Greetings, Champions! The King’s Shadow is released! Did you binge it yet? Have you started a second read through?
The Spoiler Post I made for book 1 was so well received I decided to do it again! I want to give you blog-reading Champions a place to voice your reading thoughts during this initial book launch so please talk away!
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 Shadow 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!
As usual, I’ve written a short story as my “thank you” for King’s Shadow’s launch and for it reaching 100 reviews–that’s 100 honest reviews pooling from Goodreads and all the Amazon stores! Reviews and ratings are a big deal for authors. Honest reviews can help readers decide if a book is their thing or not, and I’m so thankful that you’re willing to spend your time leaving a review–which is why I’m happy to write the shorts! And based on how quickly the reviews showed up for book 1, you can expect to see the short story….very soon. (Hahah, thank you, you guys are the best!) But until then, let’s talk spoilers!
So, Champions, what was your favorite part? Was there anything unexpected? Now that you know more about Shadows, what do you think of their skill set?
Were there any parts that made you laugh? I know Aristide’s zingers were a favorite in the first book, but which character(s) had the best lines in this book?
Anything you’re looking forward to seeing in the final book?
Ok now that I’ve Completely re- immersed my brain in Magiford yes my other notes here are genuine yet at the same time… if the Paragon is only a representative & Leila has become the Female Emperor Did Elves & Shadows have equivalents way back when? Or is Kings & Queens as high as they went?
So here’s what I’m dying to know:
What sort of dramatic event is going to make Noctus actually reach out and reconnect with Chloe? Because I think something is going to have to go down for him to change his thinking and make him take action.
Can the elves make a way to safely reveal themselves?
Can we get more glimpses to what Charon is writing down in his little book? So curious what all he wrote about Chloe!
Does Chloe get to connect with her bio family?
I believe in the altruism of Ms. Booker, but I’m curious if she takes some well-intentioned action that could be bad/good?
And not that I want there to be a pointless fight or anything, but what would Chloe facing off against Killian look like? Just curious!
I just keep waiting for Aphrodite to make a bigger part of this story. I mean, that’s the only other character outside of the main crew to have a name from Greek mythology. Can’t be a coincidence right?
I dont know if I remember correctly, but did anyone notice that Leila and Chloe have the same middle name- Grace? Maybe there’s some connection… or I’m just making a mountainn out of a molehill
I didn’t notice that-very good. Hmmm, that would be an interesting development.
I DID notice that and wondered if it was just a slip up
Hum. I didn’t love the ending. I love Chloe and Noctus but I didn’t feel like they really tried to stay together. It felt to me like Noctus especially gave up too easily, and that he has been hiding for a long time. It’s just like the conversation Chloe had about being a shadow. It was a long time ago the elves and shadows were enemies, so long ago no grudges are held. So why is Noctus so convinced the elves will be hated? I think Chloe should have noticed this too. I also wish she was a little bit angry? I don’t know, maybe that is some of what will be in book 3.
Here are my crazy ideas:
1. Ms. Booker is a dragon shifter. She has dragon shifter spells that are very expensive and bookshops don’t make that much money. She assures Chloe that the bookshop is safe even from the King of Elves – who has enough power to make that happen? A dragon shifter!
2. Shiloh is Chloe’s mom. Yes, she is pretending to be young and human. In the original myth, Persephone’s mom is Demeter, who is the goddess of nature. Shiloh is always mowing the lawn! She puts her hand on Chloe and Chloe says that it feels like a hug from mom.
3. The monsters that were created by a spell by the two stupid teenagers EAT MAGIC! This is why the magic is decreasing! There are more of these monsters in the wilderness beyond the fae boundaries. As Noctus says, if the fae took care of the their domains, the domains would increase (like they did for Laila) and that would drive the magic eating monsters to extinction.
Love Chloe and her story so far! This book has me hoping the Paragon has his own book series coming. I’d just love him to get his own adventure similar to Angelique in the fairytale stories. I’d be so fun to see what he personally has going on all while he has been in everyone’s stories along the way. Love Kitty and all she writes!
I’m telling ya Chloe using Destruction should COMPLETELY BREAK the curse itself because of her IMMUNITY! Ok I’m feeling the effects of the potion Chloe drank I’m giddy now. ROFL Bye!
Chloe heard “truck” before she pulled her hand back from Noctus’s magic…what if she only heard part of the word: [des]TRUC[ion]?!?
