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

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

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "With half our team chipping away at the anthology Once Upon a Christmas Wedding, I'm half tempted to ask for a buddy read thread to be set up."

There's a lot of people from other te..."

That's putting so much pressure on the members who have started the book !

I wanted to start this week's reading with I'll Give You the Sun, but only 30 pages in and I can already tell I'm going to hate it. I'm really not into that writing style. I can see why it was on the "bad list".... I'm not going to continue. I'll just dnf it immediately and start something I might actually like.

I finally finished my reread of Outlander !! :D

I'm trying to finish my reread of Outlander today. I'm nearly there.

Sammy wrote: "I've got 10 books lined up from the bad books thread... May not read them all, but will definitely do the chunkier ones (outlander & tommyknockers)."

Lol, I just took out of my shelf any book I had that was listed. I now have two little piles of at least 10 books next to my bed.

Sammy wrote: "Judith wrote: "I may tackle Anna Karenina, but just not for week 5. I’ve heard it’s a dense read so I’ll likely need to spread it out."

It is, though I vastly preferred it to War and Peace!"

I second that. In fact, I didn't even manage to finish War and Peace. And I consider Anna Karenina as one of my favourite classics.

Judith wrote: "So, for the mini story, assuming the story is complete it works out to 4 points per book. An additional 5 if it is also a “Bad Book” read during week 5 (so 9 points if in a complete story).

I was ..."

seems like a good strategy to me

Elen wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "Do you know if anybody from another team has read Little Women in 2019? My copy has a green cover, so it could be a sin bingo.
"
..."

Thanks Elen !

Yes, I saw it on the list. That's why I thought about reading it for this challenge. BUT if I want it to count for sin bingo (7 pts) it can't count for the mini (5 pts) as well. So I'm going to do a sin bingo ;) I want these 2 extra points !!!

Day 6- Chapters 34 to the end

22. In chapter 3 we get the first of the big reveals. Were you surprised by the actual dynamic between the twins? And were you as creeped out as I was by Ianthe's little speech about the place between life and death..."where the things are that eat us."?

I was very creeped out by Ianthe. *shudder*

23. There have been many types of necromancy and magic and science talked about and demonstrated in this story. In sci-fi and fantasy books, I often find myself wishing that some of the science or magic was real. Are there any aspects of this world that you wish was real, or that intrigues you?

I like the idea of necromancy. It'd be cool to be able to says skeletons, even though maybe morally it's not the greatest.

24. The second big reveal gave us the name of the big bad. I personally did not find clues to this littered throughout the story, so I was surprised. Did you find this reveal satisfying? Surprising? Did you enjoy the fight at the end?

I liked the fight, but I wasn't exactly surprised by the reveal.

25. Was anyone else waiting for a sex scene? Why use the term "lesbian necromancers" in the description? Who cares if they are heterosexual or gay if it really doesn't come into the story? Marketing? Or do you think it was an important story point that the main character liked girls?

I was surprised too. I think it's a marketing thing. Readers have been complaining that sapphic representation was never made explicit in description. Here they made sure people knew.

26. Will Gideon's and Camilla's bodies or selves be recovered? Will you read the next book to find out? Did you like the book?

Hopefully. Buuuuuut, I don't think I will read the next book. I was way too confused by this book to really enjoy it.

Day 5 - Chapters 27 - 33

First off, can I say that I did not expect, at 85% through, to still be as confused as I am right now!

Same, same...

18. We get a lot of thanalogical (??) science theory chat in the section, with the exchanges between Palamedes and Harrow, which seems to confuse them at least as much as it did me! Did you enjoy the science chat and reveals, or did it get in the way of the action?

I was glad to finally have some expansion on the magic of the world. Unfortunately I didn't understand jack of it. So there it goes... I must say I'm pretty disappointed in the world building, or lack thereof, of this book.

19. We see other sides to a couple of the Houses during this section: the Eighth, who had been reported as being super weird with the cavalier being effectively a vegetable, actually transpire to be super weird with the cavalier trying really hard to hold to whatever shred of his life he can claim as his own (Colum says: "I've got my sword. I've got my honour. Everything else is yours." "Your sword is mine also" said Silas. Silas is an ass of the highest order, btw)
Similarly, the Second become all noble and self-sacrificing in chapter 33, a change from the rule-bound nimrods they'd been up to that point.
Do you like the shifting understanding of the characters? Have your favourites / least despised changed over the course of the book?

I can't really say I have favourites. This book confuses me that much that I find it hard to care for anyone or anything.

20. Speaking of changes: MASSIVE emotional reveal between Harrow & Gideon. I loved the line "she wrapped her arms around Harrow Nonagesimus and held her long and hard, like a scream", which is just SO Ninth House. How does this information make you re-evaluate Harrow & Gideon's relationship?

It makes sense now why Harrow has been treating Gideon like that. I'm glad something finally makes sense.

21. Something a bit lighter: in the midst of the blood and death and bone-key making and such, there are still some moments that made me snigger. one that I particularly enjoyed was "Hm," said Camilla neutrally, and Gideon knew immediately that she organised Palamedes's and her socks by colour and genre."
The little blips of humour have definitely helped me whilst reading the book. Do they work for you?

Sometimes they do, other times they make me roll my eyes. It's been a bit hit or miss.

Sammy wrote: "I'll ask on the captains thread Claire :)"

thank you <3

Do you know if anybody from another team has read Little Women in 2019? My copy has a green cover, so it could be a sin bingo.

Steven wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "Steven wrote: "Oh damn I forgot about the show! Wonder how I can watch it now.... hmmmm"

isn't that on netflix?"

No, because in the US and Canada, there are stricter rules and ..."

bummer !

