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

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

DQs - Day 7
Chapters 47 - end

32. So not only did some of the Vanguards come to help rescue Rose, but they even patched up Clay. What did you make of the unguent that Tiamax gave Clay? And would you submit yourself to the same thing if you were in a similar position?

Having broken my foot terribly almost 12 months ago and still needing to look at surgery as I can't walk properly... yeah... I would if missing a hand! (or foot! )

33. What did you make of the “fight” with Akatung? Was the dragon everything you expected given how much hype it got earlier in the book?

I thought it would be more of a fight

34. What did you think of Gabe’s speech at Kalador? Was it a lot of pretty words? Or did it evoke something more? And were you surprised by the reaction the attendees of the War Fair by the end?

I thought it was well done. Gave a glimpse into who he used to be, and also who he has become

35. After having such a presence all book as this near impossible to kill villain that had planned everything down the most minute detail, did you feel that Lastleaf’s end was what he deserved?

I was surposed he died until I realised book 2 is more of a companion book than a continuation of this story. I also thought he got trampled after the sword, but reading everyone's comments it is interesting that this was not clear to the reader. It was overall a part of the book I thought the author could have done better.

36. And finally what were your final feelings on the book? Were you satisfied with the ending? Was Kit’s small excerpt about how the Siege of Castia ended enough or did it leave you wishing to read more about the various bands that participated in the battle?

I really enjoyed it. Loved the humour and the pacing. Would love more about the band, but understand that moving to a different band in book 2 may keep it fresh.

Catsalive wrote: "I didn't like the audio & had to switch to paper..."

I understand!! She doesn't narrate the next book so perhaps they got some feedback. Bring back Stephanie Daniels I say

Eldarwen wrote: "Thunderhead's ending dropped a bit of a bomb on me haha.

I enjoyed it. Will have to read the last one soon! I waited a tad too long between books #1 and #2."

Same here, E. I really need to get to book 3 soon

I got a fair bit through on the train today.
It is very concerning how AI is being developed and deployed! Especially for non-cis males, people of colour, and those with disabilities. I’m actually feeling overwhelmed with the size of the problem!! Hoping as the book continues she finds some silver linings in research and government responses to this… 😳

Skye Blue ☆*~ﾟლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆ wrote: "I need to make a change to the MOD sheet, but it won't allow me to.

I finished Him on May 4th...but I put it under Sonia, and it should be under Kelly.

I just finished [book:Fatal..."

Done!

Amy wrote: "Good morning, Team! I'm planning to finish the BOM today, and I'm wondering if there are instructions somewhere on what I should do regarding my discussion posts to link to? It's been so long since..."

You can either post the links to your answers to the DQs here, or directly into the BOM tab on the spreadsheet. As long as there are 3 days we get extra points :)

I finished

It was nice to have Phryne back after a bit of a break in the series.I think it was about 7 years between books.

A new audio narrator for this one who did a fairly good job, but isn't as good as Stephanie Daniels who did all the earlier books. Her Australian accents were just a bit off and cringey which is a shame for a book based in Australia with Australian characters that we can't get a narrator who can do the accent....

Now onto my 600+ pager,

Louise wrote: "Good morning all. So my bank holiday yesterday started off well, done lots of little jobs in the morning while finishing off Kings of the Wyld which I really enjoyed, I also started..."

oh my - that sounds like quite the day!!!

I ran around a bit today to client meetings and I am delivering a training workshop tomorrow so I'm madly getting prepared as I will be on a 7.20am train in the morning :o

Beth wrote: "We have until the end of the month to finish, right? I'll go look for some chonkers.

..."

yes, that's why I thought it was worth calling out now. I know for me I take much longer to read a 600+ pager than 2 x 300 page books.
Always a bug bear of mine that 600+pages are usually 24 hours or more of audio but 2 x 300 pages can be done in about 16 hours. I wish the publishers would make bigger text so they were more pages. haha

Beth wrote: "

Hi Ollie! My cat says "HSSSSS""

lol!
We have a foster cat at the moment and he is a super playful kitten. I think he would try and give Ollie a big old kitten hug (with claws) haha

Tati wrote: "Behold Ollie, the bane of my credit card LOL

"

lol!
Gorgeous. He looks so happy

haha
you'll have to post a photo Tati!

