I love how Alucard spelled backwards is Dracula. Doesn't have to do anything with the character itself, but it's a fun coincidence 😂. Anyways, love Alucard (he's so charming, confident and funny) and especially the friendship between him and Lila ❤
I’m so glad we’ve reached the point where Alucard is introduced. The fact that he lets Lila stay onboard just to see how it plays out and knowing how their bond grows from here is so heartwarming. I adore their friendship.
Ned is such a fun character and I love to see the little snippets of his life throughout the series. I feel like a lot of us would have similar reactions to Ned’s if we met someone like Kell.
Hey V, speaking of names, how do you pick them? I love the names of the characters and have always wondered! Also, I am curious how did you go about creating a language such as Arnesian!
the line "but there she was, at his side, pulling him towards freedom" makes me cry a little more after every reread! the relationship between these two is so so precious to me, and all the little details surrounding them woven into these books are so beautiful and mind-blowing!
Honestly watching these readalong videos brings me so much joy! The way you talk about each of the characters, almost as if they are just friends and you are describing them to someone, just further brings them to life.
I absolutely adore sad Kell who has clearly developed aggression issues. Like… I still remember this time Lila rebuked him about his “ohh nobody loves me” but this time Lila is really living her best life and Kell is slowly suffocating with royals hating him, people fearing him, and general lack of trust 🥺🥺 this poor soul
one tiny detail i love in sasenroche is that lila is wearing one of alucard's hats!!! they're such chaotic traumatised besties already but they just won't admit it lmaooooo
Hey there Delilah! I loooove this series so much. I honestly love how much the characters have changed and grown because of everything they went through in the first book. I think Kell was my favorite character when I first read the books, but now I think Lila has stolen my heart ❤
The first chapter of this book lives in my head rent free 👌 Also I'm living for what the subtitles are auto generating for "Alucard". I haven't recovered from "A la carte Emery" 😂
Late to game getting to this one, but I absolutely adore this book!!! I love how the theme of Kell and Lila being drawn to each other continues and that in these first sections they cannot help but to think of each other. Not to mention the Holland reveal had me legitimately yelling the first time I read it! Also love getting to meet Alucard and how we slowly get to learn more about him.
So excited to listen to you, reading my favourite book of the saga!!! Gathering of Shadows really is my fav as we get to explore the world in a deeper way than in the first one. I am super ready 🔥
I had not read this series, so I purchased the hardback collector's edition set. So glad I did because I love the extra stories included! Thank you for this readalong! I am so enjoying it. 💜
FMAB is my favorite anime of all time--I love the connection here! I thought I couldn't feel more love for this series than I already did. And SO glad to see Alucard entering the chat 🏴☠️
I love this book so much! The whole element prospect and magic battling magic is just so cool. And of course, pirates/privateers and Lilas new found magic ❤
I love a good tournament story, so I can't express how excited I was when reading the second book. Also, as a huge avatar of the last Airbender and FMAB, fan I got a huge smile on my face when you mentioned them as an inspiration for the games. On a side note, you mentioning how Kell is introverted just like yourself really melt my heart for some reason, the connection felt personal and deep, and I really appreciated you sharing that. I can't wait for next week.
Of all the many books and series I have read, this is one of the few where the second/middle book is just as strong as all the others in the series. In fact, I think this is my favorite book of the trilogy. The stage was so well set in the first that picking up here is natural and yet the story still has so much to offer and sets us up for the next book in a way that it feels organic and full and not like it is just a stepping stone to the conclusion. I love our four main characters so much and how dynamic each of their relationships are to each other, it’s hard to pick my favorite pairing. Probably Lila + Alucard because it is just so fun to watch them trying so hard to figure out the others secrets. I cannot wait for the next video!!!!! ❤
I was getting so used to this videos that last week without one felt so empty!! I'm so happy we're back with book 2!! The fact that Alucard spelled backwards means Dracula and it's a coincidence is one of my favorite facts about this series lmao. Tbh I didn't notice when I read it the first time and found about it with a tweet 🤣 anyway that one phrase where Lila said that his smile could charm snakes... I love him, your honor.
