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

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

Dec 19 / Discussion Questions
Chapters 9 - 13

12) The Summoning is a truth spell. Were you surprised to find out that both Agnieszka and Kasia had secret hatred and jealousy towards each other? That doesn't seem to be normal feelings between two best friends...

I think because of the circumstances they were in during their childhood, that it's perfectly normal for them to have some negative feelings towards the other. I think its nice they were able to become good friends even with all those issues in the back of their minds.

13) Agnieszka and the Dragon work another spell together, but this time things get pretty romantic, even ending in a kiss! Do you think it's their magic alone that's making them attracted to one another? Will they end up together in the end?

That seemed a bit forced to me, so I'm going to blame it on the magic. There doesn't seem to be any indication of feelings during their regular interactions, so while I'm sure eventually there will be because its almost a requirement, I'm going to stay in denial for as long as possible.

14) Is it a good idea to go into the Wood to find Queen Hanna? What do you think 20 years of being corrupted in the Wood has done to the Queen (if she's even alive)? Would you be willing to play the hero and go into the Wood to find her?

Sigh. No its not a good idea, but it would probably be a more boring story if they didn't try it, so I would expect they will be heading into the Wood soon.

15) I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but it seems as if every time Agnieszka is thinking, the Dragon always answers her. Do you think he is able to read her mind/thoughts?

I will be honest, I didn't notice. I will be looking for it now though. :)

16) The Dragon doesn't seem to be as cruel and violent as everyone believes him to be... so where do you think the nickname "The Dragon" came from?

It seems like the magicians all have some kind of animal name--like The Raven who comes to visit. I'm guessing it some kind of honor or hierarchy.

17) If you could put a face to the Dragon, what would he look like? This is what I imagine...

I don't really picture specific people--I'm more of a vague impression kind of reader. Not sure why that is....

Believe it or not Bloodfever has horror on the front page of genres. I've been listening to Christmas music instead of the book for the last week--but I'll go back to it. Should be done if a few days if no one else gets that taken care of before.

Question on the Tarot Card goals--does it have to have the "The" in front of it to count?

Discussion Questions:
December 18 Chapter 5-8
Pages 62-123

1) Agnieszka finds herself back home to help when one of the villagers is infected by The Wood. How do you think the town felt that she came to their aid instead of The Dragon? There is barely any mention of a reaction from the town. If you were living there how would you have reacted?

I think they were probably so relieved to have any form of assistance connected to the Dragon that they probably didn't really ask too many questions. She certainly seemed to get everyone organized pretty quickly with a plan.

2) The Dragon should not have been able to recover from the sickness of The Wood. How do you think Agnieszka was able to save him? How do you think she knows the flow and pace of the spells when she has never seen them before? Why do these spells feel familiar to her?

I think she's got natural talent that works better in an unstructured "feel" kind of way. I'm not sure how it was passed on to her yet, but it appears to be pretty powerful.

3) The Dragon and Agnieszka seem to be working closer together. How do you feel about their relationship? Do you enjoy seeing The Dragon struggle to perform the same spells that Agnieszka seems to do easily? What do you think they were both feeling when they performed the rose spell together?

I'm enjoying watching both of them struggle with the magic style of the other. And trying to figure out how to combine powers and what the possibilities are. I'm hoping they were just overwhelmed by the magic in the spell they cast together--I'm actually enjoying their non-romantic relationship.

4) How do you think Agnieszka is able to free Kasia from The Wood? Do you think Agnieszka was strong enough to defeat the hold The Wood had on Kasia or do you think The Wood let Kasia go on purpose?

I think its related to how she is so easily able to do the natural spells, but I don't really get it yet.

5) Do you think The Dragon will be able to help Agnieszka to save Kasia? If so, do you think Kasia will have any lasting effects of being trapped in The Wood?

It doesn't sound like he has much hope of that at this point.

6) There is reference to this book as being a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Now that you are 8 chapters in do you feel this is a good reference for this book? Why or why not.

I understand why that would be said (innocent girl, taken kind of against her will to live with a loner), but at this point I'm getting not getting much of a romantic vibe between them--although that may come. It seems more master/apprentice feel right now which I'm enjoying.

