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

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

I finished 6 books and posted but I'm on my way to Glendale, California with my daughter to go on the American Kidney Foundation walk on behalf of my grandson's wife, 22 years old, who has stage 4 kidney disease. She has a rare condition so due to no fault of her own. Anyway I'll have my 7 books done but probably no more by 2 days and 2 hours.

I will most likely need someone to post for me because I won't be back on a regular computer until after the 2 days/2 hours (approximately) is up. I'll post in this thread and then maybe the captains can post in the review thread for me. I can do my review on my phone so it might be a bit or a lot short. LOL

Please keep my beautiful granddaughter by marriage in your thoughts and prayers. We're fundraising for her kidney transplant and meds she's going to need to sustain her life after the transplant, which is not scheduled yet.

Book: Breathless
Author: Lurlene McDaniel
Pages: 178
Read: 10/17
Sin: Sloth
Criteria: Blue Cover 79.1%
Per TinEye - 24.7 % Astral (Blue) 17.6 % Viking (Blue) 10.3 % Light Blue (Blue) 6.6 % Catalina Blue (Blue) 4.6 % Glacier (Blue) 3.1 % Horizon (Blue)

Book: King's Cage
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 528
Read: 10/15
Sin: Sloth
Criteria: Blue Cover 81.3%
Per TinEye - 77.2 % Bermuda Grey (Blue) 4.1 % Elephant (Blue)

Book: Isla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 384
Read: 10/14
Sin: Envy
Criteria: Cover 59.9% GREEN
Per TinEye = 27.7 % Dark Sea Green (Green) 19.2 % Gossamer (Green) 3.8 % Vida Loca (Green) 3.1 % Myrtle (Green) 2.7 % Green Leaf (Green) 2.2 % Rice Flower (Green) 1.2 % Scandal (Green)



Book: Cruel Crown
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Pages: 208
Read: 10/14
Sin: Envy
Criteria: Genre - Young Adult (tagged by 507 people)



Book: Gideon the Ninth
Author: Tamsyn Muir
Pages: 448
Read: 10/15
Sin: Wrath
Criteria: Genres - Space Opera (YA, Dark Fantasy)
BOM: Yes - Day 1 - First Post

Day 6: Chapters 34 to the End

22. In chapter 3 we get the first of the big reveals. Were you surprised by the actual dynamic between the twins? And were you as creeped out as I was by Ianthe's little speech about the place between life and death..."where the things are that eat us."?

Actually, I wasn't really surprised...maybe a little. I was already suspicious of them and so was the MC so that helped me be even more so. I figured Gideon would know. I didn't creep out over the speech at all.

23. There have been many types of necromancy and magic and science talked about and demonstrated in this story. In sci-fi and fantasy books, I often find myself wishing that some of the science or magic was real. Are there any aspects of this world that you wish was real, or that intrigues you?

Of course, I mean who wouldn't like the ability to be healed or to heal others? That's the most obvious thing I'd love to be able to duplicate.

24. The second big reveal gave us the name of the big bad. I personally did not find clues to this littered throughout the story, so I was surprised. Did you find this reveal satisfying? Surprising? Did you enjoy the fight at the end?

I always find reveals satisfying, especially if I've made predictions and I'm right. So this one was not totally satisfying. I love fight scenes so I did "enjoy" it for the most part.

25. Was anyone else waiting for a sex scene? Why use the term "lesbian necromancers" in the description? Who cares if they are heterosexual or gay if it really doesn't come into the story? Marketing? Or do you think it was an important story point that the main character liked girls?

I was never really expecting nor waiting for/wanting a sex scene in this book. I somehow don't think it would have worked, but I'm not an author who works magic. LOL I honestly don't know if the LGBTQ aspect of the story was "important" per se or marketing but I felt that it worked for sure. I only saw Gideon as lesbian from the start, especially with all the female characters.

26. Will Gideon's and Camilla's bodies or selves be recovered? Will you read the next book to find out? Did you like the book?

I definitely think something will happen to that effect. If not, I'll be mad! I loved this book and gave it 5 stars, so I'll definitely have to continue the series to find out what happens. I don't think the series would be the same with Gideon or Camilla.

Day 5: Chapters 27 - 33

18. We get a lot of thanalogical (??) science theory chat in the section, with the exchanges between Palamedes and Harrow, which seems to confuse them at least as much as it did me! Did you enjoy the science chat and reveals, or did it get in the way of the action?

I actually liked it, but that doesn't mean I totally understood it. LOL It didn't get in the way of the action; instead, it gave me like a breather (almost like comic relief in a Shakespearean play).

