Karen ⊰✿’s Comments (group member since Sep 23, 2012)

Karen ⊰✿’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 3: Chapters 19-27

11. The fantasy genre is known for its world building. How do you feel about the world building in this book? How does it compare to other fantasy novels you’ve read?
I really like it avtually. I prefer when you are given little bits that build over time versus long and lengthy descriptions and glossaries!

12. In this section we meet Cade’s former teacher Hazidan. What do you think of her character? Did you ever have a favorite teacher and were they similar to Hazidan in any way?
I liked this insight into what he may have been "before". I don't really remember my teachers. Too long ago!!!

13. Chapter 25: Friends in Low Places had a pretty big reveal about the Celestials plans and how they’ve been herding Cade this whole time. How did you feel about this twist?
Pretty crazy. I particularly felt sorry for Galass

14. At this point I think we have the whole team together: Is one of them your favorite?
No favourite, but I do really like Cade

Bonus for audiobook listeners: How are you liking the audiobook? Would you recommend it?

I really like this narrator as he did the Greatcoats series so it feels familiar to me and probably adds subconscious enjoyment due to those books!

Also for Tom Hiddleston!

I only read book one of Outlander and couldn’t go on (same with Bridgerton). I couldn’t cope with the “romance” of Jamie… and I found Bridgerton silly and fun to begin with but by only about 10% I was bored and no more storyline. Maybe the tv series is better

Jensen Ackles
No question

ay 2 DQs
Ch 9 to 18

6.) Did Galass turning into a blood mage and Fidick being the cause of Lucian's death (I assume that's what the black cloud that left the tent did) surprise you? Or were you expecting their bit in the story to be over and just a footnote about Cade's character?
I was surprised! And I liked that this enabled the explanation of how what Cade does is a “calling” more than a skill to learn

7.) We learn about more magic types and there's pretty much any type of magic you can dream up. What type of magic you like to have or what animal would you like an affinity with?
I’ve always had cats so I would mind something to do with cats and understanding what goes on in their heads ;)

8.) Is anyone else's favorite character Mr. Bones? Just me? mkay.
haha he’s quite fun

9.) At this point I think it's clear Cade is a fallen Glorian of some sort, likely a Justicar. Do others agree with my guess here or do you have other thoughts?
nice one. I hadn’t thought of that tbh but I can see how it could be

10.) Assuming my guess in Q9 is right, why do you think Cade got the heave ho from the Glorians?
betrayal? Too independent? Will be interesting to find out!

Melindam wrote: ""Happy Hunger Games!"

I mean, just how sick and cynical is that?! Obviously coined by those in power who are living in a parallel reality, cut-off from the real world and having no idea what hunge..."

Yes it is very disturbing

It is one of the reasons why I really appreciate dystopian YA. I hope it is a vehicle to have younger people think differently / more critically about what’s in their real world and the parallels

Andy wrote: "first completion post for me
The Hunger Games

would not have picked this up if not for the challenge

better than I had expected, especially in the early stages, great characters an..."

Glad you enjoyed it!

Eldarwen wrote: "You're making me reconsider my decision not to re-read haha.

I'm also currently reading the BOM and having so much fun! I haven't read the thread yet as I'm far behind, but will do so once I'm cau..."


de Castell is so much fun! I am enjoying it and also need to catch up. Just finished the second section today 😬

Give HG a go - it’s really interesting to discuss through a lens of being over ten years and movies etc

Finished

for the buddy read.

So good!

Last read it in 2013 and tbh I didn't think I would ever re-read. I'm so glad I did, though, and the discussion with the group has been super interesting. Looking forward to tackling book 2 next month

Now back to the BOM 😁

Has to be Hugh Jackman
He is just such a nice person, too!!

When I saw your post in our team thread Sammy I thought you must have been adding a certain other person into the mix which... of course... there can never be an alternative to him

Part 3 ; the end

So easy to fly through this. Although I remembered the general way the games ended, I forgot how it was all going to play out and I forgot about the Mutts. The way that (view spoiler)[ Cato dies and how slowly is one of the worst parts of the game. All that torture for 'viewers' (hide spoiler)].

