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

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

Happy New year everyone !!!

(They should make those kind of fireworks ;))

Finished by Marissa Meyer - 3
Series: The Lunar Chronicles
Characters: Linh Cinder, Thorne Carswell, Queen Levana, Iko, Dmitri Erland
--> Letters: E, I, T, M, L

Cress by Marissa Meyer | 31 Dec | 550 pages | ★★ | BR - here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
- A bit disappointed how this series is developing. The story is almost exclusively plot-driven and it shows in the lack of character growth, some of them are pretty much cardboard cutouts. I can't root for any character in this series, I think they mainly lack common sense and are running around like headless chickens. I this 3rd installment nothing really big happens, and I really wonder its purpose in the series. Also 550 pages is unwarranted. Will read the 'next one' Fairest in the hope it will pick up, and I'm also curious how it finally ends.

This is my last book for this year :)

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "I really wanted so much more from this series. My favorite character is Queen Levana. At least she doesn't act like a fool and isn't swept away by some silly romance. She just wants power! "

Agreed, I'm a bit surprised why Levana isn't already the world leader at this point :) I'm looking forward to have her point of view in Fairest .

I'm about to start chapter 38. So far I can't see I'm enjoying the book nor the whole series, but I just keep coming back. I hope Winter will be the last book because I don't know how long I will be able stick with it. (view spoiler)[I feel this series is mostly us, the readers, waiting for the characters to figure out what we already know from book 1 *sigh* Why is 'princess Selene' still this big secret? (hide spoiler)]

About (view spoiler)['the rescue Cress fiasco/heroes in distress' scene: I got angry at this. I'm really questioning everyone's intelligence in this book. Everyone (aka readers) knows it's a trap, I knew it was going to be a chaotic mess, what do you expect with Cinder&co, their method is running around like headless chickens and see what comes out of it. Really?
Also am I the only one who is starting to hate Lunars' powers of brainwashing. It's responsible for a lot of purposeful misunderstandings/confusing, which I don't really care for. It's convenient and also very effective when dealing with nitwits like Cinder and her group. (hide spoiler)]

p. 182: (view spoiler)["...surely your plan couldn't be that stupid." I can't agree more Dr. Erland but unfortunately it is. Please, say it again it sounds like music to my ears lol (hide spoiler)]

The revelation (view spoiler)[of the existence of princess Winter, I'm trying to reconstruct Lunars royal family. If I understood correctly, Princess Selene was the rightful heiress of the throne. Her parents died, so Winter's father took over the throne and he remarried with Queen Levana, and then he died. I feel there's some explanation missing for this to make sense. Also I can't remember if princess Winter was mentioned before or is that news out of the blue? (hide spoiler)]

Also Cress (view spoiler)[is starting to annoy me, she isn't 18 yo, she's 12. Stop whining/weeping and playing 'damsel in distress', Thorne is blind and has troubles of his own too. It's time for you to kick some ass. (hide spoiler)]

This book is getting too long already and repetitive. (view spoiler)[I feel like I didn't really learn something new, maybe except the princess Winter part, although I read the first two books a while ago. (hide spoiler)]

Last tought:(view spoiler)[ why is everyone getting split up again. More pov's! (hide spoiler)]

I agree about Kai, he's imo the weakest or rather the most passive character in the series. I always feel extremely bored with his chapters.

You're always welcome for a chat in our Common Room :p
Yes, sad scavenger hunt is almost over and I don't think I'm even close to the tickets.

Oh yes, Ravenclaw's challenge, that's the one I was missing! January is going to be crazy!

I think you're really good as Slytherin, but if you want you can always join Hufflepuffs :p

'Mithrandir' updated, it seems 'I' is not easy to find either, we need it for Slytherin.

Nice Tea :) ! I could read a little bit yesterday so I will comment in LoTR thread and then watch the movie.

❀Tea❀ wrote: "OK.
And whoever is rolling week after, bring out the Ys. We need to spell Slytherin and Lady. ☺"

They are quite intimidating. I forgot to sign up for those challenges, will do now :)

I've been doing undercover work at NBRC since May this year, and business* has been going really well so far ;) Hereby my official reader's ID.