19. We see other sides to a couple of the Houses during this section: the Eighth, who had been reported as being super weird with the cavalier being effectively a vegetable, actually transpire to be super weird with the cavalier trying really hard to hold to whatever shred of his life he can claim as his own (Colum says: "I've got my sword. I've got my honour. Everything else is yours." "Your sword is mine also" said Silas. Silas is an ass of the highest order, btw) Similarly, the Second become all noble and self-sacrificing in chapter 33, a change from the rule-bound nimrods they'd been up to that point. Do you like the shifting understanding of the characters? Have your favourites / least despised changed over the course of the book?

Yes, I thought the shifting was fine and it gave me food for thought. My favorites I don't think changed, but some of the ones that were my least favorite changed.

20. Speaking of changes: MASSIVE emotional reveal between Harrow & Gideon. I loved the line "she wrapped her arms around Harrow Nonagesimus and held her long and hard, like a scream", which is just SO Ninth House. How does this information make you re-evaluate Harrow & Gideon's relationship?

I think I had been waiting for and expecting this moment. I loved it! :)

21. Something a bit lighter: in the midst of the blood and death and bone-key making and such, there are still some moments that made me snigger. one that I particularly enjoyed was "Hm," said Camilla neutrally, and Gideon knew immediately that she organised Palamedes's and her socks by colour and genre." The little blips of humour have definitely helped me whilst reading the book. Do they work for you?

YES! I love humor, and in a book like this one the humor is (as mentioned in another answer) like comic relief.

Day 4 - Chapters 21-26

14. More deaths! Do you have any theories on why the Fourth were killed? Why Gideon was spared? Who do you think is committing these murders?

I'm the worst detective ever, even though I love mysteries and thrillers and good detective books. That being said, I almost feel like the reader is being led to think it might be Harrow, but I don't think it is. I'm kind of suspicious of Dulcinea because I've felt like she's hiding something.

15. The Third House (maybe Ianthe) seem to be lurking in the background of this book, all sneaky and suspicious. Coronabeth seems like the nicer one out of the Twins. But do you think this is the case? Do you think Coronabeth has something up her sleeves?

I think it's very possible because I don't trust either of them.

16. Gideon had a weird encounter with the Eighth house. What did you make of the comment, 'because you grew up servant to a murderer, in a tribe of murderers. You are, more than anything, a victim of the Ninth House'. Do you think Gideon will accept their invitation?

I definitely think she'll go! I mean, curiosity killed the cat (sorry about that cliche), and Gideon is going to want to find out anything she can.

17. (This is a bit of a silly question). Over the course of the book, Gideon has been getting closer to Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth (although it seems she wishes she could get closer to the latter). Put yourself in Gideon's shoes. Harrow, Dulcinea and Coronabeth - Kiss, Marry, Kill.. Explain your reasoning haha!

LOL Say, what? I think you watch/read too many sex before marriage, girl gets pregnant so gets married, then she wants to kill the guy because he's such a jerk! (okay, silly question, stupid answer but you have to give me credit for trying)!

Final Answer: Kiss Coranabeth to make Harrow jealous. Marry Harrow cuz I like her. And KILL Dulcinea because I really think she might be the "bad guy!"

Day 3 - Chapter 14- 20

10. Thoughts on the deaths, did you care to lose these two or are you just waiting for the body count to increase?

I definitely think the body count will increase, and I am invested in the characters (not sure why lol) so I was a bit sad to see both Abigail and Magnus die!

11. I like the electric toothbrush detail. What do you think of the room they found? Are there any details from the room that you think are going to be important later?

It seemed a bit out of place to me, so I found it a weird kind of funny. Especially the fact that they were "unbelievably seriously old." That whole scene I thought is important with the note found too. The moment that Harrow and Gideon "shared" when Harrow told Gideon that she needed Gideon to trust her and asked what she needed to do to earn her trust was the most important part of that scene, so I do think with the toothbrush, note, and the discussion on trust will become very important.

12. The letter clearly has Gideon’s name in it (see below) but we get no comment from Gideon as the narrator on her reaction to this. What do you think of this as an author’s choice and what do you think the letter means?
" ut we all know the sad + trying realit
is that this will remain incomplete t
the last. He can’t fix my deficiencies her
ease give Gideon my congratulations, howev"

I think it was definitely purposefully done by the author so I think it was to make the reader think more and be curious about it. I think Gideon didn't respond because it made her wonder about it too and likely hopeful that it had to do with her mother. At least I hope so.

13. This quote feel like somewhat heavy handed foreshadowing , though I may be wrong.
“You’re all right. Gideon, Gideon … you’re so young. Don’t give yourself away. Do you know, it’s not worth it … none of this is worth it, at all. It’s cruel. It’s so cruel. You are so young—and vital—and alive. Gideon, you’re all right … remember this, and don’t let anyone do it to you ever again. I’m sorry. We take so much. I’m so sorry.”
She would remember each word later, loud and clear. It seems to imply this is Dulcinea’s voice and does this impact your opinion of her?

I'm pretty sure that Dulcinea knows more than she lets on. This could for protection and for what she believes is a good reason, so at this point it doesn't really impact my opinion.

