Stunning photo by @xioymys_book_tales
Hello FairyLooters!
It’s day 1 of our readalong of Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders and I can’t wait to get into this one!
Before we get into today’s first chapters though, how are we all doing? Read anything good at the weekend? Let’s catch up 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 4! Grab a beverage of your choice and some snacks and snuggle down for a reading session and then join me in the comments to chat about it!
Please be warned, the following will include spoilers for Shielded by Kaylynn Flanders Chapters 1-4! Read only if you’ve finished those chapters!
-!SPOILERS!-
We meet Princess Jennessara while she is looking for her brother and his best friend while simultaneously trying to avoid everyone else at the party.
Everyone has gathered to celebrate the Princesses 17th birthday even though the kingdom is being attacked from the north!
I can’t help but laugh at the image of her being caught on the sconce! But what does the white strip of hair she keeps referencing mean? It’s obviously something she needs to hide!
Ooo the streak of white hair marks that the person has magic but she’s not supposed to have it, only her brother Ren! And now maybe others also have magic?!
Her father is sending Ren to the North Watch at the border to try and get in front of the troops coming to attack! Jennessara doesn’t seem to want him to go though!
Oooo the King didn’t know about the note she found or the magic being used so there must be someone in the court that can’t be trusted. Even with this new knowledge, he’s still sending Ren!
Omggg the King arranged a marriage between Jennessara and King Marko’s son without asking or even telling her beforehand! And he accepted an invitation for her to visit Turia without asking her either! Ohh I’d be so mad!
But they need the help and the troops that have been promised once a date is set for the wedding!
And she’s leaving in 2 days ?.
Jennessara not wanting to get up is my mood every day ?
The library sounds magical and I can understand why it would be her favourite room, I think it would be all of ours as well!
She’s leaving tomorrow but still spending her last day, and her birthday, trying to decipher the note!
Ohh so maybe she’ll be able to continue her investigation of the mages library at the library in Turia!
I love the relationship between Jenna and Ren and that he trusts her not to steal his throne!
Ooft Jenna really knows how to hold her own, even with all the distractions! Aww but I think she has a soft spot for Cris! It’s so sad that she’s realising she’s doing everything for the last time!
Ooo I’m very intrigued as to what is going on in the ice deserts! Seems like this could be our enemy??
Oh no they want Jenna to take out her braid for the party but that would reveal the streak of white! She manages to talk them out of it but surely they’ll become suspicious soon!
Ahh so the King knew she had magic but didn’t send her away! And now he’s given her a sword and a ring that belonged to the first King, Kais!
So nobody can teach her how to wield magic as it’s different for everyone, she needs to figure out what she can do herself! But all she knows is the tethers and that’s not all that helpful!
You can tell the King really cares for Jenna and it’s a shame he didn’t tell her he knew about her magic before now so that they could have trained her more.
I’m so sad that she didn’t get to dance with Cris before the announcement 🙁 But yaaay he’s accompanying them to Turia!
I know Jenna is sad about leaving but she also seems excited to see something other than the castle walls for once!
Aww I thought she was going to get to train with her new sword but they’re not far enough away from home apparently! Ahaha Ren was so sneaky in helping her win the fight!
All too soon, its time for Ren to leave them and sneak off to the North watch 🙁 I so hope that wasn’t the last time we see Ren!
Hmm what is the King up to!
Those were some really good introductory chapters and I’m really excited to see how the rest of their journey goes!
Let me know all of your thoughts so far and I will see you tomorrow!
Love,
Amy
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The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Shannon
22nd November 2024
Hello everyone~
So far I’m intrigued by this book, Jennesara gives me strong Merida vibes and I can’t wait to see how her magic will develop. I also love the dynamics between her and Ren, but I must admit I have a soft spot for healthy bonds between siblings! I hope to meet him again during the course of the book.
So far the only black mark of this book is that it doesn’t have a map, I love maps and without one I was a little confused by all the talk about borders and kingdoms ?
Oh, yes! I’m getting the Merida vibes too!
I’m missing a map as well ?
I was confused as well without a map. It’s always nice to have one to keep the different places straight.
I want it to be tomorrow, so I can go on with reading, haha! I’m curious of what comes next!
I love the Bilbo gif by the way ?? I still have the tote bag with this quote from a previous box hanging over my armchair In the living room ?.
I definitely hate goodbyes!! I started crying when Ren said goodbye to Jennesara. I really like this story so far…..
