Amazing photo by @bookish_pearl
Hello everyone!
It is day 1 of our Readalong of Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian and I am very intruigued by this one!
Before we start though, how is everyone? Did you all have a good Christmas and New Year? Let me know what you have been up to and get to know each other in the comments!
Alright, now that we’re all caught up, let’s get on with the readalong!
Today, we start from Chapter 1 and we will be reading to the end of Chapter 7! Grab a beverage of your choice and some snacks and snuggle down for a reading session and then join me to chat about it!
Please be warned, the following will include spoilers for Eight Will Fall by Sarah Harian Chapters 1-7! Read only if you’ve finished those pages!
-!SPOILERS!-
We meet Larkin and her brother Garran down in the mines. They have just found a
We find out that they are Empaths- people who can siphon the emotions of others and use them to conjure or destroy…Oooo this sounds interesting!
There have been a number of strange occurrences that most people thought were rumours but now one of Larkin’s neighbours has gone missing so they’re starting to believe it! I feel like this could be a big part of the story!
And now the guards aren’t there at the end of their shift like they usually are…hmm something is definitely going on!
They make their way to the market to find some cake for Larkin’s birthday. The shopkeeper, however, is suspicious of her and watches her closely while he gets her things. Only when she’s getting the money out does he realise she’s an Empath and refuses to serve her 🙁 that’s so horrible! Why wouldn’t he just accept her money!
Ahhh Larkin used her magic! But isn’t it illegal? I wonder if there will be any consequences?
I love how close Larkin’s family are! They all seem to care for each other a lot and support each other even though they don’t have the easiest life.
The Reach? I wonder what the fable is?!
Oh wow so The Reach is a cave below the city where Ilona sent the Empaths that rose against her and now some people think these disappearances are due to them using their magic again!
Oh no, guards have turned up at their house! Did they manage to find out that Larkin had used her magic?
The guards enter their house and Larkin lets them shackle her, expecting them to leave her family alone if she goes easily but then they go for Garran as well! Why are they taking both of them?
What was that! OMG what! The temple of light has collapsed! Is it a coincidence it happened at the same time they were being arrested??
And now they’re heading to the palace!
Larkin and Garran are locked in cells in the palace alongside the other prisoners and Larkin gets talking to a girl in the cell opposite her, who she calls Dancer. Garran also talks to a fellow prisoner, a farmer in the next cell to his who is
Could they be disappearing into the Reach?!
The Queen enters the prison and starts taking some of the prisoners from their cells. When she gets to Garran’s cell, she requests that he is removed but Larkin will not allow it and uses magic to break the Queen’s ring in the hopes that it will make her take Larkin instead. And it works. But where are they going now!?
After being led away, Larkin is bathed and given new clothes which makes her think she may not be on her way to execution…
Oooo how has an Empath managed to become a guard? I’m intrigued!
Larkin and the other prisoners that were released from their cells are taken to a room where they sit around a table with the Queen. The Queen then offers them food which they can’t help but eat! I’m sure I would too if I was that hungry!
The Queen blames the disappearances on the Reach and Larkin thinks she is doing so to scare them but I think she might be telling the truth!
Over 10,000 soldiers were sent to assess what had happened where distruction magic had been detected and they all went in to the Reach. Only one came out and when he did, he repeated the same phrase that Kyran had said when he was banished to the Reach!
And there it is, the reason they have been brought there. They are to enter the reach, find Kyran and kill him.
That was definitely an exciting start! What are we thinking so far? And what were your favourite bits from today’s pages? Let me know in the comments and we can have a chat!
See you tomorrow!
Love,
Amy
I have enjoyed the first part of the book – so much that I carried on into tomorrow’s pages. Oops ? I like Larkin, she reminds me a bit of Katniss!
I definitely got some Katniss vibes! I’m glad you are enjoying it!
This book is already great: we’ve got a strong, proud yet caring female MC whose magical power is empathy (we could use this power here in the – so called – real world too).
Even tho the topics touched until now (discrimination, child labor and basically a fascist regime) are but light and easy, the reader doesn’t feel oppressed, quite the opposite in fact: I crave to continue reading with a “I have to set this right ans bring justice” feeling!
I’m so glad you are enjoying it so far! We’ve already touched on some really interesting topics!
I really like Larkin, she seems like a cool character and I am curious about the story and the world, I wanna know what happens next.
Me too! I’m so intrigued!
I’m really liking this so far. Larkin seems like a really strong character I’m sure I’m going to love her.
I accidentally read chapter 8, and I’m desperate to talk about that one already. ?
I’m so glad you are enjoying it! Not long until day 2’s blog post is up!
Hi fairylooters ?
So sad to miss out on this one (box hasn’t arrived yet).
But I wish all a great time, hope you enjoy the book ✨
Very great start for this book. Can’t wait to read more tomorrow. I just wonder why the queen thinks that 8 people will solve whatever is going on better than 10,000 soldiers that just dissappeared. I was positive that when the soldiers came for Larkin and took Garran, too they weren’t there just to arrest her for stealing and using magic. I hope their family is okay.
Yeah I’m wondering what makes these 8 so special that they’ve been sent in to solve it!
What can I say? I’m intrigued. I want to know more about the Reach and I hope the journey will be exciting to read about.
The Reach is definitely intriguing! I can’t wait to find out more!
I am very curious to see how will all of our characters interact with each other. They all have a lot to lose so I feel like it will be quite intense!
I can imagine tensions running HIGH especially with their powers.
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Yeah I feel like there might be some clashes but hopefully, they’ll be able to work together to get through it!
I like it so far! It is very fast paced, I wish we spend some more time getting to know the characters and their normal lives before being rushed into the story.
