Tina ❣’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2016)

Tina ❣’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 5 - Chapters 21-25


I have to admit that I don't like this book, mostly because I don't like the writing; it will be a 1 star read for me, unless something really extraordinary happens in the last chapters. I hope you all enjoy this book much more than I do.

18. Turner and Alex are working together now, trying to solve Tara's murder. How do you think, is it only a temporary truce or will they be able to become partners?

They'll have a partner relationship for this case and then they'll sever contact

19. Colin knew about Blake using Merity to rape the girls and didn't report it, hoping to use this opportunity for his society. Somehow I have the feeling that he is not the only one, who would act this way - most of the other members of his society (and probably other societies too) would do the same. What do you think?

It's disgusting behaviour and I don't agree with it at all.

20. Colin has an alibi for the night when Tara was murdered, as well as Dean Sandow. Do you believe these alibis or do you think one of them could still have killed Tara with the help of a portal (as Turner suggested)?

I thought it was the Dean with the help of a portal

21. During the summon Darlington (or the Hellbeast) said Murder. What murder do you think he meant? Were these the murders that Alex commited? Or the hellbeast eating him? Or some other murder?

I thought they were referring to Alex's murders.

22. Do you think it is final that Darlington is dead? Or has he survived somehow?

I thought he was still alive somewhere and somehow

Day 4 DQs - Chapters 14-20

13. As disgusting as Alex's form of justice was on Blake, did you laugh and write it off as karma, or did she take it too far?

I didn't laugh. It's pretty gross. I wouldn't say Karma... more of a f*** you to Blake. Definitely took it to far but I'm not mad. It's despicable behaviour of what he was doing

14. At Rosenfeld Darlington felt the darkness of the "portal" before telling Alex that it wasn't a portal. I feel like there are still a lot of holes in the world building and the magic system, but do you have any idea what it could be if not a portal?

Nooo I didn't. Maybe a hole or something?

15. In that same scene we learned what happened when Darlington disappeared. Do you think Alex could've stopped it or was to blame? She seemed a little uncertain herself. And if he didn't disappear, do you think he would've turned Alex in for what he believed her to be?

We hear him think that she didn't do a protection spell or something. But did he actually teach her any? Did he teach her things that could have helped him out in that situation? I don't think he would have

16. After discovering what happened with Hellie, Len and the others in LA, did it help you understand Alex more? Did it change how you felt about her?

Yeah it definitely did. Like murder is not something anyone should do but I get it. How dare they do what they did to Hellie?

17. Lance seemed to be involved in more than just selling drugs, especially with the ability to portal! Why did he attack Alex as soon as he appeared? Did someone send him after her? But then going back to the scene in the morgue, if this was Lance, who did Alex see when she had the vision above Tara's body (you would think she would remember the face)? Anyone else thinking Glamours?

I thought he was just defending what was his. No I didn't think glamours! Good theory

Day 3 DQs: Chapters 9 - 13

9. Well, these chapters definitely get exciting! Alex is attacked by a gluma, which seems like a Gray on steroids. She later recalls that they are messengers sometime used by the houses. Book & Snake are the ones that can "create" these messengers, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were behind the attack. Who do you think is trying to have Alex killed? Do you think it's because of her investigation or for some other sinister purpose?

I thought it was someone trying to stop her from finding out what they were up to... a male but wasn't sure who. Definitely a sinister purpose

10. "But one thought returned again and again as he tossed and turned, fell in and out of dreams, morning light beginning its slow bleed through the high tower window: Alex Stern was not what she seemed."

We know that Alex is special because she can see Grays without the assistance of potions, but Darlington knows this, as well. What do you think that thought means? Is there something more to Alex that makes her "not what she seemed"? Why do you think she can see Grays in the first place?

I kind of thought that he was saying that he was starting to understand her and like her. Could be a family trait...

