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

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

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?

Does this count for people and sheep.. I've been wanting to read this for ages.

Karolyn wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Karolyn wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Just finished which covers Lamia 3 and 5."

Didn't have a prophecy in it by chance, di..."

I think it's probably pushing it for prophecy but would squeak through on riddle.. but I'll leave it up to our very illustrious Captains to make a decision. 😁

Karolyn wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Just finished which covers Lamia 3 and 5."

Didn't have a prophecy in it by chance, did it? :)"

They do have a seance where the spirits offer the following which may be a prophecy or more a riddle maybe - " The Devil's Palace sits over Hades, beware the Heavenly trust only in Death." Pg 303.

Just finished which covers Lamia 3 and 5.

That's a great movie. Haven't watched it for eons. I'll have to have another look.

This book patched together a lot of ideas that weren't really original, but all put together were a pretty good storyline.

Eldarwen, did you approve of the redemption of Aaron?

Q's Day 4 - 19th June
"Angrboda was redjusting her pack basket..."
"Angrboda couldn't argue with that." 81%

16. So in addition to her past life as Gullveig, Angrboda is also the Old One, Mother Witch, the wise old woman in the woods and a healer. I can understand wanting to forget about her time as Gullveig but why do you think she can't remember anything from the time before? Do you think she'll recover these memories at some point? She's recovered her power, with a little help from Freyja but still seems to be holding back. How powerful do you think she really is? Do you think she'll go all in and if so what do you think will happen?

Numerous attempts on her life by Odin and clawing her way back to life have taken all Boda's memories. I'm sure she will get her power back but whether or not it is enough to stop the prophecy we will see.

17. "There's no power in the cosmos that can escape what's coming". Angrboda, Odin, Skadi and a few others now know about Ragnorok and, with Loki killing Odin's son, his punishment and the start of the long winter it seems to be the beginning of the end. Do you think it's better to know what's coming like Angrboda and Odin or would you prefer, like Loki, not to know? Do you think knowing or not knowing will make any difference to what happens? Do you think there's anything Angrboda can do to change the outcome?

Knowledge is power but it doesn't necessarily make it easier. I've finished the book and it plays out as it must. Some prophecies cannot be avoided or she can do is try and help the ones she loves.

18. "I'm the one who's done the most evil among the Aesir, and if nothing else, at least they'll remember my name. That's more than one can say for you." We know a lot more about Loki now, what do you think of him as a character? Why do you think he acts the way he does? Angrboda thinks Loki may have killed Baldur for his daughter's sake. Do you believe he genuinely cares about Hel? What about Angrboda and his sons, do you think he loves them or are they a means to an end? Will Angrboda forgive him despite all he's done?

Loki is such a quicksilver character his motivations are never clear. And the Gods are capricious. It seems he may have had his own demons to slay.

19. It seems like Skadi and Angrboda are on the brink of becoming more than friends when Skadi announces that she's joining the giants in the fight against the gods. She wants to go down fighting for her people and to avenge her father. Were you surprised she wants to go out fighting rather than staying with Angrboda? Has this changed your mind about why Skadi accepted marriage in recompense for her father's death?

Not surprised they ended but together and staying to fight is completely within Skandi's personality.

20. We're moving on to the final section now. What do you think Angrboda will do now that she's alone again? Do you think she'll be reunited with her family? Loki? Any predictions for how it will all end?

I've finished and it played out in quite a satisfying ending. The prophecy came to pass but Boda was able to give her daughter happiness. I liked but didn't love the book. The spinning of the tale didn't involve me as much as I thought it would and I didn't really feel the characters. But quite an enjoyable read. 3 stars.