Brie’s Comments (group member since Mar 04, 2015)

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

Discussion Questions November 25
Chapters 18-20, pages 202-254

16. We get a glimpse of Kaz feelings for Inez. Were you surprised? How do you think their story will evolve?

I was definitely not surprised. I just need a kiss, ONE KISS, and I'll be satisfied. I don't know if that will actually happen in this first book though...

17. Kaz shares a bit of his backstory with Inez, and considerably more with us. We are introduced to Jordie, the Hertzoons and an innocent, dependent Kaz. What were your thoughts reading about it?

My heart hurt for Kaz. Of course, every tortured angsty man is going to have a heartbreaking backstory. It's almost like he didn't even have a chance to become anything but a criminal.

18. They finally landed on Fjerda. The heist plan is revealed. Matthias has a plan of his own and implies that Nina might have one too. Will they make it? At what cost? Is the gang going to break apart before the end?

I anticipate a cliffhanger ending for sure. Half of the team will go missing or be captured or something. As for Matthias and Nina, I trust him more than I trust her at this point.

19. We learn more about Nina and Matthias backstory. Now, their characters are better shaped. Did it change your opinion for either of them? Can you see them escape their prejudices? How do you think their story will evolve?
[For those that have read the Grisha trilogy: The hatred between Grisha and the Fjerdans run deep. Grishas are burned to the stake like witches. The Grishas armies burn villages and destroy the land. Is the original Grisha trilogy explaining how all this started?]

They both seem to be struggling with their own issues. What it comes down to is that they despise the one core characteristic of the other person, and I don't see how that's ever going to change. Neither of them is going to change their beliefs. Matthias's entire family was killed! Nina is the pushy one in that dynamic so if anything changes it's going to be her doing.

20. The company is attacked by a drug-empowered Grisha. The competition is getting tighter. Is their mission as clean as they were led to believe? What role Bo Yul-Bayur will play if he gets his freedom?

No mission is ever what it seems. Kaz and the gang are gonna get screwed over.

Philippa wrote: "Book:
A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing
Author: Eimear McBride
Pages: 205
Date finished: November 25, 2015"

fabulous!

Karen Michele wrote: "Book:
Goodnight June
Author: Sarah Jio
Pages: 320
Date Finished: November 25, 2015
Goals: None

moon, stars, fire on cover"

amazing :)

Cathy M. wrote: "Brie wrote: "I'm going to preface this post by saying DO NOT LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK! There are 6 NARRATORS (one for each character) and while this is fine in theory, it sucks in execution! I am SO..."

I may have been a liiiiittle heated, truly like mid-rage blackout, but it's gotten better. I've got the rhythm of the narrators down and I'm feeling more confident so give it a try...IF YOU DARE!

Chapters 10-17


11. With new developments in some of our characters back stories, which one did you find the most interesting and why? Did it change the way you viewed them? And how?

I am super into Inej. She sounds like a badass. I think it is very kind that Kaz didn't make her get that tattoo; it's also very telling regarding how much he secretly respects her.

12. Kaz comes a little unglued... What's your take on that? Is he truly heartless and self seeking like he likes to be seen? What did you think of what he did to Oomen, and do you think that revealed anything?

He liiiikes heeeeer :) But for real, he and Inej have known each other a long time. I find his instinct to protect her and get her to safety very admirable. His vengeful meltdown? Ya that was pretty hot...


13. We get to see the history between Matthias and Nina! Who's side are you on? And who do you think Matthias will choose in the end?

I'm on Nina's side!!! Geeeet ooover it man!!! ::eye roll:: I feel like that weirdo that's just like "Now everyone go ahead and feel your own feelings!!! Don't be afraid to expose your heart!"

14. There are a lot of references that translate to today or modern history: street gangs, slavery & ships, human trafficking (brothels), and underground arenas for entertainment. Do you find their hard circumstances justify their criminal ways, or just make you care for them despite them?

I don't, personally, think any hardship or trauma justifies criminal behavior. In the real world, eye for an eye is NOT healthy conflict resolution. There can be no growth if humanity keeps regressing to its basest behaviors.

15. Lastly! what's with kaz's gloves?! Hands stained by blood? Too sensitive to touch? Any theories out there?

I've been trying to come up with some of my own and I simply cannot! It's definitely not the blood. I wonder if Inej is going to be the first one to touch his bare fleshy hand...

Farhad is too. THE RACE IS ON!!!!

Tima wrote: "Oh wow, how did you realise that brie, I must have glossed over the words while I was reading "

I check all the books the team reads with Amazon for any phrases we need :)

FATIMA COMPLETED A GOAL!!! She was so determined to complete a goal today that she didn't even realize she fulfilled one totally on accident :D

GOAL UPDATE

1. Read a book with the phrase "hands are tied" in a book -- Peril at End House (Fatima)

2. Read a book where a character lives in a castle or palace -- Shadow Scale (Natalie)

3. Read a book shelved (listed on the first page of the "top shelves" of the book) as 2014 - plurals and minor spelling variations are acceptable -- A House to Let (Karen)

NEW GOAL
Read a book with the word WOLF, BEAR, FOX, LION or TIGER (plurals are acceptable) in the title

I'm going to preface this post by saying DO NOT LISTEN TO THE AUDIOBOOK! There are 6 NARRATORS (one for each character) and while this is fine in theory, it sucks in execution! I am SO CONFUSED and have not been able to get a grasp on ANY of the characters. Each narrator reads their character's chapter, which means that Nina, for example, has 6 different voices. My f***ing head is all over the place and I am pissed off as all hell that I wasted a credit on this when I would MUCH rather be reading the book because I do actually like the story.

