Vicki’s Comments (group member since Sep 08, 2018)

Vicki’s comments from the Challenge Corner group.

Finished

(view spoiler)[ Funny that I felt the same way. Not much to post about each of the last two chapters.

I was surprised that Phillipa wasn't pregnant too but now that I know that, it makes sense. She was using her "pregnancy" in my opinion as a way to control conversations lol as well as to protect herself emotionally. I thought there'd be a reconciliation, not a loss/death.

And I don't think Arthur and Gillian truly learned to love each other. I think that Arthur wants to be loved but he doesn't really offer true love. I'm not sure he's really capable. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "sorry, finished last night but fell asleep before I updated

Thursday and Friday kind of ran together - I didn't see a lot to post about just for Thursday so I just kept reading

I was surprised w..."

I know what you mean. lol

Through Wednesday

(view spoiler)[These lawyers...they're just still being stoic, nearly inhuman, so I'm wondering if they're hiding something. Lou's trying to make sense of things and I feel like she's the one person who stands out as the emotional and ethical center.

Just WHO is Arthur anyway? And why did he structure his will and his death in such a manipulative way?

And Gillian seems focused on maintaining her image and composure. I think she might've edorsed some of Arthur's manipulative tendencies, too. I think their bond is more intellectual and amoral. It's built on secrets and not love. I do think that even though she doesn't love him, she does respect him and is probably about the only one to really understand the games he's playing even in his death. (hide spoiler)]

Through Tuesday

(view spoiler)[The reading of the will seems to have started what I'd call a social experiment that's psychological welfare. The lawyers aren't acting professionally and are like ringmasters of this little twisted game. Meaning they're controlling things and just watching the chaos unfold without really stepping in to clarify or constrain. They're formal, distant, and unemotional. Yet the will's terms are bizarre, manipulative, and intrusive. I think they understand the full implications better that the siblings do. It's like they're curators of chaos. Am I making any sense? lol (hide spoiler)]

Through Monday (After)

(view spoiler)[Wow, the reading of Thayer's will showed a lot about the siblings' characters. I feel like Meredith's identity has been wrapped up in being the heir to the family's inheritance. She feels betrayed and she's ugly-acting. Her desperation shows in her actions especially how she lashes out at Arthur. I think she feels like she's lost her power and she's felt so entitled, I think this will be a turning point for her and not for the better.

Arthur isn't as brave or ethical as he wants to be or sees himself. He's more like his father than he has thought himself. I think he sees the will as a chance to reset things, so to speak. Possibly to "right" what his father made wrong.

Eilidh seems to be breaking down with her grief and fear as well as her feelings of being ignored. She is highly likely infected with parasites. She's sick as heck and possessed, it appears. Ugh...gross. (hide spoiler)]

Through Monday (Before)

(view spoiler)[OK, I see what you mean about the characters being not so likeable.

Meredith seems controlling, calculating and prideful. But at the same time she also seems insecure, fearful of exposure and damaged from family trauma. I agree that her app, Chirp, is very annoying and she's not being upfront about who she is and what she's done.

Arthur is a dog. Obviously their marriage is strained and for good reason. He's emotionally and physically involved with Yves and it appears he's a serial cheater with multiple women. But Gillian also seems to tolerate his cheating for the sake of how things appear, so I don't see her as a strong woman as of now. He carries the weight of being the good one but he's anything but!

Elidh is rather passive and seems to be emotionally delicate. Everyone treats her like she needs protecting. I feel for her though. She's haunted by both her father's favoritism and her lost dancing career (SO sad!). She also appears to resent her siblings' treatment and the isolation she feels. (hide spoiler)]

You two know what you're doing. I just read! lol

I just got my book from the library so I'm going to start it in just a bit. :) I am worried after your comments.

I opened the book and the inside cover is gorgeous! I wasn't expecting that. So, of course, I skimmed through the rest of the book and I love the art in it. Pictures give it a lift and a sense of the direction it's going.

Trisha, I read the inside jacket and it states that Eilidh's career ended due to a "life-altering injury."

Fingers crossed!

Oh no, I don't like hearing that! I'm so character driven when reading my books.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pages: 417
Vanellope von Schweetz: 'Sugar' and 'Rush' in text (pg/% & quote)
How it Fits: "serve it to them with marzipan and sugar" (loc. 889)
"Alas, I am rushed" (loc 810).

Caroline, welcome to your first challenge! Careful or you'll become a challenge addict like SO many of us lol

Carrie, welcome to Team Stitch which is undoubtedly they BEST Disney team! :)

For SURE? lol OK, I can read it on that day too. That's Juju's orientation day for Kindergarten so it'll be evening time.

This was a fun and challenging one. Thanks for the fun time everyone and especially Alaina.

Finished

(view spoiler)[I really liked this one and all of the history and mystery. I'm glad that her daughter was alive and also thought maybe Mona was her daughter. lol I never thought of Annie being her daughter, but now that you mentioned it that could've been possible.

Those artifacts being found was (I thought) always going to happen and those kinds of things have so much more value than monetary so I am glad they got those back! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 22

(view spoiler)[It seemed like someone was trying to frame Annie for the moth incident.

Poor Charlotte believing for all those years that Layla and Henry had drowned. I can only imagine the pain of losing a child, especially when you feel some degree of blame. Talk about betrayal! All those years lost that she could've had with her daughter. Man, her mother was manipulative! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 16

(view spoiler)[That robbery at the Met Gala was sensational, if you will. lol I considered the guard also being part of the theft of the Cerulean Queen. Imagine how you'd feel if you were someone involved in the care and love of it. And also what about Charlotte's research folder! Hmm...and the note from whoever took her research from her. I wonder who doesn't want her learning about Hathorkare and why. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 1-9

First, a response to Trisha's comment in msg. 3. Well said, and I 100% agree with you.

(view spoiler)[I like how Charlotte is on a mission to prove the significance of the lesser-known female pharaoh Hathorkare. TBH, I didn't even realize there were female pharaohs. Even in the 1970's timeline Charlotte's research is often dismissed by her peers.

Annie is so young at 19 years old. She has her hands full with everything going on in her life. I think landing a job with Diana Vreeland would be a dream come true!

Annie's mom is emotionally distant and unreliable and seems like she's struggling with mental illness and maybe substance abuse? (hide spoiler)]

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pages: 368
Ingredient: Walnut Halves
How it Fits: "walnut hulls" (115) "pecan halves" (189)

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Pages: 322
Ingredient: Pizza Dough
How it Fits: "My daughter was lying with her young lover on a sticky mattress surrounded by her beer cans and fossilized pizza leftovers" (227) "she ended up teaching me to knead dough" (90)