Exactly what I was thinking 😃
Exactly what I was thinking as well
Alright @Noctus you’re under a microscope. What was it like feeling kitty at first touch her collar getting it from her suitcase. I know it had to be a partial relief until you felt her emotions. So Mr. Big Bad #feared Mors Kingslayer give us what you were feeling up through the #crippling #paralyzing feeling of (I can’t let on anything while @ the same time feeling her crying & you actually feeling her heart BREAKING but you CAN’T FIX IT! Because we readers know you felt tear… every emotion & Every heart crack. -Tania Minerva ( or Shevlin) MN.
I meant *every tear & every emotion.
*Chloe not Kitty. Wow Sorry I need to re-read stuff before posting I guess 😵💫
That is wrong, because when Noctus took the colar off, he canceled the connection. they are no longer bonded.
Oh come on, yes in REALITY you’re right but …. This is FICTIONAL! She touched/ held the collar as she cried he very well could’ve felt THAT Much!
Please Please Please don’t be evil Ms Booker.
I read the book and then proceeded to read my favorite parts again. The first book Noctus was one dimensional and this book I came to really love him.
I agree, I think Shiloh may be the reason that the elves are there. I wonder if before everything went downhill with the elves, the Mors weren’t the war savage but the defenders..Noctus takes his responsibilities seriously, so I wonder if protecting Shiloh as what she is (oracle, princess, undercover something) used to be a fundamental responsibility of the Mors.
I also really hope that Ms Booker is not evil. She did let “them” slip a few times, Chloe has never seen her use magic, and she is a lone “wizard” in a wizard house. Maybe she is the oracle because “knowledge is power” or she is a dragonshifter and her hoard is her books. I am going with Ms Booker the dragon shifter, Shiloh the oracle, Mors the protectors, and the uncles as the fates, because I can’t handle someone I like being bad. I also seriously hope Chloe and Noctus are bound again at the BEGINNING of the next book instead of the end.
I agree w/ most of it the Princess they were talking about is another Elf. Chloe’s magic would have sensed a glamour if Shiloh was anything but human. But yes Mrs. Booker is good (@Noctus realize that and that Chloe Didn’t betray you in talking to Mrs. Booker about the collar).
Part of me still sees parallels between Hazel & Chloe, so yes that part of me (& the physically challenged part of me still would LOVE if Chloe were sealed and Noctus and Chloe break that seal together so we see a more powerful Chloe.
As for those to being “BOUND” together again. BEGINNING of the book. But @Noctus Chloe hearing your magic more often is a must EXTRA tidbit. In whatever you do to get her to fall for you. I mean if “I might as well save you pain” had 000.00000 effect on her romantically your in trouble.
I agree. Your ideas are really good. I hope Ms. Booker isn’t evil also. I am also a little suspicious of her.
I am secretly hoping that Ms Booker is a dragon shifter and the paragon’s love interest. She seems the type who could balance him out
I liked the series but I think Kitty is relying on the same relationship thing going on-powerful woman is rejected by strong male to prove herself so she can be equal to the strong male as his equal. For ex. Helen and Killian, Leila and Regil, Angelique and Evariste (you really need to fix his character soon,Kitty, you left him a shattered whimp that won’t even contradict her in a character interview). Then she’s worthy enough to be powerful
Male’s mate. I was hoping Choloe would be able to problem solve with Noctus as an equal after she proved herself. All of those women are going to have abandonment issues with their chosen guy bailing during tough times. I am ver interested as to how they will resolve the issues and I think Shiloh is an oracle or whoever the Paragon is looking for and I like the 3 cackling uncles (3 furies? Nice switch if true). I like the humor and all the characters, especially Ker and Aristide and the trash can bird, I know there has to be something significant about him since he can recognize Choloe and follow her anywhere. I was surprised about the clock tower and loved the short story. Nice touch.
Oops I meant Hazel not Helen.
Forgot to mention – favorite description – Chloe talking about Aphrodite:
“This cat has all the patience in the world. I mean, like ALL of it.”
PRICELESS!!! Pretty much died laughing 🤣🤣🤣
I know, Aphrodite is on the patience level of my mother… and that’s really saying something
I got so excited when the Paragon left to get Aphrodite. The scenes of him with cat Chloe are some of my favorites.
And I forgot to say that I really love the book! I think Noctus and Chloe were good fit and everyone around saw it and encouraged it. I can understand why Noctus couldn’ t help Chloe. Even if they use magic and send a team, something might have gone wrong. He was a good king and his priority was his people. His personal matters could not endanger his city. And that’s why i could forgive him for letting Chloe do it herself. But what if Chloe was the one who was kidnapped? Would he leave her?
