Rebekah’s Comments (group member since Jun 22, 2013)

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

You can sort her list by average rating. It looks like (if you ignore a couple of books that are 5.0 because they only have one review) that it's Moonbow in the Mist on one and Elven Obsession on the other. But since she has 6000+ books on one list and 1300+ on the other, and a lot of books with few ratings, it is kinda ridiculous! Like, could we read anything above a 4.50?

Barbara!! And I thought my 1200+ TBR list was INSANE! Hahahaha, oh my!!

That one is CRAZY specific. Is there anyway we could get the mods to change it to ONE of your highest rated (top 20) or something?

Discussion Questions November 23

Chapters 5-9, pages 69-133

6. Putting the plot and characters aside for a moment, what do you think of Leigh Bardugo’s writing? If you regularly read YA how does it compare in quality. If this is your first YA book, is the quality of the writing what you expected?

I think it's better quality than most YA, at least better character development

7. In Part Two, we meet Matthias Helvar. Nina said, “Helvar is driven by honor and only honor. You can’t bribe or bully that.” Do you think that statement is accurate based on what we learn about him during his rescue?

(view spoiler)[ I might be a bit farther ahead, but I think Helvar has been brainwashed. He is in a program that sounds kinda like Hitler Youth. He thinks he is doing the right thing for his country, but he keeps getting faced with evidence to the contrary and it upsets him (hide spoiler)]

9. Since Wylan turns out to be Van Eck’s son, how do you think his role with the gang will play out?

Ooh I think this will end badly. I think Kaz took him in case Van Eck screws him over, Kaz will torture the kid or kill him, try to use him as leverage like a hostage or for revenge. I think the gang will fall in love with him though, and then it will be a very awkward position for them to be in. I also think Van Eck might call Kaz's bluff b/c he doesn't care for the kid.

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?
Kez is a badass with a tragic backstory, he's my favorite

Mint wrote: "my curiosity has got the better of me, and i'm just curious at what these statements in chapter 33 meant.

(view spoiler)[ I think he is talking to Wylen! I think there might be some M-M action going on! There's another line where Jesper says he doesn't know whether it's more fun to flirt with or harass Wylen!
(hide spoiler)]

Skandia wrote: It's reminding me of Locke Lamora book, especially Kaz

YES! It was driving me crazy trying to remember what book this reminded me of, but you are exactly right! The Lies of Locke Lamora

1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?

Yes! I decided to read it for TTs since it was a BOM and had a high rating. This is not a genre I usually read at all and usually when I try to read YA/Fantasy, I don't like it!

2. During the parley in chapter two, Kaz tells rival gang member Geels: "A secret's not like coin. It doesn't keep its value in spending." What does Kaz mean by this? Do you agree with him?

He means he engages in extortion/blackmail. He finds out a secret and that's the value, him threatening to reveal it. Yes, I technically agree with him that he is right, but extorting people's secrets is not something I do!

3. Inez seems to have led a very interesting life so far. What do you think her relationship with Kaz is? Does she have romantic feelings towards him? Is Inez someone you would trust? Is Kaz trustworthy?

She loves him, he loves her. So far, she deserves someone better than him though. I don't think she will settle, so he better shape up!

4. If you could have a magical talent like the Grisha, what would you want your talent to be? Which category of Grisha types (listed in post 102) do you think would be most helpful to us in the real world?

I'm still not sure what at all they do, but I would want to be a Healer. And they seem to be the most helpful, not designed or warped as a war weapon.

5. Have you read any of Leigh Bardugo's other books? If so, would you recommend reading her Grisha trilogy before reading Six of Crows?

Nope, but based on this one, I want to read Grisha!

Fantastic thanks! I have started "Six of Crows"

To get BOM credit, do we have to wait to the start date of the discussion to either start or finish the book?

I updated my post in the Books Read thread

I answered all the discussion questions. How many links do you need? :).

