Me too (view spoiler)[ uhmm.. yeah what just happened? How did Sam end up with Denver.. I suspected what happened in the bowling alley for the very start of the book.. I think the author intended for magic to be a normal thing in the world.. where it's just frowned upon and with practice u could get better.. I just keep expecting more horror from people when it comes to magic.. the whole idea is great but like y'all said.. too many things were left out and it circles around the main characters... (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

This seems like quite a common reaction. It was not a bad read at all, but I think I’d expected something slightly more.

[Harishma]

Karen wrote: "This seems like quite a common reaction. It was not a bad read at all, but I think I’d expected something slightly more."

Me too.

[Aly]

I am listening now!
Prologue (view spoiler)[ I wonder what the girl at the beginning has to do with Sam and his friends? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5 (view spoiler)[ I'm liking this so far but definitely wish we had more exploration/explanation of the actual magic in this world. I like that there is already some tension in the group of friends - ... (hide spoiler)]"

Agreed! (view spoiler)[ a bit confused about magic and whether anyone can do it or what. I also think Sam and Denver could be cute together (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch3. Anyone else surprised by the odd timing of the new arrival and the idea of some mystery connected to the party mentioned?"

Yeah it is a might coincidence....

[Aly]

ch 6 (view spoiler)[ So James is kind of a terrible friend. He didn't tell them the whole truth about what happened over the summer and now he's dragged them into a robbery and it caused Sam's car to be damaged. And he ditched Sam after, and I don't think it was just because of his dad.

And he uses drugs and drinks and is suddenly all about Amber and didn't tell them. I also think he knows Sam has a crush on him and is exploiting that to get Sam to help him.

Ugh, I hope Sam bonds with Denver more. Clearly I dislike James lol (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Through ch 5

I'm liking this so far but definitely wish we had more exploration/explanation of the actual magic in this world. I like that there is already some tension in the gr..."

Yeah I agree, need more information

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch 6-11

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah I like Liv too. (view spoiler)[ the commune/cult is pretty interesting and I want to know more about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch8. [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I would like more explanation

[Aly]

ch 12 (view spoiler)[ I wish Sam would realize that James either doesn't like him at all (as a love interest) or at least isn't willing to say or do anything about it and he should move on. Denver seems like a cutie and maybe they could try dating. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch15. [spoilers removed]"

Exactly! (view spoiler)[ Delia seems too smart to get sucked into this cult, but James isn't noticing because he's wrapped up in Amber and drugs and whatever. Denver is too new to notice I think, but he seems genuine, at least I hope so (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Ch 11-17

[spoilers removed]"

Yep (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Live got out, but now Delia and James are in their own issues and Sam is left out. I think he should focus on himself, clearly his friends don't care about him (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 20 (view spoiler)[ Wow Delia, she hurt her own friends. I hope this is a wake up call because otherwise, she's lost.
I am glad Sam and Denver studied for the competition on their own and seemed to be having fun. Also, it's not Sam's fault that he didn't know about James' situation. James should have told his best friend, not pushed him away. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ The ending was kind of disappointing. The bad guys got away and Delia went with them and Sam just goes about his life. I did think James owed Sam an apology instead of just a half assed explanation.
I didn't care about the characters that much and the magic was poorly explained. I hoped this would be better (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Something of an odd read, where I felt I wanted to know more about the magic than the characters. Somewhat vague ending with regard to Delia."

Agreed. It was sort of like a half story

[Aly]

HeatherH wrote: "Karen wrote: "Finished. Review on home page. Something of an odd read, where I felt I wanted to know more about the magic than the characters. Somewhat vague ending with regard to Delia."

Finished..."

Yes, the character didn't have enough development for me to be very invested

[Aly]

Harishma wrote: "HeatherH wrote: "Ch 6-11

[spoilers removed]"
Through ch10
[spoilers removed]"

Yes so confusing!

[Harishma]

Aly wrote: "ch 20 Wow Delia, she hurt her own friends. I hope this is a wake up call because otherwise, she's lost.
I am glad Sam and Denver studied for the competition on their own and seemed to be having f..."
(view spoiler)[ Delia and James are the worst frnds ever... You know when Delia talked to Sam about how he never had to work for everything in his life.. I wanted to throttel her... But even after that Sam seemed to miss them... Quite sad if you ask me... (hide spoiler)]

[Harishma]

This is my first buddy read... It was great.. Thank you guys!😁

[Aly]

Yay I'm glad you like buddy reading

[Harishma]

Aly wrote: "Yay I'm glad you like buddy reading"

Me too☺️