Vicki’s Comments (group member since May 01, 2018)

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

Delitealex, I hope you feel better soon!

Melissa wrote: "If you can't add it - let me know and I'll add it for you :)"

Thank you, I got it now :)

Louise wrote: "Vicki wrote: "For some reason I can't access the SS. I'm on vacation in Florida and on my laptop so maybe that's why? The SS I can get to is a VIEW only. I have a book to add."

Are you accessing t..."

Yes, that's what I needed. Thank you :)

For some reason I can't access the SS. I'm on vacation in Florida and on my laptop so maybe that's why? The SS I can get to is a VIEW only. I have a book to add.

Good job, Melissa!

Louise wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Louise wrote: "Yes you are I'm going to be re-reading Carrie Soto Is Back in the next few days for points."

Thanks, I just read Carrie in February so I assume it has ..."

Yes, I figured as much so I am a month shy of six months. Oh well...

Louise wrote: "Yes you are I'm going to be re-reading Carrie Soto Is Back in the next few days for points."

Thanks, I just read Carrie in February so I assume it has to be 6 months or I wouldn't mind re-reading that one either. I always get more out of a book the 2nd time, but I don't read a lot of books twice or three times but there have been some for sure.

I have already read twice, once in 2016 and again in May 2022. I love the book so I am considering reading it again for points for this team and, of course, it'll work for some other challenges. But are we allowed to read a book for discussion questions if we've already read it?

DQs Day 6: Chapters 24 - Epilogue

23. Nisreen and Nahri have a very heated discussion after Nahri accidentally killed a Geziri cleric. Nisreen believes that Nahri needs to be more thoughtful of her people and what she represents and wants to push her to become a bigger symbol to their tribe. Do you believe Nahri is too selfish or too close to "collaboration" with the Qahtanis and should have kept greater distance and shown more loyalty to her people?

I have ambivalent feelings about her. Considering the way she grew up I can see why she was not so inclined to do the things she's been pushed to do. That being said, I think if she were more introspective that she might be more inclined to show more loyalty to "her people."

24. Ali clearly showed some magical connection with water, even before the Marid possessed him, that might come from his mother's side of the family. What are your thoughts on this hidden ability?

I am always intrigued by special powers and abilities, so I am with his. It makes sense to me that it likely came from his maternal side, so I hope to read more in the next book about him and see if it's revealed.

25. What are your thoughts on the King's actions, e.g. exiling Ali. He seems to not want to order him killed, even though he knows the exile will bring about his death either way. Why could he not forgive Ali too and spin a tale in his favour like he did for Nahri?

Good question...?? Who knows. It might be that he knows he'll probably die after his exile, but the blood won't be on his hands. So let whatever happens, happen.

26. What an epilogue! Jamshid has a hidden identity, what do you think this means?

I'm not really sure but I am dying to know! I have a feeling he's Nahri but there are a couple things that puzzle me about his hidden identity so I'm excited to read book 2!

27. What a cliffhanger! Nisreen says Manizeh can do anything (even bringing Dara back), clearly meaning she's still alive. Do you think she is somewhere out there or was she maybe even referring to Nahri herself?

I just love me a good cliffhanger! The more nerve-wracking and hanging off the cliff it is, the more I like it! IF the next book is out. lol I definitely think Manizeh is out there somewhere plotting something that I'm excited to find out about in the next installment...if I am right.

Bonus: Will you continue reading this series or do you think you'll stop with this trilogy now?

Seriously? Uh...YES! I might be the only 5-star person in this thread. I see that one of my good GR friends only gave it a 2. I loved it myself so I'm continuing.

Day 2 DQs : Chapters 5-9

5. So many groups! We had a couple of chapters in this part that described some of the tribes in Daevabad and elsewhere - the Daeva/Djinn, Ifrit, Simurgh, Zahhak and I'm sure I haven't listed them all. Where on the confusion scale are you - with 1 being totally confused and 10 being "I've got this". And are you ok with your level at this point in the book?

I hate scale questions (like in a doctor's office...pain levels), but I guess I'd have to say I'm about a 6-7 on the confusion scale. I've used the glossary a lot and made some notes to help me along so that's been valuable to me.

