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

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

I was surprised by as well as it is not something I would ever pick up outside of the world of Tower Teams.

I'm also enjoying more than I thought, although it is taking me a loooong time to get through it and occasionally they lose me with the "path speak".

I've just barely started which I have been putting off forever for some reason, but it seems like I may love it as much as her Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.

I've added and to my neverending list!

Comments and Questions
18&19 June
Chapters 9 - 20

7. So very much happens in this section, I almost don't know where to start. Ok. The Tacsis family sends 2 different delegations after Nona. The first time, Raymel's brother attacks her. Do you have any speculation what exactly is going on with her hands? I'm struggling trying to coincide a family with that much power, money, and influence having a son fighting in the 'pits'. Do you think we've really seen the last of this family? I feel like they or their emissaries will be the "bad guys" for most of this series. I am also confused by them having a son in the pits with the orphans and dregs. I'm not sure what exactly is happening with Nona and her hands, but I'm guessing (view spoiler)[ she's the one who actually killed all those people in the woods, and I don't think that story is done changing. (hide spoiler)]

8. Nona appears so naive in social situations. She seems to place a high value on friendships. I found myself wondering if Clera had not somehow sold information on her in town and that is how she switched her penny for a silver coin. Do you see that naivete somehow playing a further plot point in the story?
Clera is turning out to be a little sketchy for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if she was feeding info to someone, although I wouldn't have thought of that myself.

9. The faux trial, the truth test, the Shield test. Wow! It was nonstop. I had to keep reminding myself that Nona is not yet even a teenager. It was hard to stomach. That one man could force all of this cruelty and chaos. And that everyone went along with it. What was your biggest takeaway? What did you enjoy the most? The politics, the revelations, the action? Were you satisfied with how it eventually resolved? I enjoyed the priest getting run out of town at the end. Especially as payback for what he did to Nona's friend and the mule. I feel like I have a little better handle on how the church works, even if I can't quite figure out the rest of the world.

10. We learned more about the prophecy. Both what is rumored and what the Abbess believes. We also learn what Arabella and Nona will claim as their Sister names. Do you think it was really Arabella in the Prologue? Have you changed your viewpoint on Arabella? I think it was Nona in the prologue, but that she was getting ready to defend Arabella. I also still think there's some form of prophecy out there, that may have some effect on the story arc, whether or not it is actually the truth or they use it to make their own truth.

11. As we come to the middle of the novel, have your thoughts changed regarding any of the characters? The style? The book itself? Any major surprises? What do you think will happen next? Still enjoying it quite a bit. My only issue is that I feel like I don't really know who Nona IS. When I think about how I would describe her character, I can't really come up with much beyond fast, and loyal, sometime to a fault, to her friends. I'm assuming there will be a time jump next, but no idea what will happen past that.

I started this on Monday, but moving through slowly as I'm trying to finish up some other buddy reads as well. I have made it through the first section, and am totally caught up in the story. This author creates such completely different worlds and such detailed characters she just sucks you right in.

I'm through the second section. I remember this is the part of the story where i did not like Matthias very much. I enjoy the growing friendship between Inez and Nina and Jesper and Wyland. I feel a little like Jesper though and ready to get on with the job already!

I hear you Nicole! That was a tough chapter to read. 😢

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Stacey wrote: "

I am not a huge fantasy fan -- I typically find it too dense to actually enjoy so I was biased going in. Then the first section with her friend from ..."

Ah. Fair enough. I was wo..."

No, nothing bad. Just pure new book confusion. :)

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "@Shannon


@Stacey - why ..."

I am not a huge fantasy fan -- I typically find it too dense to actually enjoy so I was biased going in. Then the first section with her friend from the cart confused me, and it took me a while to get a handle on the players when the Abbess came to get her and then the flashback was confusing -- all of this I think was worse because I was tired and fighting a nap. :) But once they got to the convent I got into the flow, and found it much easier to get into.

