Briana’s Comments (group member since Aug 15, 2018)

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

DQs Day 1

1. We meet some of the characters in this section (maybe all?) What do you think of them so far? I think they have a lot more going on than they've let on. But I cannot stand Francesca or Michelle. They both have this slimey will-be whatever you want them to be vibe with a touch of weasel that sets my teeth on edge already.

2. Bella seems to have an ulterior motive for going to The Manor. What do you think it could be?
It's something to do with Francesca. I'm guessing she either stole Bella's husband or is the reason he's not in the picture.

3. The Manor seems to be a unique place to stay. Have you ever been to anywhere that fancy? Would you ever want to visit a place like that?
I wish I'd been somewhere so fancy, but I'm also glad that I haven't been. I'm sure it's lovely but the airs you have to put on or people would put on while being there would also likely frustrate me.

4. How are you enjoying the back and forth with the past and present? We already know The Manor is burning and someone is dead but who could it be?
I like the nonlinear timeline. It's proving to be a lot of fun. I'm guessing that the dead body is either Michelle or Francesca. But I'm leaning heavily toward Francesca. There's just too much dislike for her from Bella, and too much envy on Michelle's end that it's hard to believe that it isn't Fancesca that the fishermen found.

5. We start off with a man being dead in front of a black feather and Francesca finding one in her bed. What do you think the connection could be? Who do you think the man is? Her grandfather maybe?
The "birds" are coming for her because she's angered them just like her grandfather warned her not to. And yes I think the man is her grandfather, because if we're already getting the story in a nonlinear fashion why does it have to be from only two points in time? It could also be from a time further back than opening night of The Manor as well as the present and opening night.

Hey all. I've had a really great time so far in Book Games, but I've been struggling with picking up any books and have just been overall very slumpy with my reading. I'm going to bow out to make room for another player and cheer you guys on from the sidelines for the remainder of the games. Hopefully, next year will be kinder and I'll be back to my normal voraciously reading self. Good luck everyone and happy reading.

Day 2 DQs
Ch 9 to 18

6.) Did Galass turning into a blood mage and Fidick being the cause of Lucian's death (I assume that's what the black cloud that left the tent did) surprise you? Or were you expecting their bit in the story to be over and just a footnote about Cade's character?
I was honestly expecting Galass and Fidick's bit in the story to be over when Cade prevented Tenebris from taking either one into his dimension/realm. So the fact that Cade found Galass with Fidick's body was more than a little surprising and that they were the source for Lucian's death was only surprising in that it wasn't some random assassin hired by the people Cade and the other Wonderists were fighting in the opening scene.

7.) We learn about more magic types and there's pretty much any type of magic you can dream up. What type of magic you like to have or what animal would you like an affinity with?
Even though we've only seen Corrigan's magic a couple times I really enjoyed the magic he did. It was large and direct as much as it was in your face and flashy. But if that weren't an option I think I'd like having an affinity for dolphins or owls. They're both lovely and graceful animals.

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.
I'm not sure I'd say Mr. Bones is my favorite just yet but I definitely like him. He sounds like a solid pet choice for Galass and I'm hoping he helps ground Galass like Cade says he will.

9.) At this point I think it's clear Cade is a fallen Glorian of some sort, likely a Justicar. Do others agree with my guess here or do you have other thoughts?
I can see where you're coming from but I'm not entirely ready to jump on the theory just yet. There's any number of reason that Cade would be able to pick out two Justicars by hair color and style alone.

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?
Probably because he actually has at least some morals as opposed to blind faith?

Dale wrote: "Briana wrote: "Dale wrote: "does any of your guys do a summer reading program?"

I used to be heavily into participating in the adult summer and winter reading programs my library would run but the..."

Thanks. I'm trying, so we'll see how things go from here.

DQs - Day 1: Chapters 1-8 (pages 1 -71)

1. The book has the MPG Dark Fantasy. Do you like this genre in general? If so, do you have any favourite authors or books?
I do like this genre generally speaking. It's different from fantasy and deals with darker material which I enjoy.

Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic?

