Rebecca ’s Comments (group member since Sep 03, 2016)

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

I don’t but I will look tonight sorry

Thanks-sorry I had originally thought it was initials but then I looked at another teams page and they had it within the author’s name. Back to the drawing board 🤣😂

I just finished Get Lucky. Could someone please update the spreadsheet for me so we can get a new task? I would do it myself but I’m away from my computer. Thank you!

DQs Day 3 - Chapters 10-14

9. As he walks through the Daeva Quarters, Ali is shot by a toy arrow, let loose by one of the children playing about. Rashid suggests to Ali that he should punish the boy by taking him to be raised in the Citadel, which Ali refuses. What do you think this says about Ali, and about others in the city’s upper echelon?

I think to a point Ali doesn't enjoy being a royal. He is "above" the games that the upper echelon like to play. I think he is a good person and knows that the kid didn't mean anything by hitting him with the arrow. I don't think removing the child would help the situation.

10. Nahri and Dara have a moment, but are interrupted. Do you like this partnership, romantically or otherwise? Is it doomed, or meant to be?

It's fine, adds some to the story and is probably meant to be. I think because this is a YA book it almost has to have some type of romance.

11. We learn about the terrible conditions in the shafit orphanage and the difficult lives all the shafit are forced into. Even though he immediately refuses to help, how do you think this will influence him in the future?

I'm hoping that someday when he is King that he will remember the orphanage and change it for the better. Right now his hands are tied and there is very little he can do. I have a feeling nothing will happen until one of the next books.

12. As Dara and Nahri cross the last illusion shielding Daevabad, Nahri has an odd reaction and ends up flat on her back on the deck of the ferry, with Dara rudely refusing anyone’s assistance. Do you think this was caused by something related to what Nahri is, or something else?

Not really sure...but then again I'm kind of lost in this book.

13. Muntadhir takes Ali to a secret room filled with dead Nahids. Do you think this room will be a turning point for Ali? Do you think Dara will discover this and his relic, and what do you think will follow if he does?

Could be. He seemed very upset about the dead Nahids and wants to right things. Oh I definitely think she'll discover it because it's going to become an integral part of the story I'm guessing. Not really sure what will happen but hopefully it will be for the good.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?

I am totally confused at this point and am struggling to read this book. I'm at a 1 but I'm hopeful it will all come together soon.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?

I did not know anything about Suleiman and I now I'm going to have to go look him up. I think it was good he was included considering the time period and setting of this book.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?

It makes me more excepting of him because it explains his personality some.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?

Hard to say being a king comes with a lot of decisions that are not necessarily easy to make because the situation may not be cut and dry. I'd like to think he's a good ruler but that's my inherent need to find good in everyone. I'm hoping he turns out to be more good than bad.

I can do the RITA award one

Sorry, it's been a slower reading week for me. I'm hoping to finish The City of Brass tomorrow. I can't fully put my finger on it but for some reason I'm just not connecting to it but I WANT those BOM points so I'm going to power through it lol

DQs Day 1, Ch 1-5


1. This book begins in 18th century Cairo, with France and Turkey fighting over Egypt. I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before. Have you? Were you familiar with it before you started reading?
No, I have never encountered it either or at least not that I remember. I'm not familiar with it.

2. Nahri has several mysterious powers, including healing, the ability to sense illness in others, and the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. Which of her powers would you like for yourself?
All of them! Each power could be used for so much. Can you imagine how much healing could be done across the world? You would be able to diagnose with one power, speak to the person in their language about the diagnosis and then be able to heal them. That's pretty awesome.

3. What do you think of the world building so far? Do you find it confusing, or do you feel like you’re along for the ride?
I find it extremely confusing. There are so many words I've never read before. I know some are of the author's making but I also know some are real words. It's hard to distinguish between the two.

4. So far we’ve met 3 significant players in this book: Nahri, Ali, and Dara. Do you have a favorite character so far, or one who intrigues you the most?
If I had to choose I guess I would say Nahri. I understand her the most so far.

I found one for weird-Coraline. It has 30,640 words so should be done tonight or tomorrow morning. I also found one for the 2017 list that’s short. I’m hoping to finish both sometime tomorrow

Managed to finish Escape before the deadline-whew! That’s it for May for me

Just finished Kings of the Wyld and I have one more book for May that I'm hoping to get in before I start my chipmunk. I'm hoping to have that one ready to post shortly after the June start time.

We did an awesome job this month! Go Neeznaa go!!!

Tricia wrote: "I'm headed out of town for a funeral so won't be making any updates to the spreadsheet until I get back on Monday. I'm 44% through my 500 page book so that will definitely happen. Will also plan to..."

Sorry for your loss...I hope everything went well this weekend.

