Preeti’s Comments (group member since Sep 26, 2021)

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

The Malevolent Seven Adult BOM May 2024 (Starts 16 May 2024) - Day 1

Chapters 1 - 8

1. The book has the MPG Dark Fantasy. Do you like this genre in general? If so, do you have any favourite authors or books?

I didn’t think I would like this genre but several of the books I have rated very highly have been tagged dark fantasy so it looks like I do enjoy it. I have very few books with MPG dark Fantasy but 2 authors whose books that are tagged dark fantasy I have rated 5 stars are Tamsyn Muir (The Locked Tomb series - I have read book 1 Gideon the Ninth & 2 Harrow the Ninth) and Rebecca Roanhorse (Between Earth and Sky series - I have only read the 1st book - Black Sun). With both these authors I definitely not only want to reread these books but also continue with the rest of the series.

Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic?

2. The book starts with the quote above. Is this your mental image of a wizard, too? Or something different? :)

Like many people, my image of a wizard was a blend of Merlin, Gandalf and Dumbledore so yes, quite similar to what is mentioned above. I have always wished there were more books that featured a broader spectrum of personalities and looks.

3. And the author lands us in the middle of a siege (ideal for the Book Games, right? ;) with 2 of the main characters Cade Ombra and Corrigan Blight. Cade is narrating what is happening and offering us his views on good and evil, the part they are playing and how they "win" this particular siege.
Do you think it's a strong start to the book? Has it got you intrigued?

I have discovered recently that I quite enjoy reading books that start in the thick of things and then gradually explain the background, plot, characters etc.

4. As an extra incentive & entertainment, the Ascendant Lucien offers young girls and boys (sublimes) to the wanderists after the siege. We get introduced to Fiddick and Galass and learn that Cade decided to kill Lucien. We can actually start putting some pieces of Cade's character together. What do you think about him at this point?

The gentleman doth protest too much, methinks! But seriously, Cade’s constant denial of his “good guy-ness” and insistence that he is the vilest of the vile is getting a bit tiring.

5. Some demonic highlights to this introductory part: Tenebris the demon, with whom Cade as an "infernalist" mage trades with to get his spells.
What were your impressions of Tenebris? How do you find the "religious/magical" system of the Infernals and the Celestines?

Now Tenebris I could do with more of in the book. I hope he has a bigger part in the rest of the book.
I am still very confused about the whole Infernals/Celestines thing and am hoping to get a better understanding as I continue with the rest of the chapters. The only thing I have figured out is that the author is definitely saying there are no divides between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”, each group is just as bad as the other where it comes to power and who has it.

Preeti’s BOM Participation Post: The Malevolent Seven

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Yay! Finally, we get Haymitch's story. According to the articles, the title is "Sunrise on the Reaping".

In case anybody wants to read about it, here are two of the articles.

https://screenrant.com/new-hunger-gam...

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...

Book: The Ice Princess (Fjällbacka #1) by Camilla Läckberg
Date Read: Jun 6
Page Count: 393


Weapon:

Shelter:
Red on the cover

Food:
Pg. 207: For the entree she had planned fillet of pork baked in puff pastry with a port wine sauce and mashed potatoes, and for dessert Gino with vanilla ice cream.

Defense:
Blue on the cover

My vote goes to Michael B Jordan.

Luke Evans!!!!

Laura wrote: "Preeti wrote: "Book: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros
Date Read: Jun 3
Page Count: 640


Weapon:
Pg. 568: “Here.” Maren pulls out a small crossbow and..."

Thanks, Laura!

Eric Bana! (Mainly because I had no clue who the other guy was ☺️)

I have to confess, I have never watched Battlestar Galactica. I always wanted to but never got around to it. I think I will put Star Trek on hold and watch this first.

Edit: Arrrggghhh, it isn't available on any of the streaming services here in India.

Book: Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros
Date Read: Jun 3
Page Count: 640


Weapon:
Pg. 568: “Here.” Maren pulls out a small crossbow and leather-capped quiver from her pack, then stands. “Hate to tell you this, but you’re awful with a longbow.”

Shelter:
Red on the cover

Food:
Pg. 234: There are more than enough biscuits for the four of us and a jar of what looks to be strawberry jam.

Defense:
The book is thick as a brick.

While I loved Manny Jacinto in The Good Place, my vote goes to Christian Kane.

Preeti’s BOM Participation Post:

Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher BONUS BOM May 2024 (Starts 25 May 2024)

Day 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 4: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher BONUS BOM May 2024 (Starts 25 May 2024) - Day 4

Love Has Come to Mean Death" - end

15. I personally haven't read Jane Eyre and therefore can't compare the two books which makes me feel a bit regretting, but then again so many of y'all don't seem to like this as a retelling. Do you think you'd feel differently about the book depending on whether you've read Jane Eyre or not, and do you want to pick up Jane Eyre now if you haven't yet? What if you hadn't been aware of this being a retelling and the characters had different names?

