At the start of Chapter Seventeen, Aris walks into an environment that is dying, the very opposite of the Prism Pass. Were you also sad to see the whimsy of the Prism Pass fade away?
What aspects of Aris’s resilience do you find most admirable?
While travelling through the rot together, Aris and Raker find little to no edible food. Aris soon realises that the rot is also impacting her food stash. Rather than leaving it to rot, she decides to eat it all. What do you think of the conversation that transpires between the two characters as they share a meal of berries and mushrooms?
Aris is attacked by an immortal and despite having been knocked out by him, were you surprised by her lack of retaliation?
Aris is upset that Raker didn’t intervene and help her, but do you think he knew what this would mean to her in the long run?
Which scene in Chapter Nineteen is your favourite?
Aris asks Raker if he fears anything. She confesses that she used to fear the night but that in this land, she may just come to love it. What do you think Raker fears?
Raker and Aris find themselves in a small inn between the rot and the Bone Forest. When Aris goes downstairs to the bar floor, she is approached by an immortal. He talks about the ugliness of mortals, but he finds Aris to be more pleasing to the eye. Do you think Aris could still be part immortal based on everyone’s behaviour towards her?
Did you expect the immortal woman to be so kind?
What do you think of the thing that Aris encountered in the Bone Forest? Would you have given up one of your ten precious memories like Aris did?
Aris believes Raker came through the mist for the map. Do you think this is true?
12 responses to “Starside Day Four”
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Not sad but more like thinking about how the characters cant catch a break and the one softer level they had is now over.
She never gives up. Never stops. She motivates herself despite all of her hardships and past. She is self-reliant and self-sufficient. She makes do with what she has and doesn’t complain. Very adaptable and determined. All highly admirable traits.
It was so nice to finally see them be somewhat cordial with each other. Aris definitely has a lot of empathy and she offered her food to Raker, a man that she has some ugly past with. It goes to show more of Aris’ kindness. Also it was good seeing Raker be present and actually interact with Aris for a change.
Not really.
Raker does a lot of things for a lot of reasons. He does want Aris to grow stronger and I think he believes in that tough “love” strategy too. Also its him wanting to keep his distance from her too coz Raker perhaps feels something for her… tho sometimes I wish he’d just help her when she’s in danger and not just wait it out.
When he first decides to help her and he tells Aris he is willing to!
Caring about someone?
That could very well be a possibility. It would explain a lot. Or she’s something greater… part god?
I didn’t, coz this book has thought us to be skeptical lol. It was nice seeing a side character be so sweet and give Aris some much needed reprieve of all the bad.
Yes, to survive. To make the journey count. It was the only way.
Nope, far from it. Raker doesn’t need the map. Its his cover to look after her and have her on the quest with him…
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Q: At the start of Chapter Seventeen, Aris walks into an environment that is dying, the very opposite of the Prism Pass. Were you also sad to see the whimsy of the Prism Pass fade away?
A: Yes but I’m also excited to see what the rest of this journey holds! I’m in awe of everything we’ve come across so far and very impressed with Aster’s world building!Q: What aspects of Aris’s resilience do you find most admirable?
A: The fact that she doesn’t give up and push herself beyond her limits. It’s very admiranle. I also like that she knows she’s not the strongest but she WILL try her best.Q: While travelling through the rot together, Aris and Raker find little to no edible food. Aris soon realises that the rot is also impacting her food stash. Rather than leaving it to rot, she decides to eat it all. What do you think of the conversation that transpires between the two characters as they share a meal of berries and mushrooms?
A: I’d love to know what his problem with Aris is. He seems hellbent on despising her.Q: Aris is attacked by an immortal and despite having been knocked out by him, were you surprised by her lack of retaliation?
A: I was surprised that she didn’t try and kill him immediately but her plan of action worked best for her situation.Q: Aris is upset that Raker didn’t intervene and help her, but do you think he knew what this would mean to her in the long run?
A: It was a learning opportunity for sure but I don’t know if he intended it to be one, or if he just actually did not care. Who knows with this guy.Q: Which scene in Chapter Nineteen is your favourite?
A: When he was adjusting her stance and whispered “better” into her ear 😭😭😭Q: Aris asks Raker if he fears anything. She confesses that she used to fear the night but that in this land, she may just come to love it. What do you think Raker fears?
