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

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

Nov 21 DQs Day 6
Chapter 22 to end

23) Well, Susan finally meets her father and learns what happened. Was that interaction what you were expecting? Were you hoping for more, that he would fight the evil with her?

It was one possible way it could have gone. It actually fits some of the tales of the Old Ones. They were fairly selfish and didn't really connect with humanity and this was borne out here.

24) Susan finally got to use that trusty butterknife. Was her binding what you thought it would be or was it a bit of a let down that she wasn't able to control the bear and use it as a weapon?
I guess Susan's powers are emerging and she was trying to surpress them also through the book so that probably explains why thing didn't go to plan.

25) And we get the final showdown with Holly, learn who he is, the connection with Susan, etc. What did you think of the final battle with him and his bouncing head?

Enjoyed the showdown and thought the explanation of Holly hiding in plain sight worked as did the connection with Merrihew. All the pieces came together quite nicely.

26) Were you satisfied with the ending? What did you think of Jassmine's comments about Susan's father (it wasn't going to be a relationship that lasted), did that surprise you like it did Susan?

See previous answer about the Old Ones. It actually worked for me and at least Susan got answers about her ancestry. Overall I enjoyed the book for a 3.5 star rating.

STOP 8 - SIO COSTA RICA

C - Celia
O - Lisa
S - Namita
T - Cat
A - Jenny
R - Louise
I - Maddy
C - Sally
A- Maddy

I've got one more book to finish which I should be done with by tonight my time ( about 8-10 hours) . It's a white cover and 402 pages..

DQ4: Chapters Thirteen - Sixteen

14. Each of the chapters has been headed with a poem or snippet of a poem, in varying styles. Do you scour these for meaning, and if so, what meaning have you wrung from them? Do you like them - as poems or as elements of the book structure? And critically: who is going to take on the challenge of writing one for review of the book? (Jenny's position as NBRC poet laureate is under strong challenge after Kaley's backroom haiku)
I read each one and tried to attach it to the chapter sometimes with success. Guess they are there to set the mood or subject matter for the chapter.

15. Okay... theories on Reg Holly and what is up with him?!

Mmm.. he may or may not be the bad guy..

16. The Fenris wolf and the well-spirit - what do you think of these additions to the Old World creatures we've met? Do you think Susan did the right thing by removing the sword?

The old world myths and creatures are one of the strengths of the book. I liked this section but am still a bit confused who sent the Fenris? I've finished and it occurred to me it wasn't clear if it was her father ... or the bad guy to get Susan to where she needed to be ?
17. We have another gender-swap in pop culture, with the characters from The Professionals being switched to female from male. Together with the political figures that have been gender-switched, and a comment earlier about how Britain took early steps to achieve equality, this is clearly an important part of Nix's world. Does the subtly of this work for you? Is there a deeper point to it than simply wanting gender equality? Why hasn't he gender-swapped any authors?

Great question and I'm really glad this point was raised. This is my first Garth Nix so I'm wondering if he is political in his work and trying to make a point? Or is jumping on the bandwagon as inclusion and gender equality are such important issues in the world today. Or maybe it is to include and make gender fluid young readers feel a part of the novel as part of the everyday world? Or making gender unimportant in the scheme of things? I agree it wasn't very subtle but maybe this is his intention to shine a bright light on these very relevant issues.

If you want to Maddy.. that will finish off this itinerary.

STOP 8 - SIO COSTA RICA

C - Celia
O - Lisa
S - Namita
T - Cat
A - Jenny
R - Louise
I - Maddy
C - Sally
A- Maddy

DQs - Day 3 - Chapter Nine - Twelve

10. We are about half way through the book now and I've been looking at the cover and trying to see how it fits with the story. The cover feels dark to me and so far I don't really feel that in the story. Do you feel like the cover fits the story?

That's funny, I've been looking at the cover also trying to work out how it fits into the story. It does seem fairly dark but I agree the story isn't really, it's a bit patchy with scenes seemingly thrown in, I hope they all connect by the end .

11. So the old fashioned booksellers in charge might feel the need to remove Susan if they find out her father is one of the Ancients. It seems like Merrihew and Thurston are not greatly respected in the Booksellers realm. How do you feel about them? Do you think they might be involved in what is happening to Susan?

Mmm, I don't think they are involved it's more a sort of generational disrespect, the younger booksellers thing they are set in their ways and not quite up to it now maybe. They go off on their tangents which isn't really productive.

