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

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

Discussion Questions Dec-20
Chapters 14-17 Pages 187-239

18. They don't seem to have much of a plan going into the wood. I was surprised that they even managed to find the Queen, much less that quickly. What are your thoughts on their preparations and planning?

It seemed haphazard at best, but I figure that's why the Dragon was less than pleased to be going in. I think if they had had more time, they might have lost less people in the fight, but it also seems like no matter how much they planned The Wood would have gotten them. Also, the scene where that young soldier just reached out and slashed the other one's throat? Seriously creepy...

19. Kasia seems to be turning into quite the hero. Do you think this was who she always was or did the wood change her to be like this?

I think the way she was raised turned her into someone that can easily take up the mantle of a hero. She had been raised all her life to be brave and useful, so it's like she's finally putting that training to use.

20. What are your thoughts on the rescue of the Queen? Was it worth losing 28 men? Do you think she will recover?

I don't think it was worth the lose of life at all. Even if she does come out of her daze, I doubt she will be the same. All those men for basically a shell of a person. Of course, if that had been my mother trapped in The Wood, I would probably think it was worth it.

21. They made it to the city and the townspeople seem to rejoice but the King does not. Why do you think he doesn't seem pleased with things? It made me think that he might have had something to do with the Queens situation.

Well, I wouldn't be too happy to see my philandering spouse, either. Tbe tale is that she ran off with the prince of Roysa, after all. But, with this book, I'm sure there's more to it than meets the eye.

22. Do you think Agnieszka will be recognized? What do you think her animal name will get to be? They all seem to be predator animals but she's a healer so maybe it will be different.

I really hope so because a lot is riding on her being entered into the lists. I think her name would be something more earth-like, kind of like the Willow.

23. We're halfway through now. Any predictions for the rest of the book?

I have no idea, but I'm excited!

I've been enjoying the BOMs that I've participated in. American Gods was definitely disturbing in parts. I enjoyed it, overall, though. I've been sticking to the genres I usually read, so I'm going to try and branch out next month, see how I like it.

Sounds intriguing! I volunteer for DQs (or backup) for Team Anubis.

I'm in! Not something I usually read, but I want to start branching out. I volunteer for DQs (or backup) for Team Anubis, as well.

Dec 19 / Discussion Questions
Chapters 9 - 13

12) The Summoning is a truth spell. Were you surprised to find out that both Agnieszka and Kasia had secret hatred and jealousy towards each other? That doesn't seem to be normal feelings between two best friends.

I wasn't all that surprised. It had been hinted at before and, no matter how much you love a person, there can still be things about them you dislike. It's human nature to be jealous of people, even your loved ones, and their situation is definitely ripe for jealousy. The point is that the love is stronger than the petty jealousies.

13) Agnieszka and the Dragon work another spell together, but this time things get pretty romantic, even ending in a kiss! Do you think it's their magic alone that's making them attracted to one another? Will they end up together in the end?

I certainly think the magic is a factor to the attraction. I think the attraction would be there without the magic, but I'm not sure if it would be as strong. If their allowed to get to know each other more (which, hey, they have ten years to do), we may see a romance blossom.

14) Is it a good idea to go into the Wood to find Queen Hanna? What do you think 20 years of being corrupted in the Wood has done to the Queen (if she's even alive)? Would you be willing to play the hero and go into the Wood to find her?

Of course it's not a good idea. If they can clear her of the corruption (if they can even get her out of the tree!), she is going to be completely nuts. Kasia was in there for, what, a day? And she's made of wood now! It's insane to think that the person they'll be getting out after 20 years of being subjected to the Wood will be anything close to normal. Now, if I were put in the same situation as Agneiszka, I would more than likely want to go save her, as well. Yeah, she's probably doomed, but you'll never know if you don't try to save her.

15) I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but it seems as if every time Agnieszka is thinking, the Dragon always answers her. Do you think he is able to read her mind/thoughts?