I had totally forgotten that whole opening to this book which seems odd considering that it's a pretty fun and cool way to open a book but it was almost seven years ago! I don't think I realised that Alucard was Dracula backwards the first time I read it, I only realised I think when you tweeted about not intentionally doing that! I loved seeing more of Kell and Rhy's bond in this book and the opening scenes with them really sets that up perfectly. I also had no idea that you pronounced Ojka's name like that, I thought it was Oj-ka.
I remember being introduced to Alucard for the first time and thinking "he's going to be a side character and i'm gonna be so sad he doesn't stand out more because he seems soooo cool" and then boom one of the main characters and one of the kings of my heart ❤
I love hearing you talk about these books because it reminds me so much of my own approach to writing. I’m just a vessel the characters use to tell their stories. I don’t make it up, they guide it. I get that vibe from you as you talk about each book as though it’s a separate entity from you.
I’m reading this series for the first time, just started book 2 loving it!! I was just searching how to pronounce Alucard 😅so excited to watch the rest of this video later after I’ve finished your book
Finally catching up on the readalong so yay! Anyways -- 1. I absolutely adore Alucard Emery and his interactions with Delilah. 2. I screamed at Holland's very brief return (I also adore him) 3. Kell very much deserves a hug after the events of book 1, my poor boy.
I actually like that this one has longer parts. For me it just makes sense that the sequels have longer parts than the ones that came before. My mind likes this xD
V about Kell: he's sad. He has feelings. So many feelings. Obsessed with this description of Kell, honestly. These readalongs are my favourite part of every weekend currently.
I just love your books so much. I have literally read every book you wrote. Specially awaiting for the next Villains and the part 4 of Shades of magic.Can October come already?
I'm happy I got to know the correct pronunciation of Ojka (used to read it O-"j"-ka rather than O-"sh"-ka)and Tieren(used to read "Tie"-ren rather than "Tee"-e-ren)! Thank you so much V for doing this readalong!!!
Finally caught up on these! Thanks for these so I can skip my annual audiobook relisten this season and maybe finally listen to your other books. Also a little wild seeing how some of these names are spelled having only done the audiobooks 😂
This is my first time reading this book and I can't wait for the moment Lila and Kell meet again. Also looking forward to some grovelling from Rhy towards Kell.
Okay there are sooooo many comments/observations I want to make from this but I have to hold off because of spoilers for later on! But I absolutely LOVE Alucard (though Kell's reaction to his name made me hesitate during my first read 😂) and I love the relationship he has with Lila. Also so badly want to give my boy Rhy a hug from pretty much this point on in this series. The self destruction in Part 2 😭
Also, minus the “good girl” part, I feel like the first verse of Question…? by Taylor Swift reminds me of sad boy Kell during this first section: “Good girl, sad boy Big city, wrong choices. We had one thing going on. I swear that it was something ‘Cause I don’t remember who I was before you Painted all my nights A color I have searched for since…” ❤
I've always wondered how old Alucard is in the original trilogy (gotta be one of my fave characters ever) cause i thought he couldn't have been much older than Kell but then i see some people perceive him as 30 or even 40 and now im confused skskksksksks 😭
I love these videos and hearing your thoughts. It's the best thing 🥰 Also, I love this series so much already, and I may have already finished this book before the video launched 😅
I love the way you read excerpts from your book 🥹 it's like listening to a song you've heard before but suddenly understanding the lyrics in such a new, deeper way
I guess I missed something because I thought Kell left a coin at George III's grave saying "this one is fresh" and that the one he gave Ned was different. Ned in this chapter comes off very "notice me, Senpai." lol Speaking of George III, his death was heartbreaking because of everything that happened with Kell. After bk 1 Kell is being kept on a leash and there's a sort of parallel with George III not being able to leave his room and Kell being kept a careful eye on. Both have a reverance for magic and it's that wonder that has died much the same as Rhy's wonder has wanned and there at hints at him acting like George IV but not enitrely as if George IV is a cautionary tale to warn us what Rhy could be. Also thanks for the pronunciation. I was wondering how "Essen Tasch" was pronounced as well as some of the other terms. I'm glad to see I was right with Rhy and close with Sasenroche.
