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dark-night-star-light · 9 months

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Spirit Animals: Tales of the Fallen Beasts (Reread pt. 13)

DISCLAIMER: WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THIS BOOK, THE ENTIRE FIRST SERIES AND BOOKS ONE THROUGH FOUR IN SECOND SERIES.

Masterpost

Halawir

“He was a Great Beast, and the king of these skies” (4). I think Halawir and Essix should’ve had a rivalry similar to Uraza and Cabaro’s.

“‘Cordalles, you did it! You’ve summoned a spirit animal!’” (5). It’s hilarious that people are so prideful of their kids summoning spirit animals, as if it’s something anyone has any control over.

“‘The betrayer’” (5). Yeah, I assume we’re gonna get the backstory on that in this chapter?

“It was absurd to be kept trapped by a bunch of seafaring nobodies who probably couldn’t even spot a fish flashing beneath the waves from three hundred meters away” (6). Yeah, those losers with their terrible eyesight. I’m liking Halawir already.

“He knew what it was to make people tremble” (6). Um. Okay. No mention of the Wyrm or any motive other than power. That’s fun.

“But he didn’t like this weak spot in himself. She was holding him prisoner. That could not be forgiven” (7). Can a spirit animal even “lose” their human partner? Well, there’s Lord MacDonnell’s hare . . . but it was always in close proximity to him . . .

“It yanked back on his leg, hard, and he boomeranged down in a tumble of feathers and fury onto the deck” (8). I imagine him doing a few unwilling air somersaults.

“ . . . brushing off the memory of Meilin, Abeke, Rollan and Conor” (9). Why does he know their names??? I’d expect something more like “brushing off the memory of Jhi, Uraza, Essix, and Briggan’s sniveling pets” or something.

“Then he loosened his bowels and pooped on her head” (10). HOLY SHI- (DID I MAKE A PUN. NO.)

“‘I didn’t know Great Beasts had such great senses of humor,’ Cordalles said, not laughing” (10). This one does.

“‘Well, it’s unheard of to summon a Great Beast, except for the four heroes who stopped the Conquerors . . . ’” (12). I wonder what the average person knows of their trials.

“‘ . . . but he was once so huge that the Devourer rode through the skies on his back . . . ’” (13). So the average person knows about Shane’s escape???

“He would finally have a chance for revenge” (14). He’s a normal-sized eagle. What’s he gonna do, exactly?

“So she’d been lying, too” (15). This mom acts in an understandable manner, but I don’t like her . . . even though what she’s saying makes sense.

“After so many days in isolation, he had to admit that he was the slightest bit pleased to see her” (17). Halawir’s reluctance to like Cordalles is so interesting.

“He couldn’t believe she was even debating the question. Of course he would fly away the second he was let free” (20). Can he do that??? I want to know.

“ . . . Halawir never joked” (21). Maybe not intentionally.

“ . . . rules were the way the clever gained power - by breaking them” (22). He’s not wrong.

“‘Imagine the look on their faces when I show up with a new green cloak, and you on my arm, as calm as can be’” (25). Cordalles’s need to impress could’ve been explored further in the main series, but it wasn’t.

“He felt almost as though someone was watching them” (25). Can the Great Beasts sense the Wyrm the same way it can sense them?

“But when her lips curled into a smile, she looked a little like a hungry cat” (27). Oh, Raisha, I think. I remember her.

“The girl seemed to remember the reason for their conversation” (28). That is such a red flag.

“‘I don’t understand why Mother and Father are always so scared for me’” (29). I mean, there’s always bad people, but yeah. Why are they so scared? Is it because of the Second Devourer War?

“Halawir felt for the girl . . . ” (30). Aw.

“He gave Cordalles a touch of his keen eyesight and quick reflexes, making it simple for her to dodge the crowds and easily follow in Raisha’s footsteps” (30). Wait, so the spirit animal chooses to give their powers??? I did not know that. I thought it just happened when the bond was strong.

“Zerif should have felt like a friend . . . ” (30). Bruh. For real??? The man is such a snake.

“What was that thing squirming on Zerif’s brow?” (31). Does Halawir know nothing about the Wyrm??? So he genuinely just wanted power when he helped Kovo. Bruh. What about Gerathon??? Did she know?

“He had a vague memory of Kovo rambling during his years of imprisonment, talking about some sort of evil associated with this symbol . . . ” (32). Wow, he really didn’t know anything at all.

“But he had been the one they wanted, not Cordalles. Surely, he reasoned, they would let her go, now that she no longer had the thing they desired . . . Save himself, and render her useless” (33). Does he actually. Think that. I can’t tell. Also, would he have stayed if Zerif and Raisha hadn’t come?

“She had freed him. Cordalles had let him go” (34). She did indeed.

“Cordalles immediately took off at a sprint, and Halawir gave her every last ounce of agility and fleetness than he could” (34). What an icon. In this moment. Not in general.

“‘Quit your crying,’ he hissed at Raisha . . . ” (35). Why did Raisha work with Zerif, even after Zerif degraded and insulted her?

Aw, Halawir got infected giving Cordalles a chance to escape!

“ . . . Zerif grabbed Cordalles by the neck. He took another dark vial out from his tunic . . . ” (36). Well, this proves what I said in my The Burning Tide reread. Zerif would’ve just infected Kirat if he had handed over Cabaro.

“ . . . a figure in a crimson cloak and an odd white mask had appeared and was trying to get between Zerif and Cordalles” (36). I do not remember a Redcloak in this chapter??? Wow.

“The last thing he saw before the fog overcame him was Raisha giving the masked man a shove, and the look of horror on Cordalles’s face as Zerif closed in” (37). This makes it sound like Cordalles and Shane(?) were losing. But we know they escaped uninfected. So maybe the look of horror was Cordalles realizing her bond had been cut?

Rumfuss

“He’d sold his belt buckle to a shopkeeper in Samis” (41). How did he end up in Samis??? Wasn’t he in Lord MacDonnell’s prison?

“‘You’re just another worthless urchin bothering the decent and hardworking folk of Eura . . . ’” (43). I hate this innkeeper. But Devin deserved to hear that.

“‘This sword is the workmanship of the finest craftsman in Eura - the queen’s own blacksmith’” (43). How did it end up with the Trunswicks, then?

“He had a new trick: Every time he felt his cheeks grow hot, he would clamp his jaw shut and count slowly to ten before saying or doing anything” (44). At least he’s trying. Also does he have anger issues?

“In the aftermath of the rain, however, Devin knew true misery” (45). He had that coming for him.

“‘Are all Greencloaks so impatient?’ The cat meowed in response to Devin’s favorite joke” (46). He uses one joke every single time? That’s so pathetic . . .

“But they had moved on, and the cat had struck out on her own . . . ” (46). I thought Kunaya was with Finn and Donn??? Am I remembering wrong?

“Devin’s mouth watered at the mere mention of bacon, but he tried not to let his excitement show” (47). LOL.

“ . . . her riding clothes were a little too fashionable to be comfortable” (48). Is this symbolism for Raisha’s naivete?

“‘Just like . . . just like Conor’” (49). The fact that that’s the first thing he thinks is just. Splendid.

I love how they’re eating bacon while talking about how Dawson summoned Rumfuss. Not that Devin knows it’s Rumfuss.

“It sounded to Devin’s ears like the same hawk or eagle he had heard throughout the day . . . ” (50). Halawir???

“He smiled smugly as he passed the same carriages that had overtaken him hours before” (51). I imagine him being like, “HA. Losers.”

“He chortled at his own joke” (52). Oh, there’s the Devin we all know and hate.

“He had seen this room every day for years. But today, for the first time, it took his breath away” (54). Devin realizing he’s privileged is hilarious.

The Earl of Trunswick is definitely an abusive parent. I don’t remember what happens to him, but he deserves to die.

