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

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

Tammie wrote: "Chapter 22
It seems Prof Dumbledore is really rubbing off on Harry...a wise use of the lucky potion and a bit of [spoilers removed]This chapter is a good example of why it’s always better to read t..."

Tammie, i love that part in Chapter 24 too. (view spoiler)[ I feel like Ginny was the one character who got shorted in the movies, her character is so much more interesting in the books. (hide spoiler)]

I'm about 2/3 through now. I'm really enjoying doing the reread with the audio version, such a good reader.

This seems like a much more relaxed book than the last 2. The Tri-Wizard in 4 and Umbridge and the DA in 5 seemed to keep everything a little stressed out. It's nice to have this little in between, slightly calmer book as a ramp up to the last one.

(view spoiler)[ Harry is pretty annoying in this one with all the Malfoy stuff. Technically he's right, but he just sounds obsessed! And I've always thought his hatred of Snape was a little too severe. It's fun to get into the "romantic" side of things for a change too. (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "I'm up to "Footsteps & Cantaloupe, July 18th - July 20th," which is chapter 49 of the audio and about 32% - [spoilers removed]"

That was one of the biggest surprises of the book! Totally unexpected.

Chapters 6-13

7. During these chapters we meet Devin. What are your thoughts on him? How do you feel about the things he does to these runaways? October claims they used each other but love each other all the same. What do you think of their relationship? He searched for her for 10 years when no one else cared enough to.
I'm torn on Devin. He's obviously taking advantage of these kids, but at the same time providing them with a relatively safe place to go when no one else wants them. I can see how that would mess a kid up, but also how that person could become important to them. I'm interested in seeing how his character progresses.

8. Winterrose did a lot for October - more then she ever knew. She kept her Home safe while she was missing. Why do you think that was? How was it that Evening cared so much for October when it's clear that October kept pushing her away?
I feel like I need more of their backstory to be able to answer that. I don't know how the initially met, what their interactions were like, and what their relationship actually looked like. Clearly Evening cared for her, but why?

9. After October's visit with Devin she gets trapped in fog caused by a rose goblin. The goblin hands her the key that Evening gave away right before she was murdered. By using the key October found the Hope Chest which she assumes is why Evening was murdered. The Hope Chest give a changeling the ability to become Pure Blood. If Evening had this why do you think she never told October or offered it to her?
I think she probably got it while October was a fish. I don't think that's something she would have kept from her.

10. October gives the chest to Tybalt for keeping, making him promise to protect it for her. What do you think of him so far? I think his relationship with October is so interesting. To me, it seems like he cares about her even though October keeps saying there is nothing but hate between them. He's like a little boy teasing the girl he likes mercilessly because he's embarrassed he likes her. :)
He seems like he will be an interesting character watch develop during the series as well. And October seems to hate everyone she loves, so I think this is just more of the same.

11. It seems as if October's magic is becoming easier for her to do. Do you think the Hope Chest has already affected her? Do you think it will ever wear off?
Either the hope chest, or something about how she was released from her fish enchantment. I'm guessing it will continue or get stronger, as she's a more interesting lead character with more powers. :)

12. We finally meet Sylvester and his family? What do you think of them? Connor seems like a strange guy to figure out to me!
I'm a little puzzled as to why its October's a failure since she didn't find Sylvester's wife and daughter. Surely she wasn't the only person/group sent out looking for them? I have no idea what Connor's deal is...just kind of creepy right now.

Set 1: Prologue to chapter 5

1. What strikes me is the heartlessness of the fae, or perhaps a better way to say it is their lack of humanity. That curse was so cruel: October was spelled into becoming a fish, and the spell stuck for 14 years, twice the length a human is held in the fae hollow hills. Do you think there is any relevance to the amount of time the spell lasted? Why do you think October calls the 6 months after she emerges from the spell her penance?

I have always found the fae to be rather cruel, and typically I avoid reading about them -- Tower Teams makes me read all kinds of things. :) I don't know enough about fae lore to know the meaning of the 7 years, but it seems excessive in this case.

2. The daughter's name is Gilly and her mother was turned into a fish? Seems like someone should have seen that coming. Ok, the question: If Gilly is a quarter fae, doesn't that make her a changeling as well? If 14 years has passed, it seems she didn't need to make the choice, or she chose human - do you think the choice has been made? What do you think about a daughter not wanting to see her mother - even with just a quarter fae, wouldn't there be some things that are strange in her life? Wouldn't she want some answers?

Maybe by the time you get to a quarter fae, your "powers" are so weak as to be unnoticeable. And since neither of them knew October was anything but human, it never really occurred to them something strange could have happened to explain her disappearance.

