Geri’s Comments

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

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

The Ruin by Dervla McTierran

7-9-18, 400 pages

Cormack Reilly, Maude, Ashley Conroy, Mary Dooley, Jack Blake, James Rogers, Danny McIntyre, Anthony Healey, Melanie Hackett, Liam Hearn, David Murray, Fergus, Aggie, Carrie O’Hara, Fisher, Thomas Collins, Catherine Shelly, Tara, Emma, Hannah , Dominica Keane

Laura - July 22 works for me too.

Most of the books I posted will be released late July. So probably why you can’t find them at your library yet. I put requests in for a few. My library is good about purchasing them and I get them the Friday after they are released usually. Don’t know what I’d do without the library. I guess I’d go broke! LOL

I am like you. I have been stuck at #2 on the hold list for The Power. I am losing hope I will get the book in time and will have to buy!

The Mistake I Made sounds interesting. A little provocative! When did you want to read that one?

Let me know when you are close to getting Believe Me and we can set up a buddy read for that!

Brooke wrote: ".After I finish a couple of in progress reads ( Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan) I plan to read The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. Have either of you read that one yet?
"

OMG! I LOVED The Death of Mrs. Westaway! Dark Matter was really good too. Yes, Something in the Water is great on audio. Glad you are enjoying it!

Ditto here. I have 3 buddy reads for sure by the end of the month. Maybe 4.

Geri wrote: "

Not That I Could Tell by Jessica Strawser

6-28-18, 320 pages

Izzy, Sonny, Day, Paul Kirkland, Clara Tiffan, Hallie, Thomas, Natalie, Ra..."

I updated my post to include the buddy read thread. Should be enough comments to count for points.

Laura wrote: "Finished

.."

Laura, (view spoiler)[ You are probably right. Izzy’s ending was good. I just kept being annoyed by her so that is what I focused on. But, yeah, Paul was too obvious the bad guy! (hide spoiler)]

I’d be up to reading the book you suggested, Laura. Late July would be best. The Power buddy Read is coming up on the 15th. I looked through my list very quickly and realized I read a lot of series. Quite a few interesting mysteries are coming up, though. Maybe we can buddy read one in August too.



If any of these look good, let me know. I plan to read them in August.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

7-7-18, 346 pages

Cliff, October Daye, Simon, Oleander, Mitch Brown, Pete, Tybalt, Evening Winterose, Dare, Manuel, Devin, Raceline, Luna, Sylvester, Connor O’Dell, Quentin, Entienne, Julie, Lily, Ross Hampton, Marsha

Participated in BOM https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Chapter 21-end

1. October seems to be pretty popular with the men. This section starts with Conner putting the moves on her despite being married. Tybalt also seems to be a potential love interest (which I’m a fan of) and then there’s her husband who we haven’t met yet - I’m leaving Devin off this list for obvious reason. Do you have someone you’d like to see Toby end up with or do you not care about the romance aspect?

So far none of the men seem like good prospects. I don’t need a love triangle or a “will they, won’t they.” to keep my interest. The fantasy world is interesting enough!

2. I really like The Luidaeg as a character and think she will be important in later books. What did you think of her? Do you think Toby made a mistake by forcing The Luidaeg in her debt? Why do you think she did it?

I really enjoyed the character too! She was a bit odd, but I chuckled too. I thought it was clever of October to keep the Luideag in her debt. This will definitely be important in a later book.

3. Were you surprised it turned out to be Devin? I never liked or trusted him so wasn’t too surprised when he ended up being the bad guy. Why do you think Toby trusted him so much?

I started getting bad vibes about Devin, but I was still a little surprised it was Devin. Toby trusted him because he was there for her at a time in her life when she needed him.

4. I loved it when Toby asked her cats to bring her to their king, Tybalt. Did you have a favorite part or character?

I liked October. She was an interesting character. Flawed, but I like that. And resourceful.

5. One thing I’ve been wondering about is whether or not her husband, Cliff, knew she is a changeling. She can’t control her illusion at the dawn so did he know about it? Does her daughter? If they know she’s a changeling why wouldn’t she have explained what had happened over the last 14 years? Or did I miss something and all this was explained.

Somehow I don’t think her family knew. I want to know what happened when her daughter turned 13. Did Gilly have to make a choice?

6. How did you like it overall? Do you think you will continue on with the series? If you do continue, what are you hoping to know more about it later books?

I enjoyed the book. I wasn’t sure about reading it, but I’m glad I did. I will likely continue the series. It should be fun, fast reads.

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

7-6-18, 291 pages

Finn McCabe, Tony Heddon, Ellen, Layla, Harry, Ruby

Brooke. (view spoiler)[ I so agree with you! I couldn’t believe there was no twist too. You were right about the ladies being drugged, though! But, yeah, the very ending didn’t make up for Paul being the disappointing conclusion. And I can’t say this enough, Izzy was too annoying! (hide spoiler)]

Always fun buddy reading with both of you too! I’ll check to see if I got any potentially good buddy reads on my list.