“‘I’m not sure you’ll be happy with it, Lord Trunswick,’ Devin said. ‘Since it’s not perfect’” (56). Symbolism . . . I think??? His father should love him unconditionally, but Devin’s not perfect.

“‘Do you realize we had to abduct some ridiculous sheep woman . . . ’” (56). Well. He didn’t have to.

“Uncertainty flickered across Dawson’s face” (56). Oh no . . . here’s the thing. Since Dawson is a noble, he should’ve learned to mask his emotions, right? So this means that Devin really got to him or that Dawson trusts Devin enough to not mask his emotions around him. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.

“‘The great bore.’ He cackled. ‘Get it? Bore?’” (57). This guy still cannot make a single good joke. I’m reminded of that time in Hunted when they came to Trunswick and Devin’s jokes were just. So unfunny.

“His brother had recalled his spirit animal . . . ” (57). Okay. I talked about this in my Immortal Guardians reread, but Rumfuss died after Tellun. That means Dawson summoned Rumfuss after Tellun. So if Dawson had enough time to get Rumfuss to go passive, then Anda should have, as well. So why hadn’t Tellun gone into passive at all?

“With dark humor he realized he couldn’t afford the earl’s taxes” (58). Wow. The irony. Is just. Astounding.

“Then he turned around, and Karmo was standing there, blocking Devin’s exit from the alleyway” (58). This is so dramatic . . . and for what.

“‘My dad bailed me out,’ Devin said. ‘And threw me right back into the war . . . ’” (59). Wait, he continued to fight in the war??? It’s a miracle he didn’t cross paths with the four heroes after that.

“‘I had to listen to MacDonnell coo at his rabbit for months, Devin . . . ’” (60). That’s fucking hilarious. Also, I’m still salty that the harpist never got any justice.

“‘Your dad would like to think so. But the hurt runs too deep . . . ’” (61). This man is fucking stupid.

I love how Devin admits he was a bully. He knows he was wrong, and the narrative doesn’t do anything to justify it.

“‘But I know a thing or two about anger, and I think it’ll work’” (62). Devin full circle arc?

Devin’s plan is actually so smart. I remember thinking it was completely stupid that he hadn’t won at least a single battle off of wits alone during his time with the Conquerors.

“‘I helped them. I helped them take her . . . ’” (67). I don’t remember this . . . also the degree to which Dawson helped kind of matters, too. Like, how exactly does a ten-year-old child help abduct a woman in a way that two grown men find useful?

“‘Thank goodness you’re here. I’m so lost!’” (68). Raisha clearly knows who Devin is. Or else why would she ask him for directions in the Trunswick family manor?

If Devin’s father is broke, then how can he afford the guards? Like I get he’s raised taxes but . . .

“ . . . the lynx hissed softly at his approach. His father signed, retracting his hand” (71). Is the lynx mad at the Earl of Trunswick???

“They were well matched” (72). This concerns me to no end . . . like on one hand you have Devin, who has the senses and dexterity of a wildcat, has seen real battles and was literally in a war, and then on the other hand you have Raisha, who has no spirit animal (yet . . . ), is just a random noble girl, is younger than Devin, and has never seen a war, and these two are “well matched”.

“Devin had never won a fight” (72). Ever???

“‘It’s probably obvious to you by now that you’re not worthy . . . ’” (73). I know in one of my previous rereads I headcanoned that Shane was the reason for Devin’s Redcloak codename, but I would like to say I do like the canon explanation just as much.

“‘ . . . I wanted you to know that I knew that’” (73). Zerif tends to do this thing where he comes back to someone he knew from the first arc and tells them they are worth nothing even after he’s already defeated them (Shane, Abeke, Rollan, etc.), which almost reads like he’s unsure of his victory and wants to rub it in to make it seem real to himself?

“‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered to the boar” (74). I like to think there’s a double meaning to this: not only is he apologizing for mocking Rumfuss as the least great of the Great Beasts, he’s also apologizing for his actions in Hunted.

“Fire was engulfing Trunswick Manor” (75). Wait, I thought Devin started that fire as a distraction??? How did the fire happen???

Okay, so it’s implied that the mob started the fire. I quite like that, actually.

“‘ . . . where we’re going is more important than where we came from’” (76). Devin Trunswick arc in a nutshell.

Suka and Arax

I think this is interesting because this takes place after the spirit animals get taken, which is a new take.

“It wasn’t just strangers who gave sorrow and broken promises” (80). Anuqi’s parents selling Suka is just . . . wow. Like, they really don’t give a shit about her, do they???

Wait, so by the time that Anuqi went to warn the village elders, the stranger had already found and reached Anuqi’s tent??? How???

“ . . . it was exactly like them to not even consider what she thought. Just like last time” (83). Well, to be fair, they are her parents . . . but selling her spirit animal is still such an abusive thing to do???

“The man had made the village an offer: Let him take Suka, in exchange for a hefty bag of coins. Her parents had refused, of course” (83). Then why is Anuqi mad at them . . . ? Her parents refused, didn’t they?

“The last thing Anuqi had seen before blacking out from the pain was her mother accepting the bag of coins that the sneering girl offered her” (84). Is that why she’s mad??? But they fought . . . and if they’d won, they wouldn’t’ve handed over Suka??? And accepting the coins is better than not accepting the coins, right??? It wouldn’t have changed anything if they hadn’t taken the bag . . .

“‘Well, you’re obviously not going to Eura,’ her mother said with a laugh” (85). To be clear, I don’t think Anuqi’s parents are good. But the Suka example was a terrible example. This is a better one.

“ . . . when she let it envelop her, Anuqi could sense that, somewhere, Suka was still out there” (87). I know this is probably just a metaphor, but taken literally, could it mean that even after having the bond ripped apart, the natural spirit animal bond still prevails over the Wyrm?

“Anuqi had suffered through their snoring . . . for all her life. Now, whatever else happened, at least she would have a break from that” (87). Anuqi is so petty, it’s honestly a bit funny.

“This outsider might be another liar, but she was determined” (88). I mean . . . shouldn’t she have been given just a bit more information???

“She glared at him . . . feeling the color rise in her face at having to admit that” (91). The juxtaposition is hilarious.

“The boy scowled at first, then grinned. He hopped down from the bed and performed a mock bow” (92). This guy is giving major theater kid energy.

“‘But the girl who helped Zerif steal her from you is [here]. And she has other spirit animals, stolen from others like you’” (93). How does Raisha have the stolen spirit animals??? They belong to Zerif, right???

“‘I never even got to touch him’” (94). Oh my god . . . wow, that’s just. That’s just sad.

“‘I’ll never force someone to serve against their will. Those days are in my past’” (95). Okay, obviously Talon was a Conqueror, but like. I need to know her story??? What exactly did she do?

“‘I just needed to know if you would actually let me go. If you were telling the truth’” (96). Honestly, fair. At least she’s not stupid.

“‘Shouldn’t those cursed Greencloaks be taking care of this?’” (96). She has a point . . . why don’t the Greencloaks know about Raisha and Zerif yet???

“‘The Keeper and a whole party of them are headed toward Brecksbury, a day’s journey from here . . . ’” (96). The mysterious Keeper strikes again. Who is this guy???

I like Anuqi’s views on the Greencloaks. The writers did a good job of making sure they didn’t make the Greencloaks seem like the most perfect organization to ever exist, ever.

“If nothing else, Talon and Grif had given her the chance to fight back” (99). I like that Anuqi doesn’t get all emotional and charge Raisha the second she sees her, ruining the plan. I hate it when characters ruin a perfectly good plan.

“ . . . Talon emerged from under the stage, grabbing the first boy and girl and their spirit animals and pulling them with her” (100). She just grabbed a yak???

Why did they sabotage the guards??? I thought they were after the mercenaries?

“‘We’ll see who the predators are . . . and who are the prey,’ Grif said darkly” (105). Cringy-ass line, and made even funnier by the fact that he’s completely serious.

