The Forgetting Moon (The Five Warrior Angels #1) [January 16, 2023]

[Yanique, Thread Master]

This is a Buddy Read for The Forgetting Moon by Brian Lee Durfee startingJanuary 16, 2023.

[Beena]

Thank you Yanique!

[Beena]

Btw Nirkatze (or anyone else interested), this may not actually start next week now; Laura has also said she's up for it, she's just gotta check if/when it's available first, so I'll get back to you about the start date and ask the mods to adjust the thread if necessary.

[Beena]

This is going ahead on the 16th, Laura couldn't get her hands on it unfortunately :(

[Frank]

I'm in.
Do you have the other two books scheduled yet?

[Frank]

This will be a reread for me want to finish the series.

[Beena]

Great Frank! No, not yet. I'd like to see how I find it first and then go from there. Pretty sure Nirkatze will want to carry on buddy reading even if I don't though lol.

I might start it a little early; either today or tomorrow...

[Frank]

Beena wrote: "Great Frank! No, not yet. I'd like to see how I find it first and then go from there. Pretty sure Nirkatze will want to carry on buddy reading even if I don't though lol.

I might start it a little..."
OK, thanks. Definitely want to finish the series, loved the first book, read it 3-4 years ago.

[Nirkatze]

I'm going to be along a little late, but I'm definitely in. :)

[Navi]

I’ll be joining in on this BR! Should start later today 😊

[Beena]

Good to know Frank, fingers crossed I'll love it too, been looking forward to this one for a while!

Starting today too :)

[Frank]

Hope everyone has started.
This one starts off with a good deal of the typical fantasy tropes in the prologue and early chapters.
I will go no further since this is a re read for me, until there are some comments.

[Navi]

I finished reading the prologue and first chapter. I'm a sucker for typical fantasy tropes so I am enjoying it thus far. I'm impressed by the writing style! The story has captivated me and I am looking forward to reading more.

(view spoiler)[I love the idea of alchemy induced horses - sounds so cool!

Love how the book titles refer to weapons - I'm assuming they play a crucial role in series

What are Grayken? Assuming it is a creature of sorts (hide spoiler)]

[Navi]

Just finished Chapter 2 - wow! The action amped up real quick.

(view spoiler)[The gruesome nature of the grayken slaying reminded me of one of my favourite books. The North Water - it's not fantasy but truly a fantastic look at the whaling industry. It does not shy away from the gore and brutality. I also highly recommend checking out the limited series adaptation. Still gives me chills when I think back on it!

I was not expecting merfolk in this book - not mad about it at all though! I haven't read much epic fantasy with sea creatures.

Love how Zane doesn't even thank Nail after he risks his life to save him! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

I've also read the Prologue and Chapter 1, it's ok so far, I can't say the writing has really hooked me and there have been a few niggles. Hopefully will get into it after a few chapters....

(view spoiler)[ So Nail's the boy in the prologue and is being set up as the hero... but somebody did want him dead really badly.. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Still struggling...

Up to Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ What is this obsession with gold mining? Is Shawcroft searching for something else? Something lost?

So this king they just killed, is Shawcroft's brother.... (hide spoiler)]

[Laura Tenfingers]

Oh no, Beena. I came over here to see if I should do the unthinkable and pay money for a non-reference book (yes, I'm tighter than a crab's ass) but now I'm worried. I hope you get into it!

[Navi]

About to start Chapter 15 - wow! I am continuing to really enjoy this book. So sorry to hear you're struggling Beena :( I've just come back after taking a long break from epic fantasy so that might be a reason why I am having such a positive reading experience.

@Laura - Oh, I feel your pain! My New Year's reading resolution is to not buy a single book in 2023 - Yikes!

(view spoiler)[There's so much going on right now!

I'm intrigued by everyone's fascination/disgust toward the Vallè - I hope we get more history about this.

Shawcroft left the broken arrow in her leather-armored chest. He then folded the stiff elk hide back over the Vallè woman’s bound body, lifted her up, and carried her straight to the bonfire and tossed her in.

-- I'm not going to lie - I audibly gasped when I read this. Was not expecting this at all! I knew Shawcroft would kill her but I thought the woman would be around for a little bit - yikes! Shows the ruthlessness of Shawcroft.


