Sully ’s Comments (group member since Mar 23, 2015)

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

Up to Chapter 8

I'm a bit miffed with Adrian's behavior so far. Considering how much he claims to love Sydney, and how much he's tried to change in order to be worthy of her, you would think that he would be doing any and everything possible in order to track Sydney down and save her. Instead, (view spoiler)[it seems like he is mostly reverting to his old ways of drinking and partying. When Marcus finds the list of potential cities where Sydney's re-education center might be, I thought he would jump all over it. But instead, he's finding parties in Court to go to with Nina. (hide spoiler)] Very disappointing.

Sydney's re-education has been a bit lackluster as well. Considering what the last guy went through and how he came out, I expected wayyyyyy worse. Though the scene where (view spoiler)[she has to watch the happy Moroi while being conditioned was pretty messed up (hide spoiler)].

That's a good point about the political intrigue not developed well. I haven't even paid that much attention, but now that I think about it, I'm still not sure why the largest of the three systems was even interested in Asa's family's system. If the ecofuel didn't work and most of the planets in the system were destroyed by Blight, why would you even waste the resources trying to take power over them? What would they really have to gain?

That's a good point too about the Electorate and Asa having no knowledge (her excuse why is definitely flimsy). If those are the only three major players in galaxy/whatever and she is in the House, you would think they would be doing a heavy amount of opponent research and understanding their neighbors if tensions are high.

I don't understand Emmie's character, especially not her relationship with her sisters.

I will say the last little portion of the book brought back some of the gritty sci-fi/political intrigue, but at that point I think it's a case of a little too little too late. It's a shame, really, because the premise definitely had potential.

Up to Blood (pg 236)

No worries at all! It seems like a rather short novel (and font and spacing are large in my addition) and I've been reading in conjunction with other novels, so trying not to fly through it =)

I agree about the beginning, especially now that I am further along. On one hand, sometimes I like a vague introduction where you get hit the ground running at a loss and have to put the pieces together as you go. But I am a considerable way through now, and I'm still confused about some of the aspects of this novel. The Houses, for example, as you mentioned. The way they are used and portrayed don't make a whole lot of sense to me. I finally know the system up of the "world", but I have no idea why Houses rule their respective districts, why some are like monarchs and some are more like democracies, and how they got their rule in the first place.

I'm going to go out on a limb now and say that this isn't Earth's future, but it might still be our humanity far, far into the future. All of that is still unclear.

Asa hasn't really grown on me much, although I like Eagle a little bit more now.

The plot seems a little disjointed and not all that well pieced together. I'm having a hard time getting invested in it still because the only fundamental element of plot I really like is the arc between Asa and Wren, and it still hasn't been progressed to my liking. There's been a little bit of action in the plot, but not nearly enough for my liking given the world built with its political and economical instabilities.

Up to Truth, pg 120

Still not quite sure what to think of this novel yet. On one hand, I like how devoted Asa is to her sister and how much she is willing to sacrifice in order to protect/save her. That relationship between siblings is something I love seeing, even if - as is the case in this novel - it is rather one sided since Wren is unconscious.

On the other hand, I'm not too crazy with Elwood's execution thus far. The repetition of being a Fane/Daughter of Fane has already gotten a little old. And it's ironic that Asa keeps saying that Fane don't cry, Fane stay tough, etc. etc. but it seems like at least once a chapter/section, she is dissolving into tears.

I think the world shows a lot of potential, but the focus hasn't really been on building it yet. A lot of the focus is now on the faux relationship between Asa and Eagle, and leaning towards the romantic elements of the story instead of the sci-fi, which I would prefer.

I think I'm kind of 50/50 invested at this point.

This is an informal buddy read for anyone interested in discussing Inherit the Stars

This is an informal buddy read of Richelle Mead's Silver Shadows, starting Monday, February 22nd. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to do so =)

Yeah, that was more along the lines of my thought process as well. I thought someone from one of his classes might have found it or something.