Ok rant over. Let's begin.

Discussion Questions November 23

Chapters 5-9, pages 69-133

6. Putting the plot and characters aside for a moment, what do you think of Leigh Bardugo’s writing? If you regularly read YA how does it compare in quality. If this is your first YA book, is the quality of the writing what you expected?

I am pleasantly surprised! I am not a YA reader and I am very interested in this story. I have to go back and listen to the past...2? chapters (see above rant) because I don't know anything about 3 of the characters? But it'll get figured out.

7. In Part Two, we meet Matthias Helvar. Nina said, “Helvar is driven by honor and only honor. You can’t bribe or bully that.” Do you think that statement is accurate based on what we learn about him during his rescue?

I have no idea. This is a chapter I need to re-listen to.

8. I enjoy world building that has enough connections to the real world that I can picture what’s going on because of this relationship, but the scenes are still original and creative. I think Bardugo does a good job with this concept. My favorite scene like this so far has been (the spoiler is my favorite) (view spoiler). What connections have you thought were particularly well imagined?

Karen's favorite scene is the one that sticks out in my mind too. I saw all of it so clearly.

9. Since Wylan turns out to be Van Eck’s son, how do you think his role with the gang will play out?

This is another chapter I have to re-listen to. This happened exactly when I was fighting for my life trying to buy a Thanksgiving turkey in Harlem.

10. Now that we have met all six members of the gang, do you have a favorite?

I am all about Kaz! What a bad boy with a heart of gold (hopefully)

Tima wrote: "Author : Agatha Christie
Book : Peril at End house
Pages : 287
Goals : None"

Tima I need you to please add this to your Tower Teams shelf. This book fulfills the "hands are tied" goal and I cannot add it until it's on your shelf. Thank you!!!

Tima wrote: "Author : Agatha Christie
Book : Peril at End house
Pages : 287
Goals : None"

Tima wrote: "Author : Agatha Christie
Book : Peril at End house
Pages : 287
Goals : None"

Excellent!

Now, Tima, if the cover page of your iPad edition IS the stationary cover, then please do screen shot it! But if your iPad edition has no cover page then I can't help you.

Farhad that's AWESOME!

Tima, I'm sorry. The mail cover was not the edition you read. I cannot count it. Don't worry, I will be able to use it for a later goal, but it will not suit the stationary goal.

Tima wrote: "Here's a link to the one with the 'mail' on the cover
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."

Unfortunately, I cannot use that cover for the goal as that is not the edition you read. As for the page numbers, it doesn't work that way either :(

Good morning guys! I love the convos but let's keep them to the Moirai main thread ok? Thanks!!

Discussion Questions November 22

Chapters 1-4



1. Do you like the book so far? Why did you decide to read it? Is this a genre you normally read?

I think I like it? I don't know if I actually do or if I'm trying to convince myself I do because everyone has said such amazing things about it...This is not my normal genre so I'm a little so so about it, but there are moments I'm totally into! Plus I'm listening to the audiobook and one of the narrators is difficult to understand when he attempts to do different voices...

2. During the parley in chapter two, Kaz tells rival gang member Geels: "A secret's not like coin. It doesn't keep its value in spending." What does Kaz mean by this? Do you agree with him?

Hmmm once you tell the secret that's it. It's no longer worth anything now that everyone knows. There's probably a message about blackmail somewhere in there that I missed...


3. Inez seems to have led a very interesting life so far. What do you think her relationship with Kaz is? Does she have romantic feelings towards him? Is Inez someone you would trust? Is Kaz trustworthy?

I don't think anybody is trustworthy right now. Everybody is out for themselves. I definitely see a mutual attraction there that I don't think either is fully aware of.


4. If you could have a magical talent like the Grisha, what would you want your talent to be? Which category of Grisha types (listed in post 102) do you think would be most helpful to us in the real world?

Ok thanks to Google I have decided I'd probably be a Heartrender. Eh, if the shoe fits...


5. Have you read any of Leigh Bardugo's other books? If so, would you recommend reading her Grisha trilogy before reading Six of Crows?

I haven't read any and I'll be honest, I hope I get through this one.

Erin (Paperback stash) *is juggle-reading* wrote: "Brie wrote: "It's also only 288 pgs, not 312. Did you read a different edition?"

She may mean this one - 312 pages and looks like stationary

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

We'll wait ..."

Goooot it...unfortunately, if this isn't the one she read then I cannot count it.

Erin (Paperback stash) *is juggle-reading* wrote: "Book: Magic Bleeds
Author: Ilona Andrews
Pages 388
Finished 11/23/2015
Goals: None

Note it has a Thanksgiving scene if that comes up as a goal later."

YAY!

Megan L wrote: "Brie wrote: "Megan L wrote: "Book: Sinner's Gin
Author: Rhys Ford
Pages: 260
Points: 20
Date finished: November 18, 2015
Goals: None"

YAAAAAAAY! Megan, I have noti..."

THANK YOU!

Natalie wrote: "Book: A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 992
Date Read: 11/23
Goals: "...though my hands were tied and bound to the saddle""

We won't be able to use it for the "hands are tied" goal because the MEANING is different. The phrase "my hands are tied" means "there's nothing I could do."

What I was explaining earlier was that it could count IF it was either exactly the words "hands are tied" OR the meaning was the same as the phrase.