DQ Day 3
Chapters 16-21


11. The fight with Raff's old band (who looked like clowns) that ended with snakes is one of the first times we see the almost full band working together. What did you think of this scene? Did you like the action or was it confusing?
I'm not very good with fight scenes, I try to follow along, get lost, end up re-reading, get lost again and then hope that a character somehow summarizes what happened.

12. So the hoarder kobolds - I thought they were great! And the bird-like creatures pulling the carriage. Do you have a favorite creature you've seen so far, or one you'd like to see? Tell why.
I'd like to see a dragon especially since the Kings supposedly almost killed one when they were at their peak. I don't want them to kill one I just want to see what they would do.

13. I think in the last half of this section we really start understanding what a big deal the Kings of Wyld really were. And we get to compare them to the Screaming Eagles. What do you think about the ethics and popularity of the new bands that kill captive monsters in arenas?
It's for entertainment and shock value kind of what wrestling is like these days. The wrestlers arent' really wrestling it's all a show. The new bands are in it for entertainment not because they are really true mercenaries.

14. Lastleaf gave his (and the hordes') motivations for conquest. Do you think his reasons were valid, or is he just evil? Do you feel at all sorry for the monsters?
His reasons seem valid I guess but I do think he is evil to a point. It seems to be humans vs monsters and I'm not really liking either side in this battle. There are good humans, there are bad humans, there are good monsters, there are bad monsters. I guess I would have to say I feel bad for individual humans and individual monsters if I knew more about each one.

15. We all picked our favorite character in day 1 questions. Has yours changed since then?
I can't remember if I picked one or not but Moog is definitely my favorite. He's so goofy and funny. He can't seem to get his magic right but it always works out in the end.

DQs: Day 3, Chap 12 - 18

10. I've noticed Carlota's perceptions are often described using non visual cues: she hears a lot, and even smells Montgomery behind her bedroom door but then dismisses the idea. After her attack, she finds herself noticing that "Her fingers, in the mirror, looked very long, the nails almost too sharp and the eyes...". Do you feel Carlota ever questions her own nature as a human/hybrid or is she too ingenuous to do so? Do you also feel the author is using alternate senses and, if so, as clues for the reader or red herrings?
I think she does question her own nature but at the same time dismisses it because why would she think she's a hybrid. There are definite clues such as her sickness as a child and having to take medicine yet we never know what illness she had or why she has to continue to take medicine.

11. For much of this part, I felt Montgomery was conflicted regarding his feelings for Carlota. He "writes" to his wife using what I felt was a brotherly perspective only to realise, a few lines and drinks later, he could not resist kissing her if she were there in that moment. What did you make of this change of heart and do you find his various missteps bring something to the story?
I don't know that his missteps bring anything to the story than of course he was going to have the hots for her she's the only girl around or that he's laid eyes on for years. He'd be unusual to not feel this way.

12. We're already halfway through the story - Doctor Moreau and Montgomery are both complex characters. Am I alone in thinking Carlota and her hybrid friends deserve to be more thoroughly fleshed out and layered?
I would like to hear more about the hybrids and I think that is going to be coming very soon.

13. What did you make of the scene where Carlota loses her virginity by the cenote - did her reaction seem natural to you or did you find yourself questioning her fearlessness? In your opinion, if Carlota is herself a hybrid, what effect might that have on their progeny?
Since the hybrids are sterile and I have good reason to believe she is a "successful" hybrid there's no chance of a progeny. As far as the sex scene goes she thinks she's in love with Eduardo and is very naive and trusting so of course she jumped in feet first.

14. There's a storm brewing as the hybrids plan to join Juan Cumux and Carlota attempts to retrieve her father's notes and formulas. Do you think the hybrids will remain subservient once they remove themselves from Doctor Moreau's influence or could the story turn dark?
I don't think they will remain subservient that would make for an extremely boring book.

DQ Day 2
Chapters 9 - 15

6. We meet the 3rd member of the band, the wizard Moog. What are your impressions of the wizard? Were you as surprised as Clay that he agreed to go right away?
I like Moog! I think he's quirky and fun and reminds me of Mad Max from The Princess Bride. Not surprised at all, he seems like he is ready for an adventure and to be with people he cares for.

7. That was some entrance to the palace, don't you think? What were your first impressions of Matrick? Were you surprised by the turn of events in chapter 11? Excited or worried when Moog announces that he had a plan?
Yes it was, I loved that the phylatery had gotten all over them and they were all sporting boners "zero to hero as advertised" haha Matrick seems kind of down in the dumps because he knows his wife is cheating on him but he loves all the kids even though they aren't his. He seems like he's ready for a change. I was excited that Moog has a plan because I knew that crazy times would be coming up.