Laura wrote: "Hi Geri,
I still can't wait to read this. Ha as you have figured out I'm slow with all these buddy reads! Do we want to start on Tuesday? Does that work for you?"

Sure!

Chapters 14-20

13. We finally meet Lily. What do you think of her? Is she what you expected?

I liked Lily. I can see her being an important part of another book. One where October gets revenge on Simon and Oleander.

14. Screw you, Evening!"I shouted. "Screw your duty and your dying and...and your going off and leaving me to deal with this alone!"Why would October say she is doing this alone? For what I can see she has a lot of resources and help available. All she has to do is ask. Why wouldn't she ask for help?

I think October is used to doing things on her own. She is independent. But she probably could learn to ask for help when she needs it.

15. Why did October let the Doppelganger in? Was she really fooled? From what I've read so far I wouldn't have expected her to open the door.

I was also surprised that October believed her daughter would just show up out of the blue. I guess she does miss her daughter and wants to see her. Hopefully, we get to read about a reunion in a later book.

16. I am so confused. There are a lot of new characters and I feel not enough of an explanation as to why they are there. What do you think of the book so far? Do you like the writing style?

I am enjoying the story. It is a quick, fun read. I think the author is just introducing us to characters that will be in other books.

17. Can we trust Devin? Does he really care for October or does he want something in return?

I’m a little confused about Devin. It seems like he does care for her in his way. He made a deal so October would be healed. But things are complicated with his cheating on her with her friend. Also, warning bells went off after Dare told October how desperate she is to get away from Devin.

18. Will October find Evenings killer in this book? And more important will she survive with all her limps still attached?

LOL October is definitely getting quite a few lickings! But it is keeping the story exciting. I think our heroine will solve the case in the end!

I can start this when you can, Laura! The book is available through Hoopla and I can borrow at any time. Just let me know when you want to start.

Undefeated and completed all spells and classes! [doing a happy dance] LOL

Evernight by Kristen Callihan

7-6-18, 385 pages

William Thorn, Holly, Felix, Nan, Jack Talent, Mary, Adam, Darby, Sinjin, Eliza May, Mab

Brooke wrote: "I only managed a whopping 25 pages after I dropped my friend off at the airport."

LOL It’s understandable. You’ve been busy.

Melissa wrote: "I had to finish. I won't say anything else but WOW!"

So now I am dying to know how it ends! LOL

Chapters 6-13

7. During these chapters we meet Devin. What are your thoughts on him? How do you feel about the things he does to these runaways? October claims they used each other but love each other all the same. What do you think of their relationship? He searched for her for 10 years when no one else cared enough to.

Like many of October’s relationships, this is another “complicated” relationship. I agree with October that Devin does use the teens. But the teens need taking care of too. Devin does care for October. I am curious what payment October will have to pay for his help.

8. Winterrose did a lot for October - more then she ever knew. She kept her Home safe while she was missing. Why do you think that was? How was it that Evening cared so much for October when it's clear that October kept pushing her away?

I did find it interesting how Devin and his clan liked Evening so much. It seemed like October turned her back on Devin and the changelings when she fell for a human. And Evening was part of that life too. So maybe that is why October kept Evening at a distance?

9. After October's visit with Devin she gets trapped in fog caused by a rose goblin. The goblin hands her the key that Evening gave away right before she was murdered. By using the key October found the Hope Chest which she assumes is why Evening was murdered. The Hope Chest give a changeling the ability to become Pure Blood. If Evening had this why do you think she never told October or offered it to her?

The ability to turn changelings into blue bloods is probably something that shouldn’t be done indiscriminately. There are always consequences to everything. So I think that may be why Evening kept the secret of the hope chest from everyone.

10. October gives the chest to Tybalt for keeping, making him promise to protect it for her. What do you think of him so far? I think his relationship with October is so interesting. To me, it seems like he cares about her even though October keeps saying there is nothing but hate between them. He's like a little boy teasing the girl he likes mercilessly because he's embarrassed he likes her. :)

I enjoy their interactions too. I found it interesting that October felt the best place to keep the chest safe was in the hands of a so called enemy. That is definitely an unusual way of thinking.

11. It seems as if October's magic is becoming easier for her to do. Do you think the Hope Chest has already affected her? Do you think it will ever wear off?

I definitely think that the hope chest has affected October. It will probably wear off eventually.

12. We finally meet Sylvester and his family? What do you think of them? Connor seem like a strange guy to figure out to me!

Sylvester and Luna seem nice enough. Connor’s marriage is obviously not a love match. I am interested to find out how they got together.

I’d like to join! I have the book and have been wanting to read it for awhile. I’ll be back later.

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

7-5-18, 320 pages

Kara Resnik, Rose Franklin, Ryan Mitchell, Robert Woodhall, Vincent Contour, Alyssa Pappantonio