Metaframe War Series Buddy Read - The Day Guard - October 1, 2022 - October 31, 2022

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

This thread will be for the buddy read of the book The Day Guard (Metaframe War series) by Graeme Rodaughan (continuing series read) starting October 1. Just remember to use spoilers when necessary.

[Graeme]

Thanks, Marie. Looking forward to it.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Graeme wrote: "Thanks, Marie. Looking forward to it."

You are welcome! :)

[Graeme]

Hi all! Welcome to the buddy read for the 4th book in the Metaframe War series.

[Netanella]

I'm starting this tonight. 😊

Andrew Frick, Force Leader, (South East)...Reminds me of American industrialist Andrew Carnegie and his lieutenant Henry Frick!

[Graeme]

Awesome, Netanella. Enjoy.

[Nyssa]

I started this morning. That prologue was intense!

[Graeme]

Nyssa wrote: "I started this morning. That prologue was intense!"

Indeed, Nyssa.

...darkness claims my song...

Prologue: (view spoiler)[I felt sad for Kashshak. (hide spoiler)]

[Denis (deez_bookish_adventures)]

I started on this one as well, my head is still spinning from the events of the Dragon's Den. I am looking forward to Anton and crew getting some justice!

[Graeme]

Denis (deez_bookish_adventures) wrote: "I started on this one as well, my head is still spinning from the events of the Dragon's Den. I am looking forward to Anton and crew getting some justice!"

Like Winter... "Justice is coming."

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Graeme wrote: ""Justice is coming."

If I take that statement and move it into one statement for all the books - it fits that bill pretty tight! 😁

[Graeme]

Sacrifice and Justice - both. 😉😎😥

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Graeme wrote: "Sacrifice and Justice - both. 😉😎😥"

❤️❤️

[Nyssa]

I.was.right!!
Thank goodness!
Because if it were the other one, I would have been heartbroken!

[Graeme]

Hi Nyssa, welcome back, Enjoy the read.

[Nyssa]

Hi Graeme! Thanks, I'm sure I will. :)
I fell asleep; I will learn more today. LOL

I was not expecting the scene between (view spoiler)[Anton & Chiara (hide spoiler)] at all! My brain was like, "Whaaaaaattttttttt??????"

As for Anton's decision, I kind of get where he's coming from, but I don't like it! (view spoiler)[If he is protecting her, that puts Peter in more danger, and I really like Peter (which is why I didn't want him to be the traitor)!! (hide spoiler)]

So please, please, please tell me that you found a way to keep the whole team together. *Separation anxiety*

Oh, question, (view spoiler)[The turned Red Empire guy (can't remember his name at the moment), is he looking for the Raven? (hide spoiler)]

I am amused how everyone is now officially suspicious of or done cooperating with everyone else and are all making plans to bring each other down. This is going to be very interesting.

[Graeme]

@Nyssa.

I think you might be one scene away from a revelation.

The team is in trouble, but there are strong bonds as well as fracture lines.

You are thinking of 'Tamsah,' - he is primarily seeking to protect the 'truth speaker,' aka Li, in which act of protection he has invested a quest for purpose and honor despite his status...

[Nyssa]

@Graeme

Not sure which revelation to which you were referring --- so many things have just been upended.

The team is currently at the club where Li seems suspicious. And Anton is... I don't know. Again, (view spoiler)[ Regarding Li (hide spoiler)], I get his thought process, but I wouldn't say I like it. But maybe he's right. *shrug*

Graeme wrote: "The team is in trouble, but there are strong bonds as well as fracture lines.."

*Groan* I am overwhelmed about this whole thing.

[Graeme]

@Nyssa,

Indeed, quite a few revelations by the end of chapter 3, (view spoiler)[

1. Crane's been keeping Mekra on ice as his personal blood fountain and she's 'evolved,' into a new type of vampire.
2. Li has a mystical experience over Juliette's grave and picks up her 'legacy,' - this will keep popping up.
3. Crane works out Chloe's plan and wants to kill her, then screws up his 'secret force of Ninja vampires,' and stays his hand with Chloe as he still needs his best weapon despite her disloyalty.
4. Chiara admits her identity (I'm the Raven/Red Empire spy) to Anton in the boat cabin and overwhelmed by the honesty of the moment, falls in love with him.
5. Anton remains haunted by vengeance and 'takes a step back,' from what Chiara is offering, then complains silently about the 'complexity,' of life.
6. Crane bugs Chloe, literally, now she can't let him die and must stop Anton from attempting to kill Crane.

And

7. There are smart lizards lurking in the background...

(hide spoiler)]

Hence the little holiday in Reykjavik, a little RnR in a nightclub is fully due....

[Graeme]

@Nyssa,

Regarding Anton & Li, (view spoiler)[the team always rallies around each other in times of danger. At other times, different things can bubble to the surface.

Li is very smart and sensible.

