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

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

Also, thank you to whoever added my recent books, and sorry for being a bother! The reason I didn't add them before yet is I said only 10 bpm, and I'm alr 80% there lol. I was wondering which ones I would not include

Angela wrote: "I cannot seem to get my book Goodnight Beautiful to transfer to the Winners Tower. I am sure I am doing something wrong, so can someone please help me out. Thank you."

Fixed it! Hope our team's spreadsheet gurus don't mind me intruding

Jessica wrote: "My wifi has been down for a week now. I'm not sure why the landlord hasn't been able to fix it yet....but I can't access the spreadsheet lol. I tried on my phone and it pulls up strange."

That's a big oof :<
Every time I want to add something to the spreadsheet on PC, I always end up having to full screen because the first few columns are stuck/frozen (?). Probably not a spreadsheet that can be properly edited on mobile.

Jenny wrote: "Eunice wrote: "Just wanted to ask, how many days do I need to answer for the BOM participation to count? Are 3 days enough?"

Yes, three days worth of answers is fine. It doesn't have to be the fir..."

Thanks, Jenny!

May 2023
Kings of the Wyld

BOM points post

Day 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 7 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs - Day 7
Chapters 47 - end

32. So not only did some of the Vanguards come to help rescue Rose, but they even patched up Clay. What did you make of the unguent that Tiamax gave Clay? And would you submit yourself to the same thing if you were in a similar position?
Definitely would! Although the ingredients are kind of disgusting, what's it worth compared to regaining a lost limb or two? Especially if your job is to fight monsters.

33. What did you make of the “fight” with Akatung? Was the dragon everything you expected given how much hype it got earlier in the book?
Feels anticlimactic, given the talks of how hard to kill it is.

34. What did you think of Gabe’s speech at Kalador? Was it a lot of pretty words? Or did it evoke something more? And were you surprised by the reaction the attendees of the War Fair by the end?
I think it was a good balance of reality and pretty words. It showed Gabe's charisma and also why Gabe's the leader of their band, even though it's been mentioned that everyone in the band is more inclined to listen to Clay.

35. After having such a presence all book as this near impossible to kill villain that had planned everything down the most minute detail, did you feel that Lastleaf’s end was what he deserved?
With all the anticlimactic stuff that's happened over the course of the book, I shouldn't have been surprised. His end is quite ironic, but I also wonder what the significance of his killing himself is. Did he revive someone, and if so, who is it?

36. And finally what were your final feelings on the book? Were you satisfied with the ending? Was Kit’s small excerpt about how the Siege of Castia ended enough or did it leave you wishing to read more about the various bands that participated in the battle?
I enjoyed the book. From the first few chapters, I already had a feeling that the book would have a happy ending because of the comical undertone. I thought that Kit's small excerpt was a fitting end and gave us readers proper closure on what happened to the Saga members after the end of their adventure. I heard that the author is contemplating a short story compilation of Saga's younger years, and I'm all for it! As for the other bands, admittedly, there were so many of them that they flew over my head except for Vanguard.

Just wanted to ask, how many days do I need to answer for the BOM participation to count? Are 3 days enough?

It's fine for me

Karolyn wrote: "Happy Monday! I'd planned for a lazy Sunday with some knitting and reading, but decided a migraine would be more fun. Spoiler, the migraine was not fun. Trying to ease into work today and just feel..."

Brain just works in mysterious and totally unreasonable ways sometimes smh. Hope you feel better soon

Jenny wrote: "Eunice, is durian that huge, weird looking fruit? I have never tasted it, but I am kind of intrigued."

If it's spiky, then maybe yes. It's one of those divisive fruits where people either love it or hate it. My mom and I personally love it, but my dad hates it. Some people can't get past the smell. Also, the smell of durian will cling to your breath for quite a while after eating XD

Angela wrote: "Just started a book last night and another this morning and am enjoying them both. I usually have a physical copy going during the day and a Kindle/Libby at night. My night time read is usually lig..."

Many things seem to taste good but smell awful. The popular ones being durian and stinky tofu, at least here in Asia.

Ushashi wrote: "Also just noticed that I got the last set DQs for The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. That's some extra points, yay!"

Yay for more points!

