Fiona’s Comments (group member since Sep 25, 2023)

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

Discussion Questions Day 4
Part Three - Chapters 18-23

14. Inez and Whit are either flirting or fighting. What do you think of their dynamic? Are you rooting for them to end up together?
I actually love their dynamic. For me, it's the perfect balance between longing and trying to hold back. Definitely rooting for them to end up together.

15. What do you make of Whit’s backstory ? Knowing that he is bound to Ricardo by a life debt, do you find it easier to trust him?
I trusted Whit anyway. Ricardo seems very nice for saving his life.

16. We get quite the shock when Inez’s mother shows up in her tent! Do you believe she is telling the truth about Ricardo or is this some kind of double cross?
Having read on already, I know the answer to this one already. But I definitely believed her. Happy to report that I was right about her not being dead though!

17. Finally, a discovery! We’re about 2/3 through the book. Any guesses where this is headed? What are you hoping happens to Inez at the end?
I don't know where anything's headed still, but I definitely want there to be a happy end for Inez - both regarding her love life, and the mystery around Cleopatra, her parents etc.

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?
I haven't read this series, so unfortunately can't comment on this question.

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?
Hayes for sure. I like him a lot. Abdullah is a character I'd like to know more about as well!

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?
I'm sure there's something about Isadora that makes her a danger to herself or others. Maybe something to do with magic..

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?
I don't know if she counts as historical figure yet to be honest, but probably the moments before Princess Diana's death.

KayLynn wrote: "Melindam wrote: "KayLynn, when you finish, just list the tasks it could work for and we'll see where it can be placed. :)"

Book is done (Undercover Bromance) and on the shelves. I'll let you guys ..."

did :)

Discussion Questions Day 2
Part One, Chapter 6 - Part One, Chapter 12

6. In this part Inez spends some time with Mr. Hayes. What did you think of their afternoon in Cairo? Did you enjoy their banter?
I really enjoyed this part. They're kind of cute together 🤭

7. After sensing familiar magic from an old trinket, Inez buys it and later has a vision of Cleopatra. What do you think this vision means? Do you believe Cleopatra’s burial site can only be found with Inez’s help?
I'm sure it means one of the following things (or maybe even multiple of them, who knows): it helps them find Cleopatra's burial site, it helps them find her parents, it means that in some way shape or form she has a connection to Cleopatra (like C. being her ancestor or something lol)

8. Every now and then, the point of view shifts briefly to Mr. Hayes. Do you enjoy these moments from his perspective, or would you prefer the story to stay entirely with Inez?
I definitely enjoy his parts! It shakes things up a bit and I love getting to know about his thoughts.

9. Inez finds a letter from her mother, in which she suspects that Tío Ricardo is involved in illegal activities. Does this letter, along with the boat conversation Inez overhears, make you suspicious of Tío Ricardo? Or do you think he’s not responsible for Inez’s parents’ murder?
Ricardo did some shady things for sure! I'm not sure I trust him. But killing her parents? I don't think that happened (especially since I still believe they're alive)

Kari wrote: "Hello! For Mini 1, if I think I'll take longer with a book should I put it towards the bottom of our current/next itinerary, or it doesn't matter since you shift it around as they are completed?"

definitely don't worry about that! I absolutely love shuffling books around to maximize points and I made it my mission to keep an eye on mini 1 especially, so it's all good!

Discussion Questions Day 1
Prologue - Part 1 Ch 5

1. The first line is “A letter changed my life.” Would you say this was a good start, cheesy start, or are you indifferent?
I'd say it's a little bit cheesy but I also quite liked it. Because, well, a letter actually changed her life, so it's fine!

2. Why do you think Tio Roberto wanted to immediately send Inez back to Egypt without even seeing her? Do you think he’s hiding something? Or do you think it’s just typical of men at that time to dismiss young women and enforce them being chaperoned and taken care of?
I'm sure there's a hint of "typical male behavior" at play here. Mostly though, I can imagine him trying to protect Inez. Maybe he knows about something that would put her into danger, most probably something related to her parents' disappearance.

3. The ring scene with Thomas Sterling was definitely outrageous; I felt Inez's outrage and all of her shock. Do you expect to see the ring later in the story? Any guesses to its significance?
I was so angry with that idiot Thomas Sterling. I'm very sure the ring will appear again and I can imagine it leading to Inez' parents. (If I read it correctly, they never found them and just assume they're dead? So to be honest, I don't think they're actually dead.)

4. What do you think of the writing style and the pacing so far? Are you enjoying the lyrical, rich descriptions or do you prefer a more fast paced story?
So far, I quite like the writing. I also really like the setting, so no complaints for now.

5. In Ch. 5 we see politics at play, and we can tell this is just the beginning. How do you think this will affect your enjoyment of the book? Will it enhance the story for you or will you feel bogged down by the details?
I think it will enhance the story but I'd like to read a little more before actually deciding how I feel about the political layer of the book.

KayLynn, Long Time Gone is missing from your shelf, could you please add it? Thank you :)

Lauri wrote: "I found a book with an author born in Cameroon! A hard country!!
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue



I should finish up m..."

added the book to the sheet :)

That's so sweet, thank you, KayLynn! I guess working with spreadsheets every day helps 😜

Sophie wrote: "In theory there is something on the official sheet that changes colour. Given ours is a lightly edit copy of that, it should turn red when the cap is exceeded."

In case it doesn't, I can work some of that magic again

321 pages

Current total: 868,848

688 pages

Current total: 867,937

That looks delicious 🤭

Melindam wrote: "aaaand our 1st Cheese (Pecorino) Pagoda is complete.



Awesome Teamwork!!!!! 😍🍷

(we can build a given cheese pagoda only once. )"

You managed to create three towers instead of one! Awesome work 😍

Denise wrote: "I'm flying to the mountains tomorrow, so I may not check in as much. We'll see what cell reception is like. I'm not taking a computer--that defeats the purpose of going to the mountains. :) I'll be..."

Enjoy your time in the mountains and have safe travels :)

if we move Andy's book to N or O, I could use my Jamaica book for C. Will finish it tomorrow morning

not the mods throwing cheese into our tower 🤣

Claire, could you please add your read books to the shelf? Thank you 😊

I'm about a third through my Jamaica book and the beginning was sloooow. It's getting better now. But almost 700 pages is tough

Ingeborg wrote: "Gosh. I went to Sweden today (ca 4 h drive each way) and got my new horse! It has certainly not been a big reading day, and I have been neck-deep in EU paperwork and full of nerves leading up to th..."

Congrats on the new horse!
We will keep that in mind and move your books around if needed.