MelanieJoy’s Comments (group member since Apr 26, 2016)

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

I went looking in my library for a nomination and this looked really good. It was written in 2016! So it's either a hidden gem that's not advertised well or it's a fail... you guys want to find out with me?

Desert Dark by Sonja Stone

Hogwarts meets The Bourne Identity in this action-packed thriller about teenage spies—for fans of Marie Lu's Legends series and James Dashner's Maze Runner trilogy

Sixteen-year-old Nadia Riley is delighted to earn a spot at an elite, government-funded boarding school. Nothing sounds better than leaving behind her fraught relationship with her ex-boyfriend and moving to faraway Arizona to attend Desert Mountain Academy.

But when she arrives, Nadia finds out she has more than classwork to catch up on. Desert Mountain Academy is a covert CIA program, which recruits and trains high-achieving students for Black-Ops work. While struggling to keep up with her new classes, Nadia must also gain the trust of her teammates, and survive a rigorous exercise and combat training course. Thrilled at the opportunity, Nadia isn't expecting to fall in love—or to end up in real, deadly danger.

When news leaks that there is a double agent on campus, suddenly everyone is a suspect—including Nadia. To clear her name, she must use her newfound skills to uncover the traitor—before he can eliminate her as a threat.

Told from alternating points of view, including that of the anonymous double agent, Desert Dark is perfect for young adult readers who love action, adventure, and intrigue.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown

A teenage girl breaks free from her father's world of isolation in this exhilarating novel of family, identity, and the power we have to shape our own destinies—from the New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Things and Watch Me Disappear

The first thing you have to understand is that my father was my entire world.

Growing up in an isolated cabin in Montana in the mid-1990s, Jane knows only the world that she and her father live the woodstove that heats their home, the vegetable garden where they try to eke out a subsistence existence, the books of nineteenth-century philosophy that her father gives her to read in lieu of going to school. Her father is elusive about their pasts, giving Jane little beyond the facts that they once lived in the Bay Area and that her mother died in a car accident, the crash propelling him to move Jane off the grid to raise her in a Thoreau-like utopia.

As Jane becomes a teenager she starts pushing against the boundaries of her restricted world. She begs to accompany her father on his occasional trips away from the cabin. But when Jane realizes that her devotion to her father has made her an accomplice to a horrific crime, she flees Montana to the only place she knows to look for answers about her mysterious past, and her mother's San Francisco. It is a city in the midst of a seismic change, where her quest to understand herself will force her to reckon with both the possibilities and the perils of the fledgling Internet, and where she will come to question everything she values.

I’m hoping I get one more done before end of august otherwise I fall below the line.

I just want this baby out though! Hahaha.

Nice work everyone! I had a wonderful challenge with you!

I’ll do my best to get My Friends done and The Twisted Cup done but we will see.

Still no baby. Just distraction and lack of focus because I’m so tired and I have a toddler and RL hit hard this month.

I lived in Oaxaca for a few years in middle school for my parents work. Holds a special place in my heart.

Lol Keely I’ll be in the same boat with my upcoming new baby this August

Deanna wrote: "@MelanieJoy, can you please add The Sword of Kaigen to your tower shelf?"

Done!

I'm still waiting on My Friends and The Tainted Cup - i have them on hold through my library. It looks like it'll be a while. Not sure if I'm going to try The Survivors but I might! But I'll check out our tasks right now to see if anything stands out.

Well I’m pretty sure I’m hitting a reading slump… nothing stands out to read…

Reason: Based in Singapore

I nominate: Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal

The story of three women who work in the homes of Singapore’s elite and band together to solve a murder mystery involving one of their own

The wealthy island nation of Singapore seems like an oasis of luxury and order, but it owes everything to the immigrant women no one sees. Corazon, Donita, and Angel are Filipina domestic workers—part of the wave of women sent to Singapore to be cleaners, maids, and caregivers in its decadent homes.

A veteran domestic worker, Corazon had retired back to the Philippines for good, but she has returned to Singapore under mysterious circumstances. Now she’s keeping a secret from her wealthy employer, who is planning an extravagant wedding for her socialite daughter.

Barely out of her teens, this is Donita’s first time in Singapore, and she’s had the bad luck to be hired by the notoriously fussy Mrs. Fann. Brazen and exuberant, Donita’s thrown herself into a love affair with an Indian construction worker and started a lively social media account that says more than it should.

Working as an in-home caregiver for an elderly employer, Angel is feeling blue after a recent breakup with the woman she loves. She’s alarmed when her employer’s son suddenly brings in a new Filipina nurse who may be a valuable ally, or who may be meant to replace her.

Then an explosive news story shatters Singapore’s famous tranquility—and sends a chill down the spine of every domestic worker: Flordeliza Martinez, a Filipina maid, has been arrested for murdering her female employer. The three women don’t know the accused well, but she could be any of them; every worker knows stories of women who were scapegoated or even executed for crimes they didn’t commit.

Shocked into action, Donita, Corazon, and Angel will use their considerable moxie and insight to piece together the mystery of what really happened on the day Flordeliza’s employer was murdered. After all, no one knows the secrets of Singapore’s elite like the women who work in their homes.

