Jackie’s
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(group member since Jul 10, 2011)
Jackie’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Inventory• 10 Potion Tokens
• 66 Gold
• 4 Minor Heal Potions (3 Gold - Allows healing up to 5 health during a battle.)
• 1 Time Walking Potion ( 9 Gold - Allows one quest to be completed after it has been removed from the current quest list.)
• 2 Shield Potion (15 Gold - Halves the damage taken by monsters for a single turn.)
10 Goblin Bone
8 Bat Wing
6 Drop Bear Meat
2 Major Heal Potion
1 Heart of a Baby Pumpkin
1 Essence of Mouse
0 Pebble
1 Red Shard
1 Leprechaun Coin
1 Minor Poison Potion
0 Healing Potions
6 Rat Tail
2 Find Items Potion
5 Nook Squirrel Carcass
1 Mercenary Coupon
1 Enhanced weapon potion
Pets:
Rocky the Rock - Rocky will subtract 1 attack point of any creature.
Upgraded to Level 2 - Rocky will then heal you 1 HP at the end of every battle.
Wizarding Hat
Orb of Fire (Adds 3 attack to a magic staff)
Orb of Water (Automatically heal one health at the end of every fight)
Orb of Earth (Adds 3 attack to a sword)
Orb of Air
Essence of Still Death
Essence of Life Force
1 Mask - Your Mask will delay the effects of disease from disease-bearing monsters by one turn (zombies and the plague bringer).
(view spoiler)
Animals:
Baroque Horse
Basic RulesA newly minted hero starts nothing but 10 health. At least you have your health and a name prefix of Sir.
Leveling
You obtain levels when experience is achieved.
Leveling up heals your hero fully and increases the HP available by 2 per level.
Total experience needed - maximum health.
LVL 1 - 0 XP - max HP 10
LVL 2 - 5 XP - max HP 12
LVL 3 - 15 XP - max HP 14
LVL 4 - 30 XP - max HP 16
LVL 5 - 45 XP - max HP 18
LVL 6 - 90 XP - max HP 20
LVL 7 - 135 XP - max HP 22
LVL 8 - 225 XP - max HP 24
LVL 9 - 360 XP - max HP 26
LVL 10 - 585 XP - max HP 28
LVL 11 - 945 XP - max HP 30
LVL 12 - 1,530 XP - max HP 32
LVL 13 - 2,475 XP - max HP 34
LVL 14 - 4,005 XP - max HP 36
LVL 15 - 6,480 XP - max HP 38
Book Reserve
The best part about Novel Kingdom is their fabulous research department. They've constructed a Tote of Infinite Books and handed them out to all the new recruits. This allows you to store up any books you've read until you're ready to use them. Just keep them listed at the bottom of your adventure log until they're applied to a task.
Weapons
You have two weapons to battle with. A sword and a magic staff.
These weapons may be leveled up to increase their damage.
Magic Staff - Attack = Level of Staff + 2
Gain levels for your magic staff by creating taller pyramids of series reads. (mimic's pyramid challenge)
Read 1 book that's #1 in the series to gain level 1 magic staff.
Add a #1 and #2 in a series to upgrade to level 2 (total: 2 #1's and 1 #2)
Add a #1, #2, and #3 to upgrade to level 3.
Sword - Attack = Level of Sword + 2
Gain levels by reading taller pyramids of page numbers. A book that's 350 pages may count for a 300+ book, a 200+ book or a 100+ book.
Read 1 book that's 100 pages+ for level 1 sword.
Read an additional 1 book that's 100 pages+ and one book that's 200 pages+ to upgrade to level 2.
Note: For purposes of advanced monsters the +2 to the level of your weapon should be considered a modifier and not part of the base attack. However, if something states that it is based off the attack as a whole then the level and all modifiers are considered
Welcome Basket
Contents:
• 5 Potion Tokens
• 10 Gold
• 3 Minor Heal Potions
• 1 Time Walking Potion
• 1 Shield Potion
• 1 Mercenary Coupon - Hire one mercenary free for a week
• Up to 15 books read in the 12 months prior to starting
Hi, Zuzana!I'm excited to get started. I've looked at the challenge in the past and found it pretty intimidating as far as how to get started so I appreciate your willingness to mentor me. Your plan sounds good.
I live in the US, in North Carolina. I'm much older than you - 73, and retired from a career in IT management. I have three grown children but no grandchildren. One of my children is a lawyer. :)
I love being retired because I can read as much as I like, something I couldn't do while working. I read most genres with Fantasy and Mystery being my favorites. Reading challenges are a big attraction and I do a lot of them. This one looks like a lot of fun!
Lady Jackie's AdventuresCurrent Stats
Lady Jackie: LVL 9 || HP: 20/26 || Sword: 2 (AP: 4 +3 Orb of Earth +1 Horse) = 8 AP|| Magic: 14 (AP: 16 +3 Orb of Fire +1 hat + 1 Horse = 21 AP)|| XP: 468||
I'd like to give it a try. Newcomer.