Bonus Question: The skulls on top of the chapters belong to each house but I have been unable to find any pattern or meaning to their order. Anyone think there is a purpose or pattern? Did I miss something obvious?

That's an excellent question and I have the answer!!! I don't think you're missing anything "obvious." And my other answer: I have no idea but now that you asked that question, I won't be able to stop wondering and thinking about it. Thanks a lot! LOL

Mary, Mary, Just a bit contrary wrote: "Well, if anyone has wanted to read, or is a fan of the #1 Ladies Detective agency, that should be good for Zebra books. I believe she lives or her office is on Zebra drive. I might have to pick tha..."

More likely a stroke of luck, but for some of the fishy words I think books that are based on anything to do with camping, water animals (duh), and shark books. I think if I can find a book where a family goes to the zoo might have some of the tricky ones. I'll have to search.

◈ Books will either count towards the main part of the challenge (the Seven Deadly Sins) or towards this mini challenge.

So how do we know whether to claim it for the mini or main part of the challenge? IF I find anything. LOL The tricky ones are definitely tricky! LOL

Thanks, Devann. :)

I’m still bummed that I already read Wilder Girls! I’ve read 2/3 BOM one month to four months ago so losing out on all those points AND that disables me from even writing the questions fo DQ’s. :(

Thanks everybody for your helpful hints. I have another question: I have read Gideon and I am finishing up discussion questions today/tomorrow (it’s my daughter’s birthday so we’ll see), so do I add that to the review thread/books read thread and just add that it is a book of the month?

I appreciate it!!! I’m taking on a monster but not posting it until I know I’ll get it done. Lol

Yesterday I read Isla and the Happily Ever After and I was looking to see if I could find anyone who had read it. I spent so much time going to each team and clicking on every one of the team member. I found 4 or 5 people who have read it but not in 2019. Is there an easier way to find out if we can make a Sin Bingo than doing it that way? It takes so long! I haven’t even posted the book because I was gone for a large part of the day and I’m too tired tonight to do that.

Also, since tomorrow is our down day for Turf Wars, I will be reading partial books and saving the ends to read the following days so I can include them on that challenge. So I will be posting books the day after tomorrow.

Oh my gosh that would make me so nervous LOL I have to take my first driving test in many years and I’m nervous for that even though I’ve been driving for 101 years LOL it’s just been many many many many years since I’ve had to study and remember things and I have a terrible memory. Hopefully I’ll pass.

Good luck to you!!!

You scared me for a minute there because tonight‘s the last night for TurfWars and for a split second I was thinking I was messing up LOL and sadly it would not be the first time ha ha Ha


What are you studying?

When I enlarge that on my phone it looks very purple

Trinia, is this round almost over?

DQ’s Day Two: October 7, 2019
Chapters 8-13

6. I think we all had a feeling (including Gideon) that Harrow wanted her ring - & of course, she got it. What do you think was her purpose of stealing the ring from Gideon?

Wow...that's a good question. Hmmm if I had to guess (and I do) I'd say that it still goes back to wanting power. I have felt that Harrow is into having the upper hand (power) so that's the main reason I think she took it, hoping it would help her have more power.

7. Gideon has never seen modern technologies such as a sink with running water, or a toilet. She didn’t even know the difference between night & day... nor had she ever had a hot beverage before. This, in itself, tells us more about the Ninth than we knew before, but could also leave room for speculation. Would you consider this book to be speculative fiction? If so, what are some of the different things you could speculate from this or other parts of the story?

I'm definitely not versed in, nor familiar with, speculative fiction; however, thank you for introducing me to it. :) Based on what I read with a brief research, it seems to me that possibly it's missing some of the elements of speculative "fiction" and seems more like speculative fantasy/sci-fi, if that's a thing. LOL Mainly because I feel like it's missing that element of more RL aspects. Since I don't think it's speculative fiction, I won't speculate on it. LOL

8. Somehow the Third twin knew Gideon was hiding in the stairwell eavesdropping, even though she couldn’t physically see her, & told her that isn’t the way to start things off. Will this encounter affect Gideon & the Twins in the future? Is it a sign of what’s to come?

I do think it'll affect them to a certain degree and most definitely could be a sign of trouble. I think the eavesdropping and hiding and all that is indicative of being meddlesome and possibly instigators. They are being invasive so I do think people who invade others' privacy can cause issues.

9. What do you think Dulcinea’s motive is when talking to Gideon? She seems to be the only one really “intrigued” by Gideon, to the point of wanting to be around her a lot. Is this just normal, friendly interest? Or is there something bigger at play here?

I definitely think that Dulcinea is using or going to use Gideon to her advantage somehow. I'm not sure how but I think Dulcinea is a manipulator like Harrow.

By the way Trinia, I am glad you are liking Wilder Girls. I liked it and thought it was pretty good.