“‘You may not be a fighter, but you’ve a cunning to you’” (105). I like that they didn’t immediately make her a ridiculously good fighter for plot convenience the first moment it was needed.

“If she went down fighting, at least she wouldn’t have to worry about the emptiness inside her where Suka had been” (107). Wow, she’s lowkey suicidal???

“There, over to the right, just a stone’s throw from their tracks, was another set in parallel” (107). How did they not notice it, then? Maybe they were tired . . .

The fact that if they had just blown the horn this could’ve been avoided is just. So sad.

“Raisha was behind Talon. A sharp dirk gleaming at Talon’s throat” (107). That was weirdly grammatically inaccurate. Strange . . .

“Was she really going to let herself be captured for someone she’d only just met?” (108). I like how she actually tried to run. Most protagonists would’ve done the “noble” thing.

How did Grif and Anuqi not notice anything weird about Talon’s appearance? Shouldn’t she have merged with a bird of some sort?

Anuqi feeling remorse is very. Protagonist of her.

“Talon appeared to be making friends with a robin in a nearby cage . . . ” (109). Can Talon speak bird???

Anuqi has so much character development and trust-building . . . wow.

“A few blows to the floorboards . . . revealed the dark ground passing by below” (111). Why didn’t Grif just use the ax to jump Anuqi and Talon out?

“Anuqi would have expected her to sound more pleased that they were being rescued” (112). Talon’s fear of the Greencloaks makes sense . . . but what specifically happened?

“‘Tell them you were captured separately. It will go easier for you that way’” (112). So the Greencloaks appear to know Talon personally??? How?

“‘That’s the Keeper,’ Talon said, pointing to a young figure resplendent in tellunum armor . . . ” (113). I need to know more about this guy.

“‘And over there - that one is Keith’ . . . ‘Looks like he finally learned how to fight’” (113). Which implies that Talon knows Keith. Did they ever fight? Did Talon defeat Keith?

“Let Zerif, Raisha, and the Greencloaks take care of each other, leaving their usual trail of destruction. Anuqi had all the friends she needed” (114). I like how she still doesn’t like the Greencloaks, like it’s really realistic.

Kovo

“Takoda couldn’t honestly remember what Sodu had even said” (118). What is it with Sodu and being a piece of shit, anyway? Why is he constantly the bad guy? What’s his backstory?

“Willing to go into battle against the Conquerors for their family” (118). Takoda’s rage at his parents’ deaths should have been explored more in the main story, in my opinion.

“‘Takoda, meet Nambi. Nambi, meet Takoda. I think you’ll be friends’” (120). This implies Nambi can hear her in passive state, so I might be right about the whole spirit-animals-in-passive-state-are-still-aware-of-what’s-going-on theory.

“At first, it made Takoda angry, that what was once Sodu’s punishment was now his own” (121). Is Sodu not going to be punished for insulting Takoda???

“ . . . the same red eyes stared wildly at him from the top of the dark stairs” (124). I interpreted the “wildly” to mean that Kovo was also taken by surprise. Like he probably didn’t expect this either???

“The gorilla pinched the rim with its hairy knuckles, muffling the sound” (125). That’s hilarious. He just decided the bell was annoying and stopped it.

“Suddenly, Takoda didn’t want to run. He wanted to fight” (125). Since you’re supposed to feel like your spirit animal for a second after bonding, does this mean that Kovo just . . . constantly wants to fight?

Takoda and Kovo screaming at each other is so funny.

Why did the monks lock Takoda in a silo???

“What kind of spirit did Takoda have to be bonded with such a creature? Kovo was the most villainous, conniving wretch in the history of Erdas” (127). Yeah, how exactly are spirit animals “assigned”?

I like that they explore what happens if you don’t touch your spirit animal.

“The stories of the ape had always said he was very clever - if Kovo was trying to knock the wall down, he should have pounded the same few stones until they cracked” (129). Is he trying to use the blood to paint the picture of the Wyrm?

“Instead, he noticed one image repeated again and again” (131). So I was right. Slay.

“Some inner strength he thought had died with his mother had found its way back to him” (131). Another theory could be that people who need the support a spirit animal provides are the only ones that get one?

“Takoda reached out and pressed his smaller fist to Kovo’s” (132). And . . . they bonded by fist-bumping,

“Takoda tried again to engage the ape with questions, but he was almost entirely unresponsive” (133). That’s funny considering he was the one who pushed for the touch-and-bond thing.

“Then Kovo turned and continued watching out the far window of the bell tower . . . ” (134). Maybe he’s watching for the Wyrm?

“Walking on, Takoda was nearly certain he noticed a brief smile appear on Kovo’s menacing face” (135). Can Kovo feel Takoda’s hatred for Sodu? Because otherwise, Sodu’s just a random monk, right?

“‘You have a spirit animal now,’ she said. ‘You should dress accordingly’” (136). There’s a dress code for spirit animal summoners???

“He gaped at the heroic duo, then flushed when the boy nodded at him” (136). The Heroes’ fame never fails to make me laugh.

“And yet the young Greencloak seemed to be wrestling with his anger . . . ” (137). Angry Conor is the best kind of Conor.

“[Conor’s] blue eyes met Takoda’s . . . ” (137). I know I’m still hung up over that one time Conor’s eyes were described as green compared to the other five or six times they’re described as blue, but that time was the first time.

“Takoda had nothing but questions for Conor” (138). This reminds me of that time in the main series where Abeke doesn’t know what to think of all of Tasha’s questions for her and Rollan.

“‘Now you get to run’” (139). Something something the symbolism doesn’t really hit the mark because running in a free way is different from running in a trapped way something something.

Also, I need Takoda and Abeke to bond over their shared love of running???

“Behind him, Takoda heard Kovo’s chains jangling as he knuckled along” (141). Okay, why didn’t they remove Kovo’s chain entirely???

“Whatever Kovo’s reasons, Takoda was grateful” (144). I wonder if the spirit animal bond can force a level of protectiveness???

“‘Kalani! Get the boat ready for launch!’” (144). EYYYY, Kalani’s here??? I don’t remember that.

“His dark tunic was open at his chest . . . ” (145). I know Zerif has a reason and whatnot, but he still gives bad-boy-who-thinks-he’s-too-cool-for-school energy.

“He grabbed the wolf by the scruff of his neck and managed to lift the massive animal off the ground as he stood” (147). How??? All his animals are in passive state . . .

“He’s wondering if I’m worth it, Takdoa realized bleakly” (149). I love this line so much. It shows that Conor isn’t the perfect, gentle person everyone thinks he is, and I honestly feel annoyed that this wasn’t further explored in the main series. Conor’s feelings about Takoda and whether he feels Kovo was worth it were just. Never talked about.

Gerathon

“Urban’s precious mule might have to pitch in” (154). Yes, Raisha is an objectively bad person, but her thoughts are hilarious.

“ . . . the Mire, a Greencloak prison built on an island of much in the midst of a tropical swamp” (154). Honestly, it’s a missed opportunity that Dante, the Greencloak that Rollan and Abeke meet up with in The Return, never makes an appearance. It would be so much cooler to see his personality go against Raisha’s because we know that he is more violence-happy. He’s also canonically worked at the Mire before, so it kind of works.

“‘I’m twelve,’ . . . ‘I was used’” (155). I like that Raisha’s smart enough to milk her age for all it’s worth. Not that it got her that far.

“‘You helped to separate people from their spirit animals,’ Urban accused. ‘Is any crime more despicable?’ ‘It’s a favor if your spirit animal is a mule,’ Raisha said, panting” (155). Again, Raisha is cruel, but hilarious.

“Who needed to scale walls if the guards took you on a walk through the jungle every other day?” (156). Yeah, I get that the guards are secure in their ability to keep prisoners in line, but that just seems dumb. Why don’t they just build another wall around the place where the water is, so escape is impossible?

