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

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

IIRC, the whole series has Jo as the lead character. David and Lewis play important roles.

LOL!

I'm lazy to do the last set of questions (Going to Thailand tomorrow!!! :D) but here's some of my thoughts:

1. The last few chapters were bizarre and kinda confusing. Which leads me to think that they will play a bigger part in the next few books.

2. My hate of love triangles is reinforced after this book.

3. This book is definitely much better than the first book.

Thanks for the great Buddy Read! After reading the questions, I revised my rating to 4 stars. I'm open to a buddy read of the next book *hint hint*

Answers to Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 10 -12

35. Well, Mr. Black turned out to be useful. Good. Think Bran will make a good “father figure” for his daughter, Kara? Hey, maybe another spin-off series. Cool. Comments.
Haha, I hope not another spin-off series. I really want her to write more A & O books! I like Bran very much. He'll make a good father figure. And Kara will have Charles. But, I want to read a book just about Bran and his mate Leah.

36. Man-oh-man! I’d sure like a friend like Zee. He is just full of handy things to give Mercy, including information and a “superhero vampire/sorcerer-slaying kit.” Think all of it will come in handy?
Of course. I'm liking Briggs' writing. She somehow makes every word count in the book!

37. Are all the injustices going on getting to you as much as they are to me? Mercy doesn’t really dwell on it, but it is obviously a strong motivating factor for her. Comments.
It gets to me as well. Mercy doesn't seem to dwell on it but we do get an idea from her comments and the narrative. Her reaction to alpha wolves tell a lot - as does her reaction to Samuel and Adam. Somehow, while I think she needs to remember how the packs work, I also feel that she needs to keep an open-mind. After all, she can bring about change due to her unique position. Plus, I get the feeling she's a little bit insecure.

38. Were you surprised that Mercy could get Warren to lie down? Darryl wasn’t too happy about it; think this will come back to haunt Mercy?
No. She and Warren have a very good bond, obviously. Not really. Mercy enjoys a unique position in the pack which will hopefully work in her favor. Plus, her growing up with a pack cannot go wrong.

39. “Kill the vampire and the demon goes away…” Do you think this will prove true?
I'm thinking this means that the demon can't be truly dead? Maybe it goes to Hell or wherever it is from to possess somebody else?

40. What do you think of Stefan’s experiments? What does this say about his character? What do you think about how pissed he was at Andre? Do you think Andre really was unaware at how angry Stefan would get?
Stefan seems sympathetic or forward thinking for a vampire. And it demonstrates his self control (for a predator). I'm very sure Andre would have known exactly how angry Stefan would get. This blood bond thing seems very complicated.

41. What do you think about Estelle killing Joey? What will Marsilia do about this? Or won’t she care? Won’t her apathy toward humans eventually bring about her downfall?
Briggs shows Vampires in a predator light without any romance-y feelings which is refreshing. I'm digging it. But given Briggs version, it seems to be in character for Estelle. They are predators, after all. Nah, Marsilia won't do anything about this. One would hope that eventually it would bring her downfall.

42. Whoa! Mercy saw Daniel’s ghost. What do you think about where and why she was able to see him?
Poor guy was dead. Poor poor Daniel. I'm thinking Daniel came to the place where he felt most comforted. Mercy can see ghosts, can't she? But his comment about he ate me doesn't sit well with me.

43. So, Ford doesn’t think Stefan is dead, due to the threshold remaining intact. Did you think he is right?
Yes!

44. So, Mercy had an epiphany about ghosts’ patterns. Did this make perfect sense to you? But, eek! then Samuel and Adam went missing. Were you worried? Comments.
No, not really. I felt a bit lost then and it felt a little bit contrived. Foreshadowed early in the book. I expected either one of them to get caught but not both.

45. Thank goodness Mercy didn’t delete that email. Were you surprised to learn about Andre’s association with Littleton? What about Andre feeding from “The Mistress herself”? What does this say of their relationship? Did you think it would really give him an edge – or enough of one?
Yes, Mercy isn't TSTL at all. I really like that about her. Eeeks, ekes. This really squicks me out. Andre and Marsilia's relation feels like parasitic on both ends. Nobody is going to benefit from that relation. Yeah, it would give Andre an edge because Marsilia can see that Andre's much more malleable to her cause.

