ClaireB’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2014)

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

And I'm almost done with Embracing Winter (#4), which means Healing Aiden (#5) is next :)

Sammy wrote: "We could do with another 5-8 in series, if anyone happens to have any of those handy. (We do have 2 5s still to be finished, but they can be very nicely used elsewhere, so an extra would be great!)..."

I'm working on my #6, Faith of the Fallen. Hoping to finishing it this week.

Eldarwen wrote: "Ooh, yay!
Happy holidays!."

Thanks, E !

Hey Team!
I wanted to take the time to give you a little headsup.
I'm going on holiday in Sweden this saturday, coming back on the 8th of August. While there, I will have little access to the wifi, so I'll only log in once in a while to post a completion post. I'll try to read as much as possible. We'll see

Hey Paulette,
I'm sorry to hear that, but glad to hear you are feeling better already.
Take care.

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Reason: fiery cover

Synopsis:

She’ll change the world to survive her fate . . .

In Mongol-occupied imperial China, a peasant girl refuses her fate of an early death. Stealing her dead brother’s identity to survive, she rises from monk to soldier, then to rebel commander. Zhu’s pursuing the destiny her brother somehow failed to attain: greatness. But all the while, she feels Heaven is watching.

Can anyone fool Heaven indefinitely, escaping what’s written in the stars? Or can Zhu claim her own future, burn all the rules and rise as high as she can dream?

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan is a re-imagining of the rise to power of Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu was the peasant rebel who expelled the Mongols, unified China under native rule, and became the founding Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby

Synopsis:

On 21 January 1804, Anne Sharpe arrives at Godmersham Park in Kent to take up the position of governess. At 31 years old, she has no previous experience of either teaching or fine country houses. Her mother has died, and she has nowhere else to go. Anne is left with no choice. For her new charge - twelve-year-old Fanny Austen - Anne's arrival is all novelty and excitement.

The governess role is a uniquely awkward one. Anne is neither one of the servants, nor one of the family, and to balance a position between the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs' members of the household is a diplomatic chess game. One wrong move may result in instant dismissal. Anne knows that she must never let down her guard.

When Mr Edward Austen's family comes to stay, Anne forms an immediate attachment to Jane. They write plays together, and enjoy long discussions. However, in the process, Anne reveals herself as not merely pretty, charming and competent; she is clever too. Even her sleepy, complacent mistress can hardly fail to notice.

Meanwhile Jane's brother, Henry, begins to take an unusually strong interest in the lovely young governess . . .

And from now on, Anne's days at Godmersham Park are numbered.

Sammy wrote: "Thor wasn't just shirtless... ;)"

Hahahaha, I know. All the ladies fainted :p

Yeah...

I regret nothing either... And that's just one of the guys playing shirtless on the beach... *drool*

I just came back from watching Top Gun Maverick, and I loved it ! Really recommend to those who like a good action movie

Hey Sammy, I just posted that I could volunteer for one :)

Yes, I've been thinking about this book a lot lately too... It's making me anxious...

Sammy wrote: "I can also do a 7 if we want to do 2 chains of 8?"

I might read Crowbones as well, and it's a #8

I was also thinking of finishing the Lord of Discord series, so that would give us a #4 and a #5.

&

And if we have to many #4s we can use Embracing Winter for a musical instrument
Or for read by another member of the team during the challenge. As I think Sonia has read them.

What is our strategy for the chains? Are we doing 4 chains of 4 or are we going to attempt making longer ones?

I'm asking because I'm debating with myself whether I'm going to read Faith of the Fallen, which is the 6th in its series

Claire wrote: "That reminds me, I still haven't answered DQs for Ariadne. I'll do that immediately. It'd be a shame to waste those points."

Okay done ! and I've added the links to the planning sheet

DQs Day 5

19. What did you think about Ariadne's reaction when Phaedra confides in her regarding Hippolytus ? And Hippolytus' answer to Phaedra when she expresses her feelings to him ? Did you suspect it wasn't romantic love?

I think Ariadne was right, Phaedra was completely blinded by her own feelings. And yes, I think I suspected it.

20. Ariadne and Theseus finally meet each other again after all these years. Was their reunion scene satisfactorily enough for you ?

Not really, no. Unfortunately.

