Tide Child Series - R.J. Barker [February 14, 2022]

[Hailee]

Choko wrote: "I tentatively started this one. Finished Ch. 2... [spoilers removed]"

Yes I'm unsure about the windtalker at the moment as well (view spoiler)[ The way they talk about him/she/it is very much like its non-sentient baggage rather than a real person (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Hailee wrote: "I'm also really curious to find out more about (view spoiler)[corpselights. They keep being mentioned but I'm not sure I understand what they really are." (hide spoiler)]

O boy, i really wish i could see your face when you come to find out what they are and after the first scenes of Chapter 16 if you feel that way about the bones of the dragons.

[Zaara]

Hailee wrote: "Zaara wrote: "Ooops I completely forgot about book 2 in the vag..."

No hun, if i remember right you did have the series on your April list..

[Zaara]

O Hagf#$%***, I just reached that part in Ch 33 (view spoiler)[ where Oswire pulled a Sadeas and backstabbed everyone. My heart is pounding, i put a nail mark on the side of my nose n haven't read a battle scene so epic and frightening and NB - just recently read the Heroes, which comprised almost nothing but big fight scenes. (hide spoiler)]

[Hailee]

Zaara wrote: "Hailee wrote: "I'm also really curious to find out more about [spoilers removed]

O boy, i really wish i could see your face when you come to find out what they are and after the first scenes of C..."

Well I just read something in chapter 8 that made me sure I'm not going to like what I find out one bit. But bring on chapter 16.

[Hailee]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[The world where a child is condemned as weak when their mother dies in childbirth seems unfair and cruel.
I think Meas' command will be the making of Joran. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[I pity how the gullaime is treated, I wonder what is wrong with it, there must be a reason why its acting like that. It was quite entertaining to see Meas' thwarted though and made her a more believable character. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[The mythology of this world seems well developed, which is a good sign for characters and plot as well. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)['sacrificing children for corpselights' - I don't like the sound of that. (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Hailee wrote: "Well I just read something in chapter 8 that made me sure I'm not going to like what I find out one bit. But bring on chapter 16."

O yeah, if you go see the spoilers on the previous page it looks like Ch 16 literally got everyone's goat...esp Choko!

Btw Hay, I liked the point you made in the previous post (CH 7 spoiler) about the developed religion and culture in this world and it boding well for story and char development. Not to mention the zoology...what price all them creepy plants, birds and :// YEESH all the diff kinds of lethal fish???

[Zaara]

RachelG. wrote: "After finishing chapter 6 earlier today I totally had [spoilers removed] stuck in my head at work."

Hehehe, them sea shanty'll get you everytime, altho my personal earworm was very short and I kept hearing it in IAGO (not Shakespeare, Aladdin) VOICE...

(view spoiler)[ "ARSE!" (hide spoiler)]
:D

[Zaara]

I finished. It's a SMASHING setup for the rest of the series. Meas is hands down my fav char, the gullaime is a sweetheart and is scecond. While Joron grew more likeable with every chapter that passed, you're so right about Meas doing him good.

FULLBOOK: There were some things hinted at but not explored fully (view spoiler)[ like romances betweent he chars or some parts of Joron's past or even the singing (calling?) magic/ Joron's dreams where he is basically a Keyshan horcrux (hide spoiler)] but I'm not complaining, I'm happy to wait for the next books.

LAST 2 CHAPTERS
(view spoiler)[
Felt the ending and resolution was a bit rushed and a bit of a dues ex but after those epic naval battles, I didn't mind too much; It's ok since the rest of the book was strong. However, I strongly hope RJB doesn't keep doing this. Cuz he did it at the tower island too with the gullaime getting recharged and turning up in the nick of time. That was the one where I really couldnt see how they'd make it outta there.

The battles were very good and didn;t begin to pall, I could have even read pages more, altho it was just ships and guns and chaotic hand 2 hand combat, (ie. the same things over again) it DIDNT feel repetitive and I was able to see the ships swinging arnd and the cannons going off with shot and botls so clearly in my head and the guillaume (I kinda imagine him as a cute stork wearing a sheet like a ghost) and the dragon. His acknowledgement section was endearing, what he said about his love for the ocean and his hopes for the book. Yes, that love DID shine thru and it convinced me to read his other series as well.

(hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad Arrin (view spoiler)[ is alive and I hope the char develops further. (hide spoiler)] However I'm NOT GLAD the sister (sither?) Kyrie???? whatevs (view spoiler)[died. After all that setup and goading there should've been a bit more of a battle and not just the wakewyrm ate her, ok bye peeps story's over. I wanted there to be series long odds and then courtroom sturggles and also a bit more of the thirteenbern thrown into the mix, that cameo wasnt; nearly enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Choko wrote: "Zaara, then April it is! I am just happy to see you here:)"

Of course. It ended at an exciting point too. I don't want to forget details. I read Divine Cities one a month and it was perfect pacing for a trilogy this size. Yes, Choc, me too! You are such a warm person.
Btw I heart how ALL of us freaked at Ch 16. Soon Hailee will get there...

