Greetings, Champions! The King’s Captive is out, and I know a bunch of you pulled all nighters to read it, so it’s time for the Spoiler Post. This is the first time I’m attempting this, but I wanted to give you blog-reading Champions a place to voice your reading thoughts during the launch fun!
And because I’m sure you’re wondering, as usual, I’ve written a short story as my “thank you” for King’s Captive’s launch and for it reaching 100 reviews–that’s 100 honest reviews pooling from all the amazon stores and Goodreads! Reviews are a big deal for authors. Honest reviews can help readers decide if a book is their thing or not, and they help with specific marketing opportunities. I’m so thankful that you’re willing to spend your time leaving a review–which is why I write the shorts! If history is any indication, you can expect to see the short story….very soon. (Hahah, you guys are the best!) But until then, let’s talk spoilers!
Warning: If you are waiting to read this series until all the books are out, or if you haven’t gotten a chance to read The King’s Captive yet, then I’d suggest waiting before you check out the rest of the post or read the comments, or you’ll spoil the story for yourself!
So, Champions, what was your favorite part? Was there anything unexpected? Personally, I had a blast writing Aristide and Ker specifically, so I can’t wait to hear what you all thought of them!
A few of members of the team described Chloe’s story as being on the cozier side, which I do agree with. Although Noctus is ridiculously overpowered, the story is of a smaller scale–I think because neither Chloe or Noctus are interested in saving the world the way some of my other Magiford protagonists are.
Were there any parts that made you laugh? Anything you’re looking forward to seeing in King’s Shadow?
I had totally intended to wait till our 3 are out before starting to read because with your writing I often just can’t stop reading past my bedtime even knowing that the next book isn’t out yet. (With Leila’s series, I only started book 1 a few days before book 3 was due and still ended up reading till midnight with book 2 two days before the last one came out). But I needed a Kitty-fix and then decided to read it instead of rereading an older one.
Absolutely awesome. I’m a cat-person and I really, really love it. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
“But Chloe, I WANT to know!”
LOL I said that so many times when Chloe ‘tuned out’.
I played the “they know, they don’t know” game through the whole book. Then the big reveal and the book ends! Counting down the days till the second book. 😊 Kitty you out did yourself on this book. Have no worries about recuperating effecting your writing.
I’ve had my suspicions about the Paragon and Aphrodite. My husband and I are now positive Aphrodite is a Shadow too. End of Magic Unleased, before the battle, Hazel sees a shadowy presence behind the Paragon radiating power, with the old magic flavor. Hello Aphrodite. 😺 Question is does the Paragon know? I think yes. Mention of the Bedevilments possibly being other Shadows has my imagination racing now.
So the question on my mind is who are Chloe’s parents? Why did they leave her? Do we have the classic ‘special baby is threatened so parents try to keep her safe by hiding her’ story line? Trouble did find her so where are her parents now? Paragon is looking for a she …. did they loose her? Are her parents the Paragon and Aphrodite? A Fae / Shadow union? Or is the Paragon really an elf, as some have suggested, so another elf / shadow union? Which makes me wonder what the wild magic is up too since it encouraged Noctus to enchant her collar with a piece of himself. Okay so that was more than one question. (grin)
I will gleefully cackle when Noctus and Chloe take out that hunter. End of my thoughts.
Interesting that the Paragon assumes that Noctus knows who”she” is.
Random theories on that:
First theory: why would the paragon need to disguise himself as old? Even old Fae can look young. Maybe the paragon is part Elf? Leading to my theory that he knows more about Elves and their survivors than most because he is himself a survivor. That said, he also believes he has enough power to contain Noctus and also leading him to believe that Noctus knows what he knows. This would be a great explanation for why he doesn’t expound on who “she” is. Can’t wait to see what Kitty has lined up for him.
Second theory: shadows clearly still exist parallel to supernaturals. The hunter is one of the ones who originally started hunting shadows and while other elves thought they were gone, he was picking off the stragglers. Maybe leaving their children alone until he is sure they are shadows too? He missed being slaughtered because he was not obviously a danger or because he was so focused on hunting shadows he went undetected? Or maybe just powerful enough to avoid detection.
Theory three: we have met other shadows, but they are better at hiding because they have chosen to live in only one form to help avoid detection by hunters who would recognize what they are. Suspects: The Bedevilments and Aphrodite. They would still be few and far between, but living with supernaturals would also provide a layer of protection and community even if they had to hide what they truly were.
