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

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

DQs Day 5 (Chapters 26 -End)

19. Earlier, Eduardo seemed like a fine person to me despite Montgomery's reservations. In these last chapters, he had a stark change in character or his true nature came out. Did you expect him to turn out like this? Do you think he might have been a good husband to Carlota if she were not a hybrid?
I did not care for Eduardo. He seemed like a spoiled brat. I was not surprised at all as he changed at the end.

20. Dr. Moreau was not a great father throughout the book but his last moment touched my heart. Do you find his love for Carlota redeeming enough for his character? Or would you categorize him as a villain?
It was not redeeming enough for me. I still think of him as the villain.

21. Carlota became more jaguar-like as the story drew near its end, and she finally embraced that part of her in the climactic scene. I somehow expected her physical changes to be more lasting and prominent afterward and maybe have a lifestyle closer to a jaguar which evidently didn't happen. Anyone else had an odd expectation like this or something else that you expected to happen?
I did wonder if something like that would happen, but thought it was very unlikely.

22. How do you feel about the relatively open-ended epilogue? Do think Carlota would be reunited with the other hybrids? Will Montgomery come back into her life at some point? Do you think Moreno-Garcia kept the option for a sequel open?
I hope they are reunited. Mostly though I hope Montgomery finds peace. He was the only character in this I liked at all. I didn't feel like there was an opening for a sequel. Not enough there to have one in my opinion.

DQs: Day 4 Ch 19-25

15. Welcome to the penultimate set of chapters! A lot of revelations came to light in this set of chapters: did any of them surprise you? If so, which ones?
None of them were really a surprise. Maybe Carlota having a mother who birthed her a little bit. That was sad.

16. Montgomery and Carlota finally seem like they are going to make love but Montgomery stops this from happening. Do you think he made the right choice? Why or why not? Also do you think they’ll still get together in the end?
Montgomery made the right choice. Carlota was upset and looking for comfort it would have ended in regret for both of them. I have a feeling they will end up together, maybe not as lovers, but at least as companions.

17. It looks like Dr. Moreau is going to die by the end of the book. In the original novel and adaptations Dr. Moreau is a villainous figure. Do you think he is portrayed as a villain in this book or do you think he has redeeming qualities?
For me he feels like a villain. Only redeeming quality was Carlota and I don't think he truly cares for her as he portrayed.

18. Carlota is given a key to the laboratory. What do you think she will find there? Also any predictions for the end of the book?
I'm guessing she is going to find information on his experiments. I hope she burns them.

DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?
I think Carlota should question her own nature. However, the fact that she doesn't is interesting. I do think that her having the other senses heightened is a clue but I don't know that I think Carlota was born a hybrid, however; she might be becoming one from her treatment.

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?
Montgomery is the only character in the story that I think is fleshed out and developed enough to be really interesting. I wish the other characters were more developed. People are at times conflicted and this is believable to me.

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?
No, not alone at all. I feel like most of the characters are lacking.

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?
I didn't really find it believable but it wasn't completely unrealistic. I couldn't be bothered to care unfortunately. I think Carlota is probably unable to have children. Either because of her childhood illness or if she is a hybrid because of that.

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?
I think it could and likely will turn dark. I almost hope it does. For me it needs to have a something happen to redeem it and I just don't see that coming.

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).
I don’t feel like Carlota has grown up as much as I would have thought. However she is very isolated so maybe that accounts for the lack of maturity. I can see that she has grown some as has Montgomery aged.

7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?
I do not care for the way the story is told and the repeating of certain information. At first I was really confused now I’m just annoyed.

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?
I thought it was given that she would be attracted to them. Maybe not sexually but interested in them because they are young and she is too and she hasn’t had a chance to really interact with others her age before.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?
Seems about right. The development needs to happen somehow.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?
I’d want wings.

Snowtulip wrote: "Annalisa wrote: " all came in recently. I already read [bookcover:The Princess and ..."

I finally got to In the Lives of Puppets. It was really good. I took my time reading it and enjoyed it. The characters were very fun and I ended up liking all of the main characters.
I did find that the author note at the end odd because he seems like he wanted the book to be something different than it ended up being. Makes me wonder what that was.

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.
I have not seen the movie or read the original novel or any other retellings.

2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?
Initially I thought she was the hybrid because she was European and Mexican. I didn't realize that there was another kind of hybrid yet.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?
I did think his reasoning was a little strange for staying, but maybe this was as good a place as any for him to stay.

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....
I didn't even think of this. That is curious and something that will hopefully be touched on more.

