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

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

Eldarwen wrote: "Rosemary and Rue works for:

HP#1
Task 1 - 1.3 Read a book with “troll” in the title or text (there's mention of a Bridge Troll in the first chapter)

HP #3
Task 3 - Write a Report on Werewolves
3...."

It's not that I don't trust you, but I did not see Troll in the text when I was reading. I'm hoping you have a way of searching the text to find it because I just didn't see it. I've been looking for trolls too.

Chapters 6-13

7. During these chapters we meet Devin. What are your thoughts on him? How do you feel about the things he does to these runaways? October claims they used each other but love each other all the same. What do you think of their relationship? He searched for her for 10 years when no one else cared enough to.
I thought Devin was an interesting character, at least what we have seen of him so far. I don't know that I'm getting a great feel for any of the characters so far. I think he helps the runaways in the way they need, seems odd to us. Devin and October seem to have a relationship that is closer than we have seen with her other interactions.

8. Winterrose did a lot for October - more then she ever knew. She kept her Home safe while she was missing. Why do you think that was? How was it that Evening cared so much for October when it's clear that October kept pushing her away?
I think Evening was a good fae and she cared about others. Maybe in a strange way, but seeing as she is the one October reached out to when she wasn't a fish anymore it makes since she would care for October and what October values.

9. After October's visit with Devin she gets trapped in fog caused by a rose goblin. The goblin hands her the key that Evening gave away right before she was murdered. By using the key October found the Hope Chest which she assumes is why Evening was murdered. The Hope Chest give a changeling the ability to become Pure Blood. If Evening had this why do you think she never told October or offered it to her?
I'm sure their must be some draw backs to the Hope Chest. Also, it seems like no one really knows what it does. I think Evening was protecting it, but it may not be the reason she was killed. I think if she had offered it to October, October would have refused.

10. October gives the chest to Tybalt for keeping, making him promise to protect it for her. What do you think of him so far? I think his relationship with October is so interesting. To me, it seems like he cares about her even though October keeps saying there is nothing but hate between them. He's like a little boy teasing the girl he likes mercilessly because he's embarrassed he likes her. :)
Tybalt is an interesting character. Again, I don't know that I really have a good feel for him. He seems like a cat, devious and playful.

11. It seems as if October's magic is becoming easier for her to do. Do you think the Hope Chest has already affected her? Do you think it will ever wear off?
I wondered if it was the Hope Chest, but I also wondered if it was the binding the Evening put on her. I think what ever it is that it will wear off.

12. We finally meet Sylvester and his family? What do you think of them? Connor seems like a strange guy to figure out to me!
I liked Sylvester and Luna. I'm not so sure how I feel about Raysel, and Connor seems like he regrets his choice as a result I'm not sure I like him.

Kathleen I saw you finished Rosemary and Rue. What did you think? I'm through chapter 5 and it is a slow read for me. Nothing like we Wayward Children series which I loved. I'm really hoping I can finish it before book of the month points for it end.

The maze needs a contemporary genre with odd number of pages.

Set 1: Prologue to chapter 5

1. What strikes me is the heartlessness of the fae, or perhaps a better way to say it is their lack of humanity. That curse was so cruel: October was spelled into becoming a fish, and the spell stuck for 14 years, twice the length a human is held in the fae hollow hills. Do you think there is any relevance to the amount of time the spell lasted? Why do you think October calls the 6 months after she emerges from the spell her penance?
I don't know that there is any significance to the time the spell lasts. 14 years is a long time to be away though. The six months after being called her penance, maybe because she is letting herself wallow because she feels like she should not have been caught.

2. The daughter's name is Gilly and her mother was turned into a fish? Seems like someone should have seen that coming. Ok, the question: If Gilly is a quarter fae, doesn't that make her a changeling as well? If 14 years has passed, it seems she didn't need to make the choice, or she chose human - do you think the choice has been made? What do you think about a daughter not wanting to see her mother - even with just a quarter fae, wouldn't there be some things that are strange in her life? Wouldn't she want some answers?
I don't think Gilly has to make a choice. For some reason I think only halfbloods have to make the choice.