Title: The Child Thief
Author: Brom
Date Read: 11/15
Pages: 508
Goal: N/A
NBRC Challenges: BOM - participated in Discussion
Discussion comment #1

Main Characters: Peter Augustus Duchene, Nick Colt
GRs Rating: 4.10
Genre: fantasy, horror, retellings, fiction, fantasy-fairy tales, dark, adult, mystery
Date Published: 8/25/2009

Discussion Questions -- The Child Thief -- chapters 24-26 -- November 9, 2015

34. Peter was distraught and shut down after he thought The Lady died. What kind of love do you think Peter feels for The Lady? Do you think it is real, or has she charmed him magically?

I think his love is real but childlike, similar to that shown by the religious fanatics. He is finally able to come into his own power and destiny.

38. Many of us did not expect Nick to survive the story. What are your thoughts on his death? And ultimately, what are your thoughts on the book as a whole?

I was sad when Nick died, I really wanted him to make it.

I loved the premise of the book, b/c I agree with Brom that Barrie's original Pan is a deep dark character. The execution started to get old and felt like I was reading some medieval magic fantasy fanfiction by the end. The violence was over-the-top and got old and the portrayal of the street kids was pretty silly and stereotypical. I gave it 3 stars.

Discussion questions The Child Thief chapters 20 – 23 November 8, 2015

28. How nice you escape from being persecuted for your beliefs and end up doing the same thing to other people. There is a strong undercurrent in this book of religion and religious persecution. The story also asks choices from the characters concerning their beliefs whether it is making a choice between magic, Christianity or something else like family. What do you think?
The Flesh-Eaters are Puritans. However, it seems like the author is criticizing all faith/loyalty to any authority figure, as they have all become warped, including Peter.

29. Did you expect Danny to betray Peter and the Devils? I was expecting him or Leroy.

I didn't really blame him

30. Do you believe the Captain has any fatherly feelings towards Danny? He seems concerned about what is happening to the Devils and does not agree with the Reverend about what needs to be done with them. What do you think, is he handling the situation as he should by essentially only looking out for himself (I wonder why because it didn’t get him anywhere but just really stuck on that island) or is there more going on that we don’t get to see yet?

The Capt seems to be the same as Nick, still logical and just wanting to get off the crazy train!

31. Nick and Leroy are saved by the Fairy Nick rescued from the privy. Nick then doesn’t kill the guard do you think that he will be paid back in kind later on? They save Peter from the cross and escape only Leroy is deadly wounded. Do you think Peter really killed him to avenge Seque or was it a mercy killing?

Peter killed him b/c he was slowing them down in getting to the Lady.

32. Ulfgar has gone completely of his rocker and is now killing his own kind. I think that sword is just a poisonous killer and does not give judgement as Ulfgar seems to think. What about you? Do you think they will be able to stop him and maybe turn things around and make him help them save Avalon although it seems that Ulfgar has turned his back to Avalon?

The sword was only supposed to work for the true sons of the Horned One, I believe. Ulfgar will try to use it to kill Peter, and it will not work on him and they will battle, or they will finally all join together, save Avalon, and let the Mist and children and men go away.

33. What is going to happen to Avalon now that the tree is dead or dying and the Lady is captured? Do you think Peter and Nick can save the Lady and the island, or are they doomed?

I think it will destroy Avalon and have consequences on Earth too.

22. These chapters were extremely violent. The Devils have left one war zone (their tumultuous home lives) only to find themselves in another. Nick wants to go back home and help his mother escape from the tyranny of Marko. Danny also voices a desire to return home. Do you think the children would be better off if Peter had never recruited them?

These are children who have been abandoned and our powerless on Earth. On Avalon they are getting stronger and have people defending them. I hope they do get to serve a larger purpose in Avalon.