I also felt so sorry for Peeta. More than I remember from last time (view spoiler)[ perhaps because I know what is to come. Katniss was just so naive and mean - although I know it wasn't intentional - towards him here. (hide spoiler)]

It is a rushed ending, but really we get straight onto it into book 2. I wonder, in reflection of the comment above, if this would have been released just as one big book if it was written/released today?

Melindam wrote: "Considering that I read this book 11 years after its publication, I am putting this question out there to the more knowledgeable. Can this book be considered as a "launcher" of a particular bandwag..."

Dystopian YA was already there but I think this created a definite hype, as Sammy said.
Perhaps more around the taboo (kids killing each other), which I guess led to books like Divergent not being quite so shocking in their subject matter

Michael wrote: "really enjoy SC’s world building, and think a lot of authors could/should take notes. With fantasy books, I get overwhelmed with the extensive descriptions (both characters and world), but SC gives you enough to have a bit of a mental image but still leaves room for your mind to have a little freedom..."

For sure! Some fantasy writers really go overboard. Collins shows how less can really be more

omg this one is really difficult!!

I am going with Patrick Dempsey just because I can't forget "McDreamy"

Part Two

The tension!!!

What I have realised in this re-read is how bloody great this book is. For a short, YA, she really packs a punch with the world building and the characters.

I realised that she never really describes what the characters look like. Peeta has blond waves over his forehead.... (or curls now I can't remember the word she used).. Rue is not quite 30 kilos, looks about 10, "has bright, dark eyes and satiny brown skin".
I noticed this because the images of the characters from the movie kept coming into my mind and I was trying to work out if they were the same as in the book and realised you can't really know because the book isn't very descriptive. But it also doesn't need to be.

And omg. Rue. I can't believe I was crying. Again. wth.

And although I know what happens I still find I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to know how it all ends... weird... lol

Laura wrote: "I've finished. I have only read these books once, and then seen the movies a few times. What struck me this time around was Haymitch (and how excellent was that casting?!)

I think he might be the ..."

He is the most tragic of all the characters imo
I do love how Collins explores this more over the series

Judith wrote: "I’m really glad I did the reread of this. It’s hitting different now I’m older and am a mom. And of course knowing where things are going, it’s easier to spot Easter eggs or even other commentary o..."

Omg. Prue. Tears! Again!

Yes agreed with Michael J Sullivan. Love this books, but also love knowing that there is an ending already written :)

Sammy wrote: "As to the question of volunteering, it's impossible to say really without being in that situation. It wouldn't have been possible for me, as my bothers are 8 1/2 years younger than myself, so I'd h..."

That's true, but I wonder if that has to do with the Districts.
The ones the 'careers' come from see this as something to prove themselves and it is an honour. Whereas lower down the Districts it is something they fear.
I think with Katniss she was 4 years older than Prim in years but much older in every other way and had been her mother figure for so long ; and this is absolutely something you would do for your child.
Whereas with Peeta there was no reason/benefit for his brothers to take his place.

I'm not sure at 16 I would have been brave enough to volunteer, but if it was my child out there and I could take their place there is no question

Judy wrote: "I just finished and for the last bit I've been thinking about how it's very interesting that the book's parts seem to be separated by whether Katniss sees herself as an ally to Peeta or not - part ..."

Absolutely agree. That has been very obvious to me on this re-read also. And it is clearly written as a trilogy. I'm really enjoying this re-read!

DQs - Day 1: Chapters 1-8 (pages 1 -71)

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 realise, so I'm not sure actually. I have really enjoyed his Greatcoats series which is why I wanted to read this one. And the audio narrator is the same which is kind of cool

2. The book starts with the quote above. Is this your mental image of a wizard, too? Or something different? :)
Such a great way to start and set the scene that this is not what you think it is. Yes my mental image is generally along those lines. Or Harry Potter. lol

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?
yes, I love his writing style and it is a great way to draw us in to the world

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?
There's definitely a lot going on here with his character and I like that he is a bad guy, but we start to see there is more underneath

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?
I was really intrigued at this point. As the narrator was the same as the Greatcoats series it was hard at first to remember I am in a different world and characters and this part really enabled that switch over for me