Annalisa wrote: "I went in and updated my books finally and while I'm still very much behind at 47% it is better than 10%. Moving and being pregnant have not helped me reduce my TBR at all. I'm guessing that having..."

what a coincidence! I'm due in a couple weeks! I also have no idea if I can keep up my reading pace after baby is born.

Congratulations! Hoping this is such a sweet time for you!

I'm not going to read A Murder Is Announced at this time - it's just not holding my attention yet and I'm trying to keep a faster pace.

MelanieJoy's participation tracking:

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 5: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 6 & 7: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 8: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Day 8
Ch 30 - end

29. In reconnecting with Robin, Misaki realizes that she is no longer the Misaki from those days, just as he is no longer the same Robin. Do you have a story about yourself you have carried for years that is no longer true about the person you are today? Or perhaps, sense there is a self-narrative you have been carrying that you need to shed in order to grow?
I definitely think I've changed but I haven't thought about exactly how and which changes are good and desirable and which ones aren't but this is a great question.

32. “...a person’s tragedy doesn’t define them or cancel all the good in their life.” This quote reminds me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, so the break and subsequent repair is what makes the piece beautiful and unique. What do you think about Misaki and Takeru’s newfound communication and future relationship? What about Misaki’s new self awareness?
I LOVE how Misaki grew and how the marriage between them grew and got stronger in this book. This makes the whole book worth reading in my opinion.

33. One theme that jumped out at me while reading was the tension between expectations based on dreams and the acceptance/embracing of reality, with all its ugliness and beauty. Do you believe that setting expectations - parent to child, wife to husband, self to self - is a root cause of unhappiness?
hmmmm, no I wouldn't necessarily say that but how it's handled if expectations aren't met is EXTREMELY important.

34. I loved how the ending of the book left such hope for the future - not an easy future, but one with stronger relationships, better communication, and new self-acceptance. But now I want more! What will Izumo be like when he gets older? What’s the story with the creature collecting children with talents? What was your overall take on the book? Will you be reading more by this author?
Well, I read the blog post the author linked to - the author shared that she discontinued the series and the whole Theonite universe because she wasn't able to fit all of the pieces together cohesively. So I'm happy to let it be a stand a lone and not need more, and just focus on this story in and of itself. But she had beautiful writing and is an intriguing author; I'm open to coming back to more of her stuff at a later date.

DQs day 6: Chapter 22 - Chapter 26

21. Taking the dead from their families is harsh and even worse when Takeru uses his powers to stop Misaki. Do you think this was an emotional outburst from Takeru or just a controlling one? The chapter ends with Misaki almost seeming to want just any sign of emotion even if it’s painful for her.
It's hard to answer this because I've already read ahead. But you could see her anger and her passion and frustration with his lack of emotion or involvement, and just laying down and being walked over by the Empire. I felt like he had a reason for leaving and being absent after this but I wasn't sure what.

22. The blood power described by Tsusano is pretty cool (and still Avatar coded), do you think Misaki will be able to wield it one day, or do you think like she does that she will never have the right willpower?
I've read ahead so I'll be silent on this part.

23. “…but when the bloody truth stared them full in the face, they were more than capable of comprehending it. They were more than capable of anger. Misaki wished she knew how to calm that anger. If she had, she would have saved herself years of pain.” Do you think that sentiment is correct, or do you believe that anger is sometimes needed in order to push action to happen? That's a really good point for debate and I'm not sure what side I land on.

24. Do you think Misaki’s sleeping jiya meant to hurt Takeru, or do you think it was purely coincidental? After all she’s been through, it seems like it could have been intentional, especially since she was dreaming of Mamoru at that time.
No I think she definitely didn't mean to hurt Takeru.

Day 7
DQs Chapters 27-29
25. It breaks my heart that such a dramatic confrontation was necessary to fix their marriage, but I was also cheering loudly for Misaki! How did you feel during the duel?
Okay this was in my opinion the BEST part of the WHOLE book and what made the book worth reading to me. It demonstrated reconciliation and meeting each others needs through a very different lens and way of doing so than I could ever conceive. It was fascinating. I had tears in my eyes most of this section.

26. Throughout the book, I’ve hated Takeru for his cruelty toward his wife and children, and for his sexist, “I’m better than you” attitude. But these chapters made me reconsider. Yeah, he’s an ass—but maybe he’s also a victim of abuse who never got the help he needed to become better. “My brother was my shelter in all things.” That line broke my heart a little. What do you think of Takeru? Does his conversation with his wife during the duel—and his behavior toward his kids afterward—change your opinion of him?
I KNEW there was a reason he was the way he was! I KNEW there was more to him! I hadn't hated him I was just waiting to see what the explanation would be. My heart was broken for him.

27. Do you think the missing child holds any significance in the plot?
Yep, Especially since she was just GONE.

28. ‘I will never raise another generation as blind as my own.’ That line made me want to cheer out loud. How did you feel when you read it?
I felt his conviction and thought it was really powerful.

