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Hello Fairy Friends!
Today is day 1 of our readalong of This Golden Flame by Emily Victoria and I’m so excited to be reading this one with you all!
Before we begin, how has your weekend been? Did you read any good books? Any new favourites you’d like to share? Let’s chat in the comments!
Okay, now that we’ve had a little catch up, let’s jump on into the readalong!
Today we will read up to the end of Chapter 7! It’s time to get nice and cosy for a reading session so grab a blanket, a beverage and some reading fuel (a.k.a snacks) and let’s get started! Once finished you can join me in the comments to chat all about today’s section!
Please be warned, the following will include spoilers for This Golden Flame chapters 1-7! Read only if you’ve finished those chapters!
-!SPOILERS!-
It’s a little bit of a spooky start as we meet our protagonist Karis, sneaking around at night in the Scriptorium. Karis we learn is an orhan, imprisoned by the Scriptorium and desperate to find the location of her bother! She’s stolen a ledger and has a plan to sneak into the hall of records to see where Matthias was sent all those years ago.
Sadly though she wasn’t able unlock the lock rune but I have a feeling she’ll find a way eventually!
We meet her friend Dane who seems to be a good guy who’s just looking out for her, no? He’s understandably miffed that she stole the ledger and he has a point… how can she truly escape with that pesky bracelet around her wrist?!
The fact that Karis hasn’t had romantic feelings for anyone including Dane has her wondering if she’s the strange one. 🙁 They seem to have a strong friendship but does Dane perhaps have feelings towards Karis?
Interesting! We learn that the The Scriptorium, which rules Eratia, flaunts itself as a leader among the nations in knowledge, but for the past two hundred years all the Scriptmasters have been obsessed with is recovering what they lost—reanimating and controlling the automatons littered over the islands. The automatons sound terrifying!
Okay there seems to be some tension between these two! Dane believes she should stay and build a life here at the Scriptorium where it’s safe, Karis is determined to leave and seek out her brother. Is there still hope for this friendship in spite of their differences in paths?
It’s not long before Karis sneaks out again and investigates the cave she discovered… where she finds an automaton, human sized and scattered with runes unlike she’s ever seen before. She writes in the automaton’s tome and enter Alix!
Oh wow this introduction between them could have gone a little better!
It turns out Alix’s creator and father died two hundred years ago and Alix has been asleep ever since. The news that his father Master Theodis is now infamous for sabotaging the Scriptorium and destroying the power of the automatons doesn’t go down well either. Is it perhaps all a lie as Alix says? Could this villainous figure have been a father to an automaton so gentle in nature?
Alix has always known that if the Scriptorium found him they would use him for their own means so must keep hidden away. What memories is he missing and what is the cause of the broken runes on his arm? I have so many questions already!
Oh Alix can remove the bracelet and unlock a lock made with script work, handy! Yes!! They’ve struck a bargain, Alix will help Karis break into the hall of records if she helps him escape the island.
Nice they’re in! And she has discovered that Matthias is held at the Magistarte’s library! But Alix also found the file on his father…
Yikes did he really create Alix to be a weapon? And what exactly is the the Automaton Heart- now broken beyond repair?
Magister Agathon sounds like a real gem huh? Do we spy the villain of this story?
Wow that was a close call! Karis comes clean to Dane and he is willing to help them but after saving them from the soldiers… Dane will have to flee the “safety” of the Scriptorium too. Something he’s clearly not happy to be doing! Plus they are for sure now going to be hunted!
Thankfully Alix has removed their bracelets and they are now free to leave! YAY!
What a start! Our gang of three have escaped from Tallis but the news is out about Alix! Things are frosty between Dane and Alix, both being understandably wary of one another but perhaps Alix can let himself trust Karis to keep him safe and hidden from the Scriptorium? Will they make it to the Magistarte’s library to rescue Matthias? And what really happened to Alix and his father?
I’m excited to continue to find out more and I hope you are too!
Let me know your first impressions and thoughts down below and I’ll see you tomorrow!
Love,
Codie
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The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Shannon
22nd November 2024
Hi Codie, hi everyone!
I got into this book blind: I’ve not even read the synopsys, just the description in the Fairyloot theme announcement. I thought it would be nice for it to be a complete surprise.
So far I’m loving everything, EVERYTHING! From the Greek-ish setting, to the automatons (that give me Laputa vibes), the writing stile and, last but not least, the cast of characters. If it keeps up like this it could easily be a 5 star read!
I know it’s probably too soon for theories, but however at first I thought that Dane and Karis would have a friends-to-enemies dynamic, but now I’m not so sure. I just know I want to keep reading ?
Hi!!
I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying it so much! Thank you for joining in for this one ❤️
Definitely intrigued by this one so far!
I liked how the plot got moving pretty fast, and really liking the dual perspectives so far! I’ve no idea where the story might go to next, so definitely want to continue reading more and find out!
Also love having an overt a-spec protagonist! It’s so rare to see in any media at all 🙂
So happy you’re liking it so far! ?
