Geri’s Comments

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

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

I’m in for The Family Next Door. Just let me know when. I’ve read the other 4 books. Little Fires Everywhere and Burntown were really good!

Laura wrote: "."Geri, I can't wait to see which one you pick next!


I think I need a little break after this book. But will definitely read another book by Hannah. I read books to escape and tend to gravitate toward romance, mystery and urban fantasy for that reason.

Laura wrote: "Agreed that was just really weird and kinda come out of nowhere? Gross!
"

Somehow I think that conversation between Charles and Anna about Mercy and Bran will mean something in the future. Most authors put things in for a reason. That is why I asked about the Mercy series. It felt like Briggs was setting something up.

Teri-K wrote: "Laura wrote: " ..."Ok, so I 'm not a big fan of Leah and she isn't portrayed as a nice character but... (I'm in chapter 4 somewhere)

I thought I remembered in one of the books that we learn that ..."

Your analysis of Leah is why we really do need a book about Bran and Leah. If not the main characters, a secondary storyline.

Laura wrote: "We are getting a few more snippets of Leah. I 'd really love a book about Bran & Leah."

I’m glad we are learning more about Leah too. I’m about halfway through and Bran isn’t there yet. I have been curious about Bran and Leah since book 1! I really like that Charles and Anna are back in Montana and we are learning more about the characters there.

Teri-K wrote: "I told my son I'm a good person to get it, though, because I'll have it finished and returned in a day or two and then somebody else can have it, right? Unlike those folks who grab the new releases and keep them over the two week mark before they return them. growl"

LOL I feel the same way. I mostly borrow digital books from my library. But never do I keep a book for two weeks. Usually it’s back in less than a week. I hate when I am on the waitlist and someone before me does!

Sonia wrote: "I already have to say goodbye to my favorite UF this year. I cannot fandom another one."

Which UF series is ending?

I started today. I won’t say much except it doesn’t take long for the exciting stuff to begin. This isn’t much of a spoiler, but they do mention Mercy quite a bit. I guess I need to read that series soon! Are there more Mercy Thompson books to come? Or is the series done?

It’s release day! When is everyone planning to start?

Loriidae wrote: "It is vampires. Jane is a rogue vampire hunter. It is a lot darker and grittier than Briggs. It is also very mystery orientated. Some people complain about Faith Hunter's descriptive detail. I love that aspect. I adore Khritine Hvam's narration. Downside 11 books in the series and still continuing. Although there is some romance it is very, very slow burn over many books. ."
Thanks, Loriidae! I may try book 1. I like gritty and dark. But I do like romance too. I’ll just have to try it. I recently read Spider's Bite and loved it. I think I saw you read it as well. That series has a long list of books to read too!

Teri-K wrote: "I do really like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, as well as the Edge books and the Burn for Me series by them. I haven't found any other UF-type series I like as well as these. Though I'm always open for suggestions. :)
"

I agree, being in the right mood is important! I tried the Hidden Legacy last year, but wasn’t impressed. I reread it again and now I have to read the other 2 books. I also want to finish The Edge series. I have read the first book only. I like that the other books feature different characters. Keeps the books fresh.

9. What would you choose if offered a Scythe apprenticeship?

I would refuse if possible. I don’t think I could be impartial. I would probably try to glean those that I felt deserved it.

10. Scythe Faraday chooses the method of gleaning. Do you think that is right, or do you think the person being killed (oops, gleaned) should have the choice of method?

If the concern is being fair, then the scythe should choose. Because in the time of natural death, a person could not choose their death.

11. Do you like the snippets we get of the gleaning journal of H.S. Curie and H.S. Goddard?

Yes, they do give insight and history of how this society evolved.

12. The Scythe ten commandments are meant to keep them honourable, but it seems that there are Scythes that "enjoy" their role a little bit much. These mass gleanings are crazy! What role do you think Esme may play?

Yes, scythes are human and so imperfect. I am not surprised everything isn’t as “utopian” as they hoped.

13. Rowan's task of choosing the next person to glean seemed much harder than Citra's.! Do you think you could be logical about having to make that choice, or do you just make it random?

I I am not sure how the scythes can do this so long and stay sane! think to ease my conscience, I might try to find people that most deserved gleaning, even if that isn’t the way I was trained. While an apprentice, I probably couldn’t do this. So choosing randomly would probably be the best way for me. It would ease my guilt some.

14. The conclave was interesting. Given a choice, with the Scythes we have met so far, who would you prefer to be an apprentice to? Is that different to the Scythe you would choose to do your "gleaning"?

I like scythe Curie and would choose her for both apprenticeship and gleaning. I am very curious to find out about Citra’s training.

15.Sythe Goddard has now taken over a mansion. It is technically not against the 10 commandments though. Do you think this is where the Scythdom is headed? To take power? Will the Thunderhead intervene?

I don’t know! But I am not surprised about Goddard. He is already trying to bend the rules a bit to suit himself. So of course, he will try even more!

