Elinor’s Comments (group member since Apr 06, 2022)

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

Keli, loved your BOM answers - such a hoot 🤭.

MN Lisa wrote: "We get bonus points when we finish words for the TT, so I'd lean toward that. Plus those count for our page counts as well."

Cheers Lisa - I know what to do next :)

BOM Participation Tracking:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

DQs Day 6: Chapter 32 - end

24. Chapter 32, though! How did you feel about the heart-to-heart on the parapet? Did it fill you with fluttery lovey feelings, or did it fall flat? Are you loving “Vioden” (Xadlet?)??

Ugh... so predictable. There is too much romantic drama in this book - honestly, in the beginning I was getting these vibes from other readers that Vi was going on and on about "he's so attractive... shame he wants to murder me..." and I get where these readers were coming from. It's really was too much - but, confession time... I'm not a Romance reader so I'm not really the target demo for this book. Vioden/Xadlet: not really my thing, they're too much for each other and for this reader lol.

25. Xaden has Violet join his special group for the War Games, and we find out about all the secrets that EVERYONE has been keeping from her. Do you think she overreacted to these revelations or is her reaction warranted? How do you feel about Dain’s betrayal? Surprised (hint hint - NO)?

I think her reaction is human - disappointed in Dain... again (see a pattern emerging here? ^^).

26. Anyone crying yet? I know I was losing it through a lot of the last 15% of the book. What are your thoughts on the major losses we see during this battle? Any thoughts on the battle itself (or the enemy themselves)?

Well, Liam... my fave character :-(.

27. That CLIFF-HANGER of an ending had me stunned! What did you think of the sudden appearance of (view spoiler)? Was it too much, or just enough?

Excellent because I was NOT expecting that! Full stars on that last twist.

28. What are your overall thoughts on this book? Will you read the next one?

I think I gave it three stars and no I won't be reading the next unless it's a TT BOM next year.

BONUS!
On a scale of 1 to 100, how much to you hate Dain?

Lol, well I suppose I don't really hate him. I just don't like him - at all.

DQ set 5: Chapters 26 - 31

19. I'm so confused by the logistics of this world! Firstly there's the comment that 6 hours in flight left them all super-stiff, but surely they've been putting the hours in in flight fight practice? And then the sudden realisation that actually it's TOTES fine to put a saddle or harness on to secure them in flight, as if that wouldn't be the very first thing you'd do the first time the dragons decided to plummet and every rider loses their seat!
Anyway, that rant is mostly to say: how are you enjoying the world-building now we are further into the story?

The world is what I really love about this book. I totally understand what you're saying, but tbh my rational brain hasn't kicked in to complain yet - probably because I'm not allowing it to so that I can enjoy believing in dragons for a while :-). But you are of course right, a lot of this is crazy - like why does Vi's dragon keep catching her when all these other dragons let their riders fall to their deaths?! Makes no sense and we get no explanation.

20. We discover that riders of mated dragons can now talk in each others minds... What do you think this adds (or detracts) to the story, characters, world?

This is pretty weird, right? It just adds more intimacy to Vi and Xaden I guess but I don't really see the point of it.

21. Lightning! Who'd've guessed that Violet would end up with a super rare, super powerful signet?! What do you think the lightning says about her character?

Lol! Yes, who'd have guessed?! I guess it confirms she's strong-willed and pretty powerful I guess.

22. There's some destructive sex, followed by a decision that it can never happen again. What do you think about the different approaches that Violet and Xaden have towards their attraction to each other?

The whole sex thing is just too much for me - I was expecting (silly me) more of a YA fantasy novel - and this isn't it! Of course, I've checked its MPGs and Romance is one of them, so it's just me going in with a whole set of my own expectations without checking first... and now finding it completely OTT *rolls eyes*.

23. Finally - is it just me, or is Dain starting to redeem himself? I feel like I'm seeing signs of improvement in him...

Not in my opinion, but I'm glad someone's liking him more :-).

Day 4 Questions Chapter 21-25

14. Do you think there is a reason the Cadets are not being told the truth of what is going on with the battles at the Battle Brief? Is it actually for classified reasons or is there something more sinister going on?

Definitely more sinister.

15. What do you think about the mentioning of the fact that the Dragons and Gryphons use to work together to protect the lands? Could this be foreshadowing of an alliance to come?

I think and hope so, yes.

16. We finally have a bit of progress in the possible romance between Violet and Xaden. Do you think they have actual chemistry or their attraction is just due to the bond of their dragons?

Chemistry - from the beginning the whole "Xaden wants to kill me" is an obvious plot device.

17. We keep getting random tidbits about Violet's deceased brother Brennan. Do you think there is a possibility he's still alive?

No way.

18. With the revelations we've been given about what went on with the Marked Ones and the various battles that are raging on currently, do you think that the Kingdom of Navarre is actually the protector of this world as we've been lead to believe or are they the villains?

Protector but nothing that's black or white is it and we need material for the next instalment. So, we'll see.

Bonus: Anyone else wishing a Dragon would just go scorched earth on Dain already?

Me, me, me - someone save us - as well as from Vi's internal (hormonal much!) monologue :-a.

Nanci, have a lovely time!

Keli, yay for post-colonial :)

Kirsten and Jen, my fingers are crossed for those extra points!

I'm in top gear and feel like my reading engine's about to pop, lol! I've only just realised, the Team Towers is most "point efficient" (it's not just my reading that's slow). I guess I'm wondering whether we still have enough time to complete all those prompts. I've got one more 400 page book lined up and then was going to switch to 300+ coloured covers for RT and/or TT.

