Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2012)

Lisa - (Aussie Girl)’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

LINKS FOR BOM CREDIT AT MESSAGE 94. 😊

DQs Day 5

1. What did you think about Ariadne's reaction when Phaedra confides in her regarding Hippolytus ? And Hippolytus' answer to Phaedra when she expresses her feelings to him ? Did you suspect it wasn't romantic love?

I didn't see that coming... that Phaedra would form a romantic attachment to Hippolytus. It didn't really seem in character to me. She was deluded, he never showed any romantic interest in her at all, he treated her like a mother figure.

2. Ariadne and Theseus finally meet each other again after all these years. Was their reunion scene satisfactorily enough for you ?
Ariadne had let go a lot of her anger years ago, and moved on with Dionysus. She only felt contempt for his actions I guess. I didn't really expect a showdown so was content with how it all played out with Theseus.

3. We learn more about Dionysus: his worshippers and blood rites, his obsession with his status as an Olympian god, and his interaction with his brother, Perseus. Did your opinion about him change after those scenes ? Were you expecting his relationship with Ariadne to change like that ?

He just fell victim to the God complex unfortunately. Once Ariadne witnessed the ritual the writing was on the wall in regards to her relationship with Dionysus, all downhill from there.

4. What do you think about the way Phaedra's and Ariadne's stories ended ? Does it give enough closure or is there something you wish ended differently ?

Wow, talk about a downer ending, LOL. I had forgotten what Ariadne's fate was going to be, it's been years since I've read Greek legends. It seems both women were victims of the patriarchy in their own way. Ariadne's fate especially didn't seem fair, her whole story was dictated to by the men in her life and it didn't serve her well at all!

5. Did you enjoy the book ? If you had any expectations, did the book meet them ? Will you be reading more by this author ? She recently published another Greek mythology retelling: Elektra.

I was fairly neutral about it thus the 3 star rating. Yes, I'd read Elektra especially if it's BOM for points... 😘

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I've almost finished my book for the Battleship. Can this also be used for the Mini?"

Pretty sure it can only be used for one or the other not both.

I've got up next. It was published on 6 March 2018... does the March count for a 3 in publication date? Also MPG Paranormal>shapeshifters.

LISA'S POSTS FOR BOM POINTS

DAY 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 4 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DAY 5 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DQs Day 4:

15. What do you think about Dionysus' encounter with Hades, the god of the Underworld?

I enjoyed the story, it showed the more human qualities in each God.

16. It seems like Ariadne loves her life in Naxos, what do you think of her relationship with Dionysus?

She seemed content and happy with it, till her sister came and put doubts in her mind. Begs the question, is ignorance bliss or is truth despite the pain always better?

17. Ariadne is horrified by the bloody rites she witnesses between Dionysus, the maenads, and the resurrected goat. In attempting to understand the maenads’ participation, she reflects: “The ritual gave fearful shape to the anger and the grief that had driven so many of them here in the first place; they screamed and danced in their blood-soaked frenzy by night so that they could live serenely in the sunlight.” Does this explanation make sense to you?

Is it a cathartic experience? Express all their pain and anger so they can go on? I sort of understand what Ariadne is getting at but don't know if I agree with it really.

18. Were you more drawn to Ariadne’s or Phaedra’s chapters? Why do you think the author chose to include both of their perspectives?

I don't prefer one over the other. They balance each other out which I think is the intention of the author.

I can read for Sirens 1 (113 pages)

DQs Day 3

(I am typing this on my phone, so I apologize if there is weirdness. Stupid internet is still down.)

10) What did you think of Pasiphae’s response to the death of her son, the Minotaur?
I think the old dude explained it pretty well. She'd been holding in all her trauma and the death of her son however monstrous he was was the catalyst for her to release all her pain.

11) Dionysus makes quite the entrance, doesn’t he? What are your thoughts on him and the interaction between him and Ariadne?

I quite like the God of Wine, Women and Song, LOL.. his backstory is interesting. He doesn't seem as much of a w***er as the other male Gods. And he is fairly helpful to Ariadne.

12) Phaedra comes into her own in Athens. What do you think of her in her new life?

She is a survivor and makes the best of the situation. I don't dislike her, actually admire her quite a bit.

13) We see many examples of the gods playing with mortals in this story; Pasiphae with the bull. King Midas and his golden touch, Hera causing Semele to burn. what do you think it would be like to live in a world where gods existed and interacted with humans?

The Gods are pretty cruel. Life can be difficult with or without Ancient Gods. Isn't this how people justified terrible events like earthquakes, floods and plagues back in the day? It must be the will of the Gods, unseen higher powers over which mankind had no control?

14) Do you think the sisters will find out the truth about one another? If so, any predictions on what will happen?

