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

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

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by Jane Bennett

Date Read; 11/07/18
Pages: 176
Characters: / (non-fiction)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
by JK Rowling

Date read: 09/17/18
Pages: 800
BR : Link to thread
Characters: Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Molly, Arthur, Percy, Fred, George, and Ginny, Albus Dumbeldore, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Sirius Black, Vernon Dursley, Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge

I'm starting this now. I'm glad there's a buddy read for the last book in the trilogy. It gives me motivation to finish the series :)

Daniela wrote: "Ok, but am I the only one that is weirdly happy about Umbridge being at Hogwarts? I mean we get super sassy McGonagall and I live for it"

Frankly, sassy McGonagall is my favorite part of this book!

Jammin Jenny wrote: "I'm about 86% done with this book. I love when the centaurs [spoilers removed]"

I love that part too. She totally deserves what she gets.

Laura wrote: "through chapter 15."

(view spoiler)[I'm also enjoying it a lot, even though there isn't as much Meg and Simon (although I miss seeing them together a lot). The world and the issues arising in it are very interesting.

I also feel bad for Meg for all the pressure she's in. It's kind of unfair if you think of it. Why can't they all try to figure things out and pool their discoveries together? They could create a forum or something.

The rest of the humans will have to learn to coexist with the others again. There's no other options for them. Adapt or perish, really. (hide spoiler)]

18. Do you think this novel is correctly marketed as Adult Fantasy, or was it more YA for you?

=> I think it's right, because of all the violence.

19. In regards to the Convent and the structures of Power, Mark Lawrence said "I always invent as I go. My only research was to Google for a nice map of an abbey and take inspiration from the labels, such as “cloister”, “scriptorium”, “refectory” etc. How did the setting feel to you? Could you picture it?

=>Yes, I didn't have a problem picturing it. Because of all the labels, it was easy to picture it as an abbey from our world. Which is not at all a problem for me. I think it really fits the world.

20. Mark Lawrene finished the trilogy before this first book was published. Do you like it when authors do this (e.g. Michael J Sullivan), or do you prefer for them to wait to receive feedback from readers and changing things as they go?

=>I like it because it ensures the author doesn't get lost in the plot because he already knows where it's going. And editing is there for a reason. If you've written the second book already when you get the feedback from the first book, you can more or less easily edit some things.

21. What are your overall feelings on the novel? Will you read the next in the series?

=>I liked it. I was a bit afraid going into it because I really didn't like Prince of Thorns, but it was good. I think I'll read the sequel. Just not right away

Red Sister (Book of Ancestor #1)
by Mark Lawrence

Date read: 08/07/18
Pages: 475
BOM: Link to thread
Cast of characters: Nona, Hessa, Saida, Arabella, Clera, Jula, Ketti, Ruli, Abbess Glass/Shella Yammal, Sister Rose, Sister Wheel, Sister Apple, Sister Pan, Sister Rule, Sister Tallow, Sister Chrysanthemum/Mop, Sister Flint, Sister Kettle, Sister Oak, Sister Rock, Thuran Tacsis, Raymel Tacsis, Partnis Reeve, Sherzal, Zole, Yisht

Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarian #3)
by Ruby Dixon

Date read: 08/07/18
Pages: 191
Characters: Kira, Claire, Aehako, Vektal, Lis, Esha, Megan, Harlow, Sevvah

Teri wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "12) I was thinking about the sisters' names, and how they all have a surface meaning, and a deeper meaning, like Abbess Glass: clear, lets light through, breakable - al..."

Thanks ! I thought it made sense seeing as she's still in training, growing and discovering about her powers. :)

12) I was thinking about the sisters' names, and how they all have a surface meaning, and a deeper meaning, like Abbess Glass: clear, lets light through, breakable - also invisible, so you might not know its there until you run into it. What do you think the name Cage says about Nona? What are the surface and underlying meanings to the Sister name you would give yourself?

=>could be that she hasn't unleashed her true power yet.

13) Walking the path takes clarity and serenity, but each person has a different recipe for what brings personal serenity. And what is serenity - is it just being 100% true to yourself? Does serenity need to be the opposite of being a fighter? Why do you think Nona can't achieve her serenity, or does she need to take a different path? What brings you serenity?

=>Serenity is accepting who you are and find peace with it. It's not worrying about how and how fast you can do it, but just doing it.

