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

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

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.

Judith wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I started A Discovery of Witches. Points baby, points!!!"

I so need to read this series !!!!"

It's a good series! And the English version on audio ..."

Oh? Then maybe I should give the audio a try.... Thanks. I'll think about it.

Sonia wrote: "I started A Discovery of Witches. Points baby, points!!!"

I so need to read this series !!!!

Sammy wrote: "Great start this week team!

Last chance if anyone wants a vamp hunter read this week. Otherwise I'll be starting Dracula either this evening or tomorrow morning :)"

I'm good. You can take it Sammy :)

Steven wrote: "What color would you guys say this one is?

"

I don't know. It's hard to judge if it's more blue or green. I want to say... greeeeeeen???
Let's wait to see what the others say.

Steven wrote: "I’d vote for pushing up to the limit for more points. Can’t win all the prizes, but I’d love to end in first in points!!!"

That sounds perfect !!!!

Sammy wrote: "I believe Steven, Elen, Judith and I are all definitely done for this week.

Anyone besides Jenny have any books they'll be finishing before the deadline? (If you're in a daylight savings area, the..."

I should be able to finish Imago in time :) I'm nearly done with it ;)

Sammy wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ wrote: "Does Gunmetal Magic work for "Gun" in title?"

Sorry Claire, the goals FAQ says words that are part of another word aren't acceptable for "in the title" tasks :("

Alright, no problems. I can always use it for "gun on the cover".

Does Gunmetal Magic work for "Gun" in title?

Elen wrote: "Sammy wrote: "I'm not familiar with that system... I take it it's the opposite from the UK (where A is highest and goes down to F)?"

I would say in Estonia is pretty similar to the UK system.

In ..."

Here in Belgium the grading system is a bit different. Usually it's on 20, but sometimes they give it in percent too. If you have a 20/20 it's the highest score, obviously. Lower than 10/20 you fail (at my uni less that 12/20 was already considered a fail until a few years ago). But there's a catch once you're in uni. You can't get higher than 18/20, except for really exceptional cases. Basically they want to teach you that there's always space for improvement. It's utter bs, in my opinion, but that's how it is.

Oh sorry for the confusion. We are not talking about the grading system but the proficiency level of a language. It's called the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFRL.



Basically they told Sonia she has a proficienly level in english that is a little above basic.