“Anonymity no longer protected her” (159). The fact that nobody saw Raisha coming is just. Honestly a bit weird?

“The vines had collapsed around her like a dozen constrictors. No. It was netting - a trap concealed in the vines” (160). Okay, so there are precautions, even if they aren’t as foolproof as a wall.

“Working for Zerif had been a glorious, empowering game. Before Zerif entered her life, Raisha had always felt ignored” (162). Is that her reason??? She felt invisible? Wow, that’s just. That’s so . . . I don’t even know. Like, I thought she’d have a backstory of hating the Greencloaks or something, but apparently not.

“Was there any chance he would come for her now? No. With her cover blown, she would be of little use to him” (162). So she’s not stupid, yet she still partnered with him knowing this?

“Creatures of legend, taken as easily as if they’d been dogs in the street” (162). I wonder if Raisha was one of those people that didn’t believe in the Great Beasts before the Second Devourer War.

“Without that secret, who would she have been? Nobody” (163). This is so ironic in hindsight. But honestly, her motivations are halfway to understandable.

“‘This smells fishy.’ ‘It’s mildew,’ Raisha corrected” (167). Raisha is winning me over through humor alone, honestly.

“Was his look meant to convey sympathy? Did he want her to trust him? Was he out of his mind?” (168). Honestly, Raisha should’ve taken Urban’s offer of working together, if only to have a chance at escape.

“No, there was no need. Raisha had served him well. She would still serve him. Why separate her from the snake? But would he see it that way?” (169). Raisha literally admitted to herself that Zerif wouldn’t come for her, and now she’s trying to convince herself that Zerif won’t steal Gerathon???

“It seemed like Gerathon wanted to go. That was good enough for Raisha, who felt no path was clearly better than the others” (172). Raisha at least learned to trust her spirit animal quickly.

“Raisha asked for no elaboration about the guard. She assumed Dorell had killed him and dumped the body in the swamp” (174). Why does she just immediately assume that? Because it’s what Zerif would do?

“‘Go ahead and kill me. See how far you two get in the swamp alone at night. No? Then get down.’ The cobra loosed her hold of him and dropped to the bottom of the skiff” (176). Why didn’t Gerathon just stay on him without killing him?

“Raisha wondered if Gerathon could still use her venom to control people, like the stories of the Great Serpent had said” (176). By “venom” . . . she means the Bile, right??? Is the Bile just Gerathon’s venom?

“‘Why?’ he asked. ‘I trust the cobra,’ Raisha said” (179). Yeah, Gerathon definitely knew he was working for Zerif.

“The voice filled her with a sickly mixture of excitement and dread” (180). Oof.

“‘Though Dorell did work for me’” (181). How did Zerif even recruit Dorell?

“‘But whenever possible, I prefer a sure bet. This will leave no room for error’” (181). Why didn’t Zerif turn Raisha before? Maybe turned individuals are incapable of calling a spirit animal and Zerif wanted Raisha to call Gerathon before turning her?

“‘This isn’t right! I called her. Gerathon! Gerathon, where are you?’” (181). Well. Here we are. Honestly, no words for this. I wish that, after the war, the other Great Beast summoners would come to learn of what happened to Raisha and celebrate it and rub it in her face, but that never happens in canon, sadly.

“‘I’m sorry!’ Raisha called to the cobra” (182). Sorry for the just the cobra, or for other people, too?

“Was this what she had been doing to people? Faces flashed through her mind. The hopeful, seafaring Cordalles and goofy Dawson Trunswick. Spritely Grif and stern Anuqi” (183). Wow, I’m surprised she remembers their names. Also, all these kids get taken by the Redcloaks, so I feel like they should all become friends, united in their hatred of Raisha. Also, does she actually experience remorse???

“It was too late to be sorry, but that didn’t stop her” (183). I want to know what happened to Raisha after the war. She got back Gerathon, right? Would the Greencloaks have re-arrested her? Did she go willingly? Did they instead send her to Greenhaven to train, once they realized she was truly remorseful? What about Urban??? So many questions . . .

Final thoughts and rating (longer than usual, sorry):

Alright, in terms of ranking the stories, my favorite was definitely Devin’s chapter. Not only do we follow an established character, the story is also surprisingly good at developing Devin from his mean old self to his new Redcloak self. Devin’s anger problems coming full circle and becoming the basis for his plan is just. Ingenious writing and character development. The way Devin uses his weaknesses and makes it his strength is such an impeccable way of demonstrating his development. I also like that it comes full circle, because Devin as a Conqueror fought Great Beast Rumfuss. Then, newly redeemed Devin saves Rumfuss. Him realizing he used to be a bully is done so well, and I found the dynamic between Karmo and Devin to be entertaining, as well. My next favorite is Halawir’s chapter. I wish that all of the chapters, aside from Devin’s and Anuqi’s, had been told from the spirit animal’s perspective, and Halawir’s is the only chapter that delivered. Halawir was such a joy to follow, from his comedic thoughts, to his development, and despite that, we still understand Cordalles as well (her issues involving her parents’ trust). I feel like Cordalles would have trust issues as a result of this chapter, seeing as the first new person she meets (Raisha) turned out to be a traitor (but that’s something to explore later). I like Halawir’s recognition of Zerif and how it’s confirmed that it’s the spirit animal’s choice to give their powers over to the human partner. Overall, a very good chapter. My next favorite was Raisha’s. Despite the fact that it does follow the tired formula of person-with-a-spirit-animal-goes-on-an-adventure, Raisha’s vileness makes a difference, because it’s not an adventure for the good of society, but for the good of herself. This story being at the end also was a perfect full-circle moment because the whole story, we’ve been seeing Raisha through other characters’ eyes. I liked that Raisha wasn’t (that) stupid and she ended up (kind of) feeling remorse in the end. I do wish this story had followed Gerathon’s perspective, instead. It would’ve made the story much better, in my opinion.

My second-to-least favorite was Anuqi’s chapter. It was called “Suka and Arax”, so I expected it to be dual perspective. I feel like it should’ve been. We could’ve seen what happened after Grif escaped the wagon. We also could’ve felt Grif’s pain and seen him cause chaos during the ceremony. This story would’ve been better in a dual perspective format, but they didn’t go that route, so it felt empty. Grif’s an interesting character, so it would’ve been good to explore that. I also wish the story would have shown Talon trusting Grif and Anuqi with her story. She seems particularly interesting, and this would’ve been a prime time to let her show vulnerability and trust toward the kids to build a connection. Several clues and hints are dropped about her, but we never get her full story and that frustrated me. It did stray from the beaten-down path by not having Grif and Anuqi have spirit animals, but I still feel it could’ve done a bit better. And my least favorite of the stories. Takoda’s. I don’t have a particular problem with it except that the entire story could’ve been covered in the main series. Takoda’s anger and then coming to terms with it was a big part of the main story. Conor’s frustration toward Takoda is hinted at, but never expanded in the main story, so it was a waste of potential. Everything covered in this short story could’ve been covered in the main story. It took away from what could’ve been an interesting arc for Conor in the main story (coming to terms with the frustration of becoming the Wyrm’s slave because of Kovo). Instead of this story, we could’ve instead had a longer version of the Suka and Arax chapter told in multiple perspectives, including Talon’s backstory. Sacrificing that for a story which should’ve instead been a part of the main story is my biggest gripe with the Kovo chapter. The entire chapter is pretty much pointless.

Rating: 8/10

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dark-night-star-light · 10 months

Text

Spirit Animals: The Burning Tide (Reread pt. 12)

DISCLAIMER: WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR BOOKS ONE THROUGH SEVEN IN FIRST SERIES AND BOOKS ONE THROUGH EIGHT.

Masterpost

Chapter 1

“It had started seven moontides before” (1). The Wyrm fell for seven months???

