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

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

I am also reading my book either way. It doesn't matter so if you plan to read yours anyway and it's more pages, I'll just read my book whenever. I'm not in a hurry but I will be reading it soon. I'll let you know when I finish if I see that you haven't finished yours yet.

Angie, I have a NetGalley book I found today that I can read for umbrella unless you already planned to read the book you posted there. I can read mine today but it's shorter than you book. I think it's 267 pages. Do you want me to replace your umbrella book or no?

AUGUST NETGALLEY
My August Goal: 58%

August NetGalley Challenge
Feedback Ratio: 57%
579 Approved | 328 Feedback Sent
Books on Shelf: 122



Books Read
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ My Review
⭐⭐⭐My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My Review
⭐⭐⭐My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐My Review

Approved e-ARCs






End of Month Stats:
Books on Shelf: 115
Ratio: 57%
Books Read: 7
Books Added: 5

I wish I hadn't just read the BOTM in April. It's too soon to re-read it, but I think we should still be able to contribute to the questions/answers anyway. I would HAVE to re-read it in order to be able to answer questions so I think we should request being able to. I'm going to ask anyway...I'm a rebel!

Jenny wrote: "Try finding J books! I have been horrible at finding ones that I actually want to read for Quest."

Me too, Jenny, but I've bitten the bullet and I'm just going to read a few that I could care less about. V is really hard too, BUT we can also use A, An and The before our initial letters. That helps me a little bit.

Angie ☯ wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I found a book buy an author born in Turkey and put it on the mini three wheels tab, but I wasn't sure if I should have put it there or mini one novels, so (obviously) move it if it's..."

Oh, okay, I didn't even look at the level. lol That's why you're captain and I'm not! lol

It's funny how you didn't connect the two. I got 5 in July and so far for August I have 2 but I haven't looked much yet. I don't care for the MPG travel but adventure is okay. Finding my V books is another story.

I found a book buy an author born in Turkey and put it on the mini three wheels tab, but I wasn't sure if I should have put it there or mini one novels, so (obviously) move it if it's better elsewhere.

Jenny wrote: "Hey team!

We have two new countries!
We are off to Turkey and to the UK!

Check what you are reading and see if anything will fit when you finish."

On my way!

Angie ☯ wrote: "Here is the lowdown on how/where we get the most bonus points.

We get the most points from the two items:
📕BOM + answering at least 3 days DQs = 20 bonus points
📕Hard countries in the Novel/Itine..."

I can't read the last BOM The Tainted Cup because I just read it in April so that one is out. :(

I will look for a hard country book just as soon as I finish my last 3 books for the other main challenge that ends on the 31st. I'll look for some good points.

Then I'll keep an eye out for these:
📕World Wheel tasks = 10 bonus points
📕Food Mini tasks = 10 bonus points (limited only 40 more to go)

Angie ☯ wrote: "Vicki -
I have to know.... Did you have a challenge where all your books had to have V titles???"

Yes, I had a challenge where we got extra points if our book began with the first initial of our name and the genre had to be historical fiction and within that category there were specific tasks. A couple examples: Read a book about immigrants finding community in a new land. Read a book about intergenerational relationships.

It's a year long challenge so every month we get 10 new tasks like the above with different genres. Again this month I am looking for V books...definitely not easy. Those whose names begin with T or A have an unfair advantage. lol

Funny you should mention the time left, Angie, because I was coming on here to not only check out what's on the thread but also to say that even though I'm sure you caps/co-caps are tired/worn out from all the hard work you've been doing, I am not ready for it to be over. This has been so much fun! I feel kind of bad that I haven't read a lot of country books, but it's hard with so many other challenges going on to coordinate them. That being said, I want to hang on to first place! Forget another team surpassing us, so what's the most important point-maker I can do for us right now? I have my 3 other books to do for one challenge and then I'm open arms!

Jenny, I absolutely did! The musical was put on by YES (Youth Entertainment Stage), which is audition based and open ONLY to grades 7-12 and local area students. They put on a Broadway musical every summer and they are amazing! You'd never know by hearing their voices and seeing them dance that they're only approximately 12-18 years old. My grandson was in one about 15 years ago and that's how I was introduced to them. They perform at Gallo Center for the Arts, a local theater company that has all kinds of perfomances. It's wonderful to have it nearby!

Awesome! I was almost shocked to come across it! lol

FYI team, in case anyone thinks I'm MIA today I wanted you to know that I'm going to see Mamma Mia with some friends of mine. Afterwards we are going to a Greek restaurant for dinner. I will be back online this evening but not until maybe 6-7 PM PST. I'll check messages at that time.

That's what I thought. i was hoping though. lol

Angie ☯ wrote: "

For anyone who read, or is reading, My Friends:
If you were planning to complete the DQs for points, your answers/discussion has to be posted no later than August 2 to count. (1 ..."

