Sana’s Comments (group member since Oct 27, 2017)

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

DAY 1 CHAPTERS 1-7

1. Ahhh.. The Library! ..My happy place. And what a beautifully intriguing cover! How often do you visit your local library and have you visited any famous libraries around the world. Do share!

Love the cover! I used to visit the library a lot, sadly not anymore after covid.

2. The first chapters describe a barren wasteland with an equally hopeless type of existence for Livira and her people. But straight away we establish that there is something special about Livira as she rises above her surroundings and the life she seems destined for. But circumstances change... your first impressions of Livira and how she influences her new destiny.

Livira seems a sharp and resilient kid with lot of curiosity and fearlessness.

3. The chapter headings.. how do they fit into the tale? Do you find them interesting as a guide or somewhat cryptic at this stage of the story?

They felt cryptic.

4. Enter Evar in Chapter 4 and the scene changes from the barren Dust to the mysterious and atmospheric library and its Mechanism. A lot of information to absorb about how it all works and the role of Evar and his "family". Does the author do a good job in getting across what the library is and does? Is it good, evil or omnipotent?
The Library is very intriguing and mysterious. The mechanism sounds like a portal of sorts.

5. "Evar, don't turn the page. I'm in The Exchange. Find me at the Bottom" .
Who wrote this sentence and what is its purpose at this point in the novel? What impact do you think it will have in the story moving forward?

I'm guessing Livira wrote that sentence at some point in time.

Also Saetan is like Vladimir Sanguinati. And the Sceltie are a friendlier version of the Elementals, imo.

Laura wrote: "@Sana - is this your first time reading The Black Jewels series? It's one of my favorites!"

Really enjoying this series. I like the dark, gothic setting. The first three books were amazing! I've also enjoyed Anne Bishop's The Others too.

Added two books for this round.

MelanieJoy wrote: "@Sana, I saw you put Age of Swords on the spreadsheet! If you get to Age of War (book 3) before the challenge ends, I would love to buddy read it with you! Let me know if you decide..."

Would love to read with you!
I loved Riyria Chronicles / Revelations and this series being prequel to it is really interesting. Can't wait to start Age of War but need to finish mini books first. Will probably start after mini.

Day 3 DQ's Chapter 24 - 33

9. We keep hearing how people smell. Luzia of orange blossoms, Perez of plums and amber. Why do you think the author keeps mentioning this? Do the smells mean more than just an odor?

Pheromones? I don't know what a body odor signifies about other people.

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?

Nothing has stood out to me. I'm just cruising along.

11. Valentina and Marius seem to be rekindling their marriage, finding love where there wasn't before. Why do you think the author is adding that part of the story when she could have left it out?

I think their improved condition has brought them closer to each other.

11. Now we are over halfway and know more of Luzia, the competition and this world. Why do you think the publisher and possibly the author chose this cover over any other possibilities? If you could remake the cover, what would you want it to look like?

I like the cover. Scorpion signifies Santángel and the chain could be a link between him and Luiza.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 13 - 23

5. Luzia’s refranes combine elements from diverse cultural traditions, creating a powerful form of magic tied to her Jewish heritage. Does the portrayal of Luzia’s magic suggest that blending different cultural traditions enhances personal power and resistance, or does it emphasize the delicate balance and possible loss of identity in such a blend?

I feel blending different cultural traditions gives strength to Luiza's character.

6. Characters like Valentina and Hualit demonstrate varying levels of ambition and moral compromise on their paths to security and success. Is pursuit of personal safety and financial security a justifiable reason for ethical compromises, or should ambition be tempered with moral integrity?

In theory morals should never be compromised on any level but people do it all the time either for personal gain or safety.

7. Have you done other reading set in late-16th-century Spain? If not, are you having any problems following the political intrigues and social mores? What’s your favorite time period to read for historical fiction?

I like reading historical fiction, mostly roman and victorian era. I'm able to keep up with the plot but it has failed to hook me in.

