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

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

Janeylou wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Do you guys think this book could be used for a title color? I mean it looks black but also green/blue to me...
"

It doesnt look black ..."

I would say blue/green and black, personally. Mostly blue, I think. And definitely agree with pink on the other cover!

@Tone - Happy belated birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day :)

@Shannon - Oof, I had dry socket when I had my wisdom teeth removed, so I completely sympathize with your pain. I'm glad you got some relief!

Today is my day off, so I ended up finishing a couple of books because that's what I do on my day off, haha. Now I'm holding off until tomorrow so things will count for June! Looking forward to both of the BOMs this month and another great reading month. This challenge really boosted my reading in May.

I’m with you there, Elinor! I hate that feeling of losing time so I’m usually pretty relieved when I come back around. I was just so sleepy and out of it afterwards. I’m finally feeling more normal today!

Thanks for all the well-wishes everyone 😊

Count me in for starting the King Doorstopper early! I'm a slow reader, as well, and I know that one is going to take a bit to get through.

Sorry I haven't checked in the past couple of days! I had surgery on Thursday and today is the first day I've managed to stay awake for longer than twenty minutes, haha. Anesthesia is no joke. I've been finishing up A Discovery of Witches, though, and I'm enjoying it a lot more.

I did have a question about that, though. If all of our 500-599 slots have been filled (go Team!) should I wait til June to finish this one? It seems like that slot is harder to fill, so I'd rather it fit in for the page number towers than be a free choice, if that makes sense.

@Tone - Your trip sounds incredible! Glad you had a wonderful time 😊

@Jen - I feel ya with the end of the school year stuff. I can imagine it's a lot, especially having to move to a new school! Sending you good vibes for a smooth transition.

@Suzanne and all the captains/co-captains - Thanks for all the updates, questions answered, and work y'all are doing for this challenge!

@Shannon - Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I have a 500 - 599 pager on the go (A Discovery of Witches) that I'll definitely have done before June. Was a bit of a slow start, but it's started picking up and I'm finding myself more invested now.

Super intimidated but volunteering for DQs from Team Ashara.

I'd like to volunteer for DQs for Team Ashara, as well.

Nanci wrote: "OMGosh! My son-in-law was over today and looked at my Stephen King doorstopper book (11/22/63) and asked me, "Mom since when did you learn to read Spanish? "What??", I responded. Turns out my libra..."

Good catch to your son, haha. That would have been confusing when you went to read it!

DQs Day 5 (Chapters 26 -End)

19. Earlier, Eduardo seemed like a fine person to me despite Montgomery's reservations. In these last chapters, he had a stark change in character or his true nature came out. Did you expect him to turn out like this? Do you think he might have been a good husband to Carlota if she were not a hybrid?

I was not at all shocked when Eduardo showed who he truly was. I knew as soon as his father got involved he was going to become a spineless piece of crap and when it was revealed Carlota was a hybrid, he basically thought he owned her. Gross. I think even if she were not a hybrid, he would have ended up cheating on her anyways or wanting her only as a mistress. He sucks.

20. Dr. Moreau was not a great father throughout the book but his last moment touched my heart. Do you find his love for Carlota redeeming enough for his character? Or would you categorize him as a villain?

I mean, he certainly says that he loves her, but did he truly show it? I suppose he did, in his own way, but I don't think it was enough to raise him out of villainy. He was still whining about Carlota letting "his creations" go at the end when he knows they were about to be carted off into slavery by the Lizaldes. Like... come on.

21. Carlota became more jaguar-like as the story drew near its end, and she finally embraced that part of her in the climactic scene. I somehow expected her physical changes to be more lasting and prominent afterward and maybe have a lifestyle closer to a jaguar which evidently didn't happen. Anyone else had an odd expectation like this or something else that you expected to happen?

As the transformation was happening, I legit thought she was going to turn into a jaguar and run off into the jungle. I like that she regained herself, though, and she's now going to be the master of her own fate. I hope she does find the other hybrids and they get to make a life together. I honestly expected one of our main POV characters to die.

22. How do you feel about the relatively open-ended epilogue? Do think Carlota would be reunited with the other hybrids? Will Montgomery come back into her life at some point? Do you think Moreno-Garcia kept the option for a sequel open?

