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

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

I'm hoping that maybe by the end of this first round I'll actually understand what is going on. Currently I feel like I sort of understand the roles. However, I think I'm glad I'm sitting this round out.

I was also surprised by that, but my library had it in the adult section, so it should not have been a surprise.

I saw her comment in the BR for Every Heart a Doorway. There are so many things to remember each time I post a completion post. I always feel like I'm missing something.

Flashes of War by Katey Schultz
Date: 5/27/18
Pages: 200
Rating: ★★★★

Spell Out
F - Title
K - Author
S - Author
These are short stories so I could go searching in each story for character names but since this is a green cover and I think it is being used for potions I'm not going to go through and get them.

Other
Arithmacy 161-350
Care of magical creatures - Location - Iraq, Afghanistan, Appalachia
Potion - 86.2 %Chalet Green (Green)
Transfiguration - Toy soldier on the cover transform into real soldier or something else into toy.

Book 1 Chapter 1 through 5

So it took me a while to figure out who the characters were and remember the story from the first book.

(view spoiler)[I'm surprised by the number of points of view we have in this novel so far. I don't remember the first novel jumping around so much. I'm sure it did though.

In the first novel I wondered how it could be a dystopian story. Now we are getting some answers. I still have a lot of questions. Where did the magic come from?

Kalsia spent a lot of the first novel being upset with being plain now she is becoming pretty. I'm am wondering if she is causing the change subconsciously. Also, I'm wondering if she is doing so as a result of her visions of Lily.

It will be interesting to see where the conflict between Mort and Tear go and between Kelsia and the Church.

I forgot how much I really enjoyed the first novel. (hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to reading Sumi's story. I'm fine starting whenever. I got a copy from the library, but it shouldn't be an issue to renew it if I need.

Team Severus Snape

✼Danielle✼ wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "Part II Chapter 8 - 9
I'm going to put everything I have to say about these chapters in spoilers because I don't want my opinion to influence someone else's feelings..."

That’s a good description..."

Exactly. I felt that way about the whole book.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Date: 5/26/18
Rating: ★★★
Pages: 189

Spell out:
A - Alexis
B - Dr. Bleak
D - Title
J - Jack and Jill MC
M - author
S - author

Classes:
Arithmacy - 160-350 pages
Care of Magical Creatures location - The Moors (dark and Gothic in many ways)
Defense against the dark arts - Vampire
History of Magic - Book 2 in series.
Potions - There is a chest on the cover that could maybe be used as a culdron

Buddy Read:
Thread
My first comment

Elen wrote: "Question:


[spoilers removed]"

I would choose (view spoiler)[Dr. Bleak. At least he isn't going to eat me and it seems like he cares enough to be involved. (hide spoiler)]

Part III Chapters 10 - 13
I've finally finished the book. I agree with what others have said, the first one was better.
(view spoiler)[I find it strange that I liked this one less. The distance the narrative style maintained made it hard to connect with the characters. I was able to connect with the characters in Every Heart a Doorway, but in this one I didn't connect with the characters. I didn't really care what happened to Jack and Jill. They were so summarized that even when I wanted to care I didn't really.
I wonder if Jack would have really forgiven Jill as much as it seemed like she did when we see them in the first book. I would have forgiven her if she killed the person I love. They weren't close but then again they never really were close.
The ending seemed fitting. However, I was curious what happened when they got back to the world with Jill dead. (hide spoiler)]

Part II Chapter 8 - 9
I'm going to put everything I have to say about these chapters in spoilers because I don't want my opinion to influence someone else's feelings.
(view spoiler)[I'm not really liking how everything feels like a summary of events. The section starts by saying it is going to get to the story, but I didn't feel like it got to the story. It felt like more summary to me. Yes, things happened, but I didn't care. I like it more when I care about the characters and what is happening to them. The writing is still beautiful, but I'm not liking this as much as the first novel.

