Rebecca’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2011)

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

Dec 22 DQs for Chapters 24-27
Team Poseidon

29. Alosha mentions Ragostok… and then casually brings up that he is her great-great-grandson, and the only child of her line to show magic in the area. She also mentions Ballo’s history -- that he was a monk, living in a monastery and illuminating manuscripts for forty years before anyone noticed that he wasn’t aging. These are MINOR characters, but from the brief glimpses we’ve been given, we have fleshed out backstories and deep characters, even just from a few sentences. What tiny part of Novik’s Uprooted world so far has made you think “Wow, she’s really sucked me into this world she’s created!!!”? It could be a character backstory, a setting, a description… anything that made you think Novik was a master of pushing her world and her creation into your imagination. (Or perhaps you're thinking the opposite?)
I have to honestly say that I am not sucked into this world at all. At first I was really intrigued and interested, but now it seems WAY too complicated for one book. There are so many important things that I think I am missing because the author brings them up quickly and then rushes away. This could be a trilogy really with all the action and the complicated backstories. I'm even having trouble keeping the different main characters straight.

30. The Wood has taken most of the royal line now, and only Marek, Stashek, and Marisha remain. Did you see this quick turn of events coming? I sure didn’t. Any guesses on the Wood’s goal in all this? Not just for this battle, but overall. What is behind the sentient Wood? What is driving it? Why is it so BAD??? Did you expect that the queen *IS* the Wood and that it had found a way to hide?!
I definitely didn't thin they would all die. I thought maybe it would be Marek vs his brother and the Wood would claim one to be it's "champion" so it could win and rule (even though I still don't understand why it would want that or what it's agenda is). I wonder if someone that was mentioned 400 pages ago is the one who is secretly driving it. Or if the Queen is driving it all. I am so very confused at this point still about The Wood.

31. We see even more spells from Agnieszka in this section. What’s been your favorite spell so far? One of my favorite things about this book is the magic system that Novik has set up. Nothing is set into stone, and the rules are completely unclear (unlike so many fantasy masters who write the “best” magic systems, like Brandon Sanderson for example, where rules and limits are vital), but it feels so coherent and complete! Do you like the magic in the book or do you feel like it’s too vague?
I really like the spell for conjuring up rain and storms for some reason. I definitely like the magic system and how it's not just "here is THE ONLY SPELL for yada yada and you must memorize it". Instead, the characters each have their own magic and it really becomes uniquely apart of them. This is the only thing I'm really interested in at this point.

32. Another thing I love about this book is how Agnieszka continues to defy the traditions and push the limits. She might just have it in her to be the one to show the magical world that the limits they’ve placed on themselves are why they’ve been unable to beat back the Wood for good. Do you think she’ll be able to overcome these obstacles? The more that is thrown at her, the more we see her think on her feet and adapt… just like the Wood has seemed to do. Do you think that Agnieszka and the human world will get their happy endings? What predictions do you have on whole will make it to the end and if the Wood will be defeated for good (or will it end with the Wood being seemingly defeated and then the classic "oh wait, something more could happen" type ending)?
I hope she overcomes the obstacles as she is my favorite (and only character I really like other than the Dragon). She will uproot The Woods and beat down all the crazy princes and win! Ha I hope so but really she seems more level headed than anyone else out there. I have a feeling there will not be a happy ending (there are barely any characters left to be happy).

Dec. 21 Discussion Questions
Chapters 18-23



24. The book has been set so far in Agnieszka's village, the Tower, the Wood, and now the Court. Which setting has been your favorite to read about? Why?
I liked reading about the Wood (even though very creepy) and her village. The Court just seemed frivolous and annoying. They really just wasted so many days when such serious and immediate danger was out there? That part really just annoyed me.

25. Agnieszka has really been struggling with the etiquette required at court, and with trying to get her point across about sending an army to fight the Wood. Would she have fared better with the Dragon by her side, or would he have made it worse? Should she have joined up with the Falcon, like he wanted her to?
I think he may have made it worse or just the same. People seem to not really like him, probably because he has seriously isolated himself. I don't think she should have joined with the Falcon, but maybe she should have pretended to for a while so she could get things done quicker. He obviously has other goals in mind than she does.

26. Alosha made a great point: Why don't the people living in the Valley simply pack up and leave? Do you think there is something in the river or air that lures them to stay? Or is it more of a case of them not wanting to leave where they were born and have lived for generations?
I think there definitely is something keeping them there. Whether it's just too hard to pack up and move a whole village, or if it's more magical. Since the title is Uprooted, maybe strong magical roots have surrounded them and are keeping them there. I can't imagine packing up and leaving home, but I also wouldn't want to live near an evil wood!

27. What do you think is behind Queen Hanna's surprising recovery? Is she actually cured, or is the Wood still somehow controlling her?
Nope definitely not cured. I think the Wood wanted to keep her calm until she penetrated the castle and won the trust of Merek and maybe others. She is evil and I don't trust her one bit.

