Lauri’s Comments (group member since Jan 23, 2016)

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

Day 7 DQs

32. So not only did some of the Vanguards come to help rescue Rose, but they even patched up Clay. What did you make of the unguent that Tiamax gave Clay? And would you submit yourself to the same thing if you were in a similar position?
I was hoping that Saga & Vanguard would team up awhile earlier, so I was particularly happy when they showed up just when our boys needed them most! I would consider what Tiamax had as more than just an unguent! That might give you soft, supple skin, but this can regenerate severed limbs! I would most definitely take it if I needed it. Starfish parts notwithstanding!

33. What did you make of the “fight” with Akatung? Was the dragon everything you expected given how much hype it got earlier in the book?
I expected Akatung to be much more formidable and horrifying. The infernal seemed to steal ALL the thunder.

34. What did you think of Gabe’s speech at Kalador? Was it a lot of pretty words? Or did it evoke something more? And were you surprised by the reaction the attendees of the War Fair by the end?
Gabe was inspiring, to be sure. I thought he’d have had to work harder and have gotten less response, though. Face it, these people aren’t necessarily the brightest and glory probably goes a long way in their priorities.

35. After having such a presence all book as this near impossible to kill villain that had planned everything down the most minute detail, did you feel that Lastleaf’s end was what he deserved?
Lastleaf HAD to be put down. If not, he would have just kept coming back. I do think he got what he deserved. I did feel that his death went too quickly, however. I thought he would’ve been much harder to kill and it would’ve taken longer.

36. And finally what were your final feelings on the book? Were you satisfied with the ending? Was Kit’s small excerpt about how the Siege of Castia ended enough or did it leave you wishing to read more about the various bands that participated in the battle?
I would’ve liked more explanation, yes. I’m glad Saga survived. I really thought Clay was a goner several times. I would’ve liked to have learned more about Rosie’s partner - - a druin! Seems like this was a vehicle for a series.

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).
Time jumps are all well and good, as they help the stories not drag out unduly. I think maybe a shorter time jump would have been better. Carlotta still seems childlike probably because of her isolation.

7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?
Montomery’s POV, by far.

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?
Young girls will usually be attracted to pretty things. The Lizalde men are pretty, they pay her compliments and are a novelty. A break in the monotony of daily life. How else was she supposed to react.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?
Historical fiction is my jam, so, yes, I am liking it very much so far. I’m expecting something horrifying any minute now, though.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?
Big cat, definitely.

Day 6 DQs

27. We finally get Lastleaf's backstory in full, and his motives become clearer. What did you think of the fact that he is technically one of the human's Gods (not actually a god, but a being that through myth and legend has been elevated to one over time)?
Did you see Shadow's treachery coming?
I was really surprised to hear Lastleaf’s origin story. I suppose being immortal gives you lots of time to get around and develop backstories. Although it’s hard to imagine any sort of god with bunny ears…
Yeah, yeah… anybody named Shadow just can’t be a good guy! And he had all these magic powders and whatnot. Just so not trustworthy.

28. Another battle, and Clay has a mental dig at Moog for not being much use in a battle. Poor Moog. do you feel that maybe Clay and the others underestimate Moog at times?
Well, Moog never claimed to be a warrior! He does a lot behind the scenes. And then there’s comic relief. Much to be said for that.

29. Moog rigs up a magical "telephone". If you were in Rose's situation, would you want to know of the rescue attempt (unlikely as it seems it would be successful), or would you prefer not to know? (a very slight hope vs the knowledge that your loved ones are putting themselves in danger because of you)
I think hope is everything. Once you give in to despair, everything is lost.

30. Owlbear cubs! What mythical creature do you think would make a good pet?
Yaaayyy Owlbears! I knew they’d turn up eventually. And cubs so they can be tamed.
I want a unicorn! All multicolored and glittery. Or maybe a cross between a unicorn and Pegasus! But pretty and shiny, too…

31. "You're a hard man to kill, Clay Cooper"
"But I'm easy to hurt"
I think it says a lot about clay that he can plummet from a bridge, spare a moment for a dying fiend, show incredible endurance catching up with Larkspur and still see the humanity in the woman that cut off his hand. Superman or just plain stubborn? Truly good person, or in denial about how the world really is?
Definitely a truly good man! Not a doubt in my mind, the best of them all!

Sophie wrote: "Lauri wrote: "I can do #3 for Chipmunks- X-rays! I have Dance of Death . It’s a Pendergast thriller where his brother is trying to kill him by killing all his friends & associates! I..."
Okey dokey! I didn’t even look at the page count! I love Pendergast & always read one for a challenge.

