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

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

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....

Completion Post!
Marked in Flesh
Anne Bishop
Finished 5/15/23
Page Count: 399
Winner's Tower - Moonstone - WT10
It has both vampires & werewolves!



Could someone please mark this as completed today for me? Thank you!

Vikki wrote: "Michelle's Empty Nest wrote: "


Bright purple or dark purple?"

Looks more dark than bright to me"
I have that one in my short-term lineup! I think dark, too. I’m a big Hannah fan from way back…

DQ Day 2
Chapters 9 - 15

6. We meet the 3rd member of the band, the wizard Moog. What are your impressions of the wizard? Were you as surprised as Clay that he agreed to go right away?
I think wizards must think outside the box by definition. Moog not only does this, but I think he’s lost his box entirely! Also there were probably a lot of hallucinogens along the way… I wasn’t too surprised that he wanted to go off on an adventure & be with his old friends again.

7. That was some entrance to the palace, don't you think? What were your first impressions of Matrick? Were you surprised by the turn of events in chapter 11? Excited or worried when Moog announces that he had a plan?
Too bad about Matrick & his life! He was just too nice for kingship. It’s apparent that after a life of strife and hardship, he would choose to indulge himself a little (or a lot!) plus his wife is a witch & a slut! It says a lot about him that he cares for the children so much. I was both excited and worried when Moog said that he had a plan. This won’t end well…

8. After several descriptions sprinkled thoughout the story thus far, we finally meet a druin. What do you think his plan is? Why does he really want the Council to stand down?
Like many other species, I imagine Druins have their own agendas completely separate from humans. Plus they used to be dominant, right? Just because someone has bunny ears doesn’t mean we should underestimate them! I have no idea what the end game is at this point…

9. Were you surprised at how Lillian arranged the funeral? What did you think of Clay's contribution? How successful would you rate Moog's plan?
Not one bit! As soon as they said he was laid out on a ship, I thought to myself, “Viking funeral!” She is a stone cold bitch, after all. I thought Clay was brilliant! And since Mattie didn’t actually die, I think Moog’s plan was awesome!

10. Gabriel borrows Moog's crystal ball to check on his daughter. Were you surprised at what he saw? What did you think of the band's reaction?
I was really surprised that Gabe broke the crystal ball. I think the band had a normal (for them) reaction. Death and destruction everywhere you turn, but hey let’s go get Ganelon & keep going. Gotta save Rosie! At least they know she’s still alive at this point.

maria helena wrote: "Lauri wrote: "Completion Post!
Murder on Cape Cod
Maddie Day
Finished 5/12/23
Page count: 310
Crayola Towers - Mango Tango letter M - title

Could someone please m..."

Thank you!

Completion Post!
Murder on Cape Cod
Maddie Day
Finished 5/12/23
Page count: 310
Crayola Towers - Mango Tango letter M - title



Could someone please mark this as completed today for me? Thanks so much!

LOVE the tiger! SO beautiful -- and cute at the same time!

Sophie wrote: "Lauri wrote: "I can also do Winners Tower Moonstone WT10 - my book Marked in Flesh has BOTH vampires and werewolves!

Could someone mark me down for that one as well? Thank you!

[..."

Hardcover....

I can also do Winners Tower Moonstone WT10 - my book Marked in Flesh has BOTH vampires and werewolves!

Could someone mark me down for that one as well? Thank you!

Steven wrote: "Lauri wrote: "@ Roe & Steven > My entire family are Disney fanatics! We used to go to Disneyland California twice a year! Now since the pandemic, we haven't gone sine 2018 :(

Looking forward to s..."

Thanks, Steven! In Disneyland California they have it split up into the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure. Because I grew up with only the Magic Kingdom, I much prefer that side. To be fair, I loved the Tower of Terror, but no one else did. Same with Space Mountain & the Haunted Mansion. I rode by myself! I'd just tell them I'm going to a certain ride & I'll meet you back (wherever) when I'm done. I also really enjoy the food. New Orleans Square is my favorite area... I am jonesing to go back!

I can also cover Aiswrya in Mod Towers with Sandstorm

Could someone put me down for that one, please!?

Here's what I have going right now:
Marked in Flesh Dance of Death The Sunne In Splendour Sandstorm



Some are chunksters, particularly Sunne.... I hope to finish it within the 3 months because it's waaay too heavy to carry around. HA!