It’s time for us to dive into the end of the Ember trilogy as we start the Diamond of Darkhold. While we are still thoroughly enjoying the series, the realism hits a bit of a snag, as Lina and Doon return to Ember. The book is still a page turner as we try to decode the hidden message from the Builders and the usefulness of the tool they left for the Emberites. Asia takes exception to Lina and Doon’s superhuman pathfinding and walking abilities, but Charles is more bothered by their assumption of the ability of flight. Which one is being less realistic?
Next week we will be reading chapters 15-27 of book 3 in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold.
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The tension has been building and finally comes to a boiling point. Lina has been bonding with Maddie, and Doon has been spying on Tick. The racism parallels are on full display, but we both think that the book is a total page turner. Finally, the tension boils over, and we have an almost full out brawl. Once again we marvel at how much we are enjoying this series, and the development of our two protagonists. Listen to hear if the Emberites are successful at assimilation or if the Sparks’ xenophobic tendencies win out.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-14 of book 3 in the series, The Diamond of Darkhold. 
It’s time for the second book of the trilogy, The People of Sparks. The denizens of Ember have emerged into a post apocalyptic society that only begrudgingly takes them in. As is to be expected, we have a good time ribbing both our great characters like Lina and our insufferable ones too like Torren. There is a brewing conflict between the Emberites and the people of Sparks. Charles and Asia have suggestions as to how conflict should be avoided, but will that advice be heeded? Lina goes off on an adventure and Doon becomes an on-again off-again member of the Tick fan club. But are either decisions good ones?
Next week we will be reading chapters 16-29 of book 2 in the series, The People of Sparks. 
The story picks up quite quickly this week as Lina and Doon super sleuth out both the corruption and greed of Ember as well as the egress from the city. This week we once again have to contend with younger characters who are naïve and that does push the book towards a slightly younger reader group, but we do enjoy the narrative of it. Darkness is continuing to fall in Ember, so Lina and Doon have to decide how to proceed. Listen to find out how we felt about the ending of this book, especially in comparison to the last series we read.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-15 of book 2 in the series, The People of Sparks. 
We start our new series with strong Giver vibes and a return to younger characters. We get to enjoy the mystery of the failing world of Ember as this dark city starts to deteriorate. This book Charles and Asia get to follow two innocent and likable protagonists but they like to run and look at bugs, which obviously we are not about at all. What is happening to the City of Ember and will the people be able to escape the collapse of their city? Also, why is it so dark in Ember?
Next week we will be reading chapters 11-20 of book 1 in the series, The City of Ember. 
If the Divergent trilogy was chaotic before, it has reached an apex in this final reading. We have the big and polarizing reveal as well as lots of co-host feelings about it. For once, Charles even tries to provide the benefit of the doubt, but the reading does leave both hosts at a loss for words. Will we read these books again? Listen to hear our final thoughts on the whole series.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-10 of The City of Ember, book 1 in our new series, The City of Ember. 
The books take a drastic turn and the thematic discussion changes completely as we cover the first half of Allegiant. The world has completely changed, leading to more confusion for Asia and Charles. Continuing lack of romance does not help both of our sappy hearts, and we can both feel another big battle coming up. Expect commentary on the formula that these books seem to be following.
Next week we will be reading chapters 26-56 of book 3 in the series, Allegiant. 
Things on the pod start to unravel much like the plot of the books. Charles continues to be quite confused, but he luckily has Asia there to guide him through it. We watch more stress on Tris and Tobias. Both are at fault, and neither seems to win our overall sympathy. Once again we end on a cliffhanger that your co-hosts have intense feelings about, some of which will have to be resolved next week.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-25 of book 3 in the series, Allegiant. 
Diving into the second book of the series, the war effort continues, and the reader's confusion starts to grow. As the romance struggles, so does our enjoyment of the series. The plot does start to feel messy, and when Charles gets confused, he luckily has Asia to guide him through. More and more of the world-building and character choices start to unravel, and the lack of logic does start to wear us down. Ironically though, we can sense even more unhinging coming up ahead.
Next week we will be reading chapters 25-47 of book 2 in the series, Insurgent. 
We go 0 to 100 real quick as we wrap up Dauntless initiation and immediately get into the overarching of the series, the Erudite-initiated war. Tris and her ability to escape simulations is pivotal, but this is when we start to see some continuity cracks. The ending is quite polarizing, but for once, we actually agree on how to respond. The romance is also doing it for us still as we finish the first book of the trilogy.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-24 of book 2 in the series, Insurgent. |
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