DIscuss! At the elite Catenan Academy, a young fugitive uncovers layered mysteries and world-changing secrets in this new fantasy series by internationally bestselling author of The Licanius Trilogy, James Islington. AUDI. VIDE. TACE. The Catenan Republic – the Hierarchy – may rule the world now, but they do not know everything. I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilised society in allowing my strength, my drive and my focus – what they call Will – to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do. I tell them that I belong, and they believe me. But the truth is that I have been sent to the Academy to find answers. To solve a murder. To search for an ancient weapon. To uncover secrets that may tear the Republic apart. And that I will never, ever cede my Will to the empire that executed my family. To survive, though, I will still have to rise through the Academy’s ranks. I will have to smile, and make friends, and pretend to be one of them and win. Because if I cannot, then those who want to control me, who know my real name, will no longer have any use for me. And if the Hierarchy finds out who I truly am, they will kill me.
I started Night Angel Nemesis before this one, not sure why, but I'll start this as soon as I'm done with it. The Licanus Trilogy was great so I have high expectations.
Ebook https://we.tl/t-2AJSsmYmVR Audiobook https://we.tl/t-wS9dnNq80k Link expires in 7 days. Get it while it's hot.
Downloaded might participate this month. Will throw it on when I go fishing Saturday. Will knock out about 5-6 hours of the book
Wish I didn’t read this before starting. All this Latin names is throwing me for a loop at first but yeah just from all the names and the audiobook cadence it is very similar and I haven’t even gotten through an hour yet.
Im going to start today. I always get some anxiousness about starting an new book that is a long one like this. Results in my procrastinating to start, but once I do, Im good to go. Also I think because I know July is going to be an undertaking of a reading month. Want to re-read the prior 2 Red Rising Novels before the new one comes out at the end of the month. /dear diary
Finished this last night. Not sure what to rate it. 6.5-7 seems about right. I enjoyed the story, world building, etc. but it skewed a little too YA for my tastes. I'm invested in the story though so I'm sure I'll be back for the next ones. Spoiler His repeated use of young hero cliches distracts from what is otherwise a cool story. It would serve him well to cut a bunch of that crap. Also, the word "of" is included in the definition of "comprises." You never say "comprised of," you say "comprises." He got that wrong more than once it bothered me.
Started this morning. Through Chapter 6. barely into it, but liking it. Excited to get into the thick of it.
Through Chapter XI There’s nothing really spoiler ish in there just random thoughts. I do have a question for anyone that’s doing the audiobook on a character pronunciation. Spoiler Can totally see how the ‘red rising in time’ comparisons are beginning to form. Really enjoying it so far. Sometimes I hate the way my brain works. It’s a fantasy novel with all kinds of wild stuff, and the thing I’m hung up on is them having glass mirrors and glasses in a Rome type setting. Not accurate! I’m a loser Ulciscor one hell of a name. Almost certain I’m saying it wrong in my head. Ul-SEE-score?
It is on first read. It’s a lot of table setting for book 5 that feels like a slog while you’re reading it. Then appreciate it more when you read book 5. And even more if you re-read it. A lot like re reading early ASOIAF books, knowing what to look for
Through Part 1 Spoiler Im really enjoying this. Fully sucked in. I like the ethical debate of being guilty by simply participating in society vs it’s not that black and white. Seems like Esteven and the Anguis got some one of those pre Cataclysm weapons they talked about. Presumably non Will people like Vis aren’t harmed by it. Also wondering if Ulciscore was tracking that down. Vis’ no doing the Will thing is what drew him to Vis
Finished yesterday. At my in-laws in the Outer banks so more time to read. 8/10 thoughts: Spoiler Had some flaws and it definitely had a few tropes plus the whole Academy contest etc. Red Rising/other similarities. But still really enjoyed the world, setup and characters - had a hard time putting it down. Wish there was more to read with how it ended since I have so many questions, but look forward to the future of the series
Through part 2. Im absolutely loving this book. It's a long book that doesnt feel like it. The pace is great. Good twists ect. I can already tell I'm gonna be frustrated with the wait for book 2.