Sadly, I don’t think this book stands on its own which is a pity as a paranormal twist to Jane Eyre is just what I was wishing for. If the world-building had been better, the magic explained in more detail, and the characters and plot line expanded, this could have been an exceptional book. This felt more like the author tried to stick to the major plot points of the original which in the end was its downfall.

16. I was secretly hoping that Agnes had romantic feelings for Antoinette and that she was more involved in the last part of the book, but alas it was Dr. Poole. No big surprise there. Has your opinion of him changed in any way after he "confessed" and tried to help Jane and Edward? And if you could bring someone back from the dead, would you do it? Theoretically you wouldn’t be aware of any consequences, but logically I think we've learned that there's always consequences...

That sudden change in Poole’s character did not feel very organic. It felt more like it was convenient for the plot. As for bringing back someone from the dead, absolutely not!!!

17. Jane came back for Edward and saved him of course, and now they're living happily ever after. How do you feel about them as a couple, and is there anything you would have changed about these last couple of chapters as the author or simply just a fan of the original work?

This was the part of the original that I never loved and I found it even weaker here as it relies too much on the original plot line. In both the original and this version, I would have preferred the book ending with Jane looking upon all this as experience and going on to be happy on her own.

18. Was this your first book written by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and do you think you'll be reading more by the author? Were your original expectations met? Anything else you want to add?

This was my first book by this author. While I won’t say I will never read any of her books again, I will also not be in a great hurry to pick up any others by her. I liked the paranormal twist but I was not impressed by the writing or the plot development.

Bonus for everyone but especially those who have read Jane Eyre before: I challenge you to say at least one good thing about Salt & Broom - other than "it ended!!" lol :b

I liked the idea of making Jane a witch, it could have been an excellent book if the world, plot and characters had been expanded upon. I also greatly appreciated that Jane was surrounded by female characters who supported her. I am always very happy to see authors show strong supportive relationships between the female characters and not only ones based on envy, anger and pettiness.

Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher BONUS BOM May 2024 (Starts 25 May 2024) - Day 3

Protective Impulses-Pert Thing

11. What do you think about the revelation in the garden/the haunting? Did you see it coming, and do you think there are others involved with the “curse”?

I think this was part of the author’s attempt to make a variance in the book by adding an additional plot. I was definitely expecting something like this particularly as the early deaths in the Rochester family were all from before Antoinette’s time which shows to me that there is not one but at least two paranormal events taking place.

12. What do you think about Mr. Rochester sending away Jane and the staff? If you have read the original, how does this change Jane’s agency, and do you like the change? Either way, why do you think the author made it Mr. Rochester’s choice?

I think this was the author’s way of staying true to the original work and is one I wish they had changed. It felt very odd to have him looking upon her as somebody capable at one moment and then treating her like a frail creature at the next. It would have been more interesting to have Rochester respect Jane’s abilities and have her stay and do her thing.

13. Have you ever visited an Apothecary’s Garden? Would you be interested in seeing one? Do you grow any herbs or are you interested in growing any?

I have seen a few in botanical gardens and university gardens and always find them fascinating. It is interesting to see how our knowledge of the botanical world has changed so much over the years.
I would love to have a small herb garden and hope to do so when I finally move into my apartment. At my parents’ house where I live right now, my mum grows a few plants that help with managing her diabetes. I managed to grow a few lime plants but they all gave up the ghost with the absolutely awful summer we have been having.

14. What do you think about the scene with Miss Ingram? What does this tell you about Mr. Rochester’s character and did that seem consistent with his character so far? Did his explanation make sense to you?

The whole Miss Ingram storyline is one of the things I disliked about Rochester in the original book as well. His explanation made no sense at all to me and I feel that this entire bit would have been better off left out. I somehow feel the author left it in just to maintain the connection to Jane Eyre.

Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher BONUS BOM May 2024 (Starts 25 May 2024) - Day 2

Baneful-"My Own Wee Thing”

6. Jane gives Rochester a black-coloured thumb-sized stone to keep with him as a protective talisman. Do you believe in talismans? Please tell us about an object that you keep with you as a talisman?

I very much believe in talismans. I think certain objects that are greatly loved, even if they are inconsequential things like pebbles, can be imbued with energy just from being held. I have a lovely stone, it is of no important material, just an ordinary round, flat stone that fits perfectly in the palm of my hand. I hold it in my hand whenever I am feeling dejected or unhappy and it makes me feel much better.

7. Between some of the chapters narrated from Jane’s point of view, we get chapters from Rochester’s point of view. What do you think of these “interludes”? Do they help or distract?

I think this was another example of the poor execution. They could have been used to give us another dimension to the whole plot but they were not used properly. I wish they had either been more expansive or had been left out entirely.

8. We are introduced to Dr. Poole. What did you think of this character particularly with regards to Jane meeting him in the poison garden? Were there any changes in your opinion after reading Agnes’ conversation with Jane about the late Mrs. Rochester?