12. We keep getting all these references to books, musical groups, and other pop culture from the 80's. Take for example this quote: "The ground floor facing the street was all floor-to-ceiling high windows, with a wonderful display of Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose complete with a cardboard castle to the left of the central revolving door, and a selection of new release thrillers an mysteries built up in a series of pyramids in the window to the right, including John Le Carre's The Little Drummer Girl, Jeffery Archer's First Among Equals, and Ken Follett's On Wings of Eagles." That sentence is long and the following one is not much shorter. How do you feel about all of these references?

I don't mind them, I've been counting how many books I've actually read, not that many really. I did pick up on the John Donne poem a bit later on though.

13. In the last section Vivian gives Susan a steel knife and salt and tells her how to bind something to herself. Do you think she will have to bind something? Any idea who or what she will bind?

Probably this will prove useful in the predictable big fight scene when Susan will have to defend and defeat whoever is after her.

Lexi wrote: "It is ok if it just the title."

Oh goody. Thanks. 😊

Just a quick question re Yellow Text. Do all the words have to be in Yellow or is it okay if it is just the title eg..

Thanks Namita. That's leaves I or A for Maddy. Who ever has time can finish the remaining letter. Well done travellers, another itinerary done and dusted.

So we are continuing on the "excellence" of Dino Island in the Backroom BOM which thankfully will also give us an I for (The Impossible Women. )

DQ's - Day 2 - CHAPTER 5 to CHAPTER 8

6. Merlin and Susan get pulled into the May Fair. "The happiness is unsettling, all the smiling and laughing". Was there a part of the fair that stuck out to you? And would YOU have noticed the colorless rose?

There was a lot going on.. probably on purpose to confuse who ever the goblins had trapped. What stuck out to me was picturing those creepy goblin like children with their pointed teeth and foul breath. Eek! No way would I have noticed the rose and I think the only reason Susan did is because of her bloodline.

7. Susan seems to have some sort of powers of command, which we see with the wolf at the end of the fair, and hear more about at the end of Chapter 8. What are your guesses about her heritage? Do you have any new guesses about her father?
I'm thinking King of the Fae.

8. My favorite part of these chapters was reading about the New Bookstore and its contents. If you could spend time in there, what would you want to check out?

I'd just hang for the wondrous books any book and anytime I felt like it. My kind of heaven.

9. The grandmothers were interesting. Any thoughts about them? If I were one of the grandmothers, I'd totally be hanging out with my mastiff. What would you have keeping you company?

The grandmothers and the concept behind them has been the best part of the book so far. Really imaginative. And bonus for their doggy companions. We had a toy poodle when I was growing up called Monique who was a beautiful little girl, I'd love to have her as my doggy familiar.

Just Namita and you to pick.

STOP 8 - SIO COSTA RICA

C - Celia
O - Lisa
S - Namita
T - Cat
A - Jenny
R - Louise
I
C - Sally
A

FINISHED STOP 8 FOR O

Anne O'Brien 3 stars

Lexi wrote: "That would work if you don’t mind reading it"

No problem, I wanted to read it shortly anyhow.. and I have time to fit it in this round.

I've got . White enough?

DQ'S DAY 1 - PROLOGUE - CHAPTER 4

1. I nominated this book because titles with libraries or books naturally draw me in and I've wanted to read a Garth Nix book for ages. What are your reasons for reading.. long term Garth Nix affectionado or "It's only about the points, baby"?

2. Wikipedia (The Oracle of quick searches about whatever and sometimes actually factual) defines a prologue as "Opening to a story that establishes the context and gives background details, often some earlier story that ties into the main one and other miscellaneous information." What have you learnt in this particular prologue that seems important to the story moving forward?

3. Chapter 1 introduces us to our main protagonists in a scene filled with murder, fashion descriptions and a giant louse! First impressions of Merlin and Susan and any sign if they will be friends or enemies or maybe even frenemies ?

4. Right handed and left handed booksellers policing multi layered worlds and realities. Set in 1983 London but the language and environment heavily leans on the Victorian Age. Are you comfortable with the preliminary world building, do you find it interesting and unique or same old same old in the YA fantasy genre?

5. It seems someone is after Susan, probably because of her mysterious missing father. Who do you think he is and what maybe is his significance in this alternate world and to the plot in general?

STOP 8 - SIO COSTA RICA

C - Celia
O - Lisa
S
T
A - Jenny
R - Louise
I
C - Sally
A

STOP 8 - SIO COSTA RICA

C - Celia
O - Lisa
S
T
A - Jenny
R
I
C - Sally
A