“ . . . signing the question with her black gorilla hands” (1). Do gorillas sign to communicate?

How exactly did the Wyrm fall out of the stars anyway?

Kovo’s relationship to his mom is so sad . . .

“The world was a vast continent that contained jungles and dunes and mountains and snowfields, all connected together” (3). Canon Pangea equivalent? Also, I love how one continent had every kind of habitat.

“There were thousands of animals, all different species . . . ” (3). So how come there are only fifteen Great Beasts, then?

Oh, so the rest fled when they saw the Wyrm coming.

I love how the Wyrm split the continents. That’s a neat little Easter egg (oh no, a pun).

If only Kovo and the other Great Beasts survived, how did life start again on Erdas?

Chapter 2

“ . . . Hazeel’s spirit animal, Poe. His only friend” (9). That’s so sad . . .

Hazeel knows the Greencloaks aren’t themselves. He knows that the spirals are controlling them and that they are now slaves. Doesn’t that mean that when the Greencloaks overran Erdas, the people they killed and plundered should’ve also been able to figure that out? That means the last arc is kind of wonky . . .

“‘But I already have a guide’” (11). Uraza hates water??? And also how can she be a guide on a ship? She’s a leopard.

. . . Can she still feel Abeke even though their bond is severed?

Chapter 3

“‘I set Kirat to swabbing the latrine’” (14). Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular-

“‘I tried bringing her into passive state . . . ’ . . . ‘At least you have a spirit animal’” (16). Rollan cannot take the hint.

“The boy’s crocodile tears had once convinced her to lead him . . . ” (17). This is such a great, loaded line.

“‘He needs us for something . . . ’” (18). Yeah, doesn’t mean it’s a good thing.

Chapter 4

“In reply, the lion bared his white teeth and growled. Kirat showed his own teeth, which were chattering in the cold” (20). That’s such a funny image to think about.

Why were the other kids that bonded to Great Beasts willing to leave home to go with the Redcloaks? Is it because they were told they could get their animals back?

“‘King . . . ?’ Abeke said. ‘That’s what you call Shane?’ Stead nodded. ‘He tells us not to, but . . . old habits die hard’” (24). Shane literally introduces himself as King in The Return, though?

“The Shane they knew probably would have forced people to call him king on punishment of death” (24). Not really, in my humble opinion. He tried to make sure that the people he conquered had adequate food and shelter, remember? And also he literally pretended he wasn’t the true Devourer for most of the war, so . . .

“Karmo’s wide brown eyes were on Abeke, who glared right back at him” (25). This is ironic, because last time they met, Karmo was assuring Abeke that he was on the correct side of the war . . . wow.

This book seems to really hate Rollan in particular. He’s been the butt of the joke at least four times already.

“‘One day I awoke to find I couldn’t summon Grahv from his passive form . . . ” (29). But Shane was released from the Bile by Tellun, so how did this happen to him??? Plot hole???

Chapter 5

Even Shane finds Kirat annoying . . . we stan a king (oh horror, I just made a pun).

“Yumaris guided the group, running her hands along the walls, sniffing the air, and getting into arguments with the stones” (35). Yumaris: Listen here, you jackass. The ocean is a soup, and I will not tolerate your slander towards the truth! The stone:

“‘He’s clearly got his own way of tracking the Great Beasts . . . ’” (36). Because the Wyrm whispers to him, right? But where does the Wyrm get that information? From the tree?

“‘All I know is what these carvings tell us. They say that the Wyrm’s egg fell from the stars and landed in a place called Sadre, deep under the Earth . . . ’” (39). So the Hellans were told that by Kovo, right? It’s mentioned that some Hellans “exiled” themselves to the Place of Desolation (37). Was that when they created the trap? And why did they create it at the “bottom of the world” (37) instead of near the Evertree???

Chapter 6

Kind of a weird thing I’ve started to notice with this series . . . whenever the authors have a chance to pull an end-of-chapter cliffhanger, they do it so weirdly, because instead of a cliffhanger, then switching to the other plotline, they instead do a cliffhanger, then stay on the same plotline. It’s so strange.

“ . . . Shane would never change” (42). Shane and change are so close to rhyming that it makes this sentence feel really nice when read.

“ . . . inching away from Shane, who was watching her intently” (43). I love how when Shane drops bombshells he only cares about Abeke’s reaction.

“‘ . . . Shane said, stepping toward [Rollan] . . . ‘Stop fighting,’ Abeke said. She pushed both boys apart” (43). Girl, you literally started them fighting.

Mulop-Niri relationship is severely underdeveloped, in my opinion.

“Even knowing that the leopard was under Zerif’s control, she still wished she could see her spirit animal once more” (46). Foreshadowing?

Abeke and Rollan suggesting Mulop talk to Briggan and Jhi instead of Kovo . . . aww.

Chapter 7

“Meilin dipped a moss sponge into a stone basin filled with stagnant water” (48). Is that what they’re drinking, too? Because that’s not good . . .

“Sacrifices to the Wyrm” (49). Why would the Wyrm sacrifice its own followers??? It needs them to conquer? And fight???

Jhi is barely in this arc at all . . . Not a fan of that.

Chapter 8

“Kovo was almost fanatical about the glowstones. He spent every day maintaining them, searching for new stones to replace those that had begun to dim” (51). Kovo the glowstone guard dog.

“‘You don’t know how important sunlight is until it’s gone’” (52). They could have Vitamin D deficiencies.

“Takoda had always argued that he thought Kovo’s reasons for trying to take control of the Evertree were more complicated than just world domination” (53). Yes, but at the end of The Evertree, it never suggests that. All Kovo talks about is the power he wants for himself and the other Great Beasts. He never even hints at deeper motives.

“‘We can’t have you pining at the window for your lost crush’” (55). Why do I not remember Meilin referring to Xanthe as Takoda’s crush??? Why???

“‘With a catapult we could launch some kind of missile at the egg . . . ’” (57). That would crack it further, though, wouldn’t it.

Chapter 9

“Meilin nearly choked on her spit . . . If Shane was with them, it could only mean that they were in trouble” (59). The differences in the amount of knowledge each group has is one of the reasons I think the group should’ve spent some of the arc together.

“‘Rollan would like me to ask Jhi what it’s like being bonded to a snotty general’s daughter. Also, he wants to know if stubbornness is a skill you picked up from your fancy tutors’” (60). Love that the inside jokes become plot-relevant. That’s just. I adore that.

Chapter 10

“But before Rollan could say anything, Shane spoke up . . . Rollan gritted his teeth. ‘Why does he get to do all the talking?’” (62). Because the connection is weak and he’s asking the important questions??? Honestly love Shane for that.

“Rollan had trouble imagining a world without humans or spirit animals or Great Beasts. The thought of a world without Essix saddened him” (63). Oh, Essix was there, she just wasn’t a Great Beast.

“‘When the Wyrm landed, it caused great destruction - storms, floods, and earthquakes - that wiped out nearly every living thing for miles . . . ’” (63). At the end of the first arc, the weather was really weird because of something to do with the Evertree, right? So can the Evertree impact the weather or something?

“‘The Evertree is the source of the spirit animal bond. And the Wyrm is the source of that power . . . ’” (64). But isn’t the Wyrm taking from the tree, not giving?

“‘The corruption that fueled every spirit animal bond . . . ’” (65). So Kovo hates humans and spirit animals . . . because the Wyrm?

“‘I would gather the talismans and wrest control of the Evertree, by force if necessary . . . ’” (65). How will that help the Wyrm situation? The tree can’t contain it . . .

“‘Zerif thinks he’s in control, but he’s being manipulated . . . ’” (66). Zerif can be controlled by a not-yet-hatched Wyrm? Also wow, that is pretty much exactly what happened during the Second Devourer War, with the Bile and Gerathon.