A: This man is such a closed book, I can’t even begin to guess his fears. Fear of failure?Q: Raker and Aris find themselves in a small inn between the rot and the Bone Forest. When Aris goes downstairs to the bar floor, she is approached by an immortal. He talks about the ugliness of mortals, but he finds Aris to be more pleasing to the eye. Do you think Aris could still be part immortal based on everyone’s behaviour towards her?
A: Mmm I didn’t know or think she was part immortal? Maybe I missed that but I’m not thinking ahead with this book, just enjoying every scene in the moment!Q: Did you expect the immortal woman to be so kind?
A: No. I thought she was going to be poisoned again but it seems the immortal men are the bad apples.Q: What do you think of the thing that Aris encountered in the Bone Forest? Would you have given up one of your ten precious memories like Aris did?
A: I would have given two if he protected me against the other creatures 😭 Aris should have negotiated here.Q: Aris believes Raker came through the mist for the map. Do you think this is true.
A: No he definitely loves her or knows who/what she is. -
No, it felt more eye opening than anything. We have no idea what life is like on this side of the gate and it all alludes to something more happening between the Gods and Immortals.
She doesn’t give up. She keeps on going. I love her strength and resilience but I also love her empathy She thinks about more than just herself and her own revenge.
It’s eye opening – I think mostly for Aris? Him even knowing (and saying) her name. The interaction made him seem more human; that there’s more to him than just following the orders of the king. It makes us, the readers, more curious as to who he is, his motivation and how he really feels about Aris.
No, we’ve come to see her evaluate situations before she acts.
Raker seems too guarded and wanting to keep his distance too much so much so that it feels suspicious.
I enjoy the banter between Aris and Raker. My favourite was when Aris asks him if he’s afraid of anything and she shares this moment of vulnerability with him and not expecting him to say anything in return.
I’m not sure what he fears but I think it has something to do with Aris. He seems to be hiding a lot and playing a completely different game.
I have suspected with Aris may be part immortal or touched by the God that she’s seeking revenge for and that touch has made her something “more”.
I don’t know what to expect with the immortals anymore. I suppose that they’re just like mortals in that way; all are going to be different. Some kind, some evil. They are not all the same.
I wonder the memories he has taken from the other countless souls he’s encountered. Given the situation, I think I would have no choice but to give one up. Would you even know what memory he had taken from you? Would you miss it without the memory of it? How many memories can you afford to lose before you lose yourself in the process? What if it’s a key memory as to why she was seeking revenge to begin with?
No, I choose to believe that Raker came through for her.
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1. Yes, it sounded absolutely magical and completely opposite to the land they were entering
2. How she is constantly able to adapt and overcome based on her skills. Its quite impressive that she’s able to persevere everytime
3. They finally have a moment where they are not at each other’s throats! I was starting to think Raker was a lost cause!
4. I was surprised that she didnt retaliate immediately but again, she’s able to assess her situation quickly and find the best outcome!
5. Not surprised because he’s been an absolute butt to Aris but at the same time, I kind of feel like he believes that she can get herself out of these situations so he chooses not to intervene so she does not become dependent on him
6. The turn Aris’s thoughts take when she thinks about Raker 👀
7. At this point its hard to say because we know so little about him and his stoic attitude has revealed so little. But maybe he is afraid to let people in and that’s why he keeps everyone at arms length
8. Yes. Her eye color is also one of the things that lead me to believe she is part immortal.
9. The other person that Kira, Zane and Aris met was kind after they faced the masked men so I’m not all that surprised that this immortal was kind to them as well.
10. It was so otherworldly and eerie. My heart was beating a mile a minute because of the tension that scene created! I think I would if I saw no other way to survive even if it would devastate me
11. I think he came to help her – this was one place where he knew she’d likely need some backup!
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Yes, it felt a little sad. The loss of that magical feeling makes everything seem heavier and more dangerous.
Her strength comes from her persistence. She keeps moving forward even when things feel hopeless.
That moment felt very real. There is tension but also a quiet sense of connection growing between them.
It was a bit surprising, but it shows she is thinking instead of just reacting.
I think he did know. It feels like he is letting her face things on her own so she can become stronger.
The inn scene stands out. It is tense and reveals more about the world and its people.
He likely fears losing control or becoming attached to someone.
It is possible. The way others react to her suggests there is something different about her.
No, that was unexpected. It shows that not all immortals are cruel.
That moment was unsettling. Giving up a memory feels like too big of a cost.
It might be partly true, but it seems like he has deeper reasons as well.
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At the start of Chapter Seventeen, Aris walks into an environment that is dying, the very opposite of the Prism Pass. Were you also sad to see the whimsy of the Prism Pass fade away?
