Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 31, 2019)

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

Completion Post

Spin the Dawn
Date: 8/18
Pages: 392

Letters:
T/M: (c) Maia Tamarin
O: (c) Orksan
S: title

Tag: 3 Desert
Task: 128 Bird on Cover (Hawk)

BOM: 37, 59, 88

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 17-23

11. The second part of the book is set on a journey to obtain materials for the wedding dresses and is different from the first part, which was set in the palace. To me it seems that the author had to make both characters take this journey, so that she could make the romance between them work better.
Did you like the change of the setting? Or would you prefer if the plot had stayed in the palace and had more palace intrigues?
I thought this was more interesting than life in the palace.

12. Honestly, I don't believe that Lady Sarnai would be able to request such dresses for her wedding - her father and Khanujin had negotiated this marriage to ensure peace, so they wouldn't give her the power to try and delay or even to cancel the wedding. Do you think she would be able to request the dresses? Or would her father or the emperor interfere?
I think she could request, but I agree. If they didn't come through I am guessing her father would intervene.

13. I was surprised to see Norbu again - I thought he had been executed. Do you think it was the last time we saw him? Or will he play a further role in the story?
He definitely plays the villain role.

14. I am not sure if I liked the chapters with Orksan and his people - Korin and Orksan immediately realising that Maia was a girl, everyone thinking Maia and Edan were a couple and demanding them to kiss, Vachir recognising Edan - it was all a bit too cliche. Did you like Orksan and Korin? Do you think it was the right choice to travel with them?
I did like them. At that point Maia wasn't trying as hard to look like a man so I think it is reasonable.

15. I am sure that Edan will be freed from the emperor somehow. How do you think it will happen? Will Lady Sarnai play some role in this?
Well, I finished last night so I won't answer this.

Megan wrote: "How many people are reading books that fit a tag?

Just aware we haven't completed the max tag points yet and if we need to I can try and find some more books that have one of the tags."

I am. I should be done in a day or two with one tagged Africa.

Are you still enjoying? I'm in Chapter 29 and a bit confused. I can't tell how to feel about the aliens and we finally see more than just Ayodele. Father Oke makes me laugh and cringe.

It is kind of strange that I feel like there is so much going on yet I know so little.

DQ 2

6. Well that is some strange competition. Do you find it reasonable or just silly?
A competition seems reasonable but this one seems silly. There isn't enough time to really see their skills and I do agree that it seems to be planned to stall the wedding.


7. Well Lady Sarnai is definitely an interesting character. One moment she is strong and resilient and just a victim of court schemes, the next she is quite the arrogant, cold-hearted spoiled brat. It is hard to get a read on her. Do you think she is just acting the part or is she really going to be the villain in this story?
Well, I hope it is in between but I am getting the feeling she might be the villain. I think she could be a really interesting character.


8. That was a lovely sabotage attempt. Kinda clumsy. Do you find it exaggerated? I mean, it is only clothing, it is possible to make a living even if they don't win, there will even be some fame for being one of the finalists. The victory is mostly just more fame and ego. Do you think it is worth the price? Injury or possible death for fame and status?
For the masters it seems that most have decided it wasn't worth it but a few want to prove themselves. For Maia and her family I do think it could help them a lot.


9. Oh boy. The moment of choice. And I feel like she made the wrong one. I would say let the royals rot in their war and petty squabbles. It is better for self-preservation to stay away from them all. Let the evil man get the position and enjoy apprentice status while you are still young enough to fool them you are a boy.Duh, logical. Do you agree with her reasons for staying? Or do you also feel she has made the wrong choice in not leaving?
I wouldn't want to deal with that at all. But I'm not sure I'd want to go home and marry the obnoxious baker.


10. Well... that went well. I am pretty sure I don't like any of them. The dungeon seems like a lovely place to be in. 40 seems an awful lot, but well... This book needed some blood to be even more mainstream YA Fantasy. Did you also have the "Ha, told ya it was a bad idea to stay" moment? One might assume the story would be over now, yet so many more pages left. Do you have any idea what else might possibly happen?
I don't like many of the characters but I feel like there is opportunity to change my mind on most. I'm most intrigued by Edan. I don't know what else will happen but it can't just be tailoring

It is fun. I'm several chapters in. I'm listening and the narrators are really great. I'm so curious as to the aliens, how many, why, what do the want?