Comments and Questions
16&17 June
Chapters 1-8

1. The opening line of this book had me really sit up and take notice! Did it hit you in the face too? What's your favourite opening line from a novel? (Mine is Anna Karenina: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way" I think I started this too late at night as I was completely confused for the first 20 pages. :) I did like the preview as I'm excited to see how we get there and if it will be in this book or the end of the series. I love Dean Koontz's first lines -- but of course can't remember any of them off the top of my head.

2. The Author's Note at the front says to skip it and return only if you need it. So.. I skipped it. (I'm not big on spoilers). How about you? Did you skip it, or read it? I skipped at the beginning. But I've certainly visited there since I've started to help me keep the other students and different tribes straight.

3. How are you finding the style? Do you like the flashbacks into Nona's past? His style - once I got into the book - is nice and easy to read. The flashbacks are being worked into the story in a nice way, so they are working for me as well.

4. Raymel Tacsis is "surrounded by Academy men sweating to keep him from death". Would you want people to try and save you like this, given the risks? It's kind of what we do already in hospitals now. I'm of the opinion that if I can't get all the way back let me go, but everyone has a different take on this.

5. What do you think of the world building? I'm finding it quite intriguing. And I love the names of the Sisters (flint, apple, wheel!). What name would you give yourself? I'm not creative enough to have a good answer to this one. :)

6. Initial thoughts - are you enjoying the book so far? Any favourite characters? At page 47 I was ready to quit, but not that I've finished this section and gotten into the flow, I'm ready to go. I'm enjoying all the characters so far, really.

I got lucky and found this at the library this week. Unfortunately, there is a 150 person wait list, so I will have to get it finished in the next 2 weeks. I'll go ahead a read and post and then wander back when everyone else is reading to discuss!

Nicole wrote: "Up to Chapter 6. Even though it’s a reread I really can’t remember much!"

I'm the same way! I really want to read Crooked Kingdom but knew I had forgotten too much from this to go right to it.

Book: Baiting the Maid of Honor
Author: Tessa Bailey
Completed: 6/17/18
Characters: Julie, Reed

I could sub for Quidditch, but no reading for me during work hours, so it would only be for when I had a day off. Unfortunately, I only have one day off at the beginning of the next round -- so I don't think I'd be much help. :(

I've finished the first section as well. This is a reread for me, so the world makes a little more sense. :)

Nicole, I didn't finish the Grisha books, and once I got beyond the first part of the book, I found it didn't really refer back to the other books at all.

I'm biased for a not so nice hero, so I love Kaz. But I agree Inej's backstory and skills are the most interesting so far.

Book: Scythe
Author: Neal Schusterman
Completed: 6/15/18
Pages: 435
Characters: Citra, Rowan,
Cover: sickle, red/tan, cloak

BR: Scythe BR

I'm finished! Thank you all for picking this book for a buddy read. This is why I like Tower Teams -- I would NEVER have found or picked this book up and I would have missed a great read.

I loved the ending for both of the apprentices. Worked out just the way I would have wanted it to. (view spoiler)[ I was not a fan of the Citra-is-a-murderer interlude -- just didn't really see the purpose of it other than to give her something to do until the Final test. (hide spoiler)]

Agree with Suzanne and Tahmina -- so many things to think about and ponder.

Off to check the schedule for buddy read for the sequel. :)

I'm lagging a bit behind -- not unexpectedly. :) Just finished the Henge. Interesting way to look at it, but oh my! the killing. So many sacrifices. I'm surprised they were so willing to sacrifice people when there clearly weren't that many of them...but they probably felt like there were plenty!

Congrats Leslie! That's got to be a relief.

Anja wrote: "Tammie wrote: "I will read later in July...I'm on a loooooong waiting list from library...but it should come through in about a month."

That's okay :) Just le..."

I'll join for this one if I get it in time -- but I'm in the loooong line at the library as well.

I'm starting this on audio today. It will take me a while to get through it as I only have a limited amount of listening time a day. :)

Finished! Now I have to decide whether to move on to book 4 or switch gears to Iron and Magic that came out this week....

Spoiler for book 4 (view spoiler)[ I was so excited to see what happened at the dinner in 2 months -- only to be horribly disappointed at the start of book 4. It was a sad start to the book. :( (hide spoiler)]