Birthday: 29 March
Favorite Book(s): Kate Daniels, The D'Artagnan Romances, Sebastian St. Cyr series and many more.
Favorite Book Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Urban Fantasy and Historical romance
Favorite Author: Ilona Andrews, Diana Wynne Jones, Alexandre Dumas, Karin Slaughter, C.S. Harris, Margaret Mallory
Favorite Color: Green & Red
Favorite Food: Chocolate, Irish steak, sushi
Any Pets: 2 cats
If I could live anywhere in the world it would be: As long as it's somewhere cozy, warm, library/books are readily available, and great people around me :)
Finish the line: I know I'm a book addict because....let's just say that you might not want to come with me to a bookstore/library, trust me you won't be home at time for dinner :p

*Overcommitting to reading challenges.

Snowtulip wrote: "I also hadn't realized that book 3 isn't out yet...hhmmm, might have to pace myself!"

Book 3 is the last one in the series, it's a trilogy. I just learned that a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to the last installment, curious how it will end.

Snowtulip wrote: "Thanks for discussing Audrey Jane :)

I just finished last night, I was reading through the comments in this thread and it looks like a lot of mixed thoughts on this book especially the ending, which I liked.

(view spoiler) ."

I loved the ending,(view spoiler)[ but I understand the mixed feelings if the readers don't like cliffhangers. In this case I thought it was well done, I read the sequel immediately after Angelfall, Penryn's point of view at the end kept me on the edge of my seat. The last scenes were so intense!
Penryn's mother makes it infinitely more interesting, you know that she's up to something or that something is going to happen when she's around. I think she cares for Penryn and Paige in her own way.
Yes, I was really hoping Raffe gets his wings. I read that some readers had issues with the romance since Raffe is an immortal being and who knows how old and Penryn is 17 (?) y.o. Personally I wasn't bothered by the romance, also I don't think that's the focus of the story so no big deal. I actually thought for a moment that there would be a love triangle with Obidaiah West. We learn a bit about Obi in the books but I want to know more about him. (hide spoiler)]

❀Tea❀ wrote: "*shakes head*
You can't avoid U! They are everywhere (unless you need them :P)

Congrats. ☺ "

It's always like that :p On to other challenges!

Finished! I avoided the 'U' by taking the other options. 'N' was also difficult for me, and I wasn't in the mood for Neil Gaiman. This was a fun challenge :)

Penryn and the End of Days is hands down my favourite YA series so far.

(view spoiler)[Penryn's mother and Paige are my favourite characters. The mother is a very interesting character. I agree the world Susan Ee created is quite dark, but I think Penryn is very brave, and she cares for her family a lot. Paige story is sad. Some passages were quite gruesome and I had to put the book down. (hide spoiler)]

It's been a while since I read this one, I think I'm going to do a re-read when the 3rd book comes out next year, I think in May.

New Releases Challenge 2015

Duration: 1 January 2015 - 31 December 2015
Level: Twice Shy
Progress: 4/24

♦ January
- Fairest by Marissa Meyer
-


♦ February
- Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose
- Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear


♦ March
- Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
-


♦ April
- Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray
-


♦ May
- End of Days by Susan Ee
- Day Shift by Charlaine Harris


♦ June
-
-

♦ July
- - ★★
-

♦ August
- Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★
-


♦ September
-
-
♦ October
-
-
♦ November
- - ★★★
-
♦ December
- - ★★★★
-

Juliana wrote: "Jaclyn wrote: "Ch. 1-5:[spoilers removed]"

I wonder that too Jaclyn,(view spoiler) "

Oh good, I thought I missed something lol. I'm curious about that too, I'm looking forward to find out. (view spoiler)[No, luckily no istant love but I think Thorne is a good guy, I wonder how their relationship will develop. (hide spoiler)] Off to read some more!

Juliana wrote: "I just started this book!

