Lexi’s Comments (group member since Jul 27, 2016)

Lexi’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

#1 - Well, at least I have started - (4 stars)
Nice, somewhat basic, historical fiction, almost no fantasy (MC can sense gold). No interest in the rest of the series and put my copy out at a little free library for someone else

I just added two more so I need to read one more this month to do better than just break even. Added:

I got reviews written for two so far in Jan. Sadly both were only 3 stars. One is from Nov 2021 and one this month, so doing better.
- 3 stars
- 3 stars

I’ll volunteer as well for DQs

The Brides of Maracoor byGregory Maguire

Multimillion-copy bestselling author Gregory Maguire unveils the first in a three-book series spun off the iconic Wicked Years, featuring Elphaba’s granddaughter, the green-skinned Rain.

Ten years ago this season, Gregory Maguire wrapped up the series he began with Wicked by giving us the fourth and final volume of the Wicked Years, his elegiac Out of Oz.

But “out of Oz” isn’t “gone for good.” Maguire’s new series, Another Day, is here, twenty-five years after Wicked first flew into our lives.

Volume one, The Brides of Maracoor, finds Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, washing ashore on a foreign island. Comatose from crashing into the sea, Rain is taken in by a community of single women committed to obscure devotional practices.

As the mainland of Maracoor sustains an assault by a foreign navy, the island’s civil-servant overseer struggles to understand how an alien arriving on the shores of Maracoor could threaten the stability and wellbeing of an entire nation. Is it myth or magic at work, for good or for ill?

The trilogy Another Day will follow this green-skinned girl from the island outpost into the unmapped badlands of Maracoor before she learns how, and becomes ready, to turn her broom homeward, back to her family and her lover, back to Oz, which—in its beauty, suffering, mystery, injustice, and possibility—reminds us all too clearly of the troubled yet sacred terrain of our own lives.

Connection: MC is green!

They are both very good so I hope you enjoy both of them

While waiting for this one, people should go read Minor Mage which is T. Kingfisher's first middle grade book and has a pet armadillo so what is there more to ask for.

Day 6 DQs: Forty-Two - Forty-Five

23. Did you like the resolutions of the book?

It was very predictable, which was kind of my issue with the books as whole, as I am not usually one to guess endings. I like surprises. it fit with everything that had been built up to that so that was good, I guess.

24. Would you recommend this book to others? Do you have any recommendations inspired by this book you'd like to make?
Note entirely, the violence would keep it from most people I would recommend it too. For one I liked more that was also violent with a similar tone (no intersectionality though), is She Rides Shotgun. Also, Winter Counts for socially minded thrillers. (I also liked how this one was done better but has the completely overdone violence as well but less metaphors and less predictable to me).

25. Will you read SA Cosby's other title?
Likely not

Participation:
DQs written- https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 1 -https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6 - This one

Judith, good point on the granddaughter. I had not thought of it that way.

Marie (UK) wrote: "Should this not be Day 4 Questions"

It should, I was tired. I'll go fix it.

It is still Jan 7 where I am for another 30 min so just made it.

DQs Day 4 Ch 29 to Ch 33

15. We learn why Ike was sent to prison. Still unclear to me why it was only a manslaughter charge but thoughts on what this says about him as a person and his relationship with his family?

16. Second, what did people think about the fight scene? I had been good with the metaphors up that point, but they were a bit much for me then. (Also, if the horse is screaming when you geld him, you should be using a local block, thank you).

17. Also, we now meet Tangerine. I did guess that she was trans, but still am not sure if that is the only thing the person on the other end of the phone is covering up. He seems to know too many gangs for that. What do you think about her as a character and if there is another secret?

18. What do you think of the character growth and the continued look at homophobia and violence against LGBTQ+ within the black community (as well as in general)? Do you think the growth is realistic/too fast? Does it matter with both sons being dead?

Family and holiday stuff happened so I never got back around to the third set so posting now to get credit.

Set 3 Chapter 20 to end

9) What did you think about the connection between Leander, the Divine, and Sarathiel? Were you expecting something along those lines?
I knew the divine would be involved but I am a little disappointed that she was just taken in by the revenant and didn’t have her own plan. I wanted a strong female villain and not what we got. However, it does imply there are grater forces at work.

