The Bands of Mourning (November 2020) Buddy Read Discussion ~ Raviteja, Selina, Mina

[Althea ☾]

Welcome to the The Bands of Mourning Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on November 23rd and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Nov 23: Prologue- Chapter 2
Nov 24: Chapter 3-6
Nov 25: Chapter 7-9
Nov 26: Chapter 10-12
Nov 27: Chapter 13-15
Nov 28: Chapter 16-18
Nov 29: Chapter 19-21
Nov 30: Chapter 22-24
Dec 1: Chapter 25-27
Dec 2: Chapter 27-30


PARTICIPANTS
~ Raviteja
~ Selina
~ Mina

[Raviteja]

I got started on this today.

Prologue
(view spoiler)[
The prologue is yet another episode from Wax's past. Not sure of its significance in the plot yet. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[
Damn. I knew that Wayne didnt like Steris for Wax, but I never thought he would go to these lengths to stop their marriage.

On another note, Wax shows signs of PTSD. He hasn't made his terms with Harmony yet. Marasi is getting a mission (yay!)
(hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Prologue (view spoiler)[ I like how in every book we jump in into a part of Wax's past. And in every book it's the past is older, I wonder if that matters? 🤔 (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 and 2 (view spoiler)[ I wasn't that into the idea of Steris and Wax marrying in the last book, I mean I know it's a marriage out of convenience but eh. Now, I'm okay with it and it's sad that Wayne was a dick and ruined it. But on the other hand if he really knows Wax he knows he's not ready to marry.

In book 1 I liked the thought of Wax and Marasi even though there was a biger age difference 😬 However book 2 cured me of that, and here it just seems weird that Wayne is wishing for them to get together, I guess W and M didn't have that kind of interaction in book 2 for me to be "you should end up together". (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I like how we are meeting new kandra. VenDell is funny in a dramatic, not caring much way.
* 😃 The kandras getting excited about moving pictures. I think they'll love documentaries when the time comes 😂😂
* 😂😂😂 VenDell has Breeze's hands (hide spoiler)]

[luna ☾]

Started!

on the prologue: Like you guys, I have no theories on this one's significance yet 🤔

on the wedding lol: (view spoiler)[I thought there was gonna be a whole damn shootout at their wedding and the water was just a ploy to get them all out of sorts, meanwhile.... 😅

but on that note, I really appreciate Steris' character. I was so indifferent to her in the first book and in the previous one, she just made me smile so much with her Steris-ness, and I think her being there for Wax in the last bits of book 2 really endeared her to me. I think she's good for Wax in the long run.

I never really got fully onboard the Marasi/Wax train. I thought it would be cute for a little while, but ultimately I guess I didn't care very much since I wasn't even at all upset about him letting her down. So I'd be interested to see how Wax and Steris end up sorting it out... or if they even will. And how Wayne reacts to it lmao (hide spoiler)]

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Prologue [spoilers removed]


selina ☾ wrote: "Started!

on the prologue: Like you guys, I have no theories on this one's significance yet 🤔


I never expected Wayne to go take such drastic measures. There still is a lot of story to go, so we will find more soon.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Yeah, his distaste of Steris is bigger than I thought, and I think that that part isn't done that good, because except the way he speaks to her, which I didn't find too mean towards her, doesn't show me how much he doesn't like her.. the water wedding on the other hand...

[Raviteja]

I find this book to be very smooth and well paced. I didnt realize that I finished chapter 6 and I was continuing beyond.

Chapter 6:
(view spoiler)[
Now I am more convinced that Wax and Steris are a good pairing. They may be very different people, but they both are quite passionate. In a certain way, they complement each other well.

We are getting into some action XD (hide spoiler)]

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Yeah, his distaste of Steris is bigger than I thought, and I think that that part isn't done that good, because except the way he speaks to her, which I didn't find too mean towards her, doesn't sh..."

Yup. I agree, it is not convincing enough. Steris has done no such thing to offend wayne, so all there should be is a general dislike.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Chapter 4 Wayne being suspicious of butlers 😂
Chapter 5 Steris and her book 😂
Chapter 6 They were adorable, how they were competing who will find more mistakes in the house finances.

