June 2022 Not First in a Series BOTM - For the Throne, by Hannah F. Whitten

[Alaina]

The First Daughter is for the Throne
The Second Daughter is for the Wolf...

Red and the Wolf have finally contained the threat of the Old Kings but at a steep cost. Red's beloved sister Neve, the First Daughter is lost in the Shadowlands, an inverted kingdom where the vicious gods of legend have been trapped for centuries and the Old Kings have slowly been gaining control. But Neve has an ally--though it's one she'd rather never have to speak to again--the rogue king Solmir.

Solmir wants to bring an end to the Shadowlands and he believes helping Neve may be the key to its destruction. But to do that, they will both have to journey across a dangerous landscape in order to find a mysterious Heart Tree, and finally to claim the gods' dark, twisted powers for themselves.

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

[Andy]

Starting this now!

[Andy]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[I feel the beginning of a quest, and I'm conflicted: I don't love quests in general, but at least it means there's going to be stuff happening, which was a problem with the central part of the firat book...

I also predict Neve will pair up with Solmir and Raffe with the girl that helpfully just showed up, which seems actually more interesting that the Red and Wolf story so... I'm for it.

I guess it's just the writing style that grates on me a little. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[Quest confirmed. Some improvement in writing, but mostly I just prefer Neve and Solmir in this book to Red and the Wolf from the previous book. Raffe's part could also be good. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 18: (view spoiler)[I'm enjoying this much more than the first. I still don't like all the repetitions (e.g. Raffe and Neve thinking of theor feelings using the exact same terms), but this feels much less padded. The quest is slightly repetitive for his nature, but even in the repetition (get over obstacle, get to God / monster, talk and kills it) there is much more variation than the firat book.
Things also come together nicely with call backs at the first book, and foreshadowing now. Solmir is very interesting also, I keep wondering at his intentions, despite the fact I'm sure he will be good in the end. The new girl has some secret, and I'm intrigued! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[I like the resolution to what Solmir actually planned to do. It fits, and I'm glad they didn't just make him a good guy outright. It seems we'll get some revelation about Kayu, too. While both of these have been heavily foreshadowed, it was done quite well. I'm intrigued! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Chapter 35: (view spoiler)[Not sure that was the best time to have sex, but ok... Also, now it's dragging again - we know what choice will Neve make, come on! Just do it already! ;) (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Ending: (view spoiler)[Wow, this dragged... Dragged a lot, could have been some 80 pages shorter. Also, I want Neve and Solmir properly together! :( There's no reason for them to walk all over the place on their own, come on! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

Prologue: (view spoiler)[Ohhhhhhhhhh I'm so excited for this one! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[The spider's name was so clever. You'd think I would have predicted it but nope, definitely didn't. I'm also pretty intrigued by this overall quest. Hoping for a reunion between these two sisters for sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 5:..."

I would not be mad with those pairings at all.

[Andy]

Alaina wrote: "Andy wrote: "Chapter 5:..."

I would not be mad with those pairings at all."

:)

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[If she doesn't get with Solmir can I have him? He's just so interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 18: ..."

Same! I'm really enjoying this so far!

[Alaina]

Ch 21-31: (view spoiler)[Oh no. Please make up! Open your eyes! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 32-40: (view spoiler)[Oh no. No. Neve. I feel so bad. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 28: [spoilers removed]"

Definitely agree!

[Alaina]

Andy wrote: "Chapter 35: [spoilers removed]"

LMAO so true though

[Alaina]

Ch 41-Finished: (view spoiler)[OMG THIS WAS SO GOOD. Slightly mad about Neve and Solmir but I can learn to live with it. Maybe. (hide spoiler)]

[Andy]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 41-Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I'm still not happy about it! :P

[Alaina]

Andy wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Ch 41-Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I'm still not happy about it! :P"

This is why I need another book.

[Alaina]

Today is the LAST day to get BOTM points for this book. Tomorrow it will be closed.

[Elizabeth]

16% (view spoiler)[ I like how the new prophecy about a vessel and a door (makes sense to have another to end the kings) is introduced. Kind of curious about the Seamtress and what life she led before since she had visions. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

28% (view spoiler)[ I did not expect Calryes to be Solmir's father! I like how though Solmir is not a "good guy," there's layers to him. Bonus points for going against his father. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

47% (view spoiler)[ Oh damn, I like the "truth" of Gaya's death. I'm a sucker for folktales that are far from what actually happened. Kind of makes me think a little differently about For the Wolf. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

69% (view spoiler)[ The first half felt like it dragged on quite a bit so I'm glad we've reached a turning point! Excited to see what the Kings' actual plan is. (hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

84% (view spoiler)[ I know it's life and death but ripping out a finger... lol I would not survive in this world (hide spoiler)]

100 (view spoiler)[ Aww, the ending is bittersweet for Neve and Solmir but I liked it! Wish the pacing didn't drag as much in the first half but I think the second half made up for it. (hide spoiler)]