Cat’s Comments (group member since Jan 28, 2015)

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

478 pages
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reporting: 2,778

Current total: 1,377,001

oooh! non-literal rocks!
how about this interpretation?

big ol' "rock" on her finger ??

(I've just finished it)

Spun us a new literary one...

Protomolecule (Expanse)
1 450+
2 Form of hivemind in the book
3 Tagged "Series-to-read" at least 10 times - must be new to you series
4 "microorganism" or "microbe" in text
5 A book or series that has been made into a graphic novel

The wheels are out to get us all!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Whoop! Although we hadn't hit too many 800+ yet.

I've updated our monster info :)

2013 will TOTES work! :D

given no other editions, I might be feeling okay ish about it?

In general I wouldn't love it, and would suggest using the default page count, but.....

really ambivalent, is what I'm saying, but could be swayed either way and then make a passionate case!

will pop it in then :)

hurrah!

I'm going to be finishing off Kaikeyi (no task) today, and then Phoenix (PH title)

I did wonder if (finished earlier today) would work for the reflected item on cover - Jane is looking into the water, and we see her Beast self reflected back.... ?

Day 4 - Chapters 24 - 31

16. Gotta love a "do this impossible thing to win her hand in marriage" task! What do you think of the relationship between Sita and Rama, as we get different facets through this section?

I think it's interesting looking at Ravana and Kaikeyi's different parental reactions. I suspect Ravana is closer to the mark, and that Kaikeyi's not as impartial about Rama as she portrays herself. I'll grant that it doesn't help if Sita's only complaining about not being listened to, when there's probably more to it than that.

17. What do you think about the revelations from Lakshmana about Rama and how he interacts with the world. Do you have any thoughts about the neck-choking connection in the Binding Plain?

I'd assumed that Rama was mostly ignorant about his use of the Binding Plain powers, but this choking seems more sinister and deliberate. I wonder though if that's actually because of how the Bad Sage influenced him during their time as the ashram?

18. We meet Kaikeyi's mother. What did you think of her and her story? Are there any parallels or comparisons to draw between her life and Kaikeyi's?

I was expecting so much more fire and anger, but actually the way it came about - respect and listening is kinda emblematic of how Kaikeyi acts. I thought there definite contrasts to be made about her mother's two marriages - the first is the opposite of Kaikeyi's marriage, but the second is definitely a parallel - having the respect and support of a husband allows both women to be their best selves and parents.

19. The seeds are being laid for a big conflict, one way or another. Who's going to move first - Rama, the ashuras or Ravana?

I have no idea! I do think it's sad that this was inevitable (due to the source material), and have appreciated the reminders that Patel has peppered throughout, that Kaikeyi ends up being perceived as a Bad Woman, so that I am not shocked when it all goes wrong for her :(

380 pages

Current total: 1,357,478

Day 4 - Chapters 24 - 31

16. Gotta love a "do this impossible thing to win her hand in marriage" task! What do you think of the relationship between Sita and Rama, as we get different facets through this section?

17. What do you think about the revelations from Lakshmana about Rama and how he interacts with the world. Do you have any thoughts about the neck-choking connection in the Binding Plain?

18. We meet Kaikeyi's mother. What did you think of her and her story? Are there any parallels or comparisons to draw between her life and Kaikeyi's?

19. The seeds are being laid for a big conflict, one way or another. Who's going to move first - Rama, the ashuras or Ravana?

oh dear :(

but if you've dodged a bullet, that's good. FWIW, I'm very much enjoying it - the comparison of it to Circe is feeling reasonable

DQs Day 3 Chapters 16-23

11. What do you think of the three wives and their relationship with each other? Is it what you expected?
What of the creation of the Women’s Council? From stitch and bitch to a real world changer. Did you think there would be repercussions?

I like them. It was interesting to me that Patel was keen to have harmonious relationships in this polygamous marriage, and that those relationships were more important to Kaikeyi ultimately than having her blood-offspring be ruler.
I was pleasantly surprised how little ructions there seems to be, but that is mainly because Kaikeyi has no interest in the religious life of the city - clearly there's deep unhappiness there that neither she nor Dasharath have paid any attention to.

12. Mom is alive. Honestly, I had put her out of my mind. Will Kaikeyi try to visit her? Will this be one if the boons?

I was surprised that after that mention she was dropped again, and also that there was nothing about the animosity between Manarath and the other servant. Presumably shenanigans in that direction are to come!