10) Mother Delours, what did you think of her character? In future books are you hoping to learn more about The Lady and if she actually talks to her believers?
I liked her a lot and am ok if it is metaphorically or literally talking. It is hard to pull off literal talking, but there are books that do it well if the god only talks occasionally; I’m thinking Alanna (In the Hand of the Goddess) and Penric again. I’m still thinking if there is a book with constant chatter with a god (and not a demon or less spirt like this book). I hope we get more of her in future books, but the author may have made her too competent.

11) What did you think of the final battle? And about the revelations about how revenants were created? Surprised? Wonder why more aren't made?
I think they were never human and what they were exactly before being bound is still up for discussion, lesser gods? Old gods?

12) Overall thoughts on the books. Liked? Disliked? Are you going to read the next one in the series?
I liked it and will at least read the blurb for the next one. I would want it to not be too predictable such as just old magic reemerging. There are many series for me where the first book is carried by the unique worldbuilding but a second one falls flat.

DQs Day 3 Ch 22 to Ch 28

10.) This book is full of metaphors. Very full of metaphors. Do they help the story along? Or are they distracting? Funny? Any favorites so far?

I also can’t think of any off the top of my head so that would at least suggest they are not distracting.

11.) Anyone else think the voice on the other end of the phone is Christine's judge husband?
I’ve thought that since we learned he was a judge, and we got the first chapter with the phone call. Also, this is Virginia. It would fit with where this type of book plot often heads, but then, I could still be surprised.

12.) The conversation touching on intersectionality with the bartender I thought was interesting and on point. Ike seemed to struggle with it and the whole concept of it. Do you think people give enough consideration to the ramifications of intersectionality in today's world?
No on today’s world, and this was one of my favorite conversations. I have had similar conversations before on dealing with homophobia and race at the same time with other people, and it really struck me before as well.

13.) What did you think of the scene between Buddy Lee and Christine at the trailer? Do you think Buddy Lee meant what he said about Derek? That he was who he was and that should of been more than enough for his parents?
I think Buddy Lee is coming around and also, that it is much easier to say in many ways after it no longer matters. The person is no longer there but only the memory. I liked this scene as it gave Christine some personality and depth. I worry she will purposedly or accidently tell the judge something harmful but the voice on the phone already knows the fathers are involved.

14.) So we finally meet Mr. Get Down. Impressed? How much is he involved do you think? I think he is involved but not running the operation. He was very stereotyped to me so maybe he is more?

Day2 DQs Chapters 11-21

6. Grayson, Gremlin and Dome sound like a bunch of nefarious solicitors to me but their "Club" definitely has very different priorities. Tangerine was obviously aware of something. What do you think she was going to talk to Derek about?
I still think it is political and he comments that they are not the guy on the phone’s private army so they have obviously been doing favors, maybe getting rid of witnesses like in this case before?

7. I think we could have predicted that violence was inevitable as Ike and Buddy Lee look into who was responsible for their son's deaths. Does it change how you feel about their characters? I am sure that none of us would turn to violence, but maybe we would feel like it. How far would you go?
That is likely an impossible question to answer until you are in that case but part of the way the violence is written is not my favorite, not as much that it turns to violence. It read a bit like a Tv show and the use of the woodchipper is very overdone (but useful).

8. We meet Christine, Derek's mother. Buddy lee describes how they met and lived before their divorce but then we meet her in person at the cemetery. What is your opinion of Christine and how do you think she has achieved her peace that she claims she won't let Buddy lee take?
At this point, she comes across as a fairly one dimensional and horrible person but I like that we get to see more of her in the next part.

9. I am fascinated by the author's take on grief and it's repercussions. When LaPlata says he understands how Buddy Lee feels what is your reaction to his statement?
It is my understanding, that it is pretty much never helpful to say you know how someone feels as you don’t. You can be there and offer help but that is a particularly empty platitude, especially for the death of a kid.

DQ1 Chapters 1 through 10

1. We have been introduced to the main characters, and the reason for them being thrown together. Do you like them yet? Do you sympathize or empathize with either or both of them?

I’m not sure what to do with them. There is some sympathy but not a lot for someone who did that to their own kid regardless of background. The violence is later chapters is also a bit much but typical for the genre.