I still think that (view spoiler)[Sydney and Zoe are going to be able to mend their relationship, but it's going to be a bumpy road. I think Zoe watching Sydney suffer through re-education might make Zoe rethink her blind alligiance to her father and the Alchemists. Plus, the driving lessons with Eddie have already helped a bit on the other end too I think (hide spoiler)].

Yeah, Monday is perfect! Looking forward to it ^^

Finished it last night!

It was definitely heavy on the romance and some of Adrian/Sydney's dialogue/internal thoughts were a bit over the top in my opinion, but they are well suited for each other.

I like the character development we get from Adrian, and how we get to see how the spirit effects him through his narration. I'm still not sure I completely like the addition of a second narrator, but I can understand why Mead introduces it, especially with the ending (view spoiler)[since it looks like a major plot of the next novel is for the gang to get Sydney out of reconditioning (hide spoiler)].

I agree that, for the most part, we've missed a lot of the action and fast paced nature that I remember for VA. I'm hoping that'll pick up some more in the last two novels.

I wish we'd seen more of the relationship between Sydney and Zoe, and even Sydney and her father. But after the ending, I can see why they didn't play much of a role. (view spoiler)[Zoe's feelings of isolation, I'm sure, are one of the reasons she turned Adrian's phone over the Alchemists when she found out, no matter how she feels toward Moroi in general (hide spoiler)]. I wasn't at all surprised either, but I hadn't exactly expected that (view spoiler)[Zoe was the one who found Adrian's phone right off the bat (hide spoiler)]

The ending definitely sets up for a potentially amazing plot for the next one.

When do you want to start Silver Shadows? I have another buddy read that starts today, but I could start it as early as Sunday depending on your availability/schedule =)

I can't believe I've fallen so far behind!

I'm midway through Chapter 13 and trying to get through it quicker so I can read the rest of your last comment.

Some additional thoughts so far:

- Zoe is a little irritating with her deep devotion to her father and her lack of concern/care for her mother, who is the one who stayed home and raised them. It's said, but I think it speak a lot about the character of Sydney's father (who I dislike even more!)

- the romance is definitely hitting hard between Adrian and Sydney. It's a little hard to stomach in some places and some of the thoughts/things they say seem a little cliche. But Mrs. T's relationship is a perfect comedic foil to their's, and I always find myself laughing every time it's brought up.

Back to read some more!

Up to Chapter 7

I also didn't see the Adrian at the top of the first chapter at first so it threw me for a loop. I wonder how that would work, if Adrian became shadow kissed with two different people. Would he share the bond with both and would they share it with each as well? Interesting thought, hmmm....

I'm a little worried the romance is going to take over, especially since it plays a lot on Adrian's mind and they are making a big topic out of sex. I'm hoping the plot stays balanced between all the different arc going on and doesn't just focus primarily on Adrian and Sydney. The relationship between Zoe and Sydney is definitely going to be an interesting topic. There's a lot of tension with everything they are going through, but I have a hunch that, over time, Sydney is going to be able to show Zoe the err of their Alchemist judgments, just as she's done herself.

Up to Chapter 3

Wow! What do you think of the dual narrators in this installment? I was definitely not expecting that. On one hand, it kind of scares me, because usually in a series when an author adds a narrator later on, it's usually because the first narrator dies in that book. I don't think Sydney is going to die here, but I'm wondering why?

Still, it's going to give us even more snarky Adrian, so it very well might be a plus. I just kind of hope we don't have to listen to him gush over Sydney the whole time, since I'm not as crazy about her as he is ;)

Yeah, I blazed through it too. It's just one of those books that you can't seem to put down once it gets started.

The invisibility spell just seemed a little too convenient. I'm sure she is going to get herself in a few more tight binds before the series is over, but that she - somehow - won't have that spell anymore, in order to develop the plot the way Mead wants. So I agree it was a little too perfectly pulled off.

I think Zoe (view spoiler)[was brought in to 1) create tension between Sydney and Adrian, 2) make Sydney second guess all the decisions she's been making that had branched her away from the Alchemists and 3) just put everyone on edge. But I do hope that Sydney is able to mend the relationship with her sister and can hopefully "unbrainwash" her as well (hide spoiler)].