Definitely. I'm thinking this will be the denouement of the novel, the sister coming together and getting revenge on Theseus.

DQs Day 2

5. Have you heard of Theseus before? What do you think of his backstory, does it compare with other well-known Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles? Do you think it fits his humble and collected demeanor in the previous chapter?

I remember the story a little.. Theseus may be a warrior but he isn't what he seems in regards to Ariadne. If my memory serves me right, he dumps her and marries someone else.

6. I don’t know about you, but “insta-love” stories royally annoy me. Ariadne spends a significant part of these chapters reveling in her undying and world-changing love and devotion to someone she just met. Do you think this is realistic, or just a cheap plot ploy from the author?

This is often how legends go... love at first sight, then something big happens and often the lovers are torn apart.. So the author is being true to the type of story it is.

7. Why do you think Theseus left Ariadne on the island with no heads up whatsoever? How do you feel about her thoughts and actions, as she processes this new reality?

He tricked her and used her. What a creep. I get that Ariadne must be kicking herself but all that self flagellation isn't going to save her. She needs to pull herself together and figure something out. But planning mightn't be her strong point from what we've previously learned of her character.

8. During the "great escape", Phaedra is left behind - do you think it was by accident, or purposefully (and if so, why)? Do you think it was wise of her to return to the Palace?

Theseus played them both. She's clever to head back to the palace and act innocent. Might as well save herself if she can.. and get revenge later.

9. A common theme in Greek mythology is the linear progression of Fate - from Hubris (thinking and acting as if one is a God), to Atis (blindness of one’s puny nature, leading the mortal to commit an unforgivable or insulting act), to Nemesis (the anger and revenge of the Gods), and finally Tisis (the mortal’s punishment). Where have you noticed this process so far? Where do you think Nemesis will strike next?

Hopefully Theseus gets what's coming to him. bwahahaha.

DQs Day 1

1. Excited about the book, or just here for the points? Were you familiar with the myths behind the story before starting this book?

Really, just started this book for the points. However, as a kid I really liked Greek legends so it's not hardship to read this book.

2. "Let me tell you a story..." I don't know about you, but I love opening lines like that. Do you have a favourite opening line? Have you ever bought a book on the strength of the opening line alone? (I have!)

Great opening line. my favourite is from Pride and Prejudice or maybe Little Women. A great opening line can really hook you from the get go. Hope the book lives up to it.

3. Asterion: The early years. I bet no-one was fooled by the few paragraphs of almost sweet baby and toddler descriptions: This was always going to end with a monster in a maze of course.
But do you think it served well as a way to establish Ariadne's character?

Definitely, there is compassion and empathy there. I'm a bit hazy on the details of this story but if I remember rightly she aids Theseus to kill her brother. Maybe these early memories are added so the reader can see that Ariadne is conflicted about what will happen later?

4. What do you think of the writing so far? There's a lot of description and narration and very little dialogue, which tries in with the idea that Ariadne is telling the story to the reader. It allows for a lot more depth and detail than more dialogue-heavy storytelling does. Is that a style you enjoy, or do you prefer the faster pace of a book that is more about character interaction?

I think this style suits the story of a legend being unfurled. I usually like this style although I got heartily sick of it with Nalini Singh so it's got to be done well or it becomes repetitive.

Shannon, I think it's a month later from the first day of the discussion questions. So for The Book of Cold Cases it would be 2 July. Usually the Mods will post that it no longer can be used. Please amend if this is wrong, Captains.

I've got snow on the cover.

Shannon wrote: "Hey guys! Sorry Ive been a bit MIA recently. Work took off and Ive been coming home exhausted. I go on vacation in three days so hoping to get more time to read then :)"

No worries, Shannon. Everyone has times like this IRL. I think as a team we're pretty much reading on schedule and are going very well.

My current book has no 5 Patrick Morvath (the baddie) is Cecilia's (the heroine's) father. Both main characters.

And my next up book has No 1. 633 pages

The battleship game looks way too complicated, but maybe it's just me. 😁

Captains, do you want us to put the genre in the spreadsheet somewhere for you to place in the game?

I have a No 6

Finished for No 6 in a series.

My current book which should be finished tomorrow is No 6. Unfortunately I don't think it fits any of the other tasks in birds.

Deanna wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "I wonder when the instruction is "people" does that mean more than one... Maybe Captains can clarify?"

One of each is fine, so your book will work."

Oh that is good but when I went to buy it on kindle I can't get that edition with the sheep and the android on the cover. And you can only use the edition you actually read, right.

Edited to say... I've found another one . So you can put me down for that one. I'll add it to the spreadsheet

I wonder when the instruction is "people" does that mean more than one... Maybe Captains can clarify?