3. I laughed at the comparison of cats to Sidhe, "...where both sides said, "I don't need you," and both answered, "You'll still stay." How many cat caretakers (as one never OWNS a cat) out there agree? (Non-cat people: feel free to chime in. ;)

The author clearly has cats. That's exactly how the relationship works.

4. In these few opening chapters, we are introduced to two characters, Tybalt and Evening, both of whom October seems to have a hate/love or love/hate relationship with, while there is still some sort of a bond. Do you think this typical of the fae, or just October?

I think the Fae are pretty limited in their ability to truly care about anyone other than themselves, so I imagine that's pretty typical of all of them. I think October gives off that vibe since she's had to deal with them so much growing up. I think the relationship between October and Evening would have been interesting to watch.

5. After 5 chapters, I am having a hard time understanding October. I know she is a changling and so only half human, but I don't understand why she doesn't go to her child. I am hoping there is more context about her pre-fish years so I have a better view on why she makes the choices she makes. What is your take on October?

I'm still figuring her out, but I like her. I like that she doesn't jump when the Fae say jump. My guess is she doesn't push her daughter because she doesn't really want to drag her into her real world and she's too old now to not notice something different about her mother.

6. When October relives Evening's death, she hears Evening say about her: "...she'll find what's been left for her to find, she'll end this mockery at last." What are your guesses about what the "mockery" is? Do you think it has something to do with why the Queen of Mists won’t help find Evening’s killer?

I'm guessing it will all circle back to why she was made a fish, but have no guesses about what will happen yet.

I'm finished. Overall, found it very interesting, and with good pacing and great characters. I'm going to go check out Mr. Mercedes!

The end. (view spoiler)[ Really?? The big bad was taken down by a blow to the head from some weights in a sock?? Without attempting any kind of fighting back?? I'll admit the worms were creepy, and the cave itself was intimidating, but the confrontation was lame. (hide spoiler)]

I'm through page 320ish. Just finished the "Holly" section.

(view spoiler)[ Love Holly's character already. I like that I'm starting to like Ralph despite what he did initially. The guy with the "straw eyes" is really creeping me out -- I imagine that he is supposed to! I'm anticipating that they will find a string of bodies with different dead "murders" between Dayton and OK. Still fascinated with the whole thing. (hide spoiler)]

Megan wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Megan wrote: "How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!"

I have not had much time for reading the last 2 days, so just got to "The Arraignment" ..."

I am a horrible peeker! But this time I really didn't mean to see it. :)

(view spoiler)[ Pretty high body count already in this one! (hide spoiler)]

Megan wrote: "How far through are you now Stacey? I just finished it - couldn't put it down!"

I have not had much time for reading the last 2 days, so just got to "The Arraignment" section. But I inadvertently took a peek at the end of that section, so I know what's going to happen!

I'm reading, but slowly as I'm having to fit it around books due at the library. I'm a few chapters into the second section and getting frustrated I can't spend more time on it! It's so interesting and confusing at this point. 😀

I'm waiting for this from the library but I'm still a few weeks away. Is anyone interested in talking about this one then?

I finished this this am. I loved it the second time just as much as the first. And now I remember why I wanted to read the next one. What's interesting to me is that I read the first Grisha book, and really didn't like it at all.

(view spoiler)[ Excited to see how the new "heist" plays out in the next book, hoping Kaz can get over some of his issues, Jesper can stay out of trouble and interested to see Wyland and the new characters flesh out some. (hide spoiler)]

I'm starting this today on audio. Happy to see there are still a few others reading it. 😊

Jammin Jenny wrote: "Stop! I have to focus on Quidditch!!"

Sorry, Jenny! I'll be quiet now -- mostly because I'll be reading. ;)

Good luck in Quidditch!

Megan wrote: "Sophie wrote: "While tidying up the spreadsheet, I've found a duplicated book so we've got another O to find"

Looks like there is an O character in Shadow Study read by Ingrid whic..."

I'm reading The Outsider this week if the first option doesn't work.

I started this yesterday as I have 5 days before it's due back to the library. I'm about 80 pages in. Have to admit, I'm pretty annoyed I have to go to work today, cause I'm dying to get back to it! Grabs you quickly!

Book: Red Sister
Author: Mark Lawrence
Completed: 6/24/18
Pages: My copy was 476 -- but the mods in the BOM thread said for you all to do an override so I get credit for 512.
BOM

Book: Burn for Me
Author: Lauren Blakely
Completed: 6/23/18
Pages: 132
Characters: Jamie, Smith
Cover: Couple, red

I'm about 2/3 of the way through and the jail break is underway! Hoping to get close to the end on audio today and tomorrow on my drive to work, and will then probably read the rest to finish it out on Sunday.

So good, but I'm finding the continued flashbacks in the middle of a high intensity situation a bit annoying. Good backstory, but would have preferred to get it mostly done before we started the job.

On another random note, is anyone else not getting notifications this morning?