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

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

No problem Lisa Kay :)

Lisa Kay, I can be your standby.

I'm in. I can do the questions for July 6th.

Okay, so I was totally absent but I finished the book last night. And I'm still digesting it. Good thing I bought all the four books at one go. I will definitely join the next group read and I promise (to try) to keep up with the pace.

I'm baaack. Didn't have time to read unfortunately. Hopefully I can get back on track tomorrow. Sorry I went missing though :(

@Lisarenee and Lisa Kay

2. I don't think its advisable to call the banners now. True all those stuff happened. But winter is coming!!!! and they would need to conserve their strength. Further Robb is only 15. He needs guidance.

4. I never knew Catelyn's stupidness could go to these bounds. (I read the chapters just before posting the questions) I mean who the heck will capture the younger son of Lannisters in a public inn? Now all the events are escalating out and she is the catalyst. I think its imperative that Ned stays back with the king. In the middle of things. Not in the Winterfell where he would be isolated w/o any news.

6. I agree with you LK. He wants someone to tell everything as it is but does not want that person to disagree with him. He's a study in contradictions. But really, when it does come to politics, he's clueless, but the danger is he does not care. And now, he's a wife-slapper also. I know, times and reason but still doesn't make it pretty to read.

Things I'm really looking forward to read: the cronies prediction of Dany's child. More Dany besting Viserys.

First, Congrats everybody. We've crossed the 50% mark. Yay! Great going to us :P

1. How's your perception of Dothrakis? What do you think of them as a civilization?

2. Do you think Robb is correct in agreeing with Greyjoy's decision to call the banners? Do you think the Starks (well, some of them) can trust Greyjoy?

3. Did the men have some reason in coming so close to Winterfell?

4. With all the events that are taking place now, do you agree that Catelyn was wrong in going to Lysa place?

5. Tyrion took a very bold chance. What do you think he was trying to achieve?

6. Bah, Robert is soo not on my like-list. Now he wants Ned back as the Hand. What do you think of this?

I'm still catching up on the reading. I'm reading the fever series now and totally forgot about the questions. I'll post the questions in a while.

Lisarenee, I can do the questions for Saturday. Let me know if its ok.

Yes! That's exactly what I was thinking. We don't know the situation of the laypeople in the kingdom but I suspect it won't be good. Yes, in a way, I think they would be encouraging the debt and they sure won't be helping the unrest, if present. But, like Ned, I'm still surprised how such a high debt came to!

Yeah, I'm with Sarah also. At this point, I'm guessing what the over-arching story line is and I'm crap with politics and tactics.

My one theory is while Robert might not be a good king, the Lannisters also encouraged him to be. And maybe, there might have been some inflation of the debt. While we all know that Lannisters will play a major part, the incidents just keep piling on and on.

And I don't know why but while Littlefinger might still have feelings on Catelyn but when it comes to war/politics, I don't think he might be on the same side as her. But that's just me.

And crap, haven't read yesterday's chapters yet. Work, I hate you!

Questions for Chapter 20 (Eddard) to Chapter 23 (Daenrys)

1. The treasury is more than 6 millions in debt . Did that surprise you? What do you think are its implications? Do you think that it is really 6 million in debt or was it made out to be to that amount?

2. Based on the chapters so far, what is your opinion of Robert? Were you able to get a handle on him?

3. Do you think the Starks were wise in trusting Littlefinger? Does Littlefinger still think of Catelyn favorably?

4. Do you think that the North and the Wall with its beyond is being taken too lightly? Due to the long summer, have people forgotten about it? What do you think of Mormont's request?

5. Tyrion's leaving the watch. Have you any idea/theory behind Tyrion's journey? Is it to analyze the strength/weakness of the Night watch if in case of war?

6. Jon seems to have heeded Tyrion's and Donal Noye's advice. And after Bran's news, he seems to have matured a bit. We also learn that Ben is also missing. And Jon's statement also seems to be some kind of omen. Has anything happened to Ben? Will Jon have to go after him?

7. Ned's advice to Arya is full of wisdom. Arya seems to understand that but what about Sansa? Will Arya and Sansa ever reconcile?

8. I was surprised when Ned had Arya taught "dancing" lessons. Were you surprised? Looks like this will shape Arya and Sansa's future. Agree or Disagree?

9. Oh Boy, I knew Dany would be ass-kicker if only given the chance. And Vicious had got what was coming to him. What do you think of that incident? Do you think that Dany will have a greater role as time goes on? Especially given the last scene in the chapter where Dany takes command?

10. Man, looks like the eggs might just turn viable. Are we going to see dragons? Does this have any significance more with Dany as the one who might "Wake" the dragon? Such an interesting possibility, isn't it?

11. And looks like Dany is pregnant (As an aside, so soon???). What will be the significance of the baby? And with the dragon egg on the other side as well?

Ok, its 7:20 pm here and I'm still stuck at work :( :(. Will post the questions later though, I suppose it's not thaat late for most of you.

