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

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

It's All Uncharted
by redhead414

Date Read: 05/17/18
Pages: 929
BOM/BR? no
Characters: Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Lavender Brown, Ginny, James, Narcissa, Theodore Nott,

Nikki wrote: "Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "So, what is everyone reading this week?"

I decided to start attempt #4 of the Vampire Academy series again. I read the first book, but took forever to buy the s..."

I have the same problem with the VA series. I read the first one twice, but have failed to continue in the series. And it's not that I didn't like it. I loved it ! I even love the movie!!! And Richelle Mead is one of my favorite authors.
It's just weird that I can't get myself to continue in the series.

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Does it still count as a buddy read if the official reading start date was May 1st? I'm just starting the book tonight but realize the thread-starters may have finished the book already."

I think as long as there's someone to reply to your comments it should count.

Am I right?

I love Rick Riordan's books. I literally devoured the Percy Jackson series in one week. I also really liked the Egyptian trilogy. I love the humor in those books.
I'm really glad he made his imprint so that other authors can present us their own mythology in the same kind of way. I'd really like to try

Chapter three

(view spoiler)[I find the colour logic behind the mscam very interesting. Each kind of magic has its own colour and two or more kinds of magic mix you obtain mixed colours too. it's very cool :) I have never seen anything like it to describe and identify magics.

also, btw, that Saiman guy is very expensive ! almost a thousand dollars for just over thirty minutes of his expertise. What a rip off ! (hide spoiler)]

Deanna wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "I'm a bit late to the party but I'd like to join :..."

Thank you Deanna !

I suspected that. Otherwise the series would not be so popular! haha. Anyway, I guess it is normal for a first book in a urban fantasy series. The author has to explain how the world works, after all.


On another topic, I'm listening to the audiobook. One thing that is always funny/irritating to me is when authors use french words and the narrator doesn't know how to pronounce them. There's just the one really, "loup". While it doesn't exactly mean the same thing here (well not at all seeing as in french is just means wolf, and here they are "deranged shapechangers") it's fairly obvious to me that that's where the word comes from. It's pronounced \lu\, with a silent p. And the narrator keeps pronouncing the p... lol

edit: it reminds me of the Anita Blakes audiobooks where the silent t in "chat" (cat) is always pronounced. But it that case it's weird because when the t is pronounced you feminize the word and it takes ... interesting connotations... basically Jean-Claude keeps calling Nathaniel "My little pussy". haha

Steven wrote: "Imperius is done! :D

That's another 100 points!!!"

AWESOME !

Natalie wrote: "Hello! Team Draco Malfoy here and big fan of everything Ilona Andrews has written so I'm going to join in for a reread of this series. I've been in the mood to reread with the final book coming up ..."

Thank you Natalie!
I always find it interesting to learn about authors and the the creaton of their first book and then their journey into the publishing industry.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I found the first book a bit confusing on my first read. Just finished chapter 1 and yeah, it gives you a lot of information, but not a lot of context for it.."

I just finished chapter 2 and feel the same way. Right now I'm in information overload.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "The whole switching between magic and tech and never knowing how long either would last has to be super annoying."

Yes, but plotwise it's super interesting. I can't wait to see how it will play into the story later!

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Chapter 2

I love Kate's investigation technique

[spoilers removed]"

Haha, true! it's very funny the way she words it. Must be effective, but also very dangerous !!

That's awesome Sonia !

I really need to get on the October Daye series. I even own a physical copy of Rosemary and Rue. But there are so many series I need to finish or long to start! How to choose what to read next? Life as a reader is hard ! lol

Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[One of the most hilarious scenes for me, the moment in which the librarian puts on his gloves and takes his stick, ready to fight the montruous books. The image it creates in my mind just cracks me up. I love it !

Also, this is the chapter in which Hermione gets her Crookshanks. I just love that cat/kneazle. I wish I had one like that. And the banter between Hermione and Ron about their pets has always been one of my favorite part of this book. Well, at least in the beginning.