23. Ulfger has a vision that prevents him from taking action to harm Peter. Is it the Horned One he sees?

Yes, I think the Horned One is Peter's father

24. Why do you think Ulfger's guards finally turned against him?
They see what Peter is doing is working to save Avalon

25. When Peter & co. find the Lady of the Lake, she is glassy eyed and withdrawn. After recognizing Peter, she seems to revive and the spark comes back to her. What caused her to be "catatonic," and why does seeing Peter restore her?

Death and war shuts her down. Children and youth revive her.

26. Do you think Nick will be able to convince the others that Leroy is the one who killed Sekeu? Any predictions on which one of these two will survive?

I hope they both survive since we can kind of guess that the Horned One and the magic are manipulating Leroy.


27. At the end of chapter 19, Peter sees Ulfger and thinks he is the Horned One. Does Ulfger intend to murder Peter, or use him for another purpose?

Yes, but I don't think he will be able kill Peter, since they are blood.

November 5 DQs: Chapter 13-15, pages 198-271

16. Why do you think Avallach abandoned Avalon?
I don't think he has. He wants all three of his children to come together though, and so far they haven't.

17. Do you think Nick and Leroy are at risk of turning?

Nick is! I don't think Leroy is a faerie yet.

18. What do you think of the land of Avalon now that we have a more complete picture of it's history and the people and creatures there?

It's a magical faerie land, I feel like I'm in a Tolkien novel.

19. Why do you think Ulfger refuses to become the Horned One, despite it being his birthright?

He didn't get along with his father and is more like Men-kind, worried about titles/wealth/authority and is a coward.

20. What do you think Leroy will do to Nick now that Nick has beaten him?

Leroy is going to bait Nick, and hopefully Nick will not kill him/turn.

21. Do you think Nick will actually return home now that he is officially a devil?

I don't think so.

Nov. 4: Chapter 10-12 pages 127-197
(from Team Sedna)

***Ginny Greenteeth (or Jenny Greenteeth) from English folklore is a river hag; she would pull children or the elderly into the water and drown them. She was often described as green-skinned, with long hair and sharp teeth. ***


12. Dark adventures of chapter 10 portraying Ginny Greenteeth and her clan, strike me as important in summing up the central theme of the book. Do you agree? Thoughts?

Some sexual undertones emerged, which I found interesting.

13. Peter’s flashbacks and mind wanderings seem to provide a glimpse to understanding his difficult past and the lack of familial bonding. Do you think “The Lady” will fulfill his need for maternal love, or will it create more problems for him?

Yes, he is lost and looking for love and belonging. I think she will use him somehow and this is why he is using the children he steals and making them love him.

14. Ulfgar is very threatened by Peter’s new found favor with “The Lady”. What do you think is at the root of his insecurities?

He is not loved by his parents or feels like he belongs, is insecure and jealous.

15. For those of us who don't typically read fantasy, "The Child Thief" seems to be a bit hard to get into. The vivid descriptions and creepy adventures keep us going on.
Would you be tempted to read this book again to discover some missed underlying meanings?

I think some more understanding of Avalon and Celtic folklore would help, but I am enjoying it.

Yay! Pride and Prejudice is hilarious once you get into it!

"The Child Thief" is great so far!

Nov 3: Chapter 4-9 pages 50-126

6. Why did you join this BOM discussion? Was the book already on your to read list?

This was not on my tbr list, I had not heard of it! I read the description and thought it would be right up my alley. I love the original Peter Pan and just like child/orphan stories in general!

7. Who/what do you think the illustration on Page 52 depicts?
Goll

8. Do you think that we'll meet Queen Modron, the lady of the lakes? If so, what role do you think she'll play in the story?

I hope so, I think she is queen of the faeries.

9. Leroy is "unproven". What do you think his challenge will be to prove himself?
I think he will do the "First Blood" duel but Nick will save someone's life

10. Why are they referred to as "the Devils"?
I think Peter named them that as a result of the insults people called him, changeling, goblin, etc. He is trying to take some of their power back

11. What time period does this novel feel set in?

NYC is modern-day. Avalon is immortal time.