No Problem at all. Feel free to assign questions later on as well :). Thanks for hosting. It's been a fun session so far. Thanks everyone for making the reading fun :)

Lisarenee wrote: "Yes, June 14 - Chapter 20(Eddard) - Chapter 23 (Daenrys).

Thank you :)"

Hi lisarenee, the qns are to be posted on june 14, right? I can do then.

Carol, now that you point out what Eddard/Ned could have said, I'm also getting suspicious. The question is whether Lyanna's rape is well known of? If it is, then why hide the consequence, i.e Jon? Or am I missing something here?

Lisarenee, just noticed that we don't have volunteers for the questions. I can do some. Just let me know which day :)

Vi's answers to Lisa Kay’s Questions for Bran(8) – Daenerys(11)

1) Before you found out what happened, were you apprehensive about Bran climbing all over Winterfall, especially when you discovered he was crawling the outer walls fraught with loose mortar? Did his direwolf cub’s growl cause you to have a sense of impending doom?

Yes, I thought it was a warning of some sort but did not expect the ending..

2) Did it take you long to figure out who the man and woman were whom Bran overheard? Did you surmise both their identities at the same time, or just one?

Huh, I knew the identities immediately after I read the starting. I thought it was pretty obvious (or maybe it's just me). With all the incest going on, we have to wonder about the kids. On an aside, how are they casting this in the show?

3) We learn from their dialogue that these two wished the King ill; did you think eavesdropping was an effective way to learn this? “That frighten cow shared Jon Arryn’s bed.” What do you deduce from this statement?

This part confused me. I'm not sure who they are referring to. And yes, eavesdropping was the only way to learn this.

4) Since Bran is a POV character in this story, it would be surprising if he died so early in the story; therefore, what condition do you think he will be in after the push? (Any comments about the push?)

I didn't expect Bran to take the hand. I know he's still young but really, what was he thinking? Once he took the hand though, I expected the push. To be fair, either way, he would have been a goner. I don't think he'd be able to walk.. nor climb. Poor guy.

5) Were you surprised Tyrion slapped Prince Joffrey not once, but twice? What do you think his reasons were for emphatically insisting Prince Joffrey put aside his contemptuous attitude and seek out Lord and Lady Stark?

Yes. I was surprised. But I think of all the three siblings, Tyrion is the only one who cares at least a bit and maybe tries to be honest and fair? And hopefully Joffrey will be a somewhat better man for this instead of the idiot he is now. Though with the people surrounding him, I doubt it.

6) How much do you think Tyrion knows about the secrets of Queen Cersei and her twin, Ser Jaime, the Kingslayer?

I think he knows more that what the twins think he knows. It is actually easy to overlook guys such as him and Jon. Not favored, easily ignored. And due to the circumstances, they'd probably know how to walk silently, avoid people etc.

7) How did you feel about Jon Snow defying Catelyn in order to say good-bye to Bran? Why do you think she told him about her prayers?

Initially I didn't like Catelyn for this. Now she's high on my dislike list. How can you show such a dislike towards a kid? And it's been, what 13-14 years? Shouldn't she be used to it by now? He already has enough problems being a bastard. I am not sure why she told him her prayers but she could have been more cruel because Bran's like this and she feels guilty because of the prayers. Reminds me of: Be careful of what you wish for. You might just get it.

8) Forget Viserus’ brooding boorishness at the wedding; to me, Magister Illyrio seems overly invested in Daenerys’ behavior. Are his reasons of a pedantic, prurient, or purely solicitous nature?

Nah, he definitely has something up his sleeve. Something he looks to gain from this. His helping Viserus is also fishy to me. He has some plans but whether that includes helping Viserus get the kingdom; I don't know.

9) Are the three dragon eggs gifted to Dany by Magister Illyrio still viable? If so, does he know this? Are his actions and gift-giving consistent with his moral nature and personality?

I am not sure too. It's like saving face. He has basically sold Daenerys and in return, she cannot be sent without a proper dowry/gifts. So, it could be a tactical move. On an aside, how cool would it be if the eggs turn out to viable and you actually get a dragon?

10) Looks like Khal Drago can only communicate to Daenerys with one word, but he uses it effectively, no? Comments.

I'm hoping that this relationship might just work. From the glimpses with the horse incident, I feel that Daenerys might be a better person if she was in a different atmosphere where she need not be afraid all the time. I think her growth (if it happens) will be interesting to read.

This sucks. I'm at work and not able to comment properly.

I agree with Sarah. More than finding the right actor, it was just easier for them to cast an older person. If a 13 yr old was casted, I think there would be lot of complaints. While we all know that this was how it was in the medieval ages, most of people watching are not interested in the reality of how it was. They just want a good show where it all censored to their expectation.

Lisa Kay, your answers are too good. Almost what I was thinking.. which means I have nothing more to add really.