Let us know what you think - what's a sensible aim for the RTs at this stage? How are other teams doing?

I know we're third and aaw, I just don't want to give up - we were in the lead for sooo long... let's give them a run for their money! :-)

x

Thank you Lisa for changing the RTs around :)

Yup, just entered them as passing by - you know we can ask for another spin!! You fast readers rock! :)

x

Cris, oh the frustration of not being allowed to bank! 💯

Yay! Well done Jen - hope you enjoyed that doorstopper!

About strategy - I’m reading books for TT that can also count towards RT so we can move them across if we can like Suzanne and Lisa suggested. Would be lovely to get some more rainbows, it’s fun to be able to work with a range of colours rather than the very strict four colours for UNO :). But the end is coming full throttle - I am going to miss this when we’re done!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "DQ Day 2: Chap 7- 13

6. This section starts with two scenes with each of the male love/lust interests. The comparison of them continues very clearly. Do you like Xaden or Dain better or neither?
..."

@Karen, so glad you said this:

"They are both controlling and overly protective and the feminist in me recoils"

You said it so much better than I'd managed to formulate it in my own mind. These knights in shining armour seem to forget how little credit they give the women they're 'protecting'.

Janeylou wrote: "Can someone add this please
Completion
Read a book with an average goodreads rating of between 3.01 and 3.5
The Lost Prince
Sara York
110 pgs
18 july
Fits ..rati..."

Done :)

DQ Day 3 Chapters 14-20

10. So we are half way through the book. Thoughts and feelings? Loving it? Hating it? Ambivalent?

Ambivalent - I like the world and the plot in general, but I'm not into the romance (I mean: repeat variations of he's so sexy but wants to kill me, I wish I could stop wanting him, ...) with f-bombs right left and centre. I'm kind of glad that Dain is out of the picture in a sense, he's not the kind of guy who'd believe in Violet's awesomeness which is probably why that kiss just didn't cut it.

11. Jeremiah gets killed pretty quickly as his signet shows. Do you agree that power can't be allowed?

Sadly for Jeremiah, I cannot see how this signet could be allowed in a world at war (state secrets and all that).

11. What's the deal with Andarna? Why do you think 2 dragons have bonded with Violet?

Not sure about this - but Andarna is my absolute fave :)

12. If you coul choose a Signet what would it be? https://www.julesbuono.com/fourth-win...

Mending, no question.

13. Were you surprised about Amber's betrayal? How about when Xanden completely believed Violet but Dain didn't?

Not really - I don't feel invested in Amber's character so I wasn't surprised, no.
Interesting moment when Xaden believes Violet but Dain doesn't. Pretty obvious where this is going...

Kirsten wrote: "Elinor wrote: "@Nanci, I just hope it does get the ball rolling - not sure I could have stomached it, well done on staying until the end :(.

Re TT, just want to run a couple of covers past the tea..."

♡

DQ Day 2: Chap 7- 13

6. This section starts with two scenes with each of the male love/lust interests. The comparison of them continues very clearly. Do you like Xaden or Dain better or neither?

I’m not sure I like either, but Dain’s getting on my nerves.

7. Violet uses alternative methods to survive the fighting challenges. Do you think that counts as cheating or using the resources available? Do you think she is aware that she only has this information because she comes from a privileged background and her sister count sneak in it? Do you think one of the professors should have noticed after 5 rounds?

I think it counts as cheating but she has no choice. In the Rider Quadrant this is perfectly acceptable behaviour - and quite a clever way to stay out of trouble. So cheating in my world, but not in hers. Mmmh, you’re right about the privilege, hadn’t really thought about it. And yes, the professors should have ticked!

8. The obstacle course is straight out of American Ninja warrior (and other similar TV shows) including ending with the giant ramp. Did you enjoy this section and how Violet figured out working with her height limitations? Have they told us how tall she is? (Though in real life, the shortest person to make it up the wall has only been 5’1” – I just Googled it).

This wasn’t my favourite part, and we do know Violet is going to make it or it would defeat the purpose of the whole book - what I’m trying to say is that knowledge dampens the suspense a little.

9. Finally, we meet the dragons. Was it all you were hoping for? Did anyone guess the black one when it was first introduced in this section? (Also, I am not taking the fall seriously at the end of my section since we still have 2/3 of the book to go).

Yes! Finally. I very much enjoyed this part of the book and wasn’t hoping for more. I hadn’t guessed no.

Bonus: If you could have a dragon from any book or movie, which one would you want?

I love the idea of dragons - one of the reasons I’m reading a genre I don’t normally read - but I’m not expert enough to answer the question

I’d want a considerate dragon, with whom I could develop a close relationship (a bit like with my pets :)).

Thanks Janeylou :)

Lisa, I don't like those numbers eek.

I have no remaining 500+ or 600+ books unfortunately that I can see myself finishing for sure this July. I know you'll all be reading way more than me, but just to make it clear those are page ranges where I can't pull my weight this month - I'll be doing my best with the rest (incidentally, cannot believe the number of books that fall just short of the 400 page mark - it's like they know what I'm looking for :)!).

@Nanci, I just hope it does get the ball rolling - not sure I could have stomached it, well done on staying until the end :(.

Re TT, just want to run a couple of covers past the team for colours:


looks bright blue to me.
What do you think?


looks dark green to me. TinEye says its grey but if it is, then I'll defo feel my eyes are deceiving me.
What do you think?

I’d spotted Alcaraz in some match highlights in previous rounds, and decided to watch the final against Novak in full. Epic!

Impressed that you can read and have the tennis on in the background - I’d love to be able to multitask that way.