Annalisa’s Comments (group member since May 04, 2018)

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

Completion Post
Book: The Little Red Chairs
Author: Edna O’Brien
Date: August 21

Updated on SS

I’ll probably finish Doomed to be Cannon Fodder: Book 3 on my lunch break.

Spin the dawn is on my shelf now.

I’m planning on finishing The Little Red Chairs tomorrow morning. Possibly I will finish Doomed to the Cannon Fodder book 3 at lunch. I’m not sure. I added it to the ss just in case I’m able to finish it before the deadline.

Completion Post
Book: Spin the Dawn
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Pages: 392
Date: August 20th
Letters: X, Y, S, E, N, O
BOM: Yes (links on the SS)
Task: Read a book tagged YA.

Updated on the SS

Completion Post
Book: Doomed To Be Cannon Fodder: Book 2
Author: Xiao Xiao Ye Yu
Pages: 279
Date: August 20th

Letters: X, Y, S, H

Updated on the SS

DQ 4 Ch 23-31

16. This journey to make the dresses seems to be mirroring a journey that Edan took earlier, do you think that this means Maia may have more magic than just her scissors?
I think she might. Although I finished the book already.

17. Are you enjoying the myths that are entwined within this story, do you think they play a greater role moving forward?
I like the myths that the author has added to the story. They add an interesting element.

18. In this section we have declarations of love between Edan and Maia, do you think the story needed this romance, and do you enjoy romance in your fantasy novels?
I don't think the story needed as much romance as we got, but I also don't mind romance in fantasy novels. This felt a little forced though.

19. Edan makes a deal with the demon to become guardian within the next year, and we learn that the demon was once Edan’s teacher…do you think Edan will be able to get out of this deal?
I already know the answer to this since I finished the book.

Day 5

20. The conversation between Maia and the monk at the monastery really resonated for me. This quote in particular 'Yet no matter how great their discord, they come to remember that harmony among them is greater.' It made me think about the strength and understanding that is needed through rough times in relationships. Are there any quotes that have stuck with you in a similar way?
I also really liked that quote. I don't know that anything really stuck out for me. It was a light YA novel and didn't go further for me.

21. Maia made a selfless wish for Edan to be free. Would you have done the same?
No I don't think I would have.

22. What do you make of Bandur saying she'll be turned into a demon and take his place? Is he lying and trying to take her current happiness or is it the plot for the next book?
I do not think Bandur is lying. It will play into the next book I'm sure.

23. Now we've reached the end, what are your thoughts about the book? Will you pick up the next in the series or is it a BOM one off? Currently I'm not convinced that I will pick up the next one.
I thought it was a nice light read. Parts of it annoyed me but over all I enjoyed the story. I'm not sure I will pick up the next book. I didn't have a real connection with any of the characters in this one.

Completion Post
Just realized that I forgot to post this earlier. Oops.

The Autobiography of Malcom X
Date: August 17th

Letters: X, T, A, H

on the SS

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 17-23

11. The second part of the book is set on a journey to obtain materials for the wedding dresses and is different from the first part, which was set in the palace. To me it seems that the author had to make both characters take this journey, so that she could make the romance between them work better.
Did you like the change of the setting? Or would you prefer if the plot had stayed in the palace and had more palace intrigues?
I do like seeing the world, but I agree that it feels like the author sent the characters out of the palace to up the romance.

12. Honestly, I don't believe that Lady Sarnai would be able to request such dresses for her wedding - her father and Khanujin had negotiated this marriage to ensure peace, so they wouldn't give her the power to try and delay or even to cancel the wedding. Do you think she would be able to request the dresses? Or would her father or the emperor interfere?
I don't know if she would be able to request it but I also think that Khanujin wants her to be happy in the hope that this will create peace. Also, since these dresses have such power maybe her father and the Emperor want the dresses.

13. I was surprised to see Norbu again - I thought he had been executed. Do you think it was the last time we saw him? Or will he play a further role in the story?
I wasn't surprised to see him again, and I expect he might be back. I didn't think he was executed. I'm not sure why I didn't think that but I was never under that impression.

14. I am not sure if I liked the chapters with Orksan and his people - Korin and Orksan immediately realising that Maia was a girl, everyone thinking Maia and Edan were a couple and demanding them to kiss, Vachir recognising Edan - it was all a bit too cliche. Did you like Orksan and Korin? Do you think it was the right choice to travel with them?
I was ambivalent to Orksan and Korin. I think it would have been weird if they didn't travel with them.

15. I am sure that Edan will be freed from the emperor somehow. How do you think it will happen? Will Lady Sarnai play some role in this?
Once it was mentioned that Edan could possibly be freed I also thought he would be freed at some point. This is a series so I don't think it will happen in this book. I don't know if Lady Sarnai will have anything to do with it.

I plan on finishing three more books. BOM Spin the Dawn, Doomed to be Cannon Fodder: Book 2, and The Little Red Chairs.

Spin the Dawn so far is not bad for me. Yes there have been parts that could have been better but really I’ve been enjoying it. It is a very easy read which I’m really enjoying. I like that it is fast paced.