I think the house she protected with cat Cheesecake might be her family. What if the old man was her father or grandfather and the cat her mum?
Whoa I never even considered that but interesting speculation! Do you think the Paragon might be looking for the princess of the Shadows – Cheesecake? Okay I know that’s super unlikely.
I’m lost w/ the whole Cheesecake thing. Not uncommon for me to miss stuff I do have mental challenges sorry I can be slow 😳
Cheesecake is a petite orange tabby cat belonging to an elderly man that Chloe rescued from a fight between Seelie fae and Unseelie fae (actually a chimera and trolls) toward the beginning of the book. Cheesecake does seem to be a normal cat though, but who knows, maybe she is a shadow?
Oh, ghat makes more sense
*that
….I …think…. Cheesecake is supposed to be the kitten she meets at the end when she’s rescuing pat and joy but I’m not sure where they got the ‘cheesecake’ so you’re not the only one who’s lost🤣
No, it’s near the beginning when she rescues the orange tabby from the Seelie and Unseelie fae and the old man says something like, “Cheesecake! there you are.”
Difficult to guess who’s Paragon searching. I would say it’s Shiloh. I don’t think there is coincidence that Nectus knows Shiloh family and they live next to each other so long. She stays almost all the time home and it looks like she was somehow protected by the neighbors. Regarding the cheesecake I also think there is no coincidence why Chloe save it. If she is a shadow they need to be her parents somewhere or family. Also this man asked her to wait, maybe he wanted to tell her they are shadows too?
I would love a cameo of Scarlett and Wyatt, Rupert and June??, or any other side romances that I am forgetting about! I would love if Pat or Joy got their own side romance too. I hope to hear more about Pip saving more wolves that suffered their mates death.
Chloe’s parents have to show up in the next book right?
I wonder if the developers of those intermingled apartment buildings are also behind all the other acts that are trying to weaken down each society. It sounded like they had pretty deep pockets as well. They were approved by MWRC at the end of Hall of Blood and Mercy. I have to think those will circle around again at some point.
It seems like Shiloh only knew Noctus since she was a teenager so I wonder if that correlates when her mother died? Then she might have been left defenseless and she was important enough for Noctus to move to protect her.
I don’t want Ms Booker to be anything less than awesome! I am exited to see more of her story.
After the apartment buildings were mentioned, I couldn’t help but wonder if Noctus made those too. It would make sense since his elves would need an excuse to live as solo supernatural, and he doesn’t mind helping the supernatural community at large if it also helps his elves. Not to mention he is rich.
I wasn’t sure if it was Noctus because it seemed like he would have used those vs building the new clock tower. I guess they did stop going through his front door 4-5 years ago so maybe that does align with the new apartment building being built.
I thought Noctus was the one who was building the apartments. Also who is June???
June is a wizard that is part of House Medis. She and her twin sister are supposedly really powerful, but we don’t really get to know them that well.
Then why did she pair up Rupert and June?
After the battle with Queen Nyte then Hazel mentions that her favorite hug was when June snuck up on Rupert and gave him a hug. I was curious if there was something more there or not.
Ohhhhh… that ships just made my day.
Wasn’t that just because she knew he’d hate it though…? And didn’t he already meet his “one”?
Be that as it may I HOPE tallyreads is right abt that!
I hope one of these series gives us the paragon’s love story, because I just adore him.
Kitty has mentioned that she plans to give the Paragon a novel(not a series).
He needs a love story & the Elf Princess needs to be found…. The Elves of Lessa Main Characters need to move to near Magiford if not into it well MINUS the Aunt crazytown.
Yesssss
So I see from other comments that a lot of people think Shiloh is magical. I hadn’t caught that but I like the Oracle ideas mentioned. I actually was hoping that she and Pat would get together somehow as a couple.
I was thinking Pat should get together with Jade, since they should both be in the next trilogy which focuses on her and the Curia Cloisters task force.
I’d go for that pairing too!
I don’t know if anyone else may have thought of this, but does anyone else think that maybe Marco, Joy’s brief, anti supernatural boyfriend, is the tracker that’s after Chloe? Seems like just the little sneaky clue Kitty would put haha
Oh, good thought. Good possibility!
If it IS Marco or any other Anti-Supernatural the bookstore SHOULD BE a wizard house rejuvenating itself. Magiford needs the help.