Hello everyone!!
I like this story so far!!
I’m wondering how Alix’ father/creator can be ‘the greatest Villian of the ages’?!?? Because Alix just seems to have such a good/nice/sweet character!?!
I’m glad Dane is joining them, although it’s not what he wanted. Hopefully he can forgive Karis soon!!
See you tomorrow! Love, Sandy
Hi Sandy!!
Yay so happy to hear this! I’m wondering the same exact thing!
Thank you for joining the readalong, I hope you continue to enjoy it ❤️
A really strong beginning…lots of threads of story leading off into the distance, and only speculation about which ones will untangle! It was really easy to slip into this world…though the runes and automatons are quite alien, they are written about in such a grounded way it feels really natural. The characters really anchor the groundedness too, bringing the human perspective…even though Alix isn’t human at all, though it really feels as though he is as close as an automaton could be. Can’t wait to see what unfolds tomorrow…
Thank you for joining and sharing your thoughts! I hope you continue to enjoy this story ?
I‘m really enjoying this so far. It’s nice to have friendship and trust at the forefront and no complicated love triangles. I really like the runes and automatons it’s not like anything I’ve read before. I’m really rooting for Karis to find Matthias. It’s fast paced and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow!
So happy to hear this! I wholeheartedly agree, loving that the focus is friendship too ?
I hope you’ll continue to enjoy!
I quite enjoy the book so far! The plot and world it’s set in is unlike anything I would usually read, but I am excited to continue reading this book tomorrow. However I must say, that so far I feel like the world building and the character introductions suffered a bit due to the fast paced writing style. Therefore I feel like it’s a little hard for me to paint a picture of the characters and their environment in my head.
I really enjoyed this opening section. I think it’s a good balance of world building and action so far. We know what Karis wants, and that Alix has some important information locked in his forgotten memories.
Dane is less clear so far, but it is understandable that he didn’t hate his life at the Scriptorium if he was miserable before being sent there. I do like that he has gone with Karis and Alix. Looking forward to tomorrow’s section.
Thank you for joining the readalong and for sharing your thoughts 🙂 I hope you will continue to enjoy this one!
So, whilst I think there’s a few things that are letting down the writing a little – chiefly that I keep feeling like we’re jumping from place to place and I’m left like “how and when did we get here?” – I’m overall really enjoying This Golden Flame based on the first section! It’s very readable, very intriguing a premise already and I am such a sucker for stories about soft boys and reckless girls, honestly! Also, I like that Karis is not a fighter but she is certainly not timid either. I really relate to that – I am absolutely the type to charge into a poorly planned idea or to yell “fight me” when there is a 98% chance I would lose any physical fight ever. ?
My favourite quote in this section was:
“He flashes me a smile that’s all secrets and all mine.”
Not that it had much to do with the story, I just thought it was a good line!
So glad to hear that you’re overall enjoying this one so far! I’m also a sucker for stories about soft boys and reckless girls ?
hahha love this!
oooh that is a good quote!
I’m enjoying this so far, the setting is pretty cool, it feels like a mix of ancient rome/greece but also magic with the runes/automatons? The automatons give me The Infernal Devices vibes with the clockwork creatures in that series. I agree with the above comments that it does feel a little jumping all over the place, but i do like just being thrown into a world so smooth sailing ahead!
I also like that Karis doesn’t have romantic feelings for anyone – first off, not every story needs to be a romance! I’m SO GLAD this one won’t have the MC have a romantic interest! There’s more story to tell than someone falling in love and I wish more stories had this!
Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Yay! So happy you’re enjoying the start! Yes I see how you could get Infernal Devices vibes too from the automatons 🙂
I agree! It’s a nice change of pace and I love that it’s friendship at the forefront too ?
I hope you’ll continue to enjoy and thank you for sharing your thoughts ❤️
Hi everyone!
I really enjoy the book so far! These chapters felt like a great start, already very intrigued about Alix and the automatons! I wonder which will be the real narrative for Alix’s “father”? The traitor or the kind person Alix knew.
I like the dual perspective, Karis is a great character too! I hope Dane will also soften to Alix. I don’t like the Scriptorium, but that’s to be expected based on the things we’ve heard of them.
I’m looking forward to read more and learn more of this world!
Hi!!
So glad you’re enjoying this so far! ?
I think this book is great so far, pulling you right into the action, I do wish there was a little more world-building, but I don’t mind with the fast pacing. I wonder if Alix will have the ability to animate the other automations, if he can wake them up with his rune control? Also, I wonder if this will all be a case of mistaken history, and there was never an intention for the automations to be used as weapons. Two hundred years is a long time for things to get lost in translation, especially if there was a war.
ooooh that’s an interesting theory! I wonder if he can awaken the other automatons ? yesss you have a point there too! Loving these theories!
Thank you so much for joining in and I hope you continue to enjoy! ❤️
LOVED these first chapters. Without even knowing what it was going to be about, it was really easy to get into and work out what’s happening.
