Audrey Jane’s Comments (group member since May 27, 2014)

Audrey Jane’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Missy wrote: "So I am currently on vacation and don’t have my laptop with me to update the spreadsheet but I did finish Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff on July 8 and Artemis Fowl by Eoin colder on July 9 if someone cou..."

Will add them for you. Don't forget to put them on your Tower shelf when you can. Enjoy your vacation !

DQs Day 5

19. What did you think about Ariadne's reaction when Phaedra confides in her regarding Hippolytus ? And Hippolytus' answer to Phaedra when she expresses her feelings to him ? Did you suspect it wasn't romantic love?

20. Ariadne and Theseus finally meet each other again after all these years. Was their reunion scene satisfactorily enough for you ?

21. We learn more about Dionysus: his worshippers and blood rites, his obsession with his status as an Olympian god, and his interaction with his brother, Perseus. Did your opinion about him change after those scenes ? Were you expecting his relationship with Ariadne to change like that ?

22. What do you think about the way Phaedra's and Ariadne's stories ended ? Does it give enough closure or is there something you wish ended differently ?

23. Did you enjoy the book ? If you had any expectations, did the book meet them ? Will you be reading more by this author ? She recently published another Greek mythology retelling: Elektra.

Will post my DQs first thing tomorrow. Had a bad day at work, which I'm still processing, Will sleep on it and check in this thread tomorrow morning :)

DQs Day 3

10) What did you think of Pasiphae’s response to the death of her son, the Minotaur?
Understandable, he was still her son and she's still recovering from the gods 'bewitching' her. The old advisor with the long name explained it well in my opinion.

11) Dionysus makes quite the entrance, doesn’t he? What are your thoughts on him and the interaction between him and Ariadne?
He seems an interesting character. Looking forward to learn more about him. It looks like he has good intentions towards Ariadne.

12) Phaedra comes into her own in Athens. What do you think of her in her new life?
She's taking it well so far. I enjoy Phaedra's POV (more than Ariadne's). I wonder when she will find out about Theseus and her sister and what she will do about it.

13) We see many examples of the gods playing with mortals in this story; Pasiphae with the bull. King Midas and his golden touch, Hera causing Semele to burn. what do you think it would be like to live in a world where gods existed and interacted with humans?
I think it's better it never happens - it's a recipe for disaster. Makes me think of the TV show The Boys.

14) Do you think the sisters will find out the truth about one another? If so, any predictions on what will happen?
They will but don't know how at this point.

DQs Day 2

5. Have you heard of Theseus before? What do you think of his backstory, does it compare with other well-known Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles? Do you think it fits his humble and collected demeanor in the previous chapter?
I've heard of Theseus before but his story wasn't my favourite. My favourite hero is Odysseus. However the stories I remember the best and that had the most impact on me as a teenager were the ones about Prometheus, Tantalus, Sisyphus, and King Midas. There are lessons to be learnt there.

6. I don’t know about you, but “insta-love” stories royally annoy me. Ariadne spends a significant part of these chapters reveling in her undying and world-changing love and devotion to someone she just met. Do you think this is realistic, or just a cheap plot ploy from the author?
At this point I couldn't care less about this book (it's incredibly boring and just a cheap copy/paste of the original mythology) but yes, indeed I said it before and will say it again: "instant love" should be banned from the literary world. I'm fine with "instant lust" however; I can believe in that.

7. Why do you think Theseus left Ariadne on the island with no heads up whatsoever? How do you feel about her thoughts and actions, as she processes this new reality?
Because he got better things to do, like make a name for himself and making sure that Ariadne doesn't get the credit of defeating the Minotaur. She goes through all the stages of denial. I'm glad she alone on the island so she can calmly process it.

8. During the "great escape", Phaedra is left behind - do you think it was by accident, or purposefully (and if so, why)? Do you think it was wise of her to return to the Palace?
It was on purpose. She had no other choice - unless she has a ship she's stuck on Crete.