I loved this book! I can’t wait until March (cries, cause that’s over a month, but yay cause only a month-ish!)
Theories wise:
*I’m inclined to think Shiloh has something to do with the princess or something along the lines of Noctus’ bottom line because she might be moving for college soon and Noctus did say it “seems we’ll be moving soon.” So think there’s a connection there!
*I didn’t see the previous post for the last book but the old uncles are definitely giving me “the fates” vibes. Like the oracles that each see a different part of a life ( past, present, future). Can’t wait to see what they’re role is in the future..
*The theory on why French Fry is more wild magic than connected to a realm is so good, and make so much sense. They said that the creatures used to be smarter so I wonder if they lost intellect due to wild magic dying,..
As for the meaning of Amalourne- I have an inkling but I may have tried to look up different parts of the word in Greek because this is a Greek mythology and I am invested! It didn’t pan out but I want to know!
I have no idea how Kitty is going to recover the relationship but I am waiting in eagerness!!!
Lawl I was wrong – it’s a 2month wait… I cry further lol
It’s TORTURE I KNOW!
& Noctus only has HIMSELF to blame that she didn’t come back. I get what/who he’s protecting but still I want to shake the crazy Elf for Letting her just leave THAT easy.
Also, is it just me, or does anyone else LOVE Jade?? Because she is *amazing*
Kitty, I am BEGGING you on BENDED knee that pat is jade’s hero.
YES! Pretty please Kitty
Oh, that was my hope also.
I appreciated the ending of this one – mostly because it was a matter of both parties choosing duty that drove them apart. Neither is wrong and both realize why the other must choose as they do. There is no bad blood between them needing forgiveness. That’s great.
I was thrown off by the timing circumstances of the ending:
– Noon, Chloe starts chatting with Shiloh
– Still chatting with Shiloh, but moved to front porch (an hour later maybe two?) gets text messages
– 20 min later they discuss the location on phone as a way to pinpoint their location. Why did it take so long to consider this possibility? Did they literally just spend that time attempting to contact the Paragon (one-call per minute = 20 calls)
– hours tick by while scouting happens. Why did it take so long to scout the location? Magiford is small enough that it’s not like they are flying out to a remote location. If the elves were that incompetent at scouting – why not send Chloe from the start?
– Nightfall (it’s summer – this is 7-8pm) Noctus decides he can do nothing and Chloe decides to waste time packing her bags instead of rushing out to save her siblings. I’d expect, “I’m going to save them – I’ll be back later to get my stuff.” Or even have Noctus pack for her to deliver to her apartment (can still hide the collar).
– Several hours later Chloe finally arrives at the warehouses. Why did it take her so long to get there?
– She spends time scouting (what were Noctus’s men doing? Did she get no info from their literal hours of scouting earlier?) This and the subsequent fight has to take at least an hour.
We are now at midnight or thereabouts when the fight ends. Pat’s squad shows up because he sent a text at least 12 hours prior – it took them that long to “work through the Magiford’s Police Department”? That makes no sense.
No one acts like it’s a life-or-death situation for Chloe’s siblings…not Pat’s squad, not Noctus, not even Chloe. It would have worked better if she’d gotten the text messages around nightfall and it was a couple hours — one for Noctus to have the area scouted, one for Chloe to get out there and use the scout’s info to rescue her siblings (it’s OK to have your strong female character rely on others – the primary theme in the Magiford series are how working together is good). If they were actually making decisions quickly and moving quickly instead of pondering the meaning of life and strolling from place to place it’d have felt like there was a stake in this (even if Kitty never kills anyone we even remotely care about).
Although, that’s still a bit long for the police to show up, but if Pat had sent an SOS message about being kidnapped by Fae, his squad could have gone to Magiford to start the search and his second text (after Chloe rescued him) would have pinpointed the location for them to arrive as quickly as they did post fight.
Note – I love the Magiford series and I’m really enjoying Chloe’s books. I love how Noctus is a good, strong man and a responsible leader. As another commenter pointed out – I love how she fills her books with healthy relationships, healthy banter, and laughter. I’ll likely read this book multiple times just as I’ve read others multiple times. The fun and joy is wonderful – even if a few immersion-breaking events happen.
I even usually enjoy her overly obvious mystery boxes that are sprinkled everywhere – makes me feel smart even if the characters sometimes seem a little dense as a result (although, it is getting a bit old that Chloe keeps pondering what possible reason Noctus could have for killing off his **power-hungry family bent on world domination**).
