Kerri’s Comments (group member since Sep 29, 2015)

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

Actually, I found a book I can read that has Paranormal Romance listed in the main page, so I can take that one as my second book.

I have a question about the PNR quest. Does it specifically need to say "paranormal romance"? I have a book listed as both "romance" and "paranormal" on the main page, but it doesn't specifically say "paranormal romance". I'll keep looking if that doesn't work!

Puzzle done! Let's see if I linked this correctly...

Samantha wrote: "I'm thinking of reading A Court of Mist and Fury for the 3rd Labor - read a book with a headstrong character. Feyre is very headstrong in that she has gone through some very traumat..."

Just throwing out there that I really enjoyed Six of Crows. I started reading the author's other series because I liked that book so much!

Oh my goodness! You look gorgeous! And like you'd be a lot of fun to hang out with, haha. Love the bridesmaid dresses, too. Congrats again to you and your new hubby!

Sept. 12 - Day 1 DQs - The Hedge Knight

1. Is this your first time reading George R.R. Martin? If so, did this story make you want to give the Game of Thrones series a try? If you've already read some of the GOT books, how did this story measure up?

Nope! I've read all of the SOIAF books that have been released. I quite enjoyed this story! It has the feel of the other books, but it's a little less intense. That makes sense as these books are set in "simpler" times, in GoT terms. No huge wars or craziness really.

2. Dunk is an orphan from Flea Bottom, so his options are limited on how to make a living. Now I understand why some knights turned into robbers. Is there anything else Dunk could have done to support himself in these times, other than taking a chance in the joust?

If he just wanted to make money, sure. I think Dunk is in it for more than just the money, though. I think he likes the life and, honestly, it's the only life he really knows after squiring for that hedge knight.

3. Egg, a prince in disguise. Did you have any suspicions that Egg wasn't the stable boy that Dunk assumed him to be?

Well, having read the other GoT books, yes. It's mentioned in those books (though I couldn't tell you which one). If I hadn't read the other books, I probably wouldn't have suspected it, though.

4. Did the excitement of the jousts make you want to read more books (or watch some movies) set in medieval times?

I tend to enjoy things set in medieval times. I thought George R.R. Martin did a good job depicting the craziness and energy that is a joust.

5. I didn't anticipate the trial by combat ending that way! And it was a little gross too. Darn, I really liked Baelor. Between Raymun, Egg, and Prince Baelor, there were several characters that I loved in this story. Did you have a favorite?

I really like Dunk, even though he has a bit of limited vision, lol. I enjoyed Prince Baelor, as well. It's a shame he didn't live... But, this is a GoT book, so of course one of the really decent people dies.

Congrats, Samantha! I hope your big day was everything you dreamed :)

I finished my first Labor book, finally! Sometimes, those classic books can be hard to get through...

Now I'm going to read The Last Olympian, which looks like it could fit quite a few of the Labors. I'll try to chose one that looks like it might be difficult to accomplish and fits this book. I'm sure I'll get through this one much faster than On the Road, heh.

On the Road: by Jack Kerouac
Date completed: 12 September 2016
Pages: 293

How it fits: Labor #7, Quest #4 - the main character is a writer.

Aminko wrote: "Amy J. wrote: " I'm reading The Nightingaleright now and, surprisingly, it works for a number of tasks, including."

I'm keen to hear what you th..."

I loved The Nightingale, which surprised me because I don't usually get into historical fiction. It was so good, though! It was captivating and broke my heart and was just awesome.

I can do Labor 7, Quest 4. The main character in On the Road is a writer and I'm almost done with the book.

This looks like it's going to be a lot of fun!

Yay! Way to knock it out, team! I'm excited for the new challenge though. It's one of the ones I was the most curious about before WOBBLE started.

Comments and Questions for September 6
Part Two, Act Four

18. I spent the whole book trying to understand how the time turner worked. For floo, they need to say the place's name and that place needs to be connected to the network. The other time turners used turns... each turn was an hour in the past. But this one? How does it work? No explanation...

Perhaps it goes off the will/thought of whomever is holding it? As in, the boys were focused on getting to the Triwizard Tournament, so that's where they went and Delphi was focused on Godric's Hollow, 1981, so that's where she went.

