Eunice’s Comments (group member since Sep 19, 2016)

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

Day 4 DQs

14) What were your thoughts when Kiela was teaching Eadie, Bryn, and Ulina how to make the pine cones? Particularly the way she tried to disguise that it's actually a spell?
Dunno how she thought she could hide it lol. Her efforts to disguise it were lowkey hilarious to read because the kids clearly knew what it was.

15) Well these chapters were a whirlwind. What were your thoughts throughout the twists and turns?
Radane threw me in a loop. I'm glad to see that she was there for a different purpose because the love conflicts were getting a bit cringey.

16) I loved loved loved the scene where Caz and Meep were threatening Radane. It made me laugh so much that the spider plant was being so much more aggressive than the actual human. If you had been in that scene, would you be more like Kiela (the good cap) or Caz (the bad cop)?
I wish I were the bad cop, but I'll probably end up the good cop because I'm a wimp.

17) Radane confisticated Kiela's family cookbook. What family heirloom do you value so much to keep protected?
Nothing really comes to mind.

18) What are your thoughts on the Cozy Mystery genre that this book is a part of? How often do you find yourself reaching for a cozy book?
I love cozies. I've mostly read cozy mysteries, not many cozy fantasy so far, but I'm looking to change that. There are certain elements in cozy books that are repetitive and have become stereotypical characteristics of the genre, but I usually still enjoy them because of the characters, the friendships, and the interactions.

DQ Day 2 Chapters 8 - 13

6. There's more information released here about magic use and its impact on the world. What do you think about this?
So far, the magic system seems pretty vague. It makes sense that we haven't seen much magic since it's mentioned to be an upper-class thing or something of the sort. I hope we get to see more magic from others in the future.

7. Lucky that Kiela can exploit the absence of fruit to fill a niche shop, eh?! What do you think about her plan to make a living out of jam and secret magic?
It definitely screams cozy vibes and maybe also plot armor to me.

8. Kiela and Larran keep having meet cute moments. Do you like this romantic pairing?
I am meh about it right now. It's pretty awkward so far, but hopefully, I'll like them better once they've grown closer. This was me with Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries.

DQs- Day 1, Chapters 1-7

1. The book opens with quite a tough scene: a Great Library is set on fire and Kiela has already packed crates of books to rescue. And she asks herself the question "if she were stranded on a desert island, which books would she most want to have with her?"
Now I'm putting you the same question limiting your possibilities to
- 1 complete works of an author
- 2 book series
- 3 standalone books from different genres, 1 must be non-fiction

I'm picking two long book series as a way to cheat the system lol. I'd go with the In Death series and the Harry Bosch series.

2. While it's only explained sketchily, a little politics, history (?)
of the Empire is mentioned, alongside some curious species, flora & fauna (winged kitties, anyone?) What do you think of the world-building so far?
It sounds like an interesting world. I mean, the sentient plant already had me interested from the get-go.

3. It's mentioned several times how Kiela keeps herself to herself in the Library (apart from Caz's company). Do you think such an almost complete isolation described here is possible even in such a vast Library?
Yes, I can believe that it's possible if we're not including the scholars who come to borrow books from her section of the library. In real life, we have people who are holed up in their houses and buy all their necessities online. They don't even need to step out of their house. As a librarian, all of Kiela's basic needs are covered by the library. That's basically the same thing.

4. I found it a bit disturbing that Kiela doesn't tell anyone on the island that she came away because a revolution has broken out in the capital (I understand her keeping silent about the books). It IS supposed to be a big deal after all and one would think they will learn about it eventually. A bit later some excuses are offered. Do you think they are sufficient or it's just a usual plot-driving tool?
It's probably for the plot where the book stealing will come back to bite her in the butt in the future. I don't know why she'd keep silent about the revolution though. Maybe she doesn't want to spread panic? But it's not like their tiny island would be notable to the rebels.