This was one of those open endings that I don't mind. It lets you imagine a hopeful future, which is fine in my book. As I said, I do hope she finds the other hybrids and they make a quiet home out in the country and that they'll be happy. I don't know if I want Montgomery to come back, however, unless he can fall out of love with Carlota. Otherwise, it will just be him pining until he dies and he deserves more than that. I suppose there could be a sequel but I think I would like it better if this was a standalone.

DQs: Day 4 Ch 19-25

15. Welcome to the penultimate set of chapters! A lot of revelations came to light in this set of chapters: did any of them surprise you? If so, which ones?

Not really 😂 The only thing that surprised me is that Mr. Lizalde knew that Carlota is a hybrid. He's awful and I kind of wanted Monty to shoot him in the kneecap, so I'm surprised he didn't bring it up awhile ago. Perhaps it only mattered when he realized his son might fall in love with her.

16. Montgomery and Carlota finally seem like they are going to make love but Montgomery stops this from happening. Do you think he made the right choice? Why or why not? Also do you think they’ll still get together in the end?

Absolutely yes I thought he made the right choice! He recognized that she was submitting to it for all the wrong reasons and my respect for Montgomery grew tenfold when he didn't just go with it to satisfy his lust. I'm still not sure I like the thought of them together (he met her when she was FOURTEEN). I don't think they'll end up together, though... this doesn't strike me as a book with a happy ending.

17. It looks like Dr. Moreau is going to die by the end of the book. In the original novel and adaptations Dr. Moreau is a villainous figure. Do you think he is portrayed as a villain in this book or do you think he has redeeming qualities?

He's still villainous, but I think he truly loves Carlota. Not just as the pinnacle of his work, but as his daughter. That's pretty much his only redeeming quality and, even then, it's not quite enough to excuse all that he's lied about and done. But it's enough to make me feel a little bad that he's dying.

18. Carlota is given a key to the laboratory. What do you think she will find there? Also any predictions for the end of the book?

I'm assuming it will be all of Moreau's journals about his work, which may give her a clue about how the hybrids were truly created. They might be part personal journals, too. I think that might be a good insight for Carlota into her father's thought processes. As for predictions, I think this confrontation with the Lizaldes is not gonna go well...

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?

Part of me thinks it is a red herring because it feels too easy to guess that Carlota is actually a hybrid and not Dr. Moreau's child. He did say at one point he came close to perfection, though, and hasn't been able to duplicate it. So maybe it's not as much of a red herring as I think?

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?

Oh, I think he's been in love with her for awhile, he just doesn't want to admit it. Which, fair, she is his employer's daughter and he's known her since she was a child. And I know she's a consenting adult now but that still gives me a little bit of the ick... Montgomery is certainly and interesting character, though, and I like getting his perspective on events.

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 think Carlota has been fleshed out pretty well. I would argue that Doctor Moreau is the more flat character of the two as we never get to get inside his head. The hybrids, however, feel very distant and I would love to learn more about them, their motivations, their personalities. Especially Lupe and Cachito since they play such a prominent role in the story, at least where the hybrids are concerned.

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?

I mean, internally I was calling her all different varieties of an idiot, but I honestly can't fault her. She has grown up so isolate from others and especially men that she has no idea that she needs to protect herself from predators like Eduardo. Sure, he "loves" her right now, but I 100% think that's because she's beautiful and a novelty. I don't for one second think that he wouldn't drop her in a flash if his daddy doesn't approve. And he most certainly won't. She's going to get her heart broken but how was she to know? She was acting on her feelings and who hasn't done that when young and in love? Or what she thinks is love. I just wish she could be spared...

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 think the hybrids just want to live their own lives but, if they are free and someone threatens them, I don't think they would hesitate to protect themselves. I do honestly wonder how many of the hybrids would actually go with Lupe and Cachito. They seem resigned to their lives, but I hope they do manage to escape.

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).

I think Carlota definitely feels six years older but, at the same time, a little stunted. Which I suppose is not too surprising with growing up in such an isolated location. Montgomery seems pretty much the same, though I wouldn't expect him to change too much in six years. I'm okay with the time jump because I can't imagine watching Montgomery settle into his job would have made for compelling reading. That's just my opinion, of course!

