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

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

Hi everyone! I like the names Book Us A Flight and Leave the Reading to Us for our team.

I can find a book that fits for every task as well as the detour. Looking forward to this challenge.

I'm in as well! I'm Audrey, living in Belgium. My favourite genres are historical mysteries, urban-fantasy and romance.

I had a great time playing Tower Teams again, it's one of the better, if not the best team challenge I've participated to.
Btw, sorry for not being more chatty. We did great as a team :)
Hope to see you all around!

Finished by P.B. Ryan - 23 january - ★★★★
Pages: 324 (kindle edition)

Good morning team! I will be able to submit a last book today, I'm currently finishing 'Still life with murder' and I'm enjoying it a lot. It's an historical mystery set in nineteenth century Boston.
Btw I've checked our team spreadsheet and can't find Uprooted marked as BOM. I've answered all the discussion questions, if it's not too late it might give us some points ;)

Grace wrote: "You said you thought Uprooted would work for character that gains independence. Can those who have read it please explain ..."
Yes, of course, it concerns the MC, Agnieszka, (view spoiler)[she's taken away from her family and friends, she learns magic (has her own way of controlling magic) and becomes a quite powerful witch. (hide spoiler)] I don't know if it works, we might need a second opinion :)

I've just finished Uprooted and enjoyed it a lot, normally I can't really appreciate YA but this one was pretty refreshing and made me think a bit of Howl's Moving Castle which I really recommend :)

I checked out the teams spreadsheet and only realise now how close some of the teams are finishing this challenge. It feels like we just begun, but maybe it's me, I have no notion of time.

I just want to contribute as much as I can but I'm a bit stuck with what to read next, I will have to check out my shelves and kindle and see what I'm in the mood for. Then again I've put so much other books on hold.

Finished by Naomi Novik - 17 january - ★★★
- 435 pages (kindle edition)
- BOM, participated in the discussion
- Goals: it might work for 'read a book where a character gains independence'

Discussion Questions: Chapters 28 - end

33. This section opens with some graphic fight scenes, which I found slightly incongruous but incredibly vivid. What did you think?
I didn't think the scenes were too shocking, they were really intense and I couldn't stop reading but I didn't expect everyone to pass, even the prince and the baron. They lost an entire army, I didn't think it would come to that, I expected they would snap out of it sooner.

34. The reveals about the Wood, first marrying into humanity to try a different save her people then being bricked up alive... Does that change how you feel about the Wood? How?
I think it's good we get the perspective of the Wood and we are able to understand it a bit more. However there are still unanswered questions, those 'flashback' scenes were pretty vague to me. I don't know why that young man had a particular hatred for the wood queen and its people.

35. The Wood Queen's sister helps defeat the Wood Queen... I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Lilyana (sorry if I got the spelling wrong, am absent from my copy of the book) to watch her sister's pain and then try to stop her. What do you think? Should she have been more active in helping her sister? Imo she already did everything she could. Besides we're missing some background here. I'm not even sure the sister knew everything that happened to the Wood queen.

36. The ending; satisfying or a cop-out? Did you think the Dragon would behave like that?
No, I thought he would stay and not flee once he realised his feelings but all in all it's pretty satisfying. I do agree with Tea though that the book might need an epilogue.

Discussion Questions for Chapters 24-27

29. I like Novik's writing style and certainly her poetic way to describe her characters' feelings and magic, especially since it isn't overly wordy and doesn't feel pretentious. I'm enjoying the book more than I would have thought.

30. The king maybe but I surely hadn't expect the crown prince Sigmund to pass. They are falling down like domino. I think the Wood just wants to take over civilization/the settlements because it was there first? It seems logic imo. That's why it took the first village, Porosna I think. The Wood is always planning and since it is pretty much immortal it can wait 20 years to forge a plan and take over the queen. Yes, in the end that last part was a bit obvious.

31. I agree with everything you wrote. Agnieszka's magic is quirky and based on her feelings, every time she throws a spell she personalises it. I love it. My favourite so far is the illusion spell and the time she could communicate with Sarkan via the same spell.

32. What I like about Agnieszka is that she doesn't seem invincible, she has her limits but she's doing her best within her limits. I think that's admirable. But she won't be able to do it alone, she will need the help of Sarkan or Kasia to defeat the Wood. I don't think they will completely defeat the Wood, it will be something like a 'we won the battle but not the war' ending. Besides I don't know for sure how big that Wood is but I don't see humans living without some greenery :p I just couldn't.

Discussion Questions - Chapters 18-23

24. The book has been set so far in Agnieszka's village, the Tower, the Wood, and now the Court. Which setting has been your favorite to read about? Why?
My favourite settings were Dvernik (Agnieszka's village) and the Tower because it reunites my favourite characters, but frankly I'm enjoying all the settings.