9. A common theme in Greek mythology is the linear progression of Fate - from Hubris (thinking and acting as if one is a God), to Atis (blindness of one’s puny nature, leading the mortal to commit an unforgivable or insulting act), to Nemesis (the anger and revenge of the Gods), and finally Tisis (the mortal’s punishment). Where have you noticed this process so far? Where do you think Nemesis will strike next?
I think all our main characters may expect a visit of the gods; Theseus, Ariadne, and Phaedra.

Elli wrote: "
Would this be considered as open plains on cover?"

Hi Elli, I checked it on my phone and would say yes but now seeing it on my computer it's a bit borderline. Might need a second opinion ?

DQs Day 1

1. Excited about the book, or just here for the points? Were you familiar with the myths behind the story before starting this book?
Just here for the points. I don't really understand the popularity of these mythology retellings which are not necessarily better than the original stories. Yes, I'm familiar with Greek/Roman mythology, I learnt about it at school during my 2 years of Latin classes.

2. "Let me tell you a story..." I don't know about you, but I love opening lines like that. Do you have a favourite opening line? Have you ever bought a book on the strength of the opening line alone? (I have!)
I can't remember a favourite opening line but I agree that there are books with strong opening lines/scenes. I love when I'm immediately captivated.

3. Asterion: The early years. I bet no-one was fooled by the few paragraphs of almost sweet baby and toddler descriptions: This was always going to end with a monster in a maze of course.
But do you think it served well as a way to establish Ariadne's character?
I don't feel I got to know her so far, especially the way the story is written. It keeps the reader at a distance. Lots of telling.

4. What do you think of the writing so far? There's a lot of description and narration and very little dialogue, which tries in with the idea that Ariadne is telling the story to the reader. It allows for a lot more depth and detail than more dialogue-heavy storytelling does. Is that a style you enjoy, or do you prefer the faster pace of a book that is more about character interaction?
I agree with Judy's answer. I'm not liking the writing style (see answer above). I've read better translated mythology stories than this. I zoned out already a couple of times and can do without the metaphors. So far I'm liking the Norse mythology retelling The Witch's Heart better. I think this one is boring and nothing new. Usually I prefer faster paced books.

Sophie wrote: "Polyphemus (Cyclops)

Polyphemus has been seen on your lands, searching for a new optometrist. Maybe he can be pacified with a good recommendation for an in-network doctor. Very hard to kill but ..."

I can cover task 1, 3, and 4 with The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London (set in England (island)). You don't see it very well because the beige paper thingy is covering the lower half but there's a man holding a sheep in his arm at the left bottom of the cover. I checked my hardcover. (see here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Victorian-Ci...). I will start it tomorrow - it's very readable for a non-fiction.

Fyi, The Wee Free Men would also cover task 4 if we need it in the future (I already read it though).

Thank you, Insiyah, I will put a reminder in my phone before I forget. Hope it's a good one *crosses fingers*

Hope you have a great and relaxing holiday, Sophie !

Will finish my current book today and then start a 500-650 pages bracket book. I think I will go for Company of Liars on paperback and An Artificial Night on kindle since I need that one for another challenge and want to finish it before the weekend.

@ Insiyah: I can relate. Basically my reader's heart biggest fear! Once I was in one that took me 2 years to get out. Maybe it's the book ?
I have days/weeks where I don't read (during challenges as well) and just focus on something else. It works for me at least as I never get tired of reading that way.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend ! The new supergroup challenge makes me think of a cross between Battleship and War the card game where the highest number wins (except here you can chose the number of books you want to use each round). What helped me the most in understanding is the example :)

Carrie wrote: "It seems like the new game starting July 1st is going to take some strategy!"

The Trojans group Alison mentioned :-) :

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

just kat wrote: "Hi! Do we post a completion or do we go straight to the sheet and log our finished books and claim tasks for it at the same time?"