Jill has become cruel, like the master. Jack is still worried about being dirty. I found it interesting how they still have aspects of what their parents expected of them. I am glad that the story has been mostly following Jack. However, I found both Jack and Jill to me more interesting characters in Every Heart a Doorway. I'm not sure there is enough time for this to really become a story. I get that some of the separation is just the fairytale style. However, it isn't working for me as well as it did in the first novel. (hide spoiler)]

Part II Chapter 4 - 7
In the first book I felt like there was a lot of set up for how short the story was. I feel the same way for what I've read of this book so far.

(view spoiler)[I just can't believe how horrible the parents are in this novel, the changing names was just ridiculous. I'm also surprise that Jack and Jill don't have more animosity towards each other after what they went through. I'm having a bit of trouble connecting with this story the way I did Every Heart a Doorway. I'm hoping this changes in the last section. Having read other's comments it seems like maybe it won't change. I'm curious to see if Jill ever feels any fear towards the Master. Right now she is very taken with being feminine. (hide spoiler)]

I plan to join as well. Hoping to get it from my library in time as well. I may join late if I don't get it in time.

Welcome to the team Cathy and Michelle.

Wow, V that's a lot of authors. Yay! So many fun new books to read. My TBR shelf might explode! 😜

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Date: 5/25/18
Rating: ★★★★
Pages: 512

Spell Out:
C - Caroline Ferriday MC
F - Caroline Ferriday MC
H - Herta Oberheuser MC
K - Kasia MC
L - Title
M - Author
O - Herta Oberheuser MC
P - Paul or Pietrik
Z - Zuzanna

Classes:
Arithmacy - 501 - 650 pages
Care of Magical Creatures - Location - New York, Poland, Germany, France



BOM:
Thread
Discussion Questions - Set 1
Discussion Questions - Set 2
Discussion Questions - Set 3
Discussion Questions - Set 4
Discussion Questions - Set 5

DQs Day 5
Chapter 38-47

29. What did you think about the relationship between Caroline and Paul? Was it a satisfying ending?
It was what I expected between Caroline and Paul. I don’t know that it was satisfying but it was the necessary ending. If they had ended up together it would have felt forced.

30. Which story was the most interesting to you, Caroline, Kasia, Herta? Why?
I liked Kasia’s story most. I think she was the one who changed the most over the course of the story.

31. “Lilacs only blossom after a harsh winter.” What did you think about the explanation for the title of the book?
I didn’t feel like it was quite what I wanted as the explanation of the title, but it works because the women from Ravensbruck were strong. It felt a little like the reference wasn’t strong enough for the title of the novel.

32. Many years later Herta wore Halina’s ring. Do you think she cared for Halina more than she would admit? Or do you think Herta was too cold hearted to really care about another person?
I thought that Herta cared for Halina much more than she admitted. I think Herta might have loved Halina. It was the only time in the novel when Herta shows any emotion.

33. Did you learn anything about WWII and the years after that you did not know before? If so, what?
I hadn’t really thought about what happened after the war was over and I had no idea that the women from Poland who were operated on came to America to received help.

34. Kasia got closure about her mother’s death. And in the end Kasia did positively identify Herta. Did you like the ending to the book? Would you recommend this book to others?
Kasia really needed some closure. If we hadn’t had that closure it would have not have been a very satisfying novel. I did like the end of the novel, for me it really made the book. Seeing that forgiveness was important. It is something that I have heard from other survivors and history. I think I would recommend this book.

Natasha wrote: "I love historical romance, especially Regency, Scottish, and Medieval."

Any favorite books or authors?

I really like Tessa Dare and Sarah MacLean.

V Nerd wrote: "Annalisa I'm not a historical fan but i love CoHo, read all of hers and usually end up in tears lol"

She is always good for a good cry.

Eldarwen wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "Question about Seeker: what if the book is one you have read recently? Also, I don't reread books...so many new ones I'd rather experience. Well there is one rather embarrassing ex..."


I wanted to read a book with the MC with my first name, so I went out and found one. Young adult, pirate romance.

What is your current favorite?

I've been enjoying Colleen Hoover a lot this year. I normally read more of the historical romance so it is a nice change to read contemporary.