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

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

I turned in Centaur and we got yet another Lion. I have a book I will finish tomorrow that covers 2, 4, 5 (set in Africa, open plain, and features a cat). CB has finished a book that covers 1 and 3, but it also covers 4 tasks of monster B, so not sure if we should use it.

Then the OTHER Nemean Lion got killed - go team! For that one, it's replaced with Sirens again - which is, in my opinion, a hard set of tasks!
T371 Read a book between 100 and 125 pages (inclusive).
T372 Read a book that takes place on a boat or ship.
T373 Read a book with a character who is deaf (any degree acceptable)
T374 Read a book with a rope on the cover.
T375 Read a book with "Mermaid" in the text.

We have now conquered/are fighting 75 monsters - wow!

I can read Sad Cypress which works for MPG classics and character considered wise. If someone finishes one sooner (or one that fits all 3 prompts) that's fine. This one for sure fits others like white cover, bird on cover, and probably more I don't know about yet.

I briefly thought I'd found a book that fit both set in Persia and Man Eater, but it's set in Iraq, not Iran, and Iraq isn't on the list. Disappointing!

Yes - sorry we were doing a birthday party thing all day and I finally got to my computer. I'll add those right now.

Nice job Cris!

I just started a 501 page book (no body of water) on audio (just finished Ariadne). I too have one with a body of water that I need to finish at some point, but not sure which kindle book I'll read first.

Oh awesome you have something to cover. Then I won't feel so pressed to finish. I should have seen it in the captains thread anyway-but there is a lot of life stuff going on! Last night I found my kindle by my bed where I'd left it the night before. *gasp* I think it's been years since I haven't picked it up for a day -although I did finish a book using audio so I'm not dead yet :) .

And thanks Ushashi, I'll get that link fixed. Oops!

I found a "Rock on cover" book that I put on the spreadsheet for that task, but I doubt I'll finish it before Saturday - I have a lot going on the next two days. So if anyone finishes one first, feel free to replace it.

DQ's Day 4 - 19th June
"Angrboda was redjusting her pack basket..."
"Angrboda couldn't argue with that." 81%

16. So in addition to her past life as Gullveig, Angrboda is also the Old One, Mother Witch, the wise old woman in the woods and a healer. I can understand wanting to forget about her time as Gullveig but why do you think she can't remember anything from the time before? Do you think she'll recover these memories at some point? She's recovered her power, with a little help from Freyja but still seems to be holding back. How powerful do you think she really is? Do you think she'll go all in and if so what do you think will happen?
I HOPE she'll recover all her memories because I think what she did in the time before sounds very interesting. As it is, I really like the glimpses we get of the things she was able to do (like ride the wolf). I suspect she is VERY powerful, and may be an important part of the scene of destruction that she's forseen.

17. "There's no power in the cosmos that can escape what's coming". Angrboda, Odin, Skadi and a few others now know about Ragnorok and, with Loki killing Odin's son, his punishment and the start of the long winter it seems to be the beginning of the end. Do you think it's better to know what's coming like Angrboda and Odin or would you prefer, like Loki, not to know? Do you think knowing or not knowing will make any difference to what happens? Do you think there's anything Angrboda can do to change the outcome? I'd prefer to know what's coming...maybe. Although it'd probably drive me crazy. Because if it's really coming then the outcome can't be changed, but it'd be hard to resist trying.

18. "I'm the one who's done the most evil among the Aesir, and if nothing else, at least they'll remember my name. That's more than one can say for you." We know a lot more about Loki now, what do you think of him as a character? Why do you think he acts the way he does? Angrboda thinks Loki may have killed Baldur for his daughter's sake. Do you believe he genuinely cares about Hel? What about Angrboda and his sons, do you think he loves them or are they a means to an end? Will Angrboda forgive him despite all he's done?I think Loki loves Hel as much as he is capable of loving anyone. Probably more than he loves the others. I hope Angrboda doesn't forgive him, or at least doesn't go back to him. Really loving people might require sacrifice, and I don't think Loki is capable of that.

19. It seems like Skadi and Angrboda are on the brink of becoming more than friends when Skadi announces that she's joining the giants in the fight against the gods. She wants to go down fighting for her people and to avenge her father. Were you surprised she wants to go out fighting rather than staying with Angrboda? Has this changed your mind about why Skadi accepted marriage in recompense for her father's death?I think its 100% in character for Skadi to join the giant's side and fight - I would have been disappointed if she stayed with Angrboda. I never did really figure out why she accepted the marriage thing.

20. We're moving on to the final section now. What do you think Angrboda will do now that she's alone again? Do you think she'll be reunited with her family? Loki? Any predictions for how it will all end?I want her to be reunited with her children but not Loki. My wish is that she wanders the world forever, healing people :)

DQs Day 4:

15. What do you think about Dionysus' encounter with Hades, the god of the Underworld?
I thought it was neat that Dionysus wanted to get his mother, even though she didn't remember him. It was maybe a bit convenient that he was able to get her out of the Underworld, but the gods are so whimsical and arbitrary that it wasn't a stretch of the imagination.