2. The book starts with the quote above. Is this your mental image of a wizard, too? Or something different? :)
Isn't it everyone's first mental picture of a wizard? It's definitely the image of a wizard that many works of fantasy have worked very hard to make that the first thing we readers picture when presented with the word wizard in a book. They're either young children like in Harry Potter or the So You Want to be a Wizard series or much older adults. I think Harry Potter may have been the first book I was ever introduced to the possibility that they could middle-aged and parents so I'm enjoying how this book is taking that preconception and turning it on it's head.

3. And the author lands us in the middle of a siege (ideal for the Book Games, right? ;) with 2 of the main characters Cade Ombra and Corrigan Blight. Cade is narrating what is happening and offering us his views on good and evil, the part they are playing and how they "win" this particular siege.
Do you think it's a strong start to the book? Has it got you intrigued?
I quite enjoyed that we stared in the middle of a siege I think it really made a huge difference in how we met the characters. I don't think I would be nearly as interested if it started with all the set dressing of how Cade and Corrigan came to be at said seige. No this was the proper start for this book as it really dumps you right into the world and the magic system.

4. As an extra incentive & entertainment, the Ascendant Lucien offers young girls and boys (sublimes) to the wanderists after the siege. We get introduced to Fiddick and Galass and learn that Cade decided to kill Lucien. We can actually start putting some pieces of Cade's character together. What do you think about him at this point?
I think he's a mercenary with a conscious which does not bode well for any future actions he and the other six wonderists may take. Although he has already implied that their combined ending is not a good one so I get the impression that he's largely at peace with himself and the choices he has made.

5. Some demonic highlights to this introductory part: Tenebris the demon, with whom Cade as an "infernalist" mage trades with to get his spells.
What were your impressions of Tenebris? How do you find the "religious/magical" system of the Infernals and the Celestines?
Tenebris comes off kind of sleazy but at the same time he's just doing what he does best and can't really be blamed for that. However, I did like how Cade got defensive of the two young ones he was sent when Tenebris drew them out and took a liking to each of them.

Dale wrote: "does any of your guys do a summer reading program?"

I used to be heavily into participating in the adult summer and winter reading programs my library would run but the end of 2023 and so far this year have not been overly kind to my reading time. As evidenced by how I've only just finished my first book for the challenge. I'm hoping to get at least one more read by Monday since Memorial Day is last day off before the final 16 days of school.

Jhmingos wrote: "Briana, what's your reread?

Got a lot of good reading done, one being one of the bigger books. Even though there's no book limit, I have some longer books I want to read for this challenge. Enjoyi..."

I'm going to be rereading Only a Monster it was one of my best books of 2022 and I meant to read the sequel last year but never got to it so reread it is.

Happy Day 1. I haven't finished Project Hail Mary yet but I should be able to read that and my first book for the challenge at the same time. Assuming I don't just obsessively read my first book even though it's a reread.

Dale wrote: "Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a nee..."

Truitt_T wrote: "Briana wrote: "Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a nee..."

I have Artemis as an audiobook so I'm hoping that will make some difference if and when I get around to it. The same goes for The Martian but I'm not sure I want to listen to the Wil Wheaton narration since I've read reviews where it's pretty bad.

Also thanks for the input about The Shadow Rising. I am going to move it to my on-hold shelf for the time being which is where it should have been all along anyway.

Joining late. I've always adored this challenge even if I have never finished it.

Duration: May 10, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Progress: 0/25

2015

1. Blue Noon by Scott Westerfeld

2017
2. The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow

2018
3. Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
4. The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson
5. The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King
6. Mind Dimensions by Dima Zales
7. Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs
8. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
9. Black City by Elizabeth Richards

Series To continue/finish
10. A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab
11. A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
12. The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
13. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey
14. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
15. The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart
16. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine
17. Never a Hero by Vanessa Len
18. Sightwitch by Susan Dennard
19. A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison
20. A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross
21. The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire
22. The ​Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos
24. All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody
25. The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty

Hello, District 2. I'm Bri or you can call me Kit or Briana, I'll accept any of them. I'm a permanent substitute teacher at an elementary school in Connecticut and a dog mom to a needy border collie/german shepherd.

This is my fourth team challenge and I think I've been on teams with a couple of you in the past so hello again. I'm looking forward to reading with all of you over the next few months. I'm trying to convince myself to start Project Hail Mary since I've been meaning to read it for a couple of years now and for those bonus entries for DQs on later BOMs in the challenge.

Other than that I'm planning a reread of Only a Monster so I can finally read its sequel Never a Hero as I fell in love with book 1 when it came out.