I read chapter 7&8. It's really western :D

[luna ☾]

I honestly think Wayne did that NOT because he hated steris but more because he has his own perception of who suits Wax better. Cause Steris really did nothing to him.

I think in his own way, he thinks he's doing the best he can do for Wax and he thinks what's best for Wax is to be with someone like Marasi rather than be stuck in a marriage of convenience with someone like Steris (which is not fair cause I don't really think anyone bothers to look deeper when it comes to Steris EXCEPT Wax). I guess, with how he thinks of Steris, he doesn't think she can make his friend happy :( Which, if he does feel that way, bless him. He's only trying to be a good friend.

That said, the train scene between Wax and Steris was so funny 🤣 Like I would find that fun as well so it made me laugh even more but I love how Wax is trying lmao and how indulgent he is of Steris' quirks.

[luna ☾]

Also, I forgot to mention that Wayne and Kandras interacting is the funniest thing. "A Bunny". 🤣

[Raviteja]

Chapter 9:
(view spoiler)[Wax and Steris are cute. I like that we are getting to see the other side of her. At this point, I think Wayne is so wrong!

Also, Wayne and MeLaan 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Wayne and MeLaan 😂😂 I love it.

*I need to read Allomancer Jak novella

Ch11 Hoid makes an appearance :D
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 He left him a rat

* I like how Wayne calls Marasi Mara

Ch14 (view spoiler)[I like Wax-Steris duo, they work together so well. (hide spoiler)]

*What are your thoughts on the news clippings? I guess it's interesting, because it makes the world more real if they have newspapers, but personally I'm not liking it.

I finished part 2 of the book, and I think of maybe finishing it tomorrow or on Friday because I have some other BRs starting.. and lets be honest, this flies by fast 😂

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Wayne and MeLaan 😂😂 I love it.

*I need to read Allomancer Jak novella

Ch11 Hoid makes an appearance :D
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 He left him a rat

* I like how Wayne calls Marasi Mara

Ch14 [spoilers removed]

*..."

Hoid as a beggar is one of the very common appearences..
(view spoiler)[ The coin he tossed him though.. no one knows that his plan is (hide spoiler)]

That rat's tail he left in the bank 😂
Wayne calling her that way is cute.. their friendship feels a little close that way.

The newspaper clippings consist of one Allomancer Jack article, a couple of advertisements and one article that has some relation to the story that is currently going. I like them (and I read them too). Given that they are in the industrial revolution age, newspapers should be common.

I just finished chapter 12 and thinking if I should go ahead. It sure is flying fast :D

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

You should go ahead. The schedule is only a suggestion and.. I'm not following it 😅 and neither is Selina. If you have time to read more than what we said we'll do a day go for it.

[Raviteja]

haha. I am trying to balance a couple of other books, so the reading schedule is actually helping. Having said that, I plan to finish this before november end, so that december would be a fresh start. will go for few more chapters for the next three dayss and wrap it up.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I'll juggle more books tomorrow when one of my BRs starts, so I would like to finish this today, or come really close to it. I stated Crown of Midnight earlier, I didn't get much in only 2 chapters but I would like to read that and the new book only.

[Raviteja]

Please do post your thoughts once you are done. I will come back and visit it after I complete the book.

I am following the Crown of Midnight discussion but no one has said a thing 🤐

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I will post things. I'm writing them down as I listen to the book. And I can say I'm excited for the things that are too come :D

Yeah, I still haven't started CoM, well minus the 2 chapters which is weak to be considered as "started" but after Bands of Mourning if I still feel like reading I'm gonna do some reading. I'll definitely comment, Dolinka that was supposed to read with me can't read it now, so maybe Selina will jump in you are very welcome to discuss :D

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[:D I like how Wax and Wayne have names for things 😅 I don't know how to name their Spoiled Tomato and Duck Under the Clouds.
Oh, no Spoiled Tomato is painful. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ :O Is the ship from the north or wherever Trell's believes are from?
Wax hasn't seen his sister in many, many years so is she really held against her will OR is she maybe the mastermind/in on it? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19 We have a foreigner! :D I'm really intrigued about the other people and that part of the world. And now it kinda feels too late to introduce a new place to the story. I mean yes, there's going to be a at least one more book, but it's too short.

Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[ Okay, this new introduction is super cool. Tell me more! Also, is Marasi getting a love interest? I mean it's not like everyone needs to be paired up with someone.. but :D that could be fun (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 (view spoiler)[😂😂 Omg, Allik being sarcastic with Wax (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[ I'm getting really good at calling things 😂 Telsin is a mole! (hide spoiler)]

Epilogue (view spoiler)[ What? was that? What? (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Now that I'm done I'm looking things up, and for one I need to understand what worlds exist in the Cosmere. But the thing I saw and wanted to share was that Sanderson plans to start the next book in January, and it'll probably be published spring-summer 2022 😢 so much to wait

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Chapter 17 :D

Chapter 18 :O Is the shi..."

haha. I will finish this over the weekend and check these out.

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Now that I'm done I'm looking things up, and for one I need to understand what worlds exist in the Cosmere. But the thing I saw and wanted to share was that Sanderson plans to start the next book i..."

There is Roshar (Stormlight Archive), Sel (Elantris), Nalthis (Warbreaker) apart from Scadrial (Mistborn). I think the White Sand series of comics are also in Cosmere, but I didnt get around to check that out.

Yup. its another year and half of wait.. The positive thing with Sanderson is that he will give us the book by then and that makes a part of me quite happy!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Raviteja wrote: "mina wrote: "Now that I'm done I'm looking things up, and for one I need to understand what worlds exist in the Cosmere. But the thing I saw and wanted to share was that Sanderson plans to start th..."

Thanks for the fast world explanation :D I think I saw that too, that White Sand is part of Cosmere.

Not only will he give us that book, but he'll probably give us 2-3 books in between 😂

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Chapter 17 :D

Chapter 18 :O Is the shi..."

Chapter 17: The operation names are quite fun I say. Particularly spoiled tomato. In a sense, Wax and Wayne are cute when they are in action together :D

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[ That is my guess. I like the exploration of lands beyond Elendel and New Seran, particularly the foreign countries. I think those coins are from there. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ I do not think so.. Remember that Sanderson is planning Era 3 of Mistborn and he might be able to use it there as well (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[ Are we getting a newer form of allomancy? This is quite exciting I say.. Sanderson know how to take things up another level. He sure looks like a love interest for Marasi.. But we will know more (hide spoiler)]

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Yes, there is going to be an Era 3, but I saw that it's going to take place in future of Era 2.. so I don't know how it will work for what I want 😂

Also, Selina finished the book so you don't need to put spoiler tags.. she just hadn't had the time to post in the thread.

[Raviteja]

haha. We saw how Sanderson brought the idea of Twinborns from how it ended in Book 3. Given that Era 3 is in the future from era 2, stuff like these will create much better magical enhancements. But yeah, Sanderson might go in a completely different direction than what we think 🤷‍♂️

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

I actually have no idea what he'll come up. When I think future my mind gives me a space picture.. and nah, that is not where I would like E3 to go 😂

[Raviteja]

He already wrote skyward for that :P

There is a long time for Era 3 to come (between Stormlight 5 and 6) which would put it around 2024-2025. We can only speculate. I am eagerly waiting for December 19 to come - when Sanderson will post his "State of the Sanderson" for this year and give us updates.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

😂 exactly. For future space we have skyward, don't need another out of that series.

There's a Sanderson update thingy? that's cool. I never follow authors 😅 so I don't know stuff

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "😂 exactly. For future space we have skyward, don't need another out of that series.

There's a Sanderson update thingy? that's cool. I never follow authors 😅 so I don't know stuff"

Yup. He gives a yearly update on all his projects, beyond his regular updates on fb/twitter/reddit. That is one thing where I respect him a lot.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Yeah, that's amazing. I love it. You can see he appreciates his readers enough to let them know how things stand.

[luna ☾]

Ahhhhh! I am here! I'm trying to get all my ducks in order lmao. I've been stuck in disasters since thursday so I finished the book and couldn't post.

