Ashlee’s Comments (group member since May 10, 2016)

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

Day 3: Chapters 19-27

11. The fantasy genre is known for its world building. How do you feel about the world building in this book? How does it compare to other fantasy novels you’ve read?

I think this world building is a lot like that of Terry Pratchett's Discworld. I much prefer the world building of ACOTAR.

12. In this section we meet Cade’s former teacher Hazidan. What do you think of her character? Did you ever have a favorite teacher and were they similar to Hazidan in any way?

She's definitely an interesting character. Also she gives a bit more insight into Cade's character.

13. Chapter 25: Friends in Low Places had a pretty big reveal about the Celestials plans and how they’ve been herding Cade this whole time. How did you feel about this twist?

I can honestly say that I didn't see this coming. However, as I've said in other discussion posts, this plot is hard to follow.

14. At this point I think we have the whole team together: Is one of them your favorite?

I haven't connected with any of these characters.

Bonus for audiobook listeners: How are you liking the audiobook? Would you recommend it?

I'm interested to see how those who did the audio felt about the book. Maybe it would have been more interesting and easier to follow.

Glad for the reread. I had completely forgotten about the ending of the Games with the wolves. My heart does break for Peeta in the end.

Cat wrote: "Ashlee, any chance you can make a third post for Hunger Games BR so we can get the bonus points? ☺️"
I'm doing it right now; along with The Malevolent Seven. :)

That will be all for me for Round 1. I'll move my audio to round 2 and finish it this week.

I will be okay to take one of the books for this battle. Now that school is out, I spend my days reading as much as I can.

I just finished Part 2, where the tributes have learned that two from the same District can reign victorious. It has been so long since I originally read this series, that I've forgotten some of the best details of the strategies during the games.

Christine wrote: "Ashlee wrote: "Happy Birthday!

I'm spending the remainder of Round 1 finishing The Hunger Games and unfortunately The Malevolent Seven (This book is just plain awfu..."
It's good, but incredibly graphic! I find myself cringing at the horrific details of rape and murder.

Happy Birthday!

I'm spending the remainder of Round 1 finishing The Hunger Games and unfortunately The Malevolent Seven (This book is just plain awful!)

I did start an audio that would fit for Cornucopia. I still have 10 hours remaining, but I will try to finish. The Serial Killer Whisperer: How One Man's Tragedy Helped Unlock the Deadliest Secrets of the World's Most Terrifying Killers

Day 2 DQs
Ch 9 to 18

6.) Did Galass turning into a blood mage and Fidick being the cause of Lucian's death (I assume that's what the black cloud that left the tent did) surprise you? Or were you expecting their bit in the story to be over and just a footnote about Cade's character?

I was surprised by this.

7.) We learn about more magic types and there's pretty much any type of magic you can dream up. What type of magic you like to have or what animal would you like an affinity with?

I would like to be able to be an Auroral Mage, as their powers seem the most calming.

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.

At this point, I don't have a favorite character. This book is awful.

9.) At this point I think it's clear Cade is a fallen Glorian of some sort, likely a Justicar. Do others agree with my guess here or do you have other thoughts?

I agree

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?

I think Cade tends to make waves with the others because he does his own thing. He doesn't seem the type to follow any type of prescribed rules, so he probably did something that he shouldn't have.

I'm really excited for a reread of this series, as it has been a while. I bought Book 4 many years ago, but never picked it up to read. I feared that I had forgotten too much of the plot to read it. This reread will definitely help to put the pieces back together.

It is also especially exciting with the news of a new book coming out this year. Knowing that this new book will be Haymitch's story is great! I have just gotten to the part where we really begin to see what the games has done to Haymitch over the years.

DQs - Day 1: Chapters 1-8 (pages 1 -71)

1. The book has the MPG Dark Fantasy. Do you like this genre in general? If so, do you have any favourite authors or books?

This is not a genre that I would readily pick up. After reading this first section, I know why. I won't likely pick it up again.

Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic?

2. The book starts with the quote above. Is this your mental image of a wizard, too? Or something different? :)
Yes! This is absolutely what I picture; a spitting image of Albus Dumbledore. :)

3. And the author lands us in the middle of a siege (ideal for the Book Games, right? ;) with 2 of the main characters Cade Ombra and Corrigan Blight. Cade is narrating what is happening and offering us his views on good and evil, the part they are playing and how they "win" this particular siege.
Do you think it's a strong start to the book? Has it got you intrigued?
Although this is a great way to start a book, I'm not yet intrigued. In fact, it's dragging for me.

4. As an extra incentive & entertainment, the Ascendant Lucien offers young girls and boys (sublimes) to the wanderists after the siege. We get introduced to Fiddick and Galass and learn that Cade decided to kill Lucien. We can actually start putting some pieces of Cade's character together. What do you think about him at this point?

There are definitely many facets to his character. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

5. Some demonic highlights to this introductory part: Tenebris the demon, with whom Cade as an "infernalist" mage trades with to get his spells.
What were your impressions of Tenebris? How do you find the "religious/magical" system of the Infernals and the Celestines?

I haven't comprehended any of what I have read thus far. This book is very muddled.

Good Morning, I am very sorry that I have been an awful teammate. The end of the school year had me bogged down with paperwork, I haven't been particularly enjoying anything I picked up.

I managed to finish 1 and will finish another today. I am also going to take some time today to catch up on the mini.

Excited to see the June BOM. I own both of them! :)

I haven't finished anything yet, but I'm currently working on:

I started on audio. I will also be starting this evening.

Hello District 10! I am Ashlee, an English teacher from Pennsylvania. I love all things reading challenges and will pick up nearly anything for the sake of a mini challenge. However, I most enjoy reading mystery, romance, and psychological thrillers.

I love the NBRC challenge because summer is when I actually get to relax and read what I want.

book games

Hello District 10! I am Ashlee, an English teacher from Pennsylvania. I love the NBRC reading challenges because summer vacation is when I get to relax and read what I want. I enjoy reading mystery, psychological thrillers, and romance. However, I will pick up almost anything for the sake of a mini challenge.

My final books are added to the sheet.

Finished my 2. Updating the sheet now.

Ashley wrote: "Ok Team! Here is what we currently have as claimed on the SS. I need to know if anyone isn't going to finish any of them.

Fire and Ice (Dana Stabenow) - Lauri
The Origins of Totalitarianism (Hann..."

I finished Hidden Pictures on 10/24. That was the one I didn't want to mess up the spreadsheet with. 🙈 I'll go add the date.

Melissa wrote: "Ashlee wrote: "I didn't want to screw up the letters that have been planned, so I am putting my completion post here: (Finished Oct. 24)


By: Jason Rekulak

A- ..."

Thank you 😊

I didn't want to screw up the letters that have been planned, so I am putting my completion post here: (Finished Oct. 24)


By: Jason Rekulak

A- Adrian
M - Mallory