11. A lot has been happening to the Lethe House Dante and Virgil: Darlington gets purposely drugged at the Manuscript party, he subsequently goes missing, and now someone is trying to off Alex. Do you think that these incidents are connected? Do you think someone has it out for not only Alex, but Lethe House in general? Any other theories about what might be happening?

Yes I do. I didn't think that anyone was out for Lethe. I think Alex was unintentionally dragged into all this. I thought that someone in of the houses was controlling all of this for one purpose or another not no real theories

12. After reading the chapter about Darlington's past, my immediate thought was, "Does Sandow do all of his recruiting in the hospital?" Do you think that he preys on vulnerable kids? Why would he do so when there are thousands of freshman at Yale they could recruit to be Dante?

I think he definitely does. But also those who show some interest or special ability for magic. I think they need a specific person to be a Dante

I’m nearly done with two books.

Might be able to get a short one in

I think I'm going to do audiobook as well

Day 2 - Chapters 5-8

5. In chapter 5, we meet Professor Marguerite Belbalm who Alex has a meeting with. What do you make of their meeting? Why is she proving help for Alex? Do you think she's just being a helpful teacher or that she has a sinister reason, like wanting to use Alex for something? How do you think this will influence Alex's behaviours and choices in the book?


6. Whilst Alex is looking at the crime scene of Tara 'on the other side of the intersection', she has a sense of familiarity and then remembers Helllie and Len struggling in the apartment. Len asks her to let them out. What do think happened in that situation and why did she remember it? I feel like it is something important to the story. Do you think this memory will lead to a large reveal or is it just a small and not so important memory?


7. In chapter 7 we get a glimpse into Alex's past and what she had to go through to deal with the ghosts. I honestly wasn't expecting us to find out about her past until past halfway mark. She mentions a lot of issues she had to deal with like no one believeing her, kids making fun of her and ostracising her, her parents, that awful bathroom scene, her illicit drug abuse... Why do you think the Lethe society didn't reach out and help her through all that if they were watching her?


8. I'm interested in what you guys think of the writing style so far. We have a chapter written in the present tense with Alex and a snippit of passages from books. Then we get Darlington's POV in the past. Are you in favour of this? What do you think of the snippits and are you paying much attention to what they say?

The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - Day 1 Questions

1. Our book starts out with a Prologue that leaves me understandably a bit lost and confused but wanting more, giving us minimal clues to our forthcoming story.
How do you feel about Prologues? Do you ever go back and Re-read them after you finish the book?

I feel like this prologue is placed somewhere in the middle of the book. I don't mind them. I don't fully understand them sometimes. Sometimes I do go back and re-read the prologue just for some clarity and sometimes it works. The prologues that show that everything is okay in the end, annoy me. I think this is a good example of the prologues I like to read.


2. The setting of our story is the prestigious Ivy League school of Yale. The history runs deep and gives a gothic and dark feel to the book. Why else do you think the author may have chosen Yale as the setting?

I was intrigued by the use of Yale as the setting. But I wasn't sure why she used it because I know nothing about Yale expect that it's elite. But you guys said that Bardugo went there :P


3. In Chapter 1 our Main Character, Alex Stern, is running late for the Prognostication. By definition Prognostication is the action of foretelling or prophesying future events. I'm curious as to what the Bonesmen final goal is by performing these ceremonies. Although it is still early in the book are there any guesses as to what the Bonesmen are seeking? Are they after glory ? Time travel? Immortality?

Mmm I had to look up the definition as that scene had me a bit confused. I feel like they want to know how ghosts and spirits work and pass through dimensions. Maybe they want to have the same power they do? Immortality would make sense as well.


4. The Grays ! I love ghost stories and cannot wait to learn more about the Grays. Alex not only has the ability to see the Grays but is also able to see them in color. This is important and seems to be a key feature that got her this opportunity at the school. Darlington appears to be jealous of this ability of Alex because he needs to take an elixir at a great risk to do the same. How do you see the relationship between Alex and Darlington? Will they become friends, enemies or lovers?