I agree with your comments, and the awful dynamic of C&N’s final conversations. She cries out to him as soon as she reads the texts, showing he is the one she most trusts and depends on in this situation… and he just shuts down. His limited communicative skills, which as Ker notes do need work, just disappear. Yes, it was SUCH a weird thing that only Chloe seemed to be treating this as a potential life-and-death situation for her siblings, and Noctus asks her to stay with him over trying to save her siblings lives?? So crass, I really hadn’t thought Noctus could be that crass until then. And I understand that Noctus & Co must be very careful about being discovered, but as we’ve seen from book 1, they can do a lot of fighting and work a fair amount of magic in Magiford without being discovered, as long as they leave before Curia Cloisters arrives. They probably have memory charms that would work on fae. If some of Noctus’s elves were the ones being held in the warehouse, of course Noctus and Co would be a pro-active part of the solution. But apparently, even though the family of one of their inner circle is in trouble, they are unwilling to help? Come on. The reasoning did seem really flimsy, and that’s why Noctus’s refusal to provide any substantive help (besides the equipment she already trained to fight with) seemed that much more awful.
Actually I thought Noctus’ reaction rang true to character. His development arc is that he has to learn care for all, not just his own.
Unfortunately, his biological family didn’t help him learn much of anything positive so yes he NEEDS to learn ALOT and my hope is that Chloe leaving them forces a drastic push for him to want to learn ( and learns, w/ her absence.)
Eh, none of that bothered me because I think Noctus and his crew saw through the attempt for what it was. They never really believed her family was in danger of death and, since in their long lives they have had to suffer for causes, it skews the way they see things and how they prioritize. A little pain is survivable and not worth giving up what they swore to protect. They have been away from humanity and the world for quite some time.
I think they believed that in time the fae would give up their hostages once no one showed up. Also, Noctus killed his family so, as he says a few times, he really doesn’t understand good family bonds.
I also think some of the deal for Chloe in packing up and what not was to take time to not rush and make foolish mistakes. While she was more concerned about her siblings than anyone else, running out without taking time to think things through wouldn’t have helped anyone. I really think secretly she hoped her new “family” was going to change their minds and save her siblings for her. She was so used to depending on them for saving her and not taking it on herself I think it got to be a default. It took her finally really realizing none of them were going to help her for her to leave. That fits with her past and her reactions as a runner rather than a fighter. Should be different going forwards now that she knows what she’s capable of.
Agreed! Noctus needs to grovel for his HORRIFIC Inaction! If Chloe is sealed and has more power I understand why she couldn’t beat him up but trust me, Inaction about FAMILY of someone IMPORTANT to you when there has to be a longing for or yearning to have what you missed out on… come on @Noctus where’s your backbone?!
Okay Groveling might be a huge stretch for Noctus but … Sorry I was miffed at him.
I am so amazed reading these comments – others have completely different theories from me! So, on to my ideas:
Ms Booker isn’t bad – she’s a powerful, independent wizard who, through all her research, knows so much & has probably correctly theorized much more about elves. But will she inadvertently do something to upset the apple cart, thinking she’s help Chloe? Maybe.
The elven princess? Yeah, she loves gardening 😆
French Fry & other trash griffins? I think they may be like physical manifestations of wild magic. Or, at least creatures especially attuned to wild magic. They didn’t convert when Leila healed her Realm, but I think it’s because they’re more tied to wild magic than the night court.
Pat & Joy’s life plans? Yeah, didn’t see that coming. Yeah, Noctus can adopt them too, but obviously it would be better if Noctus & the elves could come out of hiding. Not expecting it to be a perfect transition, but the hatred & fear can be overcome by enough supernaturals that, like Killian & Hazel’s relationship, they can be accepted by society at large. Then Chloe can be with Noctus, Pat & Joy can be nearby, and she wouldn’t have to pick between the two.
How the heck will Kitty solve the tracker, the “group” causing all the issues (Hazel, Leila, etc), the reintroduction of elves to supernaturals today, and repairing Chloe’s & Noctus’ relationship? Yeah, in 1 book? No idea.
Please, please, PLEASE bring in all the characters we know & love in Magiford not for cameos, but to really interact with Noctus & Co.! Really want to see Killian, Riegel, Greyson & Noctus in the same room, unveiled, and trying to get along! Such strong male leads, all needing to be recognized for their dominant personalities! & the ladies just running along past them!