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?
And a bonus, Am I the only one that is sad that we're jumping 6 years? I wanted to see the fall out from the incident.
I'm guessing that something will happen with the hybrids and that there is a moral message that carries over from Wells into this story. I didn't start the next chapter yet so didn't realize we were jumping six years but I think that having a more mature Carlotta will be a good thing.

Cordelia wrote: "Is it too late to read and get DQ points for Kings of the Wyld?"

If you are able to finish it before June 2nd and answer at least three sets of DQs, yes we can still get points.

Kimberly wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "I'm going to be traveling to Iceland at the end of May beginning of June and am not sure if I'll be able to check on the thread. I'll be reading though.

Anyone on the team been to..."

Blue Lagoon is on the list. Trying to decide if we start the trip there or end the trip there.

I'm going to be traveling to Iceland at the end of May beginning of June and am not sure if I'll be able to check on the thread. I'll be reading though.

Anyone on the team been to Iceland and have anything I shouldn't miss? We rented a camper van and are planning on driving the ring road so we have more flexibility to see the country.

Jenn wrote: "I will start on Night Broken which is on Elderwan's shelf"

I finished a book yesterday that is on the SS that Eldarwen read.

DQs - Day 7
Chapters 47 - end

32. So not only did some of the Vanguards come to help rescue Rose, but they even patched up Clay. What did you make of the unguent that Tiamax gave Clay? And would you submit yourself to the same thing if you were in a similar position?
I thought it was kind of on par for the world here in that we will find a solution for everything. If I were to loose a limb I would submit to having it regrown.

33. What did you make of the “fight” with Akatung? Was the dragon everything you expected given how much hype it got earlier in the book?
I expected more from the dragon but I did like that he got sent to Artic (or Atlantis).

34. What did you think of Gabe’s speech at Kalador? Was it a lot of pretty words? Or did it evoke something more? And were you surprised by the reaction the attendees of the War Fair by the end?
I liked Gabe's speech. It seemed like he meant what he said and he wasn't wrong that if they wanted to be real heroes and real bands they needed to do something and this was something.

35. After having such a presence all book as this near impossible to kill villain that had planned everything down the most minute detail, did you feel that Lastleaf’s end was what he deserved?
I thought that Lastleaf died on the sword and not by hoard. However, I don't know why he would have brought his mother back if he knew her pain. That was horrible and I'm pretty sure what happened. So I think dying by his own hoard would have been horrible but I think he killed himself on the sword.

36. And finally what were your final feelings on the book? Were you satisfied with the ending? Was Kit’s small excerpt about how the Siege of Castia ended enough or did it leave you wishing to read more about the various bands that participated in the battle?
I felt like the ending was maybe a little fast but I did like it. I would have liked a little more about the different members of Saga. I wasn't sure exactly why Ganelon made the choice he did. I assume the she he mentions is Larkspur but not sure why he decides to go back to being rock. Maybe in book to this is covered.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Day 6

27. We finally get Lastleaf's backstory in full, and his motives become clearer. What did you think of the fact that he is technically one of the human's Gods (not actually a god, but a being that through myth and legend has been elevated to one over time)? Did you see Shadow's treachery coming?
I did find it interesting that Lastleaf and his family are considered gods by the humans. I guess it makes sense because they came back from the dead. Yes, I saw Shadow's treachery coming.

28. Another battle, and Clay has a mental dig at Moog for not being much use in a battle. Poor Moog. do you feel that maybe Clay and the others underestimate Moog at times?
I think that Moog is underestimated, but I know that Clay and the others do value him. Maybe just not as much during a battle.

29. Moog rigs up a magical "telephone". If you were in Rose's situation, would you want to know of the rescue attempt (unlikely as it seems it would be successful), or would you prefer not to know? (a very slight hope vs the knowledge that your loved ones are putting themselves in danger because of you)
I think like Rose I would have not wanted them to come. However, I would want the hope even if it was a small hope.

30. Owlbear cubs! What mythical creature do you think would make a good pet?
I'm trying to think of a mythical creature that isn't big and is appropriate for a pet, and I can't think of one.

31. "You're a hard man to kill, Clay Cooper"
"But I'm easy to hurt"
I think it says a lot about clay that he can plummet from a bridge, spare a moment for a dying fiend, show incredible endurance catching up with Larkspur and still see the humanity in the woman that cut off his hand. Superman or just plain stubborn? Truly good person, or in denial about how the world really is?
I think Clay is a good person but also I think he wants to see the best in others because if he can't how can he believe the best about himself?