Well as we haven't met another possible male love interest, I feel like Darlington is hers. But they need to be friends first. It's interesting though because we're getting two different sides from them. Darlington seems to hate Alex and Alex seems to like/tolerate Darlington. So I'm actually not 100% convinced that they'll get together

Sorry! Questions are coming soon!

Go it. Thanks Tammie! :P

I'm happy with our current plan. I'll look out for some sin bingo books to read over the next two weeks. Though I wish other teams could just tell us what green covered young adult books they read this year to make it easier for us to get sin bingo haha

Tammie wrote: "@Tina ... you indicate Fan Girl is an option for Sin Bingo...that would be preferred...do you know who else read it in 2019?...found it...Jammin Jenny read

Also, please correct the version you hav..."

If this is for Chestnut Man, then the version I read was a white cover. I wasn’t 100% sure if the red cover would be okay. On the BOM the have a little list of what it would the book work for and they had red on it so I thought it would be okay. But otherwise I don’t mind if it’s used for Vanity or Envy!

Book of the Month: December
(Ninth House)

1 Ruby Coin for half DQ participation
1 Ruby Coin for Writing Disscussion Questions
1 Ruby Coin for completing ALL days DQs within month of BOM start

by Leigh Bardugo

Day 7 DQs - Chpt 114-End


31. When Genz started to torture Rosa, it made me think back to the other murders. It started off with 1 hand, then 2 hands, then 2 hands and a foot. What do you think the significance was of cutting of the victims' hands and feet? It didn't appear that he did the same to his prior victims so why the escalation?

It makes sense if he does it because of the song. It kind of reminds me of hangman. You get one letter wrong, you draw a line. He kills on person, he cuts one thing off

32. On that same note, now knowing that the girl was not Thulin in the first chapter, do you still believe the same or have another theory on why Thulin reacted the way she did when she saw the chestnut man at the first crime scene? Was there a valid reason which was not explored, or was it more for dramatic effect?

With how it ended, it seems to be more of dramatic effect. I never knew chestnut men were a thing but maybe in Denmark it's a national thing to know?

33. Some of us guessed earlier on but we now know what happened to Kristine. Why do you think Genz kept her alive this entire time? And after what was done to her, why do you think Astrid went along with this plan? Was she of sound mind?

To torture Rosa and Steen. I think she was stuck there psychologically and physically. He trapped her there. Where could she have gone with no money and no home? He had a wealth of money plus his tech skills to track her wherever she would go. I think she also wanted to be with his as he is her twin brother.

34. I thought the plot was wrapped up nicely in the end but that last chapter with Linus Bekker was a little ominous. What do you think he will do next? Do you think he'll take over where the Chestnut Man left off?

Ugh I hope not but if there's a second book then probably. It'll be him as a copycat killer.

35. With how lengthy this book was, did it keep your attention throughout? Did it end as you expected? How did you rate it?

The second half was easier for me to read. Definitely a lot of twists and turns and I liked it. I gave it a 4

36. I read that not only is Netflix adapting this novel into a series, but that the author is writing a follow-up novel. Are you interested in reading more by this author? Interested in reading more in this world/series?

I might. It's a hard read and watch probably. Not light and fluffy at all

Day 6 - Chapters 99-113

26. How convenient that Hess found the chestnut people & animals by accident in the photo from the case in 1989. I honestly thought this could have been carried out /written better. What were your thoughts? Did you still remember they had requested the photos but never looked at them?

I remember him requesting them. I thought it was written okay

27. Lol after the chapter in which Genz and Thulin went for a run I made a note to ask you guys what your thoughts were of him, and then there was this big reveal! Did you suspect him at all?

The run was weird. I didn't but I thought it was someone who was working on the case who could steer evidence away from him. He would have to know when and where the police would be with his murders. Like with what happened to Jess.

28. It had been mentioned before that Rosa was in the foster system. Did you pick up on it back then and already make the connection? What was your theory?

