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

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

Thank you :)

Gwen, Little Women is missing from your shelf :)

205 pages

Current total: 1,248,753

321 pages

Current total: 1,237,292

141 pages

Current total: 1,235,973

288 pages

Current total: 1,226,548

387 pages

300 pages

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236 pages

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Yes, the district is 8.

Checking for books that fit too now

130 pages
157 pages

Current total: 1,220,062

I finished it one day before book games started :(((

lol did I read it during the challenge? 😂 I’ll check

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 could play a role in the magic, maybe something close to having an aura?

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?

I really like Santangel. There's something about him that just feels comforting.

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?

Good question. Maybe it will be important later in the story?

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 don't know what I would use instead but I really like this one! Maye it could do with a little less black but otherwise it looks cool.

Thank you!

DQs Day 2 Chapter 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?

In my opinion it shows the power in it. That and the beauty of different cultural influences.

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 think it's all a balancing act. I think it's fine to forget about your morals to some degree for it but certainly not to throw everything overboard just to get financial stability.

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 both 16th century and historical fiction set in Spain before but I can't remember if it was ever both at the same time. I don't have any problem following the politics though, since a lot of it was covered in my history classes in uni.

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?

He seems nice, I think. I liked the part with the fruit. Maybe it also has something to do with religion for him? Who knows.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉

Right now I'm only reading it for the book games but I'm sure I would've picked it up sooner or later anyway, since I enjoyed the Alex Stern books by Leigh Bardugo.

Gwen, can you add The Duet and The Book That Wouldn’t Burn to your shelf? :)

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentia and her desperation?

I didn't like it all that much but I don't really have many specific feelings toward any character yet.

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house?

Maybe so she won't be seen outside? Not sure. Definitely giving off Cinderella vibes.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.

I definitely find it interesting, as there are usually just spoken or even unspoken spells in other books, so this is nice for a change.

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them?

I think it is supposed to suggest some type of respect and safety for Luzia so she does her magic.

160 pages
144 pages
142 pages
576 pages

Current total: 1,214,917

No worries, Christina! :)

Day 3 - Chapters 17-25

11. We learn a lot more about the library in this section, for example that new head librarians create new systems to secure their power and make themselves indispensable. I know we have a few librarians in this group… how do you feel about that? 😅 If you’re not a librarian –what would you do if the library you use just changed systems whenever it felt like it?

I'm not a librarian. I think if I were I'd think differently about this but since I'm not - it would really piss me off.

12. We also finally had our stories converging, albeit briefly. Livira and Evar were exploring new places in consecutive chapters, both of them marking their origin/path (Livira with books, Evar with a knife) and then their journeys culminate in them meeting in what Livira identifies as an “in-between place”. Were you expecting them to meet so soon? What was your impression of their brief time together – and why did the meeting end so abruptly?

I didn't think they'd meet so soon. Thinking about it again makes it more plausible to me though. I still firmly believe that the words in Evar's book were written by Livira in a different timeline and that's why they had to meet so soon.

13. In her time in the library, Livira acquired a companion in the raven: is he an ally or guide? Or something sinister? Do you think it’s actually “just” a (magical) animal or maybe even a character we know already?

Personally, I think the raven is a guide who might be a character who transformed into a raven but could be just the raven as well.

14. I can’t help but constantly think of the Book of the Ancestor as I’m reading this – the young girl protagonist who’s an outsider, the school setting, navigating friendships and political machinations while also learning about whatever type of magic there is… Have you read anything else by Mark Lawrence?

Thinking to pick up more of his works.