Finally, I think Kitty’s short stories are my favorite. She can pack a lot in with just a few words, so I am hoping that the most recent short story with Chloe searching for safe places gets referenced in future books. A really awkward refusal to meet at a wizard house because her last visit didn’t go well. Or an even more awkward exit from a room to avoid shedding hair in human form because young Jack and Easton freak her out. Maybe a sudden enlightenment on “pet day” negotiations and a quirky response to that. One can hope.
I NEED you to be right about the bedevilments and aphrodite
I am so excited for the next book!
So my favourite part was probably the very end where she calmed down Noctis and every time he calls her Amalourne. I just can’t help myself squeeing at every one of thse moments. But I loved the fact that even though he hadn’t yet known with absolute certainty that Chloe was Ama that the connection between them let him relax and instinctively know it was her.
I found it very unexpected that Chloe spent so much of the time in the book as a cat. It was done very well but I kept on expecting Noctis to find out sooner due to the intrinsic challenges of writing the beginning of a relationship and showing Chloe’s personality when they can’t have a conversation.
I kept on laughing non stop at all the perfectly executed cat mannerisms. As a cat person they were all so accurate and just brought up such vivid visuals of what was going on. And we can’t forget French Fry he is just a riot and a half.
I can’t wait to actually get some dialogue between Chloe and Noctis. She will finally be able to say all the funny little quips in her head and I can’t wait to see his reaction. Especially after that hell of a cliffhanger. Aaaaaaaah the 13th can’t come fast enough!
Has anyone else noticed that the first two covers you CAN’T see Chloe’s neck and on the last cover you can but her neck is BARE. As in the collar is somehow removed!!! ( not completely sure why I’m so surprised, but there it is)
Oooooh! I hadn’t noticed that until you pointed it out but that is an interesting tidbit to ponder. Its also the only book that Chloe is not on the cover in both of her forms, she is just in her human form. Maybe its to be more symbolic of how Noctis sees her? And even if she somehow is able to get the collar removed I bet that the bond (which I am convinced is some kind of chosen soulmate bond), that it contains will just be applied in some other way.
I really loved this story, the cat reactions were so spot on and I really empathized with Chloe. Loved the Paragon’s interactions with Chloe in cat form, such a highlight. I cannot wait to see how all this goes.
Idk if anyone else said anything but what if the “she” that the Paragon has been looking for is right under his nose, as his cat Aphrodite… and if that’s not a correct guess it still makes me wonder if Aphrodite might be a cat shifter as well.
Aphrodite must have SOME significance. She’s too awesome a character not too
that would be awesome. and even if aphrodite is just a shadow, it would be so fun to see the paragon’s reaction to that
I for one think Aristide and Ker would be adorable together. He’s so grumpy and she’s so friendly.
They would be adorable
Chloe – Chloe, often spelled Chloë or Chloé, means “blooming” or “fertility” in Greek. Its literal translation refers to young shoots of foliage that appear in the spring…The Greek goddess Demeter, goddess of agriculture and the harvest, was sometimes referred to by the epithet Chloe.
wait, what? does this mean that chloe is her own demeter?
I can’t wait for the next book!. Noctus was different from the other heroes of the Magiford series and thats another reason why I love him! Also I’m thinking that Shiloh probably has a really important part in the series or world because she’s popping up quite a lot, in that not so subtle way that Leila first appeared into Hazels series. The shadow thing and mystery of Chloes parents has me hooked. It certainly weird that Ker’s living so long, but maybe it’s because of the weird vampire spit property? Not suggesting that Aristide and she ar together or anything *gags*, but maybe he managed to bottle immortality or something?
I think its Noctus’s doing
I keep waiting for Landon’s backstory, I think he’s more than just a human. After this book I think Shiloh is too. I also want to know what’s up with the uncles. Male fates/norns?
Made me so happy to see Landon being Landon! I loved all of the intersections with the parts and people of Magiford we saw in other stories.
I absolutely loved the book!!!!!! I don’t think Chloe is the @she@ that the paragon is looking for because he mentions that she is an elf which Chloe isn’t. I’m excited to see how this story plays out especially since Chloe is the one thing that could actually hurt Noctus😂
Chloe was very fun and gave me some good laughs. I enjoyed the ending so much too! I was smiling so big and cannot WAIT FOR JANUARY!
Oooh..
So many fun moments. So many questions.
Favorite moment was when Noctus explained the trick (high five).
