bamaace83 ’s Comments (group member since Dec 11, 2018)

bamaace83 ’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

I planned one book but I can't really plan anymore until I find out what I'm reading in a couple challenges. I usually read 3 books a week but I think I'm going to take 4 boxes next week if that's okay.

I just finished my 500 page book and am about to tackle this 800 page book. I have to read it for another challenge to so I’m definitely gonna get it finished.

I read . Would y'all say it's a blue cover or is it more black? I have no clue. Also, I think the title of this book may work in the story?

Day 6- Chapters 34 to the end

22. In chapter 3 we get the first of the big reveals. Were you surprised by the actual dynamic between the twins? And were you as creeped out as I was by Ianthe's little speech about the place between life and death..."where the things are that eat us."?

I never really liked the twins much. At this point, I was just trying to keep reading until the end. It didn't really surprise me.

23. There have been many types of necromancy and magic and science talked about and demonstrated in this story. In sci-fi and fantasy books, I often find myself wishing that some of the science or magic was real. Are there any aspects of this world that you wish was real, or that intrigues you?

Nope, I didn't like it that much.

24. The second big reveal gave us the name of the big bad. I personally did not find clues to this littered throughout the story, so I was surprised. Did you find this reveal satisfying? Surprising? Did you enjoy the fight at the end?

The fight scene was good but honestly I felt a little more needed to be added to make it better. Not sure what should be added but something else.

25. Was anyone else waiting for a sex scene? Why use the term "lesbian necromancers" in the description? Who cares if they are heterosexual or gay if it really doesn't come into the story? Marketing? Or do you think it was an important story point that the main character liked girls?

I was totally expecting more of a love story to develop. I'm not quite sure why it didn't.

26. Will Gideon's and Camilla's bodies or selves be recovered? Will you read the next book to find out? Did you like the book?

There's more books to come so who knows. I could see them bringing Gideon back in the next book. I will not plan on reading book two unless a challenge is involved. This proved to me that this is not my cup of tea when it comes to reading styles.

Day 5 - Chapters 27 - 33

First off, can I say that I did not expect, at 85% through, to still be as confused as I am right now!

18. We get a lot of thanalogical (??) science theory chat in the section, with the exchanges between Palamedes and Harrow, which seems to confuse them at least as much as it did me! Did you enjoy the science chat and reveals, or did it get in the way of the action?

It honestly just confused me more. I struggled to keep up.

19. We see other sides to a couple of the Houses during this section: the Eighth, who had been reported as being super weird with the cavalier being effectively a vegetable, actually transpire to be super weird with the cavalier trying really hard to hold to whatever shred of his life he can claim as his own (Colum says: "I've got my sword. I've got my honour. Everything else is yours." "Your sword is mine also" said Silas. Silas is an ass of the highest order, btw)
Similarly, the Second become all noble and self-sacrificing in chapter 33, a change from the rule-bound nimrods they'd been up to that point.
Do you like the shifting understanding of the characters? Have your favourites / least despised changed over the course of the book?

I did like learning a little more about the characters. I don't have a favorite or a non-favorite. I really want to know who keeps going to die and who is going to turn on the other.

20. Speaking of changes: MASSIVE emotional reveal between Harrow & Gideon. I loved the line "she wrapped her arms around Harrow Nonagesimus and held her long and hard, like a scream", which is just SO Ninth House. How does this information make you re-evaluate Harrow & Gideon's relationship?

I'm glad we had some more back-story information. I still wouldn't want to see them two together because Harrow is still creepy to me.

21. Something a bit lighter: in the midst of the blood and death and bone-key making and such, there are still some moments that made me snigger. one that I particularly enjoyed was "Hm," said Camilla neutrally, and Gideon knew immediately that she organised Palamedes's and her socks by colour and genre."
The little blips of humour have definitely helped me whilst reading the book. Do they work for you?

