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

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

Just finished Six of Crows, finally. I liked the book but it didn't read as fast as the Grisha series. Will be flying back to Texas tomorrow so hopefully will be back into my routine of reading soon.

Nov 27 Chapters 21-26, Pages 255-317

21. We have gotten a report on the audio version, but to those reading the book, how are you finding reading so many POVs? Do you feel the book is flowing well, or do you find it disjointed and hard to follow?

Some times it is confusing especially when you are setting the book down in the middle of a chapter.

22. I am having an issue with the ages of the characters (I find them inevitably at least 18 in my head). It seems like the author has written a LOT of backstory and responsibility for a group of characters all under the age of 18. Is this a situation where the ages are dictated by the "YA" category, or do you think the author made the characters this young for a purpose?

I didn't realize this was a YA book until it was mentioned in an earlier discussion question. I don't understand why a book is label YA unless the story is taking place in high school. The characters seemed older.

23. The group has entered the prison. Do you think they will be successful in their mission? Do you think Bo Yul-Bayour is in the prison? Or do you think the whole job is a wild goose chase?

Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

24. We find out two interesting tidbits about Jesper in his chapter. Did you find either one of these surprising? Do you think either will play a part in the story, or is it just to help us better understand his character?

Yes. Both.

25. We finally find out the rest of Kaz's backstory and why he wears the gloves. At the end of the section, Kaz has completely gone off mission and has Pekka right where he wants him. Do you think he will kill him? And how do you think the rest of the group will react when they find out what he is really doing?

Hopefully so he can move on. They will be pissed.

Discussion Questions November 25
Chapters 18-20, pages 202-254

16. We get a glimpse of Kaz feelings for Inez. Were you surprised? How do you think their story will evolve?

No but I don't think the relationship will go anywhere.

17. Kaz shares a bit of his backstory with Inez, and considerably more with us. We are introduced to Jordie, the Hertzoons and an innocent, dependent Kaz. What were your thoughts reading about it?

I want to know how Jordoe was killed.

18. They finally landed on Fjerda. The heist plan is revealed. Matthias has a plan of his own and implies that Nina might have one too. Will they make it? At what cost? Is the gang going to break apart before the end?

I think someone is going to get caught or left at the Ice Court but they will accomplish their goal.

19. We learn more about Nina and Matthias backstory. Now, their characters are better shaped. Did it change your opinion for either of them? Can you see them escape their prejudices? How do you think their story will evolve?
[For those that have read the Grisha trilogy: The hatred between Grisha and the Fjerdans run deep. Grishas are burned to the stake like witches. The Grishas armies burn villages and destroy the land. Is the original Grisha trilogy explaining how all this started?]

No. No. I think they will continue to hate each other but be attracted to each other at the same time.

20. The company is attacked by a drug-empowered Grisha. The competition is getting tighter. Is their mission as clean as they were led to believe? What role Bo Yul-Bayur will play if he gets his freedom?

Of course not. I think the council will kill him.

Chapters 10-17


11. With new developments in some of our characters back stories, which one did you find the most interesting and why? Did it change the way you viewed them? And how?

I am interested in Kaz backstory but I still don't like him.

12. Kaz comes a little unglued... What's your take on that? Is he truly heartless and self seeking like he likes to be seen? What did you think of what he did to Oomen, and do you think that revealed anything?

I think he is in love and don't want to lose another person he loves. It shows he is not squeamish about torturing anyone.

13. We get to see the history between Matthias and Nina! Who's side are you on? And who do you think Matthias will choose in the end?

Nina's. Not sure

14. There are a lot of references that translate to today or modern history: street gangs, slavery & ships, human trafficking (brothels), and underground arenas for entertainment. Do you find their hard circumstances justify their criminal ways, or just make you care for them despite them?

Care for them despite them.

15. Lastly! what's with kaz's gloves?! Hands stained by blood? Too sensitive to touch? Any theories out there?

He is all about reputation. There is probably nothing.

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?

It doesn't seem like a young adult book to me. I like the writing style; it doesn't seem angsty.

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?

No. He seems superstitious not honorable.