Hawkworth killed Jondralyn's mother?! Not sure if the reason was specified but wonder if it has anything to do with furthering the Brethren plot

Seita had just dared speak the forbidden word—dragon—the most damning of all curse words
- I really want to know why dragon is considered a curse word

(hide spoiler)]

[Laura Tenfingers]

Good luck with your New Year's resolution! I have more library cards than I can shake a stick at so don't buy fiction unless I'm really desperate but I'm a sucker for reference books and just went on a binge shopping spree for vintage sewing and patternmaking books! Eeek!!! Totally blew any resolution to save money on non-essentials...oh well. Hope you have better success!

[Beena]

@Laura, I'm SO bummed that I'm not getting on with it! I've had my eye on it for so long and it's one of those ones that you see other people having amazing experiences with and sounds right up my street, so I really thought I would love it too!

I want to give it the benefit of the doubt and my best attempt so I might try for halfway at least, if not all, but it's not been easy so far.

Eeek!!! Totally blew any resolution to save money on non-essentials...

Haha! Oh no! Hey, shit happens lol. Just justify it by saying this is all you'll buy for now and it will be put to good use anyway... ;)

[Beena]

Thanks Navi, well glad you're enjoying it at least. It's both his style and the story that aren't really doing it for me. Think I've gotten up to Chapter 8, and Tala's chapters at least got a teeny tiny bit more interesting, even though (view spoiler)[it's essentially the same sort of shady assassin lurking about that we saw earlier... (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Ah man, really sorry guys, just can't do this, this is NOT for me at all. I'm out!

[Choko]

I will get to this in couple of days:)

[Frank]

Beena wrote: "Ah man, really sorry guys, just can't do this, this is NOT for me at all. I'm out!"
Beena so sorry to hear it, the book is a bit rough at times but the are really a good deal of really interesting POV's, that have many twists to it.

[Frank]

Beena wrote: "Thanks Navi, well glad you're enjoying it at least. It's both his style and the story that aren't really doing it for me. Think I've gotten up to Chapter 8, and Tala's chapters at least got a teeny..."
(view spoiler)[ this builds more and note throughout the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Chris]

I see this is available in Audible's new 2 for 1 credit sale, USA

[Beena]

Thanks Frank, appreciate the insight. Yeah, I was aware that there would be twists, I was interested to see what he did that flipped the script. But I'm really not clicking with anything, style or story-wise, and I've taken quite a dislike to his mythology, so I think it's just not for me unfortunately.

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "I will get to this in couple of days:)"

I'm running late too--aiming for mid-week or so!

[Navi]

Finished yesterday! I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. Will try reading The Blackest Heart next month. I love all of the different character perspectives and the plot set up.

[Frank]

The character threads were good once that started developing.
I'm going to read The Blackest Heart, who is in for it?

[Navi]

I’ll join you, Frank! Just let me know when you want to start. I have a copy waiting on my Kindle

[Nirkatze]

Navi wrote: "I finished reading the prologue and first chapter. I'm a sucker for typical fantasy tropes so I am enjoying it thus far. I'm impressed by the writing style! The story has captivated me and I am loo..."

I started last week! I'm up to Chapter 11 or so. I feel like the first couple chapters felt a little info-dumpy, and it took a few with each character to get in the vibe.

I'm actually bouncing back and forth between the audio and the physical, and that's helping! I think it took at least this long for me to start getting hooked--but now by 11 the threads of each character are starting to come together, and the bigger picture is getting a little clearer, though there's still a LOT of fantasy jargon being tossed around...

[Nirkatze]

Navi wrote: "Just finished Chapter 2 - wow! The action amped up real quick...."

(view spoiler)[I was definitely feeling the action--and horror--of the Grayken hunt... At first I was thinking this was sort of like Alaska Native whale hunting... but then... I wonder if this is more inspired by Scandinavian cultures and whale hunting? The spelling of some of the character names also suggests that, and the starkness of the island landscape...

And so interesting! At first, I was imagining whales, but then they have tentacles streaming out behind them!! Like a whale/giant squid hybrid...

I too was not expecting mermaids...

And then when the priest denies blessing Nail at the end... (hide spoiler)]

I was also thinking as reading/listening to this chapter--Why am I eating? That was a mistake... reminded me of when I used to watch Bones--I'd always find myself eating dinner during the dissection scenes and be like--why am I doing this to myself?

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[Seeing the connections start coming together now--Nail is the boy that the Gault's chapter's folks lost, and are looking for. Harwood was an assassin, but defected. Brethren of Mia put some plans into place... is the king that was killed in Ch. 4, Shawcroft's brother, also Jondrian & co's father? I feel like I need to keep better track of the dates...