Also, a quick question I started The Shadow Rising about a year ago but I never made it more than 100 pages in before putting it down and just never touching it again. If I were to start over after the 15th would it count since I've never actually finished it and would need to restart it anyway to finish it or would the initial start date be the one I would go by?

BOM Participation Tracking:
January 2024 ~ Bookshops & Bonedust

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

DQ Day 4: Chapters 34 – Epilogue

13. The necromancer has been defeated. How do you think this plot line ended? Did you like the resolution?
I think it ended more or less exactly as it was supposed to. Kind of served the necromancer right getting trapped the way she did in her own portal book and then killed when Viv stabbed the book through with the sword she'd claimed from it earlier. It was nice to finally see the end of the villain that had wreaked so much havoc on Viv's life from off-screen up to that point.

14. This and the first book are used as prime examples of the cozy fantasy. Have you read other books in this genre? What are your thoughts on the genre, and would you read more?
This is actually my first cozy fantasy, but not my first cozy so to speak. I've read cozy mysteries before and I honestly much prefer the cozy fantasy to the cozy mystery. It still has that slow slice of life energy that a cozy mystery does, but I think this book did the narrative tension much better than any of the cozy mysteries I've previous read. I don't know why but it does make me want to pick up Legends & Lattes almost immediately to see if that feeling continues into the next book.

15. If you have read the first one, how does this one compare in terms of worldbuilding and character development? If you have not read it, does the characterization and worldbuilding make you want to read the first book in the series?
I haven't ready Legends & Lattes befeore and like I said in my last answer I kind of want to dive right into it and see if my enjoyment sticks through that book as well or if this was just a fluke.

16. Do you like Epilogues on books? Did you enjoy seeing the characters in the future?
It depends on the book. Some books feel complete before I get to the epilogue and then I just question why is that present, others I just need that tiny bit more of the characters to wrap up my time with them and feel satisfied. I do wish I had skipped it, for now, this time simply because it feels a little bit like it was a spoiler for what happens in Legends & Lattes and would have been better left read after that.

DQ Day 3: Chapters 23 - 33

9. Hurrah! Finally the bonedust arrives! What do you think of Satchel as an addition to the characters?
I'm really enjoying Satchel. How secretive they are but also how interested they are in making Thistleburr more appealing and profitable. And their care for books really just speaks to be as a reader.

10. Mystery book sale! How are you liking the changes to the bookshop? Have you / would you buy mystery book sets like this? A fun bonus: make up your own mystery book set and post your three word descriptors for us to pick a set!
Tthe changes have been good, it really makes the bookshop more pleasing to picture but I can also see how the improvements can eventually make the bookshop yet another place to hang out in the town, just a little more lowkey than the tavern. I have borrowed a book from a mystery book shelf at my library and was thoroughly disappointed by it because it was described one way and the description to didn't match what i was reading but I would try it again if I found another shelf or sale like that.

11. The necromancer is on her way! What do you think of these dreams and of the sword from the book?
I think the sword is either going to be the end of the necromancer or the end of Viv, either way the dreams are kind of cool even though they're also creepy.

12. A hint here that the end of the relationship is not going to be as clean as Maylee and Viv said it would be. But, what do you actually think about this plot strand - necessary, surplus, well-done, meh? discuss!
I find it slightly less compelling than Viv's friendship with Fern as the book as gone on. I don't hate the scenes between Maylee and Viv but it does feel a little like the author didn't know what to do with Maylee and thus made her Viv's love interest to keep her involved in the plot and possibly provide Viv with backup at the end should she need it.

DQs Day 2 ~ Chapters 11 - 21

5. What was your impression of the Man in Gray when he first came into the Bookshop? Of what significance do you think he holds?
My first impression pretty much lined up with Viv's, trouble and a lot of it. I'm thinking he's a sign that trouble is on it's way to Murk. Possibly of the sort that Viv was hunting before she ended up there to start with.

6. The Gatewardens were an interesting group. Immediately taking everyone involved in the fight to the cells! What did you think of their tactics?
That is one way to deter others from being stupid, to show that it doesn't matter who started the fight everyone is going to get an equal share of the punishment.