Second favorite when Noctus insisted that he should be Ama’s everything and Aristride told him that would never happen because she was a cat.
As a cat owner, yes.
Questions:
Why was Chloe abandoned, why did the Paragon make Noctus wear shackles, why does Ker only go in public in werewolf form, what does Ms. Booker know, does Noctus specifically have something to do with the protective barriers around the other Realms, why did Aristride’s eyes not ever heal, who is Demeter in this scenario, Shiloh (Gardener) or Ms. Booker ( cautious mother figure)
Non-spoiler question: how do you pronounce Ama(lourne)?
I’ve been pronouncing it “Ah-MAH”
And “Ah-mah-LORNE”
My own theory on the name is that it must follow the myth.
If “Ama” means sweet, then Amalourne must mean “bringer of death” “my queen” or some combination such as “My Queen of Death/Mors”
That’s all I can think of for now.
Thank you, Kitty!
Yes! Also why is Ker able to live for hundreds of years and what connection does the name Aristide have to Greek mythology? And was Ker turned into a werewolf when they turned wolves differently and is that why she was able to live for so long? And does Killian remember shadows and/or elves?? Like is he old enough to have met them?
Who is Demeter in this scenario?
My guess was her family – we haven’t heard much from her parents yet, but her siblings would definitely go up against the god of death to rescue her.
Armalourne has to mean something that binds Chloe to Noctus as he doesn’t want the others to know.
The tracker could be Chloe’s father as he is a shadow. Her mother wasn’t a shadow but had to hide Chloe to protect her from her father. Maybe he thinks Chloe might kill him if she grows into her power. Now that he has found her he needs to kill her first.
Maybe living with elvin magic has enhanced Kers life. Maybe when the elves left, the werewolves lost their longevity?
Love your ideas! They make sense.
I think that since Ama means sweet that Amalourne means sweetheart, because he gave her part of his heart/soul.
One of my favorite moments:
Ker: Can you see yet? [while trying to pull up Chloe’s tail to check her sex]
Aristride: No
Well, since we know the last is called the King’s Queen amalourne must mean something along those lines
I tend to agree. I don’t think Paragon is looking for Chloe. I guess someone could have known she existed since she was dropped off at a hospital as an infant, but at this point I don’t know why Paragon would think Noctus would be hiding her.
Plus, he didn’t think shadows still existed. He said that they were almost just myths now.
Kitty I absolutely loved king’s captive!! It was even better than I expected, and that’s saying a lot since your other books put the bar high 🙂 you really nailed the cat descriptions – it was so easy to picture Chloe as a cat, love the banter and the overprotective pet parent lol and OMG I wanna know so badly what Amalourne means!!!
i really enjoyed the pomeganate seeds 🙂
Yeah! I loved that too!
I’m wondering about Shiloh and if she might not be the “She” the Paragon keeps bringing up with Noctus…
I thought this too, especially with the trio of “uncles” protecting her. We know her magic is strong because she can detect Chloe’s aura when regular supernaturals can’t. Her shrubbery is constantly out of control, do things grow wild when she is around? I think she is the “one” who can heal magic.
Kitty, you totally got me! The whole time I was thinking Chloe was going to end up being an Elf from another family and the tracker trying to assassinate her was going to be a shadow. But I guess it is a little more angsty and dramatic that Noctus has now given part of himself to probably the only person he has a weakness to. Whoops.
I loved Arisitide and Ker and can’t wait to see them more! I got the Charon and Kerberus name nods but where does the name Arisitide come from? I’m so curious haha.
I also loved her human brother and sister- the first Magiford main lady that has siblings, so it’s fun to see that dynamic.
I wonder if Aristide is a nod to Tiresias – blind oracle, long life, advisor to Kings in life and death, the “staff” he carries…if it is, it makes all the one liners were Aristide refers to “seeing” in some manner even more fun. He is definitely my favorite character in this book. I love how Kitty developed these characters so they are just slightly different than all the supernatural norms we expect after the previous three series.