Chapter 1 to 5: (view spoiler)

I liked how Meyer give us a overall from what happened in the previous book. It's concise but I'm already situated in the story again. "

That's the main reason I stick with this series, Marissa Meyer's retelling of classic tales is creative and I'm always curious what she will come up with next. (view spoiler)[I like the analogy of tower - satellite too. I can't imagine to be locked up somewhere in space for so long, it's too big *shivers*. (hide spoiler)]
Indeed, I wasn't lost as I thought I would be, even though I read the recapitulation I was still a bit confused so luckily it's easy to follow so far.

I'm at chapter 6.

I like the comments about the original tale, interesting, I didn't know that. (view spoiler)[ So far I like Thorne a lot, more than Wolf for example, and his banter with Iko are quite funny.

The girls act definitely younger, it's understandable with Cress since she didn't have much interaction with the outside world, maybe being locked up for so long has that effect on her. I think she's endearing and I'm looking forward to get to know her better.

I think Kai is the most underdeveloped character in this series. He lacks substance, I feel I don't know him very well. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in! This is the challenge I was waiting for :) I read the explanation, I think I understood but it will go better when I discover along the journey.

♣ Sir Audrey's Quest ♣

♦ Quests ♦
✓ 1. Hello, my name is...: post 402 + 3 exp.

2. Gather Berries: + 2 exp
Rachel, Hartman - Seraphina - 15/01/2015 - ★★★
A
S
Pirie, Jessica (ch) - Witch's Business by Diana Wynne Jones 7/01/2015 - ★★★

3. Gather Bones

4. Rare Gems (Rare story books: less than 500 ratings/ Greater Rare story books: less than 10 ratings) - 0/5
- Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake (202 ratings)
- Claimed by Lindsay Buroker (194 ratings)

5. Healing (heal, cure, rest, blood)

6. Timewalker:
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

♦ Healing ♦

H
E
A
L

♦ Weapons ♦

➤ Sword
*100+ pages: House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones 10/01/2015 - ★★★★ (201 pages - ebook)

*100+ pages: Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake (352 pages)
*200+ pages: Why Kings Confess by C.S. Harris 18/01/2015 - ★★★★ (352 pages)

*100+ pages
*200+ pages
*300+ pages: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews 20/01/2015 - ★★★★ (400 pages)

➤ Magic Staff
1.

1.
2.

1.
2.
3.

♦ Items collected ♦

Monsters defeated

♖ Books in Saddle Pack ♖
*Fifth Grave Past the Light, #5 in series, 339 pages (2013) ★★★
* Light My Fire, #3 in series, 329 pages (2006) ★★★

♘ Summary ♘

Hero: Level 2, 12/12 HP
Sword: Level 1 (3 attack)
Magic: Level 0
Exp: 5
--> Next level at 15

I'm in! Time to catch up and maybe discover something new.

Duration: 1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
Level: combination A Little Bit of Everything & Come What May
Progress: 1/20

Goodreads Choice Awards 2014

✽ Categories ✽

▶ Fiction
♦ Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
♦ Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mendel - 24 January - ★1/2



▶ Mystery & Thriller TBD
♦ The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
♦



▶ Historical Fiction
♦ The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman
♦ My Name Is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner



▶ Fantasy
♦ City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
♦ TBD



▶ Romance TBD
♦ The Will by Kristen Ashley
♦ Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare



▶ Science Fiction
♦ The Martian by Andy Weir
♦



▶ Horror
♦
♦

▶ Debut Goodreads Author
♦ Red Rising by Pierce Brown
♦ Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge



▶ Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction
♦ Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
♦ The Young Elites by Marie Lu



▶ Middle Grade & Children
♦ The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
♦



Already Read in 2014

- Cat. Historical Fiction: The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton ★★ 30 October 2014
- Cat. Fantasy: Night Broken by Patricia Briggs ★★ 15 March 2014
- Cat. Fantasy: Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews ★★★★ 1 August 2014
- Cat. Debut GR author: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen ★★ 4 April 2014
- Cat. Horror: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey ★★ 19 October 2014
- Cat. YA fantasy & science fiction: Cress by Marissa Meyer ★★ 31 December 2014