Aiswrya’s Comments (group member since Mar 30, 2020)

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

Ashley wrote: "Woot! I read The Tainted Cup May 17-May 21! I volunteered. I loved this book!"

Awesome I’ll change my post to back up

I've volunteered to write DQs, but if someone else would like to volunteer, I'd prefer to be a backup :) I've started and given up on this book so many times that I don't want to risk it lol

Volunteering for Pisa.

ETA: I’ll be backup, and have Ashley (below) be primary.

The tainted cup is the BOM for Aug 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

You're okay to participate in DQs and write DQs as long as you've read the book during this challenge.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?

Not really. The author is new to me. The précis sounded exciting, though! Let’s see if the book delivers.

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?

Quite effective — the Emperor clearly doesn't want his people to know the reality of the outside world. All that propaganda about foreigners being hostile and weak, and about the empire being safe and at peace, might be the real reason behind many of the events in the book.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!

I’m most curious about her past — and how she’ll break free from the suppression her husband and family enforce on her.

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?

YES!

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?

Definitely different from the usual fantasy fare. The words are little hard to remember, especially in an audiobook.


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 interupted?

Yes. I despise the father and absolutely refuse to give him the benefit of the doubt here.

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?

Yes! And maybe the power to control the temperature around me — just to escape these awful heat waves, lol!

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?

The Emperor is a dick and has done a great job keeping everyone blind to the real situation. Outside of rumors, I doubt anyone truly knew that war was coming. Isolated? No. Border town? Yes.

Day 5 DQs (Chapters 17 to 21)

17. This section is deeply emotional and heart-wrenching, filled with death and suffering. The only thing that makes it bittersweet rather than purely tragic is that Mamoru finds peace and happiness in his final moments. I thought his death scene was beautifully written. Do you like how the author blends the sadness with these moments of beauty? Or would you have preferred a different approach to his death?

Yeah, I remember crying. I’ve really enjoyed the writing so far — it’s evoked a lot of emotions, both good and bad.

18. Takeru seems almost devoid of emotion. Could this be a result of his upbringing, where emotional restraint was expected of him? Do you believe his character is redeemable at this point or has he reached a point of no return?

Perhaps it is his upbringing — but also, shouldn’t someone break free from their childhood at some point and make their own decisions? Especially when it’s clear that his wife resents his coldness and his children crave his love more than his harsh teaching methods?

19. At one point, Hiroshi realizes that he is now the heir and Misaki sees fear in his eyes. Do you think Misaki will help him cope with the pressure or will she fall back into a passive, dutiful role, becoming a distant mother again?

I don’t think Misaki will ever go back to the shell she once was.

20. What do you think happens after the imperial forces arrive? Do you agree with Tae-min’s prediction that the empire won’t actually help?

They won’t truly help — beyond ensuring the attack stays a secret and that the Kaigens keep fighting for their emperor.

Amanda wrote: "Posting for Aiswrya,

Day 7
DQs Chapters 27-29
25. It breaks my heart that such a dramatic confrontation was necessary to fix their marriage, but I was also cheering loudly for Misaki! How did you ..."

Thank you :)

Cheese is done :) Good job everyone!

Yeah, I suspect that might be too much of a stretch for a cover task. Let’s plan to have a back up just in case.

@Melissa, I’m all set with the DQs for our assigned chapters. Thank you for volunteering :)

@Laura - what did you think about the things we water?

Jacqueline wrote: "Good Morning,
Just entered Red Pyramid and James to sheet. I am now working on The Reckoning: The Galatian Exchange. I am hoping to complete that today."

Awesome I'll get us a new country

I’m good with my day :)

oh yay! We got picked to write DQs for Sword of Kaigen!

While we’re waiting for Jackie to respond, any chance anyone read a book in the past week that had an archaeologist in it?

Tara wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Sam wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "@Sam - did you finish The shadow of gods on July 11th or 12th? The shelf says 11th but the SS has 12th - can you update the incorrect one please?

Also,..."

Added to my TBR, thank you!

@Jackie, are you still planning on reading red pyramid? Just wanted to check if we’d need someone else to fill that task :)

Sam wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "@Sam - did you finish The shadow of gods on July 11th or 12th? The shelf says 11th but the SS has 12th - can you update the incorrect one please?

Also, how did you like the book? ..."

I don’t think I’ve ever read Norse metrology. I’ll give it a try thank you!

Bernadette wrote: "The last Travel task is done! The Bird Hotel had travel as an MPG."

Awesome thank you!

@Sam - did you finish The shadow of gods on July 11th or 12th? The shelf says 11th but the SS has 12th - can you update the incorrect one please?

Also, how did you like the book? It's on my TBR.

Laura wrote: "Aiswrya wrote: "Is anyone planning to read The Sword of Kaigenand willing to be a backup DQ writer in case I get picked? It’s on KU.

If yes, you need to sign up in the DQ thread w..."

I read the book a couple of weeks ago — it was a tough read for me, mostly because of the sexism in the story, which I found hard to overlook. That said, it could just be a personal reaction. If you’re able to read it with some emotional distance, there’s a chance you might enjoy it — some parts were definitely well written.