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

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

I've just started. This is a reread for me but I don't remember much at least from the beginning.

(view spoiler)[Glad to see some of the characters from previous books back such as Lupin who I really liked. I don't blame Harry for acting like he did. Especially after dementors showed up and then he had to wait four days to hear from anyone. I can imagine his frustration. (hide spoiler)]

Book Read: Odds Against by Dick Francis
Date Read: 12/17/14
Pages: 288

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

I've started and read through chapter 4.

(view spoiler)[So far I'm finding the characters very interesting. I like Richard and Kahlan but did not like Michael at all. I'm wondering what that plant that Richard found is and how it could bite him like that. Michael's speech about fire raises a lot of questions. Also, looking forward to meeting the character Zedd. (hide spoiler)]

Book Read: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Date Read: 12/16/14
Pages: 485

Base Points This Book: 50
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 80

Well, I finished. Really enjoyed it.


Chapters 22-end (pages 369-442)

(view spoiler)[
42. Ah, the big reveal about Jace! I was pretty disappointed with this turn of events as I think Jace and Clary worked well as a couple and that makes that whole picnic which I thought was lovely just a bit icky! Your thoughts?
Not really surprised. I really like the idea of Clary and Simon as a couple. The great thing for Jace is that now he has a real family.

43. Should Jace have killed Valentine when he had the chance? This man was pretty cruel to him, but he is still his father?...
Well, this does leave it open for the next book. LOL

44. Alec and Isabelle's characters seem to have completely changed now that Clary is "famous" and Jace's sister. They were both actually nice... Do you like the "new" Alec and Isabelle?
Yes, I like them better since they're being nicer to Clary. They probably no longer see Clary as a threat since she's Jace's sister. And it's good for Clary as she's going to need these friends, I'm sure. So glad that Luke did turn out to be a good guy.

45. Final thoughts on the book? What will be your review and rating?
I enjoyed the book and will continue the series. 4 stars (hide spoiler)]

I agree about the portal travel. The only problem is that things can also come out of it if it's opened.
The book is fast-paced and a good read. I'm going to have to finish today to see how it ends.


Chapters 15-18 (pages 260-320)

(view spoiler)[
32. It seems the wolves were after Clary. More enemies? Do they think she has the cup?
I'm not sure still about the wolves. It seems odd that they would have shown up when they did.

33. The flying bike followed by the confrontation with Alec. I thought it was pretty unfair he was blaming Clary. You?
I think it's just jealousy. He's in love with Jace and sees that Jace is attracted to Clary.

34. A bath of spaghetti! lol! Did you have any strange birthday requests when you were younger?
No, I guess I was pretty boring! Spaghetti! Really?

35. I'm not a fan of romance per-se, but I did like the romantic birthday picnic which, of course, brought about the declaration of love from Simon. Do you think Clary handled this situation well?
No, I think she's pretty confused about a lot of things right now. I think that deep down she knew that there was more than just friendship between them.

36. I found the way the mortal cup was hidden VERY clever! Do you think it is right that they intend to swap the cup for Jocelyn? Knowing how evil Valentine is that doesn't seem like something the Clave would agree to?
No, it doesn't. I think they would have to do it without the Clave knowing about it.
(hide spoiler)]


Chapters 19-21 (pages 321-368)

(view spoiler)[
37. So the greater demon Abbadon overtook Dorothea and was waiting for them! Were you surprised that Alec finally tried to kill a demon and Simon came to the rescue? Did Alec try to kill it because of the conversation with Clary or was he just not thinking and really concerned for Jace? Do you think Alec can survive?
I think Alec was afraid for Jace. Hurray for Simon! He really came through.

38. Hodge shows his true self which explains why The Clave apparently "agreed" to them getting the cup. Did you expect this betrayal?
No, I didn't see it coming.

39. What would Valentine want with Jace? Why did he not even notice Clary?
I have a suspicion that Jace is really his son. He said that Jace would be with his father.

40. Luke's story pretty much mirrored Lupin's in HP. Now we know his side of the story what are your thoughts on Luke? Should she trust him?
I still think Luke should be trusted. He was trying to protect Clary.

41. Valentine and Jocelyn did have a son (Jonathan) who we assume is now dead, and Valentine is Clary's dad. I wonder if he knows?
I have a bad feeling that Jace is actually Jonathan, but that seems a bit "Star Wars" so hopefully that is not the case!
I think so too.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm looking forward to it!

RebeccaS wrote: "For want to start around January 6th? (I just randomly picked this date)"

January 6 is good.

Wow! That's great!

RebeccaS wrote: "Would anyone be interested in reading , which is the second book in the The Heroes of Olympus series sometime in January maybe?"

I'll join you in reading . January works for me.

I would like to join in if you're going to read the second one in January.

Book Read: Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams
Date Read: 12/14/14
Pages: 291

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 0
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 20

Chapters 12-14 (pages 201-259)

(view spoiler)[
25. Jace made a point of maing sure Clary knew that he would always want to know the truth. I wonder how this will be significant in the future?
I don't know but I think it may be important.

