Trinia’s Comments (group member since Mar 29, 2015)

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

I’ll take 12- X-Rated!

I’ve just been adding my reads, I’ve got another challenge that I am reading like a lunatic for. If we don’t need them please let me know… I don’t want us to get penalized.

I have to finish it this week for another challenge , so mine will for sure be done - Fairy tale
😉

I will definitely finish this week. I’m enjoying it so much and don’t want it to end 😊

Starting
I will finish it this week because it fits another challenge too

Is there a place to see what we still need? I’ve been wanting to read Fairy tale at 608pgs, but can hold it to next month if we’re good.

DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?
I’m not sure she suspects any hybrid tendencies, but I am beginning to wonder myself! I didn’t even pick up on the highlighting to her senses…. But I would have to agree they are foreshadowing perhaps?

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?
I think Montgomery feels he is no good for Carlota, a failed marriage and drowning his sorrows in drink. He feels worthless yet cares about her truly. I’m routing for the underdog in this one!

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?
I would like more of the hybrids but I think Carlota has been fairly represented.

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?
Umm, well, that was fast! I was really disappointed that she was so easily “taken”. I didn’t feel her reaction was fearless as much as clueless. She is such a naive girl and was not exactly educated in the relationships between “women” and men. Weird for sure, just can’t put my finger on why…

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?
I’m pretty sure they are doomed. If they leave they will die, even with the medicine because they aren’t as knowledgeable as the doctor.

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 don't feel like Carlota aged at all, still acting like a young girl and content to stay on the island. I do like time jumps, so many books drag on and on when a simple jump would have kept my attention.

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 do like the change in POV, as long as it is clear as to who is speaking. Moreno-Garcia does a good job switching POV's although at one point the story was redundant and retold in a different POV but exactly the same.

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?
Interesting! I am nervous about the new guy (terrible with names as I'm listening). The introduction wasn't exactly "friendly" and I'm sure he has high expectations from Carlota.

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 still feel like the story is being developed but yet I would like more of the science and hybrids rather than the romance


Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?
probably the jaguar, nothing too evil or ugly ... LOL!

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 have , that was one of the draws of this book for me. I haven't watched any of the movies.

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?
I was mistaken and assumed she was a hybrid... maybe I'm correct , LOL

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 think Montgomery is just desperate and would have taken the job either way but I do think the incident spiked his interest.

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 agree, it seems a bit rushed. Though being a fan of short and sweet stories , I do dislike when stories get dragged out in mundane details.

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'm thinking so, it can't end well as historically other stories have portrayed devastation.
It's funny, I was reading The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black at the same time when I started this book, such similarities!

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'm good with the jump. Again, not one for dragging things on.. so for me it was a bit of a relief.

Thanks G! Enjoy your chunky book 😉

I just finished The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water which could fit on the winners tower under Moonstone. Wasn’t sure of how to put it in…. I added it to the books and left the placement blank.

I’m starting What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Was thinking it could fit under LUST on the Winner’s tower. As one of the seven deadly sins. His mom is severely overweight and could fit the sin of GLUTTONY.
Which opens up the idea of the other seven sins…. Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, ~~ Gluttony, Lust

Of course Lust alone is probably easy enough 😂

Just a short list that Steven keeps handy 🤭🤣

We are just putting in the books we are planning to read 🤓 can’t start until the challenge starts though.

I’m leaning towards bright pink

Maddielucy(Patti) wrote: "Hi Team!! My name is Patti and I live in Florida, USA. I have 2 furry kids and a husband. I golf, read, and hang with friends. To those from Pennsylvania -- I grew up in Pittsburgh and still have a..."

Hi Patti 😉 we seem to be on the same pathway! What part of Florida? We lived in Lakeland, parents are in Ft Myers and Delray Beach. My son attends FSU in Tally…. We have most of the state covered. But we are near Dallas, Texas. Go figure!

Whew, Y'all have been busy!!!

last I checked no comments, glad to see everyone so chatty :D

I'm Trinia (pronounced tree-nah) lol
I live in Texas and my hubs and I are soon to be empty nesters. Got twin son's who turned 21 in Feb and a 3rd son turning 20 this summer.
I'm an Occupational therapist and Certified Hand therapist and work 2-3 days a week depending on caseload.

I LOVE audiobooks!! and yes I'm an addict!

I've played Tower several times 3-4 according to my shelves. Captained and co-captained but now took a back seat as work keeps me busy.

I've accepted friend requests and will probably send some out as well. I enjoy seeing my friend list grow!

Good seeing familiar faces and new ones as well.
Can't wait to play!!!

I will be reading for sure!

And my Tower shelf is
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Sammy wrote: "#61

Such a great series. I keep meaning to get to the next book quicker, but then get distracted again, lol."

Same! I've been trying to get caught up in prep for the newest release

Exactly Shea! It’s nice to see how my reading taste has evolved (and I like to believe improved!) 😆

Super! ☺️