Chapter 11

“A part of her feared what she would learn if she could hear Jhi’s true opinion of her” (69). Didn’t this get resolved in the first arc???

“She didn’t know how things went in southern Nilo, but in Zhong, people didn’t believe that plants had feelings” (70). But this is the Evertree, not an ordinary plant.

“‘So all we have to do is set it off. How do we do that?’ ‘Kovo won’t say . . . it was clear he wanted to keep that knowledge hidden’” (70). Why, though?

“‘I think he’s afraid of one of us becoming infected by the Wyrm’s parasites and betraying our plan’” (71). He doesn’t, but what if Kovo becomes infected? Then they would all be doomed.

“‘If the Wyrm learns of our plan ahead of time, it might try to destroy the tower before it can be activated’” (74). Not five pages ago, Kovo was refusing to tell them the plan, but then he immediately does???

“ . . . she could see the rotting purple spiral of the parasite . . . ” (76). Isn’t it black? Maybe a lighting thing?

Chapter 12

“He didn’t understand how he knew this. He only knew that anything that tried to stop him would fall at his hand” (77). So when victims fall to the Wyrm, they don’t remember anything about their old lives except things that pertain to the Wyrm? Does this mean Conor overheard Meilin and Takoda talking?

“Truly it was a feeling of peace. The calm that comes from one finally accepting his place in the world” (78). This reminds me of something a Conqueror says to either Abeke or Rollan in the first arc, something like, joining our side is the true right and you’ll feel at peace here.

“He had a vague unease echoing in the deepest parts of his mind. A mournful baying . . . ” (78). I know it’s impossible to fight off the Wyrm’s effects, but I wonder if people with a spirit animal take longer to succumb?

“Conor thought her name might be Meilin, and then he wondered how he knew that” (79). So they remember things from their old life, but feel no connection to it emotionally???

Chapter 13

“He knew her weaknesses . . . he could certainly exploit them” (80). Meilin knows his weaknesses, too, though.

“The red light opened, like an eye . . . ” (81). Red eyes on a villain? That’s so stereotypical.

I feel like in this fight, Meilin should’ve struggled with the idea of fighting the Many, because now that Conor is one of them, she has to hurt him, too. This might lead to an epiphany where she sees that, in this moment, Conor and the other Many are the same. If she isn’t willing to hurt Conor, despite the fact that he’s gone, why is she okay with harming these other people? But there isn’t anything resembling that that ever goes to Meilin’s mind.

“ . . . Jhi appeared at her side, soaking wet and looking quite proud” (83). Proud Jhi reigns supreme.

“ . . . he was now directing the rest of the Many like a general - pointing straight at the bell tower” (84). They didn’t have a “general” before him, did they? Why do they now?

“But Meilin’s sense of triumph was over as soon as it had sparked when she looked to the bridge where Conor had been standing only a moment before - now a pile of burning rubble” (85). It’s honestly unclear to me whether this is because she thinks Conor died in the fire and is grieving, or whether she thinks Conor escaped and is alarmed.

“‘Conor,’ she whispered, for indeed it was” (86). This kind of “and so it was” type of line has been used so much in this book. It’s such a jarring difference from the last few books.

“It was coming from the direction of the water . . . ’Screamers’” (87). Did they have screamers on the ships? And why? Screamers don’t actually do anything, they’re just a warning mechanism . . .

Chapter 14

“ . . . using her crystal spear to impale the Many who got in her way” (90). I know that crystal would probably normally be such a poor choice to make a weapon, but like, it just fits with the vibe of Sadre so well.

“There was something about the way Xanthe had said this that made him think maybe she felt the same way about him as he felt about her” (90). I like that this series makes only a half-hearted effort to pair characters into romantic relationships. It’s very funny to me.

“His fingers found what he realized too late was Xanthe’s hand” (90). I don’t remember these tiny Takoda-Xanthe moments at all.

“The Many were defenseless against the glowing crystalline blades of the Sadreans. Every cut seemed to scald the very flesh of those infected by the parasites . . . ” (91). What are these blades made of??? Pure light itself???

“Conor, who had fought even more fiercely than the other Many, had finally been restrained by two burly Sadrean shieldwardens” (92). For some reason, I seem to remember them fighting all the way until the Wyrm was defeated. Also, did he fight harder because he took longer to succumb? And why did the Sadreans spare him in particular?

“The boy fell back to the ground - unconscious but otherwise unharmed . . . ‘ . . . Tell him if he touches my friend again, I’ll make sure he lives to regret it’” (94). But that helped??? And also, Abeke does the same thing at the end of the first arc to Meilin, so . . .

Chapter 15

“Meilin started at the Wyrm, unable to look away . . . Takoda could see dark and slimy tendrils . . . Meilin heard a groaning sound . . . ” (96). This chapter had a clear lack of editing. It switched perspectives twice and the first line isn’t in all caps like the rest of the chapters.

They made the Wyrm such a stereotypical monster . . . I don’t know what to think about that.

“ . . . the Many grabbed hold of Sadrean soldiers and dragged them to the Wyrm as live offerings” (98). Would they offer themselves, too, or not? Probably . . .

“ . . . she knew what had stopped Kovo and Xanthe . . . ‘The Wyrm,’ Meilin whispered. ‘It’s got Takoda’” (100). But wouldn’t hitting the bell stop the Wyrm and save Takoda anyway? Why didn’t Kovo just hit the bell?

Chapter 16

“When Xanthe had been lost in the burned-out remnants of the Arachne Fields, alone and defenseless, it had been Takoda who kept her alive” (101). Ironic, considering he blamed himself for that incident.

“It was as if she could see all of Erdas - the aboveground world she had only dreamed of - shining in his dark eyes” (102). They really amped up the Takoda-Xanthe romance in this one.

Wow, Kovo really showed the Wyrm who’s boss.

“Her voice was cold and without emotion, and Xanthe wondered just how much war this girl had seen in her lifetime” (104). But she’s right? The bell is the only way to stop the Wyrm and help Takoda . . .

Chapter 17

“The floor in the center of the city was drawing back like the folds of a paper fan . . . ” (105). I don’t remember this plotline at all . . .

“The snare had stopped” (107). Yeah, I remember nothing about this climax, wow.

“ . . . the Wyrm slithered forward and melted into the darkness” (107). What??? Into a bottomless hole???

“’Still. Thank you. Leaping out from the tower to save Takoda . . . I didn’t think you had it in you’” (109). Kovo-Meilin bonding(?) moment!

“’Do they know about the bell?’ . . . Kovo lowered his hand, shaking his head . . . ‘ . . . let’s hope they figure it out fast . . . ’” (109). That’s what they bank on??? Hope? doesn’t sound like Meilin at all . . .

Chapter 18

SHANE CHAPTER, CAN YOU HEAR ME HOLLERING.

“It wasn’t a fist that had won him the Greencloaks’ talismans. Sacrifices had” (110). True . . .

“He was gratified to see Abeke purse her lips in an attempt not to laugh at her friend” (111). That’s cute.

“‘You can hear Meilin?’ . . . ‘Is she talking about me? . . . ‘Or, um, Abeke? Any of us really? Forget I asked’” (111). What is this . . . while I don’t like it, I have to admit that’s pretty realistic for the age group.

“Shane knew it was a mistake to give someone like Rollan direct orders . . . ” (112). Why’s that?

“He slowed, fixing his eyes on her. ‘I promise.’ Abeke sighed, not meeting his gaze. ‘I’ve heard that before.’ Shane nodded, feeling the sting of her words” (112). I like Shane, but he deserved that.

“He wondered how many times he would have to save her life before she began to believe that he was truly changed. As many times as it takes, he silently promised himself” (113). This is so sad . . .

“And somehow these two sets of ruins contained enough power to stop the Wyrm” (113). So they have an inkling of an idea how . . . interesting.