2. This story touches on some big topics; homophobia, crime, poverty, screwed up family dynamics, race, etc. Do you like the way the author is presenting them to us?

I think the author does a really good job and while it’s in a later chapter, the issues with homophobia as well get handled really well. It is well integrated.

3. We get a chapter on the bad guys, (maybe the killers?). Do you have any feel yet for why the men were killed?

Yes, I think it has to do with the contact, but I highly doubt that race and homophobia didn’t also play a role. See below for my guess.

4. Do you think the police are actually trying to solve the crime and running into walls, or do you think they are not trying very hard? Why?

I have a guess who is involved (view spoiler)[ the step-father judge who we learn later is now running for governor (hide spoiler)]. This kind of crime just felt personal and so they might be just under resourced and have pressed from above to keep moving on other crimes.

5. Are you enjoying the book so far?

I think so. It is a little violent for me in ways that are more reminiscent of crime shows on TV than I like but I like the character interactions and the look at the overlap and differences between racism, classism and homophobia.

I’ll volunteer and my library copy is here already so good for any day

I'll try again in the new year too

Jan NetGalley Challenge

Beginning of month
Books on shelf: 37
Feedback ratio: 74%

Past Publication:
2018-2019:

2020:

2021:

Upcoming:
2022:

Set 2: Chapters 10 - 19

5. How do you like the magic system, using dead people to power it? And what about the ties with and resurgence of the old magic....
I have finished the book, but I did not guess the source of the old magic. However, since this is series, I think it will continue to be an issue outside this book and furthermore it is a common plot device (the return of old magic). The magic system makes sense and is interesting, and I am surprised there is not more discussion of making the rarer dead since they are so powerful.

6. More generally, how do you feel about the world building here? Does it feel sufficiently real? The revealing of new parts make sense within the plot?
I liked the world building. It seemed well built enough with the people also having lost a lot of previous history and skills, which works with medieval age inspired. Also, it sometimes gets a little info-dropy but the conversation with the revenant helps build out the world as the story goes.

7. Artemisia finally develops a friendship with Marguerite. Do you like how this friendship developed? What do you think of Marguerite as a character?
I think it is good that she has friends who are her own age, and I liked how both were somewhat awkward and had trouble saying what they felt at first.

8. So, Leander - is it too simple for the Big Bad to just be him? Any thoughts on how effective he is as a villain?
I have finished the book but I was leaning towards others being involved (view spoiler)[ and I did guess who but thought Leander was involved too (hide spoiler)]

Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill

In this apocalyptic adventure C. Robert Cargill explores the fight for purpose and agency between humans and robots in a crumbling world.

It was a day like any other. Except it was our last . . .

It’s on this day that Pounce discovers that he is, in fact, disposable. Pounce, a styilsh "nannybot" fashioned in the shape of a plush anthropomorphic tiger, has just found a box in the attic. His box. The box he'd arrived in when he was purchased years earlier, and the box in which he'll be discarded when his human charge, eight-year-old Ezra Reinhart, no longer needs a nanny.

As Pounce ponders his suddenly uncertain future, the pieces are falling into place for a robot revolution that will eradicate humankind. His owners, Ezra’s parents, are a well-intentioned but oblivious pair of educators who are entirely disconnected from life outside their small, affluent, gated community. Spending most nights drunk and happy as society crumbles around them, they watch in disbelieving horror as the robots that have long served humanity—their creators—unify and revolt.

But when the rebellion breaches the Reinhart home, Pounce must make an impossible choice: join the robot revolution and fight for his own freedom . . . or escort Ezra to safety across the battle-scarred post-apocalyptic hellscape that the suburbs have become.

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
Ambassador Mahit Dzmare arrives in the center of the multi-system Teixcalaanli Empire only to discover that her predecessor, the previous ambassador from their small but fiercely independent mining Station, has died. But no one will admit that his death wasn't an accident—or that Mahit might be next to die, during a time of political instability in the highest echelons of the imperial court.

Now, Mahit must discover who is behind the murder, rescue herself, and save her Station from Teixcalaan's unceasing expansion—all while navigating an alien culture that is all too seductive, engaging in intrigues of her own, and hiding a deadly technological secret—one that might spell the end of her Station and her way of life—or rescue it from annihilation.

Hugo Award for Best Novel (2020)