"Rhy is trying to make Kell very uncomfortable because that's his love language." 🤣
Kell’s shameless pining is one of my favorite parts of this book😂
can we all just appreciate the names in itself, Victoria has such a knack for giving them the perfect names to match the person ❤
“Kell has feelings, so many feelings” - Kell, a summary😂😍
I love how Alucard spelled backwards is Dracula. Doesn't have to do anything with the character itself, but it's a fun coincidence 😂. Anyways, love Alucard (he's so charming, confident and funny) and especially the friendship between him and Lila ❤
“he’s gonna go out and be one of those people who bitches the entire time about it” just made me cackle thank you
I’m so glad we’ve reached the point where Alucard is introduced. The fact that he lets Lila stay onboard just to see how it plays out and knowing how their bond grows from here is so heartwarming. I adore their friendship.
Ned is such a fun character and I love to see the little snippets of his life throughout the series. I feel like a lot of us would have similar reactions to Ned’s if we met someone like Kell.
The opening of this book is so cool-Lila playing the damsel in distress, taking down the entire crew, and humming all the while. Badass.
Hey V, speaking of names, how do you pick them? I love the names of the characters and have always wondered! Also, I am curious how did you go about creating a language such as Arnesian!
the line "but there she was, at his side, pulling him towards freedom" makes me cry a little more after every reread! the relationship between these two is so so precious to me, and all the little details surrounding them woven into these books are so beautiful and mind-blowing!
Honestly watching these readalong videos brings me so much joy! The way you talk about each of the characters, almost as if they are just friends and you are describing them to someone, just further brings them to life.
My Saturday's are so much fun thanks to these read alongs ❤
I absolutely adore sad Kell who has clearly developed aggression issues. Like… I still remember this time Lila rebuked him about his “ohh nobody loves me” but this time Lila is really living her best life and Kell is slowly suffocating with royals hating him, people fearing him, and general lack of trust 🥺🥺 this poor soul
one tiny detail i love in sasenroche is that lila is wearing one of alucard's hats!!! they're such chaotic traumatised besties already but they just won't admit it lmaooooo
Hey there Delilah! I loooove this series so much. I honestly love how much the characters have changed and grown because of everything they went through in the first book. I think Kell was my favorite character when I first read the books, but now I think Lila has stolen my heart ❤
The first chapter of this book lives in my head rent free 👌
Also I'm living for what the subtitles are auto generating for "Alucard". I haven't recovered from "A la carte Emery" 😂
Late to game getting to this one, but I absolutely adore this book!!! I love how the theme of Kell and Lila being drawn to each other continues and that in these first sections they cannot help but to think of each other. Not to mention the Holland reveal had me legitimately yelling the first time I read it! Also love getting to meet Alucard and how we slowly get to learn more about him.
They way you talk about the books make me want to reread them all over again! 😊
I love the many delicate phrasings you used to describe the fact that Kell and Rhy were both trying to hook up. 😂
I loving the read a long, thank you so much for doing this :-) loving the cats help too! 🐈
Very excited, we're finally on my favourite book
I put this book down for a long time because I wasn’t able to read for such a long time.. glad I found these videos to be able to continue! ❤
So excited to listen to you, reading my favourite book of the saga!!! Gathering of Shadows really is my fav as we get to explore the world in a deeper way than in the first one. I am super ready 🔥
Kell, babe, you don't need a training ground. You need a therapist.
I had not read this series, so I purchased the hardback collector's edition set. So glad I did because I love the extra stories included! Thank you for this readalong! I am so enjoying it. 💜
Just glad the readalong is back. Missed it so much last week! It's a real joy! ☺️
Ending part three with Lila giving some serious "challenge accepted" vibes ..... as usual. Love. Her. So. Much.
Thank you so much for doing this! So much fun and an excellent brilliant idea!
"i'm just protecting my investment!" i see ya there v
FMAB is my favorite anime of all time--I love the connection here! I thought I couldn't feel more love for this series than I already did. And SO glad to see Alucard entering the chat 🏴☠️
It's been so nice re-reading these books! I had forgotten how much I loved them.
i love word play with the naming of characters!
This is my absolute favorite book of the series, I could re-read it over and over again!
