Vi’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2011)

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

The pics are very beautiful, LK!

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapter 1 – 9

1. With what does Shani want – or need – help? Did Mariama inflict the blow to Amelia in the garden? Or was it Freemont? Was it also Mariama’s doing to lure Amelia into that garden? Or does Shani really need help with something? And the Garnet ring was mentioned again; any significance in that?
I think Shani would like to "move on" whereas Mariama is not so keen? Atleast that's the vibe I get. The blow is definitely from Mariama. I think the Garnet ring is some sort of token.

2. Who was the brunette – Isabel Perilloux – with Devlin? A lover? Has he moved on? Or does he have some other relation to her?
Probably a "friends with benefits" situation where one or both of them had the other to lean on.

3. BOOK QUOTE: “Because if you heard a nightingale in Charleston –" Whatever was Devlin going to say? This bird migrates to Africa in the winter; it was African music that Amelia heard when she almost made love to Devlin last time. Is there a connection here?
I was so curious about that sentence too. Good catch, LK. I totally forgot about the music.

4. Why don’t the rules apply to Robert Fremont? He emerges before dusk and after sunrise; appear as though he is still alive; Amelia can see his lips move; he can invade her sanctuary. And – eep! – he’s haunting her! And blackmailing her? If she finds his killer, will he really leave her be? Comments.
Maybe because he's not a typical ghost that Amelia knows? The ones who leech the life from the people they are hunting. He's hanging around because something's holding back so that maybe that makes him "apart".

5. Looks as if the flood gates really have opened to the Others. Now Shani was on the swing in Amelia’s backyard. Should Amelia embrace her dark gift? (Love that Angus is back; was he mesmerized by her?)
I think she's probably going to. Sort of like she crossed the line and now she can't go back. Angus was mesmerized probably because he didn't know what to make of Shani - she's not exactly killer material, right?

6. BOOK QUOTE: “A good palmist is more of a psychologist than a prophet.” Was I the only one who felt the word “prophet” leaped off the page at me? Is the title of the book more than just about Robert Fremont; is there a connection here with the chiromancy? (By the way, I was surprised Amelia even let Clementine hold her hand, even if she wasn’t an expert. You?)
The word Prophet does seem to leap off the page for me. Though, I'm waiting to read more to see how it all connects together. I was totally surprised when she spent time with Clementine and letting her read her palm was even more surprising

7. BOOK QUOTE: “She always said it was a foolish woman who relied solely on the discretion and generosity of a man…” No question here; I just really liked Clementine’s grandmother’s motto.
I totally agree!

8. Are Clementine’s unpleasant memories of her previous garden somehow related to all that is going on?
I think so. Everything seems to happening for a reason - definitely not a coincidence.

9. What of the connections between Shani and Mariama and Robert Fremont? Devlin’s family is buried in that same cemetery – where Robert was killed. Fremont’s shooting occurred the day after Mariama’s car accident. Do you agree with Amelia’s belief in the synchronicity of it all?
Yep, too much of a coincidence otherwise. I really want more of Devlin's backstory.

10. Is Amelia just dreaming she’s gone to Devlin’s home? Are the entities all around her trying to drawn her in or warn her off?
Nah, she's there. The entities are trying to draw her but for what reason?

11. What did you make of Devlin and Ethan Shaw’s conversation on the veranda? A lot was discussed, only leading to more questions:
The conversation was placed very well at the early parts of the book. It's making me more curious.

a) Who is Darious Goodwine and what is his relationship to Mariama? What of his motivation to play God?
I think he's her brother.

b) What of the African gray dust – more than a very powerful hallucinogenic and killer? Did Devlin ever use any? If not, why did he come back home so shaky?
He must have used it.

c) What do you make of Devlin going to Dr. Rupert Shaw the night of his wife and daughter’s deaths?
Not sure at all.

d) Whatever did Robert and Devlin have a falling out about?
Again, don't have an idea.

e) Is Ethan telling the truth? Was he really waiting on Devlin’s poach all night, or did he need the alibi? If so, why?
I think Ethan I believe Ethan. He was worried about Devlin.