And thanks, I've put a 'tbc' on the tracking sheet for you as a 400-499 pager

Hi Team,

We've claimed about half the books we need for the month on our tracking sheet which is awesome, but it also shows that we need to start thinking about those longer books 400+ pages.

Current claimed status below:

Page Range	Required	Claimed so far
100-199		10		9
200-299		20		27
300-399		30		47

400-499		30		16
500-599		20		9
600+		10		3
Free choice	103		0
		
Total		223		111

I'll get cracking on a 600+ pager after my current read instead of the shorter books I was going to do. If you have any 400+ pages you've been putting off, this could be a good time :) And just add them to the tracking sheet so we know our projections that would be great. We have to fill those 'required' page counts to be eligible to win

Amy wrote: "My weekend has been nice so far! I finished my first book for the challenge finally, but I'm on mobile this weekend, so I'm sorry if it didn't link properly in the spreadsheet. I'll be able to look..."

the app is the pits. especially how it eats text. I always end up opening up GR in a browser in desktop version on my phone instead!
I can see your book on your shelf, so on the plus side it worked. yay :)

Tati wrote: "I have to prep my dog's food today, so I'm just gathering the courage to do that LOL..."

Are you sure it is a dog and not a coyote or something? haha

Keli wrote: "Finished my 8th book. I am determined to get through the books I've had out from the library for years. Yes, years! I checked out originally in 2021. Thanks to tower teams..."

Your library doesn’t chase or fine you for the loans?

Nikki the Sapphired Book Dragon wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Terrible weather here today which meant staying inside and reading! Finished the BOM , Kings of the Wyld and really enjoyed it!

How has everyone’s weekend been?"

Been a very busy..."


That sounds so nice - lovely time with your daughter!
Yesterday was so nice and sunny. And then today is 🥶🥶 the opposite!
I know what you mean : it depends on my week as to my reading. I am in the city one day this week which means more reading as I’ll be on the train. Otherwise I usually get more done on the weekends

Emma (M) wrote: "Very wet! Lots of rain here too, so I’ve been listening to my audiobook."

I was watching the footy earlier and it was pouring in Brisbane! Looks like it’s wet up and down the east coast

Terrible weather here today which meant staying inside and reading! Finished the BOM , Kings of the Wyld and really enjoyed it!

How has everyone’s weekend been?

DQ Day 4
Chapters 22-30

16. The Maxithon, now that was an adventure. Was this what you were expecting was going to happen? What did you make of the fight?

I thought they would win, but then the deal would be reneged. It was only as there was a few mentions of the wings I thought it may get ugly!

17. We meet yet another one of the old bands - what did you make of Vanguard? They seem a little friendlier at least than Raff's band. Did you expect them to say no? Or would you have thought they'd team up with Saga?

Yes they were cool and nice to take them in their ship. I hope we see them again

18. Saga seems to have had a rather large amount of unfortunate bards. I can't help but wonder what they're going to lead Kit into, or do you think that maybe Kit will truly be the first ever bard of the band who will actually survive the adventure? Kit is supposedly unkillable after all, so maybe they're going to be lucky? What are your predictions on Kit's life expectancy as bard of Saga?

haha I love Kit! He has to be their bard forever now seeing that he is already dead.

19. Are you enjoying the writing style of the book? What about the story in general?

I find myself laughing out loud quite a bit, and I like the action. Even thought it is very much one step forward three steps back in terms of their quest, the pacing is fast and we are introduced to so many new characters and pieces of storyline that it stays engaging.

20. The Heartwyld beckons! We are going to get a closer glimpse at this mysterious forest. What are your expectations?

Oh I hope so. It has been talked about so much I am expecting lots of fights and unusual creatures

21. Oh my word, someone went overboard! Over the forest! With the daeva no less. Makes me wonder if the band will be intact for much longer. Or could the daeva potentially not have killed Matrick, or intend to take him back to Lilith so she can kill her beloved husband herself? There was this one moment where it looked as though the daeva may let them be, seeing that they're on their way to rescue someone's daughter, so a noble feat in a world that seems to have kicked Larkspur all her life. Maybe? Yes? No? Am I alone in thinking something like this?

So I wondered about Kal going overboard - we assume dead but maybe not. And now Matrick and Larkspur too.
If they can survive, then perhaps Kal can too....? They are stacking up the enemies!!!
I agree about that moment with Larkspur. And Lilith is awful so it would be nice to see Larkspur actually move against her.