Andreea’s Comments (group member since Aug 14, 2020)

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

Oh, all these sexy dudes will make this book so much better, not that I don't like it a lot even so!

1. Are you reading a book or e-book, or listening to the audiobook?
I am reading the e-book because I didn't have time to get the book until November so it was easier to get the digital version. Plus, it's been a long time since I used my e-reader.

2. I absolutely love the prologue. As the Thiefmaker told the story of the magic boy to Father Chains, I was reminded of Fagin from Oliver Twist, but I definitely see Locke as more Artful Dodger than Oliver. Do you see any similarities between the characters from Oliver Twist and The Lies of Locke Lamora? Does it remind you of another story?
Unfortunately I didn't read Oliver Twist.

3. Until the appearance of the white shark's tooth, I was certain that the Thiefmaker's threat to kill Locke was all bluster. Do you believe he would have gone through with it if Father Chains hadn't taken Locke in?
I was pretty sure he was serious from the start. I am not Thiefmaker's biggest fan.

4. Why do you think it was so important to the Thiefmaker to get Locke out of his gang? He's a 7 year old boy! Is he really that big a threat?
Locke wasn't the type to follow the rules and the other orphans were paying too much attention to him, they were even looking up to him and that wasn't good for the Thiefmaker.

5. I found the jumping timeline in Chapter One less enjoyable than the prologue, perhaps because I was listening to it rather than reading it. Did you like that format? What benefit does this style present to the reader and/or the author?
At first I was confused, but then I got used to it and I really enjoy this format. I think it's really nice to know the character in the present and then have a glimpse in the past and learn how he got to who he is now.

6. The staged scene, and its preparations, have the feel of a Shakespearean comedy. That's definitely changed (and exceeded) my expectations of the book, which were more along the lines of Robin Hood in a magical setting. Has it met or exceeded your expectations?
To be honest, I didn't know anything about the book when I started reading it but I was surprised by how much I am enjoying it. I am interested on how the fantasy is going to manifest. I love the staged scene and the preparation, one of my favourite scenes and would love to see it put in a play or film (I read that soon after the book came out the rights for the film were bought so now I am anxiously waiting for a film!)

7. The story has alternated between between Locke's boyhood and his present adulthood. Which story do you find more interesting? Are you tempted to read all the Interludes before reading the chapters? (I am so very tempted!)
One of my pet-peeves (if I can call it a pet-peeve) is reading ahead or reading the last pages. I just can't do it, so I'll stick with the normal format. I am more inclined to Locke's childhood.

8. We now know how Locke managed to kill two people. Father Chains is ruthless in his examination of him despite Locke's youth. What impact, if any, do you think the knowledge of his culpability in Veslin's and Gregor's deaths will have on Locke's future relationships and leadership style?
I don't know, really. I thought about this question all day. I am not sure Locke cares too much. He seemed to be a bit sorry for how the things ended, but I am not sure if he was honest.

9. I'm beginning to develop an emotional picture of Locke, but it isn't fully formed. I do, however, have a fully formed idea of his appearance. I'm thinking of Santiago Cabrera (who absolutely doesn't fit Lynch's given description of Locke, but I love holding his image in my mind while listening to Michael Page's voice in the audiobook). Do you 'cast' the characters when you're reading? If so, who have you chosen to play Locke? Do you feel constrained by particular descriptors such as eye color or hair style?
I didn't have an image in mind for Locke, but then Ashley put the picture with Orlando Bloom and that's how I see him now! I usually don't cast characters but I make an imaginary image on how they look, most of the times I'm influenced by the description the author gives them.

Just got the book and I am going to start reading tomorrow.

Comments and questions
Chapters 12-14
21. I loved that Mr Peterson wrote to Alex and sent him the book. What did you think of his reasons for forgiving Alex?
Me too! I just love Mr. Peterson and he was really kind and mature to realize that material objects, no matter how dear to us, aren't as necessary as a friend.

23. The "Secular Church of Kurt Vonnegut"! What a great idea to get together a book club. Were you surprised that people joined it? That Mr Peterson agreed to this?
I was surprised that so many people joined. I like how Alex is so relaxed around adults and how he goes for the things he believes in.

Comments and Questions
Chapters 9-11

15. I have read reviews of this book where people compare the writing style to that of Kurt Vonnegut, whose works also play a large part in this section of the book. Have you read any of his books?
Unfortunately, no...

16. The "special letter writing club" that Mr Peterson belongs to is Amnesty International! I quite liked the statement "But sometimes people have homes and possessions you don't expect, and hobbies you can't even imagine". Thoughts?
I loved that quote too.

17. When Mr Peterson gave Alex the book with his wife's inscription I thought that was a lovely gesture. I was absolutely heartbroken with what happened next. How will Alex be able to explain himself properly so they become friends again?
I kinda expected something like that to happen, but I was really sad anyway.

18. The interrogation at school about the "bus incident" made me laugh, but also squirm. It is so frustrating that Alex's teachers and mother don't seem to understand he is being bullied. Do you think it is realistic that no-one suspects what is happening?
Yes, I think it's really realistic. Bullies aren't that easy to recognize if you aren't the one bullied.