46. Yikes! Werewolves really don’t react well to demons. Uh…understatement. Comments?
Poor Ben. Poor Samuel.

47. Stefan commanded Mercy to come to him? What was that all about?
Ha! We can see more of Stefan's powers. Mercy being weak might have made it easier but I think Stefan is much more powerful than my initial estimate.

48. So, he bit her, right? What will the exchange of blood do for her?
I don't think it can turn her into a vampire but I hope that it will have less ill effects.

@Lisa Kay

#28 - I can see that but I have a special talent for denial. So, I'll just lumber along rooting for Samuel. :D

Questions for Chapters 7-9:
24. Poor Tony. He's so out of his depth on this one. I just wish he doesn't get himself killed by trying to be a hero.
No, I don't think so. He trusts Mercy and I don't think she'll stay in the sidelines when she can help him out with the supernatural (fae, werewolves and Vampires)

25. Funny:
In Montana, the Indians don't have a rain dance, they have a Stop-this-Damned-Wind-and-Snow dance. If you've ever been to Browning, Montana, in the winter, you'll know it doesn't work.
Yep!

26. Poor Honey. Pack hierarchy's so rigid. And she actually risked all that for mercy? And that idiot Paul, I hope Warren kills him!
I feel Mercy and Honey now. God, don't they know that it's the 21st century already?!

27. Sweet:
Kyle, dressed in slacks that cost more than I made in a month, sat without hesitation on the bloodstained floor next to the bed and began talking quietly about baseball, of all things.
Do you think Kyle and Warren will make it? Will Warren survive?
I really hope that Kyle and Warren make it (hello, immorality). I'm pretty sure Warren will survive.

28. If he didn't tell me what he could now—didn't help me with what I intended—then he wasn't the man for me.
Wow! Adam came through. Do you think it gives hope to those of us rooting that Mercy ends up with him?
As I'm firmly on the Team S, I really hope that she doesn't end up with Adam.

29. "It was a Porsche," I said with dignity. "And the road was covered with ice. If it was Samuel who told you about it, I hope he told you he was the one who egged me into taking the car out in the first place. I'm going back to see how Warren is."
*giggles*
*giggles along with everybody else* That was so cute.

30. Liking Uncle Mike. That little tid bit about werewolves losing control when in the presence of the demon. Bad bad news!
Sounds like foreshadowing to me! (My brain's screwed up!)

31. So Marsilia didn’t give Mercy complete information on how to make a dead vampire stay dead. Surprised? Also, the ghost hint.. Did you get why Marsilia said that? Why didn’t Mercy?
Argh, why can't vampire queens not be witches? Why? Makes you think that they want a sorcer-demon-vampire?! No idea on both counts.

32. If Stefan was dead, wouldn’t Andre have been able to enter his home? Andre does seem to want Stefan to be dead.. a lot, doesn’t he?
Stefan seems to be nice or a vampire. I hope he doesn't die.

33. The trailer scene was just scary. Why didn’t she get more worried when he mimicked Samuel’s voice?
I was thinking the same thing. How could she not have worried more? But she has guts - which leads me to ask - if lets say, Littleton was able to literally throw Mercy out of the trailer, then her situation would be much much worse. Made me realize how fragile her trailer is.

34. Could Elizaveta be involved in all of this?
I hope not. Can't the witch be just the witch for once?!

I finished it yesterday but just managed to find time to answer questions.

CaroB's Qs for Chapters 4-6

17. The mood at the Seethe's interrrogation sure was dark. There was a passage that stayed with me: "I wished I knew exactly why they were so worried about me - maybe then I wouldn't feel like a chicken in a den of foxes. The boy next to Marsilia quit rocking. When he looked at me, I felt it, like a flash of ice running over my exposed skin. "How interesting" he said." What was your take on the rocking lie-detector boy? What did he mean by "Interesting"
Seriously freaky. I mean, rocking to her heartbeat! I'm guessing that all vampires have some psychic abilities to an extent. I don't know why he said interesting - even after I have finished reading the book.

