March 2024 Not First in a Series BOTM - The Eternal Ones, by Namina Forna

[Alaina]

The dazzling finale to the groundbreaking, New York Times bestselling Gilded Ones series. One girl holds the power to defeat the gods—but can she become one?

Mere weeks after confronting the Gilded Ones—the false beings she once believed to be her family—Deka is on the hunt. In order to kill the gods, whose ravenous competition for power is bleeding Otera dry, she must uncover the source of her divinity. But with her mortal body on the verge of ruin, Deka is running out of time—to save herself and an empire that’s tearing itself apart at its seams.

When Deka’s search leads her and her friends to the edge of the world as they know it, they discover an astonishing new realm, one which holds the key to Deka’s past. Yet it also illuminates a devastating decision she must soon make…

Choose to be reborn as a god, losing everyone she loves in the process. Or bring about the end of the world.

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

[Jessica]

Starting this now, I'm so excited to dive in.

[Jessica]

Chapter Seven
(view spoiler)[ So there are other gods and 85 of them! This is interesting. I was wondering how they would get out of that and how they'd save Dekas body. I can't believe it was as easy as exposing the necklace to light to summon her mom. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Twenty One
(view spoiler)[ How interesting that all of this can be easy and that the gods were created by the wishes of mortals. I like how each book turns our understanding on its head.

This is a little slow considerning I'm now half way through and this is the end of the trilogy. I have no idea where it's going to go, but I'm enjoying the ride. (hide spoiler)]

[Jessica]

Chapter Thirty-One
(view spoiler)[ I liked White Hand's plan to get the Aviax on board, worked wonders and classic her lol. I like Deka don't understand what the greater being was telling her, but I'm sure she'll figure it out just at the right moment.

Her kelai being at Keita's summer house was a great touch. That scene hurt but it was really well done and a good way to bring things full circle.

I'm surprised we've barely seen the Oteran Gods, I thought there would be a lot more of them in this book. I wish Deka had trusted Okot, I think he and Anok were good ones. He wanted to be reunited with her, he was unfairly punished, I'm hoping he comes around and is who I believe him to be. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I am a bit disappointed, I wanted an epic conclusion and this fell a little flat. I was happy that Okot did the right thing and he and Anok sang themselves out of existence. Weirdly, though it hurt, I'm also glad there were consequences and some of her friends like Asha died. It's too unrealistic when everyone survives, and thankfully my fear she would lose Britta or Belcalis didn't come true. As for the end, I kind of figured that Keita would end up a god too, but I liked that White Hands joined her, and most of her friends didn't. The emphasis on choice and that immortality was a burden really resonated. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

I'm going to read this in the next few days

[Alaina]

Starting this now! I am so pumped after finishing the second book yesterday

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Starting this now! I am so pumped after finishing the second book yesterday"

I need to read this too!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Wow. I learned so much in the first handful of chapters. There are much more gods than we were originally aware of. Ixa is just growing and growing, and then meeting Ixa's mother? Oh my damn. Now we just need to meet Deka's mom, but first: sleep. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Seven
[spoilers removed]"

RIGHT? I was thinking it would be a bit harder than the necklace.

[Alaina]

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Starting this now! I am so pumped after finishing the second book yesterday"

I need to read this too!"

I have the audiobook on audible!

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Starting this now! I am so pumped after finishing the second book yesterday"

I need to read this too!"

I have the audiobook on audible!"

Sweet!

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Aw man. I was so excited to meet her mom and now I'm just sad. Such a bittersweet moment. Also, is she the new Harry Potter? Sacrifice herself and become a God - yikes. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Twenty One .."

I agree - that was interesting to find out!

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Omg seeing his family like that? Heartbreaking but also, I have so many freaking questions. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Thirty-One..."

My heart strings were being tugged for him.

[Alaina]

Ch 31-40: (view spoiler)[I'm not crying... you're crying (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Epilogue: (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Jessica wrote: "Finished..."

I can see why you were disappointed in how it ended. I thought it was bittersweet, but somewhat realistic. I like how everyone gets to make their own choice and can continue to do so.

[Alaina]

Today is the LAST day to add comments for BOTM points!