“Shane gave her a smile that he could only hope looked herolike” (115). Pfffffffft, this will never not be hilarious. He’s actually such a golden retriever.

“ . . . javelins made of ice . . .” (115). Bro, what??? Those are gonna shatter . . .

“Why did this kid have to question his every order?” (116). Rollan is, like, a few months younger than Shane . . . also Shane himself is a kid. Also, can you imagine being an adult Redcloak being bossed around by this thirteen-almost-fourteen-year-old child. Just. Wow.

Chapter 19

“ . . . some of them sounding more animal than human when they spoke” (118). How would that even sound??? Probably a lot like a Great Beast . . .

“‘I tried to tell them they had to stay, but . . . but he wouldn’t listen’” (119). So she cried??? I know they tried to make Tasha seem younger and less mature than Abeke and Rollan, but that seems too far. Why didn’t she just get them?

“‘They only care about our precious spirit animals’” (121). This is ironic, considering Rollan was exactly like this in the first book, but less spoiled.

“‘I don’t need a spirit animal anyway - all he did was lie around and take up space’” (121). Giving major first-book-Rollan energy.

“‘If Zerif wants Great Beasts, he can have mine. I’ll turn Cabaro over myself in exchange for my life’” (121). Zerif will just immediately infect him . . . also wow, this guy is spoiled and stupid.

Cordalles’s main argument is that Abeke and Rollan have spirit animals, but Abeke doesn’t and Kirat does . . . how come she’s still willing to side with Kirat after that???

Also, after Kirat carelessly says he’d turn Cabaro over to Zerif, why do the other kids still side with him??? That’s so dumb. They should feel betrayed.

“‘He was not raised to take orders, he was raised to lead . . . ” (123). This is so dumb. In an earlier book, didn’t someone tell Meilin that the best leaders know when to follow??? Wasn’t that a crucial part of her arc??? Why are we throwing that theme away for one incredibly spoiled kid??? I don’t like Kirat, and one of the main reasons is that he was a massive waste of potential.

“‘We owe you an apology’” (123). I hate this will all my heart and soul . . . no, they don’t. Kirat owes them one, and he never delivers.

“‘These others won’t listen to us - we’re wearing the same cloaks as the army that’s coming this way . . . ’” (124). What makes them think that Kirat will listen to them?

“‘ . . . watching your father build and protect the greatest fortress in all of Nilo by inspiring thousands of subjects . . . ’” (124). If by “inspire” they mean “abuse”, sure.

I think it’s dumb that an amulet changed Kirat’s mind, even if it was his mom’s. Like . . . of all things??? Really???

This whole chapter . . . just . . . ugh.

“‘Better to live a coward than die a hero,’ said Dawson” (125). In the last book, the opposite is said by Atalanta and I thought it was said by Devin in a previous book . . . well, I was wrong.

“‘How can we possibly fear a thing like death, when we’ve nothing to live for?’” (126). I have to admit, the line hits hard. It hits less hard when you realize that everything Kirat says is a direct contradiction of his two-minutes-ago self.

“This was a whole new Kirat” (127). Yeah, his development happens way too quickly . . . but whatever.

Chapter 20

“He . . . wondered what it would feel like to be so high above the world” (128). Convinced this is the moment the authors came up with the ending of the third arc. Foreshadowing???

“Rollan, Abeke, and Howl all looked at Kirat, who blushed” (130). Well, that’s new, at least.

“She always had more of a killer instinct than he did” (131). Does Abeke really??? Does she???

Chapter 21

“ . . . she had been afraid that Howl would insist that she belonged with [the other Great Beast summoners]” (133). She can just . . . disobey him. Shane is in charge, and Shane would no doubt back Abeke up.

“‘Who died and put you in charge?’ Talon said . . . ‘No,’ Shane said, stepping to Abeke’s side. ‘It’s a good plan’” (134). Talon appears to be jealous of Abeke already. Also, what’d I tell you? Shane will side with Abeke.

“Shane’s astonished smile at this meager paise sent a tremor of guilt through Abeke’s chest. He looked like she'd just kissed him on the cheek” (135). I’m telling you, Shane isn’t gonna cross Abeke. Also, wow, no need to feel guilty. He’s still the (former) Devourer.

“ . . . Abeke watched as the Expiator burst into splinters and sank into the cold water” (135). I genuinely cannot remember how they get out of this place.

“‘I’d hate to have you as an enemy,’ he said weakly. ‘Again’” (136). I love this line. It perfectly encapsulates Shane-Abeke relationship in this moment.

“But whatever anger she felt toward Shane ws tempered by her memory of their time together among the Conquerors” (136). I have found an even better line. What interests me so much about this line is that it mentions that Abeke’s reason for trusting Shane was not that he had changed, but because of their time together when he was knowingly deceiving her. In other words, her positive past memories of him outweighed his present redemption arc, and I think that’s such an important piece. Deep down, Abeke truly enjoyed her time with Shane, so she wants to forgive him. And here, she slips and mentions it.

“The icy tower in the middle of the volcano was slowly rotating . . . ” (137). So it’s clearly the same trap. Did the Hellans just duplicate the traps wherever they could?

“ . . . Shane, who was staring at her, his expression unreadable. ‘I . . . can’t breathe,’ she said” (138). Ten out of ten answer right there. Also, all these Abeke-Shane moments went right over my head during my first time through.

“And somewhere in that horde was Zerif himself. She adjusted her grip on the end of her arrow” (140). I know Zerif dies to stop the Wyrm and that’s significant or whatever, but our girl Abeke has been trying to shoot him dead since Against the Tide and I, for one, believe she should’ve been the one to do it.

“ . . . fifty Greencloaks huddled on the eastern shelf . . . The entire shelf splashed into the ocean . . . they had reduced its numbers by a quarter” (141). There are only two hundred Greencloaks??? But there were six ships, each of which carried more than a hundred Greencloaks each, and Mulop only destroyed two ships, so there should be at least four hundred . . .

Chapter 22

“‘How much stronger?’ Shane said, readying his bow” (147). Since when does Shane use a bow???

“He had cast aside his bow and drew his saber” (148). Oh, thank goodness.

“ . . . the sight of her former comrades fighting tooth and claw against Shane’s desperate forces stole her breath away” (149). Imagine if this line was like “the sight of her former comrades against her former enemies” . . . would’ve been better, in my opinion.

“‘Meilin will love it.’ . . . ‘Who said anything about Meilin?’” (149). I have simply passed away.

“Abeke remembered how the rotating tower had stopped abruptly. ‘It got jammed’” (150). Okay. So. This sentence implies that the snare under the Evertree’s roots and the snare in the Place of Desolation are connected somehow. But . . . why??? Like, the Wyrm can only be in one place at a time, so why is that useful???

“Kirat really did sound like his uncle . . . ‘He’s been like this since you left’” (152). Yeah. He did a complete one-eighty and it feels like it came out of nowhere.

Chapter 23

“‘Deep down, I know you don’t want to hurt-’” (153). I get that Abeke has emotional stakes in this, but I gotta say, that was pretty dumb. Understandable, but dumb.

Shane-Cabaro parallels: both saving Abeke from Uraza. Except one dies . . .

“The arrow plunged straight through Uraza’s leg” (154). I mean . . . better late than never???

“She had been summoned into passive state by her new master” (154). From that distance??? The Wyrm is that powerful?

“He did not move again” (155). Despite being emotionally prepared for this, it’s still breaking me. Noooooooo . . . Shane . . .

Part of what makes Shane’s death so meaningful is that Abeke’s own spirit animal kills him. Like. Uraza. Uraza does that. And the other part is Noooooooo, Shane.

Shane dies in Abeke’s arms . . . in front of a whole-ass group of people.

“ . . . but I could sense - deep down - that you had the instincts of a killer” (156). Didn’t Zerif say that Abeke was the most pathetic person ever (or something like that) in a previous book???

