Aiswrya’s
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(group member since Mar 30, 2020)
Aiswrya’s
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from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.
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Navi, Richard, it was great meeting you both! Glad you enjoyed the challenge :)
Laura, I have one more - a little over 2 hours of listening left to finish. Would that be too close to the deadline? I'm listening at 2x speed already lol
It was nice too meet you too, Lulu! Thanks for being co-captain!
Cherry wrote: "Looks like I'm not going to get any more completions in. Been prepping my son for college and tomorrow is move in day. I have really enjoyed this (my first) challenge. I've learned a lot and look f..."It was nice to e-meet you, Cherry! It’s been fun playing this challenge with you :) good luck to your son!
Completion PostBook: Spin the Dawn
By: Elizabeth Lim
Read: 8/20/2020
Pages: 400
Works for: 'S' Title, 'T' Series The Blood of Stars, 'Y' c Yindi, 'N' c Norbu, 'O' c Orkson, 'C' c Calu, 'A' c Ammi, 'K' c Keton, 'M' MC Maia
Tags: None
Tasks:
#81 Read a book with MPG Retellings - tagged by 138 users.
Aug 20, 2020 02:22PM
All set with my copy of the book :)
DQs Day 3 - Chapters 17-2311. The second part of the book is set on a journey to obtain materials for the wedding dresses and is different from the first part, which was set in the palace. To me it seems that the author had to make both characters take this journey, so that she could make the romance between them work better.
Did you like the change of the setting? Or would you prefer if the plot had stayed in the palace and had more palace intrigues?
I'm not a fan of politics, so I like the change.
12. Honestly, I don't believe that Lady Sarnai would be able to request such dresses for her wedding - her father and Khanujin had negotiated this marriage to ensure peace, so they wouldn't give her the power to try and delay or even to cancel the wedding. Do you think she would be able to request the dresses? Or would her father or the emperor interfere?
I think she's soon going to reach a point when she can't put off the wedding anymore. What bothers me is that she doesn't care about who she hurts in the process - for instance, what happens if Maia can't make the dresses? She'll be killed but that doesn't seem to be weighing down on Sarnai's conscience.
13. I was surprised to see Norbu again - I thought he had been executed. Do you think it was the last time we saw him? Or will he play a further role in the story?
I don't really like that guy, I would be glad if we didn't seem him again.
14. I am not sure if I liked the chapters with Orksan and his people - Korin and Orksan immediately realising that Maia was a girl, everyone thinking Maia and Edan were a couple and demanding them to kiss, Vachir recognising Edan - it was all a bit too cliche. Did you like Orksan and Korin? Do you think it was the right choice to travel with them?
I'm indifferent. I agree that it didn't add any value to the plot.
15. I am sure that Edan will be freed from the emperor somehow. How do you think it will happen? Will Lady Sarnai play some role in this?
No, I think Maia will play a role in freeing him. Sarnai will probably run away with her lover or kill herself.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Synopsis
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.
An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson
Synopsis
Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. “A place,” he said, “where learning is a game.”
Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym “Truly, Devious.” It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.
True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester. But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.
The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.
Spin the dawn has a Y character too
Judith wrote: "Maybe as a bonus get the D from Edan, I hope so. Maia deserves some fun in her life and she needs to relax..."LOOOL love it!
DQ 26. Well that is some strange competition. Do you find it reasonable or just silly?
It's just silly!
7. Well Lady Sarnai is definitely an interesting character. One moment she is strong and resilient and just a victim of court schemes, the next she is quite the arrogant, cold-hearted spoiled brat. It is hard to get a read on her. Do you think she is just acting the part or is she really going to be the villain in this story?
I think she's just acting the part. There's got to be a twist in here somewhere!
8. That was a lovely sabotage attempt. Kinda clumsy. Do you find it exaggerated? I mean, it is only clothing, it is possible to make a living even if they don't win, there will even be some fame for being one of the finalists. The victory is mostly just more fame and ego. Do you think it is worth the price? Injury or possible death for fame and status?
This depends on how passionate one is about their trade. If one aims to win, is it just for ego and fame? I think not.
