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

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

Finished #2: 5 stars, totally worth the wait! (would have been worth reading back then too, but hey)

read 1/08 _406 pages

read 1/10 _ 304 pages

Current Total: 53,741

Finished #1:
Part of me was like this is a slog; I hated the main character's transformation after the 1st book. But part of me was impressed at the author's writing and literary style, and at all of the twists and turns. Probably a case of wrong time and season for me to read it.
She has a 3rd book so I can complete the series but a) I never put it on my TBR, and b) I just really don't know if it's worth my time to finish... like I want to know how it ends but I'm not sure.

Wow fantastic job everyone!

Finished! 3/3

Last one was Fruit of the Drunken Tree added in 2021.

There's one priority title I thought I was going to read but I tried to pick it up twice and was NOT interested.

I'm trying this one out!
complete: 7/06/2024

Level: Easy
Read: 14/14

Start Date: 12/23/23

♚Pocahontas:
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is Native American
♚ Read a book where the character loves nature
♚ Read a book where the character displays shamanic powers.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Pocahontas.

♚Princess Jasmine:
from Aladdin
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is of Arabic descent - The Wrath and the Dawn read apr 2024
♚ Read a book where the character is named Jasmine
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Aladdin.

♚Snow White:
♚Read a book where the protagonist has fair skin and dark hair. - An Unwilling Bride
♚Read a book where the protagonist is German (or of German descent). The Music Shop - Ilse Brauchman is German - finished 2/12/2024
♚Read a book where the protagonist has many male friends. -
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Snow White.

♚Aurora:
more commonly known as Sleeping Beauty
♚ Read a book where the protagonist has a curse placed upon her at birth.
♚ Read a book where the main character is unaware of her biological family or where she comes from.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

♚Mulan:
♚ Read a book where the protagonist is Chinese (or of Chinese descent), she must also be able to kick some serious ***.
♚ Read a book where the protagonist disguises herself as a man or enlists in the army. - The Corinthian read mar 2024

♚Ariel:
from The Little Mermaid
♚ Read a book where the protagonist has red hair, has a lot of sisters, or is a mermaid. - Made of Steel read mar 30 2024
♚ Read a book where the protagonist frequently disobeys her father.
♚ Read a book that is a retelling of The Little Mermaid.

♚Belle:
from Beauty and the Beast
♚ Read a book where the protagonist loves books and reading.
♚ Read a book about a protagonist who adores her father - The Cartographers read 1/20/24 - 4.5 stars
♚ Read a book with a man who is not handsome (he can have scars, be it emotional or physical) or is temperamental .
♚ Read a book that is retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

♚Esmeralda:
from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
♚Read a book where the protagonist is a Gypsy
♚Read a book where the character has a pet goat (this should be interesting).
♚Read a book that is a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

♚Megara:
from Hercules
♚Read a book where the protagonist has a low opinion of men
♚Read a book where the character is cynical about love. - Smooth Talking Stranger - read 6/15/2024
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Hercules.

♚Tiana:
from The Princess and the Frog
♚Read a book where the protagonist is African American
♚Read a book that takes place in New Orleans
♚Read a book where the character is a waitress or an excellent cook.
♚Read a book that is a retelling The Princess and the Frog.

♚Cinderella
♚Read a book about someone who has an evil stepmother
♚Read a book about someone who has had a difficult life but perseveres with the help of love.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Cinderella.

♚Rapunzel:
♚Read a book where the MC has really long hair
♚Read a book where the MC was kidnapped. - Fruit of the Drunken Tree - read 12/26/23 - MCs were kidnapped by Guerrillas. 4stars
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Rapunzel.

♚Alice
♚Read a book where the protagonist lives in a dream world or discovers an alternate (fantasy) world - Mỹrwen of Amaranaca finished 12/28/2023
♚Read a book where the protagonist defies a monarch (preferably a queen). The Kiss of Deception finished 2/18/2023
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland.

♚Jane
from Tarzan
♚Read a book where the protagonist is an artist - The Roommate Situation - read mar 2024
♚Read a book set in Africa or in a rural (out of reach) area - Only If You're Lucky - july 2, 2024
♚Read a book that has a vibrant yellow cover or features someone on the cover dressed in yellow - Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore - finished 1/17/2024
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Tarzan.

♚Tinker Bell
from Peter Pan
♚Read a book where the protagonist is a fairy (not to be mistaken with a faerie ).
♚Read a book where the protagonist is very shy or has problems communicating . - The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley - read 1/26/24 - Isadora feels that she is weird and communicates what she's feeling with no filter. 5 stars.
♚Read a book that is a retelling of Peter Pan (but it has to feature a Tinker Bell).

Mrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn

Mrs. Loretta Plansky, a recent widow in her seventies, is settling into retirement in Florida while dealing with her 98-year-old father and fielding requests for money from her beloved children and grandchildren. Thankfully, her new hip hasn’t changed her killer tennis game one bit.

One night Mrs. Plansky is startled awake by a phone call from a voice claiming to be her grandson Will, who desperately needs ten thousand dollars to get out of a jam. Of course, Loretta obliges―after all, what are grandmothers for, even grandmothers who still haven’t gotten a simple “thank you” for a gift sent weeks ago. Not that she's counting.

By morning, Mrs. Plansky has lost everything. Law enforcement announces that Loretta's life savings have vanished, and that it’s hopeless to find the scammers behind the heist. First humiliated, then furious, Loretta Plansky refuses to be just another victim.

In a courageous bid for justice, Mrs. Plansky follows her only clue on a whirlwind adventure to a small village in Romania to get her money and her dignity back―and perhaps find a new lease on life, too.

I completed 2 or 3 books I put on this list (I reserved a spot back in September)! They're both from 2016.
- It was pretty good, I haven't read YA fantasy in what feels like a while so it was decent. But then I tried to get into the next one in the series, and I lost interest so I won't be continuing.
- This one I think I gave 3.5 stars. It was very interesting, I read it in 2 days. I thought the plot was good and the characters were well developed. At first I thought the main character was going to develop the hots for a different character than the main love interest, but then it became glaringly obvious.
I'm still debating continuing the series. It may be intriguing, but I read so few books these days that if I choose not to continue and find something better, that's okay too! I used to approaching bookreading like if I read book 1, I HAD to continue the series. But I'm realizing time is finite, and more and more books will pop up that will be worth reading, so I can feel free to be more choosy.
I have one more left. I have tried to get into it; I added it to my list in 2016 soon after I listened to the audiobook version of Book 1, but it's just not holding my interest at all.

If I read a different book from my 2016 added in TBR, does that count to reaching my goal or does it have to be this one?

Cleaning out TBR Closet 2024:

Books Shelved in 2014: 11
Books Shelved in 2016: 50
Books Shelved in 2017: 56

Goals:
1 Book from 2014
5 Books from 2016
5 Books from 2017
These are my targets but I will count other years as well.

EDITED GOAL: 15 books total

Book 1: The Silvered Serpents - added 2020, complete Jan 8
Book 2: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore added 2019, finished Jan 17; 5 stars
Book 3: The Five People You Meet in Heaven shelved 2016, read Jan 29, 2023 - 3.5 stars
Book 4: The Music Shop; added 2018 finished Feb 12.2024, 3 stars.
Book 5:The Kiss of Deception added 2017, finished Feb 18, 2024. 3 stars.
Book 6: Long May She Reign added 2016, finished 3/4/2024, 4 stars
Book 7: The Invisible Library added Nov 2017, read Mar 16, 2024; 3.75 stars
Book 8: Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk added Mar 2018 read 3/25/24 - currently unrated
Book 9: The Wrath and the Dawn added 2017, finished Apr 3 2024 4.5 stars
Book 10: The Iron Trial added 2016, finished April 9 2024, 4 stars
Book 11: Reykjavík Nights: Murder in Reykjavík added May 2018, finished 4/30/2024, 3 stars
Book 12: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance added Jan 2018, read May 11, 2024 - 4 stars
Book 13: Talon added Jan 2018, finished5/14/2024, 4 stars
Book 14: Things You Save in a Fire added Jan 7 2020, read Jun 7 2024, 4 stars maybe 5
Book 15: Revival Season added Jan 2021, read Aug 7 2024 - 4 stars

Going BEYOND
The Clockwork Scarab read Aug 2024, added 2016
Unashamed read Aug 2024, added 2017?
A Wicked Thing added 2016, read Sept 2024

Honorable Mentions: (continuations of series where the first book was added to TBR but not the rest)
** The Rose & the Dagger - sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn, 4 stars, read Apr 4, 2024
** The Copper Gauntlet - Magisterium book 2
** The Bronze Key - Magisterium book 2
** The Silver Mask - Magisterium book 3
** The Golden Tower - Magisterium book 5

so I'm joining super late, I've ignored goodreads stuff for like 3 years, haha!

But my target for TBR 2016 and earlier is 3 books, since I have no idea how many I'll get to before the end of this year. I have 5 new ones that I REALLY want to read first, so I'll stick with 3 from TBR and see if I can do it!