8. What do you make of Santángel? At one point we get the line, “And Santángel would be free.” Free from what, do you think?

He could be under a contract with Victor. Either he is near to fulfilling his contract or he wants to replace himself with Luiza to earn his freedom.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉

Reading this for the author. I've read nearly everything written by Leigh Bardugo. I love her Six of Crows duology and Alex Stern series.

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentia and her desperation?

I get where Valentia is coming from. She is desperate but that doesn't mean she have to be mean to people working under her.

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house?

Valentia is afraid that Luiza will run away. She is keeping her on leash.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.

I think the music helps her concentrate and focus on her magic.

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them?

It benefits both of them. Luiza gets some privacy. I suspect Don will use her at some point.

Laura wrote: "Sana wrote: "Finished my battle book."

Only 1 star? I'm sorry! I think that was one of my suggestions. Based solely off of the title, since I haven't read it."

It looked good, Laura. Turns out I'm not a fan of biker gangs. I finished the fifth book of Bridgertons and didn't liked that either.

Finished my battle book.

DQs Day 3:

10. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it... it changes us?"

Do you agree with that quote? Are there any books that changed you personally?

Books were the only thing that kept me sane growing up. Alice in Wonderland, Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia...the list is long. All of them gave me reason to hope and dream.

11. We finally get the first riddle. Did you guess it before Lucy did?

I'm really bad at riddles!

12. What did you think of The City of Secondhand and of Markham showing up like that? Is he just a sleezy lawyer, or is there something more sinister going on?

Just a sleazy lawyer.

13. do you have to keep reminding yourself that the "contestants" are adults, not children?

Not really.

Some other thoughts:

- Why would someone being a "famous artist" mean it's odd for them to bring a guest their dinner? I found this rather a lot weird.

It was more of a surprise because of the size of the house and how rich they were she thought there would be servants for this sort of work.

DQs Day 2 Chapter 6 - 11

6. Jack replied to Lucy's letter and Lucy decided to run away from home. What did you think of his letter and would you have done the same as Lucy?

The letter was sweet but also irresponsible of Jack. He's naive if he doesn't realize what his words would mean to a disturbed teenager. I would have ran away to live on an island!

7. We get more insights on Clock Island. Every 'hour' is its own section like for example a beach. Would you like to visit the island? Do you find the idea of it fascinating or could you not care less?

The description of the island makes it fascinating and I would love to visit.

8. Every part starts with a quote from Jack's book. Do you think these parts are important for the story? Just showing off Jack's work? Something else?

They showcase Jack's work and also how important and inspirational his characters have been for the kids.

9. It seems like there will be a deeper connection between Lucy and Hugo. Do you agree? And would you approve of it given that Hugo had first met her when she was still a child?

They were both young and surly when they first met but really liked how well they connected the second time. Felt organic.

Discussion Questions : Day 1 (Prologue - Chapter 5)

1. We have been introduced to a few important characters - Lucy, Christopher, and Hugo. Plus the off-page persona of Jack. What do you think of the characters so far?

I liked all the characters especially Lucy and Christopher. My heart broke for them.

2. We get a riddle right away in the Prologue:

"Two men on an island and both blame the water
for the loss of a wife and the death of a daughter
but neither ever married, and neither's a father.
What is the secret of the girls and the water?"

Then Hugo thinks to himself that "Five years ago, it [the ocean] had brought low the small, strange kingdom of Clock Island." Do you think the riddle is related to what happened five years ago? Any speculations on what it all means, assuming you haven't read ahead?

I've finished the book now but in the start I never could have guessed what happened.

3. At the beginning of Chapter Two, Hugo says that he used to dream about living in Greenwich Village, but now that he can actually afford it, it doesn't hold the same appeal. He basically says that success kills motivation. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

It's not that you lose motivation but more like your priorities are changed. Depends on the individual. Some people thrive on success some feel lost after achieving their aim.