Jenny wrote: "I am in the mood of some magic. If you are saying, you "bloody" loved it (hahaha), I'm thinking to try the first book of this series. it doesn't seem to be a heavy story
Vaidehi, it is not a heavy..."

Jenny, you just convinced me to TBR all the first books of all his series XD

Preeti wrote: "Hi. I need some help with the spreadsheet. I added a book (The Fireman by Joe Hill) and added the cell number for the crayola towers line. On the Crayola Towers page, except for the title, all the ..."

It's fine now. I guess the code for that cell got deleted for some reason

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. I thought it had a comical undertone because they're all rusty and old. Also because of Moog. He's like a mixed bag of power-ups where he does something that awes you and then he suddenly completely flops.

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.
No favorites, but I probably lean more toward creatures that aren't likely to kill me. Like the kobold. He seems nice.

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?
I guess it's a sign of the advancement of civilization.

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?
His reasons sound valid, but in the end, that's from his perspective. He is on the side of the monsters, and he is blinded by hatred and a desire for revenge against the human invaders. I don't think there's right or wrong in conflicts like this. Each side has its reasons to go against the other. Humans and monsters just don't appear to be able to coexist peacefully, probably with a few exceptions for relatively harmless monsters like the kobold.

15. We all picked our favorite character in day 1 questions. Has yours changed since then?
Nope. Clay is still my favorite.

Sad. But at least I now know how to tell what fits next time

Is this good for bright green?

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 him. As much as I like logical characters, I also like the seemingly rational but somehow also impulsive characters just as much because I can relate to that. I was initially surprised since he has a prosperous business but lost that surprise when he talked with his old friends. His heart is clearly not in the business, and he seems like he needs companionship.

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?
Pretty fantastic entrance, if you ask me. My first impression of Matrick is he seems to be doing well for himself. At least, until we find that he wasn't. That queen is making me scratch my head as to what it is she wants. The title of Ch 11 spoiled the surprise, so there's that. As for Moog, I'm more excited. The band members lived to grow old, so give him some credit.

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?
He's been set up as a villain so far, but who knows what could happen down the line? His intentions are probably going to be revealed in the future, maybe also why he killed his father. But right now, I got no clue.

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?
Not really. She probably wanted to be 100% sure that Matrick's gone and turned to dust. Moog's plan was theoretically sound but almost failed because of Lilith's machinations. He had assumed too much, that things would go exactly as he planned. Thankfully, Clay was there to save the day and Matrick's life. 2.5 out of 5 for the potion.

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 expected something gruesome and terrible, considering everybody has been saying that the band is on a suicide mission, but it's still shocking to hear the details. And I'm just reading a verbal description of it. I imagine that seeing the situation with their own eyes must be a lot worse, especially for Gabriel.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to CH 8

1.) What do you think of the premise of the book, like an aging rock band getting back together to go on tour but an adventuring band instead? Is the author pulling it off so far?
I think it's a cool idea. It's definitely a different way of looking at the typical epic fantasy adventure team, the way adventuring is sensationalized when I find that the bleakness of the world is often more emphasized in these types of stories. I think the author is pulling it off.

2.) The rocks, may of hit me a bit in the feels. Did it affect your opinion of Gabe at all?
It made me think better of him personally and also as a father. It shows his love for his daughter, that he kept those rocks that Rose probably hadn't bothered since young. At the same time, it shows that although he's optimistic, he's also thinking realistically.

3.) How do you like the world building, is it being done effectively for you without major info dumping? Is it helping to set the stage for the story?
The world building is effective, although I felt a bit overwhelmed at the Council meeting when a lot of new characters appeared. The 1st POV narration helps, I think. And yes, it set the stage well.

4.) What did you think about the parade? Did anyone else enjoy Clay's reaction to the ladies being whistled at and be disappointed when the lady blew a kiss back instead of skewering the guy (like Clay expected to happen)?
I enjoyed it in the sense that it gave me boomer "back in my day" vibes. My thoughts on the parade are that it really showed how different things are at present time compared to the Saga's heydays. More superficial, fame-centered, and all.

5.) Do you have a favorite character so far?
Clay. I like logical characters.

Bonus: Taking a poll for a very important question. On the Tassel Farm: Centaur or Moose? Moose (I imagine that if it were actually a centaur, no one would be alive to tell rumors)

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