:)
Sure. I added the links. Will that work?
I finished BOM Truly Devious and did the DQs.DQ1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQs Day 4Chapter 23 to End
(Serious spoilers to come. Do not read if you are not caught up.)
16- In the aftermath of lunch with the parental units, Stevie is really pissed. What do you think about how David behaved, and her conclusion that her parents let her stay because of the “boyfriend" thing?
I can understand why Stevie was mad. However, David's antics got her what she wanted.
17- In Stevie’s first real relationship conversation, she almost finds out what opening up to another is like. Then, of course they are interrupted. Having her hide in closet seemed to just be a plot device. But, what do you think of what Stevie did next? Do you think she should have snooped? Would you have?
Stevie is a natural snoop but snooping in David's room, especially his computer, is wrong and not the way to build trust in a relationship. David had every reason to be furious with Stevie.
18- Stevie is a pretty good investigator it seems. She figures out that a murder has occurred. Should she have gone to Larry right away? What did you think of the silent dance and the game in Ellie’s room?
It makes you wonder why Larry didn't figure this stuff out if he's supposed to be such a great investigator. Stevie should probably have gone to him earlier. After all, there is a murderer at large. She definitely used the game to bring the facts out.
19- We have two unsolved murders in two timelines. Are you any closer to figuring out who done it in either time line? Are Bonnie and Clyde more red herrings? How is Ellie related to them?
I still don't have a clue about the first one but have some ideas about the modern one, although I'm probably wrong. I don't believe Bonnie and Clyde are red herrings. And I don't believe Ellie is guilty.
20- A big reveal and a cliffhanger. Had you figured out who David was, and why Stevie recognized him? How many unanswered questions do you still have? Will you read the next book?
I hadn't figured out who David was although I thought he might have some connection to Edward King. I will read the next book to find out what happens but I really hate cliffhangers.
DQ's Day 3Chapters 15 -22
11. I know this is much earlier in the book but it is bothering me. What is the significance of the Game playing - particularly Monopoly being compulsory at least every week?
I think Ellingham loved games and considered them a good means of learning.
12. What is Hayes hiding in his conversation with Gretchen? What does he owe her and do you think this is important ?
I don't know but I do think it's important.
13. I like the point that Stevie makes about it being important to write everything down immediately. If you were Stevie and writing down what happened up to Hayes's death what would your list contain? What would be in your "brain attic" ?
It makes sense to write everything down before you talked to anyone else. Once you started discussing it, you would be bound to get confused. I'm not a terribly observant person anyway so probably wouldn't be good at this.
14. Solving Riddles is no more my forte than solving crime. So who can solve the riddle "What is always on a staircase but never on a stair?"
Not me.
15. Stevie is worried that her parents are going to withdraw her from Ellingham. How would you react as a student and / or a parent in this situation
As a parent, I think your knee-jerk reaction would be to take your child out. But careful consideration of the facts and circumstances might change that opinion. It would really depend if I thought there was real danger.
DQs Day 2 - Oct 17Chapters 7 through 14
6.) What did you think of the yurt party? Anything or anyone peak your interest?
It just seemed like it would have been very uncomfortable for someone new. These kids are a strange bunch.
7.) What do you think about the overall setup of the school? Would you of wanted to go to a school like this for your last two years of high school? Would you send you kid to a school like this (your real or nonexistent kid)?
I find the setup appealing but intimidating too. It's the kind of school that I would have liked but would have been very nervous about it too. I'm afraid that I was too protective as a mother to have wanted to send my child to a school like this. I guess it would really depend on the child's maturity level.
8.) The historic case seems very similar to the Lindbergh Baby case down to the multiple money drops, marked bills, questionable confessions, foreign suspects with limited English, random FBI agent involvement, and late introduction of the police. The biggest different is Iris being taken as well as Alice (plus Alice being 3). We now know what happened to Iris, do you think Alice has a parallel fate to the Lindbergh baby? Or do you think she's alive (or lived to adulthood anyway)?
This case does have similarities to the Lindbergh kidnapping. I feel like Alice was killed also but it might not have been for quite some time. The motivation of the kidnapper is key to what took place. I don't think money was the motivation so I'm really curious to learn more.
9.) Do you think the Senator her parents work for is involved somehow, or just a red herring?
I don't see how but you never know.
10.) Any thoughts on David, what his deal is, and why he seems so familiar to Stevie?
No thoughts, just curiosity. He may be connected to the senator and that's why he seemed familiar.
DQS - DAY 1 - CHAPTERS 1-6 1. Upon starting the novel an illustration of Ellingham and a copy of a letter sent on 8 April 1936 are the first things the reader sees before they start the text. Why do you think the author starts with these and how important will the setting of Ellingham be in the novel?
I think the setting is very important and will be the focus of the book.
