Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

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

DQs Day 3
Chapters 14-19

11. Starling House reminded me up to a point with some vibes of Beauty and the Beast, although lesser now as the story progresses. Is the book reminding you of any other stories you have read before?
I have read other books where a house is a sentient being. The most recent is the Fred, the Vampire Accountant series by Drew Hayes. There is a sentient house named Charlotte.

12. Ch 14-19 have answered a lot of questions about Opal, the house, Arthur, the history of the place and what's going on. Has anything revealed in this section been surprising to you? Does the explanation so far of everything that has happened ring true?
Nothing terribly surprising has been revealed yet. Although I feel like there is more to come. Who is Opal's father and does that factor into the story? The fact that the Wardens weren't all related was a surprise.

13. Jasper and Opal are clearly close, although he is sometimes moody and surly. He seems resentful at times of Opal going out so far on a limb to take care of him and get him out of Eden. What do you think of the character now that he has more fleshed-out scenes and more has been revealed about him and their relationship?
I think the biggest problem is the lack of communication between the two. Jasper seems a pretty typical teenager trying to find some independence but Opal keeps him in the dark about what's going on with her so I think he does the same. They really need to talk!

14. Arthur and Opal have heated a few things up. Do you think they fit each other well with these developments?
I could see a romance there but I'm not sure yet whether it would be a lasting one.

15. There is humor in the book that is overshadowed by genuinely creepy horror like tales, What do you think about Underland "beasts" revealed so far?
Humor helps defuse some of the tension. The beasts are scary, but I'm really curious to learn more about them.

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 8 - 13

6) The narration is using dual POVs: 1st person for Opal, 3rd person for Arthur. Does it work for you? Do you think this suits the story?
I think it fits the story. Primarily this is Opal's story with Arthur's blending in as the secondary POV.

7) Opal goes to the Library to find out more about Starling House and finds her mother's phone number among the Gravely family's documents. What implications can it have? Do you think it could be a hint about Opal's parentage?
Apparently Opal's mother had some connection to the Gravelys. I'm really curious to see what this connection is.

8) After Bev's story about the relationship between Eleanor Starling and the Gravely brothers, we get a totally different perspective from what Nathaniel Boone went through. What do you think about the Gravely family and their "hold" over the town of Eden? What do you think Nathaniel may have discovered in the dark?
The Gravely brothers seem to have an evil streak. I think whatever Nathaniel found is the foundation of the Underworld story.

9) Finally we learn some more about about Arthur's role (warden) and his connection to the House. What do you think about their "relationship"? What is your opinion about Starling House as a sentient being? Could it be good or evil?
Yes, I think the House is a sentient being. It feels to me like the house is good and Arthur's partner in fighting whatever evil exists.

10) On "characters not communicating"
In Chapter 12 we find out that Opal has not told Jasper about the fact that she arranged for him to go to a different school and she actually managed to put together the fee for the 1st year already. Opal doesn't tell his brother about her working in Starling House and she doesn't tell Arthur about her spying on the House for Elizabeth Baine and getting more and more demands.
What do you think of all this?
I think Opal has relied on herself alone for so long that she doesn't know how to open up to anyone. I feel that Opal is carrying a deep sense of guilt and thinks she isn't worthy of anyone's help, at least help given freely. She will steal what she needs but she won't ask for help. This lack of communication just creates more problems for herself but she doesn't see that.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?
I've read her Fractured Fables series and enjoyed it. I didn't have it on my TBR before but I was very receptive to reading it due to my enjoyment of her other books.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?
I enjoyed them and thought it added to insights into the characters and the town.

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?
I think as long as it's not too extreme, it should be fine. Children are not so fragile that they don't understand the difference between a scary story and reality.

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?
So far I'm enjoying it and like the gothic feel of the story. Starling House is spooky but not scary (so far.) I think the author has done a good job in creating the atmosphere and making you want more.

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.
I like Opal and am rooting for her. Arthur intrigues me and I want to learn more about his past. Same for Starling House. I want to know her secrets.

I agree, Beth. I'm retired as well but still never have enough time to read as much as I would like.

I’ve already read The Wishing Game also but will read Starling House.

Very little for me today as well. Too much other stuff going on.

I'll read Salt & Broom but my library didn't have The Malevolent Seven so I'll pass on it.

I’m so sorry to hear that, Insiyah. Take care of yourself and your family.

I was thinking I might read them during the challenge so this is incentive.

Kirsten wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Me either."

When I was in high school, I babysat for a couple who had 2 dachshunds, Poppy and Pixie. The couple were in a country band and were out until 4am. Pixie wasn’t so bad, b..."

Okay, that would give me dachshund trauma too! That's horrible!

Me either.

Hi, team!

I'm Jackie from North Carolina. I'm retired and have three grown children. I do some volunteering but mainly I love retirement because I can read as much as I like. I also enjoy different forms of needlework, primarily crocheting. It's all fun!

My favorite genres are fantasy, mystery/thriller, horror, and science fiction but I also enjoy historical fiction and actually just about anything. I haven't gotten into MM Romance even though my very good friends on here are big into it. My least favorite genre is Romance in general.

I've never read the Hunger Games but this challenge may entice me to give them a try. It's good to be here with you all and I'm looking forward to getting started.

My shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Great job, team!

Hope you feel better soon, Mary.

Hope you feel better soon, Mary.

I have 3 books with cities planned for this week.

Peace Talks - Chicago
813 - Paris
Zoo Station - Berlin

I just finished Dead Beat for Manchester, UK.

I can take Manchester

Hi everyone! I'm Jackie from North Carolina. I'm retired and have three grown children. I will read just about anything but fantasy and mystery are my favorites.

I enjoy most music but rock is my favorite. Looking forward to getting to know all of you and rocking this challenge.

My shelf is https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

R&B for me.