No, I kind of brushed it off. I didn't think they'd know each other through the foster system

29. Wow, that last chapter 113 - didn't expect this background story to hit me so hard. Did you expect anything like this? How do you feel about Rosa, her parents and the twins right now?

I didn't think that what happened would be the reason he started killing. I think he's just focused on Rosa because maybe when he left there, his life got worse? Maybe it was his one shot at a family and happiness?

30. Also, where is Frederick Vogel??? Do you think he plays a part in this, or was it just a coincidence that he wasn't there when Rosa asked about him?

Not too sure. Maybe fluffing around

To kind of pick up on the bonus question of Day 4 - I think this book would make an amazing tv show, do you think or hope it'll get made into one? Would you watch?
I would actually watch it. Probably with my partner

DQs Day 5 - Chapters 79-98

20. Why do you think all the victims were from abusive or neglectful homes? And how do you think the minister Rosa Hartem ties into these chestnut men? Is it more than just her daughter’s “disappearance”?

It has something to do with the killer's childhood. I think he went through the same or similar things. I think it might be related to when she was growing up. The killer is connected to her somehow

21. I find the character of Lunas Becker fascinating. I think he makes a great scapegoat for the crime of Katherine’s disappearance, and he seems to know something about The Chestnut Man.. What did you think about the interview Thulin and Hess have with Lunas Becker in the facility for the criminally insane?

He's a creepy guy. I would run from him. He knows what's going on and know how to lie well and manipulate. Sometime I don't know how police do their jobs

22. Eskar Neergord and his wife Benedicta come up with a plan to infiltrate the Minister’s house by having Eskar hired as her private driver. That gives him direct access to her son Gustav, and when things start to go awry, Eskar and Benedicta decide to kidnap him. At the same time, the police broke into Eskar and Benedicta’s home and find all sorts of photos of the minister’s house. Do you think they are involved somehow with the chestnut dolls showing up?

No I don't think so. I think the killer is going to frame them

23. Hess appears to be the only one in the room who thinks Eskar and Benedicta are not involved in the murders of the women, even if they are involved in the kidnapping. As he looks around the command room, he seems to think they are all still dancing to invisible strings in the air. Why do you think Hess thinks that and do you agree?

I think that the police want the quick answer, the easy answer. But Hess wants the correct answer. I'm on his side.

24. Eskar is able to stop Benedicta from hurting Gustav when they pull off into the woods. Then a strange car pulls off into the woods behind them and someone starts walking up. Later we find that both Eskar and Benedicta are dead outside the van, and the boy was saved by the task force that arrives. Who do you think followed the couple into the woods and killed them? Do you think it could be Frederick Vogel the minister’s advisor?

Chestnut Man! I don't think it's Vogel. I think it's someone in the police who is the killer

25. Who do you think put the cut off hands and feet in the mini-fridge in the slaughterhouse?

I think it's the Chestnut Man framing them and trying to get the trail off himself

DQs Day 4: Chapters 63-78

16. I could not believe how much abuse Eric afflicted on his wife and children. It made me sick to my stomach reading about how he justified his actions and knew he would get away with it. Even when he found out about his wife’s death after learning that she was planning on running away, Eric thought it was justice being served. How was your experience reading this section?

It was pretty disgusting. I do think it's believable honestly and it's disturbing that these things happen. I didn't think that would happen though. It's just ugh.

17. Hess is annoyed when he finds out that Nylander is in communication with his ex-boss from Interpol. There’s been hints so far as to what resulted in Hess’s dismissal from his previous job. Do you have any ideas what it might have been?

No! I'm still wondering. I think he was upsetting his seniors

18. The killer keeps distracting the police officers with incorrect leads. Did you think the killer was going to come to Jessie’s apartment? Were you surprised that her lover came instead?

Yes I did. I wasn't surprised that the lover came. I though it would be the lover first and then a while before the killer went there but nope

19. One of the things I really like about this book is how you get multiple viewpoints from the various characters (the women before they are killed, Nylander, the cop in charge of Kristine’s case etc.) It really helps to flesh out the plot and character development. What are your thoughts about this? Do you like this type of narrative or would you have wanted the focus to be on Thulin and Hess?