8. After several descriptions sprinkled thoughout the story thus far, we finally meet a druin. What do you think his plan is? Why does he really want the Council to stand down?
He wants to take over the world. Not really sure about that.

9. Were you surprised at how Lillian arranged the funeral? What did you think of Clay's contribution? How successful would you rate Moog's plan?
No, she seems like a real piece of work. Clay missing with the arrows was genius because it Moog's plan in motion. His plan was quite successful because it kept Matrick alive although a little worse for the wear.

10. Gabriel borrows Moog's crystal ball to check on his daughter. Were you surprised at what he saw? What did you think of the band's reaction?
No, not really I expected it to be bad. Their reaction was exactly what I thought it would be, they must go on at all costs to rescue Rose.

Lexi wrote: "Not sure who told you on background, but Tineye was used for a while, but the rule changed as it occasionally is very, very wrong. It can be very confusing, so not your fault at all.

For instance..."

Definitely not any shade of pink I've ever seen LOL

DQs: Day 2, Chap 6 – 11

6. As Sonia noted, we jump six years. Do the characters, especially Carlota, feel six years older? Do you like books that have time jumps or would you have preferred to see Montgomery get used to working in his new jobs? (Sonia already asked about the fallout but feel free to add that here).
Carlota definitely does not seem six years older. I think that's due to the fact that she is so sheltered. She was talking about Lupe wanting to travel and how she couldn't believe how anyone would want to leave there. Montgomery seems a little more mellowed out. The time jump didn't bothered me it seemed needed. Carlota needed to be older to get the story rolling.

7. Do you like the method of telling the same scene from both points of view? Is there one point of view you prefer?
I don't mind dual POVs as long as it's not massively repetitive or every detail i.e. repetition of conversations. I like to know what's going on in the minds of the different characters. I don't have a favorite at this point.

8. And we have the start of a love triangle. What do you think of the two young men and Carlota’s reaction to them?
Eduardo seems like a pompous, entitled jerk. I feel like Carlota doesn't know what to do since she is so sheltered and has never encountered anything like this before.

9. So far these feels very much like a historical fiction book with relationships being forwarded over the science and hybrids. Do you agree, and were you expecting that?
I agree so far but I have a feeling this is going to change, I almost feel like it has to change to being more scientific in order for the story to be what it's supposed to be. It wasn't written solely as a romance.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?
One of my cats! They are very spoiled. I used to work with a guy that always said in his next life he wants to come back as one of my cats lol

Lexi wrote: "TinEye is not always to be trusted on colors. Also, never exclude background color as we want the entire cover for color percent.

Edited: On second thought, it is the color of a post-it-note whic..."

Sorry I thought TinEye was what we are supposed to use. Sometime in the past someone told me (captain or co-captain can't remember which) that when they excluded the background...

DQs: Day 1, Chap 1 - 5

1. Have you read the original Island of Dr Moreau book? Or watched any of the films? I only saw the 1996 movie, so, in my head, I keep seeing Dr Moreau as Marlon Brando, Val Killer as Montgomery and Fairuza Balk as Carlota.
No and I really have very little idea about what it's about.

2. In the movie, Fairuza was one of the hybrids, although here, she only has "treatments" with jaguar genetic code. Do you think it's just a ruse from the doctor and she is actually the first hybrid?
I think it's a ruse she's actually the first somewhat successful hybrid.

3. Montgomery's past was a sad one. And he looks like just a drunk with some natural instincts to protect the innocent. Were you surprised he was considering not to accept the job, and then when the incident happens and he needs to kill the hybrid he decides to stay?
I am kind of surprised that he was considering not to accept the job. I think because he had to kill the hybrid he's curious now as to what could possibly happen.

4. I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't explain exactly how his studies came to be. In a scientific point of view, how is it even possible? We're in the 1870s... way before in vitro fertilization or genetic advances... and he manages to separate and mix genomes, or as called in the book gemmules? Not to mention that the original story was written way before cloning was a thing....
It's a book they can do whatever they want there's no boundary line to the imagination. There doesn't have to be a reason.

5. So, hybrids are dangerous. Specially when they're still developing, and their animal instincts are overpowering the human ones (in theory, since we had no idea what the level of brain maturity the developing hybrid was). Back in the movie, there is a rebellion and it doesn't end well for humans. Do you think it will be the case here?
I don't know hard to say because I have no background on the other books or movies.

And a bonus, Am I the only one that is sad that we're jumping 6 years? I wanted to see the fall out from the incident.
I'm ok with it, let's get the show on the road lol This isn't really my genre so I'm ready to get a move on.

Tricia wrote: "

Does this book cover work as a color? It's essentially cream, but since that isn't a color on the rainbow, I was thi..."

According to TinEye it's 59.5% grey and if you exclude the background color it"s 79.6% white. I would do white since grey isn't one of the colors we need