Also, have you heard this theory that Crookshanks originally belonged to the Potter?
youtube : Harry Potter Theory: Who Was Crookshanks Original Owner?
It's a bit far fetched in my opinion, but I like the idea. :) (hide spoiler)]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 3-5"

As a child I was absolutely terrified of the Dementors in the movies. But I still couldn't take my eyes off the screen. lol

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[ Am I the only one to think that drinking hot chocolate on the Knight bus is a hazardous thing to do? lol


Also, does anubody else think it's strange the minister of magic doesn't even find it curious that Harry is so against going back to his muggle family? That Harry was in such a state their that he performed accidental magic, even though he's been at Hogwarts for 2 years and should be able to control it better? Isn't he even a bit curious why?
Don't they have a Childe Protection Servivice or whatever in the Wizarding World? Shouldn't Fudge at least send someone to investigate the case of this child which is considered a national hero?
They are doing everything they can to protect Harry from Sirius, not that they are doing a great job at that (view spoiler)[not that it's really necessary in the end (hide spoiler)], whilst letting him be abused by his family. You'd think they wanted Harry to be safe and happy. They just don't care as long as it's not their own fault. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a bit late to the party but I'd like to join :)

TEAM HERMIONE

TEAM HERMIONE

Discussion Questions 4-5 May Chapters 13-32

6. We are halfway through the book, do you like the story? What about the characters, they seem to be developing more for me. Do you like how the author discribed the interactions between the two sets of brother and sister? What do you think of their relationships?

Yes, I do. I really like the characters. They are all great in their own way. For me the most interesting character is Inan, as he has to deal with something he believed was evil his whole life. He has to face the truth, which is very different from what he was taught.
I also really like the relationships between brothers and sisters. Both pairs are very different, but at the very chore there is always love.

7. There is a strong message in this book, one I knew before I started reading this book (read the Author's note at the end of the book) and I can see that. But also the parallel to the holocaust and what is happening all over the world with people being oppressed and punished for being different. Do you think the author has a bigger message?

Of course there's the message about the oppressed. But it also shows that each culture is very unique and beautiful in their own way.

8. What do you make of Inan's struggle with his magic? Do you think he will eventually embrace it ? Will this affect his relationship with his sister? His father? Or his thoughts about Zelie?

I believe he'll end up embracing it. He won't have a choice in the end, and he'll see how wrong his beliefs were. There's no other way. And of course, because of that he'll have to face his evil father. And I suspect he'll end up falling in love with Zélie.

9. There is a lot of cruelty in this book and it is described in detail, do you think it could be less or do you think it is necessary to get the point across?

I believe it is necessary

10. I'm going to repeat Cat's question about the magic system in this book, because we learned so much more about it's origin through the happenings at the Chandomble temple? What do you think of the magic system? Has the author put enough into it to make it believable? Do you like the overview of the Maji clans in the beginning of the book with the symbols?

I think it is interesting. Especially Inan's magic. and the Blood magic too is intersting in its own way. But I still feel like I don't have a full grasp of it right now. I need to learn more.
I love the overview at the beginning of the book.

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1-2
Man Aunt Marge is the WORST! Saying such horrible things about Harry's parents without even knowing them.

It was nice to see Harry get some cards and presents for his birthday for a change...."

Yep, JK Rowling did a lot of foreshadowing. Some of the things happening in the first book only have repercussion or become relevant in the last books. Like in the very first chapter of the first book, Hagrid says that he borrowed his motorcycle from Sirius Black. :)

Samantha wrote: "Hey everyone :) I'm planning on starting this book either today or tomorrow. Just popped in to see if anyone else was starting it yet!"

Hey Samantha ! Welcome to The Prisoner of Azkaban buddy read !

Chapter 1-2

(view spoiler)[ Right now I'm really envious of Hermione's super essay writing powers. 2 scrolls more thant what was asked! lol. I could really use that ability for my master thesis right now!


The way Harry got Dursley to promise to sign the hogmead's form is proof that Harry wouldn't have done so bad in Slytherin. I wonder, however, if Dursley would have kept his word had it not gone so horribly wrong (on the last day too, poor Harry)...
Maybe Harry is not such a Slytherin after all. He should have insisted on getting the form right away.

Also, can we discuss aunt Marge? Isn't she the worst? What kind of woman would encourage school beating like that? And how she verbally abuses Harry all the time! I can't stand it! She's almost as bad as Umbridge! (hide spoiler)]

Steven wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Hey Steven :) Could you add the BR points for the Chamber of Secrets ? Thanks !"

Done! sorry I missed that!"

Thanks Steven !