14) What do you think about Sister Pan words: "When you get to my age you need things like this to keep you alive. Take it from me. I have been too young to know, and I have been too old to care. It's in that oh-so-narrow slice between that memories are made. So enjoy it."

=>it's a good advise. Enjoy things while you can, so as to not regret not doing things later.

15) When they go to Caltess, Nona sees Raymel, and remembering Saida, attacks him. I was a little surprised there weren't more repercussions for that move. What do you think about the things now in Raymel that seemed to recognize and trigger something in Nona? Do you think she's been irreversibly poisoned?

=>there are always repercussions. I don't know about the poisoning.

16) I love the quote "A book is as dangerous as any journey you might take. The person who closes the back cover may not be the same one that opened the front one. Treat books with respect." What book that you've read comes to mind when you read this quote?

=>I love this quote too ! THere's a similar quote, or at least it gives the gists of it, in the Clockwork Angel series.

17) Nona sees Yisht digging under the dome, where the shipheart is. Do you think she is doing this on Sherzal's orders? Do you think Zole is a participant or a tool? I am so curious about the shiphearts and the emperor's Ark, and how they play into the mysteries of the ice with its tunnel systems and hidden "undercities abandoned by the Missing." Sister Pan's view is that the four tribes descend from travelers who came from another planet on a host of ships. Are you starting to put together theories about this, and the Path, threads, the Ancestor, etc?

=>Whether Zole is a participant or a tool, I don't know. Probably a participant. Anyway, I really don't trust her. I'm also curious about the ark. But I don't really have any theories about it.

The Family We Make (The Hellion Club 1)
by Aiden Bates

Date read: 07/07/18
Pages: 271
Characters: Sol, Alex, Casten, Maya, Buddy, Inga, Stuart, Lena

Divide of Time
by Anubis Ankh

Date read: 06/07/18
Pages: 683
Characters: Hermione Granger, Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, Lilly Evans, Albus Dumbledore, McGonnagal, Voldemort, Peter Petigrew, Flitwick

Deanna wrote: "Chapters 23 - 29

Dumbledore - [spoilers removed]

Fred and George - [spoilers removed]"

Fred and George are amazing! (view spoiler)[It's true they are really smart. You don't create all this stuff without a brain, that's for sure. And their exit! that's something Hogwarts will never forget. I'm sure they'll become legends of the school later :) (hide spoiler)]

So I haven't got the time to read much more since the other day. I'm a little over 25% in it.

(view spoiler)[I'm a little disappointed that we don't see as much of Sam and Meg :( I miss them.
But we got to see her showing her teeth to Sam at the very beginning. Forgot to comment on that earlier. That was so cute. I love how she mimics the wolves. It makes it feel like she's really part of the pack. (hide spoiler)]

Barbarian Alien (Ice Planet Barbarian 2)
by Ruby Dixon

Date read: 04/07/18
Pages: 211
Characters: Kira, Georgie, megan, Vektal, Raahosh, Claire, Liz, Aehako

@Suzanne sadly, I think you are right... it's really tragic...

Started it today

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[these humans are getting on my nerves. Not only do their discourses and claims make me want to destroy something, but they are incredibly stupid sometimes. They constantly complain about the shortage of food and then they go spoil the food and kill livestock needlessly... *big angry eyeroll*

On another note, I'm really excited to learn more about the elders! (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Me too! I haven't read Lake Silence yet"

Then we can all read that one together too :)"

But of course !!! While I'm sad it's not Sam and Meg anymore, I'm so glad Anne Bishop decided to continue with the world.

Pride of Time
by Anubis Ankh

Date read: 03/07/18
Pages: 1220
Characters: Hermione Granger, Snape, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter, Lilly Evans, Albus Dumbledore, McGonnagal, Voldemort, Peter Petigrew, Flitwick

Tina wrote: "Up to chapter 7

This book always causes turmoil with me. I feel bad for Harry.
Harry has to deal with so much from the last book. [spoilers removed].
I actually think it's my least favourite just ..."

I love the scene with Neville (view spoiler)[and the hospital, too. It explains so much about Neville's background. But on the other side I understand why it was not added to the movie. They wouldn't have had the time to really give credit to it, anyway. And I prefer they leave a scene out than butcher it completely. (hide spoiler)]