Melindam’s Comments (group member since May 02, 2017)

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

We can expect the new word revealed around Thursday. Fingers crossed some of the books I'm hoping to read will fit in somehow. 🤭🤞

🥳

DQs Day 3 Ch 21-29


10. How do you feel about Din and Ana’s relationship? Din is her assistant, do you see them that way or more as equals? Do you feel like their relationship changed at all up to this point of the book?
I loved their dynamics in Book 1 and continue to do so in Book 2. While Ana is the superior officer, it is clear that she cares about Din more than for just a colleague, also a human being. I haven't feel any change so far, but think it is coming as inevitably they (and us) will be learning about each other.


11. Din has asked Ana why she hasn’t disclosed her augmentation, why do you think that is? What augmentation would you want if you were investigating this crime?
Maybe I will be proven wrong again :), but I think that at least RJB wants us to think that Ana has (the same or) similar augmentations than those of the culprit.?? Curious to see.

12. How do you feel about the explanation of why the empire is trying to stabilize the marrow? Do you believe the motive started for the benefits of the people or was it always just political?
The "Empire" is such an intangible thing and we know so little about it, it's hard to decide.

13. We have a suspect! Ana also concludes that he could have taken everyone out already and is confused as to why he hasn’t yet, why do you think he has waited?
Your guess is as good as mine. Why does he do anything? Is it something personal? Revenge? ... or part of the "save the leviathans movement"? Once again, curious about their motives.


14. So far in my reading I have thought there have been several details that have reminded me of other novels (especially Sci-Fi). For example, the heavy emphasis on augmentations reminds me of The Murderbot Diaries. Where there any elements that made you think of other works, novels or otherwise?
While I absolutely love Murderbot, SciFi is not really my genre.Apart from the obvious Sherlock Holmes references, it didn't remind me of anything else.

Great, thank you. :)

Thanks, Claire. That's 2 in favour! ;)

Team, what do you think?

Can this cover be considered teal?

I haven't had much time to consider our Xmas story as yet, but will come to it eventually and throw in some ideas. :)

I may also collect some ideas about Cat's madcap adventure story with the colour brown, maybe that way it will be easier to find some books. ;)

DQs Day 2, Ch 11-20

6. After establishing the hypothesis that it was not Sujedo, but an imposter, Din questions Ana on the how. What are your ideas on how this imposter actually proved his Treasury credentials without living blood?
I had no idea until it was actually explained. :)

7. The owner of the Apoth Box also began tapping on his body/clothing… as the chapters progress, it is clear that this is an important detail, but might it also be a red herring? Any thoughts or ideas?
I had ideas, but I have been proven wrong about them, obviously😅 , so I'm not going to elaborate.

8. More questioning of Ana’s alterations has begun! If you read the previous novel, did you make any assumptions to that end? And do you have any new ideas?
This seems a bit like RBJ was making it up as he went along to fit his purposes on one hand, while on the other they fit into this world he's been creating nicely and are also interesting and move th eplot forward, so I have no cause for complaint .

9. The King of Yarrow, and those in his employ, seem very… corrupt. Considering the book's title, do you think the corruption is relevant to this murder, or a side plot?
Considering the first book, I think it is both literary and figurative in this one as well.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "haha
In my defence, I did ask for suggestions last year for themes for this year and I used them all. So I'm sure it was someone else's idea... maybe yours...? lol."

Yes, it could have totally been me. 🤣

Day 1 - Chapters 1 -10

1. As The Tainted Cup was a recent BOM, how did you like it? Are you here for the book, or just for the BOM points? 😉
If you liked it, what are you hoping to see or learn more about in A Drop of Corruption?
The Tainted Cup was my first book by RJB and I loved it, so I put book 2 onto my TBR right away after finishing. :)

2. The mystery so far feels like a “locked-room” kind. Do you usually enjoy that type of mystery, or do you prefer others?
I like them, but mostly the golden age ones. :)

3. Din really got hit with some serious money problems early on. Do you think he’ll actually deal with them this book, or are they the kind of thing that’ll keep haunting him in the next one?
They definitely feel like they are here to stay and will probably influence Din's life choices further, just as they had before.

4. The political intrigue is building nicely — Yarrow seems half in, half out of the Empire, and we’re starting to see how people on both sides of the law feel about that. Do you think the King might actually be in cahoots with the smugglers somehow?
I'm quite curious whether we will meet the King at all and to see whether he is your usual ruthless and selfish ruler or whether they may be something else behind. At this point I suspect that he is involved for his own ends, using people and the discarding them. We shall see.

5. When you read the description of Yarrow, did it remind you of any real place? If so, which one and why?
For some reason I was reminded both of old, dilapidated buildings in Venice and the floating markets in Asian cities. I've never been in any of them, but the photos always seem so intriguing.

Marla,

And you don't know half of it!

I hate to be a whistleblower, but Karen's actually trying to sabotage us doing the Monthly Audiobook challenge with her!

I mean, I've been doing so well and she goes and throws the task of "listen to audiobooks recommended by other participants" at my unsuspecting head. WHAT'S THIS if not sabotage, when she knows I have as much willpower to resist recommendations as a wet dishcloth! HONESTLY!? 🤭

I'm happy to find I'm enjoying the book even more than the first! 🙃

Thank you, Alysa. Page number should be sufficient.

I can put down mine for a colour as well. 🙂

I have no netflix or other subscription and rarely watch any TV these days (unless it's my old-fashioned DVDs or sth wih my son - The Nightmare before Christmas is 1 of our favourites). Sometimes I'd love to indulge, but I just feel it would take away the little time I have from reading, so.... 😊

Still.... Xmas movies.... I need to check my dvds for those. 🤭

Rebecca wrote: "That was a cute one, I just watched it the other day myself. I’ve been watching the Hallmark channels and GFAM for a few weeks now 🤣😂 They’re my happy/comfort movies"

🥰

Day 1 - Chapters 1 -10

1. As The Tainted Cup was a recent BOM, how did you like it? Are you here for the book, or just for the BOM points? 😉
If you liked it, what are you hoping to see or learn more about in A Drop of Corruption?

2. The mystery so far feels like a “locked-room” kind. Do you usually enjoy that type of mystery, or do you prefer others?

3. Din really got hit with some serious money problems early on. Do you think he’ll actually deal with them this book, or are they the kind of thing that’ll keep haunting him in the next one?

4. The political intrigue is building nicely — Yarrow seems half in, half out of the Empire, and we’re starting to see how people on both sides of the law feel about that. Do you think the King might actually be in cahoots with the smugglers somehow?

5. When you read the description of Yarrow, did it remind you of any real place? If so, which one and why?

Awesome! 😊

‼️We need one more food item for the Christmas mini, please. 😊 ‼️

Elisabeth wrote: "The book I have down for a food item also has the outside of a spaceship on the cover R11. Nightflyers by George R.R. Martin Should I move it? The Mini 3 food seems easier and quicker to fill than the spaceship one."

Yes, this is a good idea! 😊

Alysa wrote: "Melindam wrote: "I've starred A Drop of Corruption as I'll need to write the DQs for tomorrow, but it is not our friend for Venezuela."

Oooooh in Chapter 10 we meet a character named Umerus Kardas..."


🥳🥳🥳🥳