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

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

Row (view spoiler)[ I'm also not sure what Kelsea does to Row. It almost seemed to me like he turned into a black oil. Were there bugs? I don't remember the bugs. It would have been nice to know what Rows crossing power was. I think it had something to do with two faces, but I was never really clear. (hide spoiler)]

The rest of the ending - (view spoiler)[ I was pretty happy with the ending we have with Katie taking charge after she sees both Jonathan and Row are dead. It was after that that I started wondering. I felt like the world Kelsea wakes up in was almost to neat. Maybe that is just the way Kelsea sees it because it is so different from her world. However, it felt a little too neat. I did see the author trying to hint that it wasn't perfect, but it just seemed a little to idealistic. You are right Kelsea needs to find something new to live for. I think at the end Carlin reaching out to her is the start of that, at least I'm taking it as the start otherwise the ending was just to sad for Kelsea. I also wondered a little what the rest of her guard was now, but I know they author couldn't show us everyone. I'm also very glad I finished the series. I think in many ways this was a very strong book. The ending was a little "what?" though. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just starting this now. I really like the writing style and how we get a little more of the opening fight at the beginning.

The first chapter is wow. (view spoiler)[I'm glad we get Apple's perspective on leaving her assignment and going to Kettle. I'm feeling like this book might have a stronger opening than Red Sister and I really liked that opening. (hide spoiler)]

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
Date: July 28
Pages: 478
Rating: ★★★★

Letters
A - Aisa (character)
C - Carlin Glynn (character)
D - Daniel (character)
E - author
F - title
G - Glee (character)
H - Captain Hall (character)
J - author
K - Kelsea (character)
M - Mace (character)
P - Pen (character)
R - Red Queen (character)
T - Father Tyler (character)

Buddy Read
Thread
Comment
It has been mostly me and one other person talking about the book.

I finished the book last night.
(view spoiler)[I really liked the book through chapter 14. There were a lot of reveals that were somewhat expected. I liked that Kelsea and William Tear spoke when she uses the sapphire to enter time. From there I wasn't exactly sure what would happen. Chapter 15 was pretty good as well until the half way point. However, I still have some questions that I wonder about. I didn't ever get what Row Finn had become or was and I think that was a bit important. Also, Katie doesn't have any power but she had the glowing stone when she was fleeing early on, was that Kelsea's presence then? And why was Kelsea able to draw on that stone. Then there is the ending where Kelsea wakes up in a world where she is not the queen and only she has memories of the past that isn't anymore. At that point Kelsea is so alone, I know it echos the Gavin's position living for hundreds of years, but I didn't really care for the happy but sad ending. I liked the book and I'm glad I read it I just don't know how I feel about the world of idealism that Kelsea ends up in. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ I was a bit sad to see the Red Queen die. Kelsea did her a kindness ending her before whatever it is that Row has took her over. I want to know what they are? (hide spoiler)]
Into Book III now.

Suzanne wrote: "Through chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ The Red Queen's power is deteriorating a lot faster than I would have guessed. She's still evil, but a more sympathetic evil.

Also, those children are spooky! (hide spoiler)]"

I've also finished through chapter 9 now. This is moving quickly. (view spoiler)[I agree the children are really creepy. I really want to know what happened to make them that way. Also, Row and the Fetch and I'm guessing the rest of the guard are without death. What happened? So many questions. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "Through Chapter 7 - just a small thought (view spoiler)[ I think it is interesting - and true, that since Kelsea has seen into the Red Queen's mind she has developed some empathy for her. It really is hard to hat... (hide spoiler)]"

I agree. (view spoiler)[It does seem like she has more empathy. I like seeing this other side of the Red Queen. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "I just finished Book I which is through chapter five [spoilers removed]

There is so much happening here. I hope it gets satisfactorily completed."

Oh wow, I never thought about ..."

(view spoiler)[The Fetch mentions Row's sapphire. Either he found one somewhere or one was made. I think I remember from the last novel that the sapphire the found in the Fairwitch Mountains didn't have power that has lead me to think that maybe the sapphires with power are different. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Book I which is through chapter five (view spoiler)[and I'm thinking we just saw Row's dark side. I am confused as to why he would show it or why he is digging in the grave yard. If it is even him that chased Katie after their disagreement. I'm wondering if Katie and now Kelsea through her have a power to change stones into sapphires. (hide spoiler)]

There is so much happening here. I hope it gets satisfactorily completed.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix can be used for astronomy. There is a constellation named Phoenix.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoen...

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
Date: July 27
Pages: 252
Rating: ★★★★★

Character Letters
A - title
E - Extraordinary Voyages (series)
F - Phileas Fogg (character)
J - author
P - Phileas Fogg (character)
V - author

I'll check out the series and see if I like it. The description for the first book sounds like it could be something I would enjoy.

Shadowsong got put on the back burner until the challenge is over. I started it during uno. I did enjoy Wintersong. I think I liked the musical aspect of it. I know some of it is I read it at the right time.

That one looks interesting, but I haven't read it. I think I might need a YA break. As the last few I read I found myself being very critical.

I really like the Throne of Glass series, but I didn't car for the first book in the other series. Glad to know I'm not the only one who doesn't care for it.

I just finished Chapter 2 and so far I am really liking this. I wish I would have started it sooner. Sorry to have been slow Suzanne. I was/am reading a few books that have been a bit of a slog. One is finished now and I'm going to put the other one off until I finish this.

Thoughts through chapter 2: (view spoiler)[I liked the prologue with Fetch and Row. It gave some history that we didn't know. After reading the part with Katie I went back and looked that the prologue again to get the characters straight. I'm a bit surprised that Kelssea has not made the connection between Row in her vision with Katie and Row who visited her through the fire. I am guessing we will get an explanation of this.

I'm also interested in one of the sapphires being Row's sapphire. I assumed that the second one was also William Tear's but I guess we only ever see him with one. That makes me wonder about the history of the sapphires. Also, if they found one in this new world how did William Tear get the first one. Anyway I have lots of questions and I'm sure as I keep reading they will be answered. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "Chapter 2 [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree with your spoiler. Glad we don't live in the Tearling.

I've updated my completion posts with characters. There were less of them than I thought or I missed some.

Another thing about The Power is that the ending was a bit weak. I liked aspects of it, but for the most part I wasn't satisfied with how it ended. I would have given it less stars than 3 but I was engaged by the idea.

The story that the author creates for the Zombies, Run! app is much more interesting and the characters are relatable. Also, it motivates me to get out and walk, jog, or run.

The Power is a strange book. I enjoyed the time I wasn't reading it, but was thinking about it more than when I was reading it. I'm glad I read it, but it was not a great book. In many ways it was unsatisfying. Characters where only slightly relatable and I vacillated between feeling ambiguous about them to disliking them. The idea was the best part of the book. I can't really recommend it, but at the same time I'm glad I read it.