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

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

DQs Day 1: Prologue - 11:00AM

1. Both Daisy Jones & The Six and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo have been BOMs in this group before. Have you read these books (or others) by Taylor Jenkins Reid too or is Malibu Rising your first book by the author? What are your expectations going in?

I absolutely adored Daisy Jones and the Six. And I've read Evelyn Hugo as well. Didn't like it as much but still a decent read. So high expectations for this one.

2. We have been introduced to quite a lot of MCs and their different POVs in the first 20% of the book. Do you prefer one character/POV over the others or is it still too early to tell?

It really is an ensemble cast. Although I have a soft spot for Nina so far, trying to keep it all together must be exhausting.

3. The writing has quite a contemporary feel to it, especially the 1983 timeline, which makes it easy to forget the book is actually set in the past. What's your opinion on the writing and the back and forth between the two timelines so far, and how does it compare to other TJR books you've read (if any)?

I like the two timelines. It's a bit of a guessing game so far, trying to work out how their upbringing has effected the siblings now. This seems to be a bit of a thing with this author, it was especially used in Evelyn Hugo as I remember.

4. "The story of June and Mick Riva seemed like a tragedy to their oldest child, Nina. It felt like a comedy of errors to their first son, Jay. It was an origin story for their second son, Hud. And a mystery to the baby of the family, Kit. To Mick himself it was just a chapter of his memoir."
We don't really know how June and Mick's marriage post kids 1 + 2 went (and ended) yet, but from what we've learned about each of the siblings and their (love) lives so far, how do you think their parents' story has affected them after reading the quote above?

The effects of their parents marriage on the siblings is one of the major themes. What's that old adage about the sins of the fathers revisited on their children. It's pretty sobering how a father's neglect has ripples for his ex-wife and then his children.

Oh , and loved the Easter Egg about Celia and Don Adler was mentioned as well. I had forgot though that Mick Riva was in Evelyn Hugo, it must have been the blink and miss it chapter and no recall he was mentioned in Daisy Jones! It's a bonus that the books have links. Give more depth to the reading.

Shannon wrote: "Thanks lisa!!!"

No problem. 😍

Love the new Mini Challenge!

I've got a couple of chapters left in so I'm going to stop reading and finish for the new mini for Caliope - Reading a book that a team member (DeeDee) finished through the challenge.

I can do main page music - . A guitar is also behind him you can see the neck of it, and the bottom so I think we can use it for instrument on cover also.

Hi Mods, Shannon is away on holidays and can't get access to the book, so I'm going to take her day. 👍

Shannon wrote: "Would anyone like to take my DQ spot for Malibu Rising. Im on vacation rn and have no access to a library"

I can take it Shannon. I'll head over to the thread.

Deedee wrote: "Finished:

A Rip Through Time (A Rip Through Time #1) (2022) by Kelley Armstrong
Page count: 342
Letters: A, K, R


I'm reading..."

I've just about finished that one too. . It's really good.

Yay, for the Aussie monsters.

Yeah, lots of things out to get you, real and mythical.. How about the Bunyip or the Rainbow Serpent. Or the good old red back or funnel web spider.. or enormous tarantula! King Brown snake.. the list is endless 😁

Elisabeth wrote: "My Ken Follett 800 pager is turning out to be a faster read than expected. Nearly halfway in 2 days."

He does weave a page turning tale at times.

This book I finished a few days ago would fit Lern Hydra 5. It is no 16 in a series. T205

Me too. Glad there is another one to finish up on.

Sixty wrote: "I just spent the night in the hospital. I don't know how the next few days are going to be like for me, but I will hopefully be able to maintain pace."

Sorry to hear that, hope you are feeling better soon.

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.