January 2021 First in a Series BOTM - Nocturna, by Maya Motayne

[Alaina]

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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until February 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Kelly]

Ch 10 - (view spoiler)[The beginning is interesting and the audiobook is enjoyable to listen to, but I've just read a review saying this is "a copycat of A Darker Shade of Magic" and that it gets really long and boring after a while so I'm worried ^^ I'm planning on reading A Darker Shade of Magic in the next few days so I'm curious to see how I feel. I hope the plot isn't going to be too similar.. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20 - (view spoiler)[I like seeing them work together. That parasite thingy killing people is scary. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 30 - (view spoiler)[We finally learned what happened to that girl she killed and her parents (hide spoiler)]
Finished - (view spoiler)[I liked this book, I wasn't really bored but then again I was listening to the audiobook so it was easier and went faster :) I wonder what is going to happen in book two, I feel like Nocturna could have easily been a standalone if she hadn't left him like that ^^ (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Reading now!

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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@ch 10 (view spoiler)[ I don't think it's that similar to A Darker Shade. I'm liking the world so far and the different magical abilities (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 10 (view spoiler)[ I really really like the brujx worlds so I think this is great so far. I wish I could change my face and body like that, how cool would that be? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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@20 (view spoiler)[ Yeah it's super creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 20 (view spoiler)[ I'm glad Luca is okay, I was pretty worried for him. Now they have to stop the dark magic and Finn's scary "dad" (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

ch 30 I'm seeing the similarities to A Darker Shade of Magic now. (view spoiler)[ I like seeing Alfie and Finn as a team and the scenes in the prison are interesting. I'm glad the action is picking up (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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@finished (view spoiler)[ I agree, if Finn had stayed I would have been happy with a standalone (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I did get a bit bored before they went to the prison, but overall not a bad read. I wonder what book two will be about? (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Starting this one now :)

[Jenn]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[ ew she hid in a pig. That's determination. I'm not quite sure how I feel about Finn yet, I feel like we've only scratched the surface. But I do feel bad for Alfie. He mourns his brother so much. I do hope that he can find him (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

I read this last in 2019. Ugh. I’m jelly. I own the book but maybe I’ll see if I can get the audio. Either way. I’ll reread it!

[Jenn]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[ well shit, I really don't think he captured all of the black magic in that dragon. Pretty sure that was only a smidge. Shocked that Finn is sticking around to help him track it down. Also, he definitely should have spoken to Paloma about needing help (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[ this is gonna get real bad real fast. Ignacio is on his way to the clock tower where our two are. And I'm not sure about breaking out the girl who killed his brother... (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I really enjoyed this one. Curious how the sequel is going to go. I don't think the magic is as locked up as they think and I truly think his brother is going to be important in the second. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "I read this last in 2019. Ugh. I’m jelly. I own the book but maybe I’ll see if I can get the audio. Either way. I’ll reread it!"

The audio is pretty good and now I'm looking forward to when book 2 comes out

[Jennifer]

Ch 10 (26%) - (view spoiler)[ Oh no! Luca is going to die now? What the hell is going on with this conspiracy to kill the royal heir?? Also, I can't believe she almost got cooked inside that pig. (hide spoiler)]
Ch 20 (50%) - (view spoiler)[ I am still shaking my head that the Prince didn't go to Paloma for help. I mean really. I know he wants to take responsibility for his mistake, but I am disappointed that he is not smart enough to think about how strong those protections were and accept that he is going to need help. Gah! (hide spoiler)]
Ch 30 (75%) - (view spoiler)[ Really? He still can't understand that this girl might have been forced to do what she did? He really is dumb. (hide spoiler)]
Finished - Eh. (view spoiler)[ I liked parts of it. I liked Finn's character, but I thought the Prince was an idiot. I liked the different kinds of magic that were in the world, but it also didn't make sense to me that the people with the most dangerous types of magic weren't regulated somehow. I also liked the Latino vibe, which was fun and different. I am thankful that I listened to the audio, because I think reading the text might have dragged.

I have some questions though, now that it is over. If his brother was "destined" to become a great king, then obviously he comes back somehow. Does the black magic in the dragon manifest inside him and he uses it to return to the world in book 2?? Also, Finn gets to walk away with the cloak, but doesn't get a royal pardon or anything or has to make a promise to only use her powers for good? Seems like the King and Queen are clueless. Does Luka keep his super strength, etc.? And WTF, we never really find out about the bull tattoo and what it means regarding the conspiracy to end the royal line. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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Kelly, this is nothing like a Darker Shade of Magic. DSM is much better.

[Kelly]

Glad to hear it :) I still haven't started DSM but life has been a bit hectic unfortunately.