2016:
- started, lost interest; still have from library but probably won't finish this year
- read 12/20/2023 - 3.5 stars
- read 12/08/2023 - 3stars

Added 2021:
- read 12/26/2023 - 4 stars

3/3 completed!

I'm in to read the book! I can't volunteer for DQs because I'm expecting a baby any day now.

I'm in again! I haven't hit my goal for this in past years so if I could even just do 10, I will feel very accomplished and proud.

TBR - 2014-2016
1. Apparently I read Walk on Earth a Stranger add Jan 2017, so I'm counting this, haha.
2. And I Darken - read June 2021, added 2016
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Completion

by Elizabeth Lim
Pages: 392
Date Read: 8/19/2020

Letters:
S - title
M - character Maia
N - character Norbu
K - character Keton
T - last name Tamarin

Tasks
2: MPG adventure
60: Set in a different world

BOM!
Comments:
Post 73, Day 1
Post 74, Day 2
Post 98, Day 3

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 17-23
11. The second part of the book is set on a journey to obtain materials for the wedding dresses and is different from the first part, which was set in the palace. To me it seems that the author had to make both characters take this journey, so that she could make the romance between them work better.
Did you like the change of the setting? Or would you prefer if the plot had stayed in the palace and had more palace intrigues?
I anticipated more palace intrigues and not a journey. I can't say I was entirely disappointed because there ended up being some unique elements on the journey, and lots of adventure (trying to not give anything away!)

12. Honestly, I don't believe that Lady Sarnai would be able to request such dresses for her wedding - her father and Khanujin had negotiated this marriage to ensure peace, so they wouldn't give her the power to try and delay or even to cancel the wedding. Do you think she would be able to request the dresses? Or would her father or the emperor interfere?
Thats a good point; if this were truly a male dominated society and her father were in control, he would have demanded no delays, unless he's still ruining things in the background. The emperor definitely let her have her fun but then swooped in when he felt like it was time to make a decision. I think some cultural liberties might have been taken with Sarnai and how she changed the plot here. It might be more believable if the emperor was more eager to the idea of seeing the dresses or harnessing their power than just acquiescing to Lady Sarnai.

13. I was surprised to see Norbu again - I thought he had been executed. Do you think it was the last time we saw him? Or will he play a further role in the story?
I was also surprised, but the explanation made sense to me. I definitely think we'll see him again at some point, not sure when.

14. I am not sure if I liked the chapters with Orksan and his people - Korin and Orksan immediately realising that Maia was a girl, everyone thinking Maia and Edan were a couple and demanding them to kiss, Vachir recognising Edan - it was all a bit too cliche. Did you like Orksan and Korin? Do you think it was the right choice to travel with them?
It didn't seem like they had a choice; if they refused they would have been seen as the enemy or people to not be trusted. I did like Orksan and Korin a lot. Sometimes when you're going through something, it helps to get an outsiders perspective, and it felt like they were helping Maia process through her thoughts and feelings. I appreciated those scenes.

15. I am sure that Edan will be freed from the emperor somehow. How do you think it will happen? Will Lady Sarnai play some role in this?
I read ahead, so I can't answer but at this point I was thinking either he would be freed but I had no idea how, or something would majorly shift and the romance would be broken and his role would be better played if he wasn't freed.

Aiswrya, I really liked Spin the Dawn and couldn't put it down. I was bought in to the main character and I liked her a lot, though not all her choices. I think some pieces later on of how the plot started to fit together seemed contrived, but most of it made for a really captivating story, and I'm already on the waitlist for the second book that's out!

House of Furies by Madeleine Roux

After escaping a harsh school where punishment was the lesson of the day, seventeen-year-old Louisa Ditton is thrilled to find employment as a maid at a boarding house. But soon after her arrival at Coldthistle House, Louisa begins to realize that the house’s mysterious owner, Mr. Morningside, is providing much more than lodging for his guests. Far from a place of rest, the house is a place of judgment, and Mr. Morningside and his unusual staff are meant to execute their own justice on those who are past being saved.

Louisa begins to fear for a young man named Lee who is not like the other guests. He is charismatic and kind, and Louisa knows that it may be up to her to save him from an untimely judgment. But in this house of distortions and lies, how can Louisa be sure whom to trust?

I chose a book that seemed popular from a few years ago because I know people like catching up on good books, and it can be difficult for everyone to get a copy from a library of a super popular book. I missed a lot of BOMs because the waitlist was so long.

DQ 2

6. Well that is some strange competition. Do you find it reasonable or just silly?
Definitely silly. Sarnai is just trying to make things difficult, and I think it's so that she can delay the marriage. She's not truly testing the skill of the tailors.