6. Somewhat related to this - we learn that Suleiman curbed magical abilities because the daeva harmed humanity. I learned (thanks Google) that in the non-book world Suleiman the Magnificent was the longest-reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1520 to 1566 - he ruled over at least 25 million people. Did you know anything about Suleiman and what do you think of his inclusion in the book?

Never heard of the dude! I like his inclusion because I had never heard of him so it gives me a little reference to him...if I ever come across him again and remember the name.

7. We now know Dara was a slave for many years and was forced to do some things that haunt him. How does this make you feel about his character?

I hate slavery and what it can do to a person. It gives me some insight into Dara's character and why he's done some of the things he has but at the same time, I don't think it has given him liberty to do some of the acts he's committed.

8. Ali's father was portrayed as brutal when we first met him at the execution, and then later he seemed like a pretty good ruler as he listened to and judged people's problems. What do you think - good king or bad king?

I've actually finished the book so I don't want to say how I feel now, but I would say at this time in the book I definitely didn't get good vibes about him.

DQs Day 1, Ch 1-5

1. This book begins in 18th century Cairo, with France and Turkey fighting over Egypt. I have never encountered this conflict in fiction before. Have you? Were you familiar with it before you started reading?

Not that I recall. I haven't read too many books in that part of the world.

2. Nahri has several mysterious powers, including healing, the ability to sense illness in others, and the ability to understand and speak every language she hears. Which of her powers would you like for yourself?

They'd all be wonderful to have, but if I had to pick one it would be the power to heal. I have several loved ones in my life that I would use the power on this instant.

3. What do you think of the world building so far? Do you find it confusing, or do you feel like you’re along for the ride?

I generally have a difficult time with world building in books until I get into the story more, so I'd have to say I'm along for the ride anyway because it always seems to come around and I love watching it build to a point of complexity that I (finally) understand.

4. So far we’ve met 3 significant players in this book: Nahri, Ali, and Dara. Do you have a favorite character so far, or one who intrigues you the most?

Hmmm...honestly, I am totally into all of the characters and like them all. I am engaged with each one and I have to say that I don't have a favorite as of yet

Melissa wrote: "I feel like we are doing really well. We're filling in the different categories - colors, names, and chipmunks! If you find a book with an I or an X character / title / series, etc., that is someth..."

Whoa! That book has a crazy GR rating! I'll probably read it!

Melissa wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Here's some more chipmunk food:
X-Rays - Read a monochrome cover (i.e white plus a colour, not necessarily black. We will ignore publisher icons only - like those pesk..."

OK, I can understand that! lol

Melissa wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I had added my PIRATE book for Chipmunks #59 but forgot to add the number for it. So it can be added to the Chipmunks tab.

Update: I see that it was used for the Y in TT85, so if ne..."

That's OK, I want it to be used wherever it's best!

I'm sorry to bug...I put a book on the Wheel Tower tab that I am reading and will hold off to finish until tomorrow. But then I realized that maybe I am not supposed to add a book to the SS but the captain will do that instead?

Melissa wrote: "Here's some more chipmunk food:
X-Rays - Read a monochrome cover (i.e white plus a colour, not necessarily black. We will ignore publisher icons only - like those pesky penguins)
Film 10s - Shang-C..."

Would you please explain this one for me? "Film 10s - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings - Read a book that shares a title word (e.g. Legend) NB - can't use THE, AND or OF"

I had added my PIRATE book for Chipmunks #59 but forgot to add the number for it. So it can be added to the Chipmunks tab.

Update: I see that it was used for the Y in TT85, so if needed I can read book 3 and still get in a pirate book since we have July too. Or if you want to move Namesake to Chipmunks and use another book for Y. Just let me know, please. I'll read for pirate again if needed.

Finally got my short, X-book done! The Walters Case Read 6/29

I am reading a book that fits SET IN A HIGH SCHOOL. I’m on my phone so not sure of the number on Chipmunks.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Karen, I was planning to read Children of Blood and Bone but I thought it was 544 pages, but when I typed it in the first page count that came up said 873 pages, Libra..."

I don't see an ISBN or ASIN number but I am reading the Kindle version, 537 pages so I'll go with that.