21. We learn more about Dionysus: his worshippers and blood rites, his obsession with his status as an Olympian god, and his interaction with his brother, Perseus. Did your opinion about him change after those scenes ? Were you expecting his relationship with Ariadne to change like that ?

Absolutely. I mean I had been surprised to see how much of a positive light he got at the beginning, and I have to admit I bought it at first. But the whole thing with his status and the sacrifices were just too much.
No I didn't expect it to get so.

22. What do you think about the way Phaedra's and Ariadne's stories ended ? Does it give enough closure or is there something you wish ended differently ?

To be honest the ending left me a bit dissatisfied. But I guess with a book like that you can't change the myth too much, so I don't know what Jennifer Saint could have done differently.

23. Did you enjoy the book ? If you had any expectations, did the book meet them ? Will you be reading more by this author ? She recently published another Greek mythology retelling: Elektra

I enjoyed it. It's not as good as Circe was, but it was enjoyable.
Yes, and I already read Elektra.

DQs Day 2

5. Have you heard of Theseus before? What do you think of his backstory, does it compare with other well-known Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles? Do you think it fits his humble and collected demeanor in the previous chapter?

Yes I have. I don't think he can compare to the other two heroes no. But I think his demeanor fits quite well so far.

6. I don’t know about you, but “insta-love” stories royally annoy me. Ariadne spends a significant part of these chapters reveling in her undying and world-changing love and devotion to someone she just met. Do you think this is realistic, or just a cheap plot ploy from the author?

Can we really blame the author for that. It is part of the myth after all, no?
Personally I can enjoy an insta-love story when it well done. But there needs to be the right meet cute, the right circumstances, and I buy it better when there's a supernatural element linked to it. But when it's badly done it's really hell, I agree. In this case it didn't bother me much because I kinda knew already that it would happen.

7. Why do you think Theseus left Ariadne on the island with no heads up whatsoever? How do you feel about her thoughts and actions, as she processes this new reality?

I don't know. I think it's cowardice and selfishness mostly. He didn't really love her.
It was really sad.

8. During the "great escape", Phaedra is left behind - do you think it was by accident, or purposefully (and if so, why)? Do you think it was wise of her to return to the Palace?

It could have been purposeful. The Greeks would tell you it's fate.

9. A common theme in Greek mythology is the linear progression of Fate - from Hubris (thinking and acting as if one is a God), to Atis (blindness of one’s puny nature, leading the mortal to commit an unforgivable or insulting act), to Nemesis (the anger and revenge of the Gods), and finally Tisis (the mortal’s punishment). Where have you noticed this process so far? Where do you think Nemesis will strike next?

I think you can already see it with Ariadne's father. He was taken by hubris, then didn't want to sacrifice the cow so he ended up punished, leading to anger at the minotaure and ultimately using it to spread terror.

DQs Day 1

1. Excited about the book, or just here for the points? Were you familiar with the myths behind the story before starting this book?

I was actually excited about this book. I love greek myths, and Circe is one of my favourite books. It made me want to explore more retellings;
Yes, I was familiar with the myth :)

2. "Let me tell you a story..." I don't know about you, but I love opening lines like that. Do you have a favourite opening line? Have you ever bought a book on the strength of the opening line alone? (I have!)

I love it too. It sets me in the mood for storytelling immediately.
I can't say for sure that it happened to me before. Or at least nothing memorable that I would remember now.

3. Asterion: The early years. I bet no-one was fooled by the few paragraphs of almost sweet baby and toddler descriptions: This was always going to end with a monster in a maze of course.
But do you think it served well as a way to establish Ariadne's character?

I would say so. It showed her compassion to the beast, and even if it's clear that the child would become a monster you have to wonder how it would have evolved had Ariadne's dad not been there.

4. What do you think of the writing so far? There's a lot of description and narration and very little dialogue, which tries in with the idea that Ariadne is telling the story to the reader. It allows for a lot more depth and detail than more dialogue-heavy storytelling does. Is that a style you enjoy, or do you prefer the faster pace of a book that is more about character interaction?

I usually like it better when it's more dialogue heavy. But I appreciate the atmosphere it creates.

That reminds me, I still haven't answered DQs for Ariadne. I'll do that immediately. It'd be a shame to waste those points.