25. Agnieszka has really been struggling with the etiquette required at court, and with trying to get her point across about sending an army to fight the Wood. Would she have fared better with the Dragon by her side, or would he have made it worse? Should she have joined up with the Falcon, like he wanted her to?
I read ahead but I would have said no. Prince Marek as well as the Falcon don't like Sarkan and besides they don't really care about Agneszieka and her village. Maybe the king might have listened to the Dragon but I don't think he might have changed the situation, especially sine the queen issue was more important at that moment then destroying the Wood. Maybe it's better that she didn't, the Falcon is a conniving wizard with no scruple.

26. Alosha made a great point: Why don't the people living in the Valley simply pack up and leave? Do you think there is something in the river or air that lures them to stay? Or is it more of a case of them not wanting to leave where they were born and have lived for generations?
I think both. Besides if they go, the Wood would only grow back again and follow them further. It's not easy for them to leave suddenly everything behind when they have known nothing else. But maybe they will have to like the title suggests.

27. What do you think is behind Queen Hanna's surprising recovery? Is she actually cured, or is the Wood still somehow controlling her?
I read ahead but I would have answered that imo she can't be suddenly cured so it might be the Wood controlling her here. Besides her way of behaving feels strange.

28. How do you think the title of the book fits in with what has happened so far? see answer 26. Maybe they will uproot the villagers or maybe the title suggests they will literally uproot the Wood. Can't wait to read the final chapters :)

Chapters 14-17 Pages 187-239

18. They don't seem to have much of a plan going into the wood. I was surprised that they even managed to find the Queen, much less that quickly. What are your thoughts on their preparations and planning?
I thought it went pretty smoothly too. But then again, they did loose 28 men. There was little to no preparation at all, maybe they felt confident because they had powerfull wizards at their side, I don't know.

19. Kasia seems to be turning into quite the hero. Do you think this was who she always was or did the wood change her to be like this?
She seemed already like someone who's calm and composed. But the Wood definitely changed her.

20. What are your thoughts on the rescue of the Queen? Was it worth losing 28 men? Do you think she will recover?
They knew what they were going for, the prince told them before hand so I suppose they already knew it would be a risky business. Maybe by some miracle, maybe Agnieszka will be able to save her.

21. They made it to the city and the townspeople seem to rejoice but the King does not. Why do you think he doesn't seem pleased with things? It made me think that he might have had something to do with the Queens situation.
I read ahead so I already know but I'm curious to find out more :)

22. Do you think Agnieszka will be recognized? What do you think her animal name will get to be? They all seem to be predator animals but she's a healer so maybe it will be different. I honestly don't know. Maybe she will be able to chose her own name.

23. We're halfway through now. Any predictions for the rest of the book? I'm liking it so far but I'm starting to miss Sarkan already. I can't wait to pick up where I left once I'm back at home.

Discussion Questions : Chapters 9 - 13

12) The Summoning is a truth spell. Were you surprised to find out that both Agnieszka and Kasia had secret hatred and jealousy towards each other? That doesn't seem to be normal feelings between two best friends...
I think it's normal. Sometimes we want what we don't have, my friends are often my opposite, we all like each other but sometimes we're envious. I think it's important to say it up front and be honest about it, that's what Agnieszka and Kasia did.

13) Agnieszka and the Dragon work another spell together, but this time things get pretty romantic, even ending in a kiss! Do you think it's their magic alone that's making them attracted to one another? Will they end up together in the end?
I agree with everything ❀Tea❀ answered. I think it's the magic at first but afterwards they will get to know each other and end together.

14) Is it a good idea to go into the Wood to find Queen Hanna? What do you think 20 years of being corrupted in the Wood has done to the Queen (if she's even alive)? Would you be willing to play the hero and go into the Wood to find her?
I at least wouldn't go, it's almost like something you can't really fight, it just takes you and messes with your brain. I don't have high hopes for the Queen, 20 years locked up anywhere is too long, she might recover but she will never be the same. Like in the book, they say they will have to learn her everything from the start.

15) I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but it seems as if every time Agnieszka is thinking, the Dragon always answers her. Do you think he is able to read her mind/thoughts?
I was wondering why Agnieszka never mentioned something about this. Sure, she realized it but never commented on it. She in return can't read Dragon's thoughts.

16) The Dragon doesn't seem to be as cruel and violent as everyone believes him to be... so where do you think the nickname "The Dragon" came from?
Maybe he can change into a dragon? Or has an affinity with fire? We shall see.

