Girls of Paper and Fire Readalong: Day 1

Photo by @chapter_break

EDIT: Please note there is also another post for this blog HERE on another website. You can either comment here or there. All future blog posts will be on this website though! 🙂

Happy Thursday!

I loved reading all of your introductions from the previous post (you can find it here), it feels as if we’ve had a little ’round the table’ meeting with our fellow book club members! Wish I could provide some chocolate chip cookies and tea for the meetings 🙂  

It’s the first day of our very first Readalong guys! I am beyond excited and I really hope this will be a super fun and interesting experience for you.

Today we’re reading chapters 1 to 5 so if you haven’t had the chance to read those yet, go grab yourself a snack, cuddle up with the book and come back once these pages are done!

As I mentioned on our Instagram stories, I will be keeping these discussions very much on a friend-to-friend manner, not official at all so we can all be as relaxed as we wish.

Without further a-do, let’s start talking about our book! Please be warned, the following will include spoilers for Girls of Paper and Fire chapters 1-5 inclusive. Read only if you’ve finished those chapters!

Here are my thoughts and questions from day one!

– !SPOILERS! –

First thing we learn about the world is that girls receive the birth pendants that will open on their 18th birthdays and reveal a single word that shapes or embodies their fate. Our main character Lei is no exception. I thought that was such a cool concept and made me instantly curious and invested. What a smart technique to snag people’s attention!

What do you think the word be for you?? Let us know in the comments! 

I think mine would be ‘HUNGRY’. 

I remember learning about caste-like systems at school. We often have these in fantasy books in one way or another; this class separation, however rarely actually specified and acknowledged as one. I found this a very interesting setting, especially since this is inspired by Asian culture. The demon – human dynamic reminded me a bit of muggle – Death Eater relationship. Anyone agree? 

We get introduced to the family: we have our devoted father and a mother figure. And let’s not forget Bao. Our little sweet dog. And then the general arrives, barges in and kills the dog!

.

.

Wut. Excuse me?

I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS!

I was not expecting that. Admittedly I do have a soft spot for animals but BOI that escalated quickly! Definitely turned from a fairly calm setting, just a normal day in Lei’s life, to a dark heart-ripping one in a matter of seconds.

Is anyone else plotting revenge plans against the general? No? Just me? That’s okay.

Lei is taken from her home and my heart bleeds for her. It seems like this is reminiscent of how her mother was taken, I can’t help but feel utterly awful for Lei’s father. Losing your wife is unthinkable, however there is nothing worse than seeing your daughter taken in the same manner while being powerless to stop it. This scene was one of the hardest ones to read, it didn’t even take up a lot of the chapter and yet it was still so vivid and memorable.

During our ride we learn a couple of important bits of information about the world setting. We know there is magic here, we learn some of the most powerful magicians are called shamans. We learn that the General is bringing her to the King as an “offering” or as a “special gift” since her unusually golden eyes are considered a good omen. He then proceeds to threaten to harm her family if she doesn’t try to fit in and be accepted as the 9th Paper Girl. Honestly, this guy better get what is coming for him.

I do really appreciate us being introduced to some of the motivations behind people’s actions from the very beginning, it makes such a difference to me as a character driven reader. Do you enjoy these bits or do you prefer a more delayed reveal? Don’t worry, there will be more of that here too!

The road is definitely harsh for Lei, and the sea is even harsher. We have a fox boy helping us out, there’s one bit that stuck out to me, it was him replying to Lei after being asked why he would help a paper girl. He says that Paper caste needs help more than anyone else. It was oddly touching and infuriating at the same time.

The moment they mention the Cat Clan I instantly question if we will be united with their goal somewhere further in the plot. Anyone else? Any predictions?? I mean, it’s the only demon clan that opposes the king! I think that could be a fun direction.

After arriving at the palace we are taken to meet Madam Himura. I sense Professor Umbridge vibes, don’t know about you. Regardless, don’t think we will be best buds with her, just a hunch. But if Lei does get into her good books maybe we will gain some protection? It would be great to have someone in the palace to rely on at the time of need.

So maybe?

This is where our first part ends. What did you think?? I want to know it all! What parts stood out to you the most? What word do you predict Lei will have in her pendant? Do you think we will get to open it in this book?? God, I hope so! I’m such a curious egg.

We are reading chapters 6-11 tomorrow! Don’t forget to check Fairyloot’s Instagram page for some stories and posts relating to the Readalong. Beware, Instagram is a spoiler-free zone! 

I’ll see you tomorrow, have a good one!

Yours,

G