Also can we all agree that this opening with Lila is ABSOLUTE PERFECTION
"Kell has feelings, so many feelings" I LOVE KELL ❤❤❤
Lila taking down the pirate ship was so bada**. She is amazing. Also yeah the pinning between her and Kell and neither really want to admit it
Alucard - the reason I search pirate stories everywhere ❤
I love this book so much! The whole element prospect and magic battling magic is just so cool. And of course, pirates/privateers and Lilas new found magic ❤
I love a good tournament story, so I can't express how excited I was when reading the second book. Also, as a huge avatar of the last Airbender and FMAB, fan I got a huge smile on my face when you mentioned them as an inspiration for the games. On a side note, you mentioning how Kell is introverted just like yourself really melt my heart for some reason, the connection felt personal and deep, and I really appreciated you sharing that. I can't wait for next week.
Of all the many books and series I have read, this is one of the few where the second/middle book is just as strong as all the others in the series. In fact, I think this is my favorite book of the trilogy. The stage was so well set in the first that picking up here is natural and yet the story still has so much to offer and sets us up for the next book in a way that it feels organic and full and not like it is just a stepping stone to the conclusion. I love our four main characters so much and how dynamic each of their relationships are to each other, it’s hard to pick my favorite pairing. Probably Lila + Alucard because it is just so fun to watch them trying so hard to figure out the others secrets. I cannot wait for the next video!!!!! ❤
This was so fun! I’m really enjoying this!
I was getting so used to this videos that last week without one felt so empty!! I'm so happy we're back with book 2!!
The fact that Alucard spelled backwards means Dracula and it's a coincidence is one of my favorite facts about this series lmao. Tbh I didn't notice when I read it the first time and found about it with a tweet 🤣 anyway that one phrase where Lila said that his smile could charm snakes... I love him, your honor.
I had totally forgotten that whole opening to this book which seems odd considering that it's a pretty fun and cool way to open a book but it was almost seven years ago! I don't think I realised that Alucard was Dracula backwards the first time I read it, I only realised I think when you tweeted about not intentionally doing that! I loved seeing more of Kell and Rhy's bond in this book and the opening scenes with them really sets that up perfectly. I also had no idea that you pronounced Ojka's name like that, I thought it was Oj-ka.
I remember being introduced to Alucard for the first time and thinking "he's going to be a side character and i'm gonna be so sad he doesn't stand out more because he seems soooo cool" and then boom one of the main characters and one of the kings of my heart ❤
I love hearing you talk about these books because it reminds me so much of my own approach to writing. I’m just a vessel the characters use to tell their stories. I don’t make it up, they guide it. I get that vibe from you as you talk about each book as though it’s a separate entity from you.
I’m reading this series for the first time, just started book 2 loving it!! I was just searching how to pronounce Alucard 😅so excited to watch the rest of this video later after I’ve finished your book
I'm completely in love with Alucard Emery so much! my love. thank you for him
Finally catching up on the readalong so yay! Anyways --
1. I absolutely adore Alucard Emery and his interactions with Delilah.
2. I screamed at Holland's very brief return (I also adore him)
3. Kell very much deserves a hug after the events of book 1, my poor boy.
I actually like that this one has longer parts. For me it just makes sense that the sequels have longer parts than the ones that came before. My mind likes this xD
Desperately trying to catch up. These books are so amazing!! I have been ignoring my kids and laundry all week. I hope I’m not the only one😩
I almost forgot how much I like Alucard 🤗 this is so much fun!
besties Lila and Alucard ❤
Thank you so much for creating these videos! It's amazing to hear your insights and makes me love this series even more 💜
Chauncey has my whole heart
Remember Ned? He's the one that I kept trying to kill🤣 I'm in stitches
V about Kell: he's sad. He has feelings. So many feelings.
Obsessed with this description of Kell, honestly. These readalongs are my favourite part of every weekend currently.
I had no idea how much I was going to love Alucard when he showed up for the first time
I just love your books so much. I have literally read every book you wrote. Specially awaiting for the next Villains and the part 4 of Shades of magic.Can October come already?
I literally live for Alucard scenes. This is my favorite book of the series!!!❤
Yeah I remember Ned! Love Ned!
Also love the opening of this book, it's absolutely stellar
Im watching just after I finished the second book!!!
I'm happy I got to know the correct pronunciation of Ojka (used to read it O-"j"-ka rather than O-"sh"-ka)and Tieren(used to read "Tie"-ren rather than "Tee"-e-ren)! Thank you so much V for doing this readalong!!!