17) If you could put a face to the Dragon, what would he look like? This is what I imagine...
I don't really know. Someone tall, dark and mysterious :p

December 18 Chapter 5-8 (Pages 62-123)

6) Agnieszka finds herself back home to help when one of the villagers is infected by The Wood. How do you think the town felt that she came to their aid instead of The Dragon? There is barely any mention of a reaction from the town. If you were living there how would you have reacted? I think desperate times call for desperate measures lol. The villagers were in panic and just wanted to get out their troublesome situation, maybe they had no time to think about Agnieszka and her situation. What surprised me is that Kasia never told Agnieszka that she suspected she had an affinity with magic.

7) The Dragon should not have been able to recover from the sickness of The Wood. How do you think Agnieszka was able to save him? How do you think she knows the flow and pace of the spells when she has never seen them before? Why do these spells feel familiar to her? Maybe it runs in her family, one of her ancestors was a wizard/witch or something. I think the magic in this book is kind of adaptable and works according to the practitioner's personality. Dragon's and Agnieszka's magic seem complementary.

8) The Dragon and Agnieszka seem to be working closer together. How do you feel about their relationship? Do you enjoy seeing The Dragon struggle to perform the same spells that Agnieszka seems to do easily? What do you think they were both feeling when they performed the rose spell together? Same answer as above. I would like to read more about them working together. Their personalities are the complete opposite and it reflects in their practice of magic. They might learn from each other.

9) How do you think Agnieszka is able to free Kasia from The Wood? Do you think Agnieszka was strong enough to defeat the hold The Wood had on Kasia or do you think The Wood let Kasia go on purpose? Mmm, I think both, she has enough power but not yet, it's too soon. The Wood just took the opportunity the situation presented, why Kasia then? It could have been any of the other villagers, I don't think it's a coincidence. I agree with Jolene's answer.

10) Do you think The Dragon will be able to help Agnieszka to save Kasia? If so, do you think Kasia will have any lasting effects of being trapped in The Wood?
I think so. They will have to work together towards a common goal. Besides Agnieszka won't let go of Kasia so easily, I'm not sure the Dragon will be able to persuade her.

11) There is reference to this book as being a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Now that you are 8 chapters in do you feel this is a good reference for this book? Why or why not. Not really, I agree with the comments above by Jolene and Stacie. The only thing it might have in common is that the Dragon lives alone and quite isolated but even that is too farfetched. To me so far this book feels like a retelling of Howl's Moving Castle. The Dragon is almost a copy of Howl, plus the magic and all.

I'm a bit late to the party.

December 17 - Chapters 1-4

1. Did you have any thoughts/feelings before starting the book that have changed now that you've started it? I had great expectations for this book after seeing all those positive comments, so far (chapter 9) it hasn't disappointed me yet. Also, I really enjoyed His Majesty's Dragon by the same author.

2. Why do you think the Dragon takes a girl exactly every 10 years? I'm not sure, I thought he's taking a girl out of obligation and not because he particularly wants it, Dragon seems pretty distant and indifferent. We will see

3. How are you liking Agnieszka? So far, so good. She's active, stands up for herself and gets her out of troublesome situations (even though she mainly creates them herself).

4. Were you surprised to learn she had magic? Not really, she had to have something 'different' in order to be chosen by the Dragon.

5. Are you looking forward to reading more? Yes. And I hope to learn more about the Dragon

Finished by Ilona Andrews, 21 december - ★★★
- 237 pages (kindle edition)
- Goals: currently none

Checking in! I'm sorry for not checking in earlier. I'm still working on American Gods. I understand Megan, the book is a doorstopper, hanging in there. I've got a copy of Uprooted now, can't wait to pick it up.

I took a day off from work today. I'm about to go out and do some Christmas shopping, love the atmosphere, after that I'm going to snuggle up with my book next to the radiator :)

Doing great team !

Finished by Anna Lee Huber - 29/11 - ★★★
Pages: 432 (kindle edition)
Bom: no
Future reference: Scotland, 1831, crime investigation, person/church/abbey on cover, characters celebrating New Year
Goal: Has the word 'Temperance' in the text: "For my own part, the attribute I appreciated most in the vicar was his temperance."

Good evening team! RL has been pretty hectic lately, I'm a little behind on my reading schedule. I'm currently still working on A Grave Matter, and hopefully I can squeeze another book before the end of the month (thinking of starting Sweep in Peace). I'm going to join the BOM American Gods discussion, the book has been gathering dust on my shelves for a couple of years now, time to found out what all the hype is about :)

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

Finished by Patricia Briggs - 16 November - 3 stars
Pages: 464 (kindle edition)
BOM: no
Goal: anthology, collection of short stories, werewolves, witches, vampires, at least 5 vowels in the title