I can do #3 for Chipmunks- X-rays! I have Dance of Death . It’s a Pendergast thriller where his brother is trying to kill him by killing all his friends & associates! I think fratricide should definitely get under one’s skin!
Please put me down for it if you think it fits…

Okey dokey! I WILL work harder on Sandstorm then! I will definitely finish the 2 BOMs though.

I have absolutely nothing planned other than reading! It’s more of traveling in my head than anything else…

I found The Man Who Died Twice with a diamond heist in it! Could someone put me down for Chipmunks #9 - 10 Commandments Don’t Steal ? I will hold off finishing till June…



Thank you!

Hello, all! I’m on vacation! Don’t need to go back to work till next Tuesday. Yaaaaayyyyy!!!

I was actually planning to finish Feed, A Gathering of Shadows and possibly Middlegame this month for 500 pagers. I will also finish Kings of the Wyld.

I was planning on using Sandstorm for Mod Towers. Does it count for Page Numbers if used for a different tower?

Please advise…

DQs Day 5
Chapters 31-37

22. The band choose to land to search for Matrick and eventually find Matrick, Larkspur and a Witch Doctor. Did this surprise you?
Not at all. If there was a snowball’s chance in hell that Mattie might still live, the band just had to search for him.

23. Larkspur in her fall has lost her memory and now goes by the name Sabbatha. After her drug-induced sleep, she recounts her dreams to Clay of snippets from her past. Does this put her actions in a different light? When she recovers her memory do you think she will revert back to her how she was before the fall?
I thought that one or perhaps both of her parents were daeva, so I was surprised to learn how mean the children were to her while she was growing up. And the townspeople must have killed her family. Sounds like the start of a psychopath / sociopath to me! I keep waiting for her to regain her memory & fly off with Matrick!

24. We meet Gregor and Dane during our visit to the Cannibals. What are your thoughts on how Gregor describes events to Dane?
That’s one of the sweetest relationships in the whole book thus far!

25. I’m loving the magic bag in this section. What meal would you have it magically produce?
Hat. It’s a magic hat. Whatever will the band eat now? I would order up lamb chops & chocolate cake for sure!

26. It seems there is a cure for Rot. How do you think this will affect Moog in the long term?
Weed is good! I know Moog must be sad that he couldn’t come up with the cure in time to save Frederick. I hope he can get credit for the cure commercially.

For the winners towers - Anubis, would a book featuring an archeologist work? If so, I have one in Grave Consequences

Completion Post!
Cat Trick
Sofie Kelly
Finished 5/21/23
Page count: 327
Bright green cover
Can fit any of the following letters:
C - title
E - CFN Eric
G - CFN Georgia
H - CFN Harry
K - ALN
L - CFN Liam
M - series Magical Cats
P - CLN Paulson
W - CFN Wren
R - CFN Roma
S - AFN

Please feel free to use it wherever you wish!



Could someone put this on our spreadsheet for me? Thank you!

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.
I remember reading the book while I was still in school. I don’t remember much except that it was weird & scary.

2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?
That’s exactly what I think! She’s the prototype & is most human.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?
Yeah, he’s much deeper than he first appeared. What were they thinking - - poking at the hybrid that way? They're lucky Montgomery was there to save the day!

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....
Maybe they’ll explain more as the story goes on? Scientists/alchemists have always been way ahead of the rest of the world. Grave robbing & experimentation have always existed in the medical field, although we don’t like to think about them…

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?
I see a full-scale rebellion in the future. He’s basically creating freaks of nature, and freaks are forever misunderstood and vilified. This does not bode well for humankind.

And a bonus, Am I the only one that is sad that we're jumping 6 years? I wanted to see the fall out from the incident.
Yup! Dramatic license, I suppose…

DQ Day 4
Chapters 22-30

16. The Maxithon, now that was an adventure. Was this what you were expecting was going to happen? What did you make of the fight?
I wasn’t expecting it to be THAT crazy! I thought maybe one would die (perhaps Moog since he seems most dispensable). I was curious as to what type of creature they would go up against, but did NOT expect a chimera! The fight was EPIC!

17. We meet yet another one of the old bands - what did you make of Vanguard? They seem a little friendlier at least than Raff's band. Did you expect them to say no? Or would you have thought they'd team up with Saga?
Saga was so lucky to have been rescued by Vanguard! I really thought they were going to team up there for a bit. It felt almost like old friends reuniting. I for sure thought they’d go along together for awhile… Maybe later on?