26. Clary had to have the spell 'renewed' every 2 years to block her mind which explains how she has suddenly started to see their world (as the spell diminished). Her mother was trying to protect her, but it seems a short sighted solution. What do you think?
According to Magnus Bane, it was probably the safest way to remove her memories. It feels like she was doing what she thought was best.

27. Simon getting turned into a rat seemed pretty funny, eventhough it ended pretty disastarously! I've noticed Clary seems to sort of forget he is around. I wonder if his family have noticed he is missing?
I've wondered that too. They must not pay him much attention. In Clary's defense, she has had quite a bit to get her ahead around.

28. I found the party pretty strange how the vampires were blaming Magnus for their motorbikes, and then how quickly it all ended. Your thoughts?
It seems they didn't really want to provoke Magnus too far.

29. Magnus reminded Clary that her mother ran from shadowhunters and now she is staying with them. But what are her options? Try and go back to Luke?
She has no other options as far as I can see.

30. I was surprised Clary had never been into a church. That seemed like something a teenager would question their parents about. Or perhaps it isn't that unsual "these days"?
I was surprised too but maybe so.

31. Another action packed end to this section with the hotel, Raphael, vampire nest and now wolves! I promise I did not intend for so many sections of reading to end on cliff-hangers! lol! Predictions... are the wolves there to help them or hurt them? Or some other reason?
I hope it's to help! (hide spoiler)]

Kelsi wrote: "Chapter 36

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I really liked the ogier too. It was good to find a new character that could be a friend to Rand. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished a reread of Goblet of Fire and would like to join in on this one.

Chapter 10&11

(view spoiler)[
15. What do you think are the significance of Clary's dreams? Is this somehow tied up with her mind being "blocked"?
Yes, I believe they are connected to the "block." Also, I'm wondering if she could have some psychic abilities.

16. Hodge said something about Valentine having a son, and then corrected himself and said he was just using a turn of phrase. I wonder?....
Very curious. Valentine is a mystery to me. Who is Clary's father?

17. You are "born" or "made" into a shadowhunter and have no choice in the matter. At Bone City we see that when Shadowhunters die in battle they are burnt and then their bodies make up the marble arches. It doesn't seem to be a life of any freedoms or choices. Would you rather be a shadowhunter or a mundie?
I'd much rather be a Mundie.

18. The Bone City... literally! I loved the carriage ride and the descriptions of this place. What are your thoughts on the silent brothers?
Weird! Who would want to be a silent brother?

19. I'm a bit surprised that Hodge would be put at the institute to train others although he is a "criminal" (and same for Alec and Isabelle's parents). Do you think this punishment fits the crime?
It seems like after all these years, they could be forgiven. The punishment seems to be especially harsh for Hodge.

20. Part II begins with a line from The Aeneid by Virgil. Any scholars amongst us? I googled and found that it is the story of Aeneas' wanderings from Troy to Italy, and the poem's second half tells of the Trojans' ultimately victorious war upon the Latins. Ideas on the significance of this? (wiki link is here
Not at this time.

21. There seems to be an increasing flirtation from Jace to Clary. And now Simon and Isabella seem to be spending more time together. Anyone want to take a bet on the love trinagle (square?) that will ensue?! ;)
Seems almost like a requirement in YA fiction.

22. Magnus Bane may hold the key to Clary's blocking. And he just happens to hand out flyers for his party the night that she is able to see them... Coincidence? Do you think this is a trap?
Yes, it seems like too much of a coincidence to me. Probably a trap.

23. I found Jace's bedtime story pretty creepy! So you think it is a fable or did it happen (to him?)?
I think it really happened.

24. I'm not sure of the significance of Alec being gay other than he seems to fancy Jace. Theories?
Another aspect of that infamous triangle? (hide spoiler)]

Book Read: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
Date Read: 12/13/14
Pages: 734

Base Points This Book: 70
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 100

I finished! This was good to reread - I had forgotten so much.

I'm enjoying this so far. It's getting better the further in I get.

Chapters 7-9 (pages 96-139)

(view spoiler)[
10.Dorothea's place was interesting. Jace's future seems to be in the direction of violence, enemies and a love triangle. ;) Clary's was "blocked". Maybe her mum did this to protect her from that world? Thoughts?
It looks like Clary's mom has put up safeguards for her.

12. The house they live in is a sanctuary that hides "criminals" and protected by Dorothea. Did this surprise you? What/who do you think Jocelyn was hiding from?
It did surprise me but it makes sense. It looks like Jocelyn was captured however.

13. I liked the idea of a portal. I hope we get to see this used to go to other cool places! Ideas about Luke? He aligned with Jocelyn while it suited - is he really keeping distant from the situation? What about the manacles they found with blood on them?
Portals can be quite useful! I still think Luke is a good guy.

14. I'm enjoying the fast pace of the book, and now the introduction of the mortal cup being stolen and possibly hidden by Jocelyn, showing us the men that killed Jace's father, The Circle etc. How do you feel about the book? Are you still engaged? Enjoying the writing style?
Actually I'm enjoying the book more than I thought I would. It seems to be moving more quickly now and there are a lot of interesting characters. Got to learn more about Valentine!
(hide spoiler)]

I just did the same thing with the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I read the first book 4 years ago and didn't really care for it but decided to try it again this month. This time I really liked it and am continuing the series.