13. So, Rama. I don’t have kids, so I will let others expound on what it might be like to have a son who turns out to be a god.
He is starting out at least as kind of a jerk of a god, yes? Do you think that a god is possessing the child, or the child is the god, or there is a duality fighting for supremacy? Not sure that question made sense.

It's interesting that he's bought so much into the sages' view of change is bad, given really strong mothers (in three different ways) as a model, and a positive father too. I imagine that if Kaikeyi had paid more attention to finding a sympathetic sage to be a teacher Rama would have been able to thread the needle somewhat better. But as it is.... jerk-face.

14. Did you expect Dasharath to keep his word about his sons and the heir? Do you expect Kaikeyi to be ok with his choice?

I had hoped, but half expected there would be some going-back on his word. Kaikeyi has accepted the change very readily, which DOES shock me. But it's also clear that she does love all the boys as sons, without much favouring one over the other, and she's always been practical about the power. I suspect that Rama's intransigence about autonomy for women will be what makes her kick off eventually.

15. Not sure how to ask this question, but I will try. I grew up on Greek mythology, and while I always admired the heroes and heroines and their deeds, the thought of living in a world with gods that spend their time screwing around with the lives of humans made me cringe. The scene with Kaikeyi and the sage in the temple, and the efforts of Ravana to promote science in his kingdom made me wonder about how any progress could be made if there were real consequences to disobeying the gods. Whether there are gods or a god in real life, our world seems to go on as if there are none. Or at least none that rain down punishments for not worshipping them. So. Would you want to live in a world of gods and magic? If so, would you be pious and try to be safe, or do what Kaikeyi is trying to do and change things for the better?

I would not want to live in a world of active gods, because they are inevitably Very different in motivations to human mortals, and I can't be doing with that sort of politicking.
If I were forced to, I think I'd probably be a bit closer to the religious structures whilst also trying to make a change - bringing all the power structures with you is much safer, even if slower.

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 8-15

6. Manthara seems to have a more personal relationship with Kaikeyi than just a trusted servant. She is often motherly and at times a bit manipulative. What are your thoughts of Manthara? Is she truly looking out for Kaikeyi or does she have a hidden agenda?

I like her. I think she's pragmatic and sensible, giving much needed context for Kaikeyi. Hidden agenda? probably, but I hope it's not more sinister than "use this relationship to get a good position for myself, and improve the lot of other women"

7. Kaikeyi’s access to the Binding Plane is more personal - and potentially more manipulative - than many other forms of power in this book. What does Kaikeyi’s use of this power say about her?

It's certainly personal and manipulative. Though it was also (previously) constrained to just people she had relationships with, which stopped her going overboard with it. What the new scrolls will do I don't know....

8. Dasharath and Kaikeyi have a talk about what happened on the battlefield when she saved his life. They went on to talk about many things and he even grants Kaikeyi a seat on his counsel as she requested, but with the understanding that she has to also adhere to some of the more conventional roles. Do you think this was fair? Do you think that Dasharath and Kaikeyi’s relationship will grow now that they understand each other more?

I think it's fair, and I am liking Dasharath a lot at the moment. I hope the relationship will remain strong and positive, but am slightly worried about the fertility rite they've just done, and implications of that,

9. What did you think of the exchange between Ravana and Kaikeyi where they shared many details about magic and his gifting her his scrolls? How do you think this will affect future events?

I suspect that the new knowledge will see Kaikeyi creating massive problems for herself.

10. Agni implied that Kaikeyi was "gods-touched." What do you think that means? How do you think it will affect her or those around her?

Usually it's not a good thing to have the attention of the gods on you (just ask Rincewind!), so things will happen around her whether she wants them or not, and actions she intends for one purpose will end up wreaking havoc

teehee, I don't think you're pushing it! :D

and just DNF-ed one, which is super rare for me, but I just could NOT be doing with the annoying MC narrator. life toooooooo short for that!

has the happy side effect of clearing al my 2015 books out of the closet! yay!

I think white enough :) doesn't say 90% white, so the default 50% works for me, and that cover passes :)

a massive 812 pages, but read quickly because of it's soapiness. That said, I Very Much disliked that all the baddies (male or female) were depicted as being sexually voracious, with the really Bad Dude being bisexual and fat. Not cool!

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reporting 2,180

Current total: 1,353,901