19. We're about 40% through the book. What are your thoughts on it so far? Enjoying/ambivalent/giving up?
I really like it. I am not sure how it would end.

Comments and Questions
Chapters 4-8
11. I found the description of Robert Asquith and how he came about to create the Asquith Academy a nice piece of satire. There seem to be many themes emerging in this book. Does it feel like a YA book to you so far?
No, not really. So far I don't have much experience with YA and I don't know exactly which books go there and which don't. This one reminds me of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

13. Alex being chased down by those three awful bullies was uncomfortable reading! I was glad when he hid in the shed. He has penance with Mr Peterson, which is where that part of the story shall begin, but what of the bullies? Will they just come after him again?
I hate bullies, but I quite like Mr. Peterson so it was a nice thing in the end?

14. Thoughts on Mr Peterson so far? Does it affect your enjoyment of the novel knowing that he will end up in an urn by the end of the book?
I like him... but I am also further in the book so it might influence my opinion now. I don't really remember my first impression of him other than he was wierd, old and funny. I find it sad.

Questions and Comments for Chapters 1 - 3

1) What is your first impression of the Golem? Are you impressed? Did you like how she tried to help the boy? Do you like that she can feel what others feel?
I must confess I didn't expect the Golem to be a girl when I first read the title. But I like it this way. I am impressed with her maker and with her, of course. It's really interesting how she can feel others desires and thoughts, but also scary.

2) If you were to make a Golem, what traits would you want in it? Did Otto, her master, choose wisely?
I think Otto's choices were pretty ok, as for my own Golem... loyalty, kindness, wisdom and humor.

3) Do you think the Golem will cause trouble or surprise the Rabbi?
A bit of both maybe. She is so young and clueless. Must be hard to be a Golem without a master.

4) What is your first impression of the Jinni? Do you feel sorry for him? I can't imagine being locked up for so long. I don't care what your life span is I'm surprised he didn't go insane. I wonder how his bottle ended up in New York?
I don't dislike him even though he seems so arrogant and selfish. It's understandable when you that his kind are solitary and pretty powerful beings.

5) Do you think the wizard who locked the Jinni in the bottle and human form is still around or do you think the Jinni is right and he's dead? Do you think the Jinni will be stuck as a human forever or will he gain his powers back?
I think the wizard is long gone but there must be another way to gain his powers back.

6) Which story do you find more compelling--the Golem's or the Jinni's or are you hooked on both? Has the author managed to capture your interest? Who do you think, of the two, will prove to be more troublesome?
I am hooked on both so far and I am really curious how the two will meet and what comes next. More troublesome... probably Jinni's since he seems so eager to explore the world.

I read this one last year, for Halloween I think. But I loved it more than I loved Caroline. I will try no to say too much about it since I don't remember the chapters exactly and I don't want to spoil it. Silas was one of my favourite characters!

I'm in! Just got the book.

Karen wrote: "6. (many) years ago a friend and I agreed to buy eachother a pack. That way it is given to you ;)"

That's a great idea. Now I only need to find that friend.

Sorry for off-topic, guys.

Comments and Questions
Chapters 1-3

1. How do you find the writing style (first person narrative, starting at the end and going back in time)?
I really enjoy it so far. It has a nice voice as narrator and I like the funny mentions like how to describe a person.

2. What did you think of the initial chapter and the scene at the police station? Are you finding humour in the book? It reminds me in many ways of The Rosie Project with that awkward humour.
I didn't read The Rosie Project. The first chapter was weird and so was the scene at the police station and now we are back at the beginning and I really like. I also enjoy the humour in this one.

3. We don't know who Alex's father is, his mother is a cartomancer, and he seems to have no other family. Does this impact your opinion of him knowing what kind of upbringing he may have had?
No, not really.

4. Thoughts on Dr Weir? I wonder who "Mr Knowles" is that the police referred to in the beginning (as not having told them about his epilepsy)
I loved Dr. Weir. I really appreciate that she took the time to answer all of his questions. I really hate it when adults lose their temper when kids ask so many questions. I mean, they should ask. We should worry if they don't ask. Curiosity is great thing!

5. Ann Hodges was hit by a meteorite in her Alabama home in 1954. More info and a picture of her wound can be found at the National Geographic website here.
Wow! I must confess I never thought it was possible.

6. Tarot cards seem to play an important role in his family (and perhaps the rest of the book?).
I love tarot! A deck of tarot cards is on my birthday wishlist (and it's this month!!) as there is a superstition that says you should not buy your first tarot pack, but receive it as a gift. Well, if nobody is buying it for me I'll just do it myself.

Kristie wrote: "I just noticed that Anansi Boys is listed as American Gods #2. Does anyone know if it is a stand alone? Or does it build off of American Gods? My impression was that they could both stand alone, bu..."
I read them both and they could be stand alone.

@Marla I think the captive children had button eyes since they decided to stay there with the other mother, and that's how she got to their souls. I don't remember how they did it in the movie, but I recommend you watch it.