December 17 - Chapters 1-4


1. Did you have any thoughts/feelings before starting the book that have changed now that you've started it?

I have to admit I was expecting a little more Beauty and the Beast feel after reading the blurb, but I have been happily surprised that it hasn't gone that direction and I'm enjoying it quite a bit.

2. Why do you think the Dragon takes a girl exactly every 10 years?

I haven't really figured that out yet. It sounds like its usually just for someone to take care of him while he protects everyone from the Wood up until Agnieszka (that's a struggle to type). I haven't gotten the feeling the others had magic.

3. How are you liking Agnieszka?

I like her. I like that after a rocky start she has gotten around to making the best of her circumstances and stands up to the Dragon.

4. Were you surprised to learn she had magic?

Not really. I think I expected it after the glowing ball trick when he picked her.

5. Are you looking forward to reading more?

I am. Although I think I will end up reading it slowly to really enjoy it than racing to the end.

You could count Eve and Peabody as a partnership in Fantasy in Death, if the marriage partnership isn't specific enough.

I'm going to read next which would work for the lights I think. But I have to get through Uprooted first, so it may be next week before I get to it.

Grace wrote: "Stacey thanks we are now up to date on the 25 days goals.

I need to add quite a few of the read books to the goalless books tab. I haven't had the time recently but I will try tomorrow. When a new..."

Thanks Grace. I just wanted to make sure I was putting everything in the right place.

Glad Blood Kiss was good, I miss the early BDB days. :) I'll put myself on the library hold list.

I'm doing okay with the font--but the links are so close to the same color, I'm struggling with finding them. I wonder why the change?

I was perusing the goalless books and the filled goals, and I don't see 2 of my books on either list. Fantasy in Death and The Mistake are not anywhere that I can find--although they are on my read books list. But I may have just missed them somewhere.

Finished for the Sleigh goal. There was a lotta cheese in that 125 p. :)

I can do for Day 12. Should be able to get to it later today.

I don't know if this will count for the friends goal, but I finished Fantasy in Death today. Eve's case in this one was about the murder of one of a group of 4 friends who had grown up together, started a business together, etc. Technically I guess the book is about Eve, but the whole case revolves around these 4 friends.

Finished The Maze Runner for Dystopian Fiction (or green cover).

I'm working on Bloodfever on audio. So far lots of Fae and some mention of Druids, but no Gods. I will keep my ears open for one though.

Megan wrote: "Grace wrote: "Audrey Jane wrote: "Checking in! I'm sorry for not checking in earlier. I'm still working on American Gods. I understand Megan, the book is a doorstopper, hanging in the..."

I'm finding Maze Runner a bit frustrating, Megan. Lots of Thomas asking questions and no one telling him anything which leads to him getting in trouble because he didn't know he wasn't supposed to do something because no one told him anything. It's a big circle. But I'm just over halfway and it looks like the action is going to start picking up soon, so here's hoping!

And you all are making me really happy that I decided against starting American Gods! :)

Grace wrote: "Day 7 Read a book with the word cornucopia in the text for 10 points!

Grace, I should have The Maze Runner done today or tomorrow for the green cover if you want to work on something else. Can we use the same book for a regular goal and a Christmas goal?

I'll start The Maze Runner. It's on the dystopia list, and the tin eye site says its a green cover.

I have a couple I can pick from for the Dystopian read. I'll start one--or go back to The Bone Season--but I'm a slower reader, so someone else may finish one before me.

BOM question: We can read the book ahead of time, we just don't get the BOM points when we answer the questions later in the month, correct? I got Uprooted early from the Library and just wanted to make sure I can go ahead and start it.

Request for the Co-Captains: I did Rock Courtship on audio. Unfortunately it is coming up as 4 pages instead of the 125 pages the book is, so the spreadsheet isn't giving any points. Can you all do a page override on that one? It only gets us 5 points, but...

Megan wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Has anyone read American Gods? Did you like it? Not? I'm picking it up from the library today to try for BOM, but its a long book (for me) and will take some time, so I d..."

That's what I'm a little afraid of--I'm not sure I want to spend 700 pages with bored and confusing. I'll give it a quick shot and see how far I get. Thanks to both of you for the input.