Allison Ann’s Comments (group member since Oct 19, 2014)

Allison Ann’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

That would definitely work.

I asked a couple of clarifying questions about that unreliable narrator goal. We'll see what the mods say.

✼Danielle✼ wrote: "Allison Ann wrote: "I'm pretty sure Lallybroch is a castle and if it isn't then Beafort Castle where Lord Lovat lives is definitely a castle, it's in the name. :)"

Glad you had one. I pretty much ..."

No worries, glad you are feeling a bit better. I had a headache last night so I didn't even turn on the computer when I got home. Sometimes you just need a break.

LaLine wrote: "The cover of the version of Night Train to Memphis that I listened to has a cartoonish picture of the Sphinx and two of the pyramids of Gi..."

Do you really think that is the Sphinx on the cover? When I looked closely at it it seemed such a cartoonish drawing that I figured it was just a random pharaoh statue.

What does everyone think?

NEW GOAL -- Read a book where the MC is unreliable narrator.

How the heck are we supposed to judge that. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm pretty sure Lallybroch is a castle and if it isn't then Beafort Castle where Lord Lovat lives is definitely a castle, it's in the name. :)

35. Were you satisfied with the ending? Will you read on in this series?

I enjoyed the novel and I may continue on with the series, but this really isn't my genre so I don't think I'll make a huge effort to read the next book(s). I prefer a book to end with an ending. I realize that a cliffhanger is standard for a continuing series, but I'd rather an end to this adventure and a new one starting up in the next book. But I did enjoy the writing and the book. Nice work Leigh Bardugo.

Discussion Questions for Nov. 28, 2015
Chapters 27-36


26. Wow, this was an exciting section! Kaz shows up after his encounter with Pekka Rollins covered in blood and lies to the group about finding him. Any new thoughts on what you think happened between Kaz and Pekka in that cell?

I still don't think he killed him, he wanted him to suffer more. To take everything away from him, as payback for Jordie.

27. When Matthias showed up outside of Nina's cell with Brum, he totally had me thinking that he had betrayed the team! Did he fool you too?

Nope, classic heist move. Seems like a betrayal, but isn't. I expected they'd use it with Wyland instead though.

28. Brum reveals that his people have been experimenting on the Grisha for at least 15 years. So apparently the Grisha are worth keeping alive only if they use their abilities under the control and direction of the Fjerda. Now that Matthias knows the truth about what his people have been doing, do you think he'll still return home after he gets his pardon (if the team is successful)?

Matthias is done with the druskelle.

29. Wow, those Tidemakers were scary! We've now seen Squallers and Tidemakers fight our team. Will they face Inferni? What would an attack from jarda-parem-taking Inferni look like?

I really don't understand these abilities and names, maybe I should have read the books that came before. I thought the Tidemakers were supposed to be on jarda-parem?

30. The team's plans keep getting thwarted, and now with Inej captured, do you think the whole team will make it out alive?

If this wasn't YA and the first in a series then they would maybe lose someone. I expect they will all make it out relatively whole though.

Nov 27 Chapters 21-26, Pages 255-317

21. We have gotten a report on the audio version, but to those reading the book, how are you finding reading so many POVs? Do you feel the book is flowing well, or do you find it disjointed and hard to follow?

I generally hate multiple POVs, but this book is well done and keeps the action moving forward instead of repeating things like so many multi-POV books do. I am enjoying the book.

22. I am having an issue with the ages of the characters (I find them inevitably at least 18 in my head). It seems like the author has written a LOT of backstory and responsibility for a group of characters all under the age of 18. Is this a situation where the ages are dictated by the "YA" category, or do you think the author made the characters this young for a purpose?

I think the author wanted to write YA so she made the characters YA. Also, the genre often has kids growing up before their time and history has 18 year olds as adults, it is only fairly recently that we don't expect people to take any responsibility and grow up until they are 30.

23. The group has entered the prison. Do you think they will be successful in their mission? Do you think Bo Yul-Bayour is in the prison? Or do you think the whole job is a wild goose chase?
I really expect the whole job to crash and burn. I don't know if this is because of excellent writing from the author but I am reading on the knife edge of disaster. I also expect Kaz has yet another agenda that he is keeping from everyone else. I don't know how or how many are going to get out of this prison, but I don't expect Yul-Bayur will be leaving with them.

24. We find out two interesting tidbits about Jesper in his chapter. Did you find either one of these surprising? Do you think either will play a part in the story, or is it just to help us better understand his character?

I don't know this author well enough yet to judge, but I'm guessing it is just background. Jesper seems somehow like a minor character even though he is supposed to be one of the mains.

25. We finally find out the rest of Kaz's backstory and why he wears the gloves. At the end of the section, Kaz has completely gone off mission and has Pekka right where he wants him. Do you think he will kill him? And how do you think the rest of the group will react when they find out what he is really doing?

Outright killing him would be too easy, I expect he has something much worse in mind for Pekka. And like they have every other time when the others find out they will be angry for 30 seconds and then forgive him.

A lot of people are finding American Gods quite slow. I've just barely started it so I have no comment yet. :) Make sure you let us know when you comment in the BotM thread - extra points!

