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

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

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Keli wrote: "Comments and Questions
16&17 June
Chapters 1-8

1. The opening line of this book had me really sit up and take notice! Did it hit you in the face too? What's your favourite opening lin..."

I read Prince of Thorns and loved Jorg, well as much as Jorg can be loved; he's pretty vile. But it was fantastic world building and a brilliany story. His next trilogy was even better. I think Lawrence's only failing is that his characters can be rather stereotypical (esp. the broken empire series) but everything else makes up for that.

Comments and Questions
18&19 June
Chapters 9 - 20

7. So very much happens in this section, I almost don't know where to start. Ok. The Tacsis family sends 2 different delegations after Nona. The first time, Raymel's brother attacks her. Do you have any speculation what exactly is going on with her hands? I'm struggling trying to coincide a family with that much power, money, and influence having a son fighting in the 'pits'. Do you think we've really seen the last of this family?
-Raymel fighting is essentially slumming it. He gets to maim, rape & kill indiscriminately, where else would a rich psycho giant want to be. We'll most definitely be seeing more of the Tacsis.

8. Nona appears so naive in social situations. She seems to place a high value on friendships. I found myself wondering if Clera had not somehow sold information on her in town and that is how she switched her penny for a silver coin. Do you see that naivete somehow playing a further plot point in the story?
-I'm getting hives due to Clera. We know she's a wrong'un but it's waiting for the betrayl that's filling me with anxiety. Nona's been warned more than once she should listen but who knows maybe she'll wise up.

9. The faux trial, the truth test, the Shield test. Wow! It was nonstop. I had to keep reminding myself that Nona is not yet even a teenager. It was hard to stomach. That one man could force all of this cruelty and chaos. And that everyone went along with it. What was your biggest takeaway? What did you enjoy the most? The politics, the revelations, the action? Were you satisfied with how it eventually resolved?
-It's pretty much medieval. Say what you want about progressive liberal ideas but we don't have to put up with crap like this thanks to it, whereas our forebears did. Until a couple hundred years ago very few peeps could determine their lives, most were subject to the will & whims of others. So as frustrating as it is in a world of emperors & ruling families it made perfect sense.

10. We learned more about the prophecy. Both what is rumored and what the Abbess believes. We also learn what Arabella and Nona will claim as their Sister names. Do you think it was really Arabella in the Prologue? Have you changed your viewpoint on Arabella?
-I didn't know how to take Arabella. I didn't buy her as a baddie and it was kind of obvs that Nona & her would become friends. Mark Lawrence writes a good buddy story and he likes to use opposing themes, particularly light & dark, in all aspects those two terms encompass.

11. As we come to the middle of the novel, have your thoughts changed regarding any of the characters? The style? The book itself? Any major surprises? What do you think will happen next?
-I was surprised about the names. I really thought that prologue was about Nona.

Comments and Questions
16&17 June
Chapters 1-8

1. The opening line of this book had me really sit up and take notice! Did it hit you in the face too? What's your favourite opening line from a novel? (Mine is Anna Karenina: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way"
It's a great opening to a book. My favourite opening line is, "My working relationship with Lucifer again on Monday." - Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
It might be my fave b/c it's my fave book but either way I remembered it.

2. The Author's Note at the front says to skip it and return only if you need it. So.. I skipped it. (I'm not big on spoilers). How about you? Did you skip it, or read it?
I read it. But I have to read books cover to cover, especially if I've loved their previous books.

3. How are you finding the style? Do you like the flashbacks into Nona's past?
I love the style but I'm familiar with it. It's how Mark Lawrence wrote his two other trilogies.

4. Raymel Tacsis is "surrounded by Academy men sweating to keep him from death". Would you want people to try and save you like this, given the risks?
Yes. Save me. Death is so final, I'd rather try being something freaky first.

5. What do you think of the world building? I'm finding it quite intriguing. And I love the names of the Sisters (flint, apple, wheel!). What name would you give yourself?
The world building is one of the best things about Lawrence's books aside from the relationships.
If I had a name, Sister Novel would be mine.

6. Initial thoughts - are you enjoying the book so far? Any favourite characters?
I'm really enjoying the book so far. I can't wait to see what happens.

Completion Post

Book: City of Light
Author: Keri Arthur
Date Read: 14/06/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Page Count: 343 pages
Spell Letters: B, C, T, S, J, N, P, K, A

Book: Justice Calling
Author: Annie Bellet
Date Read: 14/06/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Page Count: 119 pages
Spell Letters: J, A, E, L, C, H, B

I just finished City of Light and there are visions/ prophecies.

Nanci wrote: "I would like to play. I'm not a fast reader, so please put me in for best position for a slower reader. I will be able to check in every day and I'm open to reading any type of book needed for the ..."

Go Nanci!! It's good fun. Ask to be keeper, that's the best for a slower reader. You are going to read all kinds of stuff!

