Stunning photo by @readwithacapricorn!
Hello, hello!
Happy Monday and welcome to day 1 of our readalong of Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb. I’m so excited to be reading this one with you, I hope you all love it!
Before we start, how are you all doing? I hope you had a wonderful weekend and got some reading and relaxing done.
Since today is day 1, we’ll be reading from the beginning to the end of Chapter 7. Get comfy and let’s get started!
When you’ve finished today’s section, catch up with me in the comments down below so we can discuss the beginning of the book. Happy reading!
Please be warned, the following section will include spoilers for Seven Faceless Saints by M. K. Lobb from the beginning to Chapter 7. Please only read on if you have finished this section!
–!SPOILERS!-
We start, with a death. Leonzio is a disciple of Death, but it’s unclear why or what is actually killing him.
Damian is a security guard in the palazzo, head of security no less, so he’s in charge of looking into Leonzio’s death (he was also in charge of making sure no one died in the first place but we’ll breeze over that).
Chief Magistrate Forte is adamant it was no suicide, but all signs lead to poison.
The plot thickens, this is the third unexplained death to take place in Ombrazia under Damian’s nose.
Damian asks Enzo, a serving boy, to fetch Signora de Luca, I’m assuming she can look into the poison?
Giada inspects the body, but even she doesn’t recognise the poison. It’s also too late to draw the poison out… and then Damian arrests Giada. Interesting…
She does have a motive, albeit a very weak one, but the main reason Damian has arrested her is because Forte hinted that he should.
Next, we meet Roz, who has quite the history with Damian Venturi. They were childhood sweethearts but judging from the way Roz is trying to avoid him, it looks as though they’re not anymore.
She’s a disciple of Patience and her father was a traitor. She also seems awfully intrigued when she overhears people discussing the rebellion.
Roz’s friend, Dev, is grieving, his sister was among one of the other deaths in the Palazzo, but since she wasn’t a disciple, less care went into finding her killer than we’re seeing with Leonzio. Roz is grieving too, and likely traumatised. When her father was killed for being a traitor, his head was sent to their door… and Damian’s father was the one who gave the order. Well, that explains why she and Damian aren’t sweethearts anymore.
Hmm, interesting, Damian isn’t a disciple but it seems he’s hearing Death. If he accepted her, would he be a disciple? Wow, ok. That’s for us to worry about another time… whoever killed Leonzio took his EYES. Gross.
After Roz visits the temple, she bumps into Damian. She overhears talk that the Chief Magistrate has made finding Leonzio’s killer a priority and it’s a kick to the gut for Roz, whose friend is grieving the loss of a sister who Forte didn’t care about.
It’s so sad to see what’s become of Roz’s mother. At least they both have Piera to take care of them. Caprice telling Roz they received a letter from their father, a warning, has broken my heart. Poor Caprice.
We finally meet Battista, and he seems horrid. They’re pinning so much of the blame for Leonzio’s death on Damian, even as far as threatening him that if they don’t get answers, he might have to go back to war.
I have to say, holding a knife to Forte’s throat because he’s trying to get into his own office isn’t the best move. Not smooth, Damian. Forte is acting strange though? Damian notices it too, when Forte calls him by his given name rather than Venturi. Odd!
I know it’s early on, but do you have any theories on who’s responsible for the deaths?
Which Saint would you want to be a disciple of?
Do we think there’s a possibility of a second chance romance between Roz and Damian?
I hope you’re all loving this fantasy mystery so far!
Love,
Shannon
I don’t have a clue who could be the murderer. It could be Forte but my first thought upon the lock incident was that maybe that isn’t Forte? Or could be Battista. We know nothing of his powers and he was in the building moments before. Maybe killing Forte next so his reputation doesn’t suffer. Right now I’m leaning more towards someone we haven’t met yet.
I don’t know yet which Saint I would choose. I can’t wait to learn more about them.
And yes, I do believe there is going to be a second chance romance.
Quite an interesting start. I don’t know at this point who could be the murderer. I’ll need more clues to narrow down my suspects.
Not sure there is a possibility for a second chance romance between Roz and Damian. She seems quite bitter and resentful towards him, which is understandable given the circumstances; Damian is a bit insecure and comes across as too soft, following orders from his superiors blindly even if he doesn’t agree with them.
