Master of One (March 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Bopeep, Alex, Gaea, Laura, Raquel

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Master of One Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on March 1st 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:

Week of 03/01
March 01: Chapter 1-10
March 02: Chapter 11-17
March 03: Chapter 18-24
March 04: Chapter 25-35
March 05: Chapter 36-46
March 06: Chapter 47-53
March 07: Chapter 54-62

Week of 03/08
March 08: Chapter 63-72
March 09: Chapter 73-82
March 10: Chapter 83-90

PARTICIPANTS
~ Bopeep
~ Alex
~ Laura
~ Raquel
~ Gaea

[Raquel]

Just got my book from the library! I'm excited to start this with everyone!

[Trip]

Awesome! Got my book all tabbed ready to go, excited for this story 💕

[Bopeep]

Perfect!
You can start right now if you want~ I'll try to start on the first but this week I have an exam plus moving the office, so I probably be a bit behind

But please, tell your thoughts when you start!

[Raquel]

Even though I have the book I'll probably be a bit behind too at first. I'm in the middle of two books and want to finish at least one of them before starting this one. Hopefully I won't fall too behind though!

[Trip]

No problem!

I will probably be slower then usual, as have another buddy read. Along with starting back in work full time from the 1st March, and have an arc will probably read too. So all good 😂

[Bopeep]

Hmmm Do you want to start this a bit later? Or do we just read as we go and comment which chapter we're in?

Aaah I'm so curious to read this because a couple writing a book is Goals for me ❤️❤️

[Trip]

Can do if be better?
But yeah happy to do that way too, juat read and let know where at as we read xx

I'm excited too as have heard amazing things about this book 💕

[Raquel]

Starting it later would be better for me or maybe just giving us more days to read it so we don't have so much catching up to do 😅 We could spread the chapters out to the 10th or 12th so we don't have so much to read every day. Maybe something like this?

March 01: Chapter 1-10
March 02: Chapter 11-17
March 03: Chapter 18-24
March 04: Chapter 25-35
March 05: Chapter 36-46
March 06: Chapter 47-53
March 07: Chapter 54-62
March 08: Chapter 63-72
March 09: Chapter 73-82
March 10: Chapter 83-90

This new schedule is about 50-60 pages a day which will be a little easier to handle than our current one. If we want to just start later though I can do any time after the third! With three of us being so busy this week that might be for the best but we'll see what the others think!

I also don't mind if people post as they read as long as the spoilers are tagged or at least given fair warning!

[Trip]

Im happy to start after the third or do the extra days, if helps everyone,. This months just going to be busier then expected for me as lockdown ends and back to work full time 💕

[Bopeep]

I agree to start on the third and catch up on the weekend :D But let's see if Alex and Gaea say something about it too ^_^

Aaaah I really want to read it! Now I'm finishing one of the books I've been reading. One less! :D

[Trip]

Haha well lets just see how get on and go with what we have, add the extra days.

And if we all just make sure use spoiler tags and mention what chapter we upto should be fine. Fits to the mix speeds 😊

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

I can do whatever! Honestly, the third would work best for me because I'm currently working on an ARC.

[Trip]

Ok so i may have got over excited and went with original plan just read the prologue and 13 chapters... 😂

Upto end of Ch 13
(view spoiler)[Its so addictive! The chapters are short and sharp, gets to the point of the action quick and just hooked me fast. I am already in love with the mcs and can't wait to keep reading, but shall pace myself.

The prologue is brutal and kicks things of with a bang. Rags is interesting and fun so far, i enjoy his mischief and learning a little about his life. The challenges and the adventure leading to his meet with Talon is incredible, fastpaced and loved the mixture of tasks. Mirrors, arrows and blindfold just stunning to read!

Only just met Talon but he has stole my heart already, he seems adorable in all his confusion but fierce. I love his reactions to Rags (hide spoiler)]

I'm keeping to 14 chapters a day so i can finish on the 7th just because i have another buddyread starting on weekend 💕

[Raquel]

I'll be starting on the third too but whoever wants to start earlier totally can! With the way our new schedule is I'm sure I'll be able to catch up by the weekend.