Yes i definitely was, it was sad to know that its not all sunshine and rainbows even on the side.What aspects of Aris’s resilience do you find most admirable?
That she doesnt give up, she keeps fighting even when she feels like shes not strong enough to keep fighting.While travelling through the rot together, Aris and Raker find little to no edible food. Aris soon realises that the rot is also impacting her food stash. Rather than leaving it to rot, she decides to eat it all. What do you think of the conversation that transpires between the two characters as they share a meal of berries and mushrooms? Im curious what he meant by his reason for being there, but it was nice to see them have a conversation for once.
Aris is attacked by an immortal and despite having been knocked out by him, were you surprised by her lack of retaliation?
Yes since she seems to do now and think later but her course of action at the time was for the best.Aris is upset that Raker didn’t intervene and help her, but do you think he knew what this would mean to her in the long run?
Yes i doWhich scene in Chapter Nineteen is your favourite?
On page 203 when Aris talks about what shes a afraid of.Aris asks Raker if he fears anything. She confesses that she used to fear the night but that in this land, she may just come to love it. What do you think Raker fears?
I honestly dont think he fears anything….maybe the king or the gods themselves?Raker and Aris find themselves in a small inn between the rot and the Bone Forest. When Aris goes downstairs to the bar floor, she is approached by an immortal. He talks about the ugliness of mortals, but he finds Aris to be more pleasing to the eye. Do you think Aris could still be part immortal based on everyone’s behaviour towards her?
Yes i do.Did you expect the immortal woman to be so kind?
Kind of yes because Xara was kind.What do you think of the thing that Aris encountered in the Bone Forest? Would you have given up one of your ten precious memories like Aris did?
Yes, to live complete the questral i would.Aris believes Raker came through the mist for the map. Do you think this is true?
Nope, i still think theres something deeper between the 2 of them. -
While Prism Pass was whimsical and engaging, I found myself more eager to explore Starside.
She demonstrates resilience by refusing to give up, continually persevering and striving to improve.
This action further highlights Aris’s empathetic nature and her willingness to help others. It was also refreshing to see some of Raker’s
emotional barriers begin to lower as he engaged with her.I was surprised by her decision not to kill the immortal.
Raker has consistently displayed indifference and antagonistic behaviour, so her reaction should not have come as a surprise. It is possible that he is attempting to challenge her in order to make her stronger.
I thoroughly enjoy the banter between them.
He has likely experienced the loss of people he cares about, which may have contributed to his hardened demeanour.
Absolutely, particularly when considering her markings and the way certain beasts and immortals respond to her.
Given past experiences, I would say no.
I understand that Aria acted out of necessity. In similar circumstances, I would likely do the same, although it would be a difficult decision.
My instinct suggests that he returned primarily for Aria’s safety.
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1.Yes I did feel a bit sad. Prism Pass had this sense of wonder and colour, so going into decay made the world feel harsh.
2.How she is able to keep moving despite her fear and exhaustion. She just keeps going anyway, which is admirable.
3.It was refreshing to see them finally be somewhat cordial with each other!
4.Yes I was a little surprised. But I think Aris knows that not every battle needs to be met with violence.
5.I think he knows that stepping in would stop her from learning something important herself.
6. When Raker says “I’m afraid you won’t stop talking, Aris.”
7.I think he’s scared of being vulnerable, or caring too much about someone.
8. It feels possible, due to her markings. Too many characters react to her as if she’s different. I think there’s something unusual about her lineage.
9.Yes, that was surprising to me, as they haven’t come across many other friendly immortals.
10. That creature waa eerie. Memories are part of identity, so trading them would be painful. I’d struggle to do it unless there was absolutely no other option.
11. I hope it was not only for the map. He unconsciously is growing attached to her.
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– Not really. I actually found it more interesting that the world has these little pockets of micro-environments. It makes it feel incredibly vast but also very diverse. We’ve already gone through the giant tree and the mist, so this just felt like another layer of the world rather than something I was sad to lose.
– I love that she just never gives up. No matter what is thrown at her, no matter how much she suffers (and she really does suffer) she always manages to pick herself up again. It feels very phoenix-like, constantly rising again, and I think that’s really beautiful.
– I imagine there was a bit of bickering there. Something like him asking if she’s trying to poison him, especially since mushrooms and berries can be dangerous. But at the same time, it also feels very in character for him to just grunt and not say much because why would he talk to her?