Steven wrote: "Oh damn I forgot about the show! Wonder how I can watch it now.... hmmmm"

isn't that on netflix?

Day 4 - Chapters 21-26

14. More deaths! Do you have any theories on why the Fourth were killed? Why Gideon was spared? Who do you think is committing these murders?

I don't know. probably another house trying to eliminate the competition

15. The Third House (maybe Ianthe) seem to be lurking in the background of this book, all sneaky and suspicious. Coronabeth seems like the nicer one out of the Twins. But do you think this is the case? Do you think Coronabeth has something up her sleeves?

I'm sure of it! at this point of the book it's really hard to trust anyone.

16. Gideon had a weird encounter with the Eighth house. What did you make of the comment, 'because you grew up servant to a murderer, in a tribe of murderers. You are, more than anything, a victim of the Ninth House'. Do you think Gideon will accept their invitation?

I don't think she will. The offer seems too good to be true. I'm sure they are hiding something.

17. (This is a bit of a silly question). Over the course of the book, Gideon has been getting closer to Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth (although it seems she wishes she could get closer to the latter). Put yourself in Gideon's shoes. Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth - Kiss, Marry, Kill.. Explain your reasoning haha!

I'd marry Dulcinea, because she's sweet,... for now...
Kill Harrow, because I don't like her
and that leaves Coronabeth to kiss.

Day 3 - Chapter 14- 20

10. Thoughts on the deaths, did you care to lose these two or are you just waiting for the body count to increase?

I'm just waiting for the body count to increase.

11. I like the electric toothbrush detail. What do you think of the room they found? Are there any details from the room that you think are going to be important later?

eeeh.... to be honest I didn't pay that much attention to the room. Shame on me.

12. The letter clearly has Gideon’s name in it (see below) but we get no comment from Gideon as the narrator on her reaction to this. What do you think of this as an author’s choice and what do you think the letter means?
" ut we all know the sad + trying realit
is that this will remain incomplete t
the last. He can’t fix my deficiencies her
ease give Gideon my congratulations, howev"

I have no idea. You're right it's a bit strange we didn't get to see Gideon's reaction to the letter...
But hopefully Harrow will involve Gideon a bit more, now.

13. This quote feel like somewhat heavy handed foreshadowing , though I may be wrong.
“You’re all right. Gideon, Gideon … you’re so young. Don’t give yourself away. Do you know, it’s not worth it … none of this is worth it, at all. It’s cruel. It’s so cruel. You are so young—and vital—and alive. Gideon, you’re all right … remember this, and don’t let anyone do it to you ever again. I’m sorry. We take so much. I’m so sorry.”
She would remember each word later, loud and clear. It seems to imply this is Dulcinea’s voice and does this impact your opinion of her?

Somewhat, yes. I was very suspicious of her at the beginning. But now I think she might be on our main character's side.

Bonus Question: The skulls on top of the chapters belong to each house but I have been unable to find any pattern or meaning to their order. Anyone think there is a purpose or pattern? Did I miss something obvious?

I have the same question... maybe it has something to do with the houses' progress?

I'm planning to finish Gideon the Ninth today (or tomorrow, we never know) and then I'll try for another one during the weekend.

DQ’s Day Two: October 7, 2019
Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?

The ring must be the key to something, and Harrow is planning to find that thing. But she doesn't want Gideon's help for some reason. She's probably just to proud to work in teams.

7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?

No I don't consider it speculative fiction at all. It's fantasy/science fiction.

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?

Probably yes. Gideon seems to lack knowledge about how other houses work, what ability they might have, how they behave etc. I think there will be more strange things in the future for our protagonist.

9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?

I haven't really figured her out yet, but I'm sure there's something behind her behaviour. Maybe she's just collecting information.

Sammy wrote: "Sonia wrote: "The Ilona Andrew's sharing of the day, with a don't drink while reading warning:

Why I am a horrible person"

Also no eating... lol."

OMG !!!

Day 1: Chapters 1-7

1. I love the world building this author does for her universe. I find it helpful in epic fantasies when authors give a little narrative upfront about the main characters in the story and their interrelationships. The world is very grey where Gideon lives - even her porridge is grey. Her arrival in this house as a baby from a woman that fell into the world was very auspicious. Gideon attempted to run away when she was four, and tried 86 times to run away by the time she was 18. What were your initial impressions of this world?

Honestly, I was just very confused. We got so much information at once, without a real explanation. I need more to understand what's going on really.

2. Harrow tricked Gideon when she talked about her offer of freedom. Gideon seemed to have the upper hand, but then Harrow won the fight through her earlier planning and planting that day. What do you think that says about their relationship?

That Harrow is abusing her power over Gideon. That Gideon was a little naive to believe Harrow would let her go. It does not bode well.

3. So Harrow wants Gideon to be her guardian as she travels to the other houses. Seems like a good opportunity to get off the Ninth, and become a Cohort. Gideon does take the position. Do you think that was a good choice for her?

She didn't really have a choice, did she? Well, it might be better than being stuck where she was. Maybe?

4. I liked when Gideon’s sword instructor said “anyone can learn to fight, not anyone can learn to think”. Do you think that Gideon needs to do more thinking than fighting?

Definitely, yes. She seems too impulsive. She needs to think about strategy more.

5. What do you think about the House of the First? The world seems like the exact opposite of the ninth in terms of light and sky, rather than everything grey. All the houses are there - do you think Gideon is going to get into trouble or save Harrow from trouble?

I have a feeling Gideon is the kind of character who's always in trouble. And Harrow, with her attitude, will definitely get in trouble too. It's gonna be a whole mess of troubles. I can feel it.