Hi Kat ! Both are fine. If you're not comfortable with spreadsheets, you may either post a completion post here and one of the captains will transfer your book to our spreadsheet OR you may log in your books (with the tasks it works for) on our tracking spreadsheet here : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Hope this helps :)

Sophie wrote: "Are you finding my monster updates helpful or are there tweaks to it that would help more?

I've got a book that I'm 50% through that works for the remaining Empusa tasks, then we'll see what new m..."

Hi Sophie, personally I think your monster updates are useful. Thank you for making things somewhat easier :)
I'm just a bit lost with which task I need to prioritize. As I'm a slower reader I don't want to commit to too much books at the same time but if I can tackle them one by one that's fine.

After I've done with my book I was thinking of reading a book between 500-650 pages. Also my current read also works for F5 - Read a book where the characters take a boat trip (of any type). Since I saw this on one of your updates.

BOM Participation Verification

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

Volunteering for DQs for Team Cassandra. And I'm adding one extra entry.

DQs Day Three

11. I love how the myths surrounding Loki are casually mixed into this book. I'm a fan of Norse mythology, though I don't know a ton about it. Do you know or enjoy Norse mythology? Do you like how the author is incorporating it into her book?
I do. I'm reminded of certain books/stories I've read about Norse mythology and enjoyed before. Amongst others Norse Mythology and The Gospel of Loki. I was obsessed with mythology as a teenager, I own a huge mythology of the world book at home.

12. "Was I wrong to not tell them the world may not accept the the way they are?"

This is Angrboda's question after not only Loki's other wife, but Loki himself, refers to their children as monsters. How would you answer her question? Was she right to try and protect and hide them from the Nine Worlds? Should she have gone about it in a different manner?
I understand her choice and would have done pretty much the same if I was in her situation. However as others have mentioned, at a certain point she would have had to prepare her children for the world and other people. But since they are still so small I understand she didn't want to tell them just yet.

13. What an ending to Part One! Did you see what was to come? Did you already know the myths before or were you completely surprised? If you already knew the myth, did you like the author's interpretation of events? Were you as angry at the world as I was reading all that happened to Angrboda and her children, cause I was ready to fight!
I'm familiar with the myth and what happens during Ragnarok so I wasn't surprised.
I like the author's 'version' so far and how she wrote Angrboda and Skadi.

14. It seems that Angrboda's dreams can now transport her into other's thoughts. Do you think this is a one-off event because of how much stress she was under? If not, how do you think she'll use this skill from now on?
I think she will use it to get in touch with her children.

15. So Angrboda has a new voice in her head. Who do you think the voice belongs to? Do you think it's connected to Angrboda's seeming inability to die? Do you think it's a friend or a foe?
I think it's Gullveig/the identity before. So far I don't think it has bad intentions.

DQs Day 2

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be?
I thought it was Odin at the time.

7. Skadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place?
I think she had no choice considering they are gods and she took what she could out of the deal. It seems they have a respectful relationship and parted ways amicably.

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?
I think Angrboda is correct and that her magic affected her daughter in some way. Now Hel will govern the underworld because of it.

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on?
I think she is and we will get to know more about her past later.

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?
She did in my opinion. Not that Loki would necessarily do something harmful with that knowledge but so far he seems indifferent. Or he won't be able to keep it for himself.

DQs Day 1

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?
No expectations. I wouldn't have picked it up if it wasn't for the BOM points. I do love (norse) mythology though.

2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL
For some kind of reason I can't picture Tom Hiddleston as they don't 'feel' the same. He's not 'trickster' enough to me. However so far he seems somewhat kinder and honest.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been?
I like Skadi and I expect she has romantic feelings for Angrboda. I guess it depends on the personality of the male character and how the author wishes to write the character.

4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement?
I agree! I notoriously don't keep track of time that's why I'm always running (late) :p I never stick to a strict time schedule.

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life?
I've read further so won't answer here.

Yes, unfortunately climate is changing and the heatwaves are becoming more frequent over here.
Yesterday I slept with 84,5 F and woke up like I took a swim in my sleep lol !