18. Saga seems to have had a rather large amount of unfortunate bards. I can't help but wonder what they're going to lead Kit into, or do you think that maybe Kit will truly be the first ever bard of the band who will actually survive the adventure? Kit is supposedly unkillable after all, so maybe they're going to be lucky? What are your predictions on Kit's life expectancy as bard of Saga?
I think Kit will be there till the end! He is, after all, Unkillable! Plus he’s scary-looking and quire cool!

19. Are you enjoying the writing style of the book? What about the story in general?
I really like the premise and the style, but for some reason it’s falling a bit flat for me. Maybe it needs more gratuitous sex & violence? I am really hoping to see an owlbear soon!

20. The Heartwyld beckons! We are going to get a closer glimpse at this mysterious forest. What are your expectations?
Well let’s see… death, destruction, carnage, the usual…

21. Oh my word, someone went overboard! Over the forest! With the daeva no less. Makes me wonder if the band will be intact for much longer. Or could the daeva potentially not have killed Matrick, or intend to take him back to Lilith so she can kill her beloved husband herself? There was this one moment where it looked as though the daeva may let them be, seeing that they're on their way to rescue someone's daughter, so a noble feat in a world that seems to have kicked Larkspur all her life. Maybe? Yes? No? Am I alone in thinking something like this?
I was glad to see Kallorek go, but not Mattie! Larkspur can fly, so perhaps they’re not done for yet. I’m thinking Larkspur May turn out to be ok after all & that she may just end up with Ganelon!

I do have three 500+ page books that I can jump on right now, if that will help. I can finish by the month's end. Lemme know!
I currently have nothing in the 600+ range, but I plan to read 2 900+ page books by the end of Towers.

Generally my books tend to be in the 200 - 400 page range, especially those mysteries I like....

Hi, dear Captains!

Could someone please see Msg. #387 & mark my book Marked in Flesh as completed? Pretty Please?

Thank you ever so much!

DQ Day 3
Chapters 16-21

11. The fight with Raff's old band (who looked like clowns) that ended with snakes is one of the first times we see the almost full band working together. What did you think of this scene? Did you like the action or was it confusing?
Too funny! I LOVED it! I was worried that our oldsters were all (or at least one guy) going to die! Clown makeup is never a good idea anyway! I was wondering what the hell Moog was doing with that damn flute….I categorically hate all reptiles though. Just saying.

12. So the hoarder kobolds - I thought they were great! And the bird-like creatures pulling the carriage. Do you have a favorite creature you've seen so far, or one you'd like to see?
I’m kind of liking the Druin - - possibly because I’m imagining a furry bunny. I do like the kobolds. The gorgon - - not so much.

13. I think in the last half of this section we really start understanding what a big deal the Kings of Wyld really were. And we get to compare them to the Screaming Eagles. What do you think about the ethics and popularity of the new bands that kill captive monsters in arenas?
Reminds me of gladiatorial contests in Ancient Rome. Everyone was so jaded, the kept looking for the next big thing. Water battles, exotic animals, women warriors, Christians. I think it’s the same time.

14. Lastleaf gave his (and the hordes') motivations for conquest. Do you think his reasons were valid, or is he just evil? Do you feel at all sorry for the monsters?
I think everyone needs to put forth their own agenda. I really don’t think Lastleaf is truly evil. Everyone has a point. Don’t think the horde should kill everyone, though.

15. We all picked our favorite character in day 1 questions. Has yours changed since then? I like them all for different reasons. I still like Clay best, but also Mattie & Moog.

Welcome, Juliana!

Sophie wrote: "

Lauri - I'm the same. It should be hitting every button but I'm finding it slow going. Don't know if it's the audio's fault in my case."

I think I look like the raffe on the left when I’m reading Kings…

Melindam wrote: "Hello, popping in from Team Dez. Waving! :)

Sophie/Lauri -it was the same for me with Kings of the Wyld. I should have loved it and I tried, but I felt curiously detached the whole time and really..."

Hi! Thanks for your input! I thought maybe it was just me… I’m determined to finish!

Okay, maybe it's just me, but is anyone else finding Kings of the Wyld falling a little short?
It should be right up my alley & I am enjoying it, BUT it puts me right to sleep every time! I'm right at the end of chapter 15. I will still finish & answer the DQs, but it's gonna take awhile....