28. How do you think the title of the book fits in with what has happened so far?
It could be many things. Agnieszka has been uprooted from her home and family. All the evil people have been killed and uprooted from their heart tree? They are trying to up-root the whole Wood. Or maybe everyone will be uprooted and have to move far away from The Wood.

by Leslie Meier
256 pages
6th in series
Characters: Lucy, Bill, Sue, Elizabeth, Toby, Zoe, Sara, Will, Tom, Barney, Effie, Rachel
Drugs, murder, undercover, drug smuggling, death
Christmas
First word: I'd

I'll start a book with presents on the cover.

Stacie is a machine for reading wrote: "NEW GOAL

Read a book where a character is a succubus/incubus"

noooooooooo not that one again!

Stacie is a machine for reading wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "Stacie is a machine for reading wrote: "NEW GOAL

Read a book where a character is cranky without coffee or chocolate"

I think [book:My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorr..."

Oh it's coffee and the character is named "Alf". He keeps getting woken up so he's constantly drinking coffee and definitely is grumpy until he has some and then is nicer to the MC.

Stacie is a machine for reading wrote: "NEW GOAL

Read a book where a character is cranky without coffee or chocolate"

I think My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry works for that.

I have one with a sleigh on the cover as a backup I'll start then.

Steven wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "Karrie wrote: "Meg wrote: ""We had better take poor Georg's head off the wall in the parade-room."
This line made me laugh way too much."

I didn't get that. Was it a portrait? Did..."

Ahh makes more sense!

Karrie wrote: "Meg wrote: ""We had better take poor Georg's head off the wall in the parade-room."
This line made me laugh way too much."

I didn't get that. Was it a portrait? Did I miss something?"

I think it was truly his head...hanging up.

C@#$ so my book for Day 21 actually didn't have anyone do a holiday dinner....does anyone have a book for that or should I try for another one?

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?
I am shocked they found the Queen. I guess Agnieszka was powerful enough to lead them there. I don't understand why they did prepare more since she had already been in the woods for so many years....what's another couple of weeks?

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 am starting to really like her and respect her powers. I think she was always like this and maybe is a nature witch....so being in the woods increases her magic potency a lot?

20. What are your thoughts on the rescue of the Queen? Was it worth losing 28 men? Do you think she will recover?
NO! She was definitely not worth all those poor deaths. Also I still don't trust that she's just an empty zombie now. I keep waiting for her to wake up and be terrible and evil. I don't think she will ever recover back to normal.

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.
I think he is not happy to have this empty queen. He knows he may have to burn her and who really wants to do that? Also I agree he may have had a large hand in why she went to the woods and become corrupted.

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 think they will recognize her as the girl taken by the Dragon. I bet it'll be some kind of bird or insect or something. Or maybe she won't get an animal and instead will get a nature name like stream, but she deserves something a little more fierce than that.

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

Oh man I have no idea. this book has already gone all over the place and is not what I expected. I guess there will be a big battle against The Wood maybe ending in the dragon's almost death and Agnieszka will save him?

Delta wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "Is anyone else listening to the audiobook and ..."

I had a really hard time listening to the audiobook. The narrator could not hold my attention and the accent was a bit distracting."

Yeah I agree. I think it's taking away from my enjoyment of this book, but I don't have any other version to read.

Is anyone else listening to the audiobook and having trouble with the narrator? I just realized I've been listening for almost an hour and have no idea what happened so I had to go back and start this part again.

I think it has to do with her not having enough emotion or something in her voice to keep my attention.

Venecia wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "- Read a book that is in the "Best Unknown but must be Known books " Listopia List (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...)

Apparently American Gods works for this ..."

Well works for me, I've been meaning to start Shadow and Bone forever now....I'm just happy there are finally some goals I can help with!

- Read a book that is in the "Best Unknown but must be Known books " Listopia List (https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...)

Apparently American Gods works for this one...did anyone read that?

If no one is working on this goal, I will read Shadow and Bone for it.

Oooooooo I'm loving these pictures of The Dragon!

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 was surprised about the hatred between those two. At the beginning it seemed like they were perfect friends who were content to be happy together in the moment. But considering the situation I'm not surprised. I never really thought about how it must have felt for Kasia to have everyone assume she would be taken by the dragon and treat her accordingly all her life.

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 hope they end up together! They both seem like very solitary people and I think it would be a good match if they could find companionship and happiness and love for each other. Both seem to be lacking large amounts of love in their pasts. I definitely think the magic is a big factor though.

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?
NO!! No No NO! She is not going to want to come out of the woods. Maybe she's become Queen of the Woods or something and will be lording over all the corruption. I would never go in.

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 did notice this! I wasn't sure if it was just the way the author was writing or if she was hinting that he actually could read her thoughts. I feel like Agnieszka would have mentioned something about that though (and freaking out about it!)

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?
I really want to know. It seems like people may be given strange nicknames in this book. I'm actually starting to feel really bad for him.

17) If you could put a face to the Dragon, what would he look like?
Oh this is so hard.... before I was picturing him as older like Harrison Ford now, but now I'm thinking he is a bit younger as a younger Johnny Depp.

Yes yes yes I'll volunteer for DQs!

❀Tea❀ wrote: "RebeccaS wrote: "Hmm if it's a lot more points than HP/LOTR I would go for a longer one because we really need points! But it's up to you haha "

The Wise Man's Fear longest I have :)"

Oh wow that's long! That would be a lot of points.