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

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

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby
by Ellery Lloyd

Some women won't be painted out of history . . .

Everybody knows that in 1938, runaway heiress artist Juliette Willoughby perished in an accidental studio fire in Paris, alongside her masterpiece Self Portrait As Sphinx.

Fifty years later, two Cambridge art history students are confounded when they stumble across proof that the fire was no accident but something more sinister. What they uncover threatens the very foundation of Juliette’s aristocratic family and revives rumors of the infamous curse that has haunted the Willoughbys for generations.

But what does their discovery mean? And how is it connected to a brutal murder in present-day Dubai?

A tale of love and madness, obsession and revenge, The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby unravels the riddle posed by a Sphinx who refuses to reveal her secrets . . .

I got Funny Story from the library! I hope to get it read by the 15th!!

I haven't read a TBR shelf book in a while. Should probably get back to it... challenges mess it all up though.

Marla wrote: "4 more books and now I'm done with the challenge! All of these books were just okay, much as I expected and that's why it's taken me so long to read them.

24. [book:Star Wars: Jedi Academy|1726521..."

Nice work Marla!

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/...

DQs Day 5

16.) Were there any surprises about the supporting characters? Did they get the endings you expected? That the characters deserved?
It was really thought provoking as a whole. I felt like everyone got something of what they deserved. I missed what they said about Teoda if anything...

17.) Did the ultimate point and outcome of the tournament leave you satisfied? Or did the whole thing seem like a bizarre waste of everyone's time, money, and life (literally in some cases)?
I was very intrigued by the Torneo at the time, but looking back, I'm not sure what the purpose was? It set her up to meet Fortun and to get set up and arrested? Did the time in the city set up Valentina to change and also to root for Luzia and become her ally? I'm confused if the torneo was the king's idea or Perez and how it got called off. But again, maybe I struggled to pay attention to those parts in the audiobook...

18.) Luiza and Santangel's ending. Was it what you were hoping for? Satisfying? Remind you of how a different series ended the storyline for lead MCs (view spoiler). Would the ending of worked if the magical system had been more defined?
The ending was vague and thought provoking but some closure was there. I may have missed something in the audiobook portion; why did we care about the pirate? But I mean it definitely worked, I feel like that time period would have needed an execution and she did have some magic, although I thought that she couldn't teleport and someone died instead? The other limits to her magic never changed as she grew in power so I'm not sure how Bardugo got this one to work - an explanation would have been better. Or an example of who died. I guess Fortun's stone cracked to give her the power for that spell?

19.) What did you end up rating the book? Would you recommend it to others?
I rated it 3 stars. It had a very unique ending and was very thought provoking. But sort of unsatisfying, and also just very long as a whole; not worth 13 hours of audiobook listening. I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Depends on who was asking and what kind of book they were looking for.

Phew!

I finished The Familiar! Am i too late? It’s still Aug 2 for me…

DQs Day 4
Chapter 34 -44

12. Have you read any of Bardugo’s books before? I’m finding this quite different for her dipping into HF. Your thoughts if you have read the others? If not, are you interested in picking up some more of her books?
I tried Siege and Storm but it wasn't my vibe. I have had six of Crows on my TBR since 2018 or so, but have never picked it up.

13. Many of the characters are changing from what they were first presented as. Is there anyone you are finding you like more than you did originally?
Santangel and maybe Valentina. No one else.

14. Do you believe there will be a HEA here? Or is Luzia doomed?
I want an HEA for Luzia but I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of suffering and then some type of end that is peaceful, maybe not happy but resolved somehow.

15. Bardugo’s family were expelled from Spain during the inquisition and she said in a People interview “This was something I was passionate about learning about, because it's my own family's history”. Do you think this adds to the story that she has a personal connection? Is there anything in your family history you wish you could research more?
Yes definitely. As for my family, I think I wished I knew more things they passed down, but a lot of history has gotten lost as people have died.

Nice work Preeti! I'm close to finishing as well.

Day 3 DQ's

Chapter 24 - 33

9. We keep hearing how people smell. Luzia of orange blossoms, Perez of plums and amber. Why do you think the author keeps mentioning this? Do the smells mean more than just an odor? I missed the Perez reference (audiobook) but with Luzia I think it's because she doesn't even know she evokes the smell? It has something to do with how Santangel and she are connected because he's the only one that seems to notice.

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far? I'm currently enjoying how Luzia's backbone and strength is being highlighted.

11. Valentina and Marius seem to be rekindling their marriage, finding love where there wasn't before. Why do you think the author is adding that part of the story when she could have left it out? I think to give Valentina a little more depth and to make her likeable? Are there potentially other villains worth more highlighting, so these two are made to seem softer and more human?