19. Hermione gathers an assembly and Professor Macgonall just snaps at her. And she lets her? She's the Ministry of Magic for crying out loud! She deserves respect and she's entitled to make decisions. But no, she's justifying and allowing people to treat her like a student. After saying she wouldn't be Fudge. She is right. Fudge would not allow people to address him like that.

Meh, I think Hermione felt guilty seeming as she *did* keep an illegal Time-Turner which allowed this entire mess to happen in the first place. I don't think, under other circumstances (i.e. being completely blameless), Hermione would have allowed Professor McGonagall as much leyway.

20. Dumbledore weeping painting. What? Okay, so a painting is supposed to be a shadow of former self, but how dare they?

Yeaaaaah, that threw me a bit. I mean, I'm sure Albus had regrets, but I just don't see his painting, which is a shadow of his former self, *crying*. Eh... had to get the feels in there somehow. And I felt like this was Albus Apology Hour. He didn't get a chance to explain himself in the books, so we get this scene in the play. I dunno... I could have done without it.

21. Scorpius and Albus' way of sending a message was pure genius, don't you agree? That kinda reminded me of something the original HP troublemakers would do. I actually love little Scorpius.. he's a mix between Harry and Hermione that totally stole the stage.

I thought that was pretty awesome, as well. Kinda depended on some pretty random happenings, but still, pretty smart to think of when under so much pressure.

22. Why didn't they just vanish to the present? Why stay to watch Harry's parents die? Dramatic effect? Or maybe a lesson/test to both Albus and Harry?

I thought that was a tad morbid. I mean... you know what happens. Why do you need to watch your parents die, Harry? Maybe it's some kind of closure? I dunno... But it certainly was dramatic!

23. So, the plot was not so much as to resurrect Voldemort but to change the past enough that the future was not the same... or maybe just a quest for a lost child to find her father. Or maybe a lesson that the past is the past and it better stays that way?

Don't eff with time! Period. Just stop it already! I think this whole play is mostly about parent/child relationships, the good and the bad. Mostly the bad. But it also shows how it can change and evolve and grow, if given the proper nourishment.

24. How will you rate the book? Were you disappointed to realized that the curse of the child was nothing more than generation gap? Albus kept complaining that being the son of a legend was hard. Was it harder than being the child that survived and was raised by muggles and knew less about his family than everybody else?

I gave it 3 stars. I enjoyed it, but I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more in a novel format. There's just a lot of details that I feel are missing and lord knows I'm never going to be able to see the play, so.... yeah. But it was good and it kept my interest. Also, Albus needs to stop whining and I think he's realizing that. Just because people idolize his father doesn't mean Harry had an easy childhood. They both have a lot of growing to do, but they seem like they are on the right path.

Done and done :)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
Date read: 7 September 2016
Pages: 327
Published: 2016

How it fits: I-2 (Game of life); the two main characters play with peoples' lives by messing with time.

Are plays allowed for WOBBLE? I tried looking in the rules and didn't see anything about it. Just wondering because I read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and I thought maybe it could work for the game of life square because the two main characters play with peoples' lives, maybe? If not, I'll see what else I can find!

Part 2 Act 1

12. Somethings in this story seem too simple. In the alternate reality Draco seems so tough and mean, but then he is easily convinced by his son to make some changes. Also, Snape is way too easily convinced about Scorpius's desire to help out of the blue. What do you think? I would be more suspicious, or set in my ways I think.

I don't think I would have been, in Snape's case. Scorpius knows a lot of information about Snape that, had he been the awful person that alternate reality Scorpius sounds like he was, he would have just given to the proper authorities. It wouldn't have been him talking to Snape, Snape would have just ended up in a dungeon or dead. I think I would have reacted the same way in Snape's case. As for Draco, I honestly never thought he was truly evil, just severely misguided and trying to please his father. I think there is good in Draco and I think, if it would extend to anyone, it would be his son. So I wasn't really surprised how he reacted, either.

13. Snape is willing to make a huge sacrifice by allowing the use of the time turner even when he knows the outcome for himself. Any comments?

