Brianna’s Comments (group member since Jun 19, 2020)

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

1. What made you pick up this book? Do you have any expectations / hopes of it? (beyond being a good, entertaining read, obvs!)

I had no idea what to expect! It was recommended by a friend and ended up surprising me.

2. We open up with some action, and it doesn't let up at all - do you like this break-neck pace, or is it sacrificing characterisation?

I didn't know what was going on, but i don't mind it jumped right into the action. It was foretelling that the story would have a lot of action.

3. There's 3 POVs - do you have a preference at the moment?

I like Zellie because she is the most flushed out. Her voice is strong and she has a deep sense of what is right and wrong. I like the others too but don't think their characters are as developed.

4. What do you think of the setting & magic system, that we've seen so far?

It'd interesting and unlike any other magic system i've read about before. I liked the layout of the organization at the end - maybe that should've been included at the beginning.

5. We end this section on a reveal - how do you see this playing out?

Not sure how i feel about them together. Obviously, every YA fiction book has a romance but he was so quick to turn his loyalties.

1.) What made you decide to read this book? Have you read any of her nonfiction books? If so, any you'd recommend?

I knew nothing about the author and researched her and found she wrote mostly non-fiction, which isn't my favorite.

2.) I think the author has a way with describing nature that makes it come alive off the page in a manner many authors don't seem to be able to do. I feel as though the marsh is as important a character in the story as Kya. How does Owens descriptions make you feel about the marsh and do you see it as another major character of the story?

I felt immersed in a completely different way of life. Kya's sadness and connection with the marsh was so deep and intriguing.

3.) Can you imagine being on your own, not being able to read at 10? Why do you think her brother didn't take her with him? Do you think Jumpin' and other marsh dwellers know she is completely alone? Think her dad is coming back?

I think her brother realized he had to get out right away or he was going to die. The saddest thing was that Kya is the smarted character in the novel - people just always underestimated her despite her lack of education. The other marsh dwellers definitely know and they probably (sadly) assume she will be fine on her own since she has lived this long on her own.

4.) Why is it that people who have the least always seem willing to help the most? The struggling people of Coloured Town, in a single day, help Kya more than the way more well off white people ever even considered doing. They called a 6 year old swamp trash to her face, ignored crime because 'why stop rats from killing rats', and even preacher wives called her dirty and blamed her for spreading disease. Do you think this is an unfair characterization of our society? Does reading this make you take a second look at some of your own judgments of people?

I don't necessarily think it's unfair. I think she just made dramatized versions of our society - those who are generous and willing to help and those who turn a blind eye. Which right now in this country, speaks volumes.

5.) We know only know a snippet about the crime and a wee bit about the victim. What are your guesses as to how this part of the story line will intertwine with Kya's?

I personally liked the ending surprise and the little we know about the crime. It brought an entirely different element to the story. It was not a murder mystery - it was about a girl's journey from childhood into adulthood and the hardships that shaped her.

MY FAV BOOK!!!

1) The beginning of this book explicitly evokes other magical doors in the reader's imagination, presuming a strong familiarity with the concept. Are you a fan of stories about magical doors? Why? Is that what drew you to this book?

I thought i would be thrown by the science fiction element of it but it hooked me right from the beginning. The mystery and intrigue about the story of the doors was gripping right away. I felt as if i was discovering something alongside the narrator. There are so many elements of this story that are well though out - the history behind the doors, tying in the familial connections. It was rooted in reality with these fantastic magical elements that didn't make me roll my eyes!

2) Young January seems to exist as a kind of curio for Mr. Locke, who collects "exotic" things. Do you think this bears out in how he treats her and her father? Do you think the relationship between ward and guardian seems realistic, given the time and place?

Mr. Locke was an interesting character from the beginning. I figured that he was someone we would be understanding and hearing from throughout the story. He kind of scared me, especially after the dog situation which broke my heart. I also think the author made this relationship so strenuous for a reason, mainly, so we can see January grow and start to think for herself because she is such a strong character.

3) The next sections interrupt January's story, to tell a story within a story. First we get a section of "scholarly" text, and then the story of another girl, Adelaide, from a somewhat earlier time than January. What did you think of these sections? Do you predict any connection between these characters, beyond just one reading the other’s story?

I think the excerpts helped tie in the magical element. The story within a story concept is so attractive to me because i'm learning while reading (though it's made up). I feel like this technique makes me feel immersed in the narrator's life, rather than sitting by and watching the narrator figure out things i was right alongside her.

4) What do you think of the structure and writing style (or perhaps styles!) of this book so far, more generally? Do any “author tricks” stand out to you, good or bad?

I love the style of the book. Everything stood out to me :)

I honestly think this book is overrated. I found it hard to get through. It just didn't capture me from the beginning and i found the plot sometimes hard to follow and grasp. Not my favorite by Lisa Jewell- i would recommend Then she was gone instead

Birthday: August 6th
Favorite Book(s): The Ten Thousand Doors of January. I've been thinking about it ever since i read it months ago!
Favorite Book Genre: YA Fiction
Favorite Author: Lauren Oliver (Delirium series is amazingg)
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Food: Penne Vodka (Italian girl)
Any Pets: One dog but i want 10 more
If I could live anywhere in the world it would be: Iceland
Finish the line: I know I'm a book addict because I get excited organizing my book list and figuring out what to read next :)