I'll be away for the next 48 hours, so I won't be able to post any books on the spreadsheet. I have posted them in "books read" thread, though, on posts 168 & 170

Nanci wrote: "I'm going to follow Keli's recommendation and play in the next round of quidditch if that's ok, Carmen and Plethora. I'm not a fast reader and I've never played this before, so please put me where ..."

Yay! It's mad fun. I would time yourself reading. See how many pages you get through in an hour, that will help you & your team determine the best position. Keeper is a good one if you are a slower reader. Besides, many of the kinks that came with being the first will, hopefully, have been worked out.

Below is the link to the 1st match-
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Book:Capture
Author:Penny Reid
Date Read: 03/06/18
Pages: 235
Stars: 5
Letter: P, R, C, K, M, S, B, A, F, W

Book: Eidolon
Author: Grace Draven
Date Read: 05/06/18
Pages: 240
Stars: 5
Letters: E, G, D, B, I, K, N, S, A,

Completion Post

These are available only for page count points because they are quidditch book.

Book: Her Dakota Man
Author: Lisa Mondello
Date Read: 01/06/18
Pages: 190
Stars: 4

Book:Taming the Beast
Author: Lucy King
Date Read: 01/06/18
Pages: 101
Stars: 3

Book:Heat
Author: Penny Reid
Date Read: 02/06/18
Pages: 188
Stars: 5

Book: Falling for Flynn
Author: Kate Willoughby
Date Read: 02/06/18
Pages: 132
Stars: 3

Book:Animal Farm
Author:George Orwell
Date Read: 04/06/18
Pages: 122
Stars: 5

Book: The Arnhem Lift
Author:Louis Hagen
Date Read: 05/06/18
Pages: 126
Stars: 3

Book:Learning to Love
Author:Amelia Rose
Date Read: 05/06/18
Pages: 117
Stars: 3

Judy wrote: "Keli wrote: "Hi all, I'll have quite a few books to add to our overall count & a few for spells or classes.

I hope you've all been checking out the 1st quidditch match. If any of you are intereste..."

Yeah, there is a real level of commitment that's required. Honestly, how my lovely teammates are managing this with work & personal stuff is beyond me. I'm currently off work, it's the only way I could do it. Maybe in the next Tower Teams you can give it a go because it is a load of fun.

Hi all, I'll have quite a few books to add to our overall count & a few for spells or classes.

I hope you've all been checking out the 1st quidditch match. If any of you are interested in playing in the next one and want to know what it's like, I'll be happy to share.
I will say if you are a slower reader, <100 pages/hour, consider the roll of keeper or possibly, seeker. Carmen would be better advised on that. But if you like me are a slow reader don't let that out you off.

Suzanne wrote: "Hufflepuff Bludger Amanda bludgeons Kelli

Amanda finished Her Dakota Man 6/1 to bludgeon chaser Kelli. Can Kelli be saved? When is Kelli knocked off her broom? We here at Hufflepu..."

I sure do, cos I am. I think I might just barely be holding on to my broom.

Plethora wrote: "Keli wrote: "Do I need to put completed quidditch books on the completed books thread?"

They go in the completion thread in both places. (this group and the quidditch group)


Here we still get to..."

Thanks for getting back to me.
Plethora sent me the link. We've been coordinating. I thought our first chain was going to be posted by the time I woke up but there seems to be some sort of communication & time zone issue.
Also, I might have stuck red tent under arithmancy but move it wherever. I posted the two quidditch books and marked them read for quidditch.

Kelly wrote: "I’ve just been reading through the classes and realised I can probably cover Divination. I’ve read two books which have yet to be released - Mum in the Middle and The Bakery at Seashell Cove. I’ve ..."

It looks like it only needs two more books. Sin and Tonic has already been applied.

Red Tent hasn't been applied to either a class or a spell.
I can put it towards the last A in Avada Kedavra or I can stick it on Arithmancy 161-350. Not sure it'll work for any other classes. Do we have a preference?

Completion Post>
Not sure if I need to post them here but I will. These are available only for page count points because they are quidditch book.

Book: Unexpected Gifts
Author: Elena Aitken
Date Read: 30/05/18
Pages: 136
Stars: 3

Book: The Queen B* Strikes Back
Author: Crista McHugh
Date Read: 30/05/18
Pages: 244
Stars: 3

Do I need to put completed quidditch books on the completed books thread?

Nanci these are the teams & their houses.
4 Ravenclaw: Myrtle, Flitwick, Lockheart & Lovegood
4 Slytherin: Snape, Lestrange, Riddle & Malfoy
4 Hufflepuff: Sprout, Diggory, Tonks & Scamander
4 Gryffindor: McGonagall, Granger Weasley & Remus

Nanci wrote: "Glad to be just a back up this time, until I can sort out this game. Are we Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw and how do you know? I thought we would be our team name. This whole Tower Team game has been lik..."

Also for house cup we'll be averaged with the rest of Ravenclaw.