Lisa’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2022)

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

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?

I have not read Jane Eyre, so no preconceptions at this point.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?

I don’t seek them out, but I don’t avoid them either. It probably depends on what is being retold and if I liked that to begin with.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?

I am enjoying the start of the book. I like fantasy so magic is fun. Although we don’t have a great sense of what the extent of magic is in this world yet.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?

First impression of Jane is good; I’m rooting for her. I don’t have a great sense of how much magic she can do/how powerful she is, but I’m optimistic she’ll be up for the task assigned to her at Blackthorn.
First impression of Rochester is that he has some room to grow (and appreciate that magic exists, etc). He was at least smart enough to listen to his housekeeper and request a witch even though he’s not convinced it will help.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?

I am guessing that it will be human action meant to mimic the supernatural. Although there may be some supernatural events triggered by the human action.

Hunger Games Part 2 Discussion Post

I’m continuing to enjoy the book just as much as I did the first time. The only thing I remembered from this section of the book before re-reading it was the conclusion of Rue’s storyline. It’s clear to me now how much of a turning point this was for Katniss – (view spoiler)[ one where she comes to understand Peeta’s longing to show the Capitol that they don’t own him, where she directly takes another’s life for the first time, one where she develops the resolve she’ll need to win the Hunger Games. (hide spoiler)]

I had forgotten that Peeta (view spoiler)[ formed an alliance with the career tributes (hide spoiler)]; it seems obvious to me that he was doing it to protect Katniss (either to tip her off that they were near or to distract the career tributes and give her a chance to get away). It is definitely within her character that she can’t see this, but I did kind of want to hit her over the head at this point.

I had also forgotten the ending of this section (view spoiler)[ where they announced that two tributes would be allowed to win if from the same district. I know there are only six tributes left at this point – are any others from the same district? Or does this only apply to Katniss and Peeta? (hide spoiler)]

P.S. If I took too many slots on the mini spreadsheet, feel free to bump me off!

Just checking in with my thoughts on the mini.
So far I've only signed up for one book, but the few I have in progress for buddy reads that can likely be added too as I'm planning on finishing them after the mini starts. I'll try to put those in tonight.

I found a book that looked good for set in Crete, but I can't get it from my library. It is Island of Secrets if anyone else can get it and think it sounds good.

I have signed up for one of the CORNUPIA slots, but have another book on my TBR that could work as well: The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra. I'm not sure if I'll get to the second one, so thought I'd put it out there as an option as this seems like a difficult category to fill. I also found an Idaho book: Blue Heaven. It is by an author I've wanted to try for awhile; it looks like it could be a quick read if anyone is interested. The book that I'm really hoping to get to is The Time in Between. It works for diacritic in author's name. I have really really wanted to read this one for a long time, but I'm a little worried that it might be too long as it is 615 pages. So I'm waiting to officially put this one on the spreadsheet until I finish my current reads to see if I think I'll be able to finish it in time. Finally I also found The Bedlam Stacks - it looks like it is set in Peru. It is book 1.5 in a series that I haven't started, but according to a goodreads question it is a prequel to book one and could be read first without giving any spoilers to the rest of the series.

Anyway, I can't read all of these, but thought if they sounded good to anyone else it might help to put them out there as possibilities. I also didn't see anything against one person doing two of the same tasks in the instructions - do you all agree that is okay?

Hunger Games Part 1 Discussion Post

I read the original three Hunger Games books when they originally came out, but I don’t believe I ever saw the movies. If I did see one of the movies it would only have been the first one. I don’t remember much as far as details for the series, but I remember I liked the first book best and that there was a love triangle (I believe I remember the outcome of the love triangle in book three, but I’m not 100% certain). Note - I have only read through the first 125 comments in the discussion post as I’m trying to avoid spoilers as I re-read the books.

I’m liking the fast-paced start of the book. I remembered the details from the first few chapters fairly well, but the scene that Erin mentions with Buttercup the cat also surprised me. But then I thought about it and figured it demonstrated that she would have what it takes to be ruthless, if needed, later in the book.