I have liked parts of the book when Gideon talks to herself. Overall, they haven't made me laugh much.

Day 4 - Chapters 21-26

14. More deaths! Do you have any theories on why the Fourth were killed? Why Gideon was spared? Who do you think is committing these murders?

There has to be a connection between these deaths. I think Gideon has a specialness to her that hasn't been identified yet. I have no idea who keeps killing people off but I still think only one group will be left at the end.


15. The Third House (maybe Ianthe) seem to be lurking in the background of this book, all sneaky and suspicious. Coronabeth seems like the nicer one out of the Twins. But do you think this is the case? Do you think Coronabeth has something up her sleeves?

Oh, she definitely has something up her sleeves. I'm not sure what but I think everyone there has a hidden agenda.


16. Gideon had a weird encounter with the Eighth house. What did you make of the comment, 'because you grew up servant to a murderer, in a tribe of murderers. You are, more than anything, a victim of the Ninth House'. Do you think Gideon will accept their invitation?

Nope, she won't accept it because she still ultimately wants to earn her freedom.

17. (This is a bit of a silly question). Over the course of the book, Gideon has been getting closer to Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth (although it seems she wishes she could get closer to the latter). Put yourself in Gideon's shoes. Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth - Kiss, Marry, Kill.. Explain your reasoning haha!

I say don't get married to any of them. She just needs her freedom. If she wants to kiss one then maybe Coronabeth because Dulcinea is weird. Go ahead and just kill off Dulcinea and Coronabeth both. I think they both are going to die anyway.

Thanks! I'm not that great with spreadsheets. It's probably a good thing that I don't have to use them at work. I really do need to figure them out though and develop a better tracking system for my reading challenge addiction for 2020.

I finished Gideon but I don't really know how to link to my first three days of questions. I need to go answer the rest of the sets of questions. The Chestnut Man will probably go on my next week reading list. I'm still on hold at the library.

Day 3 - Chapter 14- 20

10. Thoughts on the deaths, did you care to lose these two or are you just waiting for the body count to increase?

I'm waiting to see who dies next. I think only one set will be standing at the end.

11. I like the electric toothbrush detail. What do you think of the room they found? Are there any details from the room that you think are going to be important later?

I think that room was very interesting. They think it was from the past but it could be from the future. I also think they will be going back to explore that room in the future. I think parts of the puzzle could be found there.


12. The letter clearly has Gideon’s name in it (see below) but we get no comment from Gideon as the narrator on her reaction to this. What do you think of this as an author’s choice and what do you think the letter means?
" ut we all know the sad + trying realit
is that this will remain incomplete t
the last. He can’t fix my deficiencies her
ease give Gideon my congratulations, howev"

I have no idea but I think it means Gideon may win something.

13. This quote feel like somewhat heavy handed foreshadowing , though I may be wrong.
“You’re all right. Gideon, Gideon … you’re so young. Don’t give yourself away. Do you know, it’s not worth it … none of this is worth it, at all. It’s cruel. It’s so cruel. You are so young—and vital—and alive. Gideon, you’re all right … remember this, and don’t let anyone do it to you ever again. I’m sorry. We take so much. I’m so sorry.”
She would remember each word later, loud and clear. It seems to imply this is Dulcinea’s voice and does this impact your opinion of her?

I still don't trust her. I'm not sure why she said those words. She's up to something.


Bonus Question: The skulls on top of the chapters belong to each house but I have been unable to find any pattern or meaning to their order. Anyone think there is a purpose or pattern? Did I miss something obvious?

I haven't really paid attention to the skulls to make an opinion.

DQ’s Day Two: October 7, 2019
Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?

The ring is a key to something but not sure what. Harrow likes to have the upper hand and wants to figure out this puzzle without Gideon so she can hold it over her head.


7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?

I don't think it is speculative fiction. I think the Ninth is a poor area and Gideon has not had the social exposure to some of those things that others would take as granted.

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?