[Paula]

I'm a bit late but I'm enjoying this. Okay not so late haha
BOOK 2 SPOILERS
until chapter 17
(view spoiler)[The plants literally rotting before their eyes was shocking. What an awful world, between the culture and the animals and plants its super harsh. Ans I also see a very bleak future for Joron since he has the keyshan rot. I would love to see that they got a cure but I doubt it after all these years with it. But maybe the return of the keyshans will mean new discoveries

I was also shocked that he called the turin. I thought he could only call the keyshan. This magic system is so mysterious and I want to know more about it! (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

oh, sorry guys, I started book two because I thought we were reading it now, haha, but I can wait to continue in April

[Hailee]

The Bone Ships

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[Joran really should have opened his gob about the reef. Better to give redundant information than to keep quiet and cause disasters like that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[I have more and more questions about why Meas lost her place among the 'living' ships. Also am I understanding this correctly; corpselights are made from thesouls of the firstborn children born to mothers who survive childbirth. That is barbaric!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 & 13: (view spoiler)[So Joran's sentence is due to a corrupt official. Why am I not surprised. That Kerrad is seriously dodgy but I'm happy to get a bit more background on Meas. (hide spoiler)]

[Hailee]

The Bone Ships

Chapter 14: (view spoiler)[So Meas' mother and sister hate her. But did they hate her before she became condemned to a black ship. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[Ohh a load of crewmates crawling out of the woodwork changes the game slightly (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[Urgh so my corpselight theory has been confirmed. And Meas was a firstborn child that didn't get sacrificed due to "signs from the gods"... curious, I guess this has something to do with the problem her mother and sister have with her.
Joran actually used his brain during that fight, I'm glad he chose not to kill Anzir. Now I just want to know what is so special about Black Orris. (hide spoiler)]

[Hailee]

The Bone Ships

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting Anzir to turn up again so soon but Meas is right, having someone skilled in fighting watching Joran's back is no bad thing. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[Narza is a bit of a mystery. I wonder what Meas did to earn her loyalty and why does she not socialise with anyone? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[All this "eating their own children" ect beliefs about the Gaunt Islanders smacks of careful propaganda. Propaganda created by war enthusiasts no doubt... Oh just read further and Meas has just basically said exactly the same thing. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[I actually really enjoyed this chapter... reading about them learning the gallowbows was really interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[I'm really starting to feel sorry for the gullaime. I hope Joran can get past his fear and does actually befriend it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[Joran is really starting to come into his own command wise, he's really learning from Meas. (hide spoiler)]

[Hailee]

The Bone Ships

Chapter 24 & 25: (view spoiler)[Finally an actual sighting of a dragon... only took 50% of the book. What is it with Garriya and the name (Caller) that she keeps referring to Joran as? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27: (view spoiler)[More questions raised about the gullaime... does his mean this particular gullaime's eyes weren't removed? And is this why it is more powerful than others of its species (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[So Coughlin is n longer loyal to Cahanny and feels like he owes Meas' a debt. That changes the crew dynamics a bit. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29: (view spoiler)[So noone else can hear the song of the windspire? Does this have something to do with the name Garriya calls him? (hide spoiler)]

chapter 31: (view spoiler)[Joran handled Fary's panic attack really sensitively. The gullaime really saved the day in this chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

The Gullaime is my favorite character:)

[Zaara]

I see Hay has finished book 1 but haven;t opened her spoilers yet.

@Choko @Nirakatze @RachelG and of course @Hay
I just started Book 2, I thought you guys would have finished it by now. I'll wait if anyone is still interested to buddy read???

[Choko]

I am. I can start it tomorrow. I was waiting for someone to say start:)))

[RachelG.]

Choko wrote: "I am. I can start it tomorrow. I was waiting for someone to say start:)))"

Same. I have read only the first chapter as I decided to wait for everyone else. I haven't been feeling like reading much fantasy recently but am excited for this book and am ready to join!

[Hailee]

The Bone Ships

Completely forgot to update the final chapters:

Chapter 32: (view spoiler)[So that answers how the gullaime isn't blind. But I do wonder what its response will be when/if it discovers that the aim is to kill the arakeensian. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 33: (view spoiler)[I think there might be more to Oswire's attitude than Arrin's explanation. Looks like Meas is looking forward to settling the score with her sister (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 35: (view spoiler)[I bloody knew Oswire was up to something. Bloody cow!! Meas had her eyes on the wrong person this time Brekir really came through when it counted. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36: (view spoiler)[ Yay Arrin survived!! I presumed he had died but I'm glad to be wrong. But how the hell tide child will survive in a battle against Hag's Hunter I do not know.(view spoiler)[

Chapter 38: (view spoiler)[ Well I wasn't expecting that!! So Joran can communicate with he dragon in some way. Hmm I don't know where the sequel will go from here but I'm looking forward to finding out. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Hailee]

Zaara wrote: "I see Hay has finished book 1 but haven;t opened her spoilers yet.