So far we have had Mulan and Cinderella I’m wondering if there will be nods to others.

DQ 2

6. Well that is some strange competition. Do you find it reasonable or just silly?
I liked the competition until the fire. then I was a little annoyed and I felt like it was a bit rushed at the end of that part.

7. Well Lady Sarnai is definitely an interesting character. One moment she is strong and resilient and just a victim of court schemes, the next she is quite the arrogant, cold-hearted spoiled brat. It is hard to get a read on her. Do you think she is just acting the part or is she really going to be the villain in this story?
I think she will be a kind of villain. I'm not sure this is going to be a story with a clearly defined villain. I'm hoping it is a little more complex.

8. That was a lovely sabotage attempt. Kinda clumsy. Do you find it exaggerated? I mean, it is only clothing, it is possible to make a living even if they don't win, there will even be some fame for being one of the finalists. The victory is mostly just more fame and ego. Do you think it is worth the price? Injury or possible death for fame and status?
I don't know that it is worth the price, but I do see why one might compete for it. Not worth death though.

9. Oh boy. The moment of choice. And I feel like she made the wrong one. I would say let the royals rot in their war and petty squabbles. It is better for self-preservation to stay away from them all. Let the evil man get the position and enjoy apprentice status while you are still young enough to fool them you are a boy.Duh, logical. Do you agree with her reasons for staying? Or do you also feel she has made the wrong choice in not leaving?
I see why she wanted to stay. It wouldn't be much of a story if she didn't stay. I could see leaving being the right choice, but I don't know that it would have been one she would make.

10. Well... that went well. I am pretty sure I don't like any of them. The dungeon seems like a lovely place to be in. 40 seems an awful lot, but well... This book needed some blood to be even more mainstream YA Fantasy. Did you also have the "Ha, told ya it was a bad idea to stay" moment? One might assume the story would be over now, yet so many more pages left. Do you have any idea what else might possibly happen?
I'm guessing it has something to do with the opening we got before the story started. Can't remember exactly but weaving and sewing from the dawn and dark or something complected.

I haven’t read YA in a while and I only read the first days so far but I didn’t find it annoying like I do many YA novels. I thought it was easy to read and entertaining.

Day 1 DQs

1. In this world, women are not able to become tailors or inherit their father's business. It reminds me of the Victorian era in England (like Jane Austen times). Maia is a very talented tailor but cannot be that as a woman. Would you go to the lengths she did to hide her identity in order to fulfill her destiny? Can you think of any other women in history that had to do that?
It reminds me a little of Mulan, but of course that is fighting verse being a tailor. There are plenty of women who hid that they were women until they were discovered.

2. I felt so bad for Maia when someone ruined her shawl, but I loved that the magic scissors brought it back to life. Who do you think ruined her shawl? What else do you think those scissors can do? Did you anticipate that happening?
I think that Master Yindi ruined the shawl. I wondered what was special about the scissors and I'm glad this wasn't kept for such a long time. I didn't anticipate it happening but I knew she would have to fix the shawl some how.

3. There was a hawk that was following the carriage when Maia is taken to the palace, and that same hawk shows up outside Maia's window later on. Who do you think the hawk is? Is it the Lord Enchanter?
I think the hawk is the Lord Enchanter. It seems very likely given his interest in her.

4. Do you think the Lord Enchanter suspects that Maia is a girl and not a boy? I wonder because of his comment about her feet being so small and dainty.
I don't know if he suspects she is a girl, but I think he knows something isn't right.

5. I love the world building that has gone on so far. It feels like a real place to me. What is your favorite aspect of the book so far?
I like that the setting keeps up with the story. I'm also surprised to find that I enjoy the parts about being a tailor.

I noticed we don’t have a lot of books for tags. I found an audiobook I will try and finish that is tagged Ireland.

Completion Post
Book:
Date: August 16th
Pages: 421
Letters: A, E, H, S, O

Task: Read a book with a blue cover.

Melindam, I noticed you rated Much Ado About You 5 stars...Would you by chance recommend the book?


Completion Post
Book:
Author: Eloisa James
Date: August 15th
Pages: 400
Letters: T, A, E, G, H, I
Task: Recommended by a member of your team...or 114 Read a book set in the past.

Melindam wrote: "@Ora/Alison,

YES to both Cat/Text. :)

@Annalisa, if your is book clearly set in the future, that's OK. We don't need a date."

I think it is clearly set in the future after a nuclear disaster, but it could be some alternate timeline. I moved it to MPG Adventure since it could be argued it isn't set in the future.

Completion Post
Book:
Author: Kass Morgan
Pates: 323 (default I listened to the audiobook)
Date: August 14
Letters: O, G, T, W

Task: Set in the future...I never actually heard a date, but I thought it was set in the future. If you think that doesn't work, then it works for MPG adventure.

Completion Post

Title: Love, Come to Me
Author: Lisa Klaypas
Date: August 13th

Rest of the info is on the SS. Sorry doing post from my phone.

I’m going to probably use MPG Young Adult. I think I already used Retelling.