Questions for Ch 1-8

1. I was intrigued by Cinderella and I am pretty sure we'll see more of her later.

2. Even if I try I can't see him in looking differently. I used to watch the Poirot films on the TV with my mum when I was pretty young, before I read my first Agatha Christie book with Poirot.

3. Yes, I guessed he would be dead.

4. No, not yet. At this point everyone is on my suspects list except for Poirot and Hastings. Oh, and Cinderella. I don't know why.

5. I suspect everyone at this point...

6. I find it really suspicious. Maybe Bella is more of a former lover than a mistress. Maybe our killer?

7. Maybe he find out he's not his real son! Oh, am I making this book seem like a soap opera?

8. Very strange!! I was really surprised when I found out that particular aspect.

9. I don't really trust her side of the story. Well... since she's the sole beneficiary of the will she has a strong motive to kill her husband, but I don't think she did it.

10. That usually happens, right? And we know he's almost always right. Why can't the book characters learn that too? Ha ha!

11. Poirot, duh!

13. Well she's a baddie, I think. But I don't know about her daughter - she's on the list too anyway!

14. I think Hastings is going to fall in love with her and... I don't exactly know her role in the murder but she can't be here just for Hastings' entertainment, right?

I got my book! Just in time :3

Questions and Comments for Chapters 5 - 8

11) I haven't read any other book by this author, but I might do so after this one.

12) I don't know exactly but this is exactly what I was thinking about while I was reading - after we are told that Mademoiselle Geraldine has no idea what's going on!

13) I love spies... especially female spies. And I am pretty curious about the school, I like books with boarding schools, but this one is so much more than a boarding school. It flies! And the steam-punk elements are great!

14) I have no idea... Someone who had the time to observe her.

15) I don't really like suspecting them because I kinda like all the teachers and I don't know yet if Monique is bad or just simply mean.

16) I am definitely not a good spy. I didn't even think of Bumbersnoot that way. I was just like "Oooh, a cute mechanimal. Where can I get one too?"

17) Can I take them all? But definitely poisoning! And fine arts of death, naturally.

18) Love interest maybe?

19)&20) I do enjoy the humor and wittiness of this book.

Questions and Comments for Chapters 09 - 12

21) I didn't read other books, I don't know anything else about Lord Maccon.

22) I think Professor Lefoux find Vieve's qualities important and maybe that's why she's allowed to be there and not be lady-like. At least I love her.

23) Not wise, but sure makes good practice.

25) As much as I don't fancy Monique, I don't think it was her. Seems like the obvious person. Maybe too obvious, right?

26) I loved that scene! It was hilarious! I like Pillover and I hope we get to see him more. Also... what can I do to enroll in both the evil genius school and the finishing school? Why do we have such boring school in real life??

Questions for Chapters 13 - 15

27) I think Sophronia views things differently because she wasn't really raised in the high society like the other girls.

29) Yup, I did. But there weren't many options anyway.

30) Pretty much. They must be resourcefull and it's not a bad thing to know a dirty trick or too.

31) There are so many things she doesn't know. Reminds me of Harry Potter and the things he didn't know about the wizarding world.

32) Probably. But is it really true? I don't know. And I don't understand why they can't...

33) I didn't really suspected anyone particularly but I didn't try to think too hard about it anyway.

Questions for Chapters 16 - end

34) I didn't suspect her either. I thought it wasn't Monique this time, but had no idea it was Sidheag. I hope she'll be back because she is an interesting character. And now she has friends!!

35) Just a bunch of posers.

36) I think this is why the academy recruited her so she is supposed to be great in any circumstances!

37) I don't know. It seemed very fast to me.

38) Mmm...may be.

39) 2 stars and a half? It was ok, and I really enjoyed the writing and the whole steam-punk world. I am going to read the next one if I have time (I usually like to finish series and it bother me if I don't - except if they are really bad, and this one isn't).

Sorry for answering all the questions at once.

Lisa Kay's Questions for Chapters 1-4

1. I do think that all those are part of why the school wants her. But I am curious about how they found out about her.

2. I don't know and I am intrigued.

3. Now I don't like her because she took the credit for everything. When I first meet her I really didn't expect her to be that young! But there's more to her than we know for now, right?

4. Pillover amused me a lot. And her sister is really nice, I like her a lot and she'll probably be Sophronia's best friend.

6. I love the dirigibles!! But I did have a hard time picturing them, except for the Finishing Academy because we had more details.

7. It wasn't that violent, was it?

8. It might be at Sophronia's house...

9. No, I was really surprised. I kinda expected him to be a vampire but not a werewolf.

10. I want to get to know them but I can't pick a favorite just yet.

It's funny we start on 10th, it's Gaiman's birthday.

I am so in! Plus, I love the pictures!!

Lisa Kay wrote: "#37 - As in Robin & Batman?"

Exactly!

She is just so great at her job and she seems to love what she's doing. I just hope he'll hire her FOREVER and that she won't listen to her boyfriend...