12. Eep! What a place to end. Who’s eyes were those in the bushes?
It was really hard to stop at this point! I'm going back now though :)

I haven't started it yet but I'll catch up while you ladies are sleeping :)

LK, I can do tomorrow i.e Wednesday's questions.

Midu wrote: "Vi wrote: "I finally remembered to reserve a post here. Great challenge, mods!"

Vi!!!"

Midu!! How are you?

Ashley Marie wrote: " HP

Finished Goblet of Fire today, and while it's my favorite of the movies, it isn't my fav book in the series.

It strikes me over and over again..."

So true Ashley. And it's sort of like they are very set in their ways and so resistant to change. Makes sense because they are very contained and don't react with "non-magic" people.

What also struck me this time was that there is no abuse towards women. You would imagine with a war there would be rapes n stuff but not in this series. Maybe because it is aimed at the YA market so it's "clean". Honestly, women in the series are empowered.

I just realized this because the other Fantasy book I had going was war book and one of the MC was raped. It was done so subtly that it was very powerful.

I finished GoF last Sunday and started OoP yesterday. Yet to watch GoF movie though.

Lisa Kay wrote: "Vi wrote: "Have you read the rest of the series?"

I've read a few, but not all of them. The ones I read also are wonderful; however, the first is the one that knocked me over."

Oh. I'll give the rest of her books a try and then come back to the series later when the first is not as fresh in my mind.

Lisa Kay wrote: "Oh, Vi! That is sweet of you. I'm really just so glad you liked that book. "

Well, you are an awesome recommender. And I really, really loved the book. Have you read the rest of the series?

I finished up just a few minutes earlier and it was AWESOME! More like an (almost) epic western romance. I really felt for Hunter, Loretta & Amy. The book really bought into life the conflict very vividly. I really can't help feeling for the Comanches. LK, Thanks for another bang-on recommendation.

You are Recommender, EVER!

I finally remembered to reserve a post here. Great challenge, mods!

Great job, Moonstone!!

Judy wrote: "I read 20 pages of and gave up. The story seemed a bit slow and I think I need a break from books about military with PTSD (it seems I've read a lot of them recently.)"

LOL! I can totally understand. There are so many of them that it isn't funny anymore.

❀ Oo ❀ wrote: "I LOVE Gini Koch! That series was one of my best discoveries of 2012. The books get better. 1# Can be a bit dodgy-ish-ish"

So, the Gini Koch series is good? I've heard very mixed reviews about it. Would you recommend it?

Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "For Vi:

"

Thank you, Mods!! I feel so much better now.

I'm in too.

I'm officially kickstarting the September Challenge.

I just finished - Jim Dale was excellent - the last few chapters were out of the world narration. Rowling is one amazing author.

Also finished - Somebody please pat me on the back. Almost 1000 pages! The setting up took some time as always, but once things started building up, it became unputdownable. The twist with Trull was something I totally didn't expect. The next book is 1200+ pages. *gulp* I'm behind on that BR by 2-3 weeks. If I do 1 chapter a day, I might catch up in 3 weeks!

The only glitch I didn't think of was that both the books were a little bittersweet. The second more than HP. I am a little sad at the end of the book thinking of Trull. Poor guy. For my next book, I thought of starting but I want a happy, HEA book. I sincerely hope is that.

Still, one of my favorite books in the series. Fred & George were so good in the book.

Totally agree, LK. It's *almost* better than watching the movie!

It's a long audio, that's for sure. It's taking me a week just to get through this one and the next is even longer. I'm giggling at the though of him doing Angsty Potter in OoP.

I'm working on & . Roughly 100 pages left in each and I'm hoping to finish it by today afternoon. And this can't be said enough but Jim Dale's narration is awesome.

I tried to download the prequel yesterday but it showed I already downloaded. Good feature. Imagine how many double purchases I'd have done otherwise O_O

And it's FINALLY September 1 where I am. *Happy Dance*

Hi Team!

Here's the thread I've created to track books we've finished for the September Challenge. Please go on over to reserve a post there. Thanks!