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

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

Also I found a Jamaica audiobook so I may read that one before the neurodivergent character one. A House for Miss Pauline

Alaina wrote: "Question: would a private island be considered a small place a character lives in?"

I would say yes depending on how big it is, but I'm not in charge, haha

do you still need my U for Turkey? If not no worries. It also fits last in trilogy. I'll put it on the spreadsheet this time! Edit: Also has character Zaira for Z for something! Should be finished tomorrow.

I also found an audiobook Life Hacks for a Little Alien

It has a neurodivergent MC so if that's a task, I got that covered.

Wow you are all so great and such fast readers!

Volunteering for DQs from Icono Tower!

Rachel - I was one B short of Kebab for one of my books…

Awesome I have a Y after that if needed for something else (Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros)

I can do U! But it’ll take me 3ish days to finish it. Maybe 4. Is that okay?

Day 6 - May 23
Part Four, Chapter 30 - Epilogue

23. I’m having a hard time being impartial with questions, as I feel like the last part of the book descended into mayhem and confusion without a solid roadmap, simply to forward action, some random, some meaningful. Is this book magical reality - where did the magic bits go? Is it historical fiction - or did an exotic setting just get used as a backdrop for a romance? What are your thoughts about the last part of the book compared to the first parts?
I listened to most of this via audiobook, and the slow pace helped me absorb it but it still felt like chaos, especially at the very end. I don't understand Ricardo, I don't understand Whit, I don't understand Lourdes' true goal...Inez just looks like she's in a hurricane in the middle of all of it. So I'm also having a hard time with this.

24. Do you think the characters stay true to themselves, or grow or change? Which characters do you find multifaceted vs 2-dimensional? Which characters are still too shrouded in mystery and secrets to know who they are?
Everything feels convoluted now so I don't know. Maybe Inez grew a little.

25. Let’s talk about Elvira. Do you find it plausible that she, another naïve girl traveling solo, was able to get to Egypt from Argentina to find Inez at the perfect time? And after just being betrayed by her mother - HER MOTHER - do you think it likely that Inez would let her cousin meet an unknown man alone? How did you react to Elvira’s fate, and do you think it was consistent with the tone of the book?
I feel like the plot of the book could have kept moving without the inclusion of Elvira. The only thing it seemed to serve at first was delaying Inez's return to Argentina after the first part of Elvira's fate, but then Ricardo STILL wanted to send her back. But I do think Inez' naivete about Elvira meeting someone she met was consistent with her grief over her mother and not being able to pay much attention to everything else. But I'm not sure. I definitely yelled out loud (view spoiler)[ WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?!?! (hide spoiler)] while listening.

26. Any guesses as to where Inez’s father is, or thoughts on whether he’s still alive? Do you think he has the magical sheet Whit is searching for?
I love Teddie's answer. I can't come up with anything better, because "never stop searching for me" + trapped in a obelisk = makes sense with what this author is doing with the book...

27. How did you interpret the final cliffhanger dialog in the Epilogue? Has it been Porter or Whit - or both - Inez has been interacting with? Twins? Are you planning to read the next / final book?
I DON'T UNDERSTAND! WHAT DID SHE FALL FOR?! Is ANY of what he said true? What's his plan to get out from under his family and WHY is it so important? I get that this cliffhanger is helpful for us to want to read the second book but AAAHHH NOW I STILL don't know if Whit is trustworthy!!!

DQs Day 5
Chapters 24 to 29

18.) Now that we know the death of Lourdes was greatly exaggerated, do we think Inez's father is actually dead? Do you think he sent the ring to Inez to hide it from Ricardo or from Lourdes?
I think he's suspicious of both otherwise he would have given it to Ricardo.

19.) Any guesses as to why Whit doesn't want to go home and why his family might want him home so badly?
Gosh I have no other idea than he's searching for something and really doesn't want to give up? Is that mentioned in this part? Sorry...

20.) Anyone actually surprised that Lourdes is the actual family traitor?
I shocked my self by not being surprised! Something felt off and very suspicious and I was pleasantly surprised that my suspicions were correct.

21.) Do you like the additions of Inez's drawings in the text?
I guess, although they're barely mentioned in the last section...

22.) Thoughts on Cleopatra's real death . . . asp bite or poison?
No idea. Asp bite?