I almost cried at that part as well! Normally when reading it takes a while for me to develop an emotional connection to the characters, but this is so well written and is packed with family love and emotion it’s easy to fall in love with all of them. It’s especially with all the emotional scenes in the first few chapters.
I felt there was a lot of set up in these chapters and I didn’t feel all that engaged sadly… What happens in these opening chapters is essentially summed up in the book’s blurb, so nothing has happened yet to really grab my attention. It’s a good starting point and there are some intriguing things going on, but I just haven’t connected with this one yet. I’m hoping things will pick up in the next few chapters.
I feel the same it took me a while to get into the story. And the repetition of the white streak was kind of annoying. Like I got it the first 5 times it’s important!
Hi! So I had a question first about today’s chapter ?. The King mentioned in the last chapter. Is that her father? Or is it a king from another kingdom like Turia? I was a bit confused since I don’t think they mentioned a name?
But I loooooove where this story is going. The first chapter really threw us into the middle of the story but the author did a great job at explaining the situation in the following chapters. This story just dives right into the action. So i’m curious to see whether someone will try to kidnap her on the road or if she’ll make it to Turia. And I obviously want to find out what’s up with her magic and if a stronger magic will come go light. All in all, a great start to a new fantasy book. Im intrigued!
I was thinking the same thing! It seems like a completely different person, but maybe we were just seeing him through his daughter’s eyes for the first part. Though he seems like a good parent (apart from the arranged marriage ?)
If he is her father then he did a good job of hiding that he did not know about the magic and the search for the mages.
I was asking myself the same question. I think it is the name of her father and it just wasn’t properly addressed.
Since we know from the synopsis her entourage gets attacked and the author mentions the book her father gave her she ends up having to escape into the wild. I’m debating whether or not she have Aleinn with her or not, but it’ll definitely be an interesting part of the book I can’t wait to read!
It was a really nice introduction into the book and the characters. Nothing much happened so far, so I’m guessing the book will pick up very quick in the next few chapters.
I’m a fan of those thrown in chapters that are not from her point of view and tell us a bit more that the main character doesn’t know, keeps us guessing.
I’m wondering if Cris just had a thing for Jenna and that is why he wouldn’t really look at her or if there is more why he acted like that…
So far I’m really enjoying everything
I’m hooked! It’s so good!
I really like the relationship between Jenna and Ren. The “chin up, Jenna” is so cute ? I hope Ren is not dying
Who’s the kreepy king in the last chapter? ?
Their relationship is very cute. I’m really hoping nothing happens to him.
I was also questioning the identity of the unnamed king. I’m definitely leaning towards him being one of the main villains. The smell of fish was mentioned in the throne room scene so I’m thinking he might be from the kingdom of Riiga that Ren mentioned when he and Jenna were in the library.
Sooooo – day 1, and I have a theory ? I think the traitor might be Cris……(duh duh duuuuuuuuuh) but of course, its early days, so I’m probs totally wrong
I absolutely love Jenna’s relationship with Ren, and I’m so sad they’ve had to be separated ?
Looking forward to seeing what Jenna can learn about her magic before she gets to Turia
I also think Cris might be the traitor along with General Leland.
I was thinking along the same lines. Although I really don’t want Cris to be a bad guy – I’m already shipping him with Jenna. I definitely have suspicions about Leland though. I’m also curious if Lady Isarr is involved in anyway.
We weekend was a little boring because last week at work took all my energy, so I only read few pages from “The Bookweaver Daughter” by Malavika Kannan.
About today’s chapters. I really like Jennessara and I agree with you Guys that we have here Merida’s vibes. She plans her investigation ans steps which is great. I hope we’ll avid the stupid decisions.
Ren as for now looks for me a little slippery. He really wants to be a king, prooves his skills. Even if he is loyal and love sister, I think he is afraid a little that somebody can discover her magic and wants her more on the throne than him. But we will see. 😉
Library, oh! Can I stay there forever?!
Today’s last chapter…I think the messenger can be this mysterious second guy who spoke with Graymere…and will try to kill the King? If we talk here about King-Father. I don’t know.
So far I am curious what will be next.
So this started off rather interesting. I am a sucker for arranged marriage trope so hoping if sails off beautifully. I felt Ren was going to be an envious awful brother but I am loving their relationship so far.
I suspect the advisor or Hafa are the traitor. It usually goes down that way. And those 2 seem to be literally the only remaining people the King trusts to some degree. So its likely either of them would be masterful in their deceit.