I have noticed this, though I don't remember if it started before they joined their magic that first time or after. If it's after, I would think that maybe it joined them somehow and he's better able to manipulate that connection due to being a properly trained wizard.

16) The Dragon doesn't seem to be as cruel and violent as everyone believes him to be... so where do you think the nickname "The Dragon" came from?

Who knows. All the wizards seem to have animal monikers, though most of the ones mentioned have been birds (The Raven, The Falcon). Maybe it's because of their personalities? He does have quite the temper.

17) If you could put a face to the Dragon, what would he look like?

I'm really not good at putting an actual person to characters in a book. If someone showed me a collage of pictures, I could pick out the person I think most closely resembles what I'm imagining, but finding them myself is difficult.

December 17
Chapters 1-4


1. Did you have any thoughts/feelings before starting the book that have changed now that you've started it?

I really had no thoughts or feelings going into reading this book. I thought the premise sounded interesting and, so far, it is proving to be.

2. Why do you think the Dragon takes a girl exactly every 10 years?

He gets bored with them? I'm not sure. Maybe the time between 17 and 27 is when their magical powers would awaken if they had any? But then why would it only be girls... he's a guy so obviously guys can have magic. I don't know.

3. How are you liking Agnieszka?

I'm enjoying her, so far. She was really slow on the uptake with the whole magic thing ("He's using my life force to do his magic!!!" Really, Agnieszka.... reallly?), but she is endearing.

4. Were you surprised to learn she had magic?

Not at all. As soon as she touched that ball of light at the choosing, I figured it out.

5. Are you looking forward to reading more?

I am! I'm enjoying it, so far.


Discussion Questions:
December 18 Chapter 5-8
Pages 62-123

6) Agnieszka finds herself back home to help when one of the villagers is infected by The Wood. How do you think the town felt that she came to their aid instead of The Dragon? There is barely any mention of a reaction from the town. If you were living there how would you have reacted?

I'm sure they were all very surprised as the girl who is taken is usually never seen until the ten years is up. They had a lot going on and she was their only shot at solving the problem, so I'm not really surprised that there wasn't much of a reaction to her coming, other than from her closest friend and family. I'm sure if I had been one of the villagers, I would have been more focused on whether she could actually help than being surprised that she was there.

7) The Dragon should not have been able to recover from the sickness of The Wood. How do you think Agnieszka was able to save him? How do you think she knows the flow and pace of the spells when she has never seen them before? Why do these spells feel familiar to her?

Her powers seem to be unique, though, really we only have the Dragon as a magic user off which to base our assumption of how it's supposed to work. He is definitely more analytical whereas she bases her use of magic off of feeling and intuition. I don't think there's a right and wrong way of doing it (besides intention, of course). She does seem particularly good at it, though, seeming as she didn't even know she was a witch.

8) The Dragon and Agnieszka seem to be working closer together. How do you feel about their relationship? Do you enjoy seeing The Dragon struggle to perform the same spells that Agnieszka seems to do easily? What do you think they were both feeling when they performed the rose spell together?

Their relationship is interesting. It is kind of enjoyable to see him get so very frustrated by the spells she can perform but he can't. I think if he hadn't been quite so mean and non-helpful to a girl he just stole from her home for unknown (to her) reasons, I wouldn't get quite the satisfaction I do. I think they will become really close, though, and I think the rose spell showed some of the potential they have together to do great things.

9) How do you think Agnieszka is able to free Kasia from The Wood? Do you think Agnieszka was strong enough to defeat the hold The Wood had on Kasia or do you think The Wood let Kasia go on purpose?

I think she wanted it so badly that by sheer force of will, she made that tree give up her best friend. I don't think that storyline is going to end well, though... I really don't see how she's going to heal Kasia of that level of corruption. Now whether The Wood let Kasia go on purpose or not, I don't think it did. I think Agneiszka shocked it a little with her power. I think if she tried to go back in, escape would be a little more difficult.

10) Do you think The Dragon will be able to help Agnieszka to save Kasia? If so, do you think Kasia will have any lasting effects of being trapped in The Wood?