4. What do you think of the wishing game Lucy plays with Christopher? Do you think this game and mindset are healthy? Do you agree with Lucy that it gives them hope, or do you agree with the social worker that it just gets their hopes up?

It's good to have hopes and dreams. Though, I also agree with the social worker, unrealistic hope can be drastic for mental health.

5. Why do you think Jack finally started writing again? And what might be his motive in holding a contest for the only copy of the new book?

Read the book.

I have
Skyborn
Sky in the Deep
Skyward

None of them are good set of letters.

Okay.

I can read The Essence of Nathan Biddle if you want.

DQs Day 3
Chapters 14-19

11. Starling House reminded me up to a point with some vibes of Beauty and the Beast, although lesser now as the story progresses. Is the book reminding you of any other stories you have read before?

It reminds me a bit of Gallant or Coraline.

12. Ch 14-19 have answered a lot of questions about Opal, the house, Arthur, the history of the place and what's going on. Has anything revealed in this section been surprising to you? Does the explanation so far of everything that has happened ring true?

I was surprised to find that Starling are not blood related.

13. Jasper and Opal are clearly close, although he is sometimes moody and surly. He seems resentful at times of Opal going out so far on a limb to take care of him and get him out of Eden. What do you think of the character now that he has more fleshed-out scenes and more has been revealed about him and their relationship?

Jasper feel resentment because Opal thinks of him as a child. She lies to him, makes decisions without involving him. She is stupid for not confiding in him.

14. Arthur and Opal have heated a few things up. Do you think they fit each other well with these developments?

I think they are well suited.

15. There is humor in the book that is overshadowed by genuinely creepy horror like tales, What do you think about Underland "beasts" revealed so far?

I'm intrigued and looking forward to how the "befriend" advice will work out.

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 8 - 13

6) The narration is using dual POVs: 1st person for Opal, 3rd person for Arthur. Does it work for you? Do you think this suits the story?

I like multiple POVs. It gives depth to the story looking from different perspectives.

7) Opal goes to the Library to find out more about Starling House and finds her mother's phone number among the Gravely family's documents. What implications can it have? Do you think it could be a hint about Opal's parentage?

Looks like Opal's mother has some relation with the Gravely's.

8) After Bev's story about the relationship between Eleanor Starling and the Gravely brothers, we get a totally different perspective from what Nathaniel Boone went through. What do you think about the Gravely family and their "hold" over the town of Eden? What do you think Nathaniel may have discovered in the dark?

The Gravelys are turning out to be the mafia cutthroat type that would do anything for the money without weighing consequences.
I think Nathaniel accidentaly discovered Eleanor's Underland.

9) Finally we learn some more about about Arthur's role (warden) and his connection to the House. What do you think about their "relationship"? What is your opinion about Starling House as a sentient being? Could it be good or evil?

Sentient houses are creepy but Starling House doesn't feel evil. Looks like it's neglected by Arthur because he feels imprisoned because of his role as warden.

10) On "characters not communicating"
In Chapter 12 we find out that Opal has not told Jasper about the fact that she arranged for him to go to a different school and she actually managed to put together the fee for the 1st year already. Opal doesn't tell his brother about her working in Starling House and she doesn't tell Arthur about her spying on the House for Elizabeth Baine and getting more and more demands.
What do you think of all this?

I'm disliking Opal more and more as the story progresses. She should have told her brother about the new school and her job at Starling House. And she should have confided in Arthur when she is blackmailed to spy on him. Her behavior is pretty immature and it's annoying me.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?

This is my first book by this author and it wasn't on my tbr. I like gothic settings so I hope i'll enjoy this.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?

I didn't care much for the footnotes.

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?

I agree with Sendalk. It's unfair to the kids if you shelter them and make them think it's all well and nothing bad exists. Kids need to have a healthy dose of fear to keep them from making bad decisions or getting into trouble.

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?

So far I'm liking the gothic vibe of the story.

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.

No favorites yet, but I'm curious about Arthur.

Okay. That will give me enough time to finish the BOMs and The Bazaar of Bad Dreams.