8. I enjoy world building that has enough connections to the real world that I can picture what’s going on because of this relationship, but the scenes are still original and creative. I think Bardugo does a good job with this concept. My favorite scene like this so far has been (the spoiler is my favorite) (view spoiler). What connections have you thought were particularly well imagined?

The Grisha series world and events to this story.

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

He will get someone killed.

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?

Nina and Inez.

Discussion Questions November 22

Chapters 1-4



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

It is slower than the Grisha series which I lived but it is ok. This book has been on my to-read list for a while. This is a book I would normally read.

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?

That once you tell a secret, it is no longer worth anything and I agree with him.

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?

I think there is some sexual tension between them but neither wants to be vulnerable around each other or anyone and neither is trustworthy

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?

Healer

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?

I read the Grisha series and loved it. Not sure if reading the series would help with this book.

Would Child Thief that James read count for the parallel worlds goal? I noticed that the Narnia Chronicles, Harry Potter series, and Alice in Wonderland series are in the Goodreads "popular parallel world list." In Child Thief, the characters go from the modern world through the Mist to Avalon and back so I think it qualifies.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Just got to Ohio a few hours ago. I will read some books that could be used to complete some open goals but I am not sure how much reading I will get done here so I don't want to commit to completing them. How is everyone doing today?

Completed "Read a book with the word highway, road, avenue or street in the title" goal

Christina's book Lev was published on the 11th.

Well, now we have a list of books to choose from, just in case. That was a hard goal. All the books I was finding at first had "for all intents and purposes" instead of "to."

Nevermind, M read The Red Knight by Miles Cameron and it has Page 100 : ... I will be the king, to all intents and purposes.” “The angel has ...

So "to all intents and purposes" goal complete unless we used this book for a different goal

p 19

p 66

The Souls of Black Folk p 21

The Brain: The Story of You p 197

All Alone in the World: Children of the Incarcerated p 4

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage p 160

Blood of Elves p 253

The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True p 80

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café p 116

For "to all intents and purposes":

p206

p 95

p 58

still looking....

I'll keep searching for that phrase in my kindle books but no luck so far

I have a road audiobook that I can do.

Morning everyone! It has been busy getting ready for the holiday. I am flying back to Ohio Wed so this week might be hard to communicate since it will just be by phone. I looked at all my books and none of them fit the goals yet.

Discussion Questions Pretty Girls Chapter 20-End November 20th.

38. We find out how far the conspiracy went in chapter 21 and finally Claire makes a move to make it public. Were you surprised by the extent of people involved, or did you expect someone to be involved that wasn’t?

I was expecting the higher ups but not the sheriff.

39. Chapters 22 and 23 had me on the edge of my seat. What did you think of Claire’s rescue plan? Would you have done the same thing knowing you couldn’t trust local law enforcement and authorities that could come to the rescue are too far away? Keep in mind that all this happened in the space of two days.

I liked her plan but I don't think I would be able to do the same.

40. What do you think of chapter 24, do you need some sort of happy ever after or would you have been fine with how chapter 23 ended? By the way, what do you think of Claire dating Nolan?

I think it was a good ending but I don't like Claire dating Nolan. I thought it was weird and contrived.

41. I liked that the last word was given to Sam. It had me almost in tears by the last sentence (I have to admit I’m a bit of a daddy’s girl). What did you think of his dream, walking his eldest daughter down the aisle?

Too sad.

42. Did you watch the video posted on the group page? This is an interview with Karin Slaughter about her book and what inspired her to write this story. Do you think she described the effects of the disappearance of a loved one on the remaining family members well? I wonder what her dreams are like if you can get a story line like that from one of your dreams. What about you?

43. This is a standalone novel and written from the victims’ point of view. Most of Karin Slaughter’s other books are part of series (The Grand county series and the Will Trent/Atlanta series) written from an investigators point of view. Do you think you would have experienced this book differently if it was written from the pov of an investigator? I think there would be more distance to the horrible things that happened? Would you read other novels by Karin Slaughter?

I like the POV the author took in this book and it made me want to read more of her books. I actually wanted to read Cop town before this book came out but never got the chance.

Emerald is in Six of Crows which is in the next BOM so if there is no current books with it, there are a couple of us doing the BOM