As I said above, I'm not sure if they'll be able to save her. Maybe combining their magic like they did with the rose would do it. The Dragon seems pretty reluctant on even attempting it. If they do manage it, though, I'm sure Kasia will never be the same. Maybe not quite so perfect as she was before.

11) There is reference to this book as being a re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. Now that you are 8 chapters in do you feel this is a good reference for this book? Why or why not.

Meh, I guess I can kind of see it, but it's a stretch. Unless it turns out that the Dragon is under some kind of curse. I could see it more, if that were the case.

Well, if Deedee's doesn't cover it, A Kiss of Shadows definitely will. Most of the characters are fae. I should have it done by tonight. Or we'll just have it for some other goal if another book works!

Jennifer wrote: "Silence by becca fitzpatrick that i just read is third in the hush hush series on that list"

How did you like the Hush, Hush series, Jennifer? I've been thinking about picking it up.

Ahh, that makes sense.

I think it just has to be on the Listopia list.

N?

Happy birthday, Victoria! Hope you have a great one!

I should be done with my book by the weekend, as well, if not sooner. Then I'll be reading the next BOM Uprooted. I'm looking forward to it!

It's been a busy day here. Relaxing at home with my book now. We have the fireplace going and it's so toasty and cozy.

If we don't already have one in our read post, I can cover the paranormal romance one. Kiss Of Shadows is on there and sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read.

192 pages

465 pages

496 pages

287 pages

592 pages

Current Total: 2,272,625

Discussion Questions- Dec. 12
Chapters 19- End

42. How did you like this book? What did you rate it? What were your favorite and/or least favorite aspects (writing, tone, plot, characters, world building, etc.)?

I enjoyed this book, though I don't think it's one of my favorites. I rated it a 3 (3.5, really, but you can't do halfsies)... I liked it, didn't love it. I enjoyed the characters the most. They were so different and lively and well-written, in my opinion. The writing was a bit meh for me, but still good.

43. What do you think is the “religion” of America (thinking beyond literal religion; ex. technology, sports, fame, money/success, etc.)? Or to ask it another way, in this book’s world, who/what would be the most powerful god, new or old, in America?

Hmm... probably technology. I don't know many Americans who would be able to function as well as they do without it. Of course, if it suddenly disappeared, I'm sure we'd just find something new to worship. America isn't a good place for gods, after all.

44. What will happen to the gods now? Will the new and old gods be able to coexist?

I think they'll peacefully co-exist for awhile. I don't think it will last forever, but I think it will be a very long time before they try and go at each other again.

45. What do you think the Lakeside/ Hinzelmann storyline added to the book?

That was a nice little bit of excitement at the end! And I think it showcased very well that Shadow isn't the same Shadow that was hung up on an old, silver ash tree. He's definitely changed and for the better.

45. If you were Shadow, would you have kept your word and gone to see Czernobog promptly? Or would you have attempted to avoid or escape your pledge?

A deal is a deal. There's no point in trying to avoid it when a god is involved. Besides, it probably would have ended way worse if Shadow had try to get out of it.

46. Do you agree with Wednesday and Gaiman’s opinions on America? (Such as, just for example, that America is the only country that worries about what it is.) What do you think makes America unique? Did being an Englishman and outsider to America make Gaiman see America more or less clearly?

I think people can see better from the outside looking in. I do think that Americans can tend to get wrapped up in how we are viewed and worry about not being the biggest and baddest. I think America is unique in it's ability to contain so many different types of people.

47. Do you maintain any beliefs, superstitions, habits, or traditions from your heritage that might fuel any old gods?

Eh, not especially. I couldn't even tell you about most (if any) African gods. Reading this book did make me interested in finding out more about them, though. Maybe that would be enough fuel for them.

48. What message(s) did you take from the book, regarding sacrifice, loyalty, betrayal, belief, humanity, and modern cultural values? Do you agree with that/those message(s)?