“‘A creature of raw and infinite power - power that will soon be mine’” (158). I think this is the heart of my problems with this arc. There’s no motive at all. It’s just “oh, there’s this ancient power that’s pure evil that fell from the sky and now wants to devour the world, and this guy with no motives is trying to control it”. Like, it’s so cartoonish??? Where’s the reason??? The backstory???

“‘The parasites . . . ’. . . ‘They’re part of the Wyrm’” (159). Did they just figure that out??? I thought that had been established? Wait, maybe that was just in the underground plotline.

“‘This is not what was supposed to happen!’ Zerif screamed, kicking out his legs. ‘I command you! Let go!’” (159). Love Zerif’s little temper tantrum. Also, wow, this man is so stupid. He really didn’t even think about where the parasites had come from before using them???

“‘I am fully borrrnnnn.’” (160). So to be fully born, the Wyrm had to . . . pour itself into Zerif???

Chapter 24

They just described Raisha’s hands as “scaly” . . . what.

“ . . . holding them both aloft over the gaping pit” (163). Genuinely can’t remember how Rollan and Essix escaped.

“Hanging from the ancient rafters was something dark and heavy and made of iron- A bell” (164). Okay, normally, I’d be so pissed off that the bell appeared conveniently when it was needed, but it had the appropriate amount of foreshadowing and we’re even told why: because the ice melted away to reveal it, so I’m okay with it.

“And quick as a flash, she raised her bow over her head and let fly” (165). Giving Katniss-Everdeen-kills-Coin energy.

Chapter 25

“ . . . struck the edge of the bell with a light ting!” (166). So, I apparently didn’t read very well the first time so I didn’t realize the bell was a huge bell, I had been picturing it as a small baby bell and the “light ting!” didn’t help my visualization.

“Redcloaks and Greencloaks alike scrambled to find stable ground around the perimeter” (167). This line mirrors another line: “The Sadreans and the Many screamed, running to safety around the edges of the town” (105). I don’t really have anything to say except the parallels make me happy.

I like the perspective shifts within the chapter. Very neat.

“This is what people must mean by an out-of-body experience, he thought” (168). Foreshadowing bond token plotline in third arc???

“For the first time in his life, he felt truly free” (169). Yeah, definitely foreshadowing him bonding further with Essix.

“She felt an overwhelming desire to care for every person suffering . . . ” (169). More bond token foreshadowing?

“The wriggling parasite no longer burrowing into his flesh. The Wyrm’s voice no longer hissing in his mind” (170). Does that mean Briggan-in-Conor’s-body will be affected by the parasite?

“ . . . she caught a slight flash of hazel” (171). Zerif has hazel eyes???

“What was a hero but someone who had chosen one time to do the right thing?” (172). I hate this line. It implies that you can do one right thing and still be considered good.

There are so many italicized words in this book.

“The Wyrm was truly gone” (174). Huh. It just fell in lava and died??? Interesting.

Chapter 26

This book has been from Abeke’s perspective since Chapter 21 (with the exceptions of the short passages from each of the other three’s perspectives for a few paragraphs in Chapter 25). And this last chapter is also from her perspective. It’s just. It feels. So strange. I don’t like it.

“Every blade of grass and flower and tree became a smaller version of the Evertree” (176). This needs to be explained in more detail.

“For the first time in centuries, the Sadreans and the people of Erdas met and communed with one another” (177). Wonder if any Sadreans besides Xanthe decided to stay topside.

“When Abeke finally saw Conor and Briggan waiting for them at the shore, she leaped clear off the edge of her ship onto the decks and sprinted toward him at a full run” (177). Based. Also, her leaping overboard is iconic and I can’t believe I missed that the first time.

“Rollan and Meilin were surprisingly awkward upon seeing each other again” (177). Maybe they didn’t meet again during the course of the entire arc so the writers could give us this gem.

“The eyes held her gaze for a moment, and then a sleek golden leopard poured out from between the leaves” (180). Poured out . . . like soup. (Sorry, my brain has shut down from the Uraza-Abeke moment.)

Final thoughts and rating:

The tiny Shane-Abeke moments live rent-free in my head, and while I’m sad about Shane’s death, from a writing standpoint, it had to happen. The only way for Shane to redeem himself was to give his life for Abeke, and it was done beautifully, not only giving his life, but giving his life for their bond, which he helped foster. It’s an amazing end to his arc and I will talk about it more during my Shane analysis. I absolutely adore Kovo jumping from the tower to save Takoda from the Wyrm without a single thought for his own safety. I also love that the inside jokes were plot-relevant, what a fantastic way to tie that in. I also like what I’m going to interpret as the slight foreshadowing of the bond token plotline when the spirit animals and humans switch bodies. During the next paragraph, I really, really go hard on this arc, but the emotional moments in this book were just. Some of the greatest ones in the entire series. The Shane-Abeke moments and Meilin-Kovo bonding and Xanthe returning and Shane’s death and when the group reunites and Uraza and Abeke “rebonding” . . . all of these tiny moments were just. So well done. So despite what I’m about to say in the next section, I would say this book was a positive experience overall for me.

Starting with the elephant in the room, I have to talk about Shane a bit. While I love the reintroduction of his character, his entire existence is a plot hole. Tellun frees Shane from the Bile at the end of The Evertree, so how could he have merged with Grahv? There are two things that could’ve happened: Shane’s bond being severed completely or Shane’s bond being turned natural. Exploring the first option, Grahv should’ve been unable to go into passive state from the moment Tellun freed him. Now, delving into the other alternative means that Shane shouldn’t have merged with Grahv at all, because his bond would be a Nectar bond now. Between these two alternatives, it is impossible for the events of this series (with Shane) to occur. Ignoring that, this arc in general was a bit of a hot mess. We’re told the Wyrm sucks power out of the Evertree. Then, we’re randomly told it is the heart of the spirit animal bond and that it provided the Evertree with the fuel necessary for that. How is that possible? Is it taking or giving? It feels completely all over the place and threw me for more than a couple loops. I haven’t talked about this much in my other rereads, but I absolutely despised Conor in this arc, aside from the first book. He doesn’t do anything! He displays none of his changed personality, does nothing to further the plot, just gets sicker and sicker (which I’m not blaming him for, by the way). What was the point of having him in the story in the first place? Because fans would want him there? Instead, they should’ve made Takoda be the infected one. This opens up quite a few opportunities the writers could’ve taken advantage of. First of all, Kovo and Xanthe are the two people that are least opposed to leaving Conor behind because of the infection. They also happen to be the two people that are closest to Takoda. There could’ve been an arc of them getting over that to show Takoda they loved him, but it’s completely wasted on Conor. Think about that scene where Kovo jumps from the tower and single-handedly takes on the Wyrm in Takoda’s defense. Now imagine if that scene had taken place after Takoda had been infected by the Wyrm. Kovo has a love-hate relationship with Takoda, made worse by the fact that Takoda is infected, and it climaxes when he fights the Wyrm. It would’ve been so powerful. Conor’s presence in this arc is pointless and I hate it. The last five chapters are all from Abeke’s perspective, and the staggering of the climaxes just. Got to me. The point of having multiple perspectives is to use all of them, and this book severely lacked Conor, cementing my point about Conor’s uselessness. The Wyrm being a literal power-hungry monster that is just there to consume the world and enslave everyone with no motive or thought is just. So dumb. I hate it. It has no substance, no emotion, no point. Same thing with Zerif. Literally just wants power. Why? We don't know. My last gripe: Kirat. I hate him. His character development is so sudden and out of nowhere and he was so spoiled that it’s impossible to like him. His arc feels like such an afterthought.

Rating: 8/10

#draeyem rereads spirit animals #the burning tide #spirit animals series #spirit animals books #sa spoiler #abeke #conor #meilin #rollan #shane #xanthe #takoda #kovo #zerif #the wyrm

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