This is a place where using the same names as the original book can backfire. I was very suspicious of this character and it wasn’t until I remembered the character with the same surname in the original book that I realised why. That he was hanging around in a place where few had entered for many years or even remembered, particularly one with dangerous plants had me sure he was greatly involved in the plot.

9. We have been told several times about a curse on Thornfield. Then Jane follows Rochester to the graveyard where his family members are buried. At this point Jane says “This was a story of heartache. Everyone in Mr. Rochester’s family had died before their time, especially the females. Then his wife had done the same.” Do you think there is a connection between the curse and the early deaths?

I am not sure about the current problem but there definitely seems to be something hinky with all the female members of the Rochester family perishing so early. That it is only the female members seems more like a curse than coincidence.

10. We have been given information about Jane and her origin? What do you think of this twist in the tale?

I was expecting something like this though I have to say, the identity of her father came as a bit of a surprise. I actually liked the twist though not how abruptly it was handled. It could have made for a much more interesting book if the world had been built up more.

Bonus: The author has used several of the same names as those of characters from Jane Eyre. Other than Jane, Rochester, we have Brocklehurst, Maria Temple, Mrs. Fairfax, Poole etc. What do you think about authors using the same names in retellings?

While it serves to strengthen the link between the source material and the retelling, I think it can also backfire if the new book is not strong enough to stand alone as a separate book. Characters with the same name can sometimes foretell the coming events to readers who are familiar with the original material.

Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher BONUS BOM May 2024 (Starts 25 May 2024) - Day 1

Prologue-Blackthorn

1. A paranormal retelling?? of Jane Eyre - this prompts the question about the original or let's call it the "source for inspiration". What is your relationship to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë? Have you read it? Loved/liked/disliked it?

I have read Jane Eyre many, many times over the years and loved it every time. I was very young when I first came across the book and while I wasn’t very keen on the romance angle, I adored Jane. Over the years, with every reread, I found myself relating to different parts of the book and of Jane Eyre as a person. I even found myself understanding the relationship between Rochester and Jane more every time. I continue to not like Rochester very much but Jane will always be a favourite.
Having read Villette also written by the same author, I realised that Charlotte Brontë created some very strong female characters for the times they lived in. I look forward to reading both again well as finally getting to her 3rd book, Shirley.

2. What about Retellings? Is it a genre you like/avoid?

I think this a very tricky genre particularly with books like this one whose plot and characters are so universally known and loved. In my opinion, a good retelling is one that while connecting to the original source material also works on its own as a separate piece of work.
I enjoy finding and reading retellings of all genres of books. It is fascinating to see what different authors produce with similar plot lines, characters etc. Looking at all the books I have read that fall under this category, I have noticed that the ones I enjoyed the most were ones that were strong enough in plot line, world-building and characters that they could be read and enjoyed by anybody not aware of the connection to the original story.

3. Jane Aire as a witch in a school for orphan witches? How do you like the setting of this alternative Victorian world where magic is at least tolerated?

I think it is a very interesting twist and would have loved to see the world and the magic expanded upon. Sadly, while the concept was excellent, the execution was faulty.

4. What are your first impressions of Jane and Rochester?

I don’t think the characters were strong enough for the book to stand alone. I would have liked to get a better feel of who these characters were as well as their motivations. I think the way the relationship between them develops could have done with more work.

5. What do you think about the occurrences in Thornfield? Are they really caused by supernatural elements or is it human action?

Seeing as we have characters who are witches and there is talk of magic, my guess is that there are supernatural reasons for all the occurrences that will be revealed in later chapters.

Bradley Cooper!

Laura wrote: "Preeti wrote: "I have completed the book above and will add the answers to the DQs tomorrow.
I have a doubt... do we continue loading the books we complete in Round 1 or move them to Round 2?
I add..."

Oops, I have no clue why I was convinced it starts today. I will move the book back to Round 1. Thanks for letting me know.

I have completed the book above and will add the answers to the DQs tomorrow.
I have a doubt... do we continue loading the books we complete in Round 1 or move them to Round 2?
I added the book above to the Round 2 page but the Cornucopia page is not picking up info from there.

Book: Salt & Broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher
Date Read: Jun 1
Page Count: 282


Weapon:
Pg. 181: She carried a knife.

Shelter:
Jane Aire would be an excellent person to shelter with as she is immensely resourceful and does not scare easily.

Food:
Pg. 18: She had sent scones, eggs, and even a little ham—a feast by Lowood standards.

Defense:
Green on the cover (trees & grass)

Sammy wrote: "Question about the cover...

Did anyone notice a single bird in the book? I wasn't consciously looking for one, but can't recall seeing one. Which begs the question, why is the focal point of said ..."

I think it might be more about the association between ravens and witches/witchcraft. The plant the raven is carrying looks a lot like the broom plants referred to in the book.