The main thing I got from this book is that you can't let people dictate how you live your life and what you do. You have to be able to think for yourself and be willing to adhere to your own moral code.

Discussion Questions Dec 10
Chapters 14-16

31. In Chapter 14, Shadow's old cell mate Low Key Lyesmith has made an appearance. Shadow realizes that he has had Low Key's name completely wrong - Loki Lie-Smith, the Norse God of Chaos. Were you surprised by his re-appearance?

I wasn't that surprised. After someone here mentioned the connection, I thought it was pretty inevitable that he would be making another appearance. I wasn't even that surprised that he was on the side of the new gods. Loki does his own thing.

32. Now that Wednesday is no longer of the physical world, why would you think that Shadow would want Wednesday's body?

Well, that was part of his job description. "In the unlikely event of my death, you will stand vigil." Shadow has been slavishly doing whatever Wednesday has told him to do, so why stop when he's dead?

33. What is the significance of the 3 women & the idea of Shadow hanging naked above the dead god's body?

Not entirely sure. I'm sure it's some Norse tradition or part of their mythology about which I have no clue. It is interesting, though.

34. What do you think of the scene where Shadow hallucinates about Laura & Horus makes his self know are really about in Chapter 15?

I don't think it was a hallucination. I think they were both actually there. I feel like Laura showing up was a tying up of loose ends. Horus, however... I don't know about him. Maybe it's because all the other Egyptian gods seemed to be an intimate part of Shadow's "death".

35. Chapter 16 gave us a couple of things to ponder, If given the choice between the path of lies & the path of truths - which would you choose & why?

The path of truth. Even if it hurts, you're dead, so who care? What could it possibly matter at that point? I'd rather die knowing the whole truth than still being fed nice lies. Too much of that in life.

36. What is the meaning of "I want to rest now...No heaven, no hell, no anything. Just let it end."

I think he is well and truly tired of what his life has become. He's tired of dealing with gods, of his awkward feelings about Laura, of hiding and lying and being a pawn.

Discussion Questions Dec 11, 2015
Chapters 17-18

37. Previously, Loki (Mr. World) had said to Mr. Town: “Don’t touch him. Don’t even mess with him. I don’t want you turning him into a martyr. There’s no room for martyrs in the current game-plan.” (442). When Mr. Town stabs at Shadow with the spear when he is on the tree, do you think Loki knew this would happen or is this an inconsistency? He had previously told Mr. Town not to interact with him in any way or make him a martyr, but the spear in the side has to happen as part of the Odin sacrifice and ritual and bring the game plan into action.

I think Loki specifically sent Mr. Town to get the stick because he knew he wouldn't be able to resist taking a stab (literally) at Shadow while he was incapacitated. It completed the ritual without anyone really being the wiser as to what was happening.

38. When Horus shows up to Easter and begs for her help with Shadow, why do you think he is so determined to save Shadow, no matter what the turnout of the battle is?

I think he's trying his best to be helpful, in his own mad way. He said that Shadow was more important than the battle, which I suppose is true since he ended up stopping the war for now.

39. When Whiskey Jack and Shadow interact, what do you think Whiskey Jack means and do you agree with him when he says: ““What I’m trying to say is that America is like that. It’s not good growing country for gods. They don’t grow well here. They’re like avocados trying to grow in wild rice country.”

I think he just means that America doesn't hold on to beliefs and gods like people in the "old country" do. There's less chance to be worshiped in America. It's true even for the new gods, what with fads and such.

40. Were you surprised by Wednesday’s plan, big reveal, and his reappearance? What did you think about all that (seeing him again and finding out the truth)? Had you suspected the connection between them previously?

I was more mad than surprised. I had actually cared when Wednesday got shot in the face and it turns out this jerk was just trying to get all the gods to murder each other so he could become powerful again. Less annoyed with Loki cause that's his thing, but probably shouldn't be too surprised that Odin turned out to be an ass.