@Choko @Nirakatze @RachelG and of course @Hay
I just started Book 2, I thought you guys would have finished it by now. I'll wait..."

I'll start it tomorrow after work

[Choko]

I just started it and am reminded of what tremendous world building the author has given us! And what an awesome character the Gullaime is ❤️! He is so absolutely pathetic and miserable in that weather... I just want to hug and protect him!

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 10... (view spoiler)[ This is ominous! Something is wrong with all the human cargo. Everyone has the rot??? Does that sound right to any of you? And they have been moving them from ship to ship? Could it be they are carrying this and trying to infect others? But who and for what purpose? And on whose side? And what about the Stormshorn? Why were they there? Just like the Shipwife, I feel something bad is in the works, I just can't figure out what and why yet...

Officer Gullaime!:))) I hope he figures out and comes to peace with his new Gullaime shadow protector... He needs to make friends with some of his people... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Up to and including Ch. 24... (view spoiler)[ The stay at the Temple "hospital" was horrible! The revelation of what and why they are taking all those people, to kill them to make a poison for the dragons, was even more horrible! But I am so absolutely murderously angry at the mutineers! They killed his loyal shadow!!!!!!!!!!!! And are just vindictively stupid and vicious, they are not even thinking about the situation everyone is in at the moment!!!! I am so angry, I could chew bricks! I need vengeance! I need retribution!!! So much anger! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Ch. 25... The story of the Corsair was so compelling!!!

I am loving this book so much more than the first one!!!

[Zaara]

Aaaaah I will come here and post my updates by tomorrow night. I am 100 pages in and got distracted by Wolf Hall. Glad to know you're loving it, Choko.

End of Chapter 11 :
Frankly I'm (view spoiler)[ unsure about Meas' decision to go back to fetch the stranded. I'm quite convinced of the ethics and humanity of it, just not the practicality. A less humane fleetwife would have cut her losses, given the odds she is facing.
Me i think it's all gonna go blooey and Joron will get taken by the evil guys and infiltrate the heart of their evil plans or that's my grim prediction anyway.... (hide spoiler)]

[RachelG.]

I plan to try and make some headway on this book during the weekend. Things have been super busy lately.

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ This story might be hard to read with the human and gullaime cargo. I hope as the story goes on we see justice and understanding as to what is going on. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelG.]

Chapter 8 - I would be interested in your thoughts about (view spoiler)[ the windshorn and what they are all about. Are they just fighters or do they have a different purpose? I don't know quite why "Officer Gullaime" dislikes them so much. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Rachel, about the Windshorn, (view spoiler)[ I guess they are the duds of their kind, who are born without the ability to control the winds, and the humans who own the Gullaime, instead of killing them, keep them alive and don't take their eyes out. They keep them as the overseers of the blinded and gifted Gullaime, and train them to be completely obedient to the humans. They are the ones who are trained to beat them and so on, but also lead them on a leash, because the others are blind, until they develop the seances to perceive their environment. Because of that and their complete loyalty to the human owners, the wind callers think of them as betrayers... (hide spoiler)]

[RachelG.]

Thanks Choko!

[Choko]

Up to Ch. 30... (view spoiler)[ Wow! The offer to become Joron's new shadow was surprising, but I think it was a good solution. I hope she becomes a more loyal person, once she understands that the shipwife and Joron are doing everything for the betterment of the ship and its crew... I hope we can get to a point where she might become good enough to be trusted with her own ship...

Do you guys love Aleren, or is it just me? (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I am in Ch. 50... I have not been able to put this book down! So much better than the first! But maaaaan, it is killing me with some of the deaths, losses, diseases, did I say deaths? Ch. 49 really hurt .. also, (view spoiler)[ the self sacrifice of Shorn! I miss that dude! M. is crazy and fanatical and I can't really trust her around our Gullaime... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I finished... I am stunned and heartbroken... I loved every minute of this book! Pure 5 stars from me, not even a question!

[Zaara]

Im sorry I havent made faster progress on this. I am enjoying it but Wolf Hall is just so immersive and whirlpool-y that it just wont let you think of anything else. I'll definitely read some more tomorrow. Choko's reactions definitely seem like its gonna be something. Please dont leave the thread, @Choc. Sorry I am late.

[Zaara]

I loved the battle scenes in the first book so im hoping for more....

[Choko]

I am not going anywhere, Zaara:))) And I know how it is with books and time...