Keli’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2016)

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

DQs Day 6: Chapter 32 - end

24. Chapter 32, though! How did you feel about the heart-to-heart on the parapet? Did it fill you with fluttery lovey feelings, or did it fall flat? Are you loving “Vioden” (Xadlet?)??

🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 sums it up.

25. Xaden has Violet join his special group for the War Games, and we find out about all the secrets that EVERYONE has been keeping from her. Do you think she overreacted to these revelations or is her reaction warranted? How do you feel about Dain’s betrayal? Surprised (hint hint - NO)?

Total overreaction. But it wouldn't be a ya or a romance without one! Characters can't be reasonable and think about the implications of what total disclosure could mean. Dain's betrayal not a surprise. You know the process changes you, really brings out who you are.

26. Anyone crying yet? I know I was losing it through a lot of the last 15% of the book. What are your thoughts on the major losses we see during this battle? Any thoughts on the battle itself (or the enemy themselves)?

I was crying because it was still going. I thought it sucked that the best character in the book had to die.

27. That CLIFF-HANGER of an ending had me stunned! What did you think of the sudden appearance of (view spoiler)? Was it too much, or just enough?

This was a surprise. I would not have guessed.

28. What are your overall thoughts on this book? Will you read the next one?

This is an absolutely atrocious book. It was too long with zero world building or character development or a real plot. I don't know why Yarros thought she needed to tell this story. I am not often cynical about author’s intentions. I believe most authors come from a place of creativity. This schlock felt made up for money. Like she just wanted to write the next Hunger Games or Divergent (which is also shite but 10x better than this!) Like she's already dreaming of selling the rights. And though that probs isn't fair, this book was crap.

BONUS!
On a scale of 1 to 100, how much to you hate Dain?
I despise them all.

DQ set 5: Chapters 26 - 31

19. I'm so confused by the logistics of this world! Firstly there's the comment that 6 hours in flight left them all super-stiff, but surely they've been putting the hours in in flight fight practice? And then the sudden realisation that actually it's TOTES fine to put a saddle or harness on to secure them in flight, as if that wouldn't be the very first thing you'd do the first time the dragons decided to plummet and every rider loses their seat!
Anyway, that rant is mostly to say: how are you enjoying the world-building now we are further into the story?

NOTHING about this books makes sense. This has some of the weakest world building and character development I have ever read.

20. We discover that riders of mated dragons can now talk in each others minds... What do you think this adds (or detracts) to the story, characters, world?

I think it's great. Maybe we'll get a little less of the bland inner monologue of Violet's mind. Oh my god Xaden is so scrummy, might be broadcast to him. So fingers crossed she starts emptying her mind.

21. Lightning! Who'd've guessed that Violet would end up with a super rare, super powerful signet?! What do you think the lightning says about her character?

Ugh, is all I can say. Where's Homelander's son when you need him? Does it says she's a real spark? That power comes from the inside, and is not about how strong you are on the outside? Becaus glass boned Violet is gonna save the world one lightning storm at a time! 🙄

22. There's some destructive sex, followed by a decision that it can never happen again. What do you think about the different approaches that Violet and Xaden have towards their attraction to each other?

Ok, I'm going to be honest and say that i skipped past this part and all sexy, even kissing, bits. I love a good sex scene. I love a good sex book. But this was way too juvenile for me to feel comfy with. I'm 44. These characters act like teenagers. I don't find it the least bit sexy, more cringey. So all that was to say don't know, don't care. I will say that ever since the tree scene, when it became apparent to everyone but super smart Vi that Xaden didn't really want to kill her, she's been pretty daft in her approach.

23. Finally - is it just me, or is Dain starting to redeem himself? I feel like I'm seeing signs of improvement in him....

Nope.

Day 4 Questions Chapter 21-25

14. Do you think there is a reason the Cadets are not being told the truth of what is going on with the battles at the Battle Brief? Is it actually for classified reasons or is there something more sinister going on?

Since I have finished this sh*tshow, I will try to remember what i was thinking at the time. I do remember saying, well you're all idiots, so why would they tell you everything. Honestly, could anyone imagine the top brass of a military passing classfied marterial on to a junior cadet class? I mean, I know these characters are supposed to be adults, but they read much more like high school students. So, again, I ask what would be the benefit to telling immature murdering young adults anything of any great importance? I'm not even sure what the point if the class is. It's part history, part battle strategy, part geography. We are shown so very little and TOLD a bit more, but what Yarros chooses to TELL us is pretty irrelevant. Honestly, even if you get to the end, all this border skirmish hoo-ha would be easy enough to condense into a few paragraphs. Clearly, there is something much more sinister, as out paper skin and glass bone heroine has alluded to.

15. What do you think about the mentioning of the fact that the Dragons and Gryphons use to work together to protect the lands? Could this be foreshadowing of an alliance to come?

Maybe. But I am at the point I couldn't care less. My question is if dragons are so badass, why is this even a problem?

16. We finally have a bit of progress in the possible romance between Violet and Xaden. Do you think they have actual chemistry or their attraction is just due to the bond of their dragons?

