Vikki’s Comments (group member since Dec 11, 2011)

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

I'm finished for Round 1. I've just started another book but it'll be a Round 2 finish.

If we need a book that is 5th in series I have one I can read for it.

I can claim G13 - Mulch
Book Of Witching has "CH" in title

I was away in Italy at the weekend. Didn't have much time for reading when I was there but I got extra reading time at the airport last night with a 3.5 hour delay. Partly due to air traffic control going down in northern Italy and I suspect also due to a storm battering the UK & Ireland. At least my flight landed ok in Dublin - a lot were cancelled or diverted.

Oh no, sorry to hear about your cat Keely. How awful, it's always heartbreaking to lose a pet. They really are part of the family.

I'm finishing off
Then I'll be able to start reading for the wheel. First up will be

Cat wrote: "oh! for UK readers, the November BOM, The Spellshop is available as kindle for 99p"

I already have the hardback of this one. If it's November BOM I'll wait until then for it. I've been trying which books to read this month and there are too many options!

Hi everyone. I'm Vikki from Northern Ireland. Looking forward to another Wheel!

I'll be in Italy for a weekend later this month but that won't impact taking part in the challenge. I've 2 flights to stick my nose in a book!

Don't have any books saved up for this challenge. Come mid/late November I'll be trying to get through the Christmas books on my shelves. Maybe I'll find some hard letters in them.

My shelf is: Wheel 9

I’m away with limited internet but will finish my last book by deadline. I should be able to update ss but if not I’ll post here & hopefully someone can update. If you need anything specific from me just message as it’ll be easier to read than finding a post here

I've just finished Daisy Jones & The Six but paperback, not audio. I wasn't sure if I'd like the style but I ended up really enjoying it, it was much easier to read than I'd expected.

DQs Day 5

16.) Were there any surprises about the supporting characters? Did they get the endings you expected? That the characters deserved?
I think the character I was most surprised about was Valentina, as the book progressed I definitely saw a new, and better, side to her. Overall I think the characters did get the kind of ending they deserved.

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)?

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? I still don't have a handle on the parameters of Luiza's magic. Maybe there isn't any?
I was happy with Luzia's ending, but I wasn't too bothered about what happened to Santangel.
I think the lack of firm definition / parameters to the magic worked for the ending. There are problem some parameters to Luzia's magic but just not revealed in the book.

19.) What did you end up rating the book? Would you recommend it to others?
I gave it 4 stars and yes I would recommend it.

Chapter 34 -44

12. Have you read any of Baduga’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've read the Shadow & Bone trilogy and Six of Crows - Crooked Kingdom is on my to read list for this year. I enjoyed them which is partly why I was interested to read this one. I do agree it's quite different but I am liking it.

13. Many of the characters are changing from what they were first presented as. If there anyone you are finding you like more than you did originally?
The only character I've warmed to has been Valentina, we've seen more to her as the book progressed. Her actions at the end of Chapter 43 really said a lot about her character and I definitely wouldn't have expected that from the first chapters of the book.

14. Do you believe there will be a HEA here? Or is Luzia doomed?
I don't know about a HEA but I don't think she is entirely doomed. I don't think there will be HEA with Santangel and that's not really the ending I want. It would be nice to see Luzia get some kind of freedom or independence perhaps....

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?
I was interested to hear that Bardugo used her family history for this book. I'd say it does add a degree of understanding to what Spain was like at the time. I admit it's not an area of history I'm very familiar with. We did learn about the Spanish Armada in school but more from the English perspective. Didn't really cover a lot of what was happening in Spain.
In my family history, my grandfather's brother was murdered by paramilitaries but I'm familiar with the history around this and sadly know what happened to him. Apart from that I can't think of anything in my family history.

I'm away from Thursday morning until Sunday evening. If I get don't get my battle book read before I leave but finish when I'm away I will post in here and hopefully someone will update on spreadsheet :)

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?
For the characters it could be about scent and memory - scents can evoke memory. For the reader I think it helps add to the atmosphere, set the scene etc.

10. We are over halfway through the book. What has been your favorite part/scene/person/line so far?
I've like the challenges at the torneo - I've been drawn into those scenes. Don't really have a favourite character.

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 it's part of the character development and it's good it's not just focused on Luzia. Valentina isn't very likeable in the earlier chapters so this is perhaps helping to make her more likeable.

12. 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 doesn't give a lot away - I was curious what the Scorpion had to do with it. I wondered if it was Luzia's familiar to begin with but now see it's to do with Santangel. Not sure what other cover ideas I'd have - I'm never great at thinking of things like that

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?
I think there can be a bit of both... cultures mix more and more. It's important to acknowledge and be aware of those different cultures. Which in turn could lead to personal power.

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?
That's a tough question. In most cases I'd say it should be tempered with moral integrity. But there can be exceptional circumstances when compromises might be justifiable.

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?
No, this is my first. I think I'm following it ok so far.
For historical fiction I tend to lean towards WW2 or the Tudor period in England.

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?
I'm intrigued. I'd say free from Victor and whatever gave him immortality.


Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team?
It seemed interesting and has been on my to-read list since it came out. Now seemed a good time when it was BOM and I can get some extra points for my BG team. I was interested in the mix of history and fantasy

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?
No, I don't feel bad for Valentina. Yes, she doesn't have a great life, but I haven't warmed to her. It feels like she tries to exert power wherever she can to make up for what's lacking in her life.

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?
This follows from my last answer about exerting power and control. Maybe also some jealousy because she can't leave the house without a chaperone so she doesn't want Luzia to be able to. And fear of Luzia running away.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of.
I think it's a way to help focus the magic, or channel it. I'm not sure Luzia needs it to make the magic work, and perhaps she won't rely on it with more practice, experience and focus.

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?
Big benefit for Luzia is privacy and comfort. For Don Victor, the privacy can help with what he has planned for Luzia (preparations) but I wonder if he might also use it for leverage as the book progresses. Power also comes to mind - that he can exert power over Valentina & her husband

I've finished my last round 2 book.

If you want to go with Resistance Girl Renee I'm happy to take it.

I also have

The Resistance Girl
or
The Resistance Wife

But don't know if "irl" or "ife" are any better


I could get Resistance Girl Renée: A WW2 Jewish Holocaust Survival True Story - "nee" would be easier to find (I think)

Judith wrote: "We start off the battle round this time. The randomized book we have to play off of is The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Killing Vampires.

So we need a book that starts with RES and ends with 3 le..."

I have Restaurant Weeks Are Murder on my Kindle but "der" doesn't seem that easy to start

Lexi wrote: "Melanie, how are you doing with your mini challenge books? Do you need help?

Kim and Vikki, how are you doing on yours?"

I'll have mine finished today