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

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

I’ll be reading both of those BOTM!

Melissa wrote: "I forgot to ask, anyone want to share their favorite book from Round 2? Mine was The Women hands down. Still can’t get it out of my mind."

That was a great book! And so thought provoking. I was pleasantly surprised by , 5 stars for me and ooh that cover!

Battle books finished ! Back to work tomorrow 😝

Book 1 started! 😁

Nick it must be the Buffalo connection! 😉

I haveThe Vaster Wilds
Does that count with The ?

Oona was so good too!

👌🏼👍🏼

I’ll say Arsenic and Adobo

Sorry! I could read for either of those 😁

Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes
Arsenic and Adobo

Couldn't find where to post my Catching Fire comments. So I'll list them below:

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

Cat wrote: "Finished!

It's all a bit of a whirlwind once they are in the arena, which makes the book pacing overall a bit odd. It's not a bad second book, but it is very much a way of getting from luxury to r..."

I agree, there was so much leading up to the competition and then they just seemed to rush through it. Unfortunately I want more gore! LOL!!!
And yes, that ending... ugh... I am not a big fan of #3 but I will push through to finish.

Bernadette wrote: "When I first read this series, I didn’t listen to audiobooks at all. I listened to Hunger Games and didn’t really like it as much as did the first time I read it. It was recommended that I read thi..."

I agree about reading being way better. I've listened the 2nd and 3rd time around , mostly because I read them previously , and the experience was better reading.
I find Fantasy/Apocalyptic type books generally read better than the audio version. I lose names and setting names when I don't see them.

Added my Day 3 DQ's for The Familiar

need to comment 2 more times for Catching fire.

Day 3 DQ's Chapter 24 - 33

9. We keep hearing how people smell. Luzia of orange blossoms, Perez of plums and amber. Why do you think the author keeps mentioning this? Do the smells mean more than just an odor?
I think it is an interesting way to tie the characters to scents and/or the characteristics of those items.

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?
I favor Luzia as she seems to be the one with most to lose, the underdog if I must label her.

11. Valentina and Marius seem to be rekindling their marriage, finding love where there wasn't before. Why do you think the author is adding that part of the story when she could have left it out?
I think it is a way to make Valentina and Marius more likeable characters , sort of leading to a possible "happy ending"

11. Now we are over halfway and know more of Luzia, the competition and this world. Why do you think the publisher and possibly the author chose this cover over any other possibilities? If you could remake the cover, what would you want it to look like?
I will admit I am disappointed in this cover, it really doesn't describe much as far as the story and the world is. If I could remake the cover, I would include a drawing of one of the competitions with several characters interacting.

Melis - I still have day 3
Of The Familiar and I commented once on the Catching Fire (how many do I need?)
I’ll finish up tomorrow after my work meeting 😉👍🏼

Added 🥸

Melis I give you full rein to move any of my books 😂

DQs Day 2 Chapters 13 - 23



5. Luzia’s refranes combine elements from diverse cultural traditions, creating a powerful form of magic tied to her Jewish heritage. Does the portrayal of Luzia’s magic suggest that blending different cultural traditions enhances personal power and resistance, or does it emphasize the delicate balance and possible loss of identity in such a blend?
I'm thinking it would dilute the magic and make it weaker.

6. Characters like Valentina and Hualit demonstrate varying levels of ambition and moral compromise on their paths to security and success. Is pursuit of personal safety and financial security a justifiable reason for ethical compromises, or should ambition be tempered with moral integrity?
I'm not sure either reason is justifiable without taking into account the situation and circumstances, for sure safety is an issue but I'm not sure that the only option is to be unethical to protect oneself. It's probably moreso the ambition part that is unethical and be considered immoral.

7. Have you done other reading set in late-16th-century Spain? If not, are you having any problems following the political intrigues and social mores? What’s your favorite time period to read for historical fiction?
I have read a few others around this time period. But honestly I am terrible at histroy, so this read was purely for the story for me.

8. What do you make of Santángel? At one point we get the line, “And Santángel would be free.” Free from what, do you think?
I like him for some odd reason, he does seem sincere and almost honest. The fact that he is "not free" sounds like he doesn't have much choice in his actions.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉
I like the fantasy part of it. Mostly I'm reading (listening to) it because I already had an audiobook copy from Libro. Now that is a bonus! lol