Suzanne’s Comments (group member since Aug 13, 2015)

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

DQs Day 4 Chapters 34 - 44

12. Have you read any of Baduga’s books before? I’m finding this quite different for her dipping into HF. Your thoughts if you have read the others? If not, are you interested in picking up some more of her books?
I liked the Six of Crows series a lot - it helped that in that one I really liked some of the characters, and I enjoyed the action. I've only read the first of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy and am not really interested enough to continue. BUT if I want to continue The King of Scars series, which I thought was pretty good, I'd need to finish Shadow and Bone. Does anyone else have these "seriesous" problems? :)

13. Many of the characters are changing from what they were first presented as. If there anyone you are finding you like more than you did originally?
The changes in Santángel and Valentina were what I liked most about this book.

14. Do you believe there will be a HEA here? Or is Luzia doomed?
I have finished so won't "predict". BUT I pretty much felt like Luzia was a selfish character all of the way through - seeking power above anything. So I wasn't totally anxious for her to have an HEA.


15. Bardugo’s family were expelled from Spain during the inquisition and she said in a People interview “This was something I was passionate about learning about, because it's my own family's history”. Do you think this adds to the story that she has a personal connection ? Is there anything in your family history you wish you could research more?
I think that's very cool! Family history can be so interesting! I'd love to get details in my family's story. And I think it's neat the author learned more of the circumstances her family might have been facing in those times.

DQs Day 2 Chapters 13 - 23

5. Luzia’s refranes combine elements from diverse cultural traditions, creating a powerful form of magic tied to her Jewish heritage. Does the portrayal of Luzia’s magic suggest that blending different cultural traditions enhances personal power and resistance, or does it emphasize the delicate balance and possible loss of identity in such a blend?
I like this question - I hadn't thought about the implications/reasons for the mixed languages. But after the question, I'd vote on the side of making her stronger. I think bringing in great things from diverse cultures is wonderful and each strengthens the other.

6. Characters like Valentina and Hualit demonstrate varying levels of ambition and moral compromise on their paths to security and success. Is pursuit of personal safety and financial security a justifiable reason for ethical compromises, or should ambition be tempered with moral integrity?

I do not like the compromises they have made and the lack of integrity. But I do understand that they are under immense pressure, so who am I to judge, really? But when I DO judge, I feel like they could/should be better.

7. Have you done other reading set in late-16th-century Spain? If not, are you having any problems following the political intrigues and social mores? What’s your favorite time period to read for historical fiction?
I know a little about the time, but certainly not about the royal politics. I do like HF, but probably most of what I've read have been set during the World Wars (so more modern).

8. What do you make of Santángel? At one point we get the line, “And Santángel would be free.” Free from what, do you think?
I listened to this while I was travelling, so I've finished it. But I do like Santángel - he's probably my favorite character.

Nosy bonus question. Are you reading this book for historical fiction, for fantasy, for romance, and/or for DQ points for your BG team? 😉
For sure for the points. I don't really love any of the characters, so I might have stopped reading it early-on if I didn't want those points :)

I mostly liked it. I didn't really LOVE any of the characters, but some of them grew on me. I did really like the ending.

I have my completed books in the spreadsheet. I still need to finish DQs for The Familiar - but that'll have to wait til late afternoon when I get home again :)

I finished the Familiar and am almost done with my nonfiction. I can't update til Sunday and should have a couple more done by then.

Day 1 DQ’s
1- Although Valentia feels shame in her actions to confront Luzia and her magic she still threatens her to use it at her dinner party. What were your thoughts and do you feel bad for Valentia and her desperation?
I don't really LIKE Valentia at all but I do find her a bit sympathetic, or at least have some pity for her. The opening scene with the start of the marriage, made me very sad for her. And when Luzia finally caved in and performed the goblet repair because she saw the look on Valentia's face....I pitied Valentia too.

2-Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house and gave her extra chores. Why do you think Valentia did not want Luzia to leave the house? Valentia is desperately holding on to Luzia, who is the only thing giving her a bit of hope. Of course, that never works.

3-How did using music and song to make Luzia magic work make you feel or think of. Well, it makes sense to me, as I think music is powerful. It also makes me think others may try to copy her. Although I think some of the words may be Jewish, which would be dangerous.

4- Don Victor(De Paredes) shows up at Casa Ordobos to make sure Luzia has a room with and even hints at having her join him if not. Why do you think having Luzia in her own room benefits either of them? He wants to be able to mold her into what he and his master needs.

Stephanie I hope the kitten is ok!

When I finish books that I don't have on the list of shelter books but that fit one or more tasks, is it ok to put notes in the "alternatives" column on the tracking sheet? Then just in case we need them, they can act as backup.

My Liberty's daughter book can be moved up to MPG Science Fiction too. Although really, I'm not too worried - I'll read them no matter what - and if they can help for the shelter - that's great! If not, that's also great!

Melinda, you are like the best juggler of large book tasks that I've ever seen!

@Marty - I moved my #4 in series to the WO section - feel free to move yours up to S55 (the wall #4 place).

Oh Marty - I'll take my #4 out then. It can be a backup

I put Mammoths at the Gates down for #4 in series on wall 2. I'm reading it either way - I'm trying to get the Hugo 2024 nominees finished before July 20th so I can vote responsibly :)

Sophie wrote: "Oh and if anyone wants to read a 5, 13, 16 or 17 to replace mine please say! Getting them all done is likely to be a bit tight for me."

I'm happy to back you up on any of those. If you'd like, we can just wait and see what you need as time goes on. Otherwise, just feel free to choose one :)

Lol - I typed that, then saw Sophie's list above - it looks great! I need to learn to never write stuff on Goodreads when I first get up :)

Sophie wrote: "The 'problem' we've got is definitely a good one to have.

At the moment we've got a wall from 1-8 and another run of 12-19.

As I see it was have a couple of options:

1. Find books to make a run ..."

Is it advantageous to make a run of from 1-24? If so, I think we should do that, as we certainly have the flexible reading power.

If not, well I support whatever we decide, of course. As a bookaholic, I have books of every conceivable series number and am happy to read any of them. And I'm also ok with letting others read for walls, tasks. I'll still be reading stuff either way.

Or....are walls stronger with higher number series? Hmm....that's probably a horrible thing to suggest.

I could be wrong - right now we have two entered in Wall 2 and Wall 3 at #1 and #3. So those would go from 1 to 9. If we want to change one of the walls to do those higher series numbers, we'd have #17 to #24, which would use the two mentioned above, and I guess the ones listed on the "WO's from #17 on (possibly not the 17.5?) That seems doable? Or it looks like we have quite a few people who have put down books going from 13 to 20.

Seems like the "problem" we have is a lot of options - so many willing book readers. Pretty lucky!

I'll take a look later this afternoon and see what is still needed & go from there.

So I put down a 12 and a 1, but now reading up - it looks as if Lauri is searching for a 12 or 20, and there are lots of people naming #1 in series. I 100% don't care if the books I put down go in "the wall" or not - so please replace them if I'm stepping on toes or even just if you found something!

In that series that I put the 12 in, I still need to read books:
2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19. They can be read any order. So I'd be happy to step in with one or two of any in that series!

And yes - I am reading Witch King and can certainly hold off finishing it til July first, if that works!

Sorry - I've been sick/out of it this weekend. This infection I have is antibiotic resistant, and I was mostly in bed! What a day to miss out on!
I have a bajillion series books of any number that I can read. I need to go water the garden then I'll try to see what's still needed. Can I tell from the spreadsheet? There is a LOT of talk above.