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

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

Hey guys! Sorry I was so quiet this week.
I'm going to finish Wolfsong today. I'm really loving this book. I think TJ Klune is becoming one of my favourite MM authors now.

DQs Day 6
Ch. 26 – end

23. We start off this section with Blake trying to kill Alex for revenge. Did you expect this and did you accept that he was also responsible for Tara’s murder? Or did you suspect there was still something more?
Also, were you surprised when Dawes came through to bash him in the head? I was not expecting that, but it was awesome.

Dawes was awesome ! I like her.
For Blake I suspected something more.

24. We find out that girls had been killed over the years on dates that coincided with the formation of houses and that Dean Sandow knew about it. Did you immediately jump to the same conclusion as Alex, that Sandow killed Tara to form a nexus?

Yes, I did. But I always suspected him.

25. What were your thoughts when Belbalm revealed herself? Were you surprised? Did you suspect the connection with North?
It makes sense to me the Belbalm had a stronger role in the story than initially portrayed, but I was not expecting that.

I was surprised. Like you I thought there was something strange with that woman, but nothing like this.

26. Belbalm seems to have the same power as Alex and she was able to live so long by stealing the souls from other girls like them and that they’re drawn to New Haven. Do you think Alex will meet other girls with her powers in subsequent books that are drawn to Yale?

Yes I think she will meet more people like her. Let's just hope they aren't all evil like Belbalm

27. What are your overall thoughts on the novel? Will you read book 2?

I really liked it. It was very different from the other books I read by Leigh Bardugo, but I like the change. I'll definitely give the second book a try when it comes out.

DQs Day 5
Chapters 21-25

18. Turner and Alex are working together now, trying to solve Tara's murder. How do you think, is it only a temporary truce or will they be able to become partners?

For now it seems to be a temporary truce, but I'm hoping the partnership will continue.

19. Colin knew about Blake using Merity to rape the girls and didn't report it, hoping to use this opportunity for his society. Somehow I have the feeling that he is not the only one, who would act this way - most of the other members of his society (and probably other societies too) would do the same. What do you think?

I agree. There's something really perverse about these societies

20. Colin has an alibi for the night when Tara was murdered, as well as Dean Sandow. Do you believe these alibis or do you think one of them could still have killed Tara with the help of a portal (as Turner suggested)?

I don't trust these people. For all I know these alibis are fakes. I don't know if they did it, but it doesn't mean to me they are blameless.

21. During the summong Darlington (or the Hellbeast) said Murder. What murder do you think he meant? Were these the murders that Alex commited? Or the hellbeast eating him? Or some other murder?

I don't think it meant Alex's "murder". Maybe he knows something about Tara's murder, or other murders? Or his own murder? That is, if he's really dead.

22. Do you think it is final that Darlington is dead? Or has he survived somehow?

I'm really hoping he survived somehow.

Day 4 DQs
Chapters 14-20

13. As disgusting as Alex's form of justice was on Blake, did you laugh and write it off as karma, or did she take it too far?

She took it too far, but personally I'm not too mad about it.


14. At Rosenfeld Darlington felt the darkness of the "portal" before telling Alex that it wasn't a portal. I feel like there are still a lot of holes in the world building and the magic system, but do you have any idea what it could be if not a portal?

I'm not sure, but I hope he's not dead because of it...


15. In that same scene we learned what happened when Darlington disappeared. Do you think Alex could've stopped it or was to blame? She seemed a little uncertain herself. And if he didn't disappear, do you think he would've turned Alex in for what he believed her to be?

I don't think Alex was to blame. And I like to believe Darlington would have tried to understand what happened before deciding to turn her in or not. And if he'd knew, I don't think he would have turned her in.


16. After discovering what happened with Hellie, Len and the others in LA, did it help you understand Alex more? Did it change how you felt about her?

No it didn't change how I feel about her.


17. Lance seemed to be involved in more than just selling drugs, especially with the ability to portal! Why did he attack Alex as soon as he appeared? Did someone send him after her? But then going back to the scene in the morgue, if this was Lance, who did Alex see when she had the vision above Tara's body (you would think she would remember the face)? Anyone else thinking Glamours?

I think someone is using Lance's appearance. Glamour would be a good explanation.

Ninth House
Day 3 DQs: Chapters 9 - 13

9. Well, these chapters definitely get exciting! Alex is attacked by a gluma, which seems like a Gray on steroids. She later recalls that they are messengers sometime used by the houses. Book & Snake are the ones that can "create" these messengers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were behind the attack. Who do you think is trying to have Alex killed? Do you think it's because of her investigation or for some other sinister purpose?

Somehow I suspect it's the Lethe House... But maybe I'm wrong. And if I'm right it must be because of the investigation.

10. "But one thought returned again and again as he tossed and turned, fell in and out of dreams, morning light beginning its slow bleed through the high tower window: Alex Stern was not what she seemed."

We know that Alex is special because she can see Grays without the assistance of potions, but Darlington knows this, as well. What do you think that thought means? Is there something more to Alex that makes her "not what she seemed"? Why do you think she can see Grays in the first place?

I think her power goes beyond just seeing them. The way they are attracted by her presence is weird as well. It seemed to me more than just them curious so have a human see them.

11. A lot has been happening to the Lethe House Dante and Virgil: Darlington gets purposely drugged at the Manuscript party, he subsequently goes missing, and now someone is trying to off Alex. Do you think that these incidents are connected? Do you think someone has it out for not only Alex, but Lethe House in general? Any other theories about what might be happening?

I think there's something worng with the house itself

12. After reading the chapter about Darlington's past, my immediate thought was, "Does Sandow do all of his recruiting in the hospital?" Do you think that he preys on vulnerable kids? Why would he do so when there are thousands of freshman at Yale they could recruit to be Dante?

