Stacey’s Comments (group member since Oct 26, 2014)

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

Day 3 DQs - Hetty (Ch 9) - 13
11. After all the tension in the beginning between Hetty and Reese, and now that they only have each other without Byatt as the middleman, they admit their true feelings toward one another. I felt like we didn't get much of a buildup to it so did you feel the chemistry between them? Did you think this turn in their relationship was believable? Forced? Necessary, or something to give the reader hope?
I noticed the hints of it, but I'm not sure I buy the chemistry particularly. I find Reese is easier to relate to in this section, and I'm liking the change in her personality. I still think Hetty is pretty clueless.

12. I didn't stop to consider how everyone's symptoms were so varied until Byatt started listing them for Teddy. Why do you think it reacted so differently with everyone it infected?
I'm hoping that is something that will come out as we go -- cause I really have no idea.

13. We learned a lot more about Byatt which made me rethink the previous interactions she had with her friends. Did Hetty and Reese really know the real Byatt? And is Byatt reliable as a narrator knowing that she's a compulsive liar?
Now I know why I didn't "get" Byatt earlier -- she was a fake one. I'm not sure of her reliability given her past history, but it will certainly make it more interesting.

14. Byatt manipulated poor Teddy into removing his mask and kissing him. Why do you think she did this? To infect him, just because she could, or because she really believed it only affected girls (though come on, Mr. Harker!)?
I think she was just bored, and wanted to see if she could. I imagine she knew it would infect him and just didn't really care.

15. When Mona told Byatt that "They'll ruin it," who do you think she was referring to and what do you think she meant by it? Mona then asks if Byatt would keep the disfigurements caused by the Tox even if there was a cure. What did you make of this? Why do you think they would want to keep them?
I'm guessing Reese and Hettie-- but I'm terrible at figuring these things out. I think that Byatt actually likes the changes she has experienced and that it makes her feel more complete so I think she would be happy to keep them.

Victoria wrote: "Also, I've been thinking about re-reading His Dark Materials - would the daemons count as "real" animals for the upcoming Mini-challenge?"

There is a list of acceptable animals in the spreadsheet -- and we can list them here as well -- but deamons are not on there. Sorry. ;)

(Updated)

Glad you are feeling better Dale!

(Updated)

5. The Boat Shift segment was intense! The description of the changes to the island were very evocative (and reminiscent of Annihilation, as Frankie mentioned). Are you going to be able to walk in the woods the same again? How effective are you finding the fungal horrors?
It does seem like the woods have a presence all of their own -- but I love me some woods so didn't really bother me. The creepiness of the animals effected by the Tox was more of an issue for me and that somehow this isn't just something that effects humans.

6. Welch. First, during the Boat Shift segment; Did you believe/agree with Welch at the first reading? And by the end of this section, looking back, do you still agree? Would you have done what Hetty did, and complied with the rule of silence? Then we discover Welch is communicating with someone (with a familiar voice....) about receipt, replacement and returns. By the end of this section we can guess at "receipt", but who / what is being returned?? Were you surprised by the reveal of Welch being in on "it"?
I didn't really understand the rationale for not taking more of the food. I got why she dumped what they couldn't use, but not really why she didn't want to take more with them - even if it was expired a few days. I don't blame Hetty for playing along though, she wants to stay on boat crew for a while to help out Reese. I can't say I'm surprised Welch is in on it -- the people running the school are always in on it.

7. Hetty has a big revelation about Reese "I've spent my every day since I met her telling myself the wrong thing. Telling myself over and over that she was cold, when maybe she was burning the whole time" I actually judged Hetty a lot at this point, for being so blinkered and oblivious, but I did like the adjustment she made during the conversation. How do you feel about Hetty, Reese and Byatt? Are they becoming more credible characters yet? I have to remember these are still young girls, and I wasn't nearly as aware of things at that age, but Hetty did seem a little dim about this. I liked Reese a lot more in this section, but I still don't really "get" Byatt.

8. We have a switch in POV to Byatt. What do you think of this choice by the author? I like the way she wrote Byatt's part. It was a nice way of letting us know that she was alive, but that she was in trouble -- and gave us a little insight to the bigger picture.

9. The Byatt segment shows medical stuff happening. What do you make of that? Are they curing or creating? I'm guessing creating, but most likely whatever they were working on got a little out of control and they don't know how to rein it in.

10. "Just before a flare-up, there's a moment. Hard to describe, hard to pin down, but for me it almost makes it worth it. The pain and the loss, all of it a fair price for this. This strength, this power, this eagerness to bare my teeth>" What do you think this quote means? Does it hint at reasons for the Tox? At future developments in the story line? I've done too much sci fi/shifter reading but I'm leaning towards "superhumans" but of course we messed it up again.

