Katy’s Comments (group member since Oct 27, 2018)

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

Level 1 completed - post #90

101. Dark King by C.N. Crawford (8/3/19)
102. Time's Convert by Deborah Harkness (8/4/19)
103. Mother of Shadows by Meg Anne (8/7/19)
104. Wilder Girls by Rory Power (8/10/19)
105. Reign of Ash by Meg Anne (8/11/19)
106. Grace and Fury by Tracy Banghart (8/13/19)
107. The Darkest Star by Jennifer L. Armentrout (8/16/19)
108. Crown of Embers by Meg Anne (8/17/19)
109. Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare (8/20/19)
110. Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst (8/22/19)
111. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (8/23/19)
112. Once Upon a Highland Legend by Tanya Anne Crosby (8/24/19)
113. Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake (8/25/19)
114. Queen of Light by Meg Anne (8/29/19)
115. Educated by Tara Westover (8/31/19)
116. Queen of Ruin by Tracy Banghart (9/1/19)
117. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (9/2/19)
118. Harry Potter: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts by Pottermore Publishing (9/2/19)
119. One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake (9/6/19)
120. Come Back to Me by Annie Seaton (9/8/19)
121. Witch Song by Amber Argyle (9/8/19)
122. Phoenix by Jessica Wayne (9/13/19)
123. The Light of Supremazia by Alana Siegel Mag (9/15/19)
124. Queens of Fennbirn by Kendare Blake (9/17/19)
125. The Witch's Kind by Louisa Morgan (9/22/19)
126. Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake (9/27/19)
127. The Pageant by Leigh Walker (10/1/19)
128. The Gala by Leigh Walker (10/4/19)
129. The Black Witch by Laurie Forest (10/8/19)
130. The Iron Flower by Laurie Forest (10/12/19)
131. Light Mage by Laurie Forest (10/14/19)
132. There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool (10/20/19)
133. The Finale by Leigh Walker (10/20/19)
134. The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw (10/26/19)
135. The Darkest Night: Two Sisters, a Brutal Murder, and the Loss of Innocence in a Small Town by Ron Franscell (10/27/19)
136. Dark Dream’s Trap by I.T. Lucas (11/1/19)
137. Dark Prince's Enigma by I.T. Lucas (11/2/19)
138. Dark Prince's Dilemma by I.T. Lucas (11/3/19)
139. Dark Prince's Agenda by I.T. Lucas (11/4/19)
140. Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (11/5/19)
141. Dark Queen’s Quest by I.T. Lucas (11/7/19)
142. Dark Queen’s Knight by I.T. Lucas (11/9/19)
143. Five ​Dark Fates by Kendare Blake (11/14/19)
144. Time of the Warrior: A Medieval Time Travel Romance by Ivy Hollins (11/17/19)
145. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (11/17/19)
146. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (11/20/19)
147. The Hidden King by E.G. Radcliff (11/24/19)
148. Wandfasted by Laurie Forest (11/24/19)
149. Tower of Dawn by Sarah Maas (11/28/19)
150. Kingdom of Ash by Sarah Maas (12/1/19)
151. Darkness of Light by Stacey Marie Brown (12/3/19)
152. The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand (12/10/19)
153. The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts (12/15/19)
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155.
156.
157.
158.
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Reserving my spot - I’m in!

Not sure how I am supposed to do this but here goes:


51 minutes start to finish


1 hour 23 minutes start to finish

Hi my name is Katy Lyn and I live in Palmer, MA. My birthday is February 12.
Favorites Books - hmmm how to choose? I think my answer to this is highly dependent on the mood I am honestly. The Harry Potter books will always be a fav because I read them to my daughter every night for years and it became the thing we bonded over. She is 24 now and she still talks about our Harry Potter nights. For me personally, I love Ride the Wind, the Outlander series, and the clan of the cave bears series.
Favorite Genre - lately it has been YA fantasy, dystopian, and historical fiction, with a side addiction to borderline smut paranormal romance.
I don't have a favorite author as I will read just about anything, but I did recently read ACOTAR series and became a fan of Sarah Maas.
Favorite color is purple.
Favorite food - does chocolate count?
If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be somewhere in a forest with a bubbling brook lush fields and majestic trees. I love the log homes in the Gatlinburg TN area and rented one a few years back for a surprise vacation for hubby's 50th. I did not want to leave.
I know I am a book addict because I have been one for my entire life and it is our family joke that plans are always subject to change if I am in the middle of a good read.