Well, we know ol' Vi is super attracted to Xaden. I mean, she says it every time she espies him. Can we talk about her mental well-being? Sorry if this was addressed in a previous dq. But Violet truly believes this dude wants to kill her. Or at least that's what she TELLS us every 10 minutes. Right around the time she has also TOLD us her traitorous body is reacting to Xaden. I found and always find this trope hard to swallow. This isn't just enemies to lovers, someone who doesn't like you to bed buddy. Oh no, this is a feeling of peril in someone's nearness. How can she even be having these thoughts? If i really honestly thought someone was going to murder me, I would be too terrified to think about broad shoulders, rippling muscles or brands/scars that end just under a strong jaw. 🤢

17. We keep getting random tidbits about Violet's deceased brother Brennan. Do you think there is a possibility he's still alive?

Didn't actually consider whether he was alive or not.

18. With the revelations we've been given about what went on with the Marked Ones and the various battles that are raging on currently, do you think that the Kingdom of Navarre is actually the protector of this world as we've been lead to believe or are they the villains?

The whole world? Not the whole world. Could you imagine these numpties defending the world. They haven’t even figured out that you should probably put a saddle on a dragon and come up with ways of getting on to dragons (aside from one way), so that your future generations don't have to die unnecessarily. I get that there is a fear of weakness, but where is the ingenuity or common sense. It's a whole country run by idiots.
Now that I've finished this is very hard to answer. I did think the society was being lied to but the purpose of those lies wasn't obvious.

Bonus: Anyone else wishing a Dragon would just go scorched earth on Dain already?

I wish the dragons would kill them all.

I read White Teeth like a madwoman today and stayed up late last night too. So I am going to take a break from anymore reading today. I can highly recommend White Teeth. It was a fantastic family saga/story. If you can get ahold of the audio with Lenny Henry and co, I would recommend even more.
I'll check in tomorrow.
And get those fourth wing dqs done.
Happy reading all.

Post colonial done btw.

My copy of Carrie Soto is in. I'll finish my post colonial tomorrow. Maybe not early, but defo tomorrow. I will start Carrie after that and work Behind Her Eyes in somewhere (needed for another challenge). And, of course, The Goldfinch. Can i just say that I am so happy Theo took the dog. Also, I enjoyed the vegas bit. Even though Theo had been through an insanely traumatic event and grew up in NYC, he seem a little naïve. Though it's heartbreaking that he has had to grow up much quicker and see the uglier sides of life, I think it probably shapes where he is or where he's going and wil make his future make sense. I could be wrong. So far a really good book.

I did however finish a 500 pager today and am on track to finish the Goldfinch.
I have really enjoyed this Tower Teams. Thanks y'all. 😊

Suzanne wrote: "Keli, are you still ok to read your post-colonial book? If not, I'll grab one and listen while I'm doing house jobs :)"

Sorry, I just saw this. I'm at 25%. I probably won't finish it tomorrow but early friday. I can get through a good chink of it tomorrow, but not all. If you have one that works, use it. My claim was really only if no one had anything or if I'd managed to finish it. Sadly, i was at my desk most of Tuesday and couldn’t get any listening in at work. Or else I'd have finished today.

Im not sure when I'll have the Goldfinch finished. Obvs before the end of July, but not sure if before. I'm doing alot of other reading around it. But that is defo a guaranteed 600+. And the once and future witches is a 500.

Lots of good books on that post-colonial list. I just borrowed white teeth from the library in audio. If no one else has read anything by the time I finish, I'll pop it in. But I probably won't finish until Wednesday. I plan to get halfway through The Goldfinch and The Once and Future Witches this weekend.

Kirsten wrote: "Hi, Team, especially captains--can you double check the square that I barely understand?

I added Janeylou's Him, and used How to Train your Dom in 5 Easy Steps, Made of Folded Paper, and Scent of ..."

Even though you've made a diagram and listed the books, it took me several minutes of going over it, again and again. 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️

I claimed the last spot on the HP wheel.

I downloaded the audiobooks of carrie soto in Scribd. Only to discover that it's in dutch. Nanci, you're not alone!

Janeylou wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Thanks for checking up on that Vi.

I submitted for a new spin for Ladder to the Sky. I'll have the heron book done this afternoon.

Janine, I assume you are still reading Black Du..."

Have a great time.

Think Lisa is adding you.

Vi wrote: "I'm not sure what happened but the book I finished for chipmunk disappeared. Can somebody help to add? I'm traveling and my internet connection is not really stable - The Best Man. ..."

Strange. I saw it on there it was above my black sun. I think though, that if several people are entering at the same time things can go weird. I know that mine have disappeared between me adding a book and looking at the tower tabs.
I'll add you.

Elinor wrote: "Well, I feel a bit bad about badmouthing Fourth Wing because I’m rather enjoying it!"

Lol. Different strokes, Elinor. I absolutely disliked it. I'm glad you're enjoying it though. You're not alone in enjoying it.

Cris, I am with you on teal, but all those clouds are clearly why Tineye said grey. But you could always use it for the letters.

Maple blondies🤤🤤🤤🤤. I love your daughter's name. Ivy is beautiful and quite uncommon.

Elinor have fun with your cuz.

Happy sweet 16 to your daughter, Kirsten.