That’s an amazing idea, and I totally hope you’re right. Because it would be hilarious if Noctus breaks the news that Chloe is actually a person and not a cat, and Aristide is like ‘….. dude, I already know’
That would make sense, because he never said anything when Chloe was hiding in the trunk…
I really enjoyed this one! Agreeing with other comments, the hand feeding of the roasted chicken was super sweet, her “hugs” make me want to go snuggle with my own kitties (even though, honestly I am more of a dog lover! This book helps me appreciate my cats in new ways!) I also love seeing how strings from previous trilogies are coming into play, like the housing being built. I am wondering, have we heard about the clock tower before, because it really feels like it will have significance somewhere along the way! I laugh at her determination Not to know more than she should. She does Not want to see what the Paragon actually looks like. Even though I am pretty sure we saw him up in Timber Ridge buying onesies for Aphrodite. I want to do a re-read to truly absorb everything, but am making myself wait until after Christmas.. I have to take part in “the real world” sometimes!
I absolutely agree that there’s something about the clock tower and it will come to be a bigger part of the upcoming stories.
100% agree on seeing the paragon in timber ridge! I laughed so hard when showed up:)
Although we “saw” the Paragon in Timber Ridge -who’s to say he wasn’t wearing a different glamour? Given his personality and quirks I suspect that he is very young (15-18 over the course of the series) and wears the glamour of an old man to give him the appearance of authority.
A young fae, tricked into becoming the Paragon by “a wily, shifty old man”, would need the protection – and he couldn’t appear just as an adult because he knows he’s can’t act like a normal, mature adult fae. But he can pass off as old man who no longer cares.
Yes, If you have read all the short stories written in relation to this world, it HAS to be the Paragon because who else would go around handing out spelled tea?
I just finished the book and I really like the characters. I knew Noctus wouldn’t hurt her and was interested in Chloe’s view of the Paragon. I also like Aristide and Ker and I really want to know what a shade is and what they can do. I wonder if that’s what that hunter is. Why did her biological family abandon her? Lots of questions. Looking forward to the next 2 stories to explain everything.
I’m guessing that her family was being hunted by shadow elves and in order to hide her they left her with humans (where they wouldn’t think to look).
My favorite part was when Chloe was super tired, and Noctus held her against his chest and hand fed her roasted chicken. That was sooooo sweet! He turned out much more gentle and sweet than I had expected; which I love! Hopefully that doesn’t change now that he knows what she is?
Excellent read! Eeep. Cannot wait until I get to reread before book 2 releases. I do love the cozier feel to it. Each Magiford series is so unique.
I really love how we are finally getting some answers to questions that have been building since Hall of Blood and Mercy. And how we almost got to see the Paragon unveiled!
Hi Kitty.
Thanks for another awesome book. I am really looking forward to the next 2 books as well as the shorts.
Aristide and Ker are are super interesting, and so is Ms Booker. And of course, the paragon!
Really want to know who is the mysterious ‘she’ and who is the stalker..
This is so cool because it is touching on the underlying story arc. It was also super interesting to see the modus operandi of the mysterious villains by collecting all the unclaimed/ loners etc. I am now wondering more and more about the other side we saw on HOBAM, I think.. those mysterious benevolent people who want to create safe housing for these self same loners.
So manu mysteries..
Hoping that some will be cleared in this trilogy..💜
Oh Snap! I totally forgot about the housing but you are so right!
My sister is always going on about the builders and believes that it’s the bad guys as well. I’m wondering if it’s A) the bad guys or B) a group of supernaturals that are trying to help or C) Noctus or another good elf trying to help save their magical folk.
Seemed to me from the book that the clock tower is built by the Noctus group… so it’s possible that they or someone with similar ideology to them is working on the apartments as well..
I don’t know why someone shady would involve curia cloisters in their plan to make apartments for the disadvantaged…. at least that’s how I see it.
I totally agree with everything you said honestly. I’m pretty sure our lovely cat lady is the mysterious “she” as she’s one of the only shades, and I’m going to assume since it’s a nearer extinct supernatural species, her survival, wellbeing, and whereabouts are very important to the paragon. Also, the paragon? Totally some weird stuff going on there. Excited to hear his story. This series is definitely going to be one of my favorites, only second to Leila’s trilogy.
I think the Paragon is looking for Chloe too! It’s just what makes sense, lol. Maybe he’s the one who left her on a doorstep? Or maybe Noctus is?! SO many questions and NO ANSWERS.
But why would Noctus have known Chloe exists (let alone know where she is)?
I was thinking the “she” was a type of elf that excels at making magic since each elf family has a different specialty (Queen of the Elves of Magic Growth or something) and the Paragon is hoping to convince her to fart out more magic.
Or maybe she is an Oracle (a “race” that has been hinted at in these later books) and would be able to “see” who is attack supernaturals and maybe how to stop magic’s decline.