How would you compare it to the Red Rising books? I’ve never read those and am headed to the beach on Sunday so looking for some stuff to read.
Disclaimer that Red Rising is probably in my top 3 series, so idk how to compare it as far as quality goes. It definitely scratches the same itch. Red Rising is way more fast paced imo. And more action. Shorter books too. At least in the first trilogy. I cant recommend them enough. Also the first book is by far the worst. At times it's very paint by numbers, but it just keeps getting better. So even if youre not blown away by the first book - keep with it. If youre looking for something a little different - The Jade City trilogy is very awesome.
Finished and loved it. Gonna let it marinate before I put my thoughts down, but immediate reaction is 9/9.5
kinda felt like red rising at first and I’m a little over halfway but it’s morphed into its own thing.
Spoiler esteven scene was wild. Not expecting it all. No clue what the blood draws are for yet but think the blood on the stone and not using Will is related. Also, the maze being one big test in the temple. I’m at him finding the wolf pup. I’m really hoping he gets a pet
Red Rising, this book, several others all feel familiar because they use the same tropes, but then go off in their own way. Ender's Game was the first book using the outsider getting admitted into an elite academy trope, so that's what I always think of - but Im sure there was something before that Scott Card took from.
Final thoughts - Settled on a 9/10 Spoiler The thing the kept it from a 10 is that Vis seems to have every bit of plot armor possible. All the way down to Vis sandbagging about being good at that Foundation game. He just happens to be good at everything required to rise in The Hierarchy despite being raised in a culture that is not part of it. But that's a minor quibble. The rest was great. The labyrinth run in the temple felt like a great play on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I kept waiting for Callidus or Emissa to double cross Vis. I was almost disappointed when it looked like Emissa did, because it was such an obvious trope. But the way he subverted that trope to make it not what it seemed was great imo. But there is something going on w Emissa. The fact she told Vis about Irdol's switch to religion, but he said he never told Emissa that is a red flag. Also dying to know who put the toy ship at Vis' bedside. Relucia is the only one that knows, but she wasnt there. Cant wait for the next one.
Spoiler The first paragraph is what annoyed me the most about the book. At some point, Vis needs to fail to keep me interested. I still really enjoyed it but if the protagonist’s success in every trial is a forgone conclusion then it gets a little stale, imo.
Spoiler I’m enjoying. Pacing is good. It’s definitely plot driven but they do a good job of developing characters. It’s got a red rising mixed with Harry Potter type feel. I don’t know why i say Harry Potter bc I’ve never read the book. Magic system seems cool but I want to know more about it. I do like that the book it’s to deep. I’m probably missing stuff but seems fairly straight forward. I mean his adopted mom was a pretty big twist. Labrynth was a cool surprise too. I’m at the point he gets Zeus and could picture him there being upset seeing his home changed. that damn wolf better save his life in a later book
I really enjoyed this book Spoiler so all that and now we got split dimension stuff going on now. Him being good at everything was explained pretty well but his flaw being he cares about people is little wild. I’m very interested why his other buddy didn’t do the test with him. All dieogo the wolf was always gonna play a bit role and glad it did despite being able to see it coming a mile away. Lot of ways this book can play you. Pretty good x cited for book two.
Spoiler I think Eidhen pulled after Veridius told him the rules and how he’d potentially have to work against Vis. He clearly doesn’t care about advancement, so he didn’t want to have to do that to his friend. Or since Veridius clearly is forcing him to attend The Academy and has some sort of blackmail on him, he told Eidhen to pull out. those are the two reason i thought when reading the book
Finished chapter XXXIX - loving it. I’m a sucker for this type book and this one is very good so far. Spoiler Did not see Ulciscor’s wife coming. Solid twist