Sarah’s Comments (group member since Nov 10, 2010)

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

I can't imagine why Viserys even wants to re-claim the throne. How can he really remember his home? He was 8 when they fled and maybe it is some childish fantasy of his to be a King and he hasn't out grown it. He has a particularly nasty temper, but I believe he feels like his destiny was taken from him. The book said he had an older brother, and if they are following progeniture (where everything is inherited through the father's line and it would follow to the eldest son) then he would not have been entitled to anything except for getting special recognition or a high standing title. He would never have been King.

I answered these before looking at other responses so I'm sorry if they are repetitive.

1. Many fantasy stories have a "medieval" feel. They incorporate elements that seem or are very fitting to the medieval time period. Why do you think authors do this?

I think the reason many fantasy stories have a "medieval" feel is because that time seems magical. At least, to me. It feels like magic and knights and kings were very real during the medieval time period. Plus, there is a lot of room to make up anything you want. While if an author was to pick something from a more recent time period there is more of a restriction.


2. Tolkien was asked many times how WWII affected his writing of The Lord of the Rings. Was it allegorical? Tolkien always insisted that it wasn't. That being said, does Martin "mean" anything by setting the North vs. the South? Those things obviously "mean" something to us- the Civil War, North and South Korea, Vikings, etc.

I'm not exactly sure if North vs. South will have any particular meaning in this story but it definitely could. But since it is our interpretation, and we bring our knowledge into how we conceive the ideas that an author presents, the Civil War, etc. could have a large part in our definition of the story.

3. For some reason, many epics start with an execution (or perhaps a death/murder). What is the author's purpose in doing that?

I believe this execution in particular was used to show the honor that Ned Stark has. He is upholding his responsibility by executing the man himself because he meted the punishment. I think he's setting up an example of how a man should behave for his sons, and that is why they all witness it. I do not believe the daughters ever would/will witness an execution like that. Plus, Stark makes it personal.

4. Does the direwolf, and her pups, appearance foreshadow anything? What do you make of the pups numbering the exact amount of Stark children?

I believe it might foreshadow something because Catelyn seemed particularly upset at the way the direwolf died. Maybe it means something for Catelyn in particular since she is the mother. Maybe she will be executed or will have to fear attackers. I don't believe in coincidence in novels, and I think everything an authors puts into a story is for a reason. I'm not sure exactly what I think it will mean right now but I know the pups will be significant, particularly since it is the exact number for the Stark children.

5. The orphan is a powerful literary symbol. Especially historically where one's birth determined career, marriage, etc. Orphans are free to, sort of, create their own destiny. What, if anything, will Dany (Daenerys) choose to do to break with her "destiny"?

I don't think Dany has much of a choice in anything at the moment. She is being forced to try to marry the Khal Drogo because her brother wants an army. She is a woman so she doesn't have a lot of power because of her gender. To go further, she's 13. There is no way she has any say in anything until she's older or until she marries. By becoming a Queen she will have some ability to further her own destiny but it will still be outlined by her husband.

Thanks!!

Thanks Lisa Kay!

Level 2 of the Serious Readers Challenge
Duration: 6.9.11-12.31.11
Completed: 88/100

101.The Maze Runner by James Dashner 6.10.11
102.The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard 6.11.11
103.Choker by Elizabeth Woods 6.12.11
104.Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles 6.12.11
105.Soulstice by Simon Holt 6.14.11
106.The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell 6.15.11
107.Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr 6.17.11
108.Shadowspell by Jenna Black 6.18.11
109.Darklight by Lesley Livingston 6.19.11
110.Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love by Michelle Zink, Diana Peterfreund, Karen Mahoney, Sarah Rees Brennan, Becca Fitzpatrick, Caitlin Kittredge, Carrie Ryan, Michelle Rowan, Rachel Vincent, Daniel Marks, Maggie Steifvater, Daniel Waters, and Trisha Telep 6.20.11
111.The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald 6.20.11
112.Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean 6.21.11
113.You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister 6.22.11
114.A Girl's Guide to Vampires by Katie MacAlister 6.23.11
115.The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney 6.24.11
116.Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong 6.26.11
117.Cloaked in Red by Viviane Vande Velde 6.26.11
118.Ascension by Felicity Heaton 6.28.11
119.Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr 6.29.11
120.The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver 7.2.11
121.The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson 7.2.11
122.Goddess of Spring by P.C. Cast 7.3.11
123.Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver 7.9.11
124.Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann 7.9.11
125.Stormwalker by Allyson James 7.10.11
126.Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson 7.11.11
127.Firewalker by Allyson James 7.13.11
128.I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder 7.13.11
129.Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh 7.14.11
130.Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins 7.14.11
131.Sex and the Single Vampire by Katie MacAlister 7.19.11
132.Seduced by Her Highland Warrior by Michelle Willingham 7.19.11
133.Blood Work by Kim Harrison 7.22.11
134.Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins 7.23.11
135.Shadow Walker by Allyson James 7.26.11
136.The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle 7.28.11
137.Divergent by Veronica Roth 7.30.11
138.Demon by Kristina Douglas 8.2.11
139.Ruthless by Anne Stuart 8.4.11
140.Reckless by Anne Stuart 8.5.11
141.Breathless by Anne Stuart 8.5.11
142.Shameless by Anne Stuart 8.5.11
143.White Cat by Holly Black 8.6.11
144.The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe 8.8.11
145.Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon 8.9.11
146.The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa 8.9.11
147.Covet by J.R. Ward 8.10.11
148.The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen 8.11.11
149.Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin 8.12.11
150.Blood Law by Jeannie Holmes 8.13.11
151.Blood Red Road by Moira Young 8.14.11
152.Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep 8.20.11
153.Of Light and Darkness by Shayne Leighton 8.26.11
154.The Greatest Love on Earth by Mary Ellen Dennis 8.26.11
155.Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh 8.27.11
156.Firelight by Sophie Jordan 8.28.11
157.Vanish by Sophie Jordan 8.29.11
158.Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen 9.2.11
159.The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson 9.4.11
160.Lord of the Vampires by Gena Showalter 9.7.11
161.Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead 9.11.11
162.Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 9.12.11
163.Raising the Devil by Diana Thorn 9.12.11
164.The Demon Lover by Juliet Dark 9.17.11
165.The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek 9.17.11
166.Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead 9.18.11
167.The Goblin King by Shona Husk 9.18.11
168.Hard Times by Charles Dickens 9.26.11
169.Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 9.26.11
170.Glass Houses by Rachel Caine 10.1.11
171.Lord of Rage by Jill Monroe 10.3.11
172.Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake 10.7.11
173.Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy 10.8.11
174.Forever by Maggie Stiefvater 10.8.11
175.A Scottish Love by Karen Ranney 10.13.11
176.Kiss of Fury by Deborah Cooke 10.22.11
177.City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare 10.29.11
178.The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans 10.29.11
179.Sirensong by Jenna Black 11.2.11
180.Tempest by Julie Cross 11.4.11
181.Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 11.5.11
182.Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton 11.11.11
183.Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen 10.16.11
184.Love & Leftovers by Sarah Tregay 11.12.11
185.The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 11.15.11
186.Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs 11.19.11
187.Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor 11.21.11
188.Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins 11.22.11
189.
190.
191.
192.
193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
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I finally made it to level 2!!