I don’t the Forte trying to get into Forte’s office is actually Forte. The fact that he calls Damian by his first name makes me think it is Enzo and now I do not trust Enzo… though I guess it could actually be anyone who knows Damian well.
I don’t necessarily think Enzo is the killer though. Maybe he is a rebel? Or a spy from the otherside of the northern war?
I don’t know which saint I would choose… probably not death though.
I think it very likely the romance will be back eventually.
I know it’s early on, but do you have any theories on who’s responsible for the deaths?
I do not but I think it was someone disguised as someone else.
Which Saint would you want to be a disciple of?
I’m not sure. I don’t think we know enough about them.
Do we think there’s a possibility of a second chance romance between Roz and Damian?
I hope soooo! I love a good second chance. I understand the separation however, there are chances for forgiveness.
Hmmm my theory on who’s responsible for the deaths so far is that Patience is finally making her move and getting vengeance for Chaos. Isn’t there such a thing as metal poisoning? I also wonder if a disciple of Chaos survived, and now they are finally taking revenge? Honestly, I’m suspicious of Strength too because of the affinity to rocks, and then Leonzio doing something with the stones in his room, plus his eyes had turned to marble or something.
I’m interested in being a disciple of Cunning. I think making potions and knowing all the ways the body can be affected by substances would be very cool. We also haven’t found out what the disciples of Mercy can do, so I’m curious about that as well.
I definitely think that there is attraction and feelings between them both. But Roz seems pretty set on vengeance, and poor Damian just seems lost but he seems to be the more willing of the two to try.
So far, I’m definitely curious about the plot but I don’t feel too much chemistry between the two main characters yet. I also didn’t find Damian’s father that bad because he obviously cares about Damian. Battista wasn’t as cold as I thought he would be but we’ll see down the road if that holds up. And while I understand Roz’s pain from losing her father, I don’t feel her pain. Also that letter from her father definitely isn’t blank…
Off and running with a murder investigation. Leonzio’s chapter was…odd it almost felt like he was killed by the Saint of Death but that can’t be the case. It had to be whoever took his eyes. Which is just super gross and awful. I wonder if it is a disciple of Chaos from the Brechaat, there was a line that their disciples have powers over illusions right? Whoever was entering Forte’s office was not him, maybe its our murder.
Chaos disciple all the way, being an illusionist with an affinity for the mind! We haven’t heard all of the disciples’ powers yet though.
I love a good childhood first love, falling out, then second chance romance! I hope we can explore their relationship even if they don’t end up back together. From these first few chapters it’s clear they had a very intense friendship.
The world building is so captivating from the very start. It’s interesting what the different saints represent and what they bring the their followers. I’m interested to see more of this world and how it works. Because while those without power are seen as less, it seems as though they make up a majority of the population and the military made.
I’m a little suspicious of Forte but I think you’re meant to? I really don’t like him though, especially because how dismissive he was of the other two deaths.
I’m not sure which Saint I would be a disciple for, maybe Chaos even though they have been removed?
I do think that there is a chance for second romance but am a bit conflicted with the how. Roz is so angry and stuck on revenge that it might be hard for her to separate Damian from his father and Damian is still looking for the respect and maybe affection from his dad.
Missing (replaced) eyes seems an important detail to remember. So does Death – not Strength – being the only Saint Damian can feel. Miscommunication between (now ex-)lovers making this a friend-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers thing, I guess. Roz’s mom gets Piermont now or is just eerily perceptive. Shape-shifting? “The magic is faulty & doesn’t always recognize me” sounds flimsy as hell & the addition of addressing him by his 1st name adds to suspicion. Is that how the poison reached Leonzio?
Daily Q&A:
Q:
1.) I know it’s early on, but do you have any theories on who’s responsible for the deaths?
2.) Which Saint would you want to be a disciple of?
3.) Do we think there’s a possibility of a second chance romance between Roz and Damian?
A:
1.) An imposter from what I have to go on.
2.) It’s hard to say since Death is death, Grace is fabrics, Cunning is chemicals, Strength is stone, Patience is metal, Mercy is ?, Chaos is the mind? Without knowing more about each, it’s hard to choose.
3.) Probably, since what’s keeping them apart are (incorrect) assumptions & miscommunication.
I’ve already read the book before today, but enjoyed is a lot so I still want to answer these questions hahaha.