We have dwarves--but I wonder if they are a species, or just regular little people? And the Valle, who seem rather Elf-like--and is Nail maybe of their blood? Even though the Valle he met said 'you are not of my blood'--his ears were also described as "thin" if not pointed. Half-blood? (hide spoiler)]

Jondrian--(view spoiler)[I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in her... I was hoping she would be more like Jasnah in Stormlight, a bit more focused and driven, but instead she's rather moonish... (hide spoiler)]

I am also very thankful to the audio for pronouncing Nail's name... so it doesn't sound like the thing you take a hammer to.

[Nirkatze]

Navi wrote: "Finished yesterday! I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. Will try reading The Blackest Heart next month. I love all of the different character perspectives and the..."

Hoping to finish in a few days--I'd be interested in reading book 2 if it is put at the same time next month...

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 11--(view spoiler)[Dang, this brother is really pissing me off. Sexism + religious fanaticism + bully. I hope someone kills him soon. Takers, anyone?

I do find it interesting that as Jon was looking at the dude in the arena, she was fantasizing about having a similarly fit body. I like that difference in fantasy--instead of swooning this time, she's dreaming of being more competent... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 12--starting to enjoy it more with the girls' chapters--(view spoiler)[definitely wondering what's going on with Jovan. Is he just that much of an ass and a bully, or is there something more going on behind the scenes? How Tala notes he looks tired--could it be that he'd been approached by ransomers, or with demands, to keep his father alive? Similar to how Tala has demands from a Bloodwood...

I wonder if the SS folks--Gault's folks--wanted Jovan on the throne specifically, thinking him hotheaded and easy to manipulate... and I wonder if the religious folks are in their employ... but don't they have different religions? The whole plan to trap Harwood seems like it could be SS inspired though, to catch him for his treachery... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13--really feel for poor Nail. (view spoiler)[With the author's note too, talking about how he was an orphan, I have to wonder if this whole "bastards are evil" church thingy is an over-exaggeration of how he felt as a child--his birth parents didn't want him, so he felt rejected by the world? So he made a world that rejected people like him too? (hide spoiler)]

I don't really find Nail's story that interesting at this point--mostly I just want to get back to the girls.

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 15--(view spoiler)[I really can't blame Jon for feeling left in the dark... Roguefort and others are just using everyone without really informing... she's not considered a real member of the Brethren... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16 Action picked up! (view spoiler)[And now Nail is without mentor or village, and all his old worries are moot... I too want to know about this "twin sister." How will Nail meet up with the Brethren again, and get answers to his past? (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through Chapter 20 (view spoiler)[Tala and Jon are horribly naive. Jon thinks she can win the throne through the arena--but she has no evidence that her brother would honor any such move, and the people, for some reason, seem to be behind him. It makes me think of a scene from Song of Ice and Fire, where Tyrion tells Bronn a story--a King, a Priest, and a Merchant all face a Mercenary. Each promises the Mercenary something--titles, salvation, money--if he will kill the other two. Who ends up dead? It depends on what kind of a man the Mercenary is--and all power lies with him. Where does the power lie in the kingdom, and how can she upend it? A song and a fight probably won't do that... Squirek is similarly naive--maybe? We still don't know if he and the Brethren have other plans... but there is no evidence again, that Jovan would honor the arena if Squirek does manage to win through all the challenges. Maybe he'll just make another impossible order--kill some innocent or be hanged...

And Tala--seriously? I'm glad she seems skeptical of the barmaid, but she's trading her friend's life for possibly the lives of her family... she's doing the bidding of an enemy spy of the state. She should have told folks from the beginning...

Lowri's reaction to Denarius is disturbing. I hope he isn't abusing her.... and if he is, I hope the Sor Soren get their hands on him and give him the same treatment as the village father and baron...man that was a brutal chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Chapter 21--(view spoiler)[Tala's scavenger hunt makes me think of interrogations and captured prisoner turning--how interrogators try to get their prisoners used to answering questions and doing their bidding until with small asks until they grow accustomed to obeying, then slowly up the ante...

It is also like a puzzle--how do these pieces fit together into a bigger whole? How is this part of the Bloodwood's plan? Sort of like trying to piece together the pieces of the Bretheren's plan when we saw only pieces from Jon's perspective...

Also, Tala's infatuation with the rather annoying Glade mirrors the country's fawning of the ass-hat king Jovan...

