Geri’s Comments

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

Note: Geri is not currently a member of this group.

I started and stopped at 6 years to go as well! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but so far it is holding my interest. I am most interested in Allie and her spiritual calling in the book. I don’t quite understand “the power”. But I can see how that would change the dynamics of society. I am about a third through. Things are still developing. I definitely want to see what will happen next.

DQ set 2: chapters 9-17

8. "If I catch killers, then maybe that means I'm not a killer," says Jazz. Howie then goes on to give a great reason why Jazz isn't a killer (love Howie)...are you seeing killer tendencies in Jazz?

Sometimes he does worry me when he has to remind himself to act normal. But for the most part, he seems as normal as a kid can be, who was taught by his father the “fine art of serial killing”.

9. Jazz has another interaction with Jeff Fulton, do you think that Jazz should share information about Billy Dent's victims with their families? If so, how would that impact his mental health?

No. I don’t think it would be good for Jasper or the families of his father’s victims.

10. We see vulnerability in Jazz through the dreams he is having of cutting flesh, that he believes is his mom...and thinking that he killed her. Do you think these are really flashbacks? If so, why?

This is such a horrific thing for Jasper to go through! I am hoping these nightmares are just that, nightmares.

11. Enter Office Erikson once again, he comes from the town that one of the ladies was killed lived in, and we saw his behavior when he picked up Jazz from the high school. Why do you think G Williams isn't doing anything about this abnormal behavior and potential connections to the victim?

I actually understood why Erickson acted as he did. It would freak me out that Jazz knew all the details about the next victim, down to the initials!

12. EDIT: Question removed

13. I've read this series and love it, it was actually one of my first book about serial killers (was scared to read them before). Are there other series that you recommend in this genre?

These books are more police procedural, detective mysteries, but I like the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter. And recently read Crimson Lake and loved it. It’s a new series that I will definitely continue.

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

7-14-18, 504 pages

Brams, Lucifer, Ronald Daniels, Rowan, Citra Nova, Anastasia, Marie Curie, Tyger Salazar, Rand, Grayson Timothy Tolliver, Agent Traxler, Ben, Jenny, Constantine, Pierre Renoir, Faraday, Manira, Zach, Davey, Purity, Gavin, Mange, Mendoza, McCloud, Goddard, Morrison, Servantes, Angelou, Zonacrates, Seneca, Cromwell, Amunsen

Buddy Read https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shelby wrote: "Oh my god I need to stop reading books in series that aren't finished!!!! You're going to end it LIKE THAT?!?!?!?!?!?!
."

Scythe Curie (view spoiler)[ I was heartbroken too! But the scene was so beautifully written. People come back to life in this society, like Goddard and Rand. So maybe we haven’t seen the last of Curie. (hide spoiler)]

Finished! WOW, just WOW! That was an exciting ending! (view spoiler)[ I knew Goddard would not take the inquest’s decision lightly. What the heck will he do in the next book?

So happy Curie could get Citra and Rowan to the vault. How long until they can be revived?

Thunderhead is angry now! Everyone is unsavory, except Grayson. So happy for Grayson. But what mission will he have to undertake now?

And what will Faraday find on the Marshall Islands?? (hide spoiler)]

I can’t wait for book 3!

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Chapter 25

I got to listen to a fair bit today while in the car as I took the kids to the Blue Mountains which is about 1.5 hours away (it is winter school holidays atm).
I played it through my ea..."

Good guess! (view spoiler)[ I did not expect Tyger being used for Goddard! I thought Tyger might be a replacement for Lucifer.

I do feel sorry for Grayson too. He has lost Purity now. I hope things work out for him in the end. (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 4, through chapter 29

I did NOT expect (view spoiler)[ Goddard to be alive! And that he would use Tyger’s body like that! I thought maybe Tyger was training to possibly replace Lucifer. But this is worse.

I like that Citra helped Grayson and sent him to a Tonist’s camp. Will this be a place where Grayson can find friends and a place to belong? (hide spoiler)]

Tina wrote: "I'm up to Part 2, chapter 12 and I'm liking this book so far... quite a lot!

I'm so far behind on buddy reads so sorry for the delay to all!

I quite like the Thunderhead's entries. They're quite ..."

I am enjoying Thunderhead’s segments too. But I find that I disagree with some of his reasoning. Especially in part 3.

Yes, I am finding Grayson a good addition to the story!

Shelby wrote: "Just finished Part 1.

"

I think you are right (view spoiler)[ after living so long. It seems like people are bored with life. This might make them savor the time they have left.

I do wonder in what way Citra can change the world! (hide spoiler)]

Checking in!

I’ll be back!

Laura wrote: "Geri wrote: "Laura wrote: "How about this one?

"

When do you want to read this one? I can get this book and the other one on Hoopla. YAY!"

Here is this bu..."

Thanks!

Apoorv wrote: "Team Gilderoy Lockhart
Parts 1-6; Chapters 1-25

So, I have so many mixed feelings about this, that I am going to be all over the place writing my comments here. :P

The mystery: Slightly more than..."

