Vikki’s Comments (group member since May 25, 2014)

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

I found a book that has "The Hanged Man" in it. I will start it soon unless someone else has started one already

Finished aquamarine goal

You can have it Christina.

Can it have the word "The" at the beginning and then the "V" like The Vampire Diaries to count? I know the answer is probably no...

Hope you feel better soon M!

Ok, finished the insect on the cover goal but the book could be saved for our interesting word goals since it was a scientific book. It had the dreaded vegetable that starts with an "a" for example.

I found an aquamarine book too but won't be able to start it today...

Reading an "insect" book

The Grail Quest
Author: J. R. Rain
204 pages
51 chapters
Characters: James, Arthur, Merlin
Completed: 01/15/16
Published: 04/21/2011
Goals: None so far
Points: 20 (pages)

Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work
Author: Whitney Johnson
208 pages
9 chapters
Completed: 1/15/16
Published: 10/6/15
Goals: none so far
Points: 20 (pages)

XIII: The Waiting King - XIV
January 9th DQ

33. Lila asks Beloc"How do you want to die?" and he answers "Quickly". If you were in Lila's position would you be able to kill Beloc in order to get to Astrid?

Yes because it is freeing him

34. What did you think of the fight scene and the twin's deaths? Any favorite parts?

I liked how Kell saw right through Astrid disguised as Lila.

35. Kell and Lila kiss! What did you think of this scene? Where you expecting anything different?

It was overdue. For it to be more romantic

36. Lila was able to travel back to Red London without the rock. How do you think this is possible? Do you think this will be explained in the next book?

Tieren said she had magic in her. Hopefully.

37. How did you like the book's ending? What rating did you give the book?

No, I wanted more explanations and background on the characters. I think there does need to be a second book. I rated it 4 stars.

Discussion Questions / January 8
XI: Masquerade - XII: Sanctuary & Sacrifice

26. The gleam Lila saw in the guards eye, she also noticed in the Red Queens eye at the masquerade ball. Do you believe Astrid has already corrupted the entire palace and royalty? And once people are corrupted with this black magic, is there a way for them to be free again? Will destroying the stone free them from their corruption?

Yes. Not sure. Maybe?

27. We finally find out that it was, after all, Astrid who set up Kell and tricked him into taking the stone. Did this surprise you at all? Or was this something you had already figured out?

Yes.

28. The Dane siblings want the stone to create doors between the Londons that stay open for anyone to pass through. Do you agree with Kell that this would be a horrible idea?

Yes, White London seems evil and desperate.

29. Any ideas as to why the stone physically stitched itself to Kell's palm after he used it for a "soul seal" to save Rhy's life? Why didn't the stone do that any of the other times it was used?

It was a very powerful spell.

30. So Lila has a glass eye. When questioned about it by Teirin, she claims to not remember what happened to her eye but that she was told it was an accident. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Is Lila Antari? Did she have one solid black eye at one point? Maybe someone didn't want people to know she was Antari, so they cut it out. What are your thoughts on this?

Yes. Maybe. Maybe the eye is magically whether or not it is still in the person's head so it was taken to be used for something?

31. How do you feel about the relationship between Kell and Lila? Do you think they make a good team? Will they be able to defeat King Athos and retrieve the missing half of the stone?

They seem like brother and sister. Yes. Hopefully.

32. A Darker Shade of Magic is quite a fitting title for this book, in my opinion. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Yes since it is so magically it is turning everyone black.

Jan 7 DQ Questions Sections IX: Festival & Fire and X: One White Rock

Q21: It wasn’t too surprising that Lila was able to successfully cross into Red London. After Kell gave his jacket to wear, she gave him her handkerchief. Seems right somehow, you gave me something of yours. I give you something of mine. Now we’re linked. Do you think Lila was able to cross because of the black stone, Kell and Lila’s “link” or that she may have Antari blood that has not revealed itself yet?

No idea

Q22: We are learning more about Lila. What do you think of her?

She is a tough cookie

Q23: Do you think there will be any long term side effects of the black stone Lila and Kell are using?

Yes since it seems to drain them every time they use it

Q24: The Royal Guards pick Kell up at Fletcher’s shop. It appears that someone in the royal family posted a missing person’s bulletin out of concern for him not coming back when scheduled. Kell seems to know one of the guards. Ellis seems genuinely concerned about Kell and sorry for placing a cloth over his moith. Why do you think Ellis drugged Kell? Why kill Fletcher? Who do you think issued the missing person bulletin?

To get him to come quietly. No witnesses. Rhy?

Q25. At the festivities, Parrish notices a black eyed stranger cutting between tents heading toward the riverbank. When they confront him, the stranger thrust his blackened hand through Gen’s armor and says “dark heart”. Is the magic able to see who a person truly is? Why was the stranger heading towards the river? Do you think now that Gen is infected with the dark magic that he will complete the stranger’s journey?

Yes. The river is magic so maybe it is drawn to magic. Yes.

6-Jan VII: The Follower - VIII: An Arrangement

Q16: "I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still." - Lily. This appears to be Lily's philosophy on life. What do you think of this quote/worldview? Are you similar?

It is bold. I like adventures but sometimes it is nice to stand still and enjoy the moment.

Q17: It seems as if we know the least about Lily and her background at this point. We know more about Kell, Holland, Rhys, etc. Do you think she has a back story that will be fleshed out more? Or is she just going to stay the sole plucky sassy female character? Any theories?

I hope we learn more about her and her past.

Q18: Do you like the writing style of constantly switching point-of-view between characters between chapters?

Yes, because you get more of the story/plot especially if there are multiple things going on at once.

Q19: Holland seems very ruthless. Why do you think he did not kill Kell? Or did he intend to?

I think he was ordered not to.

Q20: Does the stone remind anyone of any other story? (The ring in Lord of the Rings immediately came to mind, and the horcruxes in Harry Potter). Do you think the stone CAN be destroyed? Will Kell be able to do it?

It reminds me of those stories. I think it can be destroyed but not easily.

A Darker Shade of Magic
Author: V. E. Schwab
401 pages
61 Chapters, 14 Parts
Characters: Kell, Delilah (Lila) Bard, Prince Rhy, Astrid Dane, Athos Dane (twins), Holland, Mad King George, Master Tieren, King Maxim, Queen Emira, Calla, Parrish, Glen, Booth, Edward Archibald, Tuttle, Fletcher, Barron
Completed: 1/14/15
Published: 02/24/2015
Goals: none so far
Points: 40 (pages) + 20 (BOM)

Just finished up the BOM, A Darker Shade of Magic and will start on the new BOM, The Nightingale. I already did the first 3 days of questions and will complete the rest for the BOM tonight.

Completed "I" goal and posted to tower shelf

Reading an "I" book now

10-Minute Declutter: The Stress-Free Habit for Simplifying Your Home
Author: S. J. Scott and Barrie Davenport
184 pages
Chapters: 24
Completed: 11/14/16
Published: 5/29/2015
Goals: none as far
Points: 20 (pages)

The Pursuit of God :
Author: A. Z. Tozier
184 pages
Chapters: 11
Completed: 1/13/16
Published: 11/12/2004
Goals: none so far
Points: 20 (pages)