[Gaea]

I started a day late (or is it a day early considering some of us are starting on the 3rd? lol) but I've finished chapter 14! And I agree with everything Laura said. This is ridiculously addictive. Sometimes it feels like such short chapters shouldn't work, but they do, and really well too.

Rags is the best thief I've ever read (so far lol). For a someone with such a hard life, he's really honest about things, or should I say realistic. He knows what's up and he's logical in how he thinks things through (and does his best to survive). If it isn't obvious already, I really love how this character actually uses his brain. Talon is like a weird mix between old fashioned courtly paladin and somewhat feral tribal warrior, and I'm just loving it.

Also, having fae who are clearly not just tall humans with pointy ears but are actually so fundamentally different than humans is just... *chefs kiss*

I'm probably going to end up reading more today, just because I'm dying to know what happens next.

[Trip]

I agree completely Gaea!

Im going to continue to put in spoilers for now as know others not started yet 💕

Upto to end of ch27
(view spoiler)[ The shorter chapters work amazingly well along with alternate Povs, i wasn't expecting but great to see some other voices and the world building is fascinating.

Learning about the nibility and more to learn, lots of intrigue and mystery going on. I am loving it though and seeing other sides to the story, giving insight to the world.

I adore Rags and Talon so far, they're a lot of fun and compliment one another. Rags is amazing in all his flaws and very self aware, he knows what he is and has no shame in it. Yet his also soft in the feels, the amusement and uncertainty with Talon following him/calling Lord.

Talon is interesting in that his both ancient and young all at once, his knowledge of the world is different to its current state. I loved his reaction to the spoon, communicationf with the river and trees.

Also One the lizard is beautiful! I am so glad got to hear the voice at end this chapter and her meeting Cab was beautiful, how described Rags made me laugh. (hide spoiler)]

[Raquel]

Thanks Laura! Much appreciated 😊 Glad you've been enjoying it so far!

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

I'm starting it tomorrow! So excited! :D

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

I read the first 150 pages and here are my thoughts so far:
(view spoiler)[It's not my favorite, but it's good.
And the deserter guard from the prologue will probably be important later. I like the short chapters! They make the big book feel smaller XD (hide spoiler)]

[Trip]

Keeping up so far with previous schedule and am obsessed with this book, has a variety of characters and plot which i adore. Perfect for me I feel it shall become a favourite!

Up to end of Ch 41
(view spoiler)[I'm loving introductions to more characters and how liks back to the prologue is wonderful! Meeting more of the Masters, i enjoy Cab and One they're rather sweet.

Loving the flaws in many of these characters, the awareness and how they all still moving forward in own ways fitting to their lifestyles. Also enjoying the quest type plot, the alternate povs and as bits of the story come together - more revealed, as get to see through other eyes and thats a great surprise.

Glad to see Inis as well because i love me a strong female character, she seems awesome so far. Amd her bond with two, they shall compliment each other.

Still loving Rags, his my favourite he just makes me feel all the emotions. Already his admiring of Talon is so sweet, the protective insitinct he has too.when he tried to stop the mirrorcraft from getting to cab.

His got no self preservation, and doesn't trust. So be sweet to see his growth in the group, im seeing all the found family vibes and living for it!

Interested to see more of Somerhaile, he intrigues me and feel for his story so much! Can't wait to read more 💕 (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Up to page 250:
(view spoiler)[ I'm not really loving this as much as some people are and I don't know why! It has all the elements of a book I like. I like getting introduced to the new characters, and I can't wait to get Somerhaile in with the crew!

I think I'm not loving it as much because it has really cheesy moments. Sometimes that cheesiness is funny, but other times it's just annoying.

Shiny being afraid of spoons is literally the best thing ever. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

I just finished the book (surprise!) and, though I know Laura and Gaea are enjoying it a lot, it just wasn't for me. I went two stars and I'm working on my review now! I'll post the link as soon as I finish.

Here it is!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Trip]

Aww I'm sorry it didn't work for you! I completely understand though from looking at review 😊

For me i think the cheesiness is part of why i love it so much, but that it also has those darker elements like the Prologue and the sorcerer with the mirrorglasses which balances it just right for me.