18. What is the deal between Daniel and Stefan?
The way Andre and Stefan speak - it's like a toy caught in the middle between two idiot guys. Also, somehow it leads me to question whether he is straight or bi. (Wonder why?!)

19. Mercy beleives the harness kep her alive at the hotel. Surprised?
Very. Is it because the vampire ignored her?

20. I think I may be switching over to team Adam :-) These are the lines that made me rethink: "I'd had werewolves love me and hate me, but I'd never had one respect me before. Not even Samuel. Adam respected me enough to act on my suspicisons. It meant a lot." For me, respect is THE single most important thing in a good relationship. Everything else: trust, love, loyalty, commitment... they come after. Do you agree? What did Mercy have with Samuel if respect wasn't part of the equation?
I think my heart melted a bit when I read that. I really want that for Mercy. Before that, I was completely in Team Samuel. Now, I'm 75% to 25% in favor of Team S. Tortured hero!!

21. What do you think of Adam having claimed Mercy as his mate? At the end fo the sparring session, when it was starting to get hot, what did Adam know? Do you think it's a good thing or a bad thing that Mercy becomes truly submissive with him?
My reaction was: Huh? What! How come?! Reading Mercy becoming submissive with him is very puzzling. Given her reaction to alpha males, it is surprising which leads me to think that maybe Adam couldn't control something?

22. OMG! What are your thoughts on Samuel's revelations?
Oh poor Samuel. I feel so bad for him. I can't believe that female. How could she not even consider Samuel's rights?

23. Did you suspect that Tom would throw this spanner in the works?
No, it came as a complete surprise. But we do see Mercy turning out to be some sort of contact person between the supernatural and the humans. Unwilling, as she might be.

Teaser, teaser: Keep an eye on David and Lewis :grin:

Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Vi

#12 – I don’t like triangles either. Somehow I’m reading two books with them now. I came via A&O too, so I’m rooting for Samuel.

Did you manage to read the prequel before the first book? I didn't and I was so baffled when I started the book. I even returned the book to the library thinking somebody had ripped pages!!

#8 – Ah! Yes, that would make sense

I think Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series and the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews have their fair share (I was shocked at first - UF having such violence?) of violence. Fair warning to peeps, I guess.

#6 – Well, we only have his word on it – for what it is worth!

Now that I think about it, Stefan said cats (or was it animals?) didn't like vampires. So how come animals like demon-sorcerer-vampire??

I'm going on a business trip from 22nd to 24th - but I'll join in when I can

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 1 -3

1. From the cover, it looks as if Mercedes has acquired a few more tattoos. Do you have any tattoos? Have you ever wanted to get any?

I think in every cover in the series, she seems to acquire some more tattoos. No, but I think I want one. As to what, I'm still not sure. I keep changing my mind.

2.What is your impression of Stefan? Do you consider him a true friend to Mercy? Does she? What did you think of his attire, à la Nosferatu* when he showed up on her porch in Chapter 1?

Stefan seems okay for a vampire compared to the rest of his seethe. A true friend - probably not. But a friend for what he can do given his/seethe's interest first. I don't think she'll consider him a true friend - just a friend. I was hoping that it wouldn't be too bad given that the costume he wore was to intimidate someone.

3. I can see why Mercy preferred the harness of the collar (not to mention the bright purple & pink flowers on hers), but why didn’t she question the buckles being silver?

I was thinking the same thing - maybe she trusted Stefan? After all she did owe him.

4. Mercy asks herself a good question: How did Stefan expect her to escape something that could kill him? Seems like he was asking a lot there; or do I only question this with 20/20 hindsight?

I think we are all questioning this with hindsight. Stefan didn't expect anything huge to happen. Plus, Mercy has the added advantage of being immune to most of vampire magic.

5. The vampire/demon/sorcerer’s appearance was anticlimactic. Did this allay your fears? Was it just me, or did he seem to have more than one personality? One kind of rude and nerdish, one childish and one just pure evil. You?

Nah, it didn't. It seems like the persons who don't look like a typical villain/evil are the ones most to fear - because you can be deceived by them. I mean, appearances are deceptive.