Day 1 DQs

1. In this world, women are not able to become tailors or inherit their father's business. It reminds me of the Victorian era in England (like Jane Austen times). Maia is a very talented tailor but cannot be that as a woman. Would you go to the lengths she did to hide her identity in order to fulfill her destiny? Can you think of any other women in history that had to do that?
Hard to say since I haven't faced that. There are definitely some that had. Writers are the easiest but I there were soldiers as well. My favorite has to be Dr. James Barry (aka Margaret Burkley) who was a well known physician.

2. I felt so bad for Maia when someone ruined her shawl, but I loved that the magic scissors brought it back to life. Who do you think ruined her shawl? What else do you think those scissors can do? Did you anticipate that happening Well, one of the tailors pretty much tells her. I was surprised at all the scissors can do and am interested to see since Maia is both intrigued and also wants to win on her own merits. Plus Lady Sarnai doesn't like magic.

3. There was a hawk that was following the carriage when Maia is taken to the palace, and that same hawk shows up outside Maia's window later on. Who do you think the hawk is? Is it the Lord Enchanter? I'm definitely thinking the Lord Enchanter. Curious to see if I'm right.

4. Do you think the Lord Enchanter suspects that Maia is a girl and not a boy? I wonder because of his comment about her feet being so small and dainty.
I wonder this as well.

5. I love the world building that has gone on so far. It feels like a real place to me. What is your favorite aspect of the book so far?
It definitely feels like it could be a real place/time (minus the magic). I like the interesting characters. For example, women can't be Masters; however, Lady Sarnai is also a warrior. A strange position that exists in the land.

Jenny, how are you coming with the questions for the BOM? Let me know if you need help.

I'm really looking forward to Lagoon. Our thread is here

Completion Post

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Date: 8/15
Pages: 517

Letters:
T: (c) Tigris
U: (c) Urban Canville
R: (c) Apollo Ring
I: (c) Io Jasper
S: (c) Coriolanus Snow
M: (c) Maude Ivory

Task: #19: Animal word in title (songbirds and snakes)

Can we get a thread for for August 16th? Thank you!

Completion Post
The Unhoneymooners
Date: 8/12
Pages: 400

Letters:
T: (c) Ethan Thomas
O: (c) Olive Torres
U: title

Tag: #56 MPG Romance

Jenny, would you be able to start Lagoon on Sunday (16th)? I think that is the same day as the BOM starts. I'm debating - you read it right? Is it worth it?

Laura, I don't know Cormoran Strike but I can try to pick it up. Do you need to read all of them first?

Completion Post

Unlucky 13
Date: 8/11
Pages: 384

Letters:
U: title
R: (c) Rich Conklin
M: Joe Molinari

Task: #101 Read #11-20 in series (#13)

Laura, you can pick one! I'm always up for suggestions and there are lots of books that I would enjoy reading that won't have long waits. The wait for Vanish Half will be worth it though!

I'm going to read Lagoon next week, that is tagged Africa. I'm also working on Unlucky 13 and will have it done in the next day or two. I have another U titled book if we need it.

Eldarwen wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Completion Post

Lovecraft Country

Hmm, I don't see a lot of red on this..
Is the edition you have (read) stronger ..."

I listened to this one. I've used most of the tags that would fit it and it looked red to me. If you don't agree feel free to change it. I was debating 102 - mountain but wasn't sure if that actually was a mountain. # 124 works (got for free) as I borrowed from the library.

Obelisk is the 2nd in the series. I read the first a few weeks ago.

We can definitely wait. I'm open to whatever works although I'd need to start Lagoon shortly after. Any of the others I'm super flexible on.

Work will get busier soon as classes start back near the end of the month. My kid has had her school start date pushed back so that will be interesting. We started remodeling our house just as the quarantines hit and are living in a rental. Our house is finally being put back together and we should be back in probably in a month. So excited! My bedroom is big and amazing and now has two huge windows that will have a window seat and bookshelves on both sides.

Completion Post

Lovecraft Country
Date: 8/9
Pages: 329
Rating: 5

Letters:
T: (c) Atticus Turner
S: (c) Samuel Braithwhite
M: (a) Matt Ruff

Task: 105: Red cover

How is everyone doing? It's been quiet, I am guessing we are all busy reading for Wheelathon or other challenges.

I wanted to see if anyone would like to read with me. I am going to start soon as it fits a tag I need. I am thinking of starting Jemisin's and I picked up a copy of which we had discussed reading and can wait until Wheelathon is over if needed.