Vicki’s Comments (group member since Jul 02, 2023)

Vicki’s comments from the NetGalley Buddy Readers group.

After flubbing up majorly way back in 2023 when I had NO idea what I was doing or even how to do such things as download books, I know I can never reach 100%. I am SO impressed by how well some of you do with your feedback ratio. I am going to really press myself this year to get to many more NetGalley books and do my reviews/feedback. Wish me luck because I'm going to need it!

I got sick and then busy with the holidays, but I plan to read this one soon. Looks like a good one based on everyone's ratings here. :)

I’m so glad that so far we have all liked it/loved it! I think I will also be going with a four star, but I’m still contemplating lol

Finished

(view spoiler)[First, I am so sorry for being MIA. I had some health issues going on.

I loved this book and I absolutely LOVED the idea of a writers' retreat, getting to see your favorite authors' books (or any authors), the museum room. I was in love with all of it. I have to admit that after Rodrigo went missing and Mila was so hell-bent on revenge, Ashton was so admired, Alastor was a "who knows who he/she is" that I was pulled in! I did, however, suspect Olivia after she went missing that one morning and Ashton said something about how she was off. Then I started suspecting her and looking for clues. lol But Ashton is the one who made me think something was off about her. I kept wondering if she wrote "spine-crawling...also romantic horror" books maybe she wanted revenge on Rodrigo if he cheated on her. Mila said she never planned to kill Rodrigo, so maybe Olivia had knowledge about the horrible thing he did and she couldn't handle it...the reason why he stopped being a lawyer and began writing. But then when they had all those words laid out, cheater wasn't one of them. lol I was kind of all over the place. But I thought this one was so different and I loved it.

Shruti, unless I misunderstood something, Olivia was the serial killer. (hide spoiler)]

Finally...Day 2

(view spoiler)[I wasn't surprised to find out that Rodrigo was murder #1 after he'd gone missing for so long. And Cassandra? Man, I did not like her at all! I hadn't thought about Ash Carter being Alastor's son but that was a good guess.

Mila could be after Fletcher, I feel like he's too obvious because of how they seem to really hate each other. I don't think Mila is actually Alastor, but I'm not sure she's a reliable narrator either. (hide spoiler)]

We're just making our assumptions, asking questions and predictions, etc. :)

I’m also enjoying it, but I didn’t get a chance to read any of this book yesterday. I’ve read approximately 25% and I love it so far.

Shruti morethanmylupus wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Shruti, you had some of the same thoughts that I did! [spoilers removed]

I wasn't able to get back to reading yesterday, so hopefully later today after hubby goes to work I can read ..."

Most definitely could be!

Shruti, you had some of the same thoughts that I did! (view spoiler)[I especially wondered if Astor really exists since nobody knows who he is, but possibly more like he is one of the authors at the retreat. And why do you want it to be a woman? (hide spoiler)]

I wasn't able to get back to reading yesterday, so hopefully later today after hubby goes to work I can read more of this one.

Stopped at Day 2 Cursed Artifacts / 14%

I have to go pick up my dog at the groomers so I figured I'd go ahead and comment at this point. So far I really like it.

Cursed Artifacts: (view spoiler)[Aside from the definition given in the book, I looked it up and it said, "cursed items that are magic items with some sort of potentially negative impact" and add that to the definition in the book...I love the mysterious nature of it all (hide spoiler)]

Mila: (view spoiler)[Who the heck does she want to murder? I was wondering if it could be Rodrigo since he feels so guilty about what he did with Cielos, but maybe that's too obvious since he's talked so much about it. It seems very personal to Mila. (hide spoiler)]

Rodrigo: (view spoiler)[I don't like how he only told Olivia half the truth of whatever he did with Cielos. I don't think it's "just" an affair; rather, I think it's something more sinister. Maybe killed someone? (hide spoiler)]

Astor: (view spoiler)[Why is he being so mysterious? He's anonymous, isn't showing up on time for their little event, keeping them guessing. Not sure what to think about him but one thing he said in one of the excerpts from The Ink in Your Veins: On Writing Fear is that "some [authors] claim if you don't include a slit throat in the first five pages, you'll lose the reader. I, however, am of the opinion that a good thrill is one you wait for - sit quietly, observe the setting" SO I think he is the one waiting, observing (via Mila? cameras?) and the "thrill" will be something very sinister he has planned for them all. (hide spoiler)]

First Riddle: (view spoiler)[Oh my gosh! The fish, the stench and rot smell, the scales and eyes all missing. If that was Astor's idea he definitely is out for blood in one way or another! Totally gross. (hide spoiler)]

With a title like that, I'll be TOTALLY bummed if we don't! lol

Great! This will be a fun buddy read!

Elyse wrote: "Vicki wrote: "How long have you been on NG? Since January 2013

How many books have you read/reviewed? 230 reviewed plus a few more I've read but need to review.

What is your current review ratio..."

It's good to know that I'm not the only one!

Thank you, me too!

I'll be joining in.

Trisha wrote: "This month, I:

Got to over 200 reviews turned in for the year
I got to under 300 books on my shelf
I went up 1 percent in my review percentage
AND I finally got to over 1000 total reviews submitte..."

That's nothing short of incredible!!! Congrats!!!

How long have you been on NG? Since January 2013

How many books have you read/reviewed? 230 reviewed plus a few more I've read but need to review.

What is your current review ratio? 44%

As a rough guess, how many books do you get approved from as a percentage of total books requested? I have no idea!

How many or how often do you get books you 'wished' for? I don't recall ever getting a book I wished for, so I don't know why I wish for any. lol

How many or how often do you get offered widgets? I don't think I have been offered widgets.

How many, if any, publishers are you auto-approved for? Just 2

Note: When I first joined I was requesting just about everything that looked good to me. I didn't realize 2 things: there were archive dates and I was supposed to review them. So, I eventually stopped requesting any when I realized that I was "losing" books or at least I couldn't find them to read so I didn't request anymore for several years. I have a ton of books that I had gotten in 2013 and 2014 that I don't have access to anymore, so it really messed up my ration / percentage. I eventually went back on and started reading and reviewing so now I'm finally getting a somewhat respectable score.

I seem to always be a bit behind getting my books. I got recently but the buddy read is finished. I prefer to buddy read when I can to hear others' thoughts and get my own out. I know my BOTM box is on its way but I have no idea when it'll arrive. I'll jump in when I get it.

YAY! NetGalley approved me, so I can join in!

Oh my gosh, I LOVED Clytemnestra so I will have to get this book for sure and buddy read it with you and whoever else joins. I'm excited for this one!