Joanne’s Comments

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

Note: Joanne is not currently a member of this group.

When I finish my current book, I'm going to start my mortar and pestle book finally.

Jenny wrote: "One other thing- [spoilers removed]"

Jenny, that is how I interpreted it.

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan
Finished: 07/03
Pages: 160

Spells: L, S, O - Characters: Manny, Jacquie, Nicolette, Ty, Fredo

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir
Finished: 07/02
Pages: 452
Buddy Read: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Spells: T, S - Characters: Elias, Laia, Helene, Keenan, Cook, Afya, Marcus

Finished

(view spoiler)[OMG these books are killing me. I did not think Elias would actually die. Interesting to see where this will go in the next book.

I saw them leading the way toward Keenan not being who we thought he was by the feelings of unease Laia kept getting. Fascinating how she was able to see into his thoughts though.

So now there are two characters who have developed new powers after being exposed to efrits. Such a useful thing to be able to heal or be invisible. Is there an efrit around that I can just quickly touch? lol

The slaughter of Helene's family was brutal, and honestly, I was wishing that Helene would have just mercy killed Livia. Now she has to be Marcus' wife and who knows how he will torture her and use her to control Helene. Although from the last scene with the two of them, it seems like Livia maybe will be able to get through it.

I like Marcus as a villain better than the Commandant (even though I liked her more at first) because it's becoming more clear that she is just plain evil, which is not as interesting as the way that Marcus is more conflicted and complicated. Also him being haunted by his brother's ghost is a nice touch.

I am very sad that my library doesn't have any ebook copies of the third book yet and that the paper copies are still in processing. I'm #18 on 4 copies so I won't get to it in time for this challenge, but when I can read it I'll be reading the buddy read comments for it. (hide spoiler)]

Definitely plan to finish this one today but am currently up to Chapter 35. Just have to put down a major theory that I've had since the first book and this last chapter seems to go with:

(view spoiler)[Could Cook be Laia's mother??? Ever since the first time Cook discussed Laia's mother and her voice was shaking, I knew they had a relationship and my initial thought was that maybe Laia's mother didn't DIE but was tortured and disfigured. Her voice and face are unrecognizable. It would make sense that she didn't want to reveal herself to Laia because that would make them both vulnerable. She says she doesn't care for Laia, but her actions seem to indicate that she does, in some way. She helped her at the end of the last book.

She seems to have good skills in hiding and sneaking in that would make more sense as a resistance leader than a cook. In Chapter 34 when Helene was healing Cook, she described how it felt healing Elias and Laia and I was waiting to see if she got a "familiar" feeling at all healing Cook and she did! So now that's my theory. She also got her wound killing someone and I think that person was Mazen, who was the one who betrayed her maybe?

Also I've been thinking about Elias and his death sentence. Obviously he can't die because there are more books, so Helene would have to heal him right? And I can't see Laia and the others breaking him out of Kauf, if he couldn't even break in with his knowledge of the place, which means Helene will have to save him from the prison herself. (hide spoiler)]

Do we know if the Triwizard Tournament is still happening or what it will look like? I was really looking forward to that.

Laura wrote: "Joanne, it’s his reaction to her, not her reaction to him."

(view spoiler)[He does seem to be softening and trying to be more helpful... (hide spoiler)]

Ora wrote: "The trials were brutal. I am not sure I agree with when Helene said the trials were bigger than the empire. Helene definitely never question what she has been taught. The last two trials were just cruel. "

(view spoiler)[Yes. The last two trials were biased toward a heartless, ruthless person and not sure in what way that helps choose the best emperor. Any contest that ends with Marcus the winner is not a good one. It seems like it was just a ploy to make Elias turn traitor and deserter to the Empire though, so the trials don't even make sense except as part of a bigger through-line somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Up to Part II: North

(view spoiler)[Loved the interaction between Helene and Elias. Even though they are enemies, he saved her life and she let him go. Am I the only one who kind of ships those two together even more than Elias and Laia? lol

Kind of annoyed that Elias is leaving to go save Laia's brother without giving Laia any say. It's HER brother after all! Although I think he probably does stand a better chance on his own than with all of them together. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "Chapter 11

[spoilers removed]"

Ooooh I did not get that vibe, but that would be VERY interesting.

I'm finally ready to really dedicate myself to this one. Just finished Goblet of Fire last night.

Up to Chapter XIV: Helene

(view spoiler)[Way more interested in Helene's chapters and what is going on in Serra than Elias and Laia. Desperately need to know more about Cook and am interested in how Helene is going to have to work with her torturer and Commandant's spy to try to catch her closest friend. Also liked the interaction between Helene and the Nightbringer and the discussion of healing powers and being a teacher.

Was not all that excited to see Keenan, because it's boring and annoying to have to read the jealousy and macho posturing between him and Elias, although I liked Keenan's character in the last book. (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "So I've gotten thru Chpt 11 -

So far I'm really enjoying this one! It has almost been non-stop right from the beginning. Didn't realize it would start immediately after where the 1st one ended bu..."

(view spoiler)[After reading this bit combined with our interactions with Cook in the first book, she is actually the character I'm most curious about. (hide spoiler)]

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Finished: 9/29
Pages: 636
Buddy Read Link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Spells: H, J, R - Characters: Dumbledore, Moody, Snape, Cedric, Krum, Fleur

Classes: Defense Against the Dark Arts - fire

Finished

(view spoiler)[My chest feels so heavy after finishing this book. It's the first book that doesn't have a happy ending and I just feel so bad for all that Harry has had to go through. (hide spoiler)]

I would love to participate but I just don't know how everyone reads so fast. I get through a lot of books because I read so much, but my speed is slow as molasses. I consistently read about a page per minute, unless I push myself, which is no fun for me.

I was reading on my break at work and had to stop just after the third task was complete. Can't imagine being able to put the book down if I hadn't re-read the book a million times before.

Cathy

(view spoiler)[ Moody is switched out the day they are taking the Hogwarts express, when Arthur Weasley goes to investigate and help get rid of the policemen. So the real Moody did plan on being a teacher at Hogwarts, and Crouch took advantage of that info to get close to Harry (hide spoiler)]

Devann wrote: "i guess the easiest thing for the u's is to ask where is everyone at in the harry potter re-read right now / are you planning on finishing the series before the end of the challenge because we can ..."

I'm reading #4 right now and definitely planning on getting through the whole series during this challenge.

A little late but I’ve started. Up to chapter VI: Laia

(view spoiler)[This one really hits the ground running. So far I’m interested to see what the Commandant has up her sleeve and why she basically let Elias go after their fight.

Also super excited to see POV chapter for Helene, since I was wishing for it throughout the entire last book. (hide spoiler)]