1. I know it’s early on, but do you have any theories on who’s responsible for the deaths?
At the time I read it, I didn’t really have a clue who was responsible. The omnious prologue confused me a bit in what direction to think haha.
2. Which Saint would you want to be a disciple of?
Hmm, I find Cunning interesting as well as Grace!
3. Do we think there’s a possibility of a second chance romance between Roz and Damian?
Definitely! I love the idea of second chance romance + childhood friends -> lovers -> enemies -> lovers!
I’m not sure I have a theory yet on who is behind the deaths. I think there is something with Forte, his door should open for him and he didn’t call Damian Venturi. I think there is definitely a chance for Damian and Roz to be drawn back together. He has so much trauma from the war, and I think he still cares, about Roz and (I would feel safe guessing from his time in the war) all those who aren’t disciples. I’m not sure what saint I would want to be a disciple of, a lot of my hobbies involve ‘making’ so possibly Grace. I also love the story of Patience and Chaos. Can’t wait to keep reading!
It was quite an interesting start with the murder. I’m fairly certain that the Forte who tried to get into the office wasn’t Forte. It’s a world with magic, so I guess it’s possible to shapeshift/alter your face magically.
1)I’m not sure who’s behind the murders, maybe Patience or Chaps is back to create… well chaos.
2)We haven’t seen much of the powers the disciples have, but maybe Cunning or Chaos.
3)I have a feeling it’s going to be a best friends-to lovers-to strangers (wouldn’t necessarily call them enemies)-to lovers trope.
I love a good mystery, I never read a fantasy inspired mystery before. It is so intriguing!
I definitely think something is up with Forte acting strange (maybe it wasn’t him after all) and I believe that Roz’s mom may be unconsciously dabbling with some of the other saints’ powers (and so knowing the future through Cunning).
To answer the questions :
1) I think the murder is someone we’ve already met (the imposter posing as Forte), who that person is, I don’t know but he/she could be a disciple of Chaos. I would be completely shocked if both Patience and Chaos were working together to seek revenge on the other saints!
2) Knowledge is so important, I would love to be a disciple of Cunning (but that may change as we keep reading the book, who knows).
3) I definitely think that Roz and Damian are meant to be together, they have chemisty and they will learn to love each other all over again. Lover to enemy to friends to lovers!
I can’t wait to read the rest!
I have to say the start of the book was haunting but interesting along with the introduction of Roz and Damian, and the whole disciples and unfavoured side of stuff.
I think whoever the murder is I think its a Chaos disciple, as it seems to fit with how they use to be, espeically with the illusion side of things.
At the moment we don’t knw much about each of the powers, so not something i can make a decision on without seeing more on each magic/power for each.
I think if they can have a big fights or something to clear the air, i think they can most certainly work out for the better but its a wait and see.
Also i think Damian may actually be a disciple, but just can’t work out if its for Death or if he will be one for Chaos!
I have no idea who the murderer could be but I think it has something to do with whoever broke into Forte’s office because I KNOW IT’S NOT HIM!!!
I think I’d have to know more about the Saints but I’d like to be a disciple of chaos because it seems… well chaotic.
There is %100 going to be a second chance romance! The enemies to lovers is strong in this one and I will eat it up.
Also… Damian keeps seeing death. Could it be that he’s actually a disciple of Death?!?? And it mentioned something about how dangerous it is to be a disciple of a saint you’re not a part of. Could that mean Damian could ironically end the war if he’s a disciple of Death?
I’m really looking forward to the rest!!
I’m not sure if we could say that they are enemies because they do have a past that hasn’t seemed to completely have gone away. I also have the idea that maybe Damian is a disciple of Chaos or something because he seems to be sensitive to something in the air when he saw the dead body even though he is unfavored.
I think the person who was trying to get into the Frote’s office wasn’t the Frote. I think that is the person responsible for all the deaths, not just the disciple’s death. I think they tested on the two people first because they knew they would be overlooked. I am still not sure if it is the rebellion that is behind it or someone/something else.
At this point, I am not sure which Saint I would want to be a disciple of. I think I need to learn more about each first.