7. Well Lady Sarnai is definitely an interesting character. One moment she is strong and resilient and just a victim of court schemes, the next she is quite the arrogant, cold-hearted spoiled brat. It is hard to get a read on her. Do you think she is just acting the part or is she really going to be the villain in this story?
I'm not sure what to think of her yet either. I definitely she think she's not the true villain, but she could be. She knows more than we think she does. I think she needs an ally and a true advice giver that she'd listen to. I was hoping it would be Maia but it's not looking like that will be the case.


8. That was a lovely sabotage attempt. Kinda clumsy. Do you find it exaggerated? I mean, it is only clothing, it is possible to make a living even if they don't win, there will even be some fame for being one of the finalists. The victory is mostly just more fame and ego. Do you think it is worth the price? Injury or possible death for fame and status?
It was pretty intense. Norbu went through some great lengths to sabotage everything, and I think his use of magic is definitely cheating. I don't think it's worth the price but I don't go through life like that.


9. Oh boy. The moment of choice. And I feel like she made the wrong one. I would say let the royals rot in their war and petty squabbles. It is better for self-preservation to stay away from them all. Let the evil man get the position and enjoy apprentice status while you are still young enough to fool them you are a boy.Duh, logical. Do you agree with her reasons for staying? Or do you also feel she has made the wrong choice in not leaving?
I think she should stay if her dream is to become the tailor. Her honesty and integrity will be her reward at some point. I'm against Norbu getting the job simply because he was dishonest enough and Sarnai could bend him to her will.


10. Well... that went well. I am pretty sure I don't like any of them. The dungeon seems like a lovely place to be in. 40 seems an awful lot, but well... This book needed some blood to be even more mainstream YA Fantasy. Did you also have the "Ha, told ya it was a bad idea to stay" moment? One might assume the story would be over now, yet so many more pages left. Do you have any idea what else might possibly happen?
Honestly at this point I have no idea what's next. I do think it's going to be something dangerous, or Maia will get caught up in some consipracy or learn the true meaning behind the union... etc. It could go lots of ways.

Day 1 DQs

1. In this world, women are not able to become tailors or inherit their father's business. It reminds me of the Victorian era in England (like Jane Austen times). Maia is a very talented tailor but cannot be that as a woman. Would you go to the lengths she did to hide her identity in order to fulfill her destiny? Can you think of any other women in history that had to do that?
I don't know what I'd do if faced with a situation where I have to change something about myself to accomplish my dream. I don't think I could do it; I'd probably rally and fight to get a law changed with our current democracy. Don't know of any specific women who've done that off the cuff but I can look it up.

2. I felt so bad for Maia when someone ruined her shawl, but I loved that the magic scissors brought it back to life. Who do you think ruined her shawl? What else do you think those scissors can do? Did you anticipate that happening?
I definitely think it's a tailor that hates her, like Boyen. I think the scissors can do a lot but only with sewing/mending/etc. I definitely think the scissors will be used more in the book but I'm not sure how. I'm hoping no one steals them from her but that could easily happen.

3. There was a hawk that was following the carriage when Maia is taken to the palace, and that same hawk shows up outside Maia's window later on. Who do you think the hawk is? Is it the Lord Enchanter?
I think it's the king.

4. Do you think the Lord Enchanter suspects that Maia is a girl and not a boy? I wonder because of his comment about her feet being so small and dainty.
I definitely think the Lord Enchanter suspects something, but I'm not sure what he thinks or what he's going to find out. I can't tell at this point if he's good or bad. I don't trust him yet.

5. I love the world building that has gone on so far. It feels like a real place to me. What is your favorite aspect of the book so far?
The character description to me is really good so far, you really can get a feel for each character, and most of them are really dynamic. Lim wants you to know just enough about the characters to like/not like them, but leaves enough missing to learn more about them in the future.

I can't tell if you guys have done this one or not, but hopefully you haven't!



Circe by Madeline Miller

In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child—not powerful, like her father, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship, she discovers that she does possess power—the power of witchcraft, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves.

Threatened, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island, where she hones her occult craft, tames wild beasts and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea, and, of course, wily Odysseus.

But there is danger, too, for a woman who stands alone, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most, Circe must summon all her strength and choose, once and for all, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from, or the mortals she has come to love.

Hey team!

Wow this challenge has gone by quickly!
I finished because it was so quick, and I'll go back and participate in DQs, and post my completion.

I'm also reading a non-fiction that I'm almost done with. I might be able to add one more, but my parents are in town so I'll be spending my free time with them.