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

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

Yes! There are times audio form is better (or as good) but lots of times when the printed page works best.

DQs Day 2 - Chapters 8 - 13

6) The narration is using dual POVs: 1st person for Opal, 3rd person for Arthur. Does it work for you? Do you think this suits the story?

It works well for me, as I am listening and it's just easier to mentally switch like that.

7) Opal goes to the Library to find out more about Starling House and finds her mother's phone number among the Gravely family's documents. What implications can it have? Do you think it could be a hint about Opal's parentage?

It certainly looks like she (the mom) is connected to the Gravelys. Going through all the documents seemed daunting though.

8) After Bev's story about the relationship between Eleanor Starling and the Gravely brothers, we get a totally different perspective from what Nathaniel Boone went through. What do you think about the Gravely family and their "hold" over the town of Eden? What do you think Nathaniel may have discovered in the dark?
It must be Underworld that he discovered. I'm pretty sure the Gravelys are evil, and maybe the mother kind of escaped from that.

9) Finally we learn some more about about Arthur's role (warden) and his connection to the House. What do you think about their "relationship"? What is your opinion about Starling House as a sentient being? Could it be good or evil?
I think he resents his connection to the house, but isn't willing to leave it. And with the things coming from the basement??? Is that part of Starling House? In that case, it is evil - and I certainly don't feel like it could be good since it doesn't seem to be trying to help him.

10) On "characters not communicating"
I hate when authors do this....a lot. SO much could be solved by communicating. And Opal and her brother need to have a talk - like yesterday. He's definitely old enough that she doesn't need to be so protective. Really, Opal doesn't seem to communicate well with anyone. And Arthur could stand to speak up and talk a little too.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 7

1.) Have you read other books by Alix E Harrow? Was this on your tbr list before it was a BOM selection? Any expectations going in?

No, I OWN the Doors book but haven't read it yet. I guess this book will help me decide how soon that might happen. However, I'm not expecting to love this book - I don't really enjoy most horror. That's why I love challenges though - they take me out of my comfort reads.

2.) Did you read the footnotes as you went along? Find them helpful? Annoying?
I'm listening and they read the footnotes. I'm kind of liking them in that they seem to be establishing our narrator isn't completely reliable.

3.) The discussion of E.Starling's book being too scary for children reminded me of some interviews with M.Sendalk when the Where the Wild Things movie came out several years ago about books, etc that scare children (when children are the target audience). His response was basically children should be scared sometimes and there's nothing wrong with that. And has further said, it's better to have a book full of fears than one pretending there's nothing to be afraid of. What are your thoughts on this topic?
As a child I loved Where the Wild Things Are - it was pleasantly scary. Starling's book seems a bit more grim, but I'll reserve judgement for now.

4.) What are your thoughts so far on Eden and Starling House? Has the author done a good job so far of creating an atmosphere and setting for a good gothic story?
"Gothic" seems like a great word for it. Brooding house and master, grim town, etc. I think the author has done a good job with the setup

5.) Any favorites so far in our motley cast of characters? Opal, Arthur, Jasper, Bev, and Starling House.
I like Jasper the most - I want to see more of him. I do admire Opal's dedication in caring for him - she has a tough life!

thanks Mel! I'll do that right now.

You've been rocking it Cecily!

Wow that is such a cool idea!

Whether in second place (yay!) or first place or last, I adore this team.

@Sophie - a book clock sounds so very interesting!

Thank a bunch! I'm on round 4 of antibiotics now, with a doctor appointment tomorrow - pretty much all I can do is read and sleep. Hope to read more and sleep less soon!

Ok - thanks! My goal is to finish my western non-fiction today and work on that one.

I just noticed the book I have to read for RL book club A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II also works for cornucopia. I was hoping to move my Throne of Grace book into Idaho, but those trappers keep wandering the whole western area, without settling in the state long enough :) But the other book can act as a backup anyway.

I hope you are all doing well!

Thanks for the backroom BOM update - I didn't vote because I was ok with reading either.

Today I am finally feeling much more human - yay! Not much energy yet, but I didn't spend 90% of my time in bed!

I have started a couple of my books that I won't finish til June 1 or later - I had to pick up that Peru one because it is talking about so many things similar to what we saw. So at least that aspect will be fun. And I am loving listening to The Door - thank you for recommending it Mel :)

Day 4: Chapters 28-39

15. The way the different characters react to the trek through the magic wasteland is interesting. With all the magic that flows through this world, why do they not have transport spells? Did this trek remind you of any other stories? The Lord of the Rings, in that the trek is taking forever. It went on way too long imo.


16. We keep being reminded (by the narrator) that the wanderists are not good guys. Do you agree with this assessment?

Yes, they aren't good, but I think people aren't black and white anyway. They are pretty much normal survivors. I don't think any of them is pure evil either.