2. We are firstly introduced to an intriguing character called Dottie who it seems unfortunately is not long for this world. It is just a case of wrong place, wrong time or do you think this scene will play a more important part in the resolution of the mystery?
I'm really curious about that. It does seem she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but why is this included unless it may lead to something important.
3. There appears to be a dual timeline in the novel detailing past and present. Why has the author written it this way? Does it add to the present storyline getting a perspective on the events in the past?
I normally like dual timelines, and I believe it does add to the mystery. Especially since everything seems to take place at the one location, we can follow past and present.
4. First impressions of the present day characters? How do you think they will interact in solving the crimes both past and possibly present?
It's a strange group. They are all so different, maybe they will each bring different strengths to the solution of the crimes.
5. In the past time line, Flora has secret information about Iris. Any ideas of the significance of the hidden compact in light of Iris and Alice's disappearance?
I think Flora and Iris must have been very close, perhaps lovers? I have no idea about the compact.
I'm starting Truly Devious this week.
Thanks for all your hard work, Louise!
Same here.
I finished Circe and did the DQs.
Oct 15, 2020 06:42AM
DQ set Chapters XXII - end19. We get quite the family idyll for a bit here. What was it about Penelope and Telemachus that let Circe feel this comfortable with them? Did you believe this part?
I was surprised that Circe did feel so comfortable around Penelope and Telemachus. Once she was satisfied that they were not seeking revenge, she seemed to accept them as the family she had never had. And of course, once again she was attracted to a mortal.
20. Athena comes knocking, and offers the two boys her patronage. Which way would you have chosen?
I think Telemachus made the right decision. He just wanted a normal life. He would have been miserable if he had accepted Athena's patronage.
21. Circe repeats the journey she made with Daedelus to Scylla, for an action packed scene! Do you think Miller is effective in her action scenes? How about her handling of characters - are they all believable (godhood excepted!) to you?
Yes, I think Miller handled the action scenes well. And the characters were well drawn out.
22. Circe takes a radical step at the end. Did you expect that? Are you happy with her decision? How about that of Penelope?
I'm not sure that I expected it but I wasn't really surprised by it. She was never happy with her immortality. I was surprised by Penelope's decision. I don't feel that Penelope's character was as well developed as most of the others.
23. How effective has Miller been at retelling the Odyssey from this angle? If you knew the story already, did the different attitude surprise you? If you haven't read the Odyssey before, are you going to?
There were several aspects that surprised me since I had already read the Odyssey. Of course, Circe is just a small part of the Odyssey. Odysseus was a much more flawed character in Miller's account, and Circe was not the villain that Homer made her out to be.
Oct 13, 2020 06:50PM
DQ - Chapters XVI - XVIII13. What do you make of Odysseus himself? And of Circe's relationship with him?
Odysseus didn't seem such a great hero as he appeared in the Odyssey. In this book I did not like his character very much. Again, Circe is drawn to mortals and her loneliness led to her relationship with Odysseus. On a positive note, Odysseus treated her with respect, something she had received little of throughout her life, and genuinely seemed to care for her.
14. This one is for the more mythology knowledgeable ones among us: Have you read The Iliad? For those less knowledgeable in actual myths: or have you seen the movie Troy? In how far do Odysseus' stories and accounts reflect what has been written by Homer?
I remember the part about changing the sailors who came to the island to pigs and the part about Odysseus coming to the island and rescuing his men who had been changed. Much of the rest of the story seemed different, but then Homer's story about Circe was rather brief.
15. Witch pregnancies do not strike me as particularly easy... But neither is the aftermath it seems! What do you make of Athena's appearance and her attempts at killing Circe's son? What do you think is the real reason she wants to see him dead? What is he going to do? (If you know your mythology and there is an actual background to this, I'm curious!)
I understand why Athena wanted to kill Telegonos because she knew what he would do.
DQ - Chapters XIX - XXI
16. Telegonos ventures out into the world for the first time. Not quite the adventure he imagined - how do you think the incident with Odysseus and the knowledge that the world is different from what he imagined is going to affect him for the coming years?
It's his first exposure and considering all that happens, I think he did pretty well.
17. Telemachus' story doesn't quite sound like the Odysseus that was depicted in previous chapters, even if Circe seems to recognise a lot of the traits. I never thought he'd be this paranoid. In light of the boy's disappointment in his own father, do you agree with Circe that Telemachus was honest when he said he wasn't out for revenge? What about Penelope though?
I believe Telemachus and don't believe either he or Penelope seek revenge. If they did, they could have accomplished it without leaving Ithaca with Telegonos.
18. More than halfway through the book: do you enjoy the book? Do you (still/finally) like Circe?
I am enjoying it. And I actually like Circe a lot and find her a very interesting character.
Louise wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Also will have Circe finished by Friday."How are you finding it?"
I’m enjoying it, much more than I thought I would.