I love Karis’s character, it comes across really strongly what she’s all about. Same with Alix, clearly a “good guy” from the outset. Dane clearly has a strong friendship with Karis, I just hope he sticks with her and doesn’t betray her.
I’m gonna go out on a limb on day 1, and guess that Matthias is going to be right hand man to the Magistrate, or totally sucked in by whatever dastardly scheme the Magistrate has going on, and Karis is going to be devastated…..although I hope for Karis’ sake I’m wrong!!
Looking forward to day 2 ?
So happy to hear you’re enjoying this so far! ?
Oh wow I hadn’t even considered that Matthias could be working for the Magistrate! oooooh that could be interesting but yeah I’m with you, hoping for Karis’ sake that’s not the case ?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts ❤️
I am liking this one so far! It seems like there are a lot of secrets yet to uncover and I’m really unsure where this will head next. I’m especially intrigued by the idea of Alix’s father being the great villain of this world and how that came about and the potential of Alix being this great weapon they speak of? Looking forward to the next section!
Thank you for joining the readalong and for sharing your thoughts so far! I hope you continue to enjoy ❤️
I’m definitely enjoying this book so far, which I am kind of surprised by because sometimes I have a hard time with sci-fi. I am curious to see how the story is going to progress and what our fun cast of characters will get into. I can not wait to see if Karis will find her brother and I am really intrigued by Alix’s and how his father became villainous.
Yay! So happy to hear this ?
I didn’t read the blurb for this book so I had no idea what it was about. I’m getting Ink and bone (The Great Library series) by Rachel Caine vibes already with the scriptorium, automatons & a history that is probably made up of lies.
oooh I haven’t heard of that series but I’ll be checking it out ? Thank you so much for joining us and sharing your thoughts so far!
Hi everyone I’m loving this so much already! I went in pretty blind and didn’t know much about the book before. I love Karis! Its so readable too and intriguing I can’t wait to read more today!
So happy you are enjoying this so far! ❤️ Thank you for joining us!
Oh my gosh! Did not know what I was expecting but Alix is the sweetest cinnabun, getting M-bot vibes but sweetness not sass.
Was not expecting Dane to come on the ride but so glad he did, also did not expect the story to move so quickly. This is going to be so good!!!
oh my yesss! M bot but with sweetness not sass, I totally see this ? So glad to hear you are enjoying this so far ❤️
Bit late in posting, but I loved these opening chapters! The automatons and runes are a really interesting kind of magic/sci-fi and the Scriptorium seems like a really interesting if probably very corrupt society. Karis’s stubbornness and bravery is really making me love her and Alix is just the sweetest little bean ever! I really didn’t know anything about this book going in, but I’m really enjoying so far!
Thank you for joining us! ❤️ Isn’t Alix the sweetest bean?! So happy you’re liking this so far and I hope you continue to enjoy ?
I just went into this book with no expectations, I hadn’t even read the synopsis because I wanted to be surprised!
So far I’m really enjoying it, it definitely has some skyward vibes and I’m really interested to see where this story goes!
Hi everyone!! This is my first read along so it’s so great to read everyone’s comments!
CANNOT EXPLAIN how excited I was when I read that Alix was an automaton – I love A.I. fiction, so this book? Serving me automatons in chitons and an awesome a-spec protagonist?? Loving it so far. I don’t mind fast-paced plots and minimal world building at all, as I kinda like picking things up as I go.
Hi all I am catching up to the readalong totally missed that it started already.
I love the book so far it interesting reading about robotic stuff its my first book in this kind of setting and i like it .
I like that we get to read both perspectives of Alix and Karis makes for un interesting read. An I like all the main characters so far cant wait to read where the story will take us.
Now on to today readalong part chat you all in the todays one next.
So far I’m enjoying this book.. although I went into it completely blind I never read the synopsis so I was a bit confused in the beginning. However I’m enjoying the two perspectives we’re getting here. For some reason I don’t trust Dane? I don’t know is that just me?
Anyway excited to see what’s going to happen now that they have left the island.
Hi bookdragons! How convenient that I discovered this readalong, I’m reading the book right now hehe. ? sooo I’m enjoying the vibes so far. I’m actually reminded of Avatar the Last Airbender! Wait hear me out. A bald guy (Alix Aang) is trapped in magical sleep for many long years. He is woken by a girl (Karis Katara) who he quickly makes friends with. The girl’s male acquaintance (Dane Sokka), however, is suspicious of the bald guy at first. The three of them set off on a quest together. (All we need now is an Appa?) So overall I’m enjoying the book so farrr… one thing that confuses me though is: is it a futuristic book? It was in the future box but doesn’t seem futuristic so far ?♀️ Hmm
Just racing to catch up over here! This writing is very easy to read and I’m coming in blind so not expecting anything at all! Loving this setting with automatons, very interested to learn more about them and what their original purpose, I’m sure that Lix’s father was not what the history on the island says and they’ll find out more at the library when they look for Karis’ brother.