DQ Day 5
Chapters 31-37

22. The band choose to land to search for Matrick and eventually find Matrick, Larkspur and a Witch Doctor. Did this surprise you?
I was not surprised that they found Matrick and Larkspur. Seemed to early in the story to have a "main character" die. This isn't Game of Thrones. I did expect them to come across more horrible things while finding them.

23. Larkspur in her fall has lost her memory and now goes by the name Sabitha. After her drug induced sleep she recounts her dreams to Clay of snippets from her past. Does this put her actions in a different light? When she recovers her memory do you think she will revert back to her how she was before the fall?
The recounting of her early memories does explain a lot about her childhood and how she became who she was. I did feel more compassion for her. I like Sabitha a lot more then Larkspur so I hope if she does get her memories back she stays a little more Sabitha.

24. We meet Gregory and Dane during our visit to the Cannibals. What are your thoughts on how Gregory describes events to Dane?
That was sweet and Dane is lucky. I did wonder if he knows more than he lets on or if his brother has kept him sheltered and innocent.

25. I’m loving the magic bag in this section. What meal would you have it magically produce?
I'd love to have gluten free versions of some foods that I haven't been able to eat since gluten became a problem for me. Good bread, cake (though I've recently made some pretty good ones), and I'm sure other things I can't currently think of.

26. It seems there is a cure for Rot. How do you think this will effect Moog in the long term?
In the long term I think he needs to heal from the loose and he might be able to, but I see him dedicating himself to trying to heal anything and everything that has the rot.

DQ Day 4
Chapters 22-30

16. The Maxithon, now that was an adventure. Was this what you were expecting was going to happen? What did you make of the fight?
I did expect the Maxithon to be a huge spectacle and expected the beast might be one we were familiar with. For some reason I did miss it being a floating bowl on the river. Why would you build something like that that floats? It really doesn't make since to me.

17. We meet yet another one of the old bands - what did you make of Vanguard? They seem a little friendlier at least than Raff's band. Did you expect them to say no? Or would you have thought they'd team up with Saga?
I did not expect them to team up with Saga. I expected them to say no. Saga is going to what everyone assumes is a death sentence. No thank you.

18. Saga seems to have had a rather large amount of unfortunate bards. I can't help but wonder what they're going to lead Kit into, or do you think that maybe Kit will truly be the first ever bard of the band who will actually survive the adventure? Kit is supposedly unkillable after all, so maybe they're going to be lucky? What are your predictions on Kit's life expectancy as bard of Saga?
I like Kit and I really do hope that he makes it through this adventure with Saga. Maybe the only one to survive...

19. Are you enjoying the writing style of the book? What about the story in general?
I did not expect to like to story or the writing from the first chapter. However, I am enjoying it. It is very different than most of the fantasy I read. I'm very amused by all of the fantasy "monsters" or "creatures" that are showing up. I think the author did a google search of fantasy creatures and thought "I'll use them all."

20. The Heartwyld beckons! We are going to get a closer glimpse at this mysterious forest. What are your expectations?
I think we have to get a closer look.

21. Oh my word, someone went overboard! Over the forest! With the daeva no less. Makes me wonder if the band will be intact for much longer. Or could the daeva potentially not have killed Matrick, or intend to take him back to Lilith so she can kill her beloved husband herself? There was this one moment where it looked as though the daeva may let them be, seeing that they're on their way to rescue someone's daughter, so a noble feat in a world that seems to have kicked Larkspur all her life. Maybe? Yes? No? Am I alone in thinking something like this?
I don't think Matrick is dead and I hope that Larkspur has a change of heart or maybe didn't make it. However, I think something is going to happen and Matrick will be found. He's already kind of died once so a second time isn't much more.

Same I love the Ravenel’s. Somehow I missed this books release date. I’m probably going to start it this evening even though it is the most recent addition.

I’ll let you know about In the Lives of Puppets. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea but didn’t like Under the Whispering Door as much.

all came in recently. I already read , but in the last week and a half they have all come in and a few I've been waiting months for.

Two color covers I think so that at least is good.

All my library holds seem to be coming in at once. Not sure why that happens but do always seem to come in bunches.

DQ Day 3
Chapters 16-21

11. The fight with Raff's old band (who looked like clowns) that ended with snakes is one of the first times we see the almost full band working together. What did you think of this scene? Did you like the action or was it confusing?
I thought that the action was engaging. I have a feeling we are going to be seeing Moog digging in his bag a lot. I was not confused.