9. Oh boy. The moment of choice. And I feel like she made the wrong one. I would say let the royals rot in their war and petty squabbles. It is better for self-preservation to stay away from them all. Let the evil man get the position and enjoy apprentice status while you are still young enough to fool them you are a boy.Duh, logical. Do you agree with her reasons for staying? Or do you also feel she has made the wrong choice in not leaving?
I see where she's coming from. If she goes back home now, nothing has really changed for her beyond the money she has already won. And honestly, what does she have left to lose? By staying and aiming to win, she has everything to gain!
10. Well... that went well. I am pretty sure I don't like any of them. The dungeon seems like a lovely place to be in. 40 seems an awful lot, but well... This book needed some blood to be even more mainstream YA Fantasy. Did you also have the "Ha, told ya it was a bad idea to stay" moment? One might assume the story would be over now, yet so many more pages left. Do you have any idea what else might possibly happen?
I am very curious about Edan's and the emperor's relationship, and honestly! Why is the emperor so mysterious and magical? It's strange. I think Lord Enchanter has been enchanting the emperor to seem awe-inspiring but he really is the same frail boy from his childhood.
I must say, the book has become a lot more interesting now! Off to read the next part!
Joanne wrote: "I can't imagine the stress of trying to hide something like that.."I know right! As Cat said, she's lucky she isn't curvy!
Joanne wrote: "I was thinking the Enchanter, or maybe even the Emperor. I keep having a thought that the Enchanter is actually the Emperor and vice versa. Because every time the Emperor comes around, it's like everyone is under his spell. Is he supposed to be so magical?."
LOL that would be cool! Lord Enchanter following her around would then make sense! Unless he's spying on her for the Emperor.
Eldarwen wrote: "She may think the Emperor looks handsome, but he would be a little far-fetched and that would never fly, not with Lady Sarnai around. ..."haha yeah that would definitely turn this book into a fairy tale! It has to be Lord Enchanter! He sounds cute ;-)
Day 1 DQs1. In this world, women are not able to become tailors or inherit their father's business. It reminds me of the Victorian era in England (like Jane Austen times). Maia is a very talented tailor but cannot be that as a woman. Would you go to the lengths she did to hide her identity in order to fulfill her destiny? Can you think of any other women in history that had to do that?
I suppose my decision would be driven by my circumstances and just how passionate I am about my talent.
2. I felt so bad for Maia when someone ruined her shawl, but I loved that the magic scissors brought it back to life. Who do you think ruined her shawl? What else do you think those scissors can do? Did you anticipate that happening?
Probably Yindi. But I'm always suspicious of the nice ones - so I'm going to say Norbu or the dude with a name starting with L. Since the book is tagged fantasy, I definitely expected some paranormal things to happen. When the father handed Maia the scissors with that cryptic remark, I thought there would be some magic involved in it! I'm looking forward to seeing what else the scissors can do.
3. There was a hawk that was following the carriage when Maia is taken to the palace, and that same hawk shows up outside Maia's window later on. Who do you think the hawk is? Is it the Lord Enchanter?
It has to be! It is a romance after all LOL
4. Do you think the Lord Enchanter suspects that Maia is a girl and not a boy? I wonder because of his comment about her feet being so small and dainty.
Well, yeah! The precis said as much haha
5. I love the world building that has gone on so far. It feels like a real place to me. What is your favorite aspect of the book so far?
I don't think I'm particularly drawn to this book. The world building hasn't been good enough to warrant a comment. The magical scissors have been the only note worthy event so far. I suppose Lord Enchanter is charming too. Oh! It has been fun to watch Maia squirming under Ammi's flirtations LOL
Going to read Spin the dawn next. Got my hands on the audio version. So, M, T, S, N and K I think.
Completion PostBook: On Dublin Street
By: Samantha Young
Read: 8/19/2020
Pages: 372
Works for: 'o' Title, 'Y' Author Young, 'C' MC Braden Carmichael, 'A' c Adam
Tags: None
Tasks:
#120 Read a book recommended by someone in your team - Rec'd by Laura
Laura wrote: "So far so good. I'm enjoying the male narration more. It's always fun to discuss books even better it's your sister...."Oh yeah! I'm so glad she's as into reading as I am!
Yeah the male's voice was great too. I enjoyed that as well since most books I've heard in the past had a female narrator trying to imitate a male with a highly nasal voice lol. Grated my nerves!
