Yes. I know it’s an addiction. But the best stories are addictive. It makes me wonder how I would feel re reading my old favourites doing a read along like this. Would I find the things I liked then a little more problematic as we’ve become more educated. Especially with red flags.

Any way.

Notes on 53:

Why does it feel that this challenge is going to have a big aha moment?

I like Andarna having an active role.

Sloane is at last warming up to Violet.

Oh no the cave is giving her a touch of ptsd from the interrogation room.

Well done on the control but you’re still in there with Cat so don’t get too comfortable ok?

I wonder what’s making her feel sideways. What’s the obsession with gravity lately?

Oh shit it’s Varrish’s dragon, Solas the stupid.

Notes on 54:

Andarna is a rockstar and I am cheering her on.

Yes!!!! That’s it fight back!!!

The heartbreak of the Liam hope and it being Sloane instead. Ooof.

What exactly is a siphon in this context and how the hell is Sloane going to deal with it?

Could Sloane be a great weapon against Venin if she can take and transform their power?

Andarna is a boss!!!

Damn Goldilocks learned so well from first year Violet.

She survives all that and he wants to fight with her?!?!

Notes on 55:

Again with the “you didn’t ask me” shit.

Well. After all that ask me anything crap he didn’t answer her at all.

How frustrating. And the interruption. Ergh. Venin and the wyverns are annoying as hell.

I wonder if wyvern have a rapid growth rate. Like with dogs? Who knows.

After bypassing the obviously suspicious collector characters “kingdom” I wonder if he and the leaders of Navarre are a little in league with Venin for a price?

Notes on 51:

Oh are we going to have a romantic moment? Feels a bit extra doom and gloom in my opinion. Oh no Tairn and Sgaeyl are fighting.

At least Mira is protecting her. I’ve yet to doubt her intentions unlike Brennan.

Oh Xaden got a small taste of being her.

Oh shut up… seriously! They mistook breath and blood. The dragons have to die for the wards?

Notes on 52:

All I can think is I hope they’re gifting Rhiannon’s sister some help with the baby for camping out there so much.

Why is she trusting Cat with any information? She and Bodhi give me the impression they’d stab them in the back to wear the crown.

She should tell someone about the dreams.

God their silent fighting must be awkward as hell.

Not going to lie. I have a massive headache. But I need more of my iron flame fix.

Notes on 48:

So she’s still angry as hell after the challenge and he’s choosing… to distract her… novel approach.

Wait so is he in her head or is she in his? How’s this working?

Woah. One way to sour the moment. Make it about his ex in a round about way. Cold water.

How very sobering.

I guess at least he’s making the point Violet is his first and only love.

At least they’re finally talking and communicating more.

Notes on 49:

Cat is such an oblivious idiot. I’m dreading the risk of her redemption arc. She just needs to be a dragon snack.

Andarna and Tairn are the best.

Oh ewww Dains getting a bit more of a redemption arc. It’s uncomfortable. Is he going to die soon?

Oh the declaration Dain refers to is page 323 by the way. I looked it up.

Notes for 50:

Yay she’s gaining some control. But more yay that Tairn is in it.

Oh hot damn. More attacks.

Suspicious they didn’t touch Cordyn. Very weird. I don’t like it. Suspicious.

Also… looks like they are now the next target.

This headache is beating me today. 3 chapters might just be all I can manage.

It feels like I’ve not read in a life time between getting stolen moments. Sounds silly I know.

Notes on 42:

Ok I’m glad Brennan decided to join in and give her another person to protect… just what she needed.

Curious about the stone taken from somewhere already drained though.

I’d completely agree and say that Violet is the new general of the rebellion. Here to take over and do it right. The Katniss Everdeen of dragons and gryphons.

Tecarus is a manipulative… just like Cat. I don’t think he’s sending cadets there to do anything but spy and espionage.

Notes on 43:

Even Xaden doesn’t trust them.

So the fliers have their own version of a parapet in the cliff climb they have to do. Lovely.

What a surprise she’s lumbered with Xadens ex… again.

I wonder if Maren dies.

Wait is Sloane slowly becoming BFFs with Violet?

Oh Sloane hates Cat too. And Liam did. I wonder if Sloane will help dispose of Cat?

Ahh Sloane is warming up to her. Yay! Those letters are brilliant incentives.

So no one dies on conscription day for fliers. That’s … novel.

Sharing Violet’s hyper mobility issues I sympathise for her on this hike. It’s literally my idea of hell right now.

Her box of compartmentalisation must be getting very full.

Is Ridoc the new Liam?

Notes on 44:

Ok why am I not hating Dain right this moment? And Sloane is now actually sticking up for Violet.

What???!?

Brennan concentrate and save Ridoc dammit!!!

Shots fired. Violet levelling Dains ego one step at a time.

I think Tairn is awesome.

Side eye Bodhi. I’m suspicious as hell.

Funny timing considering the freshly hatched dragon.

Why hasn’t Brennan shared the book with Violet yet?

Notes on 45:

So some Venin are unbonded gryphon riders?

Ooo 4 new baby dragons !!! Exciting!!!!

The death roll is rough. But how long has it been since they got back to their schooling?

Also… Cat needs to get some dignity. Her insecurity is not attractive.

Oh no what’s this new class?

Love that Andarna is there for a new class.

At least Ridoc lived. So far.

Hmmm so Andarna’s scales have a shimmer? Is she reflective? Like does she have an opalescent quality?

Awww Sawyer likes Jesinia. So cute.

Ooo runes.

Oh how I hate that Cat is good at runes.

Notes on 46:

Ok so her dagger has a rune on it that depends on need. So that’s cheeky. But at least it can open a door if she neeeeeeeds to.

That rune stone for protection is such a bitter sweet moment. I just wish Violet would actually communicate. Just be brave!

Ah so they’re using the dragon codex to force some kind of unity?

Blending fliers into a squad that will go well I wonder where Cat will end up.

Glad Rhi won the challenge.

What a surprise Violet is the target and is matched against Cat.

Haha awkward Xaden taught both girls how to fight.

They’d actually be half decent if they stopped being idiots and were a team instead.

Notes on 47:

Why are they telling me about the degrees of Venin.

Cat is psychotic. Absolutely driven to stupidity. Absolute dumbassery. She is lucky Xaden was there. But had he not been… at least I wouldn’t be running the risk of having to possibly see her redemption arc.

I’m stealing a quick half hour of silence from this world to read a chapter or two.

Notes on 37:

How is the Sage able to get to them?

The longest night?

She’s only just had her bones mended and they’re doing it…

These people so shrill in the assembly are so tiresome.

They really are a miserable bunch.

Woah her mum gave him another scar. She’s got a hobby.

Yay Andarna is awake.

Chapter 38 notes:

A scorpion tail… poison for the cadet who used poison. Hahaha.

So if one of her dragons dies does she still live because she had two?

Oh no Andarna won’t be able to carry a rider but hopefully she will still fly. She isn’t broken she’s just a bit wonky.

I bet iron rain is a code for blood probably.

She’s nauseous a lot. Question how does their contraception work? She spent the week before tied to a chair I doubt they’d be giving her the tonic if she wasn’t intended to be living.

I have questions.

Battle brief should be fun.

Ooo I might be right on blood magic theory after all.

Sounds like things are much more democratic than basgiath.

Wait. Mira leads the riot to them????

“Can you carry a luminary while insulted” though has me chuckling a page later.

Yay Mira isn’t the enemy.

Hahaha glad Mira punched Brennan in the face. I still can’t fully trust him yet.