Mirliz’s Comments (group member since Dec 05, 2013)

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

|| 10.31.2014 || 295 pages

|| 11.26.2014 || 505 pages

Current Total: 2,373,739

|| 7.24.2014 || 527 pages

Current Total: 1,698,326

|| 7.18.2014 || 400 pages

Current Total: 1,665,310

|| 7.10.2014 || 483 pages

|| 7.15.2014 || 326 pages

Current Total: 1,633,562

|| 6.2.2014 || 346 pages

Current Total: 1,542,078

|| 5.24.2014 || 330 pages

Current Total: 1,286,598

|| 5.23.2014 || 352 pages

Current Total: 1,231,532

Relay Race Reading Challenge: Our SECOND Million Pages for 2014
Duration: 4.14.2014 - 12.31.2014

My latest post

|| 3.26.2014 || 256 pages

Current Total: 844,006

|| 3.25.2014 || 399 pages

Current Total: 839,056

Updated for pages read in February.

Chapter 68-71

(view spoiler)[171. It began in Sansa’s last chapter (61), that first niggling doubt that she might not have been better off with Tyrion. Hindsight being such a wondrous thing, it rises again. Will Sansa continue to compare her marriage to Tyrion with her currently precarious situation and finally realize some truth about Tyrion as the story goes on? Ugh! Being married to Robert, she just might!

I think she will realize how kind Tyrion always was to her. Hopefully it won't be too late for her.

172. “A harp can be as dangerous as a sword, in the right hands.” Lord Petyr Baelish, Littlefinger, has a way of twisting words to suit his purpose. Right off the bat, we hear more half-truths regarding Tyrion character when Littlefinger tells Sansa her husband turned his first wife over to the guards when he grew tired of her. Later Littlefinger tells her, “Clean hands, Sansa. Whatever you do, make certain your hands are clean.” And more good advice with, “When you know what a man wants you know who he is, and how to move him.” Will Sansa ever figure out what Littlefinger’s “songs” to her are manipulations, find out his wants, maneuver him to do her bidding, all the while keeping her hands clean? Is even that possible by the end of this series?

Don't know about that.

174. Were you as sad as I was that even Podrick Payne, Tyrion’s squire, believes Tyrion guilty?

Yes, that's just sad.

175. And Shae! How could she lie in court about Tyrion? What was her motive? Gold, prestige, hatred, or coercion?

Wouldn't be surprised if gold and jewels was the motive.

176. Did you think Tyrion was going to confess to King Joffrey’s murder and hope he’d be sent to the Wall? Were you surprised by the confession he gave?

I didn't think he would want to be sent to the Wall. He seems like a man who prefers to be killed than going to the Wall with no chance at all of lands and a wife.

177. Before it began, who did you believe was going to win Tyrion’s trial by battle? There at the end, did you think Prince Oberyn was going to have a victory over Ser Gregor? What does a draw mean for Tyrion?

I thought, or rather hoped, that Oberyn would win, but I realized that would just be too easy. So I guessed that he would be killed. Not sure though what will happen to Tyrion if Ser Gregor also dies.

178. Joso’s Cock? Well now we know how Dany conquered Meereen. As well as the “three treasons”. Do you feel she should have forgiven Ser Jorah? Will not doing so come back to haunt her? Or only her dreams?

I think it will surely haunt her dreams. Not sure about the rest.

179. Were you surprised that Dany decided to stay?

I was a little surprised, but also pleased. She is becoming more mature, realizing what it means to be a ruler. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 72-75

(view spoiler)[180) What did you think about the fake Arya? For a second I thought maybe we'd missed something and Arya had been captured.

I'm interested to see what problems and complications will rise from this.

181) Do you think Jaime is done with Cersei? Do you think he's seeing her in a different light? Perhaps experiencing feelings of regret?

I think he realizes who and what she really is, and since he seems to have changed so much during this war, maybe he starts to see that they aren't going to get back to where they once were.

182) Why does Jaime sound so...depressed, like he's going to die... perhaps a tad bit suicidal when he talks to Brienne? Anyone else get that vibe?

Not sure, but getting a little worried. Which in turn frustrates me - I used to hate him so much, but bit by bit I've realized that he has good sides and even though he's done some terrible things in his life, he has been misunderstood for a large part of this life, and I feel for him... Terrible, isn't it?

183) Do you think Slynt sent Jon on what he figured would be a suicidal mission?

Yep.

185) Surprised Stannis sent men?

Yep.

186) Surprised Arya left the Hound? Did you think she might forgive him?

Not surprised she left him, but surprised she didn't kill him - I mean, with her own hand. Not sure she will forgive him.

187) What do you think of the Hound? Do you think he's haunted by what he's done? Do you think he had a choice?

I think that he's only done what he needed to do to stay alive. I'm sure he has regrets, but still he felt that he had to obey the Lannisters to keep his life. And he's a man who loves his life.

188)Anyone else get a bit confused by how much information seems to be skipped then later explained? I keep wondering if I missed something. These last chapters seem to be choppy and hard to follow almost like Martin didn't know how to fit it all in and hurriedly tried to bring it all to an end.

I feel a little bit of that, yes.

189) Sam's back, but what happened to Bran? I'm confused. He's in hiding, but where? What happened?

I also want to know that! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 76-79

(view spoiler)[191) Should Jon have said no to being Lord of Winterfell? Oh, and for the record I still think we're going to find out something about Jon's mother that we still haven't heard. I'm just not sure what. I think there's still a mystery there.

As I see it, Jon did swear to be a brother of the Night Watch for life, and he's not supposed to take lands or a wife. If he does that, that's just wrong. I don't much like vow breakers... As for his mother, I'm very curious. I've started thinking, maybe she was a wildling? Oh, I don't know.

