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

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

I'd like to join this BR :) (Team Hermione)

I've been meaning to reread it for so long. This is the perfect opportunity. But I don't know how fast (or how slow) I'll go through it all. No matter how much I love it, this is still a big book ;)

Chapter 3

Lemuel: (view spoiler)[ It took me some time to connect Lemuel with the character in the tv show. The description in the book is so very different !

his hair was platinum: the same shade as Manfred’s, but the newcomer’s hair was natural. His eyes were a pale, pale gray. His skin was . . . “White as snow,”

and that's what we have in the show



This means that his backstory will also be very different. (hide spoiler)]

chapters 1-2

(view spoiler)[We have a very interesting set of characters. Quite the diverse cast, really. Of course I know a bit about them from the tv show, but I wonder how acurate that is.
Like I said previously, I already loved Manfred in Harper Connelly and he was a bit different from the show. (hide spoiler)]

Hi! I'd like to join this BR :)

I've watched the tv show last summer and absolutely loved it. I also loved Manfred in the Harper Connelly series. It's time I get to this trilogy !

Kate S wrote: "Thank you all so much for this enlightening conversation! I have read some magical realism, but I tend to associate that term with South American literature and just didn't relate it to fantasy. Hi..."

You are welcome. Starting in the Fantasy genre can be daunting and sometimes knowing exactly what sub-genre you like and don't can help you find books you'll enjoy.

Devann wrote: "haha oh don't worry, i definitely don't take offense to it if that is the 'official definition', that's just how i use it because i need an extra category for things that i don't think are quite fa..."

makes sense :)

It's true that sometimes these categories are very abstract. Like the difference between High fantasy and Epic fantasy. I still have difficulties with that one, need to check which is which every time.

I wish I had a class on fantasy. Unfortunately Magic realism is as far as my teachers go in the fantasy genre...

Devann wrote: "to me this falls under 'magical realism' which ...i don't even know how to describe what i think is the different between magical realism and urban fantasy is. i guess it's just a feeling i get whe..."

I wouldn't want you to take it the wrong way or anything, but I think you are confused about what magic(al) realism is. Here is the Merriam-Webster definition : "a literary genre or style [...] that incorporates fantastic or mythical elements into otherwise realistic fiction". I wouldn't say Harry Potter is particularly realistic. For me, for a book to be of the magical realism genre, the magic inside it needs to be more subtle, or at least questionable (is it really happening, or is it part of the character's imagination). It's a genre that aims at making you question reality. At least that's how I remeber it from my literature class. The magic inside Harry Potter is anything but subtle...

Technically Harry Potter can be qualified as Urban Fantasy... but I agree it doesn't quite fi Harry Potter, as it doesn't really take place in the city (most of it anyway).

I think Contemporary Fantasy (as its name says, fantasy in the present day) or Low Fantasy fits better ("Low fantasy or intrusion fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction where magical events intrude on an otherwise normal world. It thus contrasts with high fantasy stories, which take place in a fictional world with its own set of rules and physical laws." (Wikipedia)).

Kate S wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, th..."

Glad to help ☺️

Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, this was a bit outside of my comfort zone and I have a ..."

Technically this book qualifies as portal fantasy, i.e. people from our world being sucked into other worlds. But because it explores the consequences of portal once these children come back in our world and not the adventure itself, I can see why it could also be considered UF. Cathy M. described it well. Urban Fantasy implies fantasy elements in our world, usually in an urban setting. It often features vampires, werewolves, witches and other creatures like that.

The Glittering Court
by Richelle Mead

Date read: 30/05/18
Pages: 403
BOM/BR? YES Link to thread
Characters: Adelaide, Mira, Tamsin, Cedric Thorn, Lady Alice Witmore, Lionel Belshire, Jasper, Clara, Rhonda Gables, Miss Hayworth, Sylvia, Warren Doyle, Viola

~Michelle~ wrote: "Chapters 21 – 25:


Tamsin "

(view spoiler)[ She's definitely over her hatred for Adelaide. My guess is that the adventure she had on the boat gave her some perspective and time to think. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ See ! I was right ! Tamsin's alive :) I'm so glad I was right. (hide spoiler)]

Christina wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Christina wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 2 ...."

I know, right??? I wonder why this even is part of the story - I think they just could..."

I was surprised at (view spoiler)[ how many times Kate had to bring that thing up, especially considering all that had been happening with Julie and stuff, which in my humble opinion was waaaaay more urgent. lol.
But I guess it brought some relief from the whole danger thing. and the dialogues were kinda funny. I can't complain ;) (hide spoiler)]

Devann wrote: "CHAPTERS 9-13

for all the security they have guarding the actual vaults at gringotts it seems like just anyone can show up and take money out of other people's accounts sometimes. like at the end ..."

You're so right about Gringotts! But remember Hagrid said : "Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe – ’cept maybe Hogwarts". Seeing how "safe" Hogwarts ended up to be, I guess it's not really surprising. LOL

Samantha wrote: "After finishing the book, I think J.K. Rowling slipped up!

Warning - spoiler for end of this book and somewhat beginning of the 5th book!
[spoilers removed]
Did anyone else catch that?"


I can't believe I've never notice before. I'll definitely be on the lookout when I reach that part.

The Healing & The Dying (Tooth and Claw #2)
By L.A. Witt

Date read: 30/05/18
Pages: 389
BOM/BR? no
Characters: Levi, Ian, Darius, Selena, Nathan, Martin, Tyler

Snowtulip wrote: "Overall, I'm still having a hard time truly getting into the story, not sure why I'm having trouble connecting with the characters..."

I also feel a bit disconnected from the story and the characters at time. I feel like I need to force myself to read it. It's nothing like the other stuff I read by Richelle Mead. :(

Christina wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "I just finished

After chapter 14 I pretty much read it all in one sitting. It was really good. There was definitely some improvement in book 2.

I loved Julie..."

OMG! I'm so sorry you were spoiled for that !!!!

I just finished

After chapter 14 I pretty much read it all in one sitting. It was really good. There was definitely some improvement in book 2.

(view spoiler)[I loved Julie and how quickly Kate became protective of her. I loved seeing the two bonding and I'm looking forward to see them both again in book 3.
I also love Curran. His bickering with Kate is hilarious and I really can't wait to see their relationship progress. That thing about him giving Kate food is interesting. Shows that Curran is seriously interested in Kate.
On of my favorite part in this book is also the use of Irish mythology. It makes it all really interesting. It also makes me nostalgic of my time in Dublin.
Lastly, Damn it Ilona Andrews ! She finally made me care for that Bran hero, just to kill him off a couple of pages after. That's so unfair !!! lol (hide spoiler)]

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2)
by Ilona Andrews

Date Read: 29/05/18
Pages: 272
BOM/BR? YES Link to thread
Characters: Kate Daniels, Curran, Jim, Andrea, Myong Williams, Derek, Red, Bran, Esmeralda, Jessica Olsen, Ghastek, Voron