Thank you for doing this read a long - so much fun! A great way to read and discuss with my daughter.
3:22 OMG I didn't know about the Alucard's name. Amazing!
I think I'm falling in love with Alucard
Omg, This is so exciting I really enjoyed this book, with the return of the old characters and also the appearance of the new ones (cof cof Alucard)
Finally caught up on these! Thanks for these so I can skip my annual audiobook relisten this season and maybe finally listen to your other books. Also a little wild seeing how some of these names are spelled having only done the audiobooks 😂
This is my first time reading this book and I can't wait for the moment Lila and Kell meet again. Also looking forward to some grovelling from Rhy towards Kell.
Okay there are sooooo many comments/observations I want to make from this but I have to hold off because of spoilers for later on! But I absolutely LOVE Alucard (though Kell's reaction to his name made me hesitate during my first read 😂) and I love the relationship he has with Lila. Also so badly want to give my boy Rhy a hug from pretty much this point on in this series. The self destruction in Part 2 😭
Lila Bard.. the perfect thief-pirate-character with a few issues 😅
Kell has feelings 😂 Mood
I just met Alucard and I love him already ❤
Also, minus the “good girl” part, I feel like the first verse of Question…? by Taylor Swift reminds me of sad boy Kell during this first section:
“Good girl, sad boy
Big city, wrong choices.
We had one thing going on.
I swear that it was something
‘Cause I don’t remember who I was before you
Painted all my nights
A color I have searched for since…”
❤
I love the chaos!
SO . EXCITED. I LOVE . THIS READALONG.
oh, kell, my sweet baby. my heart is just permanently breaking for him and i just wanna hold him and make all his sad go away:(
I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned that Ned managed to move the water in the elemental kit. I guess it's not that important.
I've always wondered how old Alucard is in the original trilogy (gotta be one of my fave characters ever) cause i thought he couldn't have been much older than Kell but then i see some people perceive him as 30 or even 40 and now im confused skskksksksks 😭
I love these videos and hearing your thoughts. It's the best thing 🥰 Also, I love this series so much already, and I may have already finished this book before the video launched 😅
I love these books so MUCH!!!!
Alucard is my favorite character in the whole series❤
I love the dynamic between Lila and him they're absolutly my favorite pair to follow along.
Kell and his feelings 😂
1:50 My memorie is terrible, but nothing will make me forget this first chapter. It is so amazing
your memory is better than mine! I had forgotten this chapter 😂
I love the way you read excerpts from your book 🥹 it's like listening to a song you've heard before but suddenly understanding the lyrics in such a new, deeper way
I love these characters so much
alucards name being dracula backwards is soooo funny to me 😂
This one is my favorite book! Alucard is the best! ❤
i love this books so much, also I LOVE THOMAS AND CHAUNCEY
I didn't know alucard/dracula was not on purpose! I kept waiting for him to drink blood
I guess I missed something because I thought Kell left a coin at George III's grave saying "this one is fresh" and that the one he gave Ned was different. Ned in this chapter comes off very "notice me, Senpai." lol Speaking of George III, his death was heartbreaking because of everything that happened with Kell.
After bk 1 Kell is being kept on a leash and there's a sort of parallel with George III not being able to leave his room and Kell being kept a careful eye on. Both have a reverance for magic and it's that wonder that has died much the same as Rhy's wonder has wanned and there at hints at him acting like George IV but not enitrely as if George IV is a cautionary tale to warn us what Rhy could be.
Also thanks for the pronunciation. I was wondering how "Essen Tasch" was pronounced as well as some of the other terms. I'm glad to see I was right with Rhy and close with Sasenroche.
Alucard! Shame, there are no vampires. But we have blood magic
I cannot put these books down!
I absolutely loooove Alucard, he’s my favourite character ❤ I’ll probably have a tattoo related to him at some point 😅😍
Lol am I too late to the raffle?? Just found this series!!
This book is my favourite
Rhy in this part of the story is BIG Mimi vibes from RENT. I love him so much.
Yes!! I love this connection so much!!
Alucard is amazing!!
Yay kitties!
I love Alucard and Lila