Serious Reader 2019: Level 1

Will add the books as completed :)

1. Wild-born by Adrian Howell (1/2/19)
2. Gracie's Secret by Jill Childs (1/4/19)
3. Verity by Colleen Hoover (1/5/19)
4. Evander by Hazel Hunter (1/6/19)
5. Tormod by Hazel Hunter (1/7/19)
6. Gavin by Hazel Hunter (1/12/19)
7. The Captured: A True Story of Abduction by Indians on the Texas Frontier by Scott Zesch (1/12/19)
8. The Outsider by Stephen King (1/13/19)
9. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum (1/19/19)
10. Crystal Magic by Madeline Freeman (1/20/19)
11. Salem Burning by Daniel Sugar (1/20/19)
12. Fragments of Isabella: A Memoir of Auschwitz by Isabella Leitner (1/21/19)
13. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Manascalco (1/25/19)
14. Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas (1/26/19)
15. That Guy by Belle Brooks (1/26/19)
16. Brennus by Hazel Hunter (1/27/19)
17. Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies about Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis (1/30/19)
18. The Changelings by Elle Casey (2/2/19)
19. Call to Arms by Elle Casey (2/3/19)
20. Fury Frayed by Melissa Haag (2/3/19)
21. Bellamy and The Brute by Alicia Michaels (2/6/19)
22. The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (2/9/19)
23. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer (2/10/19)
24. Sadie's Highlander by Maeve Greyson (2/10/19)
25. A Theory of Small Earthquakes by Meredith Maran (2/13/19)
26. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas (2/18/19)
27. The Shadow Queen by C.J Redwine (2/19/19)
28. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (2/20/19)
29. Fantasy of Frost by Kelly St. Claire (2/22/19)
30. Entangled With You by Diana Knightley (2/24/19)
31. Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson (2/28/19)
32. Sick Girl by Rachel Hargrove (3/2/19)
33. Birthright by Jessica Ruddick (3/3/19)
34. Cadeyrn by Hazel Hunter (3/4/19)
35. The Disasters by M.K. England (3/10/19)
36. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (3/10/19)
37. Woman Last Seen in Her Thirties by Camille Pagan (3/14/19)
38. Soulbound by Bethany Adams (3/16/19)
39. Year One by Nora Roberts (3/22/19)
40. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (2/23/19)
41. Ruadri (Immortal Highlander, Clan Skaraven Book 3): A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Hazel Hunter (3/23/19)
42. Under His Skin by Sidney Bristol (3/28/19)
43. Kanyth (Immortal Highlander, Clan Skaraven Book 4): A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Hazel Hunter (3/29/19)
44. Taran (Immortal Highlander, Clan Skaraven Book 5): A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Hazel Hunter (3/30/19)
45. Rose Petal Graves by Olivia Wildenstein (3/31/19)
46. Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte (4/6/19)
47. The Ash Moon by Michelle Dare (4/7/19)
48. The Somber Call by Michelle Dare (4/8/19)
49. The Crucial Shift by Michelle Dare (4/10/19)
50. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon (4/12/19)
51. Virgins by Diana Gabaldon (4/12/19)
52. Dark Widow’s Curse by I.T. Lucas (4/14/19)
53. Dark Widow’s Blessing by I.T. Lucas (4/18/19)
54. Eadan's Vow: A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Stella Knight (4/20/19)
55. The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (4/21/19)
56. Dark Dream’s Temptation by I.T. Lucas (4/21/19)
57. Dark Dream’s Unraveling by I.T. Lucas (4/24/19)
58. Ronan's Captive: A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Stella Knight (4/25/19)
59. The Stars Below by David Baldacci (4/28/19)
60. I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagan (4/29/19)
61. Ciaran's Bond: A Scottish Time Travel Romance by Stella Knight (4/30/19)
62. The 100 by Kass Morgan (5/3/19)
63. Hidden Deep by Amy Patrick (5/4/19)
64. The Selection by Kiera Cass (5/5/19)
65. Hidden Heart by Amy Patrick (5/5/19)
66. Obscura by Joe Hart (5/10/19)
67. Hidden Hope by Amy Patrick (5/12/19)
68. When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann (5/12/19)
69. Have Tail, Will Travel by Nancey Cummings (5/13/19)
70. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas (5/18/19)
71. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (5/23/19)
72. Fantasy of Flight by Kelly St. Clare (5/25/19)
73. Magnus and a Love Beyond Words by Diana Knightley (5/26/19)
74. Fantasy of Fire by Kelly St. Clare (5/27/19)
75. The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms (6/2/19)
76. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (6/2/19)
77. White Raven by J.L. Weil (6/6/19)
78. The Elite by Kiera Cass (6/7/19)
79. If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo (6/9/19)
80. Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts (6/16/19)
81. Hidden Darkness (Dark Court, #1) by Amy Patrick (6/22/19)
82. Hidden Danger (Dark Court, #2) by Amy Patrick (6/23/19)
83. Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (6/30/19)
84. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (7/4/19)
85. Hidden Desire (Dark Court, #3) by Amy Patrick (7/5/19)
86. Playing with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins (7/7/19)
87. The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon (7/7/19)
88. Sleeping with Monsters by Amelia Hutchins (7/13/19)
89. Becoming his Monster by Amelia Hutchins (7/14/19)
90. Genesis Girl by Jennifer Bardsley (7/16/19)
91. Hidden Game (Ancient Court, #1) by Amy Patrick (7/20/19)
92. What You Did by Claire McGowan (7/20/19)
93. Hidden Magic (Ancient Court, #2) by Amy Patrick (7/21/19)
94. Hidden Hero (Ancient Court, #3) by Amy Patrick (7/21/19)
95. Hidden Heir: A Hidden Novel by Amy Patrick (7/21/19)
96. King Of The Fae by Ava Mason (7/27/19(
97. Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (7/27/19)
98. King Of Ash by Ava Mason (7/27/19)
99. Filthy Beautiful Lies by Kendall Ryan (7/28/19)
100. Filthy Beautiful Love by Kendall Ryan (7/28/19)