Anton is smart too, but he is reckless, which rubs Li up the wrong way. That said, Anton has two major motivations,

1. Protect my friends/new family from harm. He's terrified of losing anyone else he cares about, and he cares about all of them deeply, but he responds to that terror with very direct actions...

2. Vengeance! Upon those who have harmed those he loves.

In terms of who leads ... it's kinda a side issue that resolves itself naturally over time. (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Graeme wrote: "@Nyssa,
Hence the little holiday in Reykjavik, a little RnR in a nightclub is fully due......"

Holiday, really!? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Gasp*

Graeme wrote: "@Nyssa,

Regarding Anton & Li, "

(view spoiler)[I was more worried about the romantic aspect ... LOL. Sometimes they seem too close to be romantic but other times they seem like they will be a very strong couple! (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

All I can say at this time - regarding that relationship - is that its complicated.

That said, your instincts are good - however the actual outcomes may surprise you.

[Nyssa]

I am just starting Chapter 6.

I tell you what, Graeme, I don't remember if I have said it before, but I am quite emotionally invested in these characters (In case it wasn't obvious)! LOL So good job, and how dare you! LOL

It took me a while to realize that the (view spoiler)[camileons and the rouge vampire beast thing were different entities. (hide spoiler)] I got confused by the attack on the drug dealers. Am I right in thinking that the (view spoiler)[vampire-beast (I don't know what else to call it) will only attack other vampires (hide spoiler)]?

[Graeme]

@Nyssa,

Regarding Chameleons (view spoiler)[

Chameleons feed exclusively on humans, but will kill vampires in their territory - if they believe they can get away with it. They don't eat Ramp masters (the food smells wrong) but will kill them too - if they believe they can get away with it.

1. One shows up in Reykjavik and spoils Boris Hartmann's escape ... you won't see this one again.

2. There are a group of four operating in and around New York, they take out the cartel and Mr. Slaughter's criminal enterprise and meet up with Chloe, who kills one (Faroke) and then bargains with the other three (Gullette, Shemina and Kavanne).

I liken the situation (Gullette and Chloe's arrangement) to a crocodile and a lion in a row boat on the ocean, they agree not to attempt to eat each other while they row for the distant shore ... once they are on the beach all bets are off, and they both know that. An alliance of convenience only. (hide spoiler)]

Regarding Tamsah (view spoiler)[

Converted (and therefore disgraced) by Chloe back at Armitage manor at the end of 'The Dragon's Den,' he is utterly struck by Li's words which causes him to break his own oath to the Red Empire, and Chloe's commands, and fake Li's execution and therefore save her life.

Charging himself to be an agent of 'Faith & Justice,' he tracks Li's movements to remain close enough to continue saving her (aka the 'truth speaker's') life.

He holds onto a faint hope to recover his honor and will kill anyone who threatens Li's life. You would have seen him most recently in Chapter 5, questioning the Shadowstone operative, 'Rose,' whereby he discovers the details of the 'conclave operation,' in Minneapolis. You can expect Tamsah to be on site during the conclave, somewhere in the dark, looking for an opportunity to save Li Wu from danger... (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Graeme wrote: "Regarding Chameleons ."

OH! So, (view spoiler)[Mekra (and those newly created with her blood) are now becoming or reverting to Chameleons!?! (hide spoiler)]

[Graeme]

Nyssa wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Regarding Chameleons ."

OH! So, [spoilers removed]"

Nup. My misunderstanding.

Regarding Mekra and Akimitsu (view spoiler)[

After centuries of imprisonment in silver and fed a diet of vampire blood by Crane, Mekra has evolved into a new strain of vampire and this strain is transmissible with her blood.

This strain is fast & strong for vampires, and immune to silver. They are all under Mekra's mind control via telepathy, and Mekra can astral travel to see what is going on, anywhere, including listening in to conversations.

Akimitsu, sole survivor of the Obsidian Claw ninja clan is heading like a moth to a flame toward Mekra's donjon (dungeon - Crane refers to it as a donjon as he is French...), with the aim of freeing Mekra.

Crane, of course, wants to kill Akimitsu and keep Mekra imprisoned and secret.

There is no connection between the chameleons and either vampires or Ramp masters. Chameleons are a pre-existing naturally occurring apex predator that found primate flesh entirely suitable for their diet. But they reproduce very very slowly, live for thousands of years, and are now ultra-rare. (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Okay. I don't think I knew Akimitsu's name. Yeah, I thought it was all him at first, which is why I was confused about what happened to the dealers.

Do we see Mekra's abilities in this book or the next one?

Thank you for explaining everything.

[Graeme]

A little more in this one. Then more as the story progresses...

[Nyssa]

I just finished chapter 8.

Umm...Wow! Anton is hella scary!!

[Graeme]

Nyssa wrote: "I just finished chapter 8.

Umm...Wow! Anton is hella scary!!"

Hella scary for a hellish world.... perhaps. 😉😎😁

Enjoy - the climax has arrived.