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

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

Book Read: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Date Read: 11/28/14
Pages: 390

Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS: 50

I finished tonight as well. I really enjoyed the book and will sign up for the BR for the next one.

Chapters 36 - End
(view spoiler)[
46. Do you think Kai agreed to hold Cinder prisoner because he feels deceived or was it more of an act for the Queen? Or a little bit of both?
Maybe a little of both but mostly an act for the Queen. Even if he feels deceived, he is a kind man and would want to protect her as long as he can.

47. I can't believe Queen Levana was trying to make Cinder shoot herself. She stops at nothing does she?
No, she is pure evil.

48. Oh. Dr. Erland! A savior! Did you see this coming from him?
I felt like he would help Cinder in some way. Didn't really look for him to encourage an escape.

49. I can't believe Cinder is/did give escaping a second thought. Why wouldn't you want to escape? Would you have even given it a second thought?
No, I'd be out of there as fast as I could!

50. So she is Princess Selene! Good job on those who called it!
It seemed pretty clear that she would turn out to be the princess. But I was pleased that it turned out that way.

51. Blasted cliffhanger! Not only was it a cliffhanger, but a really big one!
Yes, I'm ready to read the next book!

52. Final thoughts on the book? What star rating are you going to give it?
4 stars. This was very different from anything that I've read before and honestly was very surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did.

53. Who was your favorite character? Favorite part/chapter?
I guess Cinder would have to be my favorite with Kai a close second. My favorite part is the end when Dr. Erland tells Cinder that she is Princess Selene and that she has to escape.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7 - 14
(view spoiler)[
5. Do you think Cinder is Princess Selene -- the dead missing Lunar heir?
Yes, I think so.

6. I'm getting mixed signals from Dr. Erland and I don't know what to make of him. What do you think, is he a sweet grandfatherly scientist with a soft heart? Or a scientist willing to do anything to find a cure?
I'm not sure about him. I hope he's a good guy.

7. Why do you think Dr. Errand isn't telling Prince Kai about the real reason Cinder is in the lab?
It could be he didn't want anything about Cinder being made public until he saw whether an antidote was possible.

8. Dr. Errand did something that triggered a red flag for me. Is it possible that he himself could also be a cyborg or something else altogether?
There is definitely something not quite right about him. Something that he is hiding. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 15 - 20
(view spoiler)[
9. The plague is very fast acting killing people in 5 days. Don't most vaccines take a long time to create? Do you think Peony will be spared?
I hope Peony will be spared but it doesn't look good.

10. First impressions of Queen Levena? Could we be mixing up fairy tales here? She reminded me of Snow White's step-mother.
The mirror connection is similar but different. Queen Levena wants no mirrors around so that her actual image cannot be seen. That makes me wonder how bad she really looks.

11. Why couldn't Prince Kai gracefully declined Queen Levena's request to come, stating the kingdom needed time to grieve alone?
I think she's too big a threat to refuse.

12. Were you surprised by Kai's invitation to Cinder to attend the Ball? Do you think he'd dislike her if he found out she was a cyborg?
I was surprised that he invited her on such short acquaintance. He does seem to really like her so I hope her being cyborg wouldn't change his mind about her.

13. The mirrors were an interesting twist. I hope someone smuggles in a compact with a mirror to the ball if Queen Levena attends.
Me too.

14. So if Prince Kai's father died does he need to wait until his coronation to officially become King?
Yes, I'm sure he has to wait.

15. I'm thinking the chips which were removed are going to have a larger roll later on in the story. Anyone else think this as well?
Yes, I do. I think they're being used to give Lunars an id.

16. Since this is a rendition of Cinderella it's probably safe to assume Cinder will go to the ball in disguise and perhaps use one of those ID chips. Any idea what will change her mind? Will it be what Dr. Erland revealed?
Yes, I think she will go to the ball using one of the fake ids.

17. We now know Cinder is definitely Lunar. Looking more and more like Sashana called this one. I would be shocked if she doesn't end up being the missing heir, Princess Selene.
I think she's Princess Selene. Wasn't the princess killed in a fire? And Cinder dreams about being in a fire.

18. Could Cinder have hidden powers (aka gifts) that her systems are overriding in order to keep her hidden or do you think she truly is a shell?
I think that's quite possible. I wonder if Dr. Erland suspects something more about Cinder than he's saying. (hide spoiler)]

Welcome, Sumit! Glad to have you on the team.

