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

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

Finished !!!
I adored it ! Simply put, it was amazing. haha. One of the best retellings I've ever read.

Tina, if you still want to read it I'll stay to dicuss :)

To Kill a Kingdom
by Alexandra Christo

Date read: 24/06/18
Pages: 352
Bom/BR? yes Link to thread
Character Names: Kahlia, Lira, Elian Midas, Kolton Torik, Kye, Madrid, Amara, Rycroft, Isa, Kazue, Yukiko, Galina, Flesh-Eater, Hiroki
Letters: A, C, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, R, T, Y

Elen wrote: "Chapters 15 - 28


I like the story more and more with every chapter I read. I would agree with Sailor statement that [spoilers removed]

I love how the author describes every kingdom and what are ..."

Yess to all of the above !
I'm really loving it. It's so interesting and well written. And it doesn't feel too tropy, which is good for YA.
(view spoiler)[The prince is amazing with his piraty ways. He's not just a pretty face. And I like Lira's fierce attitude. My favorite part about this book are Lira's comebacks. She always says the unexpected. Makes for fun dialogues. (hide spoiler)]

Tina wrote: "Oh no I missed this some how!
I started this in May and then saw this thread but I think I forgot to check in. I was actually enjoying it

Are you still reading this Heli?

(Team Tonks)"

I haven't finished it, yet. I'm here to discuss if you still want to :)

Sailor wrote: "What does everyone think of the mermen?

[spoilers removed]"

they sound (view spoiler)[ absolutely gross. And mating with them must be a terrifying experience. Imagine having to do that with one named flesh-eater. I'm sure he was named that for a reason. No wonder Sirens are so bloodthirsty. They are born of hatred and violence. (hide spoiler)]

Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3)
by Seanan McGuire

Date read: 23/06/18
Pages: 174
BOM/BR? Yes Link to thread
Characters: Kade, Christopher, Angela, Eleanor, Nadya, Onishi Sumi, Rini

Letters: A, B, C, E, K, M, N, O, R, S, W

I finished the book. :D

(view spoiler)[Being able to travel to all these different worlds and not just hear about them from the children was fascinating. It just shows how complex this constellation of worlds Seanan McGuire created is. They are all so very unique. I love it.
I also loved going back to all the characters I loved from book one (well, except Jack and Jill. But because we got a whole book about them I think we can forgive her that ;) ). And Rini was a great addition to this crazy band :D (hide spoiler)]

Elen wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Up to chapter 3"

First, when I saw Belyrika (=white river in Russian) I didn't see it. But after separating the words "Белая река", I was like yes, it is. LOL"

Sorry I miss-spelled it. It's actually bellyyreka. I know "река" is supposed to be pronounced "rika", so that must be why. haha
I just noticed immediately and I thought it interesting that the one russian character was also the one to go there. Is there something cultural that decides in which world they belong?

Annalisa wrote: "Part V the ending. This is my favorite of the books.

Chapter 13 [spoilers removed]

Chapter 14 .."

I also thought (view spoiler)[ we would end up in the moors for a minute. It would have made sense after all: in that world they know how to bring people back to life.
But then I got to think about it and going to the Moors would have meant facing Jill, Sumi's murderer. Maybe not the smartest idea... (hide spoiler)]

Annalisa wrote: "Part IV
"

Yes (view spoiler)[ I really liked the baker, too ! She's absolutely not what I expected and I'm glad. Another character who adds diversity to the mix.
I really liked Sumi in the first book. I'm glad she remained just as quirky and her death didn't change her. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 6

I love (view spoiler)[The creation story of Confection. It's awesome, so creative. I love it ! (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 3

(view spoiler)[I really like how diverse the characters are. We have sexual orientation diversity, ethnic diversity but also body shape diversity. It's important to have all kinds of diversity in a book, and not just focus on one kind.

It's interesting that some kids go to worlds that correspond somewhat to their cultural background: Christopher the mexican to Mariposa (= butterfly in spanish) a place with walking skeletons. It reminds me of the Mexican holiday, the day of the dead or something like that, where they use the kind of skeletons imagery. And Nadya the russian to Belyrika (=white river in russian).

The plot in this book is really interesting too. I'm loving it. And Rini is so funny. ;) (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "I finished through Chapter 6, so now I can look at Deanna's spoilers - yay!

Alina and Mal [spoilers removed]

Darkling - [spoilers removed]

The Greisha court [spoilers removed]"

I have the same question about the test (view spoiler)[ it was clear to me they knew something and were trying to cheat the test. Does that mean Alina knew about her powers? or does Mal also have powers? I wonder... (hide spoiler)]

Deanna wrote: "Finished through chapter 6 today...

Mal - [spoilers removed]

Alina - [spoilers removed]

Darkling - [spoilers removed]

The Fold - [spoilers removed]"

I agree with all of the above. (view spoiler)[Especially your comment about Mal. It's like they can only be free to be themselves when they are together.
I feel bad for Alina. It's clear she really loves Mal. It must be hard to see him flirting with all these women. No wonder she's insecure. (hide spoiler)]

I'm finally making progress, here. I got caught up in watching Jessica Jones on Netflix, haha

I'm liking it so far.
up to chapter 6 (view spoiler)[I'm don't really trust the Darkling and the other Grisha. Their methods are too aggressive in my opinion. And all the rumors about them. There must be some truth about it.
Also I don't trust a monarch who only values beauty. That's just vain. That Grisha girl in chapter 6 really crossed a line for me. She was about to modify Alina's face without her consentment. Worse, she was going to do something to her without even telling her what she was up to. That's not okay in my book. (hide spoiler)]

Starting this too !
I'm so happy to go back to the school !! I missed it in book two.

I've copied it on the right thread. Thanks though ! haha

Science, Sexuality and Sensation Novels: Pleasures of the Senses
by Laurie Garrison

Date read: 22/06/18
Pages: 272
BOM/BR? no
Characters : / (non-fiction)
Letters: G, L, S

Steven wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ Foxgard wrote: "Science, Sexuality and Sensation Novels: Pleasures of the Senses
by..."

haha, yeah. sorry.
I have put both Hermione thread links in my favorite bar in my browser. I must have clicked on the wrong one. lol.

Welcome Rachel !!!