Keely’s Comments (group member since Aug 30, 2013)

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

I'll keep my chipmunk book as I have made a good start on it. I'm going to try my best to finish it tomorrow, if not it will be done on Monday.

And I know BOMs have to be done in 30 days, but I've planned to read this month's BOMs too so getting May's done as soon as possible is a priority for me otherwise I'm just going to fall way behind with the others. Luckily, I did manage to finish the backroom BOM today while trying to sleep so it's just the Dr Moreau one left for me.

Once I've caught up, I can help find books for tasks.

Bunyip is slain.

New monster is Griffin!

I've been feeling a bit unwell which has put my reading on hold. I had intended to finish my claimed chipmunk book by now, but these things happen. I have a few days off coming up so I will focus on getting it done as well as the BOMs from May I still haven't finished.

I did manage to finish my yellow book tonight so I believe that means the first rainbow tower is now complete!

I'm just below it! I'm not even sure if I'll get any read off my TBR this month so the line might get further away. I'll have to try and squeeze at least one book in

It's not looking like I will get any more books done this month.
I should have a lot more time in June so hopefully I will get more reading done, including getting through all the BOMs.

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).
I would have preferred to see Montgomery getting used to the job. Carlota still seems childish, but then she has been secluded so wouldn't know any better.

7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?
I can't say it's my favourite thing, but it is interesting to see how different people see things.

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?
I can't say I like either of them. Again Carlota is so innocent in regards to intamacy and just social interaction with people outside of where she lives, so her reaction wasn't that surprising.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?
I went into this book completely blind, so I didn't know what to expect. I would have liked more details on the science of everything though.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?
The answer to this sort of question for me will always be a cat.

I finally have the time to settle down and get through this book.

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.
I did not know anything about Dr Moreau before this book.

2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?
It wouldn't be surprising if it turned out she was a hybrid.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?
I can't say I was surprised.

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....
I would also like to know more about the specifics.

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?
I feel like something will definitely go wrong at some point.

And a bonus, Am I the only one that is sad that we're jumping 6 years? I wanted to see the fall out from the incident.
I would have liked to have seen more of the characters, especially Carlota grow. But having read a bit further I can see why there was the jump.

I finally finished and I have decided I am not interested enough to continue the series. So in total that is another 4 books off my TBR but I'll only count the one I actually read on the spreadsheet.

I don't know if that is enough to take me over the line now, but if not, I am probably hugging it.

I'm tempted to say it's more than 50% white. But it could be argued the white is grey enough to count as grey.

I should finish City of Glass over the weekend (at the very latest Monday) which is down for a 500-599 page book. I'm not really enjoying it but plowing through for this challenge. I don't think I'm going to continue the series though unless it picks up in this last part of the book. I have way too many other books on my TBR list that I'm likely to enjoy more than to continue a series I'm not enjoying.

Just letting you know that I will definitely be finishing my two books that are 500-599 pages long by the end of the month. I should even finish Kings of the Wyld tonight.

DQ Day 3
Chapters 16-21


11. The fight with Raff's old band (who looked like clowns) that ended with snakes is one of the first times we see the almost full band working together. What did you think of this scene? Did you like the action or was it confusing?
I enjoyed the fight. It went about as expected.

12. So the hoarder kobolds - I thought they were great! And the bird-like creatures pulling the carriage. Do you have a favorite creature you've seen so far, or one you'd like to see? Tell why.
I've always liked kobolds. I don't know why, I just do.

13. I think in the last half of this section we really start understanding what a big deal the Kings of Wyld really were. And we get to compare them to the Screaming Eagles. What do you think about the ethics and popularity of the new bands that kill captive monsters in arenas?
Of course, the idea of creatures being forced to fight and also breed is never a nice one. I hope it blows up and the creatures get their freedom back.

14. Lastleaf gave his (and the hordes') motivations for conquest. Do you think his reasons were valid, or is he just evil? Do you feel at all sorry for the monsters?
Motivation is a funny thing. And it all depends on perspective. There are some monsters I feel sorry for.

15. We all picked our favorite character in day 1 questions. Has yours changed since then?
I would say Moog now that we have gotten to see more of him.

I've yet to actaully start The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.
I got some reading done on my travel home. My boyfriend then got sick the night I left and they sent him to hopsital yesterday. He should be fine, but of course I was worried and as I am now so far away from him I feel helpless. My mind was too distracted to read much yesterday and actually take in what I was reading.
I have a couple of days off after tonight, so I intend to finally finish Kings of the Wyld and start The Daughter of Doctor Moreau.

I volunteered as backup for both BOMs.

Volunteer as backup for team Ti

Volunteering as backup for team Ti

I will be participating in both of the BOMs. I'm not feeling very confident for doing DQs as I've been struggling to keep up with this months books. I'd be willing to be a backup. If we desperately need someone, I could probably do it for The City of Brass, but 11/22/63 is almost definitely too long for me to keep up with

DQ Day 2
Chapters 9 - 15

6. We meet the 3rd member of the band, the wizard Moog. What are your impressions of the wizard? Were you as surprised as Clay that he agreed to go right away?
I like Moog. At first I was surprised he joined so quick, but after getting to know him a bit, I'm not that surprised.

7. That was some entrance to the palace, don't you think? What were your first impressions of Matrick? Were you surprised by the turn of events in chapter 11? Excited or worried when Moog announces that he had a plan?
I knew Moog's plan would be something. I like how Matrick cares about the kids even though he suspects/knows they are not his.

8. After several descriptions sprinkled thoughout the story thus far, we finally meet a druin. What do you think his plan is? Why does he really want the Council to stand down?
I'm not really sure what the plan is.

9. Were you surprised at how Lillian arranged the funeral? What did you think of Clay's contribution? How successful would you rate Moog's plan?
The plan seems okay in theory. Lillian obviously didn't want Matrick to have much attention. Clay was quick thinking to do what he did.

10. Gabriel borrows Moog's crystal ball to check on his daughter. Were you surprised at what he saw? What did you think of the band's reaction?
I'm surprised he was able to see anything. At this point, the band's reaction was not surprising though.

Hello everyone, just dropping in for an update. I've not really been reading much as I am still away. I fly home on Thursday which will be another long day of travel (although not as long as getting here). I'm hoping to get some good reading done on the journey home and maybe finish at least one of the BOMs I have started. I will definitely finish the three BOMs this month and maybe a few other books too.

I hope everyone is doing well!

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Current Total: 751,387