But thank you for that crash course on the cosmere world @ravi! I'm gonna be starting warbreaker maybe next week if work doesn't need my full brain power. I'm actually considering reading his books in publication order too just so i have the same experience as his long time readers but that's making me feel a bit stressed. I'm definitely gonna be looking out for his yearly newsletter though. I need some good news.

I might be crazy but i want to be caught up with the cosmere universe by the time he releases the next book in it... please slap me if that sounds totally impossible. I don't even know when he'll be publishing the next cosmere book. It could be january and I'd just be shooting myself in the foot

[luna ☾]

Raviteja wrote: "haha. We saw how Sanderson brought the idea of Twinborns from how it ended in Book 3. Given that Era 3 is in the future from era 2, stuff like these will create much better magical enhancements. Bu..."

Wow now that I think of it, Era 3 of Mistborn could look a lot like how modern day looks like. They're currently already in like the 1900s in terms of technological advances.

[Raviteja]

selina ☾ wrote: "Ahhhhh! I am here! I'm trying to get all my ducks in order lmao. I've been stuck in disasters since thursday so I finished the book and couldn't post.

But thank you for that crash course on the co..."

I read warbreaker this year and it was amazing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. It is good to read the books in the publication order.. while some of them are unrelated, there are easter eggs that you would realize only if you go in order - which is one place that I messed up. While Elantris and Warbreaker can be read in any order, do read these two before you read The Stormlight Archive.

As for your plan to catch up with Cosmere, it is quite achievable. Rhythm of War came this month, and the next cosmere book will be the next book of Mistborn. You have atleast one good year before it comes out, so you can do it 👍🏻

[Raviteja]

selina ☾ wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "haha. We saw how Sanderson brought the idea of Twinborns from how it ended in Book 3. Given that Era 3 is in the future from era 2, stuff like these will create much better magical..."

Era 3 of Mistborn would resemble the present day or may be a little futuristic. We wont know unless Sanderson spills some beans on it :D

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Chapter 17 :D I like how Wax and Wayne have names for things 😅 I don't know how to name their Spoiled Tomato and Duck Under the Clouds.
Oh, no Spoiled Tomato is painful.

Chapter 18 :O Is the shi..."
I wanted to finish my other November books by month end, and this got delayed.

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[
Telsin being the mole was predictable. There was one instance where you can clearly see it.
When the group saw Edwarn's team from the ship (in air) near the temple for the first time, Telsin tries/wants to shoot Edwarn at that point - when Wax himself was not sure if he can take that shot. Given that she was a bad shooter than wax, it only implied that she wanted to alert Edwarn's team of their location. I had decided that Telsin was a mole then and was waiting for it to come out

Like Marasi says, Wax has a big hole with his judgement when it comes to family. (hide spoiler)]

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Chapter 17 :D I like how Wax and Wayne have names for things 😅 I don't know how to name their Spoiled Tomato and Duck Under the Clouds.
Oh, no Spoiled Tomato is painful.

Chapter 18 :O Is the shi..."

I just finished that epilogue. It is a coppermind but I am not sure whose memories and how Hoid came into its posession. Like Brandon said, we need to read Secret History.

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Yes definitelly. But you got no ideas who it could be? :O Because I did. The hand had scars, a lot of them. And we are having a lot of "seeing characters from era 1"

For a second I was confused because I thought it was something that was happening like in Wax's time, but it was a memory and apparently an old one.. because otherwise I'm super confused.

[Raviteja]

mina wrote: "Yes definitelly. But you got no ideas who it could be? :O Because I did. The hand had scars, a lot of them. And we are having a lot of "seeing characters from era 1"

For a second I was confused be..."

I had an idea. And since Brandon said the clues are in Secret History, I am very sure who it is :D

The only thing I need to know is how that person ended up with a Hemalurgic spike in the eye!

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Lemme start with this.. I forget a loooot of things so the spike part poof

I'm curious how he ended there, because that was Allik's country, yeah? And then the question is when. Because Allik said when Harmony took over he changed the world and that's why it became so cold in their land.. but Harmony taking over is book 3. I know that I usually think book 1 happened over the whole 3 books, but yeah.. that happened in book 1.. so.. how?