11. Now we are over halfway and know more of Luzia, the competition and this world. Why do you think the publisher and possibly the author chose this cover over any other possibilities? If you could remake the cover, what would you want it to look like? The cover is eerie to me, highlighting one person, And I'm really curious where the chain goes. Also this may be my ignorance but I can't tell if the hand is male or female and maybe that's on purpose?

DQs Day 2 Chapter 13 - 23

5. Luzia’s refranes combine elements from diverse cultural traditions, creating a powerful form of magic tied to her Jewish heritage. Does the portrayal of Luzia’s magic suggest that blending different cultural traditions enhances personal power and resistance, or does it emphasize the delicate balance and possible loss of identity in such a blend? Hmm this is a thought provoking question! I definitely think in this story it makes for an intriguing element that could be molded into going any of those ways, but that the story does highlight it enhancing personal power and resilience.

6. Characters like Valentina and Hualit demonstrate varying levels of ambition and moral compromise on their paths to security and success. Is pursuit of personal safety and financial security a justifiable reason for ethical compromises, or should ambition be tempered with moral integrity? Personally, I hold to certain beliefs and faith so strongly that compromise is not entertained, but I can definitely empathize with people who do see it as a necessary evil depending on their ambition. Especially considering this is 16th century Spain where women are seen as clearly second class.

7. Have you done other reading set in late-16th-century Spain? If not, are you having any problems following the political intrigues and social mores? What’s your favorite time period to read for historical fiction? I don't think I've read much 16th century Spain, I just read a romance novel set in modern Madrid and it was okay.

8. What do you make of Santángel? At one point we get the line, “And Santángel would be free.” Free from what, do you think? For whatever reason, probably the author's bias, I like Santangel and I'm rooting for him. He's cursed somehow and I can't wait to understand more of that and hear the background.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉 I've read a couple of books by Bardugo before and they seem like a big commitment as they're mostly series and YA fantasy. I probably would have just let this sit on my TBR for 10 years, so I'm glad I was able to snag the audiobook and listen with the group and read the DQs because it REALLY helps keep me engaged!

@Laura I'm working on The Familiar but there's no guarantees I'll be done before the bonus deadline. I do have a comment up so I'll try to finish at least 3 sections by July 2. If doesn't count as bonus, oh well, we'll still get the points for pages.

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentia and her desperation?
I empathize with her but I also felt trepidation in my stomach, like this could be bad... (but that's what the book wants you to feel after how it starts the first chapter)

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house?
I think now that Luzia had power, she could use it in ways Valentia could only imagine, including getting out from under her thumb and finding better lodgings and making a way for herself in the world.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.
I instantly thought of The movie Tangled - Rapunzel singing the song "flower bloom and glow, let your power shine..."

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them? I didn't have an answer for this after reading ch 12, but I did after going farther in the book - I think he wanted Luzia to be elevated from her status as scullion without it costing anything to himself.
I

Ok, I'm going to try this one. Will be tough for me but LET'S GO!
Date Started: Aug 1, 2024
Date Finished:
Goal: 0/25?

Month 1: Read your Birthday Month
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Month 2: Read your Birthstone (Spell it out challenge) or read 3 or 4 books with covers that match the color of your birthstone or 3 or 4 books with the name of your Birthstone in the title (aquamarine)
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Month 3: Read your sign (Spell it out challenge)
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Month 4: Read your Chinese zodiac sign (Spell it out challenge) or Read your favorite flower (Spell it out challenge) or read 3 or 4 books with your favorite flower on the cover [CALLA LILY]
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Month 5: Read 3 or 4 books set in a country you'd like to visit [Spain]
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Month 6: Read 3 or 4 books from your favorite genre
Fantasy

Month 7: Read 3 or 4 books with your child or a friend (exchanging)


Month 8: Read 3 or 4 books written by some of your favorite authors


Month 9: Set yourself a personal goal to exceed the amount of books you normally read in a month [Typically 8 this year so going for 9...]
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Month 10: Read one of your favorite foods (Spell it out challenge)
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Month 11: Read 3 or 4 books by authors you've never read before, but have been meaning to

Month 12: Read your favorite Book Crush's name (Zeb)
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Oh my gosh I feel for them!!!

Laura wrote: "MelanieJoy wrote: "I think it’s Monday morning at 2am for me so I’ll need to be done by Sunday night. Thanks!"

Sorry it took me so long, but I think this is right. I'll change it if I get feedback..."

Thanks so much Laura!

I read during my kiddo's nap this morning and finished my second battle book so I'm all set!

I think it’s Monday morning at 2am for me so I’ll need to be done by Sunday night. Thanks!

Laura do you happen to have a countdown for the end of the battles?

So sorry Keely!! Grief is hard no matter how you slice it.

Preeti, I have this book on hold but I won't get it in time to volunteer for DQs...