As i tend toward lighter reads and enjoy all the povs so far, the quest type aspect is a favourite for me so rather inevitable i would enjoy it xx

But then i haven't read six of crows or cruel prince, never interssted me. So i have nothing to compare it to 😂

[Trip]

Upto to end of ch 71
(view spoiler)[So i am still in love with this book and am enjoying seeing more characters, the masters revealed and the rest of the crew are so much fun. I adore that they appear as animals and formed from items close by is fun, like Two and Inis.

Three and Somerhaile are my favourites at the moment, which is no shock. I adore characters who don't think theselves worth or enough, but desperately want to be and finding that strength. His such an interesting character and Three seems full of wisdom, as an owl thats perfect. I am lovin with their pov together as progress through court.

Of course Rags has my heart too, just feel for him so much and very relatable in his thoughts. His developing feels for Talon, all of their moments together are so soft and beautiful. Its just such a slow burn that i adore and they compliment one another so much, very fitting the sunshine/grump vibes.

Cab's side adventure with two is fun too, their meeting more of the fae and how the mirrorcraft works. (hide spoiler)]

[Trip]

Hey! I got a little behind on this and then ended up binging the rest today, as expected it has become a favourite for me and i hope there will be another book. As does leave parts open ended 💕

Heres my review, if interested! Thanks for reading with me xx
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Gaea]

I've finally finished this book! It took me a little extra while but I think it was because a good part of me just wanted to savour it and not let it end. Alas, it did. I gave it a 4.75 to 5 / 5 stars! I remember hoping I would enjoy this at the beginning and I'm so glad it turned out like it did~

Also, Laura is right. THIS NEEDS A SEQUEL DAMMIT. There are so many questions that still need answering; the idea of it being left with an ambiguous ending like that hurts my reader's heart.

I'd also love to see more about the setting and the history of this world. (view spoiler)[(Like, what were the Ancient Ones exactly? What started the war between the fae and the humans? Why are there fae children buried deep underground in seemingly random places? Although I guess that last one is more of a plot question than anything.) (hide spoiler)] The whole thing has been giving me strong Irish vibes, what with the fae folk and the thing about iron and especially the whole naming system. (Which made the pronunciation guide at the back doubly helpful - I love Irish names and their language is freaking beautiful, but figuring out how to pronounce things is always tricky af.)


tl;dr
I love this plot and I need more.
Irish names rule.
Rags x Tal forever

[Trip]

Yay! I' glad loved it Gaea and i have been looking around, the authors say they do have more ideas and another started but i think not like confirmed with a publisher. So still wait and see, but im hopeful! 💕

[Gaea]

Ahhhh I hope they do! Then again, the book only came out a few months ago so any possible sequel is bound to take a while to follow... (dammit). But at least there's hope! ❤

[Trip]

Same! Yeah very true, i shall live in hope 😂

[Gaea]

This might be a silly question but.. have you seen the fanart? xD

[Trip]

Gaea wrote: "This might be a silly question but.. have you seen the fanart? xD"

I have! It's beautiful, thats how found the book to start as saw fairyloot 😂

[Raquel]

Finally got around to starting this story! I'm about 230 pages in and I'm at the part where (view spoiler)[The gang gets attacked by the Resistance after finding Inis and Two, and Morien comes to "save" Rags and Shining Talon. I'm not sure how to feel about this book yet. I have been enjoying it but I'm not the biggest fan of the writing. It feels weird to all of the sudden be introduced to so many new characters when I've already grown attached to Rags. I just want to rush through everyone else's chapters to get to his. (hide spoiler)]

[Gaea]

I can definitely understand that! I was alright with the other characters' chapters, but Rags' POV was just the best, I wanted to stick with him all the time~
Similarly, I can't decide if I'm happy or not that Tal doesn't have any POV chapters... I feel like that would have been really interesting.