12. So the hoarder kobolds - I thought they were great! And the bird-like creatures pulling the carriage. Do you have a favorite creature you've seen so far, or one you'd like to see? Tell why.
I am curious that we really haven't seen any creatures outside of the cities. They have been wandering down roads and none have been seen. I guess the bands cleaned them out. I did like the birds pulling the carriage. I'm also intrigued by the gorgon and wonder if there will be more.

13. I think in the last half of this section we really start understanding what a big deal the Kings of Wyld really were. And we get to compare them to the Screaming Eagles. What do you think about the ethics and popularity of the new bands that kill captive monsters in arenas?
I don't really like the idea of the new bands only fighting in arenas. Though as Clay is talking about his band and how they fought I'm not sure I like this much more. I think I might agree with Lastleaf that humans aren't so good.

14. Lastleaf gave his (and the hordes') motivations for conquest. Do you think his reasons were valid, or is he just evil? Do you feel at all sorry for the monsters?
I do feel sorry for the monsters. It seems like humans are the bad guys here. Though maybe the humans were threated by the "monsters" previously. I don't think Lastleaf is evil, but I don't think he is a good guy either.

15. We all picked our favorite character in day 1 questions. Has yours changed since then?
I picked Tally and or Ginny and they haven't been part of the story since then. I think at this point I would pick Clay because he is the most developed character. Moog would be second for me.

DQ Day 2
Chapters 9 - 15

6. We meet the 3rd member of the band, the wizard Moog. What are your impressions of the wizard? Were you as surprised as Clay that he agreed to go right away?
I was a little surprised that he agreed right away, however; as I got to know him it seemed like it would be good and take his mind off of the fact that he doesn't have a lot happening and his mission to cure the rot is not going so well.

7. That was some entrance to the palace, don't you think? What were your first impressions of Matrick? Were you surprised by the turn of events in chapter 11? Excited or worried when Moog announces that he had a plan?
I liked the entrance to the palace. I was kind of confused about the guy that Clay knocks out and is fighting. My first impression was to wonder where the queen was, but then all made since and I started feeling bad for him. Moog's plan worked out the first time so I'm curious about it but not too worried.

8. After several descriptions sprinkled thoughout the story thus far, we finally meet a druin. What do you think his plan is? Why does he really want the Council to stand down?
I feel like he does have a plan, but I have no idea what. I know what Clay and band want but really don't have enough of a grasp on the world to know what motivation someone else would have. I do think that having the Council stand down it just so that he can have the city and be a ruler.

9. Were you surprised at how Lillian arranged the funeral? What did you think of Clay's contribution? How successful would you rate Moog's plan?
I wasn't surprised but I didn't really know what funeral's were like in the world. I liked that Clay stalled and wanted to light the fire and sabotaged the shot. I think Moog's plan went pretty well considering. That waterfall wasn't great but not as bad as it could have been.

10. Gabriel borrows Moog's crystal ball to check on his daughter. Were you surprised at what he saw? What did you think of the band's reaction?
I was surprised that he saw the path traveling to his daughter and that he didn't see his daughter and skip getting there. However, I was not surprised but what he saw. I think the band is trying to help him and this is their purpose now.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to CH 8

1.) What do you think of the premise of the book, like an aging rock band getting back together to go on tour but an adventuring band instead? Is the author pulling it off so far?
At first I was not so sure and thinking this is a very long book if I end up not liking it. Then by the third chapter it started getting interesting. I find the idea of bands of adventurers a little blah and it does really feel like a rock band getting back together and going on tour. I do think the author is pulling it off.

2.) The rocks, may of hit me a bit in the feels. Did it affect your opinion of Gabe at all?
The rocks were feels but I just thought how sad. I was hoping they were coins covered in mud balls or something helpful.

3.) How do you like the world building, is it being done effectively for you without major info dumping? Is it helping to set the stage for the story?
I'm a tiny bit lost with all of the different creatures we keep having mentioned. I thought he said England at one point. Did my brain just added that?

4.) What did you think about the parade? Did anyone else enjoy Clay's reaction to the ladies being whistled at and be disappointed when the lady blew a kiss back instead of skewering the guy (like Clay expected to happen)?
I found the parade to be a bit discussing. Though I suspect it was supposed to be.

5.) Do you have a favorite character so far?
Maybe Ginny and Tally but really that might be because they seemed the most fleshed out at first.


Bonus: Taking a poll for a very important question. On the Tassel Farm: Centaur or Moose?
Given the world I'm going to say Centaur but I would hope it was Moose.