I agree with Angie that I am liking and rooting for Katniss. I can see the flaws in her character that everyone is mentioning, but I guess the fact that she volunteered to go in her sister’s place and that she endured and figured out a way to keep her family alive has allowed me to overlook those. And I was a bit surprised that many people found her unlikable.

As for depression herbs – St. John’s Wort may be what Suzanne Collins was alluding to in that part. Although I agree it’s efficacy is questionable. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-j...

Finally, I also was surprised by how much Katniss was eating and thought she should have been puking while preparing to be sent into the games!

The word "shin" is in Wishing :)

Hello,

I'm checking in after my long weekend out of town, especially as I've been a little quiet lately.

I am working on The Malevolent Seven. I have answered three sets of questions, so I think I have met the "discussion" part of the buddy read, but still have to finish the book. I haven't liked it as much as I thought I would when I started it, so it is going a bit slower than I hoped.

I am planning on doing Salt & Broom, but haven't started it yet.

I did startThe Hunger Games yesterday and am enjoying it. It's been so long since I read it that I'd forgotten most of it.

I've seen that the mini has come out - I'll start looking for books to read that might fit the prompts. Some do seem a bit esoteric, so it will be fun to search for things to fit. And I'll try to catch up on all the posts I've missed.

Day 3: Chapters 19-27

11. The fantasy genre is known for its world building. How do you feel about the world building in this book? How does it compare to other fantasy novels you’ve read?
I appreciate that we’re being given info as we needed and not as a total info dump, but I’m also finding that the way the info is presented is confusing. So many definitions where I just read “blah blah blah…” and can’t seem to process the information we’re being given or why….

12. In this section we meet Cade’s former teacher Hazidan. What do you think of her character? Did you ever have a favorite teacher and were they similar to Hazidan in any way?
I don’t know that I like her…she seems quite manipulative. But she does make him think through things and not just give him the answer.

13. Chapter 25: Friends in Low Places had a pretty big reveal about the Celestials plans and how they’ve been herding Cade this whole time. How did you feel about this twist?
I’m not terribly surprised. I didn’t see it coming, but it makes sense as everyone seems to always being manipulating someone else.

14. At this point I think we have the whole team together: Is one of them your favorite?
I was thinking we were at 6 out of 7 recruited, unless you count Mr. Bones who hasn’t been revealed to be a wonderist yet. Although I’ve been kind of suspicious since there’s a silhouette of a jackal on the cover of my book which appears to be depicting silhouettes of the Malevolent Seven. My favorite is still probably Cade and/or Corrigan – probably because we know them the best.

Bonus for audiobook listeners: How are you liking the audiobook? Would you recommend it?
I am reading a hard copy of the book.

Chapters 9 to 18

6.) Did Galass turning into a blood mage and Fidick being the cause of Lucian's death (I assume that's what the black cloud that left the tent did) surprise you? Or were you expecting their bit in the story to be over and just a footnote about Cade's character?
it definitely surprised me; I don’t know that I expected them to be gone from the story completely but I didn’t expect either of them to be the cause of Lucian’s death. And I am sad that Fidick died.

7.) We learn about more magic types and there's pretty much any type of magic you can dream up. What type of magic you like to have or what animal would you like an affinity with?
I think I’d choose a type of magic that controls water somehow; if I had to choose an animal it would be a wolf.

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.
I’m not sure who my favorite character is at this point in time…maybe Cade, maybe Corrigan, but I don’t think I would have chosen Mr. Bones. Do you think he’s going to end up being a wonderist?

9.) At this point I think it's clear Cade is a fallen Glorian of some sort, likely a Justicar. Do others agree with my guess here or do you have other thoughts?
that makes sense, although I don’t know that I would have come up with it on my own at this point.

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?
I’m guessing for not following the rules, wanting to pardon people that shouldn’t be pardoned according to their rules…something of that sort.

Day 1

1. The book has the MPG Dark Fantasy. Do you like this genre in general? If so, do you have any favourite authors or books?