I really hope there is a second change for Roz and Damian. What happened was not Damian’s fault. He cannot choose his family. Yes, he should have written Roz after it happened, but what would he have said? “I am sorry my father killed your father”? I feel like that would not have eased her pain and it could’ve made her even more resentful. I don’t know though…there also may be something else going on that we don’t know about. It is weird that Damian’s dad would kill his best friend for being a deserter when he just could’ve thrown him in jail. Or maybe Battista is just a terrible person. Guess we will find out.
I agree with you, the Forte mixup was way too obvious so early on in the book for us to ignore it.
1) My guess is someone connected to Chaos, since they said they tried to stamp that out completely and I feel like that rarely works.
2) I’m not entirely sure yet but I’m loving getting to know each of them and definitely want to figure that out by the end of the book!
3) Absofrickinlutely.
Such an interesting, murderous and untrusting beginning to the story! If I had to guess just based on the beginning of the book, I would say the murderer could be someone who doesn’t like the saints and disciples economic system. So probably someone who hasn’t even been introduced yet or Forte is looking a bit suspicious?? Or maybe it’s someone pretending to be Forte ah! I would probably want to be a disciple of Grace and there has to be a second chance romance between Roz and Damien! There is too much tension between the two already and they can’t stop thinking about what they use to have together, you know before things went bad due to the war and Damien’s father…….
Can’t wait to keep reading today!
I’m pretty suspicious of Forte (or maybe not-Forte), but that seems a little too easy for me. I think it’s probably going to be someone working who is a disciple of Chaos.
I don’t think we know enough about them yet for me to decide. Have we learned Mercy’s skill?
I’m sure there’s going to be some chance at re-kindling their relationship.
I am so intrigued with this book so far! This books gives me a darker shade of magic and Nocturna vibes! Which is all to say, I’m really excited to see where this goes!
I wonder if it’s one of the saints who is behind these strange deaths – maybe Chaos, but that might be to obvious.
I’m not sure yet which disciple I would want to be yet – I would like to see more of the other groups – but being connected to Death has always interested me.
As for the romance between the main leads, that is the only thing I’m sure will happen in this book. Part of the reason I’m really loving this book so far, is that there are so many ways it can go, and I can’t really predict where it will go! And while I think their re-kindled romance is inventible, I also think they will have another falling out by the end of the novel.
So excited for the next part!
I think that there is something going on with Forte because why can’t he get into his office and why did he call him the wrong name? There is something going on there and Damian needs to look into that more. If I lived in this society I would want to be one of the favored because I have always wanted to have some kind of magic. I just don’t think that I would be able to be froced to do things like make weapons for the war rather than just exploring my abilities. In that way I am kind of like Roz! I am interested in what happened to Chaos and his deciples, but since we don’t know what they actually do… it might be better off not knowing. I don’t know why they think that Damian is the killer of Leonzio because he had such a hard time during the war so how could he manage to kill a man and “find” his body stone face? IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. Roz and Damian might end up having a small romance but I don’t think that its going to be the focal point in the plotline. If anything it should be an after thought because there is so much going on already.
Exciting start to the book so far. I feel like no one really supports the war; everyone is just doing their best to avoid it. I wonder if the deaths have something to do with Chaos, there is no way that decimating his line and all depictions of him is good for these people. I wonder if he has covert disciples walking around, but they are not the bad guys; it feels like a red herring.
Forte’s behaviour is very odd, I wonder if he is under the influence of someone or something, and that is why the magic denied him. And now Damian is going to be in more trouble.
The letter from Roz’s dead dad feels important, I think her mom might be seeing more that we know or understand.
I’ve just been getting caught up today and I’m just about to dive into chapter eight! So far I’m really enjoying this one! It took me a few chapters to get properly sucked in (not gonna lie– often a totally different perspective as the first chapter/prologue unsettles me a bit, as I’m immediately trying to settle into character and world building) but I’m loving both Damian’s undercurrent of anxiety and Roz’s fury.
In terms of the murderer…not a clue. It seems like it has to be someone within or someone who is confusing/poisoning the characters– the chaotic nature of the first chapter obviously makes me suspect Chaos or someone involved but that also seems too on the nose.
So far the motives of the higher ups involved in the Palazzo are all super suspicious and all seem to be acting like they know more than they ought to– but the end of chapter seven immediately made me wonder if there’s some kind of shapeshifting or face changing ability in this world building because that was definitely OFF.
I think I’d really like being a disciple for Cunning — potion making seems like it would be good fun.
So excited to read more!