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

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

It’s a favourite cheese of mine and, like all my favourite cheeses, hard to get in England. I’ve never even seen havarti or provolone in stores either. 😭

DQs Day 2
Chap 5 to 7

6. What do you think about the hierarchy of the villages and the Matsudos and Yukinos being the "rulers" of the mountain?

Honestly, I don’t think much about it. Is that weird? It’s a feudal system of sorts. I guess I just take it at face value.

7. We get to know the history of the relationship between the Matsudos and the Kotetsus. Do you think this relationship / the Kotetsu family will play an important role later on in the story? If so, how?

Yes, I think they will. The story the grandmother told was interesting. It was all about learning and blending and accepting a certain level of change. I think it wil be the blending of the families traditions and skills. How? I’m not sure.

8. In chapter 6, we find out that Misaki was a real badass in her past. Was there anything that stuck out to you when getting to know her backstory? Something interesting, shocking, odd?

I sort of mentioned this in day 1, but I’m surprised how Misaki could give up freedom to become a pathetic subservient vessel for childbearing. She doesn’t even get the joy of being a mother. It’s infuriating.

9. The conversation between Misaki and Mamoru was heartwarming. Do you think we will see both of them side by side as warriors by the end of the book?

Definitely. I hope so anyway. Cos her apologies and submission is 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 She will only be able to redeem herself in my eyes by kicking butt.

Mod
DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?

Nope. Never heard of it or the author.

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?

It’s pretty obvious that they are the North Korea of this empire. But it’s weird that people like Misaki who have seen otherwise don’t attempt to affect change. Or, at the very least, talk about their experiences.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!

I love Setsko. I’m not so sure about Misaki. I would like to know how she could go from having opportunities and something close to equality and give it up for a life of subservient misery.

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?

I’m not an apologist for the crappy misogynist system of Kaigen, but how could I dislike Tekure more than someone like Misaki or her parents? Change has to start somewhere and who is more likely to be the one to do that? Setsko obviously, but it will be almost anyone before it is Tekure. So as much as I dislike the system, I can’t wholly dislike Tekure.

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?

It took me a little to get into this book. Lots of terms, lots of characters and much of it similar sounding. But once I got used to them and the fun magic began (on the roof esp) I started to get into it.

How cool you were staying with the further winners! I hope you’ve had a great time.

Quick update. I will have my Somalia book finished tomorrow evening. I’ve claimed a space for it. Been going off-piste with my reading and just slotting random unplanned books in. Unfortunately, they are not in useful countries, but I’m sure we can make them work.
My Palau book is finally available again! So will definitely have that finished at some point next week.
Also, I think I was a little harsh on my initial assessment of The Sword of Kaigen. Something happened in chapter 3 that made it much more enjoyable. Maybe I just got use to the terms and wasn’t asking in my head, “What’s that?”or “ Who’s that?” as often. I’m really getting into it.

Would for ocean on cover? Obviously, large yachts/small cruiseliners aren’t on rivers or lakes. At least, I don’t think so 🤔

Sounds like you are having a great time, Mel. I am so jealous. It was chucking it down here in Norwich. I might have to eat some cheese too.

KayLynn wrote: "Andy wrote: "Thank you all so much for the chipmunk-tastic cheesy chunes

Imagining if Michael Bolton and Richard Marx had collaborated... Something to dream of tonight 😁"

Not a cowritten song, bu..."

Umm, that’s…something. 🙈🙉🙊

I just realised it’s a take on oasis videos. How did I not realise that?! Their videos were also terrible.

That video is cheese supreme! I like the cover though. It’s like something they would have done for radio 1 live lounge.

So you might not listen to any of these, but there is this on YT

https://youtu.be/l1TGqqHVeyQ?si=v8GG_...

The woman tied to the chair was so cheesy! It deserves an eye roll.

Fiona wrote: "Lately mostly metalcore 😂😂"

There surely will be something cheesy in there. Nothing that you are even the slightest bit embarrassed to sing or rock along to?

Fiona wrote: "I’ve been thinking about my cheesy song the whole time but I just can’t think of anything 😂 I’m not really a cheesy-song listener"

Really?! What do you listen to?

I’m a Brie.

And can I just say I love Tim Minchin’s pope song. But the cheese is good too.

I love of all of you cheeses! You’re all delicious.

My cheesy song
https://youtu.be/MfmYCM4CS8o?si=fL-0w...

I play it on 11 every time!

Andy, I need that cheese buffet!!!

I defo won’t have any more book finished before tomorrow. But I’m off until Tuesday, so I will make the most of my time.

I’ve started The Sword of Kaigen. What the hell is happening?! Is the author assuming that we are familiar with this world? Maybe if I was reading it instead of listening it would be a little easier, but I’m not sure. He is throwing around so many terms without any info at all and they all sound so similar. I am finding it quite dull. Is anyone familiar with this author or this book? Does it get better? I will try and persevere as it’s for BOM points, and I used an audible credit😢, but can’t say I’m happy about it.

I didn’t choose a letter space but I put all the letters available on my book line. Unless it’s an I, I’m not sure which letter to go for, so thought I’d leave that to you captains. Let me know if you want me to pick one.

If someone wants to claim I51, I just removed it from my Palau book. If no one claims it before I finish my Somalia book, which I am only just starting, I’ll retake it. But my Palau book can’t be finished until I get it back from the library.