Discussion Questions November 25
Chapters 18-20, pages 202-254

16. We get a glimpse of Kaz feelings for Inez. Were you surprised? How do you think their story will evolve?

It's YA, they have to shoehorn a love story in somehow, at least this one is weird and twisted in an interesting way.

17. Kaz shares a bit of his backstory with Inez, and considerably more with us. We are introduced to Jordie, the Hertzoons and an innocent, dependent Kaz. What were your thoughts reading about it?

Poor babies - there should be a special place in hell for people who mistreat kids like that, abandoning them to a terrible fate.

18. They finally landed on Fjerda. The heist plan is revealed. Matthias has a plan of his own and implies that Nina might have one too. Will they make it? At what cost? Is the gang going to break apart before the end?

I think they will stick together until just before the heist is complete. Then one of them will betray (or seem to betray) the rest of the gang. Classic heist drama. :)

19. We learn more about Nina and Matthias backstory. Now, their characters are better shaped. Did it change your opinion for either of them? Can you see them escape their prejudices? How do you think their story will evolve?

Honestly, if Nina hadn't had to betray Matthias to the Kerch, I think they could have overcome their prejudices. At this point, they may be able to work together for a short time, but I think the hatred they were each brought up with is cemented.

20. The company is attacked by a drug-empowered Grisha. The competition is getting tighter. Is their mission as clean as they were led to believe? What role Bo Yul-Bayur will play if he gets his freedom?

The mission is all kinds of screwed up. :) I still don't completely understand the point of Bo Yul-Bayur, so I have no idea what he's going to do.

Chapters 10-17


11. With new developments in some of our characters back stories, which one did you find the most interesting and why? Did it change the way you viewed them? And how?

The backstories are very interesting and definitely have increased my enjoyment of the book. I think right now I would most like to find out more about Wylan - his father didn't turn him out?? What's going on. Kaz is more of an enigma but since I don't like the character as much, I'm not as interested.

12. Kaz comes a little unglued... What's your take on that? Is he truly heartless and self seeking like he likes to be seen? What did you think of what he did to Oomen, and do you think that revealed anything?

I think Kaz is more than a little psychopathic, but he's not the sociopath we are supposed to think. He does care abou Inej - she may be all he cares about now, but it makes a difference in how he responds. Not so cool and calculating as he's like to be thought.

13. We get to see the history between Matthias and Nina! Who's side are you on? And who do you think Matthias will choose in the end?

Right now I like Nina more so I'm on her side. Matthias seems like he was raised by neo-Nazis. Is he capable of changing? Hope so.

14. There are a lot of references that translate to today or modern history: street gangs, slavery & ships, human trafficking (brothels), and underground arenas for entertainment. Do you find their hard circumstances justify their criminal ways, or just make you care for them despite them?

I have a weakness for heist stories, despite the fact that I hate glamourizing the criminal element. I'm torn.

15. Lastly! what's with kaz's gloves?! Hands stained by blood? Too sensitive to touch? Any theories out there?

Wasn't there something about his not being able to touch skin? I figure he's a messed up kid with a horrible past and he doesn't want to touch other people so he plays up the stories about his gloves.

I found a book with cornucopia. I won't be able to get to it for awhile, but we have a month to finish those goals.

I think you are right Kenéz, the book is on the world domination list anyway. I'm not far enough along to say for sure yet.

Nothing that works for either yet. I thought we had the Sphinx, but it was just a random Egyptian statue when I looked more closely. :)

Updated to here.

Discussion Questions November 23

Chapters 5-9, pages 69-133

6. Putting the plot and characters aside for a moment, what do you think of Leigh Bardugo’s writing? If you regularly read YA how does it compare in quality. If this is your first YA book, is the quality of the writing what you expected?
I don't read much YA, mainly because I find much of it lacking - in plot, writing and intelligence. This is well written compared to much of what I have read before.

7. In Part Two, we meet Matthias Helvar. Nina said, “Helvar is driven by honor and only honor. You can’t bribe or bully that.” Do you think that statement is accurate based on what we learn about him during his rescue?
I think that statement was probably true of Matthias, but a year in prison is going to change anyone and as we get to know him, I suspect he'll be much more shades of gray.

8. I enjoy world building that has enough connections to the real world that I can picture what’s going on because of this relationship, but the scenes are still original and creative. I think Bardugo does a good job with this concept. My favorite scene like this so far has been (the spoiler is my favorite) (view spoiler). What connections have you thought were particularly well imagined?

I like her descriptions of Ketterdam and the Barrel, clever but not too cutesy. Your favourite scene was actually one of the few I disliked, not because of the writing because it's been done to death.

9. Since Wylan turns out to be Van Eck’s son, how do you think his role with the gang will play out?

Law of averages says he will seem to betray them at some point but in reality will just be using his mercher connections to help out the gang.

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?

I don't think I particularly like any of them. Inej is the least offensive at this time.

Darn I was hoping for empire waisted dress. :) I haven't found anything else for that goal yet.

Speaking of crappy cozy mysteries, does this look like a yellow dress to everyone?

I've been reading crappy cozy mysteries for the 5 points, at least if these aren't great I'll get 20 points. :) I like the other Gaiman books I've read and I like fantasy, though YA fantasy sometimes gets a little eye-rolly for me. Six of Crows is pretty interesting so far. I like the world building aspect.