Day 5 DQs (Chapters 17 to 21)

17. This section is deeply emotional and heart-wrenching, filled with death and suffering. The only thing that makes it bittersweet rather than purely tragic is that Mamoru finds peace and happiness in his final moments. I thought his death scene was beautifully written. Do you like how the author blends the sadness with these moments of beauty? Or would you have preferred a different approach to his death?
Absolutely beautifully written. I have not ever read a book where an MC with a POV is killed off before the ending so this was new for me. But I was way more intrigued with Misaki as a character so I was able to transition to supporting her, although I hated that no one knew he wielded a whispering blade. I thought Wang handled his death really really well considering everything in the story so far.

18. Takeru seems almost devoid of emotion. Could this be a result of his upbringing, where emotional restraint was expected of him? Do you believe his character is redeemable at this point or has he reached a point of no return?
I remember thinking constantly "there's GOT to be a reason for him to be like. This is NOT the end of the explanation of Takeru..." I just had this strong feeling.

19. At one point, Hiroshi realizes that he is now the heir and Misaki sees fear in his eyes. Do you think Misaki will help him cope with the pressure or will she fall back into a passive, dutiful role, becoming a distant mother again?
I don't think there's a chance of her being distant or passive after losing Mamoru, but I could potentially see her trying to bottle up her warrior ways and put them to the side again if the village is repaired.

20. What do you think happens after the imperial forces arrive? Do you agree with Tae-min’s prediction that the empire won’t actually help?
Yes I definitely did. I figured he had a point with how the author has portrayed the empire so far.

Day 4 DQs (Chapters 13 to 16)

13. There are multiple references to the snow and the mountain turning red. Scenes like this are for me a stark reminder of the brutality and bloodiness of war, rather than the romanticized glory of protection.

Is there a scene or a moment from your life you can pinpoint when the realities of war struck you the way it did Mamoru?

Not war, but I've seen blackened fields after wildfires and the widespread damage was hard to take in.


14. Misaki revealed herself as a fighter, and Mamoru revealed his abilities in blood manipulation to his uncle that he learnt from his mother. As the reader, how did you feel when these moments came about in quick succession in relation to Misaki?

It was easy to make the connection, and him learning this from Misakki made me wonder if that was why he hadn't mastered the whispering blade earlier. But his ending scene sort of confused me a little bit.

15. Since the beginning, we are repeatedly told that the Matsuda family is powerful, important, etc. We get to see this over the battle as the two brothers join forces and create the Matsuda Dragon.

Powerful families put a lot of pressure on their children to carry on the legacy. We see this in Mamoru and Hiroshi, who at five years old is determined to do better than his peers at any cost. Do you think this is a practice that should be continued in today's day and age?
I think the idea of doing your absolute best and working with all your heart is beautiful concept, because through it we have things like the Olympics and championships because these athletes or competitors who are amazing and talented and hard working have a place to showcase their work. But I don't think the reason behind it should be for the glory of their families. However, I'm an American so I know I have a more individualist mindset.


16. Well, this has been quite the bloody section. Takashi's last order to Mamoru, Mamoru having to order his master to leave him and his having to face all the enemy himself, Misaki desperately protecting her home, the killing of all these mighty warriors of the Sword of Kaigen...

What I'm wondering though, is that if such a bloody battle that spans across six chapters and 15% of the novel is in the middle of the story, what happens after? Do you have any predictions for what happens after this battle?
I really didn't know what would happen next but this whole scene was pretty captivating. I was definitely shocked at what happened to Mamoru, I haven't read a book where a POV from an MC just ends during the book.

DQ'S Day 3
Chapter 8 - Chapter 12

10. Mamoru is becoming more friends with Kwang Chul-Hee and seems to be rebelling more and finally has a fall out with his father. Do you think his father would have hit Mamoru again if Misaki wouldn't have accidentally interrupted?
I definitely think Takeru may have. I think some kernel of his mind knew that Mamoru may have a point but he wasn't ready to face it so he threw himself into his culture.

11. Are you understanding their powers and magic system more through these last few chapters and the fighting that has occurred. Which power would you want?
A little bit better I think. At this point I went to review the glossary so I sort of understood that some people had water magic and some had fire...

12. Misaki received a letter from her friend and told her to run and get out of town. With the Emperor keeping it a secret. Do you think anyone else knew war was coming? And why they are attacking such an isolated village?
I really had no guesses at this point and the reason that was revealed later on was sort of a shock to me. But I definitely think no one had any idea.

DQs Day 2
Ch 5-7

6. What do you think about the hierarchy of the villages and the Matsudas and Yukinos being the "rulers" of the mountain?
It's definitely an interesting set up, and there's gotta be a reason. The power and authority with the magic abilities seems to go a long way to earn respect.

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?
I definitely thought it would come more into play in the future.

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 remember being really intrigued and wanting to see more of the rest of what she learned while training. I thought everything she did was believable.

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?
I was intrigued at how Misaki handled that first conversation. I did not think of them fighting as warriors together at this point. I really had no idea what was coming.