I also think ms booker is a powerful wizard bc of all the references to the bookstore acting like a wizard house
I think the bookstore is a wizard house coming back to more action/ to protect Ms. Booker & her employees. It would be a boon for Chloe now that she’s back at her apartment and would be a reason Chloe’s siblings need to realize she’s safer than they believed. Please Kitty!
I agree that Kitty has presented quite the puzzle in how everyone is going to be able to live happily ever after. Surely the Elves and Noctus will have to come out of hiding?
Everything won’t be resolved in the next book. Chloe and Noctus’ relationship will have a happy ending if it follows the pattern of all previous trilogies but Kitty has already said the Paragon’s quest will span 4 trilogies. Since Pip and the Werewolves was technically a spinoff tangent (because it didn’t have anything to do with the Paragon’s search) this set is only #3. Even worse, the next set will be another “spinoff” set in Magiford so we have probably 7 more books before we find the lost “she” and see the bad guys defeated. Unless Kitty does something horrible and puts out books from the Paragon’s perspective recaping before the final showdown. You’re not doing that, right Kitty?
DON’T give THAT open ended type of idea! NOT W/ the Paragon! Kitty DON’T DO THAT! PLEASE waiting 2 months is already TORTURE!
Oh French Fry… I hope he decides to befriend Noctus and appear randomly around the villa.
Yes. Noctus needs a real pet in his life.
Along those lines, I’m really hoping the kitten Chloe went back for will end up being Noctus’s. He needs something to mother, so he doesn’t try to tell Chloe that she can’t cross the street by herself. 🤣
I had the same thought! I kept hoping to end the book with Noctus cuddling the kitten but after what happened with “Ama” I knew it was unlikely. But a girl can wish!
Yes French-fry needs more of a purpose. Like being a shifter or something cool. I mean like he can shift into different animals & be 1/2 human who goes back and relays to her birth-parents how she is… while keeping her Elf & Co. a secret.
Which could explain her Heritage of 1/2 Shadow/1/2 Elf. (It’s an interesting possibility anyway)
Granted I do still pray she’s sealed which could explain why Currently Noctus believes she’s 100% Shadow! Then when Noctus & Chloe discover that she’s sealed “Destruction” could come into play after they fall for each other & her using “Destruction” breaks the curse because it implodes the curse on itself (Not harming the heirloom or Chloe because she’s immune.). Ok now I’m just babbling so bye.
Kitty- thank you for sharing your talent. I love your books!
I keep hoping that Ms Booker doesn’t turn out to be bad – but I keep wondering. Also I’ve wondered if “truck” is destruction or something else entirely. And I keep wondering about French Fry. Who is he really? He shouldn’t be able to go to the elves realm – yet he can.
I think truck has to be Destruction. She’s the only person who could wield it. Her magic would protect her from the curse.
I wonder if it is related with the curse that also took Aristide’s vision?
It could very well be related to that curse, that’s a great idea! It does make quite a bit of sense – Chloe could feel it calling out to her but the weapon didn’t materialise in her hand (thus we can conclude that it is likely not one of Noctus’ weapons that are currently available in his stash), and it could be that the curse placed on Destruction took Aristide’s vision, so no one can touch it or they’ll go through the unbearable pain Aristide went through (I think it was mentioned that the loss of vision was only a side effect)
I never even would’ve dreamed of that but YES! Chloe’s the 1 that could use it …. and in so doing BREAKS the curse because it can’t destroy HER! ROFLMBO Oh THAT’S AWESOME‼️🤣🫶🏻💯🎉
Thank you Kitty.
I absolutely devoured this book.
On to theories.
We now know that the paragon isn’t as old as he appears, and he acts like a teenager so much that perhaps he is one.
I agree with previous theories that Ms. Booker is very important. Options:
Chloe’s biological parents sent her to watch over Chloe.
She is working with/is the tracker.
Or my personal favourite:
She is the elf princess and/or Chloe’s biological mother. I know that Noctus said that Chloe was pure Shadow, but what if she is half Shadow, with the Shadow portion masking her elf powers.
Also the elf princess should be from the Vitas family.
Additionally there is something strange going on with French Fry, either he isn’t really a Trash Griffen, he was somehow magically altered, or Shadow/elf princesses have a connection to animals beyond just cats, although her deep connection to cats maybe how this ability is finally recognised.
That’s all from me. What does everyone else think?
I really hope Ms. Booker is not evil! She’s too much of a book lover to be evil!
Yeah, I’m despairing that we will never know who the Paragon really is!