And Denarius needs to die very painfully. Fortunate that Tala now has a Bloodwood dagger... (hide spoiler)]

[Navi]

Nirkatze, I can't wait to read all of your spoiler tags! Will reply when I have time to go through them properly :)

[Nirkatze]

Navi wrote: "Nirkatze, I can't wait to read all of your spoiler tags! Will reply when I have time to go through them properly :)"

Aww thank you Navi! I was starting to worry I was too late to the party...

[Nirkatze]

The religious aspects + Sor Sevier make me think of the Viking raids on England circa 1000 C.E. I've been watching the anime Vinland Saga, and read The Last Kingdom a couple years ago... (view spoiler)[the fervent belief in Laijon and the actual providence of miracles, the advent of the Absolution, reminds me of how many thought the world would end in year 1000, exactly 1000 years after Christ's death? birth? Well, exactly 1000 something. Kind of like how people thought Y2K would be a thing back in 2000 and all tech would die. And the complete disdain that Viking raiders had for the weak Christian religion, specifically targeting religious institutions for raids and playing sport with their adherents... Similar games to that "how about I shoot an arrow at you and if your god saves you you can go free." (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 25. (view spoiler)[I am glad that Tala recognizes that the Bloodwood is playing a multi-faceted game, and that she has no idea what the ripples will be.

The bit about Karowyn is strange though--I couldn't remember her so I did a book search--apparently Sor Sevier's leader, Aeros, killed her himself,,, the daughter of Torrence, the king from the first Gault chapter (who I'm still a little fuzzy on... NOT Tala's father, but maybe Shawcroft's brother?) But the Bloodwood is saying Jovan should have married her as promised....? Did he renege on his promise first, before Aeros attacked? Or is the Bloodwood's game NOT Sor Sevier's game? Is the mysterious figure NOT a Bloodwood? None of Gault's chapters suggest they have an assassin spy in the kingdom... (hide spoiler)]

Starting to enjoy Nail's chapters more since things have gotten shaken up!

[Navi]

Nirkatze wrote: "Navi wrote: "Just finished Chapter 2 - wow! The action amped up real quick...."

I was definitely feeling the action--and horror--of the Grayken hunt... At first I was thinking this was sort of lik..."


(view spoiler)[Yes, the whale/giant squid hybrid was a shock to me!! It was hard for me to visualize it to be honest but it sounds soo cool.

I hope we see more of the mermaids in the later books! (hide spoiler)]

[Navi]

Nirkatze wrote: ""

(view spoiler)[

Chapter 10 [Seeing the connections start coming together now--Nail is the boy that the Gault's chapter's folks lost, and are looking for. Harwood was an assassin, but defected. Brethren of Mia put some plans into place... is the king that was killed in Ch. 4, Shawcroft's brother, also Jondrian & co's father? I feel like I need to keep better track of the dates...

I find it really hard keeping track of the dates especially when there was a bit of a time jump lol!

We have dwarves--but I wonder if they are a species, or just regular little people? And the Valle, who seem rather Elf-like--and is Nail maybe of their blood? Even though the Valle he met said 'you are not of my blood'--his ears were also described as "thin" if not pointed. Half-blood? (hide spoiler)]

Good question about the dwarves! I'm actually not sure!

Love your observation about "you are not of my blood" because I thought Nail was part of the Valle but I forgot about the assassin saying that when she first met him!

Jondrian--[I have to admit I'm a little disappointed in her... I was hoping she would be more like Jasnah in Stormlight, a bit more focused and driven, but instead she's rather moonish... (hide spoiler)]

Omg, I really don't like Jondrian - She's way too impulsive and makes terrible mistakes

I am also very thankful to the audio for pronouncing Nail's name... so it doesn't sound like the thing you take a hammer to.

How do you pronounce his name? Is it NI-AL?

(hide spoiler)]

[Navi]

Nirkatze wrote: "I don't really find Nail's story that interesting at this point--mostly I just want to get back to the girls.
"

I agree. I find myself taking a breath every time his perspective comes around!

[Navi]

Nirkatze wrote: "Through Chapter 20..."

