kat (wanderfulbooks)’s Comments (group member since Oct 23, 2014)

kat (wanderfulbooks)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Hey Mods, just wondering if there is going to be another Group Challenge this year? No having withdrawal symptoms... much 😉"

I was wondering if we're getting Wheelathon this year too haha

I didn’t have any more books to add too as I spent the weekend with family and did not read a page 😅

DQs Day 5

Chapters: 26 - 33


17. We learn more about the world and the empire’s rules in these chapters. What part of this world feels the most unusual or fascinating to you? Would you want to live there?
Definitely not! It sounds gruesome and very depressing. Leviathans?

18. Power and control come up again in these chapters—especially with the way information is kept or revealed. Why do you think certain characters hide things, and what does that tell us about them?
Well, I don't think there's not much to explain when it comes to power. There will never be a logical reason why people get greedy.

19. We are introduced to Fayazi Haza and her Sublimes in this section. What was your opinion of these characters? Did you notice anything interesting about them?
They're all very secretive. The sublimes are acting very shady. I feel like they know more than Fayazi does and have agenda of their own.

20. “Born into systems beyond our control, into relationships and organisations that obligate us to change…”
How do these lines reflect the pressure felt by characters like Jolgalgan or Din during these chapters? Who seems trapped by expectations, and how do they respond?
I think everyone except Ana at this point are moving along this thought.

21. 17. As Din gathers evidence around the Haza family’s estate, water tanks, and engineer gatherings, he begins seeing clear connections. What moment in these chapters felt most like a turning point in understanding the conspiracy and why did it stand out to you?
None yet? I feel like there's still much that needs to be uncovered and analyzed.

DQ 3
Part III Chapters 13-20

9. Were on the move now and hearing more of the environment. Are you able to imagine the world and How do you feel about the mix of genres - fantasy, sci-fi, mystery?
At first, I was a bit on the fence about it. But halfway in, it's actually fun! It's a great mix of unique world and crazy characters that have a secret or two up their sleeves. I thought I would find Ana's circumstance a heavy weight but her unique personality makes up for her just staying inside.

10. Were seeing Ana showcasing her skills and abilities more and seeing Ana and Din interact even more. Have your thoughts changed about them and what secrets do you think Ana and Din is hiding from one another if any?
I have no idea what secrets they may be hiding as this is my first time encountering this kind of fantasy world. Alterations? Gory but wow the possibilities!

11. Knowing this is book one and we probably wont get much how are you imagining the Leviathans so far? What is your closest comparison to what they may be/look like?
I'm imagining it to be like a big snake but sort of like a dragon. Watching cdramas and kdramas have given me that imagery.

DQs Day 1: Chapter 1 -5

1) Do you have any expectations going in? This book is one of the 6 novels up for the Hugo award for Best Novel this year: https://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-hi.... Did you know that and do you try to read the Hugo books or winners or have no interactions with the awards?
I have read one of this author's earliest books before so I sort of know that it's going to be unique. I do check out the Hugo book winners once in a while but don't really feel compelled to read each nominee or winner.

2) What do you think of the world building so far? Are then any particular details that stand out and if this is a reread, is anything standing out more on your re-read this early in the story? (please use spoiler tags if applicable)
I didn't expect the story to be a bit gothic. World building is as expected, need to be learning new terms and names.

3) So this runs right up to the edge/ crosses over into body horror between the murder scene and modifications to people? Do you read body horror or books with that theme in it? Do you have any favorites?
I don't read horrow. I avoid that genre so I found this book a bit gory but well since it's not as bad I think I can finish.

4) Does your version have a map? If it does, did you look at before reading or at any point when reading this first section? Do you like maps in books? (Map under spoiler if you were audio only)

I just took a quick glance and proceeded to the 1st chapter.

Christina wrote: "Hey team, I have bad news and somewhat good news.

Unfortunately we have lost Brittany who was our biggest reader, and there's no more reserve players left. We are all quite worried about Brittany ..."

I think she mentioned in a comment here some time before that it's her busiest season or something? She's probably buried with real life stuff and can't find the extra energy to check in here for now. I hope she is doing okay!

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "Kat, you have the audiobook on your shelf for The Bitter Side of Sweet and the hardback on the spreadsheet. Did you listen to the audiobook? If so, it's correct to have the audiobook on both shelve..."

Audiobook. I didn't really check what pops up in the spreadsheet because I thought as long as we input the default page when doing audiobooks. The correct editions I read/listen to are in my shelves

I know we're still doing TT but I was just wondering if we're also getting Wheelathon this year? :D

It’s fine, I’ll just look for another book. The 20 points for that mini challenge is just too good to pass up haha so I’ve been digging dip on books to read for it.

Here's a few river books I've read before if someone's interested.

For some reason i read that as camel goes to a museum haha

Kelly (Maybedog) wrote: "You all are doing so great! Everyone has read at least one book for the month and no one is behind much. One person has already read 70% of her books! (Yea Kat!)

Let me know if there's anything I ..."

It's been a week of rain and wind and power outages so I found myself with a bit more time than usual.

Also, the books are in the shelf :) It's just that they're arranged randomly so they might be in between the already read books!

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?
I felt relieved that finally they can work together! And am glad that they agreed on a partnership.

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?
It did a little but also I can't help but ask why he kept trying for kids again just right after the two miscarriages. But then going off his character of always just doing his duty, I guese it was still in line with his character.

27. Do you think the missing child holds any significance in the plot?
Yes.

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?
Vindicated! There's hope for this guy yet! A redeeming arc ;)

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?
The reread doesn't make it less painful. I was still crying like crazy! I never expected him to die honestly, or like if he did it would be towards the end of the book.

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?
Honestly, I blamed him for everything. I couldn't understand why he just couldn't be a father and husband when he seems to be a very talented man.

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 put a lot of hope that Misaki would become a more hands on mother after the death of her firstborn. All that regret being hshaped into purpose.

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?
Definitely. The Empires feels like the state of our current governements these days, pretty much uninterested in the welfare of its people and working on their own selfish agenda.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?

I read her other book before reading this. This is also a reread for me so I know what I'm getting into again *cry emoji*

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?
Am trying to remember my first impression when I first read this and I think the author did well because the utter confidence they have for their skills can only be brought on by what was told them, no interference from any one else.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!
This was what I loved about this book at the get go. We have an adult woman finally as a main character. And one with many real life challenges at that! Juggling motherhood and the dreams and skill set she knows she has.

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?
Same thoughts and I should skip answering the next question.

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?
Interesting! It's been quite some time where I get fun magic systems like this! If this made it into reels, it would look so pretty! (I remember though when I was reading this the first time, it took a while for me to get a firmer grasp on things).

Am not sure if everyone else saw this, but I stumbled on this sheet of possible books to read for the 20-point hard countries!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Mrs Pollifax is the most popular woman this challenge haha

If I read one of the past BOMs (May/June) and answer the DQs, will I get the BOM bonus points for the team still?

Added some of the books I finished, you can move them around to whatever tasks you think best to use it for!

Broken Souls is mine. My name wasn't in the drop down list so I was requesting for it a few comments back :)