16. Whoa. Ok, what really just happened at the end?! Surely Faraday would not have done that. any theories?

One theory is that Faraday hasn’t died. He may have rejuvenated himself to a very young age. I say this since the book mentioned older scythes usually do not go younger than 40. So possibly Faraday is younger than this and hoping to hide? I definitely want Faraday back! LOL

Laura (view spoiler)[ I am not so sure Ernt could have been helped. Especially with Cora enabling him. Blaming herself for the abuse and thinking that his extreme jealousy was love. She needed help too! The terrible thing is how Leni had to see all this. I am amazed Leni wasn’t messed up too!

I was so mad through most of the book. Even after Ernt’s death, I worried about Cora and Leni and angry when Leni was arrested and went on trial. I just felt so much, anger, depression, worry. I guess it was Hannah’s writing being so good that I felt all this. (hide spoiler)] I would read another book by Hannah. I just hope that it isn’t quite so emotionally wrenching for me!

Loriidae wrote: "PS: Have you read Jane Yellowrock? Skinwalker Jane discovers her Cherokee history over the course of the series.
"

I have seen this series, but wasn’t sure If I wanted to start another UF series. Is it good?

Teri-K wrote: "I started my reread of this one today. I just finished chapter 3, and I'm really impressed with how well Briggs melds Navajo spiritual beliefs like chindi and her fae. I think a lot of fantasy/UF w..."

I agree. I do like how Briggs mixes Navajo spirituality with fantasy elements. Some of the book was so suspenseful for me. I hope you enjoy the reread!

Laura, I finished. I gave it 4 stars because this was a difficult book for me. It was heartbreaking and emotional. I did consider taking a break but plowed through. (view spoiler)[ I was shocked too when Cora shot Ernt. But realized that Leni was the last straw. Her protective mother instincts kicked in. It was okay if she got hit, but don’t touch her daughter! I was glad she was not totally broken down by Ernt.

I was surprised by the law not being on the side of a battered woman. I couldn’t believe the lengths Cora and Leni had to go to not get arrested. Faking their deaths was crazy! But I loved the sense of community and how Large Marge helped. (hide spoiler)]

The best part was the story of Alaska and the real sense of community. Sometimes, though, the suspense was killing me! LOL I don’t think I could live in Alaska. The long nights in winter and long days in summer would mess with my emotions. But I wouldn’t mind visiting. Always wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise and see some sights on land too.

Would you want to live in Alaska, Laura?

Laura, you caught up quick! I hope you are feeling better!

I agree the author does make me feel like I am in Alaska and with the Albright family. This is good and bad since I loathe Ernt! I will finish the book, but it isn’t easy!

No, fortunately, I never wore bell bottoms! LOL

Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[ Boy! Lenny’s dad is not easy to read about! I know something very bad is brewing! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[ A relationship is developing between Lenny and Matthew. I do feel sorry for them since their families don’t get along. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[ Lenny’s dad really is going off the deep edge! He wants to build a wall to keep everyone out. Crazy! When will Lenny’s mother ever try to get away? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20

(view spoiler)[ Too intense and suspenseful when Lenny and her mother finally get away from her dad. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ Not sure I can take all this suspense over Lenny falling and Matthew tries to rescue her only to fall too! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22

(view spoiler)[ So heartbreaking about Matthew. I can understand Lenny’s rage at her father. She is finally fighting back. (hide spoiler)]

Scythe DQs Chapter 1-5

1. Why did you want to read this BOM?

2. Do you think Scythe Faraday really used Citra’s family knife to kill their neighbor, considering they heard nothing and Citra saw no blood on Faraday? Faraday gives Citra back the knife and tells her it’s because they all share in the gleaning. What other reason could Faraday have given Citra back the knife? Could it have been a test?

3. Why do you think everyone at Rowan’s school blamed Rowan for Cole’s death? Do you think the fact that Cole was a star athlete had anything to do with it? Or would they have reacted like this for just anybody?

4. Gleaning is done to avoid the problems associated with overpopulation. But the book also suggests there are other reasons to do this. Does death help us to appreciate life more? Does it give us more creativity, purpose or a sense of urgency?

5. Scythe Faraday tells Citra and Rowan that, “Those who wish to have the job, should not have it. And those that most refuse to kill, are the only ones that should.” Why do you think he said this? Do you agree?

6. At the beginning of chapter 5, the journal entry tells us that, “Thunderhead” replaced government. It was given the responsibility to decide everything except who would die. Do you think an artificial intelligence like thunderhead can create a utopian society? Do you think it was wise to make gleaning the responsibility of the scythes?

7. Faraday uses death statistics from the past to help determine who will die. Why do you think he does this?

8. What are your thoughts on this book so far? Any topic I haven’t covered that you want to talk about?

Will you be starting this soon, Laura? I’ll slow down until everyone can catch up. More fun discussing that way!

Kathy wrote: "I want in on this. Have two others books to finish before this starts! wooohooo. Loved the Nightingale!"

Welcome Kathy! Looking forward to discussing this!