I liked Clara too. Compared to Izzy, she was much more stable. Izzy was a bit too whiney for me to like her.

The Queen and the Cure by Amy Harmon

7-12-18, 342 pages

Kjell, Lucien, Jarrick, Isaac, Sasha, Sayid, Byron, Peter, Lark, Tires, Gwynn, Patrick, Lortimer, Jada, Gaspar, Lady Ariella Firi

Buddy Read https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Laura wrote: "Finished

I bet the pronunciation of the Queen's name is different that I have been saying! I loved this book too. I gave it a 4 star. If I had to choose which book I loved more it would be the fi..."

The narrator pronounced her name like Seer-Sha. Probably not the way you were saying it in your head.

(view spoiler)[ I didn’t really think about it, but you are right about Kjell. He did grow and finally found the place where he belonged. That’s what the book was all about.

I agree good riddance to Lady Firi! She made a good enemy, though. (hide spoiler)]

Suzanne wrote: "I'm almost halfway through, and I agree it is a sweet romance. Clearly some bad things are in store [spoilers removed]"

You have a lot of exciting things to look forward to!

Bloodfire by Helen Harper

7-12-18, 246 pages

MacKenzie Smith, John, Jay, Julia, Anton, Nick, Tom, Linda, Allie, Betsy, Corrigan, Perkins, Alex

DQ set 1: Chapters 1-8

1. What are your first impressions of Jazz? What is his motivation for spying on the crime scene and requesting to help investigate?

Jazz is definitely different! Because his father was a serial killer, Jazz has insight into a killer’s mind and thinks he can help. There is also some guilt there for not stopping his father. So he is determined to stop this killer.

2. "Ever since arresting Dear Old Dad four years ago, G. William had kept in touch with Jazz...". How would you characterize the relationship between Jazz and G. William? Why is the sheriff so adament about one body not meaning a serial killer? Is he trying to protect Jazz, himself, or both?

I think the sheriff is keeping an eye on Jazz. I don’t blame him. As a sheriff, G. William is abiding by the law by not calling it a serial killing. Unless he finds other victims, it could just be a single murder victim for yet unknown reasons.

3. Howie has been the only friend who stayed with Jaspar after his father's exposure. Jaspar claims that he needs Howie to keep him "close to the line of safety and legality". Do you think Howie realizes what Jazz needs from him? Why doesn't he get angry when Jazz gets him into trouble?

Howie is a funny guy. I can see how a friend would keep Jazz from going to far. Howie likely enjoys going on excursions with Jazz. His family probably treats him like glass with his condition. It’s Howie’s chance to be a little normal.

4. Deputy Erikson has caught Jazz's attention twice now with his behavior at the crime scene and his unexplained appearance at the morgue. Do you agree with Jazz's assessment of the deputy, or do you think there is a reasonable explanation for his actions?

I don’t know yet. It could just be a red herring.

5. The Impressionist states he "had been given a rule" not to interact with or harm Jaspar. Who do you think might have given him that rule and why?

My first guess would be Jazz’s father. He would be the most likely to want to protect his son. Or maybe Jazz has become special to a psychopath because Jazz is the son of a serial killer.

6. Jazz has the mantra, "People matter. People are real.", as a screensaver and pictures of all his father's victims in his room? Do you think this actually helps or hurts him? Is Connie right about letting go of the past?

Yes. If Jasper is so concerned about going off the deep end and becoming his father. He isn’t likely to do so.

7. "His upbringing... told him that women were simultaneously special and useless." How do the three women in his life (Connie, Melissa, and Gramma) match with what he has been taught? Do they reinforce or challenge the idea? What kind of influence are they on Jazz?

Gramma isn’t a good influence on Jazz. But Connie and Melissa should have a much more positive effect on his life.

I’ve got a few more buddy reads set up. By the end of July, I should have 6 more buddy reads posted. I just started the next BOM too.

This book is hard to put down! I finished part 3, through chapter 23, and it’s really surprising and thought provoking. I’ll definitely discuss the book with you too, Shelby!

(view spoiler)[ I was surprised the unsavories were content with less than real rebellion. But they obviously aren’t content. The suspense is killing me! What can Slayde do to stop Purity?

My heart skipped a beat when I heard chapter 22’s title, “The Death Of Grayson Tolliver”. It wasn’t what I expected. But it was so sad that Grayson’s parole officer was gleaned and now poor Grayson is all alone. He is truly on his own.

The Thunderhead segments are so illuminating with some thought provoking ideas. Freedom and permission was eye opening. I never thought about these concepts so in deathly.

Not surprised the population will eventually get too large for the earth to sustain. Not sure Thunderhead should stay out of it as he does. Limiting births would be the easiest solution in my opinion. After all Thunderhead is there to help humanity and keeping the population down is a way to do so!

I am worried for Rowan now that he has been caught! (hide spoiler)]

It’s killing me not being able to read all the spoilers!