French Fry is amazing, all the way. His is quite the enigma.
The idea of Chloe being half-shadow and half-elf is very interesting! I love the idea though I still have reservations about Mrs Booker’s true intentions – she knows a lot more than she should and since Chloe hasn’t told Noctus about Mrs Booker yet she could easily be working with the tracker (or is the tracker, like you mentioned). Personally, I think the elf princess will appear in another series, as Kitty mentioned that the Paragon’s search is over four series (Gate of Myth and Power being the third series), and since we now know what he’s looking for, maybe the female lead in a future series is the mysterious elf princess herself? I am not sure about that one, but it would be cool to see her interactions with the Paragon (and perhaps Noctus and Chloe as well?) since he is planning on trying to use her. I agree that she should be from the Vitas family too, since they can create magic. Lastly, in terms of French Fry, could he be spying on Chloe? It’s a bit extreme but, like you said, maybe he isn’t a Trash Griffin after all, but someone pretending to be one? He could be acting stupid by bumping into lamp posts and all that (reminds me of Lord Linus’ façade in Court of Midnight and Deception) but in reality is in league with the tracker? I’m still thinking about that one, but please let me know what you think about it!
This is the fourth series in the Magiford series (Wizards – Fae – Werewolves – Elves). Finding the elf princess (paragon’s search) will likely culminate in the next book when the elves come out of hiding. At most it’d be a short story – but he’s searching for the good of all magic-kind and is worried the other party will harm her in their quest for destruction of magic.
This is the fourth series, but it’s the third in the paragon’s quest. Pip’s series was a tangent of sorts. Jade’s series will be another spin off. It won’t be until after that one that we’ll see the end to the Paragon’s search. So Kitty still has plenty of time to reveal all of her secrets.
Jade is on this new supernatural taskforce…Pat is now on this same supernatural taskforce…anyone else thinking Pat will be the love interest in Jade’s trilogy? Please?
I’m begging her on bended knee about that. Bc I love them both so much
Wait…did I miss a character because I don’t remember a Jade… I know she’s a vampire hunter and the MC in Kitty’s next series, but where was she in Chloe’s series?? Help??
It’s just a cameo at the beginning of Book 2. When Chloe calls in the fight between the Chimera and Trolls to the Curia Cloisters, a Vampire Slayer from the Supernatural taskforce takes Chloe’s statement. Kitty said Jade would make a cameo appearance and since the only Vampire Slayer I know of who was appointed to the taskforce is Jade, I made a leap that it was her.
At the end of the book Pat starts his new job on the taskforce. It could be nothing but I smell romance between Jade and Pat.
Just had a thought … Elves of Lessa’s Gwen’s Sister or Gwen HERSELF! OMWord! All the talk about an Elf Princess…. @Kitty Now my mind is FLYING Kitty! Too Many Possibilities!
Well, Kitty HAS said in the past that the less elves and her magiford world had no connection
Sorry newer reader didn’t know that!
It’s not something you need🤨(and my friends TOTALLY don’t say that to me ALL the time because I TOTALLY DON’T over use that word) also, I started reading last may so…….
*To apologize for
Loved book 2 – just left my review on Amazon! Great theories in the posts here. My wild card guess – the owner of Cat Tails is a shadow.
I had that same thought!
I want to know a lot of things. 😂 Something I haven’t mentioned on other forums, but is now foremost in my mind, is why does the Trash Griffin, a fae animal of a specific court, following her around?
I have a theory that might be completely wrong but hear me out: Chloe only told Ms. Booker about Noctus. She should only know about a single elf living in Magiford. But, throughout the book, she makes reference to “They” when she shouldn’t know about any of Noctus’s associates, and uses the honorific “His Majesty” to refer to him. I think it’s unlikely that she knows nothing about him other than what Chloe told her, so where did she learn it? I think that she’s either the elven princess in disguise or she’s working with the guy trying to kill Chloe.
Valid points! I didn’t even pick up on that
That’s seems accurate. We don’t know much about Ms Booker except that she loves being proper(like an elf), is powerful, and is mysterious. I think the missing elf princess is likely, especially because there is a lot of magic in the Book Nookery and it was mentioned that Chloe wasn’t sure how old Ms Booker was(and something about smile lines?).
That’s very interesting! I didn’t realise that! This makes me consider the idea of Mrs Booker being the Elf Princess a bit more now, as I was leaning towards the idea of her being the tracker or conspiring with him. Noctus did mention that only elves need to call him ‘Your Majesty’ when Chloe tried to call him that, so I think you’re onto something!