7. I feel a little bad for Maylee; she seems to have real feelings for Viv but I feel like Viv is going to leave in a short time. Maylee said she was good with whatever time she could get, but I have to think it will still hurt. What do you think of this? Is any amount of joy gained worth the potential risk/hurt?
I think it depends on how you're going to feel about that time afterwards, if Maylee doesn't have any regrets of the time spent with Viv then yes the risk is worth the joy. But if she could come to regret it, I don't know it feels kind of like a chance that isn't worth taking. I'm hoping thought that she won't come to regret the time spent with Viv. I don't want to see Maylee hurt.

8. “The shop … will last a little longer. It’s been better lately. A bit. A few more visitors. A few more books.” “But in another way, it’s the best it’s ever been. It’s been better for me. Having you here is connecting me to why I do this. To why I used to love it. I don’t know if I can explain it, but watching you read what I give you, putting a book in your hands and seeing what happens to you once you put it back down … I can’t make you understand how that gives me something I didn’t know I had to have.”

I liked this explanation Fern gave to Viv about why she wanted her in the shop. I think that it would be great if everyone could find the thing that reminds them of why they love things. Have there been any exchanges or quotes that made you stop for a second to think about them or that made you laugh?
This quote and the one about cleaning mugs have been the two that have stood out to me the most so far. This particular quote because I think it sort of echoes how everyone feels at one point in their life about their choices for what they're going to do with their life. We all lose sight of why we started in the first place and for Fern she gets to have a chance to rediscover that why and fall in love with her chosen work all over again.

DQS - DAY 1, 3 Jan

1. Thankfully, on GR this book is simply listed as "Bookshops & Bonedust", but my kindle edition adds the subtitle "A Heartwarming Cosy Fantasy and TikTok Sensation".
Recently I noticed this increasing trend (or is it just me?) of publishing books with these types of subtitles. How do you feel about them? Necessary info or off-putting advertisement?
I don't think these advertisements are necessary. I don't read books for the hype generally speaking. Sometimes I will get curious what all the hype is about, but I don't usually gravitate to a book because of that.

2. In the first 25% of the book we are getting introduced to Viv, Iridia, Fern, etc. and other characters presumably playing a major part in the plot? How do you feel about them and their characterisation?
Viv feels like a cinnamon roll trying to be harder than she actually is. I love Fern she's pushy but she's got a surprising amount of insight in terms of what will be of interest to her potential customers. Iridia I'm still not sure about but I think she and Highlark are going to be important down the line. Meanwhile, I really don't care of Gallena essentially stalking Viv trying to get an intro to Rackam.

3. What about world building? Is it enough? Interesting enough or do you need more to get involved int the story? How about the premise of an abandoned/struggling bookshop?
I'm actually really enjoying the world-building so far. Feels like your standard D&D seaside town in hard times and I'm looking forward to seeing how they spruce up the bookshop to make it profitable again.

4.
“I gotta ask, is that the same mug you’re always cleaning, or do they all get a chance?” The sea-fey’s gray brows rose. The tattoos on his forearms boiled as he scrubbed. “Didn’t think you’d notice. Old tavernkeeper’s secret. Wash one, everybody assumes the rest are clean, too.” He grinned at her.

One of my first highlights in the book. This really made me smile as it really shows the cliches how barmen/women are depicted in books/films?
Did it make you think of such a (memorable) landlord/lady character in any previous readings?
I smiled too, it was such a nice touch of commaraderie between Viv and Brand the innkeeper. And it does speak to a common trope for barmen/women, they're alway written/shown polishing/cleaning a glass.

Extra Q: This book has actually been written and published after Book 1, Legends & Lattes. Have you read it? If yes, what did you think?
I haven't read Legends & Lattes yet, but I'm looking forward to doing it after reading this much of Bookshops & Bonedust. I'm more invested in this book than I was in the cozy mystery I finished earlier today. Maybe I just need to read more cozy fantasy as opposed to cozy mysteries.

I'm done for the month.

Wild Lands takes place in Turkey for Chimera, but I don't have any of the other tasks unless we can count spearing/speared for the word spear in text.

Meanwhile I know that Last Argument of Kings has the word spear in the text and has MPG War (first page 77 uses)

I just finished Last Argument of Kings, going to work on my remaining two today.

Checking in. I'm aiming to finish Last Argument of Kings this week with Wild Lands and Bewitched on deck after that.