3. I laughed at the comparison of cats to Sidhe, "...where both sides said, "I don't need you," and both answered, "You'll still stay." How many cat caretakers (as one never OWNS a cat) out there agree? (Non-cat people: feel free to chime in. ;)
Cats will be cats.

4. In these few opening chapters, we are introduced to two characters, Tybalt and Evening, both of whom October seems to have a hate/love or love/hate relationship with, while there is still some sort of a bond. Do you think this typical of the fae, or just October?
I think it is typical of October. I think maybe fae have some hardness but I don't think they all act like October. I think she is doing a good bit of sulking and blaming for her past.

5. After 5 chapters, I am having a hard time understanding October. I know she is a changling and so only half human, but I don't understand why she doesn't go to her child. I am hoping there is more context about her pre-fish years so I have a better view on why she makes the choices she makes. What is your take on October?
I think I can understand why October isn't going to her daughter. My guess is she hasn't changed and her daughter will. She took the first step and reached out. I think she isn't ready for force herself on her child yet.

6. When October relives Evening's death, she hears Evening say about her: "...she'll find what's been left for her to find, she'll end this mockery at last." What are your guesses about what the "mockery" is? Do you think it has something to do with why the Queen of Mists won’t help find Evening’s killer?
I think the mockery is a feud among the fae. I don't think it has anything to do with theQqueen, but maybe it has something to do with the disappearance of the Duke's wife and child.

I have a feeling we may find that we a close to done with characters. There are a lot of books not used for anything right now. That might be a good thing though means we can focus more on the Tri-Wizard.

I find the Maze very interesting. I'm curious about the traps. It's bad but I kind of hope we hit the teleportation one.

I have a slight preference for book 7 but either will work.

After we finish these initial 36 books we can fill in the rest of the tasks for all the books or just the books we selected?

I'm going to try and read Rosemary and Rue before the book of the month ends, not sure I will get there or not. The fact that it is different from other urban fantasy you have read makes me inclined to give it more of a chance.

Are you enjoying Rosemary and Rue? I read the first bit last night. It is very different from her other books, which I mostly loved.

Sorry I only got to look at book one yesterday. I'll have more time this evening.

Here is what I have for Book 1:
Task 1 -
5 words in title options: The Viscount Who Loved Me
Task 3 -
Would depend but I have lots of books. Any of them could work.
Task 4 -
Predominatly green cover A Crown of Wishes TinEye 66% green
"Devil in the title The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

I may have to try the audio for the last book. I still think they are such visual books that I have a hard time imagining they would translate to audio. However, everyone says the audiobooks are amazing. Thanks for giving a comparison of them.

Don't worry it won't be to fancy. I'll aim for good enough. 😜

But to find other books and where they fit the computer with tabs and to side by side pages makes it so much easier. I know my other library books will fit. I'm pretty sure I have a white cover but I'll have to check. I'm going to be reading a lot of mind candy after I finish these last few fantasy reads. I need to start Rosemary and Rue for BOM. Hoping I can finish quickly. Has anyone here read it? Did they like it? I am hesitant because of the Urban Fantasy tag.

If that is the case then I can cover "Devil" in title. I'll make it look pretty and have a link when I'm home and have more functionality. I'm sure I'll find more things I have that will fit other places as well.

Thanks. I'm not sure why I didn't get that from what I read the first time. So we need 36 books initially.

Within a book (1-7) you have to complete 9 tasks to get credit for it. At least that is what I understood, I could be wrong.

I'm going to have to do this on my computer. I looked at the tasks on the spreadsheet, as that loads better on my phone. I don't see anything that immediately jumped out as fitting. I just started an audiobook that would work, but I already started it, The Devil In the White City.

That book would work for the number task. The pictures started loading and I couldn't read it anymore so I'm not sure which it was. Maybe the last book.

Are tasks up? I also have most of my books for the next month. I read over the tri-wizard announcement page but didn't see anything saying what tasks were yet.

I agree the ending (view spoiler)[is difficult. I took a night to sleep on it and I still don't know. Now I think it fit. I still don't find it satisfies me though. (hide spoiler)]