Speaking of BOM, I read The Tainted Cup in April. It's only been 3 months so I can't re-read it yet, can I? lol I will if I can so we can get the points.

Angie, I have DAY OF THE DEAD and my book is finished: Violeta. I sent you a message. I also added my book for Peru but I don't know if you wanted it to be placed elsewhere. I put it on NS-5.

I have a challenge going on that I have to read 7 books for by July 31, so I'm adding those books. If I get lucky and can use them for anything other than a spell out, I'll add it for that. Not looking too promising though.

Carrie wrote: "The Sword of Kaigen

Thanks for the heads up. I grabbed it but I’m really hesitating because I’m intimidated by the extensive list of characters and words at the beginning of the book!"

Carrie, I hear ya! I had that same feeling but I have to agree with Jenny and Angie. The names because second nature and the plotline was really good. There are some action packed, intense scenes and I loved this one! If you decided to read it, I hope you enjoy it too.

DQ'S Day 3 Chapter 8 - Chapter 12

10. Mamoru is becoming more friends with Kwang Chul-Hee and seems to be rebelling more and finally has a fall out with his father. Do you think his father would have hit Mamoru again if Misaki wouldn't have accidentally interrupted?

That was a difficult scene for me to read. I most definitely think that he'd have gotten even more carried away and God knows what else he could've done in the moment. I felt like he snapped so thankfully they were interrupted. I don't care what era, culture, etc. his dad carried it way too far!

11. Are you understanding their powers and magic system more through these last few chapters and the fighting that has occurred. Which power would you want?

I think I understand mostly but I am not 100% sure that I could explain it with confidence. I guess I'm still in the "learning" phase. I don't know which one I would but when I read that Mamoru could control blood and he got a sheet of water from the air and ran it over Kwang's leg, I thought, "Wow! That would be cool to be able to do that," so I guess I'd want that power.

12. Misaki received a letter from her friend and told her to run and get out of town. With the Emperor keeping it a secret. Do you think anyone else knew war was coming? And why they are attacking such an isolated village?

Oh my gosh, that scene angered me SO much! So her husband just stood over her and watched her while she read it. How intimidating and invasive!

As for whether others knew, I think it's highly unlikely that many people outside the highest levels of government or military leadership knew. Misaki's friend who sent the letter is part of a hidden network with connections to truth-suppressing forces, if I understood correctly. The fact that the Emperor is keeping it a secret suggests it's not just about military strategy; it's about control and manipulation. Even the Matsudo family, who are known for their warrior strength and loyalty to the empire, are being kept in the dark. This is a huge red flag. To me, this implies that the government is deliberately sacrificing the Kaigenese coast, possibly because it doesn't want its most loyal fighters to know in case they might resist or tell others.

I think they attack the isolated village because of its strategic location: Kaigen's coastal location gives it military significance. If an enemy controls it, they might get a fooghold on the mainland. It would also weaken the Empire from within. If the attackers destroy a loyal warrior village, they'd undermine morale, reduce the Empire's military might, and it would it would cover up corruption.

So, I think the tragedy is that the villagers are completely unprepared for the betrayal that's about to hit them.

DQs Day 2
Chap 5 to 7

6. What do you think about the hierarchy of the villages and the Matsudos and Yukinos being the "rulers" of the mountain?

I don't think the mountain is just a geographic location. It's symbolic of strength, endurance, and I'd say tradition. And at the very top of that mountain both literally and socially is the Matsudo family, descended from the legendary sword-wielders of Kaigen. I think the village both revere and fear them. The yakinos also have a legacy, but Misaki married into the more prestigious Matsudo line.

7. We get to know the history of the relationship between the Matsudos and the Kotetsus. Do you think this relationship / the Kotetsu family will play an important role later on in the story? If so, how?

I think there's too much tension between the Matsudos and Kotetsus for it not to explode later. I think the Kotetsus family may become either a symbol of rebellion or a beacon of hope, depending on how things unfold. I also think Mamoru might be he bridge between the two. He's brilliant, curious and loyal but he's forced into a narrow warrior mold, but I think he'll challenge that and become a new kind of leader, blending tradition and intellect. Guess we'll see.

8. In chapter 6, we find out that Misaki was a real badass in her past. Was there anything that stuck out to you when getting to know her backstory? Something interesting, shocking, odd?

I was just surprised at just how well she was able to fight Texca. She's definitely a badass warrior. When she challenge Kinoro I thought she was going to kick his butt, but she didn't so I was surprised. But the master offering (demanding) to train her was a real surprise to me that he felt she needed it. So, he being the best of the best he knows what a great warrior needs so I guess she isn't really there yet!

9. The conversation between Misaki and Mamoru was heartwarming. Do you think we will see both of them side by side as warriors by the end of the book?

I absolutely think they will, especially because I think Mamoru will rise as a leader.