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

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

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

Happy B-day, Steven !!!!

I read the Mercy Thompson series years ago. I loved it. I really need to get back to that world at some point

DIBS !!

I might join on the Ninth House BOM. I bought it when it came out thinking I would read it immediately. Yah, that neeever happens....

Thank you, thank you

I'm glad it's over. I was starting to lose patience with the last stories there.