5. I really liked the idea of Kiela & Caz sectioning the garden and naming them after book genres. Which genres would you name parts of your real or hypothetical garden? :)
Concerning naming, I'm a pretty practical person. I don't like abstract names because I'm a forgetful person and would likely forget what each genre pertains to what XD. But if I had the brain RAM for it, I would name the veggie section as cookbooks, the flower section as romance, the hard-to-grow plants section as mystery, and the weird-looking plants as sci-fi.

I have a #2 I need to read.

Also, sorry for not being active in this challenge in the past two rounds. I'll try to check up on this more often

You'd think one of the biggest companies in the world would assign some budget to make this website work properly

Oof, sympathizing with your plumbing nightmares, Sarah! We just had one ourselves recently. It took multiple plumber appointments before someone could find a solution plan to the problem and then a few more for the actual fixing.

Keely wrote: "I woke up to sad news this morning. One of my cats appeared to have been hit by a car this morning. She came home, but was gone before we could take her anywhere. I'm supposed to be travelling to N..."

Offering my condolences, Keely. I hope you'll still be able to enjoy your trip somehow.

Hi, everyone! This is the perfect time for me to pull out the old classic mysteries hehe

Here's my shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Deanna wrote: "Eunice wrote: "I can do Thunderhead or Thunderstruck, whichever yall think would be harder.

We had Ead- in the last arena battle. Can teams repeat the same books?"

Euni..."

Ok, thanks! Sorry, this slipped my mind yesterday.

I can do Thunderhead or Thunderstruck, whichever yall think would be harder.

We had Ead- in the last arena battle. Can teams repeat the same books?

you can put me down for a book 8 if we still need it

Currently reading a book that fits the nonfiction category! In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex

DQs – Day 3 Protective Impulses-Pert Thing

11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?
I knew that the curse had something to do with Mrs. Rochester, but still not sure about the how and why. I do think there are other people involved, specifically the doctor. Especially since he likes Mrs. Rochester.

12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?
Haven't read the OG, so I don't know how this was inspired from the original, but I think that sending everyone away was a stupid move on Mr. Rochester's part.

13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?
No, I haven't. I'm interested in the novelty of seeing one and seeing the different types of plants in one, but I don't have much of an interest in botany.

14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?
That seemed to me like such a juvenile move. This guy is a grown-ass man in his 40s seemingly. I don't think he needed to invite Jane in order to make his point. Even if he didn't know Miss Ingram could be that cruel, he should have known how the upper class generally thinks of those lower in status.

DQs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
I don't personally believe in talismans, but I think that if you do, there is some sort of placebo effect. Spiritual support and all. I don't have any talisman-like objects on me, but that's mainly because I find accessories a nuisance.

7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
Not really sure why they're there. I guess they give better insight on Rochester's budding attraction to Jane and make the romance cuter. But they do not really help or distract story-wise.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
We meet him in the poison garden. That seems mighty suspicious to me. That with Agnes convo made me more interested in Mrs. Rochester. She's so far just been described as a generic goodie character.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
Yes, I do think so. I just don't know yet about the how and why, and I hope to find out.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
That seemed to have come out of nowhere lol. But it must be relevant to the story later because otherwise, why even insert this twist from nowhere?

DQs - Day 1 - Prologue-Blackthorn

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
I've never read Jane Eyre, but it's on my wishlist. Someday. But I did read a summary of the book before reading this, so that I'm not completely lost on the references.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
I enjoy retellings in general. It's fun to see how authors twist things up, and you get to see the same characters in a different perspective.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
I find it interesting in a good way. It seems like a very reasonable setting too.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
Jane seems more confident, but she is also older than in the original story. Not sure about Mr. Rochester yet.
I can see why the author would choose to make Jane older and Mr. Rochester younger (I think). The age gap in Jane Eyre is pretty gnarly for the modern sensibilities. I also think it's funny how Jane says she's not suited to be a governess.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
I think the cause is supernatural. There are so many creepy vibes already, and people not leaving for no reason seems mysterious. I kind of do want the cause to be human though because it's more interesting that way.

Ok, I'll go with The Rithmatist then

I can do:
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
Ritual Demise by Sally Rigby

I just read the rules again XD

Oh, I see.

Isn't it the more letters the better? Doesn't necessarily just have to be the last 3 letters