[Jenn]

I agree, DSM is definitely better!

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

Ch 10: (view spoiler)[Not even going to lie.. the pig scene had me dying. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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Comment @ Ch 10, hmm interesting comment on a review.

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "ch 10 [spoilers removed]"

UHM YES! I would love that. Kind of reminds me of Arya in GoT though.. like when she was the girl with no name.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 8: [spoilers removed]"

BUT she smelled like a kitchen lol

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 10 (26%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 20 (50%) - [spoilers removed]
Ch 30 (75%) - [spoilers removed]
Finished - Eh. I liked parts of it. I liked Finn's character, but I thought the Prince was an ..."

Comment @ Ch 10, I was wondering if she was going to break out right then and there but she lucked out..

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 10 [spoilers removed]"

UHM YES! I would love that. Kind of reminds me of Arya in GoT though.. like when she was the girl with no name."

Yes! Good comparison

[Alaina]

Ch 20: (view spoiler)[Not even surprised about the whole evil and dark daddy problems going on right now. I also really like these two working together. I hope I wont regret saying that.

Other than that, I have so many questions and I'm creeped out about other things. Bring on more creepiness book. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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Comment @ 20, so creepy and scary.

[Alaina]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 17: [spoilers removed]"

YES AGREED

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "ch 20 [spoilers removed]"

Yes, same! He's starting to grow on me.

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 10 (26%) - [spoilers removed]
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Finished - ..."

Comment @ Ch 20, yeah - not really surprised he didn't do that but I also shook my head at the same time.

[Alaina]

Ch 30: (view spoiler)[It might just be me.. but I was dying when she was like.. move to the right and the security guard moved to the right. Then to the left. THEN she's like.. wtf how can he see me and realizes that she isn't invisible anymore. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Ch 10 - [spoilers removed]
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Comment @ Ch 30, yeah we did.

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "ch 30 I'm seeing the similarities to A Darker Shade of Magic now. [spoilers removed]"

I started chanting with them lol

[Alaina]

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

All good observations

[Alaina]

Jennifer wrote: "Ch 10 (26%) - [spoilers removed]
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Finished - ..."

Comment @ Ch 30, Boys are always dumb. It seems to be a thing in books lol.

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "ch 30 I'm seeing the similarities to A Darker Shade of Magic now. [spoilers removed]"

I started chanting with them lol"

hahaha

[Alaina]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Ugh, that ending. It kills me. I better get a damn reunion in the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Marissa]

Chapters 1-10 (view spoiler)[
Why would that girl send Dez into the endless void and not Alfie? What was she trying to achieve? It couldn't be to stop those in charge because she couldn't taken out both of the princes. I am curious to know more about Dez's disappearance and that girl's actions. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 11-20 (view spoiler)[
I am trying to decide if I like Finn or not. She seems a bit too selfish, but I can't really blame her because of her background. And she does feel guilty about not doing something about the bottle she saw someone poison and leave in Alfie's room. If she had disposed of it then her and Alfie (and Luka) would not be in this position to begin with. Also pretty unlucky of her that the person who takes the black magic smoke well also is the person she has been running from. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 21-30 (view spoiler)[
Ignacio isn't a villain I love to hate, I just hate him. He makes a good bad guy, but he is kind of one dimensional. There is nothing complex about him except he is a cruel individual who loves to kill people for his own gain. I look forward to them taking him down. Hopefully that happens in this novel. However, this is the first book in a series, so I may not get the ending I am looking for yet. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 31-38 (view spoiler)[
Well at least the ending was satisfying, and Finn managed to take down Ignacio! We still didn't find out the reason Dez was pushed into the Void. I guess I will need to wait for the next book for (hopefully) some answers. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanie]

Chapters 1-12 (view spoiler)[So, I haven't read A Darker Shade of Magic, so that comparison is lost on me. I like the world building in this one, and the characters are interesting. I can feel Alfie's grief for his brother, and how lost Finn is. It's a good start. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 13-22 (view spoiler)[ I still like the characters, and I really like how Finn has a personal connection with the person the magic is inhabiting. However, the book is moving a little slowly. I know it's the first in a series, but we're halfway through the book and I'm waiting for more to happen. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 23-32 (view spoiler)[ Wow. That is some action. Plus, I like the emotional weight the author is putting into the story. Finn vs. her abusive foster father, Alfie helping the woman who killed his brother because she might be able to save the kingdom. (hide spoiler)]
Chapters 33-38 (view spoiler)[ Good action, though brief in places. I would have liked to have seen more of Paloma and Luka fighting, and more about what was going on in Finn's head when she was possessed. Otherwise, it was a very good book. (hide spoiler)]