I hope Ren doesn’t die in battle though. I am getting very bad vibes about it. Another thing I theorize is that the Medallion will only work to its full potential with Jennesara and her magic will extend to a lot more than tethers.
Looking forward to reading more!
Really liking this book so far! Hoping we will see more of Ren and Cris in the future. I love Jenna and Ren’s relationship and I’m so unsatisfied we barely got to see her and Cris interact much even though its apparent they both have a thing for the other. Wondering if the prince she’s betrothed to will make her forget about her crush on Cris.
I am really enjoying this book so far! I think it is good for a debut. I like that their is humor in here as well.
I love Jennasera’s and Rens sibling bond. It’s definitely different than me and my siblings, but I enjoyed the care they have for each other and their secret language (Ren touching her chin for “chin up”).
I also enjoy the excerpts we get from the villains (I’m guessing that’s who the narratives are) especially the ice desert part. I’m excited to see what happens for the rest of the eleven day journey.
I’m really enjoying the story so far! I really like the familial relationship that’s in this book. I’ve read so many fantasies with a lot of court politics and family rivalries, so this was a refreshing change. I also liked how fast paced it was, and already so full of emotion just within these first 4 chapters. I can’t wait to read on, and I’m looking forward to the romance. I see a romance happening between Jenna and Chris, but I also kind of equally hope that there’s a romance between her and her betrothed.
I have a feeling this is going to be a new favorite of mine. Always love me a BA heroine who eschews culture and tradition as best she can (I know she’s being forced into her marriage and all that, but it’s clear she is still 100% herself and has been training all her life, at least physically). I agree with other commenters; a map would be super helpful– can be difficult to keep track of new kingdoms. I love the relationship she has with her brother; it’s super sweet. Ready for day 2’s reading!!!
I’m really surprised at how much I’m loving this book so far. I didn’t know if I would do the read-a-long, but I decided to pick it up and read the first few pages to see if I’d end up liking it. The next thing I knew I was almost done with today’s reading.
I’m loving the relationship between Ren and Jenna, but I am wondering why he wants her to hide her magic so much. I understand she has a fear, but I more curious about his side of this. I hope we get to see more of him because I do like him as a character. I’m also already shipping Cris and Jenna even though I have suspicions about Cris being part of the traitors. I also believe General Leland is one of the main people involved in the plot and Jenna’s dislike of him since childhood is an indicator.
I am really looking forward to reading about whatever attack happens to them on the road and also delving deeper into the magic of this world. I’m also looking forward to reading more about these mages, the great war that was mentioned and about Kais and his importance. It’ll be interesting to see where this story goes!
I love the Fairyloot edition of this book so much, it’s so pretty and green. I love all the detail in the naked hardcover, especially the silver design on the spine. I have gone into this book completely blind, never even read the synopsis. I also wish there was s map…. hopefully book 2 will have one.
I really like the book so far! Interested to learn more about the magic system, plus the history of the world. And I like the heroine too!
I loved the beginning chapters of this book, as it hooked me immediately. I can read it easily and I’m very intrigued by the magic system en Jess’ magic (I feel like she’s capable of more than she thinks). I love her relationship with her brother and how they trust one another. And the king just before chapter 5 is very intriguing to me. Is it the same king, suddenly acting different? Or a different king?
Not going to lie all I could focus on is why didn’t she cut or dye or even straight-up paint that part of her hair, I wasn’t sure I liked the story because I was so hung up on it lol
I’m a bit delayed but at least finished day one.
First, I must say, I love how wholesome this family is. They really love and care about each other. It’s so sweet. The parting of Ren and Jenna almost made me cry.
Well, the mother is dead. But maybe throughout the story we’ll get an explanation for this mysterious disease she died from. I bet it has something to do with all this magic stuff.
With the whole party travelling to Turia, I somehow can’t stop wondering, who will die. These people mean a lot to Jenna, so I’m sure one of them won’t make it. At least Ren has already left the group, so he should be safe for now. As should be Cris. By the way, good timing, dude, for now showing that you like Jenna. Boys…
Another comment mentioned Merida vibes with this story. I rather get the impression, that the author really likes Frozen. Jenna is Elsa minus the fear. Just the description of the dress for the ball screamed Elsa. I can live with that, though.
For some reason, I don’t think the king mentioned at the end is the father whom we just left, but the antagonist who wants to destroy the kingdom.
I’m super late to the party. I had a little trouble getting into the first chapter but my interest is peaked.
My suspicion is with Leland he give me “loyal servant snake vibes” but that could be a writing style used to throw the scent off the real traitor. We shall see…