Because they are easier to manipulate !

Day 2 - Chapters 5-8

5. In chapter 5, we meet Professor Marguerite Belbalm who Alex has a meeting with. What do you make of their meeting? Why is she proving help for Alex? Do you think she's just being a helpful teacher or that she has a sinister reason, like wanting to use Alex for something? How do you think this will influence Alex's behaviours and choices in the book?

I didn't think she had ulterior motive, but I might be wrong. But I thought her advise wasn't that helpful, tbh.


6. Whilst Alex is looking at the crime scene of Tara 'on the other side of the intersection', she has a sense of familiarity and then remembers Helllie and Len struggling in the apartment. Len asks her to let them out. What do think happened in that situation and why did she remember it? I feel like it is something important to the story. Do you think this memory will lead to a large reveal or is it just a small and not so important memory?

probably, yes. I think this is the kind of story when you get stuff piece by piece and in the end it all makes a bigger picture.


7. In chapter 7 we get a glimpse into Alex's past and what she had to go through to deal with the ghosts. I honestly wasn't expecting us to find out about her past until past halfway mark. She mentions a lot of issues she had to deal with like no one believeing her, kids making fun of her and ostracising her, her parents, that awful bathroom scene, her illicit drug abuse... Why do you think the Lethe society didn't reach out and help her through all that if they were watching her?

I honestly think they're a bunch of self-centered assholes who only care when they can figure out how she can be helpful to them.


8. I'm interested in what you guys think of the writing style so far. We have a chapter written in the present tense with Alex and a snippit of passages from books. Then we get Darlington's POV in the past. Are you in favour of this? What do you think of the snippits and are you paying much attention to what they say?

Usually I prefer a more linear kind of narrative, but here I don't mind that much. I think it adds to the general ambiance and mystery of the book.

The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Day 1 Questions


1. Our book starts out with a Prologue that leaves me understandably a bit lost and confused but wanting more, giving us minimal clues to our forthcoming story.
How do you feel about Prologues? Do you ever go back and Re-read them after you finish the book?

I like prologues in general. When they are well written it really makes me want to know more about the story, even if they are purposefully confusing most of the time. I think this prologues is a good one. But no, I don't go back to prologues when I'm done with the book.

2. The setting of our story is the prestigious Ivy League school of Yale. The history runs deep and gives a gothic and dark feel to the book. Why else do you think the author may have chosen Yale as the setting?

I like the setting. I think using old universities for that kind of stories makes sense, because they are full of history and secrets. There's lots of skeletons to dig up. But I don't know why Yale specifically.

3. In Chapter 1 our Main Character, Alex Stern, is running late for the Prognostication. By definition Prognostication is the action of foretelling or prophesying future events. I'm curious as to what the Bonesmen final goal is by performing these ceremonies. Although it is still early in the book are there any guesses as to what the Bonesmen are seeking? Are they after glory ? Time travel? Immortality?

My bet would be on Immortality.

4. The Grays ! I love ghost stories and cannot wait to learn more about the Grays. Alex not only has the ability to see the Grays but is also able to see them in color. This is important and seems to be a key feature that got her this opportunity at the school. Darlington appears to be jealous of this ability of Alex because he needs to take an elixir at a great risk to do the same. How do you see the relationship between Alex and Darlington? Will they become friends, enemies or lovers?

I'm hoping for lovers, but I think they need to become friends first.

I read my last book for the week.

I'm planning to finish Cry Wolf and maybe another short one before the end of the week.

Judith wrote: "I would recommend Pachinko. It was a beautiful book and was very interesting to read and see race issues in completely different cultures. I don't read many books that take place in..."

Great !!! That's why I like this kind of challenge. You sometimes stumble on amazing books!

Judith wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "I have to say, choosing from a list of books is my favourite kind of challenge. I don't know it's just having all these options that I really like. There's always at least a few ..."

Yeah, it's the end that really decided the rating. Was not a fan. The beginning was not as bad. By the point I realised I was not going to like it, I'd already read too much to give up the points.

I have to say, choosing from a list of books is my favourite kind of challenge. I don't know it's just having all these options that I really like. There's always at least a few books I really want to read, or that I want to reread. And then there are the books I'd put on my tbr a long time ago and that I kinda lost interest in. It forces me to read these books, or at least evaluate why I haven't read them before.

Today I finished The Bronze Horseman. It's one of those old books that have been on my shelves for ages. I would never have picked it up if not for this challenge I think. The book was terrible, I hated it. The characters were just bleh. But now I can just remove the book from my shelf and make space for something new !

Jenny wrote: "Nice. Thank you again, Sammy!

And just so I am not totally greedy, Dibs on Idris! And Chris. Can't stop myself."

as long as Sam Heughan stays mine ;)

Sammy wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "I'm going to attempt finishing The Last Hour of Gann but that's gonna be tough. It all depends on how much I manage to read tonight"

If you're going to struggle,..."

hmm, you might be right. I'll take my time then.

I'm going to attempt finishing The Last Hour of Gann but that's gonna be tough. It all depends on how much I manage to read tonight

Jenny, I don't know how you did it. I found it hard already to have to stop reading that one book right before the end and wait for my turn, but 9 of them? and different books from the same series??? that's commitment, dude!

I'm done with rung 20. can someone mark it as read for me on the spreadsheet ?

Morning Elen! Good job !

I'm also nearly done with rung 20 so when, if we reach it before deadline, I'll be ready

Rung 12 is done. I was out the whole day. Sorry.

BTW, I've watched Knives Out. It was really good. :) Not quite as funny as I thought it would be, but very good nonetheless