41. Laura has shown herself to be an important, helpful character for Shadow, in life as well as in death. A big thing happens with her story in chapter 18 – were you happy when Shadow removed the coin and granted peace, or do you wish that author would have had something else in mind for Laura’s storyline and outcome?

You know, though I started out truly disliking Laura, at this point I can't help but be on her side. Only with the post-death stuff, not all that cheating-on-Shadow stuff from before. She tried her best to make it up to him, even though she knew there was no future for the two of them. I'm glad she's at peace now.

Discussion Questions Dec 8
Chapter 12-13

26. Chapter 12 started out with some interesting stuff! What are your thoughts on the "backstage" portion of the story? Do you think that will be showing back up?

I think it will come into play again, probably near the very end of the book. It seems like too interesting a concept to only be mentioned once!

27. We met some new characters/gods in these chapters. Who is your favorite, so far? Do you find yourself relating more to the old gods or the new?

I think my favorites, so far, are the Egyptian gods working as funeral directors. Or, if you're crazy old Horus, flying around as a hawk, lol. I enjoyed their portion of the story.

28. Sam is back! I thought she was a transient character, but it looks like she's going to playing a bigger role in the story. What role do you think that will be?

I think she's there to help Shadow, possibly even save him. Maybe she'll help him get in touch with his (I'm assuming) Native American roots?

29. We lost one of our main characters. Do you think this person is really gone or will be showing back up later on?

I think he'll be back. I'm really hoping his not gone for good.

30. Laura makes another appearance. What do you think she means when she tells Shadow that he's not really alive? Do you think she's right? How do you think Shadow has grown as a character or do you think he's grown at all?

I think she means that he's not actively participating in his life and I would have to agree with her. He is way too easy going for a guy that is surrounded by gods. I don't think most people would have taken the craziness that is his life these days so calmly. I'm beginning to see hints that he might be developing a bit of backbone, but I think there's a lot more room for growth.

I will look through my books to see if I have anything for our current goals.

Questions and Comments
04 December 2015 Chapters 10-11

20. How to save money on food during winter: freeze and bury your family... be careful to protect them from nibbling mice! When Spring arrives, thaw them and continue life. Handy, don't you think? What do you think of all these weird side stories that keep popping up, either as chapter addons or in dialogue as a character telling a tale? Do you have a favorite one so far?

I find them really interesting and, oftentimes, amusing. I think my favorite side story so far was with the jinn that was a taxi driver and switched places with the salesman (Samir? I can't remember if that's right and I don't have my book with me). I thought that story was so intriguing, but so very sad.

21. Does anyone have any ideas as to who they were meeting in Las Vegas? He seemed to be tied to money, but also no one can remember him, other than Mr. Wednesday. Guesses? Theories?

I have absolutely no idea. I don't know much about different deities, though, so that could just be my lack of knowledge. He's definitely interesting.

22. People gamble to lose money. Do you think that's the equivalent of a modern sacrifice to an old god? It seems to give him a lot of power!

It does seem like that is the equivalent to, say, blood sacrifices. It makes sense... money is something precious to most people.

23. So Wednesday knows 18 charms and none can bring Laura back... Does it mean that it cannot be done? Will Shadow give up? What do you think will happen with the Laura story thread?

I don't think it's impossible. I just think it's nothing something that's within Wednesday's powers. Shadow won't give up. I think he still cares about Laura too much to give up. I'm not sure where it's headed, but I don't feel like it's going to end well.

24. Hinzelmann seems to be playing a big role for just a side character... I'm suspecting he's either a god or something else not entirely human. I have a theory... but since I just went and confirmed it, I won't share. What do you think?

I'm not sure about him. He seems a bit wacky, kind of like most of the gods that we've run into, so I can see him turning out to be a god.

25 Do you think Sophie is right? That Alison's disappearance may be part of a pattern? That Sandy didn't ran away to meet his father? Are the gods involved? Or does a human have a hand in things?

I does seem like a bit too much of a pattern to just be coincidence. If it's isn't a coincidence, the gods are more than likely involved. I don't know why they would be running off with kids.