6. What did you think was in the bathroom before the mewling noise was made? After? Eek! What did you think when Cory Littleton/Kurfel/Asmodeus** petted Mercy?

No. I certainly hoped it was not the horror that came after. Horrified, really. Such evilness inside and all animals love him? What are the animals coming to, really? Sorta undermines the theory that animals know the good guys.

7. Huh? Was it just me who was confused, or were any of you also? I couldn’t figure out how many “possessions” where involved there. Did a sorcerer, take over another’s body, then invite a demon into him (the sorcerer)? I was lost.

Good questions. It was confusing as well along with the fact that he was turned into vampire. Which leads me to the questions - does this sorcerer-demon-vampire die at daylight?

8. Ick. The killing of the (view spoiler) was a little too gory for me. How about you?

Not so much for me. I guess it's because I've read some many books with detailed descriptions of the violence. Sad fact.

9.What was the significance of Cory calling Stefan “Soldier”? The significance of the Benjamin Franklin quote?

What was Stefan's age again? I thought Cory was demolish - trying to hit where it hurts the most.

10. Man-oh-man! I was glad Mercedes awoke on her own couch, with Samuel there, but how the hell did she get home? Stefan drove her? And, what about her being bitten by that thing? Are you as worried as I am? (‘Cause I’m plenty worried!)

I'm guessing Stefan drove her. How? Wasn't he in bloodlust? I was shocked when I read that she was bitten. When did that happen? I hope that this doesn't come into play later on.

11. What the hell happened to Stefan and – more important – is he back to normal? I am very suspicious. I thinking the demon could be in him still, in some way. Maybe even transiently. I’m thinking this last, because Medea seems to still like him.

I hope not. I'm thinking Stefan back to normal. Maybe the demon only has temporary hypnotic powers or something

12. This isn’t a romance, but there is still a bit of a “love triangle” (for lack of a better word) going on between Mercedes, Samuel, and Adam. Any preference in which one she chooses? Or comments in general? .

I heard that the triangle was resolved only in the latest book. I hate triangles which is why I didn't pick this up sooner. I prefer Samuel - hello, tortured hero. Nothing more to say. And also I think because I met him before Adam (I came via the Alpha and Omega series)

13. Were you expecting Mrs. Hanna to be a (view spoiler)?

No! It was a complete shock, the way it was delivered. (I loved it, that line!)

14. The would “bound” is in the title of this book, so it leaped out at me when Zee was explaining, “There are things that serve the Great Beast of Christian scripture… The greater servants are BOUND away from our world, but can be invited in – just as vampires cannot enter a home without an invitation.” WTF? Just what does that mean? Whose blood is bound – or worse, going to be bound?

I certainly hope it's not Mercy. But I suspect she will come into play because she can't remain in the sidelines when she's the main character in the book, right?

15. Is Tom Black just a (view spoiler)?

Nah, he doesn't have that curiosity and nosiness that reporters should have.

16. How do you think the meeting the Mistress, Marsilia, will go? Crap! I still remember what happened with Samuel last time. I don’t trust her.

I really hope it goes well but it probably won't. I don't think they will trust Mercy completely.

Are we doing the stagger method or reading at one go?

Yeah, 5 chapters is news to me too! Looking forward to the discussion.

* Looking around furtively. Did Anomander someone call me? Nah! * I'm reading the book, I promise *muttering along with 3 other books* I don't know how I got into so many buddy reads :(

* Hiding from Anomander * I'm in too!

I'm so sorry, you guys!

Caitrin, are you reading it everyday?

I know I said I'll post yesterday but my work is killing me! I couldn't even sneak a read in my work!! (ok, so I do read during work) I'll read tomorrow and post questions, I promise!!

Sashana wrote: "Vi wrote: "I gobbled up the whole series in a few days (during a looong weekend) sometime last year. Luckily, the last book was released soon after. I'll chime in on the discussions now and then. T..."

I would say it is UF not PNR. Romance is a sub-plot but definitely not the main plot of this story.

I gobbled up the whole series in a few days (during a looong weekend) sometime last year. Luckily, the last book was released soon after. I'll chime in on the discussions now and then. The series is good!