DQ’s Day One: Chapters 1-3

1. It’s interesting to see the dynamic between the main girls (Hetty, Byatt, Reese). They can fist fight over food one minute, but still be best friends the next. Reminds me of my sister & I. LOL. Have you ever had this kind of relationship with someone?
I haven't, but I've seen many siblings act in this way. It's always tricky with 3, though. Someone is usually left out.

2. Byatt sneaks out of the room when she thinks Hetty is sleeping, then crawls up in Reese’s bunk when she returns. Where do you think she snuck off to? & what did she mean when she said to Reese, ”If you know something...”? Reese shuts down & kicks her out of her bunk. Wonder what their secret is?
I'm still trying to figure out the basics of this world, so truly have not idea. I figured Byatt was maybe trying to find some food, but that doesn't really jive with the conversation.

3. Hetty says, “And I’ve wanted boys, and I’ve wanted girls, but I’ve never wanted anyone enough to miss them, enough to pluck them from the slideshow of my old life and bring them here.”
People have different ways of handling emotional stuff like this. Some people (like Hetty) believe thinking or talking about your loved ones or past life would only make the situation harder to deal with emotionally. Put yourself in this situation. How do you think you’d cope with missing your old life/family? Would you be like Hetty & shut down emotionally to prevent more pain? Or would you be like the other girls, laughing & sharing stories of your old life? I would most likely shut down. I wouldn't be able to think about the people I couldn't get too or it would drive me crazy. I'd probably talk about the girls who had been lost since it started and events that happened at the school, but home, no way.

4. Personally, I’m really enjoying the book already! I love the writing style, the world building, & the characters. I know we’re only a few chapters in, but how are you liking it so far? What aspect of the book do you like best at this point (writing, world building, characters, etc.)? It's a little crazytown right now, so I'm having too much trouble getting a handle on things to have formed an opinion. I'll let you know in another 100 pages or so. :)

Completion Post

Book: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
Completed: 10/15/19
Pages: 384
Sin: Envy -- green cover

Completion Post

Book: The Poseidon Adventure
Completed: 10/14/19
Rating: 2 stars
Pages: 317p.
Sin: Wrath -- there were some truly vile characters

I actually had a bad reading week the week BEFORE TT started, so my count was low because I had to finish up a few books that didn't count.

I typically can get 1000-1200 pages a week -- and I'm happy to split that up however works best for the team. If we need 5 200 page books or 2 500 page books.

Updated. Going to check us in. Nice work, we ended up with 39 books.

Victoria wrote: "Completion post


The Humans by Matt Haig
Read: 11 Oct
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 320
Sin: Envy - green cover

I loved this book!"

Added to my list.... I hate what these challenges do to my TBR.

Laura wrote: "Stacey, Sapphire Flames was great. I loved seeing how the characters have grown. There wasn’t quite as much family interaction as in previous books, so I missed that. But Alessandro Sagredo can pos..."

Yay! I was sad that the Nevada/Rogan storyline was mostly wrapped up but that sound promising! Now I just have to get it to fit in with my other challenges. :)

Updated to here. We are currently at 29 books, and don't want to go over 42, so we still have some room.

Laura wrote: "Completion Post

Book: Sapphire Flames
Date Read: 10/11
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 400
Sin: Sloth - Blue Cover?
Envy - Young Adult, read by Elderwan & Snowtulip of Team Sloth
Vanity - C..."

Laura, How did you like Sapphire Flames?

Laura wrote: "I believe that is just over my allotment of books for the week. I'll post anymore I finish, but feel free to throw them out if need be.

Out of curiosity, when does the next week start?

Can I get ..."

Each round starts Mondays, 7AM Sydney Australia (AEST) -- so 4 pm EST/ 1pm PST

I don't think Issie and the Christmas Pony is green enough to count. I'll have to check about the children's tags/shelves, but I think it would be okay as YA.

Completion Post

Book: Secrets in Death
Completed: 10/12/19
Pages: 370
Sin: Gluttony -- series with 12+ books

Completion Post

Book: Rock Chick Rescue
Pages: 400
Date read: 10/10/19
Rating: 3 Stars
Sin: Envy
Qualification: Green Cover
(Entered on SS)

I'll probably only finish 2 this week as I had to finish one I had started too. I'm between 3 and 4 normally.

Dale wrote: "Completion Post

Book: Rush
By: Maya Banks
Pages: 396
Date read: 9 October
Rating: 4 Stars
Sin: Vanity
Qualification: MPG Contemporary

Bingo Book
[bookcove..."

Dale, I have A Court of Mist and Fury entered for just the cover color right now as I think the genre tag has to specifically be dark fantasy, and not just fantasy, but I'm going to get confirmation on that.

Here are some from the Captain's group.



and (assuming its been on your TBR for 2 years...)

Here are the ones I have so far for Sin Bingo. Its almost all Pride because I think I read somewhere we get something if we have the most bingos for our own sin -- but I might have made that up. :)

(have to check that one is purple enough) (also have to double check the purple..)