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

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

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)]

Chapters 9 - 20

7. So very much happens in this section, I almost don't know where to start. Ok. The Tacsis family sends 2 different delegations after Nona. The first time, Raymel's brother attacks her. Do you have any speculation what exactly is going on with her hands? I'm struggling trying to coincide a family with that much power, money, and influence having a son fighting in the 'pits'. Do you think we've really seen the last of this family?

=>No, they'll certainly come back. And now they'll want revenge for 2 reasons instead of one: the near murder and the humiliation. I don't think they'll stop going after her until either of one dies.

8. Nona appears so naive in social situations. She seems to place a high value on friendships. I found myself wondering if Clera had not somehow sold information on her in town and that is how she switched her penny for a silver coin. Do you see that naivete somehow playing a further plot point in the story?

=>Yes, I'm sure someone will betray her at one point. Remember the sister's warning, trust is the deadliest poison. I don't think that warning was there for nothing. Also, good theory about Clery. You might be on to something, there.

9. The faux trial, the truth test, the Shield test. Wow! It was nonstop. I had to keep reminding myself that Nona is not yet even a teenager. It was hard to stomach. That one man could force all of this cruelty and chaos. And that everyone went along with it. What was your biggest takeaway? What did you enjoy the most? The politics, the revelations, the action? Were you satisfied with how it eventually resolved?

=>I loved it all. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. But the action was what fascinated me the most. I love reading the kind of slow motion action. really good !

10. We learned more about the prophecy. Both what is rumored and what the Abbess believes. We also learn what Arabella and Nona will claim as their Sister names. Do you think it was really Arabella in the Prologue? Have you changed your viewpoint on Arabella?

=>I thought the person in the porlogue would be Nona, and I maintain that. I like Arabella a little better now. And I love Arabella and Nona's new name. It sounds really fierce. They'll have to bond with each other, there's no other way.

11. As we come to the middle of the novel, have your thoughts changed regarding any of the characters? The style? The book itself? Any major surprises? What do you think will happen next?

=>My thoughts stayed pretty much the same. I like it. It's a good fantasy.

Mating the Omega
by Ann-Katrin Byrde

Date read: 03/07/18
Pages: 170
Characters: Jason, Mackenzie / Red, Abel

Thanks Laura !

I think I'll start tomorrow. If not, the day after :)