Oh I love this idea! I’m going to challenge myself with the cone what may and see how many I can get through!

6)Sometimes we are strangers even to ourselves
Another great quote in this book! Do you think Elizabeth was just referring to Henry here or about all 3 of them? She seems quite restless and unsettled since finding Victor. Why do you think this is?

I feel like she may have been referring to people in general. She has had such an unsettled life, constantly feeling the need to be seen as useful, that she isn't even sure who she is anymore – beyond who she needs to be to survive.

7) It's fairly well established at this point that everyone is frightened of Victor to the point where most seem to want to avoid him as much as possible. Elizabeth comments that at night when she was scared and having horrible nightmares she went to Victor. And sleeping by his side, she had no nightmares. Why do you think that is?

I am not sure exactly why she had no nightmares when sleeping by Victor's side. My guess is going to be that she knew no one could or would harm her with Victor there to protect her...because she knew Victor terrified everyone. She knew, subconsciously, that Victor was dangerous.

8) Why do you think everyone was so willing to believe Justine killed William? To believe her going mad so suddenly and randomly? Do you think she actually did it? If not, who do you think it was?

Believing Justine killed William was easy for everyone because it relieved their fears that there was still a killer on the loose. Even in today's society, things like this happen where people are tried and convicted of crimes simply through a rush to judgment to relieve the public's anxiety and fear. Obviously not as often anymore with the advent of more sophisticated forensics etc, but people can still be convicted on simply circumstantial evidence. In this situation in the book, with the discovery of the necklace, that sealed Justine's fate.

I think the book did a great job of adding to the thought process to convince the reader it was possible that Justine killed William. Shortly before the murders, they were having a conversation about when the boys grew up and would leave her – and portrayed Justine as very sad and distraught at the thought.

9) Elizabeth sees her actions towards saving Justine from her previous life as the only selfless thing she has done in her life. Do you think her actions were truly selfless though?