[Trip]

Oh yeah! Its definitely an interesting writing style choice, its not one i think will work for everyone as the shifting povs. I'm a huge fan of multiple povs so it was fun for me, although Rags is a favourite for me 💕

I kind of love that the povs were all from like the humans? It worked with the quest aspect i feel, although i adore Talon - he spends most time with Rags and interacting with him, so his would have blended/overlapped information a lot - took, more time. Where theres so much to learn in this story and all the pieces adding together 😂

[Raquel]

Up to page 453 (view spoiler)[Inis and Somhairle just found out that Laisrean is a part of the Resistance but had to leave him behind as Morien captured him. (hide spoiler)] I've finally gotten used to the multiple perspectives since I've grown attached to the other characters. Rags is still my favorite though, gotta love him and Shining Talon. There's less than 100 pages left and a lot that needs to be wrapped up. There's so much I'm worried the ending will feel really rushed.

[Raquel]

Finally finished the book! I gave it three stars but my real rating would probably fall along the 3.5 range. I enjoyed this book and it was hard to put down because I just wanted to keep reading it, but there were some parts about it that frustrated me. Here's my review for anyone interested! You can probably skip the first two paragraphs since I just reiterate the plot.

My Review

I'll leave my more spoiler-ly thoughts here though! I've divided them up by the positives and negatives.

(view spoiler)[
Cons:
While I eventually did come to like the majority of the other perspectives (I could never really get into Cab's) I wish the chapters would have been divided up better. I prefer multiple perspective books that give the characters equal representation and this book didn't do that. Somhairle was my second favorite perspective but he barely got any chapters and Einan having one random chapter at the end felt weird.

Speaking of the ending, I did feel like it was rushed. I'm sure the authors felt the need to squeeze as much as they could into this book because they weren't sure if they'd get a sequel, but because they had so much going on the ending felt rushed. The reveal of Einan being the Master of Four definitely felt like it came out of nowhere. I also didn't like how rushed the romances were near the end. It felt weird for Inis to kiss Laisrean when they both weren't in the best of shape.

My biggest disappointment though was the worldbuilding. It never felt like a fully fleshed out world. I have all the same questions that Laura does, but also does this world even have a name? I wanted to know more about the Resistance too, like how did they get started. It sounds like they've been around for years so have they always known about the faeries beneath the castle or did they only discover that after Inis' brother found out.

Pros:
Shining Talon and Rags of course! I loved seeing Rags slowly grow more comfortable with Shining Talon. And that last scene between the two of them? I'll riot if I don't get another story with them!

I loved the concept. I think the idea of having six fae relics who choose their masters is really cool. I want to learn more about what happened at the end there with Inis and Two. They can merge together! What!?! Now I want to see each character merge with their fae relic and I can't wait to find out what Rags' and Shining Talon's relics will be.

I also thought the enemies were really well done. Morien felt like a truly scary villain. His power is insane. I don't think he's been destroyed and I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll do next now that he doesn't have control over any of them.

Did anyone else get attached to Faolan? I was always intrigued by his character but I didn't completely fall in love with him until he pushed the desk in front of Somhairle's room to stop him from facing Morien's wrath. I'm glad Somhairle didn't forget about him at the end and that he plans on finding a way to help free him from Morien's grasp. I'm hoping for a possible romance between the two because if everyone else gets a romance then so should Somhairle!
(hide spoiler)]

This better get a sequel!

Side Note: I really wish pronunciation guides were at the beginning of the book otherwise I'm not going to know it's there until the end of the book and I was definitely butchering all the names as I read them 😅 Irish names are hard.

[Bopeep]

I know Ivm late but a few days ago I started reading it~

I'm on chapter 12 and for now I'm not into it? I don't know but it felt boring... Maybe because Rags is alone and there's zero social interaction but duh I can't read more than 2 chapter straight haha ^^'

[Trip]

Raquel wrote: "Finally finished the book! I gave it three stars but my real rating would probably fall along the 3.5 range. I enjoyed this book and it was hard to put down because I just wanted to keep reading it..."

I agree on pretty much everything you have said and am hopeful for sequel too! I want more of these characters and hell yes i like the idea of romance for Somehairle too, he was my favourite💕

[Trip]

Bopeep wrote: "I know Ivm late but a few days ago I started reading it~

I'm on chapter 12 and for now I'm not into it? I don't know but it felt boring... Maybe because Rags is alone and there's zero social inter..."

Oh yay!

Sorry not enjoying at moment, yeah the first bunch are very much Rags focused and as go through more povs introduced as and when relevant. Hope will improve for you, once get more into it 😊