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 do! I like knowing how the other character is feeling internally and I like that it doesn't play the scene exactly the same, beat for beat (i.e. skipping some moments). I tend to enjoy books with multiple POVs because I want to know how everyone is feeling, haha.

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?

Not at all surprised about Carlota's reaction to Eduardo and his cousin having been cut off from society and men her age for her entire life. I also need everyone to keep a close eye on her because I 100% sure Eduardo is going to try and take advantage of her naivety. I don't like Eduardo or his cousin... they seem smarmy and smug and gross.

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?

Yes, I definitely agree. I was really expecting more science and hybrids and such. I'm not hating the direction of the book but I can admit I'm a little disappointed.

Bonus: If you were part critter, and didn’t have the health concerns, what species would you prefer?

Something cat-like! I think that would be incredible. Night vision, fast reflexes, cute little ears (maybe?). It would be awesome!

That's good to know about the pastels! Thanks for checking, Suzanne. Joining in on the grey cover revolution because I have so many 😂

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that is kind of 'meh' with the Daughter of Doctor Moreau... I like the writing, the characters are fine so far, but I want to know more about the hybrids and less about Eduardo and Montgomery posturing. Bleh.

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.

I have, though it was ages ago. I recall liking it, which is a big deal for me as I don't typically like classics. I haven't watched any of the movies, though.

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 didn't remember that, so the fact that I've been thinking this entire time that Carlota is probably a hybrid makes sense 😂 Knowing that, though, I think the author might go in a different direction.

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 wasn't that surprised that he was considering not taking the job. After that tour and dealing with Moreau and Lizalde all day, I wouldn't want to take that job, either, lol. In the end, though, he's a man at the end of his rope with not much to live for, so I think he had found a purpose. He does seem like he wants to protect, so it makes sense that he decided to stay.

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....

I mean... it's science fiction 🤷🏾‍♀️ And there are always scientists that are thinking outside the box and doing things that most in their time think impossible. So, is it completely feasible or laid out step-by-step? Nah. But do I think it works for this story? Absolutely.

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 can see that happening. He did say there were about two dozen (I think) hybrids around, so perhaps they will get sick of their treatment and rebel. At the same time, he also said they needed to be on medication or else they would deteriorate. I wonder if the hybrids know that and know that Dr. Moreau is the only source of that medication. That would certainly put a damper on a rebellion and maybe he purposely designed them that way.

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 okay with the time jump. I don't think I want to read six years of Montgomery settling in and nothing substantial happening, heh. Perhaps the fall out from the incident will be mentioned, though!

@Leslie - I keep hearing about that book! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I'm fairly certain I have an e-ARC of that (I'm so behind on my Netgalley 😅) so I'll bump it up the TBR!

Just popping in to say hi and I finished another book! It's a Mod Tower one, too, so yay. I hope everyone is having a good week so far.

Happy to be in the Doorstopper Support Group, haha! I think that’ll really help me to start encouraged when I see all those pages left 😂 I might check out the audiobook, as well. Sometimes that’s the only way I can get through the really thick ones.

@Leslie - That makes me feel better! Sometimes even big books can go super fast if they’re engaging.

@Vi - I once waited over a year to read a highly anticipated new release because everyone was raving about it and it made me nervous 😂 I have a bad habit of building things up in my head so much they are bound to disappoint.

DQs - Day 7
Chapters 47 - end

32. So not only did some of the Vanguards come to help rescue Rose, but they even patched up Clay. What did you make of the unguent that Tiamax gave Clay? And would you submit yourself to the same thing if you were in a similar position?

I mean, if it could grow back a limb, I think I would give it a try just because that would be fascinating! In terms of the plot, was it mighty convenient? Sure, but this isn't a super serious fantasy or anything. It was definitely an interesting trick!

33. What did you make of the “fight” with Akatung? Was the dragon everything you expected given how much hype it got earlier in the book?

I thought that ended pretty much the only way it could, haha. There was no way they were going to be able to actually kill it. They couldn't even kill it when they were in their prime! So tricking it was the only way they were gonna make that work and, seeming as we were getting towards the end of the book, I didn't expect that scene to be dragged out.

34. What did you think of Gabe’s speech at Kalador? Was it a lot of pretty words? Or did it evoke something more? And were you surprised by the reaction the attendees of the War Fair by the end?