I do like this genre, although probably like most readers not all books in the genre are hits. I recently read One Dark Window/Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig and recommend it. I am currently reading The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo and suspect I will be recommending it as well. Others I haven't liked as well - for me the Gunslinger series was a miss.

Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic?

2. The book starts with the quote above. Is this your mental image of a wizard, too? Or something different? :)

This is my mental image of a wizard, likely because it is how I think of Gandalf - the Lord of the Rings was the first major fantasy novel that I read as a kid.

3. And the author lands us in the middle of a siege (ideal for the Book Games, right? ;) with 2 of the main characters Cade Ombra and Corrigan Blight. Cade is narrating what is happening and offering us his views on good and evil, the part they are playing and how they "win" this particular siege.
Do you think it's a strong start to the book? Has it got you intrigued?

I did like the start of the book. It gave you a good bite-sized intro to the characters, plot set up, magical system, etc but didn’t feel like an “info dump” due to the fact that the story started in the thick of things. I liked the tone the narrating character set for the book, which is somewhat surprising as this type of humor doesn't always work for me. I’m definitely wanting to see where things will go at this point.

4. As an extra incentive & entertainment, the Ascendant Lucien offers young girls and boys (sublimes) to the wanderists after the siege. We get introduced to Fiddick and Galass and learn that Cade decided to kill Lucien. We can actually start putting some pieces of Cade's character together. What do you think about him at this point?

Even though I believe he is going to be one of the “malevolent” seven alluded to by the title of the book, and obviously has questionable morals, I also feel like he is going to fall into the category of "one of the good guys" for this book. I appreciate that he is trying to protect others who can’t protect themselves and that he is not motivated solely by greed. I think I could grow to like him/root for him.

5. Some demonic highlights to this introductory part: Tenebris the demon, with whom Cade as an "infernalist" mage trades with to get his spells.
What were your impressions of Tenebris? How do you find the "religious/magical" system of the Infernals and the Celestines?

Impression of Tenebris: he is looking out for himself and trying to get the best deal for himself and not necessarily for his clients. This seems appropriate for what we know about this world so far. I think I will find him entertaining.

As for the religious/magical system of the Infernals and the Celestines - this chapter did seem a bit more like an "info dump" with lots of definitions of groups, etc. My brain definitely did not get the nuances on the first go around and I may need to mark this chapter to reference as I go along. Or maybe it will suffice to remember that neither group is truly "good".

I seem to have survived my first bout of COVID and was able to listen to a couple of easier audiobooks on my last day being off of work.

Soon I hope to start on some of the buddy reads.

I agree with you Erin, my initial thought as I was reading your post was that protection was the best option. I'm sure things may evolve as everything plays out, but that's the way I'd approach it at this time too.

Hello All, I am excited that we're finally able to start! However, I tested positive for COVID yesterday (my first time...) and so I think I'm going to be off to a slow start. I tried to read some last night (I still have one book to finish before I can start books for this challenge) and kept falling asleep. But I figure it is better now before the mini starts....I have at least two more nights off of work before they'll let me return, so hopefully my symptoms will start turning around and I'll have a little extra time to read.

My first books will be determined by library due dates - hopefully I'll get to read all four of these before having to return them:

Curious Tides
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
The Serpent and the Wings of Night
Assistant to the Villain

I've just returned from the library where I picked up the two buddy reads for this month (Salt & Broom and The Malevolent Seven). I've also requested The Hunger Games books. So I'm hoping to do all the buddy reads, but I also have several books to read from the library that I can't renew anymore, so I'm not sure where things will fall out....but fingers crossed I can fit everything in. :)

Hello,

I'm Lisa. I live in Ohio with my two cats. I work nightshift, so my sleep schedule is a little messed up and you might find me on here at all hours as I can get a little obsessed too.

I probably like fantasy best, but also read historical fiction, contemporary fiction, rom-coms, and mysteries. I don't really care for most non-fiction so that is the main genre I stay away from.

I read all of the hunger games books back when they came out, so I don't remember them in great detail. I never saw the movies.

I'm looking forward to playing and getting to know you all!