Finished.

Horses for Courses
Duration 1 - 30 November 2014
Levels: ♘ To win: 5-8 books

T In for a Penny: A Cleopatra Jones Mystery by Maggie Toussaint - 11/25/14
H Ham Bones by Carolyn Haines - 11/1/14
E The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths - 11/18/14

P The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson - 11/15/14
E Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler - 11/17/14
A Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery - 11/4/14
R Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - 11/8/14
L Unmanned by Lois Greiman - 11/9/14

Book Read: Dead Wrong by Leighann Dobbs
Date Read: 11/26/14
Pages: 252

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

Discussion Questions

Chapters 1 - 6

(view spoiler)[1. Do you think that Cinder was responsible for Peony contracting the virus even though she showed no sign of having it? Were Adri's accusations valid?
No, I don't think Cinder had anything to do with Peony getting the virus. Adri just wants to get rid of Cinder.

2. Based on what you have read how are Cinder and Cinderella's story similar? How are they different?
Definitely the evil stepmother and stepsister. Fortunately, Cinder does have Peony, but now that's she's sick, I'm afraid that Cinder will lose her. Of course, Cinderella didn't have replaceable parts.

3. What do you think of the story so far? Have you ever read a story about cyborgs before?
No, never. It's definitely different from anything I've read before. So far I'm enjoying the story.

4. The series is called Lunar Chronicles, do you think Cinder is related to Queen Levana and the people who live on the moon?
I don't know but maybe. Queen Levana sounds truly evil and we don't know what happened in Cinder's past before she came to live with her stepmother. (hide spoiler)]

I agree about the writing and world building. I fully intend to start the second book once I finish this reread.

I'm through Chapter 19.

@Juliana - (view spoiler)[Rand has impressed me with his level of maturity whereas I get really frustrated with Mat and Perrin, Mat especially. As much danger as they are obviously in, they still are reckless in speech and actions. I really like the characters of Moiraine and Lan, and Nynaeve is growing on me. Moiraine has some really awesome powers! I think the Aes Sedai have been given a bad rap. Still not sure about Thom, whether he's really a good guy or not. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying the buddy reads and have several scheduled or in progress. Also planning to join the Ruby Red BOM. Have my book and ready to go!

Book Read: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Date Read: 11/25/14
Pages: 404

Base Points This Book: 20
BR/BOM Bonus Points: 30 link
TOTAL POINTS THIS BOOK: 50

I finished. I enjoyed the book and will read the next one. (view spoiler)[I liked the supernatural aspects of this book and am interested in seeing how the Wyrdmarks and Elena figure in the next one. I'm glad that Nehemia turned out to be a friend and hope that she will be a part of the story going forth. (hide spoiler)]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I put it aside for other buddy reads. So we can always do it in a couple of months."

That would work for me. I could read it late December or early January.

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I really liked The Forgotten Garden and have started The House at Riverton. I asked if anyone wanted to read Riverton in the buddy threads early in the game and there were no takers."

I'm sorry I missed that. I'd love to read The House at Riverton but I can't work it in right now.

I'm through chapter 21.

@Talia - I agree with you about Nehemia. (view spoiler)[I don't think her real purpose in being there is to learn the language and customs. She definitely seems to have a hidden agenda. And it appears that she and Celaena will become good friends. (hide spoiler)]

@Princess - I agree. (view spoiler)[I'm sure her attitude is so different from all the women throwing themselves at him that she intrigues him. Her beauty probably doesn't hurt either. (hide spoiler)]

Book Read: In for a Penny: A Cleopatra Jones Mystery by Maggie Toussaint
Date Read: 11/24/14
Pages: 216

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

Yay! I'm working on some BRs which is new for me but I'm enjoying them.

I'll probably answer the DQs too. I have my book but haven't started reading yet.

I'm on chapter 5. I've read this book before but it's been four years so I don't remember a lot, but bits and pieces are coming back. I agree that the names take some getting used to and I find maps helpful too in getting the places straight. I agree that the mood is set even from the very beginning. (view spoiler)[I think that the Prologue gives the reader just enough background to understand what the characters are referring to but leaves so much mystery that you have to pick up clues along the reading to figure out just what happened. The Black Rider is really spooky; it seems that the boys who see him are set to figure prominently in the story. (hide spoiler)]

I'm in. I just got my copy from the library.

I'm in for this one. I've only read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and loved it.