Snape seems a lot more likeable in this timeline, lol. I mean, I know he put himself at risk all the time in the HP books, but J.K. herself said that, had Snape not loved Lily, he wouldn't have helped Harry in the slightest. This Snape seems to be helping not just because of his love for Lily, but because he truly believes in the cause. Still, either Snape, it stands to character that he would be willing to die for what he believes in or cares about.

14. I am not thrilled about the possibility of resurrecting Voldemort. It just seems cheesy to me. I am enjoying the other parts of the play, the alternate realities and the characters in the future. How do you feel about resurrecting Voldemort?

It does seem like a kind of "been there, done that" plot. I mean, that's what Peter Pettigrew was all about in the books... resurrecting the Dark Lord. But it kind of stands to reason that Dark witches and wizards are probably going to be trying that for forever. And all these dang prophecies flying around!

15. How do you like the play so far? (I know this seems like a lame question, but I was hoping it would draw out some Harry Potter fan free discussion -- feel free to add any comments as your answer here!)

I'm actually enjoying a lot more at this point than after Act I. It's getting more intense and I like it!

16. Delphi is evil! Some of you saw it coming. Was anyone surprised? Any other sage predictions for Part 2 Act 2?

Not especially surprised. She seemed really shady. Why is this adult woman hanging around with two teenage boys and encouraging their shenanigans? I was surprised about her possible parentage. Like... what? I wonder if this was pre-noseless-ness or after...

17. Is anyone surprised by the revelation of Delphi's dad? (I was)

Lol, as mentioned above, definitely. I just don't see him having the time to father a child. Though, being Voldemort and having that desire to live forever, maybe she was a back-up. If he died, at least his progeny/bloodline would live on. But how did no one else know about her?! Bah... I guess we'll see.

Nihlaeth wrote: "Especially when she seems to be a stay-at-home mom (or did I read over a reference to a career?)."

Ginny edits the sports section of The Daily Prophet. I agree with you, though, that she seems to only be there to make Harry less awful.

Discussion questions 3 September: Act two

6. Bane: “There is a black cloud around your son, a dangerous black cloud.” Could this divination by the centaurs mean that Albus is the cursed child from the title of this book? Can you think of another explanation?

It certainly seems that way. I think Harry's handling of the situation (which was TERRIBLE) didn't cause the black cloud to go away because I think the father/son relationship they have *was* the black cloud. I think if Harry had been a bit more understanding, they would be fixing the kids' previous mistake instead of them traipsing off to try and fix it themselves. I mean... geez, Harry. What were you thinking?!

7. Albus: “But I am nothing like my dad.”I think Harry and Albus are more alike than they think, like how they look out for their friends but also for people who are overlooked by others. Do you think so too? Are there more similarities between Harry and Albus?

Oh, he is his father's son. Gets a reckless idea which may end in disaster but could fix all the things? Let's do it without consulting anyone ever! Except he doesn't have a Hermione around to tell him he's being an idiot. Scorpius tries, but he's not very good at standing up to his best friend. He's rash like his father, but has a good heart like his father. They are too similar. I think that's why they clash so much. They see the worst of themselves in each other.

8. Wow, Harry getting advice on how to raise his son from Draco. Do you think Draco is right in what he said to Harry (Act 2, scene 15)?

Yes. So much yes. Harry needed a severe talking to and I'm kinda glad Draco was the one to do it. I don't think Harry would have listened to Ginny or any of his friends to try and talk some sense into him. To hear it from someone like Draco I think was the key.

9. O, o Voldemort Day?!?! What happened here? Umbridge Headmistress of Hogwarts? How did that happen? Guesses?

Maybe Cedric lives, turns evil because of all the relentless teasing and being compared to the famous Harry Potter, joins forces with Voldy and gives him just the edge he needs to win. Honestly, I have no clue...

10. Do you like how all the characters have turned out as adults?

Before or after the Dynamic Duo screwed everything up royally? I do like how the characters turned out because it's believable. Although Harry really needs to get over himself. Sheesh.

11. Any favorite scenes from act 2?

When Scorpius tells Albus off in the library. He so had that coming to him!