That speech was incredible! I can see why Gabe was the band's frontman. I wasn't at all surprised by the other attendees reactions. They're all mercenaries (or mercenary-adjacent). It makes sense that the same things that would rile Clay and his crew up would inspire them, as well.

35. After having such a presence all book as this near impossible to kill villain that had planned everything down the most minute detail, did you feel that Lastleaf’s end was what he deserved?

I think it set us up for a sequel, haha. I honestly thought he was going to escape, though, and that would be the major conflict in the second book. What happened instead makes for possibly a more intriguing foe in the next story.

36. And finally what were your final feelings on the book? Were you satisfied with the ending? Was Kit’s small excerpt about how the Siege of Castia ended enough or did it leave you wishing to read more about the various bands that participated in the battle?

I loved this book! I ended up giving it 4.5 stars. The characters are really what makes this story, but the humor and action certainly helped, as well. I liked that we got it all wrapped up in Kit's words, else this book would have been a lot longer. There were things I was curious about, but I'd imagine we'll see some of that in subsequent books in this series. I'm definitely excited to pick up the next one!

Question about shelving Kings of the Wyld:

I know we're using the official page count from the BOM thread. Does that mean I need to shelve the book that corresponds with that page number instead of the version I actually read?

Side note: Freakin' loved this book and the questions everyone asked in the thread were brilliant!

I own both of the BOMs for next month, yay! I'm trying not to bring in any new books because my physical TBR is bordering on ridiculous 😅 I'm intimidated by the Stephen King, as well, but perhaps reading it with the group will help to get through it, haha.

Just wanna say, great job so far, Team! I'm having a lot of fun reading with y'all.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS - Day 6

27. We finally get Lastleaf's backstory in full, and his motives become clearer. What did you think of the fact that he is technically one of the human's Gods (not actually a god, but a being that through myth and legend has been elevated to one over time)?
Did you see Shadow's treachery coming?

I was surprised that Lastleaf/the druins turned out to be the basis for the human's gods! Looking back, it kind of makes sense. The druins had power and magic that humans couldn't comprehend for the longest time and lorded over them for centuries. It makes sense that they deified them over the years, especially since they are close to immortal. Still, that reveal was wild!

I knew there was something up with Shadow, especially when the seeds/smoke kept being brought up. I didn't expect him to full on try to murder the band once they figured him out, though.

28. Another battle, and Clay has a mental dig at Moog for not being much use in a battle. Poor Moog. do you feel that maybe Clay and the others underestimate Moog at times?

I think everyone underestimate Moog because he fights in a way they don't understand. They use muscle and strength while he uses his brain. I think, in the end, they appreciate it, but they probably don't view it on the same level of useful in a fight as their weapons. Still, Moog has saved them a few times with his magical, mystery bag and I'm sure they appreciate it.

29. Moog rigs up a magical "telephone". If you were in Rose's situation, would you want to know of the rescue attempt (unlikely as it seems it would be successful), or would you prefer not to know? (a very slight hope vs the knowledge that your loved ones are putting themselves in danger because of you)

I think it would lift my spirits to know my dad (and his friends) loved me enough to attempt a rescue, but I probably would have said the same thing. The situation looks pretty hopeless from where she's standing and, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't want my love ones to risk their lives when I was fairly certain it wouldn't help anyways. If they died trying to rescue me, I would feel guilty forever... which may not be that long in Roses' case.

30. Owlbear cubs! What mythical creature do you think would make a good pet?

Ahhh, I was so happy that Moog got to see that owlbears are real! I never doubted it, haha. Honestly, most mythical creatures sound pretty deadly, so I don't know if any of them would make a good pet. If I knew it wouldn't try to eat me, though, I'd want a tiny dragon.

31. "You're a hard man to kill, Clay Cooper"
"But I'm easy to hurt"
I think it says a lot about Clay that he can plummet from a bridge, spare a moment for a dying friend, show incredible endurance catching up with Larkspur, and still see the humanity in the woman that cut off his hand. Superman or just plain stubborn? Truly good person, or in denial about how the world really is?

Clay is the best of the bunch, I swear. I mean, he does have anger issues, can't ignore that, but he actively works at being a good person and a good man. I definitely don't think he's in denial about how the world works. He knows it's crappy, but he's trying his damnedest to make it a little less so. He's got a really good heart and I think that's why he's my favorite.