17. What is your impression of the seven brothers? The Pandorals are benevolent? Really? Do we believe that?
They were spooky and for sure evil - all the death. And manipulative.

18. So. We get to see the apparatus. What would you have done with that temptation?

I think the idea of freedom from past mistakes would make it very difficult to refuse.

19. Is anyone who they say they are? Did you expect Mr. Bones?

I figured Mr. Bones was one of the 7, but I did not expect the reveal in this section.

DQs Day 4 - "Love Has Come to Mean Death" - end

15. I personally haven't read Jane Eyre and therefore can't compare the two books which makes me feel a bit regretting, but then again so many of y'all don't seem to like this as a retelling. Do you think you'd feel differently about the book depending on whether you've read Jane Eyre or not, and do you want to pick up Jane Eyre now if you haven't yet? What if you hadn't been aware of this being a retelling and the characters had different names?
I don't remember the original much, which probably helped me with this reading. BUT the things I DO remember in the original didn't happen here which kind of bothered me. I'm also probably mixing some of the original book with the Jane Eyre musical, which I saw about 10 years ago. For this book, I think I would have been more irritated if I were more familiar with the original story.

16. I was secretly hoping that Agnes had romantic feelings for Antoinette and that she was more involved in the last part of the book, but alas it was Dr. Poole. No big surprise there. Has your opinion of him changed in any way after he "confessed" and tried to help Jane and Edward? And if you could bring someone back from the dead, would you do it? Theoretically you wouldnt be aware of any consequences, but logically I think we've learned that there's always consequences...
I was hoping that about Agnes too! I wouldn't bring anyone back from the dead, but I might like to talk to their Spirit :) Dr. Poole's switch seemed like a delivery mechanism for Jane and Rochester to see the book. Although I suppose it could make sense that he saw that his "love" had changed.

17. Jane came back for Edward and saved him of course, and now they're living happily ever after. How do you feel about them as a couple, and is there anything you would have changed about these last couple of chapters as the author or simply just a fan of the original work?
It was kind of hard to see any chemistry between them, although I did like Edward more than I remember liking the original Rochester. My favorite part of the ending was Jane opening a school for witches - and she could have done that without Edward :)

18. Was this your first book written by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and do you think you'll be reading more by the author? Were your original expectations met? Anything else you want to add? I don't know that I had tons of expectations, and I'm not angry about the book because of that. I will read the author again if one of her books is chosen as a BOM :)


Bonus for everyone but especially those who have read Jane Eyre before: I challenge you to say at least one good thing about Salt & Broom - other than "it ended!!" lol :b I really liked the Mother / Cat

Awesome! It certainly looks like something I'll enjoy!

Qs Day 2 - Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?
I don't really keep anything with myself like that - lol although these days I'd argue that the majority of people keep their phone with them as a talisman. Hmm...so on that note - maybe it's my kindle. As far as being emotionally centered, it's my dog.

7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?
I was glad the interludes were there - I wanted to see what Rochester was thinking.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?
I trusted him at the very first, but then was pretty suspicious of him being in the poison garden. Then after Agnes mentioned him, I'm SUPER suspicious of him! And I hope everyone watches what they eat.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?
Maybe? But also, given the times and child/mother mortality, maybe it's just that.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?
I was surprised but loved the twist!

Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?

I don't really care either way - but since I'm not super familiar with the original names this time it probably is good to see them.

DQs - Day 1 - Prologue-Blackthorn

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?
I read and really liked it - as a teenager. I wonder what I'd think now! I certainly don't remember a whole lot, just the general plot.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?
I don't mind retellings and read various ones every year. It can be fun to think about beloved stories in a different light.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?
I liked this idea - a smallish change. I would have loved to see more of the school.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?
I like them both. And I'm curious about what will happen.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?
I think the occurrences are something supernatural - but I'm not sure what.

Melindam wrote: "I can claim some more "Author's name has a diacritic" tasks as most Hungarian authors' have those in their names, but will wait a bit.

However, I can also recommend some books by author [author:Ma..."
Thank you for the recommendations! I downloaded "The Door" - although I need to finish The Malevolent Seven first.

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 pretty sure we'd see the two children again. But I thought they'd both be alive - I didn't see Lucian's death coming at all. The blood-mage thing with Galass surprised me too - I'll be interested to see what comes of that.

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?
Oh I'd go with animal (dogs) affinity for sure. Or perhaps cats, if big cats were included.

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.
You are not alone :)

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 am almost positive this is correct.

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?
I'm guessing it's because the Glorians are very black and white - with no room for error. Cade seems to see more grey - and can see the good in bad people.

I'm excited for the mini! I finally finished two books - putting them in the SS right after this. I feel bad with my reading this past week - I've been quite sick ever since I got home. I just went to the doctor for the third time and got two huge antibiotic shots to add to my oral antibiotics - so I should feel a lot better soon!