I am not convinced that Elizabeth was capable of selfless behavior by that point. I do think there was certainly a selfless component, in that she instantly decided to save her when she saw Justine being beat, but even that was a reaction based on her childhood memories.

10) Upon seeing the monster having a conversation with Victor, that Victor appears to lose, Elizabeth's reaction is to find out what it is holding over Victor, remove the hold, then kill the monster. Do you think this is a normal reaction? What would you have done? 

Hmm...I am not sure if this would be considered a “normal” reaction but I do think it is an understandable reaction and one I can relate to. We all have someone in our lives that we would do anything to protect, and seeing that person be threatened, or perceiving them to be threatened, tends to make the protector see red and lose the ability to think things through rationally, at least in that moment temporarily. Elizabeth sees Victor as her protector but she also sees herself as his.

1. I love this quote in the story. “Justine did not have to pretend, as she always seemed genuinely unaware of the effect we had on men. I, however, was perfectly aware of my beauty. I considered it a skill, alongside speaking French, English, Italian, and German. It was a language of its own, in a way; on that translated well in different circumstances.” What does this tell you about the different characters of Justine and Elizabeth? 

To me, this quote revealed that Elizabeth's character was much colder and conniving vs Justine's. Elizabeth seemed to constantly be on the defensive, and had learned that she had to use every tool in her power to accomplish her goals. To her, the fact that she was beautiful, and that men noticed that, was just another thing she could use to manipulate others.

2. Elizabeth truly seems able to control Victor’s dark character. She helps him clean up after the incident with his younger brother, and comes up with a story to help save Victor. Why do you think she is able to do that when no-one else seems able to control him?

Other people were too afraid of Victor and did not think he could be controlled. In a way, I don't believe he could be controlled either. Elizabeth was much more afraid of being thrust out into the world with nothing then she was of Victor. She was willing to do anything, and justify anything, in order to protect herself and the life she now knew.

3. When Henry proposes to Elizabeth, she immediately begins to worry whether she can be the wife he needs. But she decides to send him to Victor to ask for his blessing. She figures there can be two outcomes - one Victor will return to her and ask her to marry him, or two Victor will give his blessing and she can marry Henry. This “plot” comes from feeling desperate to belong and the fear of not being needed by the Frankenstein’s anymore. What would you do if you felt that way?

Honestly, I have no idea what I would do if I felt that way. Sometimes it is exceeding difficult to put oneself in someone else's shoes. Too much goes into our underlying psyche that controls our reactions to situations. In Elizabeth's situation, she is constantly terrified by the idea of having no one to take care of her, even referencing at one point the fact that because she had not been taken on as a servant but as a companion for Victor, she had been educated but not in any ways that could secure her own livelihood if the Frankensteins no longer had a need for her. In that time period, when women were not as independent as they are now, it was likely a very valid concern and fear for a young girl to have. Especially as Elizabeth did not know her true family roots.

4. When Elizabeth burns down the house that Victor was using for his experiments, she hears a large splash in the river. Who do you think it was fleeing the burning building? Do you think it’s the same man Elizabeth saw out her window at the boarding house and out of her carriage? Or do you think her mind is playing tricks on her?

This is a tough one as we all have heard the story of Frankenstein before. That story influences my thoughts on this one as of course I believe it was the creation of Victor that fled the building and that Elizabeth saw out the window and outside of the carriage. Based only on this novel and the progress I have made on it so far, there is no evidence yet to support that opinion...and Elizabeth's mind may be playing tricks on her at this point. She does know that Victor had a fascination with discovering the inner workings of the body, especially based on her memory of the incident with the deer in the forest and Victor's fascination with the corpse game. Those memories, coupled with her fears of being discharged by Judge Frankenstein and her desperate need to feel secure in her role in Victor's life, all could lead to paranoia and seeing things that might not really be there.

5. Re-tellings are now one of my favorite new genres. Do you like this retelling of the Frankenstein story so far? What other re-tellings have you read that you really liked?

So far I am loving this re-telling and the different angle it gives to the classic story. I personally haven't read may re-tellings and cannot think of one off the top of my head that I really liked – but I am enjoying this one and am open to trying more re-tellings going forward.