I would lean more towards elf princess than working with the half elf. As a matter of fact, I considered she might be a Shade since it is mentioned she’s an unaffiliated wizard and Shades are wizards. However, even is she’s not the princess or a shade perhaps she is in contact with the princess. An interesting thought.
I zoomed through the book but now I’m definitely going to go back and re-read both books more slowly now.
I loved that Chloe went out of her way to make sure Cheesecake and the little calico were okay. I hope that Troll finds a place in the Night Court. I also loved the scenes with French Fry. I thought the mention of Trash Griffins being smarter in the past interesting. I wonder if being around Shadows makes them smarter the way being around Leila does to other animals.
Windstar: totally agree on Trunk being Destruction. When they mentioned the curse my mind immediately went to some future date when Chloe uses it to save the day.
Hi Ella, as to your thoughts concerning Windstar, I absolutely agree.
why, kitty, why did you have to go so hard on the ending. seriously, you could have ended it one page earlier, but no, you had to make it overly emotional so I would cry.
anyway, am I the only one that loved the fight scene? Chloe spends the entire book saying that she’s not good at fighting, only running away, and then she absolutely crushes rescuing pat and joy. it’s pretty awesome
as awesome as the fight scene was, however, I still don’t think it compares to the scene on the top of the clock tower, as Chloe and Noctus almost kiss. it was so perfect, and sets up the fact that in the third book both of them will realize that they love each other.
as for the separation at the end, I kind of like it. it was needed in order for their relationship to really be equal. it was also a lot more healthy than Killian’s manipulation of Hazel so that she would fight mason, and both characters were open and honest about the conflicting things that they had to protect.
some theories that I have:
Shiloh is going to be important to the plot. I suppose she could be the elven princess, but I think it is more likely that she is an oracle, given the heavy-and vauge-references to them.
Shadows. there have to be more out there. I’m pretty sure that we’ve seen at least one other, but the question is, who is it?
I think, overall I just loved the book. Aristide’s comments are hilarious, and I loved the plot. I don’t think that March can come soon enough.
I agree with your ideas about Shiloh, they kept mentioning oracles and Shiloh is almost definitely a supernatural. There is no way that an elf can live across the street from Noctus without him noticing, and Shiloh isn’t too pretty. The fight scene definitely proves to Chloe that she can fight, which seems important because she would never do something like that without something she cares about on the line and now she know she can fight. Definitely agree with March can’t come soon enough, I’m counting the 2 months 11 days.
Ah – Shiloh being an oracle makes far more sense than her being an elf princess. That would explain why she’s able to tell things she normally wouldn’t as a human (Chloe is a sup) and why there is no glamour hiding elf features (which Chloe would see through).
YES! Ahhhh that ending! I didn’t help myself by putting on headphones and listening to sad breakup songs, though. Noctus putting the collar in her bag is so cute and heart-breaking! Kitty, how could you do us like this?!
Absolutely on both the fight scene and the clock tower. Chloe defiantly has some Black Widow vibes to her now. And her siblings are the best.
As for the clocktower, it is now probably my favorite place in Magiford! ALLLL the scenes that took place there were FIRE.
Ditto on March! I KNEW I should savor the book and make it last, but that’s a no-can-do. But that ending!!! Oh be still my heart!! And the worst part is I can’t be mad at either Noctus or Chloe, so I just have to be sad!
I must say, with the gorgeous descriptions in this book, I am really inspired to create some fan-art.
Also, are they GONNNA GET MARRIED IN THE NEXT BOOK????????
AHHHH
The kitten, the bedevilments, and Aphrodite.
Also the kitten reminds me A LOT of Shiloh
I wondered for a bit if Ms.Booker might be a shade. All we know is that she’s an unaffiliated witch. Since we now know Shades are witches it makes me wonder about her and all her secret information and books about elves. However, the main thing against this is not helping Chloe is learning more about how to be a “proper” Shade. With her emphasis on etiquette it would be kind of rude to withhold help like that.
I think that “Truck” is actually Destruction for a few reasons. 1) Des-truc-tion. 2) There is a lot about it from the multiple times Noctus has it with the portrait and statue. 3) It was mentioned that it has a death curse on it, but Chloe is immune to harmful magic so she could potentially use it without consequences.
Oooh, I hadn’t thought about that!!
You took the words right out of my mouth!
OMGOSH YESSSSSS