Discussion Questions Day 4
Part Three - Chapters 18-23

14. Inez and Whit are either flirting or fighting. What do you think of their dynamic? Are you rooting for them to end up together?
At this point I thought all the back and forth back and forth was eventually going to lead to them for sure being together. But gosh it was a LOT of back and forth and it was like WHY can you not just be HONEST with each other?

15. What do you make of Whit’s backstory ? Knowing that he is bound to Ricardo by a life debt, do you find it easier to trust him?
Man I really don't know with Whit. It feels like he's still hiding too much.

16. We get quite the shock when Inez’s mother shows up in her tent! Do you believe she is telling the truth about Ricardo or is this some kind of double cross?
I NEVER suspect characters of malintent but something made me second guess Inez mother. I don't know what it was but it was like this tingling feeling in my spine, hang out a minute you're being super trusting really fast and there's no proof... this may be awful...

17. Finally, a discovery! We’re about 2/3 through the book. Any guesses where this is headed? What are you hoping happens to Inez at the end?
Answering this after reading the end so I can't really comment but I'll say it felt to me like a crazy ride.

Judy wrote: "Cat wrote: "20 bonus points, plus whatever mini points you can wrangle it into! Very worth it :)

Of the good books you've been reading, any you'd recommend to us?"

Fingers crossed for both a regu..."

I LOVED the Paradise Problem! Just read it before this!

Judy wrote: "Logan wrote: "JI agree with basically everything you said! 😆 I was trying so hard to keep my questions neutral and not “Why does Whit even exist in this story and why does he make no sense???”"

I ..."
sorry late to the party but THIS! Some parts have me SUPER confused and others are like wait wait wait this is too obvious it's not fun to read. I am glad I read it because I'm really intrigued but gosh...

Discussion Questions Day 3

10. As we reach the halfway point I am seeing more and more similarities to the Amelia Peabody series. Is anyone else finding this. Does this affect your impression of the book?I've never read this series so I don't have any comments at this time. I will say I'm trying to figure out if I like Inez and if her story is believable or if there are parts that don't flow right. The narration of the audiobook really get me get into the story better.

11. We have been introduced to a number of Characters is there anyone that particularly stands out?If we've met Abdullah by this point (sorry I can't remember!) I love him. IF not, sorry to spoil but he's great.

12. We have been introduced to Isadora and her Father. Why do you think he doesn’t let her out of his sight?I'm honestly not sure why he brought her to Egypt in the first place. She's a quirky intriguing character.

13. Inez seems to be attuned to Cleopatra and sees some of her memories. If you could choose to see one memory of a historical figure whose memory would it be?
Oh gosh this is a good question. Probably Abraham Lincoln and his creation of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Discussion Questions Day 2
Part One, Chapter 6 - Part One, Chapter 12

6. In this part Inez spends some time with Mr. Hayes. What did you think of their afternoon in Cairo? Did you enjoy their banter?
I thought this was a great scene. I don't have much to add.

7. After sensing familiar magic from an old trinket, Inez buys it and later has a vision of Cleopatra. What do you think this vision means? Do you believe Cleopatra’s burial site can only be found with Inez’s help?
I'm hoping at this point that whoever the magic latches onto is the only person that can connect to their magic. But I'm not sure what it means about the burial site.

8. Every now and then, the point of view shifts briefly to Mr. Hayes. Do you enjoy these moments from his perspective, or would you prefer the story to stay entirely with Inez?
I definitely enjoy it. It's a hint of a different view point. I want more but this is one thing the author does well, drawing me more in to the story.

9. Inez finds a letter from her mother, in which she suspects that Tío Ricardo is involved in illegal activities. Does this letter, along with the boat conversation Inez overhears, make you suspicious of Tío Ricardo? Or do you think he’s not responsible for Inez’s parents’ murder?
At this point in the book I was pretty suspicious, he wasn't giving much info and he kept wanting to send Inez home. But I wasn't sure who to believe.

I just finished the BOM. I can’t find my computer but as soon as I do I will post DQ answers.

EDIT: DONE.

Still reading the BOM. My mom is in town, so it’s going a tad slower but I should be able to pick up the pace in June.

Alaina I have both and I’m switching back and forth. Audiobook is slow but I’m catching more of the narrators sentiments.

I just read a P or C - The Paradise Problem

it's set in indonesia so Idk if we want to use it for that

I just finished a book where majority setting is Indonesia. Hope that helps! I Can put details on the spreadsheet later