I'm not sure what to think about Neil yet, but I agree. It ought to have stressed her out.

I definitely think the plot of this one is the best so far, bar none. All the elements Meads has laid the groundwork for finally start becoming main factors.

Hi Mods,

Can Sarah and I please have a buddy read thread for starting Saturday (13th)?

Thanks!

Awesome, I'll request a thread. Let me know what you think of this one when you finish =) Hope this week is a little less hectic for you!

Sarah wrote: "Sorry! I've been so busy in the last few days I haven't had a chance to start it yet :( I'll have it finished by Thursday though because I'm using it in a group challenge."

No worries, I know how that goes! Do you want to start The Fiery Heart this weekend/Saturday, or do you want to wait until you've gotten through Indigo Spell to see how your scheduling is holding?

What do you think so far? My back is still a little jacked but doing better for sure =)

Sarah wrote: "You're quick! I haven't gotten a chance to start yet but I'm hoping to get to it today."

Yeah, I've had massive back/neck problems this weekend so been laid up in bed reading almost all weekend. Sorry to buzz right through it!

Up to Chapter 8

I can't quite put my finger on why, but Sydney's annoying me a little this time around. I think it's the internal dialogue about (view spoiler)[the whole Adrian situation. And I see the route Mead is taking and it makes logical sense, but Sydney's constant obsessing over it is starting to bug me a little. Like how she brings up, over and over, the fact that Adrian promised not to mention The Thing even though he's completely right and she's the one who keep referring to it (hide spoiler)].

I thought the whole airport sense was predictable, but the crossword thing was cute.

I'm also not sure how I feel about Sydney's ever growing involvement with magic. She's supposed to be super against it, and she keeps saying she is, but she puts up almost no fight about Mrs. T other the whole sister situation, which seems to go against everything she says. I don't know.

I like the Marcus story arc better so far. I think it's going to be interesting what happens with that group. I think Sydney is definitely going to be rethinking her allegiances to the Alchemists in this novel. I predict that (view spoiler)[she and Adrian are going to get together by the end of this book (hide spoiler)].

What do you think so far?

Sarah wrote: "I think Sydney talked to Stanton about it and she didn't seem to have a lot of information about the Warriors of Light. Basically that they're a group that stemmed off from the Alchemists, but it seems like the Alchemists didn't really take them seriously, or see them as a possible problem. Perhaps, the Warriors just got bigger than they ever expected. "

Now that you say that, I kind of remember reading it (the hazards of multitasking. I read it, but can't always remember it!)

Finished it today =) The ending with Sydney and Adrian was kind of surprising, but at the same time Mead spent enough time developing the characters that it feels true to both of them. I would have been disappointed if (view spoiler)[Sydney had given into Adrian's whims right then and there. I still think she will eventually, but she has all these walls she's built around herself with her teachings with the Alchemists that I think it's going to take some time, even though she's already starting to cross some of the barriers that the others in her group believe in (hide spoiler)].


Sarah wrote: "Angeline is definitely different from where we last updated, but I feel like there might be more that she's hiding. I want to know more about Keepers in general so I'm hoping we might get more of that in a later novel."

I'm still not the biggest fan of Angeline. Her character just doesn't seem "real". She's got some development, but it doesn't feel authentic. And the (view spoiler)[love triangle developing between Eddie, Angeline, and Jill is a little annoying, just because I really don't understand Eddie and Angeline at all. That you irritate me, but suddenly now I find that attractive. (hide spoiler)]. Granted, Angeline shows that development, but I still wasn't the biggest fan of that development.

Overall, I think I'm on par with how I liked the first one. There is still a lot of development going on in layers, so I'm thinking the series is going to get better and better as Mead develops these parts later on that she's laying the foundation for now - the Warriors of Light, the Keepers, the magic Sydney's learning from Mrs. T, and of course Adrian.

Looking forward to the next one this weekend =)