Empire in Black and Gold (Shadows of the Apt #1)[June 14, 2024]

[Nirkatze]

Huh, didn't realize those were the same world.

[Monika]

gosh... I'm reading too many books in the same time, all them BRs taking time LOL! at least starting to read them in correct time to class them as BRs ☺️

[Monika]

I have The Tiger and The Wolf so maybe after finding rest of the series I'll read it ☺️

[Nirkatze]

Sounds like a deal, Monika!

[Monika]

Up to chapter 17 so far. Interesting. Had long day at work and I need sleep. More reading tomorrow.

[Choko]

Just started... Marking my spot:)

[Marie]

Monika wrote: "gosh... I'm reading too many books in the same time, all them BRs taking time LOL! at least starting to read them in correct time to class them as BRs ☺️"

Oh yeah, not me starting all the books at exactly two weeks after starting date so they would still count for BR even though I won't have time to read them...

[Choko]

Through Ch. 4... I am not exactly sure what is going on, but I am getting the jist of it politically. It will take me a second to learn the names though... Already dislike the Black and Gold imperialist... Nothing good is going to come out of them...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

There's definitely alot of setup, characters, kinden/bug types, etc...

[Tonari no Emily]

I'll probably get to this near the end of July... Still haven't started much of July's BRs...

[Choko]

This is another rough world... I guess the Wasps are Nazis with slavery... Half way through and I already want all of them dead!

The spider girl family secrets were just unveiled, which was very interesting... She is fascinating...

[Monika]

Still behind yous but having hectic week.

[Choko]

Take your time, Monika!

Through Ch. 28... (view spoiler)[ Thalric really is an interesting character. I wish he was on the side of the good guys, but obviously he is not... At least he has some sense of honor, and mostly tries to stick to it... So happy the Governor is dead!

The lady leading the rebellion is also an interesting character. Hopefully she doesn't turn against our gang.

Did it feel kind of left field when Totho asked Sten for Che's hand? I didn't see that coming at all... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Hm, good point about Totho...

[Choko]

Ch 33... (view spoiler)[ OMG! The face-shifter just took the form of the lady Rebellion Leader and killed her!!! So now that monster is going to impersonate her and the Rebels will be under the Wasp thumb... This is horrible!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Not quite... (view spoiler)[the rebel-lady whose face was taken wasn't the main one... just one of the many uncoordinated people under her... so the face dancer has access but not control... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I hope so...

I finished. A very solid start to a series! I am already invested and want to know more. However, the author decided to keep my paranoia at the highest level possible! (view spoiler)[ The shifter SPI lady couldn't just die, could she!!! I can't trust that anyone is who they say or appear to be now, until we see her actually dead. Instead of chatting, Moth-boy should have ensured the kill and then explain himself. I absolutely hate all shifters of her sort in all literature, except for Saimon in Kate Daniels... They make me hiper-paraniid and I hate that... (hide spoiler)]

I don't know where you guys got the possible theory about the Apt, inApt and magic, but that would be fascinating to explore... I am excited for the rest of the series!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Can you link the comment you're talking about?

[Choko]

It's Nirkadze's comment from Saturday...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I find the magic/technology split a little over-the-top, at times... (view spoiler)[like how the magically-inclined can't even handle twisting doorknobs, and need special doors, as a result... it's like full-on technophasia... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

If you guys hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have really noticed it. I mean, I noticed, but didn't find it significant until your comments... And now I realize it's a major part of the world building...

[Nirkatze]

@Iain's example does sound a bit extreme... but I wonder if that could also be a nod to the less.... apt... appendages of the predator species? Mantises don't exactly have opposable thumbs. Though I'd think Spiders would be considered Apt with their web-building...

[Choko]

I would think so... This must put the Beatles more towards the inApt, but they seem to be mostly Apt...

[Nirkatze]

I was thinking the split was down builder/non-builder insect roles, but it's interesting doing some research... Wasps & bees build--think of the hives! But Wasps are inApt here, aren't they? Or are they? Beetles and Ants are definitely Apt, Moths & Mantises and Spiders inApt...

This would be a good Author Question: What criterion did he use to determine if a race was Apt or inApt?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Aptitude varies on an individual level... you can understand tech until you unlock magic... then you can't... from what I remember... I think that's how it works, anyway...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I found the wiki page... it's riddled with spoilers...

Aptitude is generally set at birth... and some kinden are entirely one or the other like you said... with occasional exceptions/outliers... or external factors like rituals/etc causing someone to switch from one to the other...

[Choko]

Very interesting...

[Monika]

50% book passed.

[Nirkatze]

Thank you for eating that spoiler bullet in search of the information, Iain!

[Felina]

Okay. I’m trying this one again.

[Paula]

I know I am a biit behind but I am in the mood for epic fantasies (ASOIAF, Osten ard, Malazan) so I have started it. I am quite enjoying it and flying through it.

until chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ The way the people ate divided by insects is very original. And I also liked the divide between the magic and science. The name of the series is shadows of the apt so I guess the magic (art) will be the thing that will save them against the wasp empire.

I have also been thinking that for all their hatred half bloods are the ones with more advantages (maybe that's why they are hated). For example Toth has the ant art and the beetle apt. Imagine a mantis/beetle mix.

I also feel for Cher, she feels like the weak link and I hope she gets more confidence (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

just like the wasps... ba-Dum-TSH...

[Nirkatze]

Ooh, more people!! Exciting!!

Glad you're enjoying so far Paula! How Tchaikovsky translates insect habits into culture is so cool!

[Paula]

Nirkatze wrote: "re: Thalric--getting that impression of him. My brain cast him as Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister)..."

Same, he is very interesting

[Paula]

Nirkatze wrote: "Ooh, more people!! Exciting!!

Glad you're enjoying so far Paula! How Tchaikovsky translates insect habits into culture is so cool!"

Its very cool and the characters are also quite good. I will definetly continue with the series this month too.

[Nirkatze]

Iain & I are on book 4 right now--supposedly a good pausing point. We haven't scheduled any more yet and were talking about seeing if anyone else was going to join before we just scheduled for the two of us. If you'd like to, we can see when you can join us before going on to the next one. ^_^

[Paula]

That's perfect! I have just finished book one and I plan to read book two this month. Then the next two books next month so after that I can join

[Paula]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ I am glad Cher got wings, maybe she can unlock some other Art things.

It's also interesting that the magic is different from the Art since I thought thay were the same.

Totho being the spy was a surprise and I was almost disappointed that he wasn't dead. The time when they were going to be ambushed with stenwold and he had to confess and ask for permission to him to date Cher...I was as shocked as Stonewold, what timing haha.

I also want to see more of Thaldric, he was a very good bad guy. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Well you should have plenty to look forward to in books 2-4

[Paula]

Glad to hear that!

[Nirkatze]

Iain just mentioned in our book 4 thread we could schedule book 5 for June then, and see how we all do. Think that'll work for you?

[Paula]

Yes, that works for me.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Woo

[Nirkatze]

Request for #5 made for June 16!

[Paula]

🥳

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The first 5 audiobooks are 2.99 each on Chirp right now, if you want them, Paula...

[Paula]

I already got the ebooks, but thanks!