– Not really. She’s clearly weaker than the immortals in terms of strength, speed, and agility, so I don’t think she can always fight back. Sometimes survival is just getting through the moment.
– No, I don’t think so. I think he’s just a bit of a d*ck and wanted to see what would happen. If her dying benefits him in the long run, especially if it means he gets the sword, then why would he interfere?
– The fear conversation and him telling her to shut up >_<
– I think he fears getting close to people. It feels like he’s lost everyone he’s cared about, similar to Aris, and because of that he keeps everyone at a distance.
– Yes, definitely. She has blue eyes which no one else seems to have, and people constantly comment on how different she looks, even beyond her markings. So I still think she’s part immortal.
– Yes, I was. It’s actually quite refreshing. Normally, I expect people to be self-serving and untrustworthy, but there are quite a few characters in this book who help without expecting anything, and it’s sweet.
– I think so. If it comes down to life or death, you would rather lose a memory than lose your life. You’d probably just end up cherishing the ones you have left even more.
– No, I don’t think so. I think he has ulterior motives. I think he’s following Aris because of her sword, not the map
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1. Yes, that was such a fun read and then the gloomy vibe began.
2. She has one goal in mind but she her empathy is something that keeps her alive. I admire that the most.
3. I was waiting for more information to surface, given we were only afforded glimpses of their past. I think this conversation was really laid back but still felt guarded. I still don’t know why Raker is such a jerk.
4. Yes I was. I expected more. I also feel like the author built up her training to be sufficient but she’s always making it out of bad situations by sheer luck rather than skill.
5. I think he was letting her get herself out of trouble and wanted to see how she would fight back.
6. I didn’t like this chapter that much if I’m being honest. It felt drawn out and there was too much banter. I liked when Aris was vulnerable and shared her fears and Raker teases her about her inability to swim. That was funny.
7. I think he fears being vulnerable or losing control.
8. That definitely made me question her even more than I had before. The inn scene was also really nice. I enjoyed reading that.
9. I did. She didn’t give me cause for concern at all.
10. I would have, rather than dying. At least I would have a crazy story to tell.
11. I do, but it also concerns me because if he has been in the questral before, surely he is somewhat familiar with Starside.
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1. Yeah I was a bit sad. It felt like leaving behind something light and nice, and suddenly everything becomes darker and heavier.
2. She just doesn’t stop. Even when things are bad, she keeps pushing forward. I think what’s admirable is that she doesn’t give up on herself
3. It felt kind of awkward but real. Like they’re finally just surviving instead of pretending everything is fine. I still don’t fully trust Raker though.
4. I was a bit surprised, but also not really. Aris is still learning how to survive properly in this world.
5. Yeah I think he knew. It felt like one of those “she has to go through it herself” moments, even if it was harsh.
6. Probably when things slow down between Aris and Raker. When she actually opens up a bit those moments feel more real.
7. I think he fears getting close to people or losing them. He acts like he doesn’t care, but he definitely does.
8. That was actually intense. I don’t think I could give up a memory like that, it feels like losing a piece of yourself.
9. It makes me feel like Aris isn’t fully normal in this world. The way people react to her feels too different.
10. No I didn’t expect it. I thought she would be like the others, so it was a surprise.
11. That whole thing was scary and weird. I understand why Aris did it, but it’s still a huge sacrifice, i don’t think it’s just about the map. It feels like there’s something deeper going on with him and Aris.
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1) It was more like oh. No. What is going to happen here now.
2) This girl does not give up one bit. She is so determined, no matter what. And even if there is a setback she finds another way.
3) I think it showed a bit of empathy toward the characters who are really going through it in this book. But it also opens up more questions about his true reason for taking part in the Questral.
4) I think it was good that she assessed the situation before acting out and potentially being hurt or worse.
5) I think he wanted to see what would happen – if she was truly in danger I do think he would have intervened. I think it is also a way for him to test her and see what she’s capable of (not just a liability)
6) The scene where Harlan actually takes the time to patiently train Aris with wielding her sword – but then it becomes hilarious when he tells her to stay that way and he goes to sleep. But true to character, she perseveres until he tells her to go to sleep.
7) His true identity being revealed as well as failing.
8) I do think so. But actually maybe even more than that, I think she is part god.
9) No – but I suppose not everyone in Starside needs to actually be terrible and hate humans.
10) If it was the only way to survive – then yes. The gardener of the Bone Forest is a very eery character, but I find the concept very intriguing.
11) No – he definitely came through for her.
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