Half Sick of Shadows (July 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Alex & Brianna

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the Half Sick of Shadows Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 11th 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 07/11
July 11: Chapters 1-7

Week of 07/12
July 12: Chapters 7-14
July 13: Chapters 14-21
July 14: Chapters 21-28
July 15: Chapters 28-35
July 16: Chapters 35-42
July 17: Chapters 42-end

PARTICIPANTS
~ Alex
~ Brianna

[Brianna]

So I'm a bit nervous about the author's note at the beginning with the trigger warning so to speak. Depending on how everything is portrayed I may not be able to finish this one, but I shall give it a whirl.

Chapters 1 - 7
(view spoiler)[I actually don't really know the story of King Arthur and Camelot other than there's a sword (Excalibur) and the Knights of the Round Table. I honestly don't remember more than that so it will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes back to me while reading this.
So this will be interesting with the visions giving snapshots into the future that may or may not change - what leads up to them? Why does Morgana change? What happens? How did Arthur end up in Avalon as well? How did no one seem to know where he was despite being the heir to the throne? I am intrigued! (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

I didn't get the chance to start this today, so I'll catch up tomorrow! Excited to read with you ❤️

[Brianna]

@Alex - no worries!

Chapters 8 - 14
(view spoiler)[I really wish I had read a bit into the legend of Arthur before starting this because I worry that I'm missing key points since I have no clue about the original story. Regardless, I do kind of like not knowing what it is because I have no preconceived notions about anyone yet. I like the back and forth between the past and the present. It's like everything is slowly unfolding. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Chapters 1-7:
(view spoiler)[I wish I knew a bit more about the Arthurian legends too. It would be great to have some background knowledge!

I was a little iffy on it at the beginning, but I'm enjoying it now. The way the story hops around from past to present to future is a little confusing, but I'm getting used to it. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapters 15 - 21
(view spoiler)[This is such a complex group of friends. I feel pretty bad for Elaine - knowing so much but also not knowing much of anything since nothing is truly set in stone. She has seemed to settle back into court life pretty easily considering how long she was away and how much she hated it prior.
I am also very curious about Merlin and what his true motivations are - also what he is since he's not fey but also not human? It's odd that Elaine can't really see him in her visions without pretty bad side effects. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Alex (The Scribe Owl) wrote: "Chapters 1-7:

(view spoiler)[The jumping around does take a bit to get used to - I definitely agree. I think it gets a bit easier to follow as the story progresses. I'm having a hard time right now remembering the different visions and comments about visions since there seem to be so many with subtle differences. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Chapters 8-14:
(view spoiler)[Elaine is much stronger of a protagonist than I was expecting! I'm enjoying that.

From all the mentions of Morgana at the beginning, I thought for sure she would be the love interest. Interesting that it's Lancelot now, I guess we'll see how that goes.

I'm loving the found family! It's my absolute favorite trope. I also enjoy hearing about how they'll all turn on each other later in the visions while in present-day they're all so close. As we start to get to know them all better I get more and more nervous for when they split up 😬 (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Chapters 15-21:
(view spoiler)[I really don't like the way Elaine is dealing with the Lancelot thing. I can't help but feel like this may be a bit of a chicken-and-the-egg dilemma: Elaine distances herself from Lancelot because she doesn't want them to get hurt, Lancelot hurts her because she distances herself, again and again in a vicious cycle. Plus, isn't there that whole saying about how it's better to have loved and lost than never loved at all? (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Alex (The Scribe Owl) wrote: "Chapters 15-21:
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I completely agree! It's like - by pushing him away, that could be what pushes him to hurt her more.
Also, based on what we know about Gwen and Lancelot - that they are very giving with their love, wouldn't the others be less surprised if something were to happen with them? (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapters 22 - 28
(view spoiler)[I am still really enjoying this. I am also enjoying that we are finally at the point in the past where she is learning about the visions and the process. It does seem like Morgana is starting show that darker side a bit more so some of the visions do seem a bit more realistic and I think Elaine notices it as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Chapters 22-28
(view spoiler)[Still liking it! Not much to report, but I am a little nervous about this whole Gwen thing. I was never quite sure about her, not on the island and definitely not now. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapters 29 - 35
(view spoiler)[So the Lyonessian are like werewolves of sorts?
I really appreciate that although the main character has visions of the future, that there are some things/possibilities she doesn't see (like Arthur and Gwen having to duel) so when they do happen it's still a surprise.
"But some things can't be fixed, they can't be glued back together as they were. Sometimes, all you can do is find the beauty in the broken. All you can do is figure out how to put the pieces together as you can, to make something new out of them." (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapters 36 - 42
(view spoiler)[Oooh things are speeding up and seeming to get worse off for this group. I wonder what would happen if Elaine also bound her powers - what would happen and how she would feel. I really worry about everything that's going to happen per the visions and how little of the book is left - will we be left hanging? I hope not! (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

Chapters 43 - end
(view spoiler)[Well this didn't end the way I thought it would! But I'm not mad about it. I like that it was different - that all the visions of the future ended up not exactly happening the way you were led to believe. I really enjoyed this one overall! (hide spoiler)]

[Alex (The Scribe Owl)]

Hi! Sorry to disappear on you, I'm on vacation and I haven't had time to update. I'm done and I enjoyed it! I'll post my review soon :D

[Brianna]

Alex (The Scribe Owl) wrote: "Hi! Sorry to disappear on you, I'm on vacation and I haven't had time to update. I'm done and I enjoyed it! I'll post my review soon :D"

No worries! I hope you are enjoying your vacation!