16. It seems like Ariadne loves her life in Naxos, what do you think of her relationship with Dionysus?
I like her relationship with Dionysus, and I really like Dionysus in this story - he seems different. Of course, I'm not sure I can believe that (just like Ariadne seemed worried about that). I was surprised she was happy, since she's so isolated from others, but she seems content on Naxos.

17. Ariadne is horrified by the bloody rites she witnesses between Dionysus, the maenads, and the resurrected goat. In attempting to understand the maenads’ participation, she reflects: “The ritual gave fearful shape to the anger and the grief that had driven so many of them here in the first place; they screamed and danced in their blood-soaked frenzy by night so that they could live serenely in the sunlight.” Does this explanation make sense to you?
It was pretty horrifying - so I don't blame her! I thought her explanation made sense. The scene brought out to me that it didn't feel all that great to be immortal - there's obviously a lot of anger. And I believe it was said earlier in the book that it's also hard to experience things like love without the potential of loss.

18. Were you more drawn to Ariadne’s or Phaedra’s chapters? Why do you think the author chose to include both of their perspectives?
I think the book is more interesting from the two perspectives, since we are getting some entirely different scenes and events. I think I'm a little more drawn to Phaedra's chapters because she recounts some of the myths I'm a bit familiar with and it's fun seeing them fit into a new story.

Wow Christina - I just tried it again and I feel like a whole new world has opened up to me. Google books...is ... awesome!

Lol I need to try it again. I have always failed before, so obviously am doing something wrong. So...you're magical to me!

Oh I think it must have gotten found/turned in with some justification. Christina is really good at finding things in Google. But now we have a backup if anyone asks :)

Here is the one replacing the Python. He's pretty mean looking!
Manticore



The man-eating Manticore has been terrorizing your people. Very hard to kill with 3 rows of sharp teeth that completely devour their victims. Not even the bones left to bury. If you find them, it's best to turn them into a nice 'Persian" rug before they decide to eat you first.

To vanquish this monster you must:
1.) Read a book between 500 and 650 pages (inclusive).
2.) Read a book set in Persia (Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan and Pakistan).
3.) Read a book with the letters MAN EATER in title (any order).
4.) Read a book with MPG Paranormal > Shapeshifters.
5.) Read a book with a 3 in the publication date.

I'll read Fireheart Tiger tonight for the 100-125 pages. I need to finish it for my Hugo award voting - I think it's my last novella to read. But it for sure fits other tasks too/ or we don't have to use it if someone finishes a different book first.

DQs Day 2 — "He stayed with her as the days ..." to "... given her daughter a new obsession" - 40%

6. After Angrboda performs seid for the first time again, she starts having dreams where she hears someone calling to and beckoning her. Angrboda doesn't believe it to be Odin at first, but her suspicion changes over time. Who do you think it could be? I have no idea who it is. Odin is the obvious suspect, but maybe it's an enemy of Odin. If I knew more about Norse mythology maybe I'd have a better idea.

7. Skadi reappears in this section, having left her husband behind. Do you think he'll come back into the story later? Why do you think she chose a husband as recompense in the first place? I think we'll never actually see Skadi's husband - he seems unimportant to the main story. I think perhaps she chose a husband as a reward because it sounds like it makes her part goddess? Plus maybe she wanted the hot guy. Too bad he had ugly feet :)

8. Hel was born with "dead" legs (or dead flesh on fully functioning legs? I'm honestly a little confused by it) and when she over exerts herself she starts turning blue. Angrboda attributes this to when she tried to save her daughter — but I'm not so sure. Do you have any theories on what the cause could be? Is it as simple as Angrboda believes, or do you think it's something bigger to be revealed later on?I looked up Hel and discovered she was Queen of the Underworld, which made the dead legs make sense. They really bothered me! I'd love to read a story about Hel - she is an interesting little girl.

9. There have been several mentions of a witch who birthed a race of wolves who chase the sun and moon so far in the story — and now Angrboda has given birth to a wolf. Do you think she is the Old one the stories reference? Or, if not, do you think we will meet that character later on? I'd guess it's Angrboda. Although I also really liked how Hel said "he chose to be a wolf shape" like that was totally natural.

10. Angrboda decides not to tell Loki about his and his family's involvement in her vision of the beginning of the end. What do you think of her decision? Do you think she made the right choice in not telling him?He isn't really a person she bounces worries/ideas off, so I think not telling him was pretty natural.

Now that I've read more about Loki as father, I think he's pretty good. And there is the typical father gets the kids riled up and mom has to calm everyone down. At least that happened a lot with MY kids.

Oh no Leslie - that sounds miserable! Sorry that happened.

And thanks Elena

Christina, our spreadsheets seem ok! That's so frustrating to be without internet on your laptop when you should have it!!

Alyana, I specifically come on here before bed to say how great your questions are. They are excellent! Nice job!