I'm finished!! I'm in post #52!

So if I have this right we should read the pages before the date. i.e. for June 9th we should have the prologue through ch. 3 read on June 8th. Then on June 9th we would read ch. 4 through ch. 7 so we would have it done for June 10th. Is that right or am I making it complicated for myself? lol

It's no problem Lisa Kay! I'm very sorry to hear about your friend!

I'll do questions for June 12 and I'll be your back up Lisa Kay :D

4 a day sounds good to me too :) that's not too much but it's just enough for us to get into the story each time, does that make sense?

Thank you Lisarenee for putting that together!

Yay Vi, we're doing two group reads together! :)

We aren't starting till the 9th so I'm sure there's plenty of time for you to join Vi.

I'm going to check out Target this weekend. Thanks Sans, I didn't even think of checking there. I was going to go to Barnes & Noble. :D

Thanks girls!! :D

4 more books and then I'll be with you girls at level 2! I've never made it this far, this quickly!

April Showers Bring May Flowers
Duration: April 1-May 31
Completed: 15/15

T:Lily Turner - Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade 4.29.11
I:The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa 5.24.11
G:Witches by Kathryn Meyer Griffith 5.13.11
E:Afterlight by Elle Jasper 5.6.11
R:Shift by Rachel Vincent 4.5.11

L:Lucy - The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan 5.6.11
I:Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon 4.11.11
L:Lost Voices by Sarah Porter 4.2.11
Y:Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn 5.21.11

&

V:Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi 4.20.11
I:The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa 5.25.11
O:Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 5.31.11
L:Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 4.4.11
E:Elias - The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan 4.28.11
T:Tyler - Bumped by Megan McCafferty 5.1.11






Finished :D

Shakespeare Challenge
No Duration
*Stike-out with no date: read before challenge
Completed: 8/28

Comedies
All's Well That Ends Well
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Love's Labour's Lost
Measure for Measure
The Merchant of Venice
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Pericles, Prince of Tyre
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Two Noble Kinsmen
The Winter's Tale

Tragedies
Romeo and Juliet
Coriolanus
Titus Andronicus
Timon of Athens
Julius Caesar
Macbeth
Hamlet
Troilus and Cressida
King Lear
Othello
Antony and Cleopatra
Cymbeline

Read/Swapped/Gave:
(Updated: 7.7.11)

1.Blood Song by Cat Adams4.9.11
2.Siren Song by Cat Adams4.10.11
3.After by Amy Efaw1.27.11
4.Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn5.21.11
5.Afterlight by Elle Jasper5.6.11
6.The Iron King by Julie Kagawa2.4.11
7.Off Kilter by Donna Kauffman1.29.11
8.Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead
9.Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead
10.Tuck by Stephen R. Lawhead
11.Firespell by Chloe Neill1.16.11
12.Hexbound by Chloe Neill2.19.11
13.Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rowland2.9.11
14.Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen5.13.11
15.Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke6.6.11
16.Her Scottish Groom by Ann Stephens6.2.11
17.Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh 7.14.11
18.Stormwalker by Allyson James 7.10.11
19.Shadow Walker by Allyson James 7.27.11
20.Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione4.4.11
21.The Bargain by Mary Jo Putney6.24.11

My Hero Challenge
Duration: January 1 - December 31
Completed: 10/10

Bad Boy: (Jericho Barrons) Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning 1.18.11
Alpha: (Curran) Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews 1.2.11
Brooding: (Raziel) Raziel by Kristina Douglas 1.28.11
Rogue (Dorian) Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead 1.13.11
Nerd: (Seth) Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead 5.21.11
Tycoon: (Ethan Sullivan) Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill 1.23.11
Protector: (Ryan) Secrets of the Demon by Diana Rowland 2.9.11
Daredevil: (Robin Goodfellow/Puck) The Iron King by Julie Kagawa 2.5.11
Warrior: (Hawk) Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning 2.25.11
Paranormal: (Bones) One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost 1.11.11



Finished!! Now I gotta get my Heroine Challenge updated :)