This is one of the coolest covers, hands down!!!

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Chapters Read: 1-5

Book 5 is here! Let's go!

Trials of Death is where this series seriously begins reaching a whole new level. Darren begins his Trials rather swiftly meanwhile rumors of vampaneze lurking begins ramping up...

I'm definitely enjoying these books at a whole different level this time around having lived life at this point. Not saying I'm done living life or done learning, what I mean is I've lived a significant bit of life compared to when I first read these. It just hits way different.

I consider Kurda and Harkat's existence at such a different level this time around. I'm aware that Kurda had good intentions and made some critical errors, some of which I struggle to remember and look forward to re-experiencing in these next two books. When I first read these I understood that Kurda was mildly misunderstood and had mostly good intentions. He is eventually considered a traitor though. I really don't want to get ahead of myself because I can't remember all the details but....

I just can't put my finger on it yet, and I think I must read on but, when I first read these books I was shocked to first learn that Kurda had the potential to vanquish the Lord of the Vampaneze. Then we eventually learn that Harkat was Kurda...

I was so mindblown that Kurda was so significant to Mr. Tiny, to the series, whatever. It's a true mind bender. I just thought for so long that Kurda was just a guy that went too far trying to bring peace. But in time it seems that he's sort of Jesus-like? That is certainly probably a step too far because he literally murders Gavner I believe eventually... But there's something so interesting about him man. It also speaks to Mr. Tiny as well. I gotta admit the guy is wise at times, twisted but oddly intelligent. I mean, he's basically a god so it makes sense I guess.

But look, besides Kurda's mistakes and flaws he was literally trying to bring the vampaneze and vampires together. He was trying to promote harmony. I think he ultimately cared for the vampires more but he saw how vampaneze are basically vampires and vice versa. His people, the vampires, ultimately have him pay the ultimate price... If I recall correctly, Kurda dies with seemingly genuine shame...

Hmmm....

Then, while not very gracefully, he is resurrected after literally dying for his people, to help save the very people that killed him...

Ring any bells? It's wild that today is literally Easter too.

Ugh my brain is utterly fried by this. I swear, the nonchalant genius of these books are tremendous. I will have a proper take in time as I proceed but it's fun to just digest all of this and ramble.

Kurda and Harkat's significance is utterly mind-blowing. It's like a whole story within the story, unfolding with Darren, kinda right in our face.

Gahhhhh. Unbelievable. Harkat sort of simply existing in these chapters, being unintentionally charming and effortlessly kind is just nuts knowing who he is. Well, Harkat is his own man too but, it's complicated.

Harkat and Kurda (basically the same person) feels like a genuine main character without being the main character. Well, he's a significantly proper second place to Darren anyway.

Ok, anyway, Darren also completes his first trial which was an underwater maze. He had time to prepare for it with Vanez Blane. Darren was worried and complaining about the difficult training but Vanez painfullly poked him over and over and said the stakes at the Hall of Death are worse than his poking. Such a simple, blunt point. I respect it. So Darren sucked up the training from that point on.

The maze was pretty nuts. Of course Darren is the main character and I knew he'd eventually get it done but I still felt a ton of anxiety for him as he struggled through it. Ugh. I deal with a lot of anxiety myself and so yeah, it was just a pretty rough read, but enjoyable still.

Now Darren is set to compete in his second trial called The Path of Needles. This trial was super fun to read about, I can't wait to re-experience it!!

What's wild is, I don't remember literally any other trials after this second one. I remember a lot of action happening otherwise, plot twists and such involving vampaneze and Kurda. But I can't think of the next Trial at all! I'm starting to think there isn't one?

In general it's wild how my memory is failing me with this series!

Life has been wicked stressful for a long time, reading these again is just so amazing. There are no words man.

Here's the latest bookmark I'm using!