I don´t know, if I like that… But I will read a few more chapters
I think I like it so far. I’m definitely interested to see what comes next. My favourite part was the relationship between Larkin, Garran and their family.
They’re such a lovely family and they have such a nice dynamic!
I’m kind of struggling with this as the writing style is all over the place. The character’s thoughts are mixed with descriptions and then they snap back to something entirely different…
My favourite scene so far has been the prison scene because it didn’t feel like set-up or forced. I’m happy this book starts with action so soon and doesn’t prepare for battle for ages 😀 I can’t wait to see where this goes and hope I enjoy the next chapters a little more. Happy reading!
I’m so interested to find out where this is going to go!
Great start so far, I’m getting so much Katniss vibes and the hunger games vibes as well, she lets herself get taken by the Queen instead of her brother. I am liking the group that is set out to go down into the reach, I’m eager to find out more about them.
Definitely some Katniss vibes! I can’t wait to find out what happens!
I’m enjoying the little bit we read so far. Larkin is a decent character. I like her anger and how it makes her hot-headed and quick to action without really thinking about the consequences. Are they going to leave the collars on the Empath’s they’re sending down into The Reach? It doesn’t seem very productive. At least give them some form of defense. Otherwise why even bother picking those 8? Or 7 I guess since Tamsyn doesn’t seem to have empath abilities. I’m also curious by the spy comment. I almost want to guess that it’s Devon because the animosity between him and the Queen seems like a set up.
They should definitely allow them to use their abilities, they would probably be super helpful down in the Reach!
I’m really enjoying it so far. Still early but I’m curious to get to know the rest of the “gang” going to the Reach better, and how the story will progress ?
I really like these first few chapters. The writing flows really nicely and the world isn’t overly complicated. I also really like Larkin she seems really interesting but still likable.
Since Empaths don’t have family names or knowledge of their lineage, who wants to bet that one of them will turn out to be some kind of prince/princess/godling? I’m really looking forward to see if the missing soldiers are still alive and if they are have they been brainwashed and will be dangerous for out troupe?
Small tip: In the aknoledgments Sarah Harian writes that the music of Thomas Bergersen and Steve Jablonsky helped her shape her stories, so their repertoire makes for a great soundtrack while reading this book 😉
Totally agree about the music! It helps amp up the tension!
I love both their music anyway (Arrival to Earth is maybe my all time favourite) so it is great to have an excuse to listen to it again.
Oooh yay I’m off to find myself a soundtrack!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Oooo thats an interesting theory! Nice spot about the music! I’ll have to have a listen!
I’m definitely enjoying it so far. Though I’m not sure how to feel about the main character yet…. She seems a bit annoying, I hope she gets better.
Anyway I can’t wait to read more as the plot so far is very interesting!
This looks like such an awesome book to read I’ll have to figure out how to get it.
I’m excited to see where the book goes. I get Six of Crows vibes with the group of misfits going on a journey (this time to the Reach). I envision Larkin being a unique Empath because she was able to use somewhat of her power to shatter Queen Melay’s ring while being surrounded by luminite in the prison. I’m still warming up to Larkin’s bold personality though.
It definitely reminds me a bit of Six of Crows! Yeah there seems to be something different about Larkin and I’m so intrigued by it!
I’m not sure how I feel about Larkin… I do hope she turns around a bit (maybe she does remind me of Katniss as well and I really couldn’t stand her) but I’m hopeful that being with that group and in the Cave will change her behaviour somewhat. I really love the world so far and the magic is so interesting and really different. For me I feel I’ll really start to get into it once they’re in the Reach… I feel like that’s when the book really get’s the vibe it’s supposed to have…
I also feel like the number of people might be important in some way… but maybe I’m wrong, but then whey not send in more…. We’ll see
I still have some problems getting all the characters in my head. I know there are supposed to be 8 but I can never quite remember all of them. I’ve forgotten almost all of their names again…. Hopefully I’ll get it soon.
In addition to that the writing style might take a tiny bit longer to get used to as well.
Even though I feel like my comment might sound a bit negative. I truly enjoy the book so far and I am eager for them to get down there and discover what really happens there
I’m the same with the names so i made myself a spreadsheet ?.
That is a great idea =D I just made some notes
I think once we’ve read a bit more and gotten to know the characters a bit more it will be easier to keep track of! I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far!
I agree about Larkin, I don’t like her very much so far
Really happy with the story so far ? love the magic ?
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
I absolutely flew through Eight Will Fall last night before bed. My heart broke for Larkin’s mother and younger sister. What will become of them now? I’m not sure how I feel about Larkin – I get that her life if frustrating and restricted, but also she needs to stop and think about the bigger picture. She’s a bit of a Gryffindor.
I’m excited to see where it’s going.
It reminded me a little of The Extinction Trials by SM Wilson, but I couldn’t tell you why. I am thoroughly enjoying it and can’t wait to read more tonight.
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I know, I’m so sad for them, I hope they’re okay! I’m so eager to find out what is going to happen!
I can’t wait to read the rest of the book, I’m so intrigued by the cavern and what’s inside it. Mysteriously taking people – are they or are they alive – curiouser and curiouser…
I’m definitely intrigued as to whether or not their is a god or a rebel army. I have to wonder if somehow it’s a bit of both! This book feels very fantasy dystopian and I’m here for it!
I felt like there was a little information missing in the start of the book, it didn’t really catch me the way I had hoped, and I think the viewpoint is a little bit confusing but I could get used to it I think.
Even so, when I finished these first seven chapters I like it a little better than I did in the sart and am looking forward to finding out what happens next 🙂