Gideon will need to watch her back. Those twins are sneaky. I want to see what the Twins super hidden powers are.


9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?

Oh, I think she has an ulterior motive but I have no idea what it is. I agree with previous people that she's not as weak as she wants everyone to believe she is. Why is she putting on such a show, though?

Day 1: Chapters 1-7

1. I love the world building this author does for her universe. I find it helpful in epic fantasies when authors give a little narrative upfront about the main characters in the story and their interrelationships. The world is very grey where Gideon lives - even her porridge is grey. Her arrival in this house as a baby from a woman that fell into the world was very auspicious. Gideon attempted to run away when she was four, and tried 86 times to run away by the time she was 18. What were your initial impressions of this world?

Dark and creepy. Not quite sure where this story is going to end up.

2. Harrow tricked Gideon when she talked about her offer of freedom. Gideon seemed to have the upper hand, but then Harrow won the fight through her earlier planning and planting that day. What do you think that says about their relationship?

I think that Harrow knew she needed to have a game plan in place before approaching Gideon. Maybe she knew Gideon would win if Harrow went into it without an advantage.


3. So Harrow wants Gideon to be her guardian as she travels to the other houses. Seems like a good opportunity to get off the Ninth, and become a Cohort. Gideon does take the position. Do you think that was a good choice for her?

I don't think Gideon had a choice. If she did, I don't think she would've taken it but it was the best option that she had to go with.

4. I liked when Gideon’s sword instructor said “anyone can learn to fight, not anyone can learn to think”. Do you think that Gideon needs to do more thinking than fighting?

I think Gideon needs help remembering to control her mind and use it in the fight instead of just fighting by instinct.

5. What do you think about the House of the First? The world seems like the exact opposite of the ninth in terms of light and sky, rather than everything grey. All the houses are there - do you think Gideon is going to get into trouble or save Harrow from trouble?

Oh, I feel that both of them are definitely going to get in trouble. The question is how much trouble?

I’m on chapter 19 and powering through. I didn’t like wilder girls at all and this one sure isn’t my usual reading style but I’m determined to make it through. I’ll post my answers probably tomorrow on the bom thread.

See I'll read a fluffy crappy romance over a sci-fi book any day. I'm next on the list for Gideon from the library and I really need it like tonight so I can read it before time is up. Now, I may need some wine to help me get through it when it shows up but I'll read it as long as I get it before the deadline.

I downloaded it and it's on my list. I'm not sure if I can get it done this week because I'm reading it here and there but I should be able to finish it by the end of next week. I'll try my hardest to see if I can get it done by Sunday but I already have two other books also.

Ohhhh, now that makes more sense. I was so going to find a book to get more points. I do have two books so far that have decent points though. I'll slowly start getting everything right. I'm trying to fit my books into multiple reading challenges because I may have a slight reading addiction so it's taking me a bit to get this all straightened out this week! At least I'm not searching for a black cat at the moment.

I found the list and a couple of the books on the bad books list I actually have read and gave high ratings. It's really interesting to see how different everyone's reading styles are. I'm going to see if I can find a good book on there for double points.

We are doing great! What are bad books?

I found a 800 page book that works for another challenge which has good points. I have a 500 page book and I'm looking for another one around 600 pages.

Cool I’ll stick with the plan of it being a book next week. I’m also looking for a good long book to help.

Whew! 500 points is a lot of points. I can probably read one more book by tomorrow if we need it that's 500 pages. I started reading it tonight in anticipation that it would be the first book that I finished for next week. I'm not sure how many actual points that it would be but its The Beast paperback edition. Just let me know if I need to get up early and finish it off. :) Oh, I have totally done that before with reading a book early and then going oh crap! Chestnut Man is still on hold at the library for me.

I had a little book I needed to read for another challenge but I went ahead and added it to the spreadsheet. It's not much points though. I checked and it doesn't fit any of the mini-challenges.