DQs Day 2

1. Have you heard of Theseus before? What do you think of his backstory, does it compare with other well-known Greek heroes like Hercules and Achilles? Do you think it fits his humble and collected demeanor in the previous chapter?
I may of heard of Theseus at some point, but I sure don't remember him. I can't see a lot of similarity between his story and Hercules and Achilles - but that's because what I know of their stories have a lot more interaction with the gods and Theseus seems to be doing more his own thing.


6. I don’t know about you, but “insta-love” stories royally annoy me. Ariadne spends a significant part of these chapters reveling in her undying and world-changing love and devotion to someone she just met. Do you think this is realistic, or just a cheap plot ploy from the author?
I have insta-love too, but I can kind of see it happening here because Ariadne wanted so much to get away, plus he was a lot better looking than her perspective husband.

7. Why do you think Theseus left Ariadne on the island with no heads up whatsoever? How do you feel about her thoughts and actions, as she processes this new reality?
I totally think Theseus deserted Ariadne (and I expected him to as soon as they left Phaedra behind). I was surprised that it wasn't her first thought and that it only sunk in once she saw all the food they left. I HATED she still dreamed of his returning/sleeping with him.

8. During the "great escape", Phaedra is left behind - do you think it was by accident, or purposefully (and if so, why)? Do you think it was wise of her to return to the Palace?
I think it was on purpose and it must be because it would have been harder to sleep with Ariadne if Phaedra was there. And I think she had no choice but to go back to the palace, but she could be in big trouble!

9. A common theme in Greek mythology is the linear progression of Fate - from Hubris (thinking and acting as if one is a God), to Atis (blindness of one’s puny nature, leading the mortal to commit an unforgivable or insulting act), to Nemesis (the anger and revenge of the Gods), and finally Tisis (the mortal’s punishment). Where have you noticed this process so far? Where do you think Nemesis will strike next?
I am kind of anxious to see Nemesis hit Theseus, although we shall see. Seems like these stories are always a lot less fair to women. If it does happen, I think it'll take awhile.

DQs Day 1

1. Excited about the book, or just here for the points? Were you familiar with the myths behind the story before starting this book? I'm somewhat familiar with the myths behind this story. I just picked up the book because of the points, but I'm really enjoying the name dropping of heroes and monsters and how it relates to the TT challenge!

2. "Let me tell you a story..." I don't know about you, but I love opening lines like that. Do you have a favourite opening line? Have you ever bought a book on the strength of the opening line alone? (I have!)
What a fun question to think about! My mind immediately went to "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...." which I still really like as an opener. I also like:
"There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it" (Voyage of the Dawn Treader)
And I like from Terry Pratchett (don't remember what book) Everything starts somewhere, although many physicists disagree.

3. Asterion: The early years. I bet no-one was fooled by the few paragraphs of almost sweet baby and toddler descriptions: This was always going to end with a monster in a maze of course.
But do you think it served well as a way to establish Ariadne's character? It felt very epic to me - yes it was a good establishing "shot"

4. What do you think of the writing so far? There's a lot of description and narration and very little dialogue, which tries in with the idea that Ariadne is telling the story to the reader. It allows for a lot more depth and detail than more dialogue-heavy storytelling does. Is that a style you enjoy, or do you prefer the faster pace of a book that is more about character interaction? I generally prefer more dialogue and characterization. This one is so formal. But this writing totally fits the style of the story!

DQs Day 1
Beginning to "... a promise she knew that she couldn't keep."

1.) What attracted you to this book? BOM points? That COVER? Because of the Norse Retelling angle to the story? Any expectations you'd like to share?
The BOM points were what attracted me to the book, but I do like the twisty art on the cover. I actually don't know enough to compare the story to other retellings, but I'm enjoying it so far!


2.) What did you think of Angrboda's first meeting with Loki? I mean he brought her heart back in his knapsack basically because he was bored. But he was so charming, I'm not sure I'd care either. Though it didn't hurt I kept picturing him as Tom Hiddleston. LOL Loki is so totally impulsive. I liked that she didn't sleep with him quite away and that she seems to understand what/how he is.

3.) Thoughts on Skadi? Why do you think she helped Angrboda in the first place? And to such an extent? If Skadi was male, how different do you think that interaction would of been? I love Skadi - the way she is helpful and protective. I'm not sure WHY she helped Angrboda to such an extent, and she's so non-judgemental and thoughtful. If Skadi were male and acted just the same hmm....maybe I would have expected more romantic angles. But I kind of still did expect some romantic feelings so ??


4.) The quote from Skadi, "Time doesn't matter unless you are keeping track of it." Resonated with me. What do you think of this? Do you agree with the statement? I love that quote too. But right now Skadi is probably my favorite character.

5.) Loki's reaction to the pregnancy was, let's go with interesting. What type of father are you expecting him to be? Do you think he will be a functioning part of the child's life? Oh man, I did not like hearing about his other marriage. It interested me that this baby has gestated longer than that of his other wife. I'd expect he won't be a good or present father.