I agree with you. I'm wondering why the author doesn't show the thoughts running through the victim's mind as their being murdered but I'm totally okay with us not having the pov. We don't need it.

Bonus question: The author of this book is a writer for the TV show – The Killing. Have you watched it or are you interested in watching it after reading this book?
No I haven't watched it. I might in the far future.

Starts next week btw

I'm writing discussion questions again for BOM guys! Day 2 for Ninth House

Still need to get a copy though :P

Day 3 DQ's– Chapters 39-62

11. Steen finds out from Kristine's friend Mathilde that they didn't make Chestnut Men last year like Rosa said. Do you think Rosa was just mistaken when she told the police Kristine made and sold them or that she purposely lied? What were her intentions if you think she lied - did she just want the cops to get out and leave her grieving family in peace, or do you think she kI nows something about the chestnut men and/or the killer?

I think it was a mistake

12. Both victims families were reported to Social Services through an anonymous tip and evidence of sexual/child abuse are later discovered. Do you think the anonymous tipper is the killer?

Most definitely

13. When Hess calls social services he speaks with social worker Henning Loeb who gives him information on Magnus, but lies about finding information about the two girls, Lina and Sofia Sejer-Lassen, after he "sees something he doesn't fully grasp, and that makes him wary." What do you think he saw and why did he lie? Do you think there is a connection here with Rosa who is the Minister for Social Affairs?

I don't know! I want to know. If he didn't say something to help the case, I think that's really bad. No, I don't think there's a connection with Rosa

14. A few people have speculated that the basement Officer Marius enters in ch. 1 could have been used some sort of abuse, possibly child abuse. Given what we now know do you agree and do you think the killer was possibly a victim?

Oh yes! Good theory. If that's the case, I can see where he is coming from

15. While it's clear Hauge was the one abusing Magnus we don't know for sure if Lassen was the one abusing the girls. Do you think the abuser was Lassen or his wife? (He seemed ready to offer up info on his eldest's broken nose which is the only thing giving me pause.) If the killer is reacting to the abuse, why target the mothers and not the abusers (assuming Lassen is the abuser)? Is Thulin right in speculating that in the killers eyes the mother "ought to have know... didn't react to the report."?

Lassen, definitely. The wife was just trying to escape the abuse without raising any alarms to Lassen. I think that he might be killing the mum's to end their suffering from the abuse they're put through and to make the father figure suffer. Which I don't thin is right. Children shouldn't have to deal with a parent's death and their abuse.
The killer needs help and it's sad that he didn't get any if he did indeed suffer through abuse as well

Day 2 DQ's– Chapters 20 – 38

6. We have got a fair way into the book now and my first question is to ask how you feel about it? What do you like / dislike about it

I think it's interesting but for some reason I haven't been sucked into it. Whenever I pick it up, I manage to read only a chapter or two and then I stop for a day or two. The storyline is interesting especially with the chestnut men. I'm getting a bit confused with the characters but that could be because it's taken me so long to read it.

7. What are your impressions about the time line from Marius to Kristine to Laura?

I'm under the impression it's the same killer but I'm curious as to why there's a gap

8. Hess and Thulin are not necessarily bosom buddies How do you see their differing working methods and relationship developing?

It's actually interesting to me to see partner's who don't see things the same way and I feel like they're clashing a bit. I think seeing how they are together might be my favourite thing of the book so far

9. Hess insists on visiting Magnus Kjaer and showing him some photographs. What do you think is the significance of "The chestnut man" being something new?

Definitely a calling card. I think he's trying to link things together

10. Erik Sejer Lassen is arrested - there is a lot going on during the chase - How do you read the events leading up to the arrest and during the questioning

I feel like the Chestnut Man is trying to get back at the people who are doing no good. But is doesn't necessarily mean that they should be caught by the police or something