(view spoiler)[Through Chapter 20 [Tala and Jon are horribly naive. Jon thinks she can win the throne through the arena--but she has no evidence that her brother would honor any such move, and the people, for some reason, seem to be behind him. It makes me think of a scene from Song of Ice and Fire, where Tyrion tells Bronn a story--a King, a Priest, and a Merchant all face a Mercenary. Each promises the Mercenary something--titles, salvation, money--if he will kill the other two. Who ends up dead? It depends on what kind of a man the Mercenary is--and all power lies with him. Where does the power lie in the kingdom, and how can she upend it? A song and a fight probably won't do that... Squirek is similarly naive--maybe? We still don't know if he and the Brethren have other plans... but there is no evidence again, that Jovan would honor the arena if Squirek does manage to win through all the challenges. Maybe he'll just make another impossible order--kill some innocent or be hanged...

Ooh love that call back to GoT! That's what I thought as well - how do we know Jovan will honor this arrangement. I don't see it being as simple as Jon beating him in the arena, especially considering how evil her brother seems.

And Tala--seriously? I'm glad she seems skeptical of the barmaid, but she's trading her friend's life for possibly the lives of her family... she's doing the bidding of an enemy spy of the state. She should have told folks from the beginning...

Yes, OMG! She seemed a bit too eager to go through all of that on her own without any help. I understand that she probably didn't want to compromise her friend's life but this seems way bigger than that.

Lowri's reaction to Denarius is disturbing. I hope he isn't abusing her.... and if he is, I hope the Sor Soren get their hands on him and give him the same treatment as the village father and baron...man that was a brutal chapter.


That baron scene was crazy! Just when I thought it was going to end, it just went further and further. I'm a big fan of grimdark fantasy so as much as I'm glad the book gets dark I had to take a few breaks during this scene (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Navi! Thank you so much for your responses!

I really want to find out more about this world and its races--the delicate Valle, the vampire-ogre-like Oghul, the mermaids, the dwarfs who we know nothing of as a people... how did they all come to cohabitate in this world? And what is up with the dragons??? (view spoiler)[Why is it a foul word? What is the history there? (hide spoiler)]

I feel like I should like Jon more than I do--I totally agree about the impulsiveness.... I do love the girls' chapters more still! Though Nail's are starting to get more interesting...

The narrator says his name like "Nai-al" or "Nyle" like Kyle with an "N"--I would've totally just hammered the name otherwise.

[Nirkatze]

Up to chapter 42. I'm intrigued that the further into the book I get, it seems the more and more questions I have. Some things get answered, or seem to be answered, but then later actions muck everything up again.

(view spoiler)[Getting more annoyed at Jon still...and not convinced she's the princess. Tala is of the same bloodline, is she not? For that matter--Lawri & cousins probably are too, since it was insinuated the line is from her mother's side, and they are cousins, yes?

Actually, I'm not even convinced there is a princess. The scripture quotes at the beginning of each chapter hint at conflicting prophecies. It seems there are three different religions all sprung from the same roots (much like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) but which are inimical to each other. Brethren of Mia, Laijon, and Raijael. The Mia one is the most sympathetic, with our POVs following its cause--but we have no idea where the truth lies in the history of this world--or even if any of them are true. We haven't really seen any magic yet at all, truly. Some alchemy, but no miracles or signs that godly beings actually existed. How much truth will be revealed? How much will the past affect the future? Or will it all remain quiet, only interpreted by mortal men however suits their needs, as does our own world?

Liz Hen I wanted to like, but her constant blindness and idiocy in faith and determination to hate Nail for who the old bishop said he was and blame him for her brother makes her an unlikeable character. I can't say I'm warming up to Nail at all either really--he also needs to stop the self-pity and Hamlet syndrome and start being more active. I find it interesting that the author chose to give Ava Shay POV chapters, but I don't see much use in them, except to show us how horrible the Sor Sevier are. It makes me curious if she might prove to be someone from prophecy herself--maybe even the Betrayer of prophecy, as once betrayed herself. Or maybe she'll just stick a knife in the Aeron dude for what he did for her. Mostly, I want her to realize that nothing done to her is her fault... stupid religion, blaming people for things they can't control, like their birth, or the abuses of people stronger than them...

I think I like Tala the most, though I still find her horribly naive, at least she has doubts and takes actions and realizes her own foolishness. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Through Chapter 51 Almost done! (view spoiler)[I was wondering why there was so much emphasis put on Nail, or why the Sor Sevier wanted him, when they had Aeron already. I had thought Nail had to be Aeron's brother, or half-brother, or cousin, since to be descended of Laijon he would've had to be descended from Raijael too--but with there being a prophecy about the youngest son... differing prophecies for the differing sects though, maybe? And Krista has to be the sister, right? The stepdaughter of Gault, gone to be a Bloodwood... (hide spoiler)]