192) When Ghost came back it was the deciding factor for Jon what his choice would be. Do you think everything will come down to a war between Gods? Do we know who Dany believes in?

Not sure who she believes in.

193) We now know Tansy is Tysha. Virtual high five to Lisa Kay for being my partner in thinking that might be the case. So now it would appear she had a child that wasn't Tyrion's. Remember what Catelyn's father said about the next one being trueborn.

I must have missed something?

194) Would you have believed Tyrion would kill his father? Will he find Tysha? Are they still married? Did Tysha actually give birth to Tyrion's child? So many questions. So many unanswered questions.

I didn't believe he would, but I wasn't surprised he did. He hated his father so much.

195) I know Tyrion lied about killing Joffrey because he was mad at his brother. Do you think this will come back to bite him in the butt later?

Sadly, yes. I wish he would have told the truth.

196) Without Tywin around what do you think will happen?

No idea! There will be chaos.

197) Loving Samwell more and more all the time. Clever lad. Were you surprised he lied and got Jon elected as master of the wall?

I expected him to become great in some way. He's much braver than he thinks he is, he just can't see it.

198) Do you like the fact that Jon is now in charge of the Wall?

I like it very much, this is what I hoped for since the beginning. I just thought it would take longer for him to reach the position. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 80 - epilogue

(view spoiler)[199) Sansa has really gotten herself into a pickle with Littlefinger. No one knows who she is and he's got his sights set on her. Just like Arya she can't get a break.

Things just seem to go from bad to worse for this girl, even though it looked like things would get better now. I will keep hoping she'll be alright in the end.

200) Cuckoo Bird (Lysa) is gone and oh how many songs she sang before she left. Anyone as surprised as me about some of those confessions? Did you think Lysa would have killed her husband and lied to her sister? Does any of this confuse you as to the reason why Littlefinger did it?

I did suspect she was in love with Littlefinger, but I didn't expect her to love him so much that she did all those things for him and for them. As for Littlefinger, he's had his eyes on the Eyre for some time, and now it's his.

201) What was with the shaking with young Robert?

Epilepsy, I guess.

202) She's back!!!! Oh dear lord is she ever! Catelyn survived????? Truly???? How the heck did that happen and how did she recruit anyone without being able to talk?

Don't know, and I never thought she would return. Kind of creepy actually.

203) Who's continuing and, those of you who are continuing, when should we read the next book? Should we take a break in between this one and the next?

I'm definitely continuing, I love this series too much not to! Don't need a break - I just need to get to the library to get my hands on the next book. (hide spoiler)]

|| 2.18.2014 || 631 pages

|| 3.2.2014 || 1177 pages

Current Total: 636,078

Chapter 40-43

(view spoiler)[108) I can't believe how close Bran and Jon were to each other. Seems to be another thing Martin likes to do. Always so close yet so far.

Yes I just wanted to scream at that! But at the same time - what good would they be to each other at this moment? Jon would probably not be able to protect Bran and his friends from the wildlings, and they would slow him down now when he needs to get to the Tower fast. I just hope Bran will be okay for now...

109) "Aye," said Jojen, "but one man willing to forswear himself would be enough to sell your secret to the ironmen or the Bastard of Bolton."
Anyone else think this might be some foreshadowing? I thought of Janos Slynt when I read it.

Don't know.

110) Surprised Jon wouldn't kill the old man or are you more surprised he bolted and left the Wildings?

Not very surprised about any of those. He's not the kind of man who easily kills when he doesn't need to, and he is desperate to find a way to leave the wildlings. He got his chance.

111) Do you think Ygritte and Jon are too different for it ever to have worked out?

Yes I think so.

112) Do you think he learned enough to leave?

Yes, as long as he remembers all the details he got to know.

113) What did you think of Dany's battle plans?

She's clever.

114) Thought of how she told Ser Jorah to stop his possessive/jealous behavior? Was it the right thing to do?

Yes I think it was the right thing to do. She can't be made to stay close only to one man, and having him being so jealous would also be tiresome and affect her ruling.

115) Thoughts on Daario Nahris? Lovely present he brought Dany.

It's good that more men start to follow her, but she still needs to be wary.

117) Darn it my theory about Jon was wrong. Drats! I liked my theory about his birth more.

But I want to know even more...

118) Darn it just when I thought Arya might be headed for safety Sandor kidnaps her. Noooooooooo!

But I don't think Riverrun is the safest place for her at the moment, maybe this was for the better...? (hide spoiler)]

@Kaitlin - I agree that it got very preachy in the end. Even though I was raised in a Christian family I'm not a Christian myself, so that part was a bit too much for me.

Apart from that, I enjoyed the book as a whole, and these kind of books always make me a bit frightened about the future - how far will society go in reality, what inventions will we see, what limitations on society will we see, and so on. I guess I'm too much of a thinker. :)

|| 2.13.2014 || 237 pages

Current Total: 491,331

Chapter 7-9

(view spoiler)[These chapters were really interesting. I really like to read about how different people experience the same place or event in different ways, and this is a very good example of people from totally different worlds and their views.

The people in the reservation don't see their way of living as strange. It's like it's always been, natural and tough and what we as readers are more used to.

The people outside the reservation have such a clinically clean and safe life, and hardly understand the words family, home and mother, they never experience raising children as mothers, or old age.

Because of that, I find it extremely interesting to see their interactions, their thoughts about the other side, the things they say. Linda is particularly interesting since she ends up having to survive in the reservation, and not being able to adapt. I'm not sure if she doesn't have the will to adapt and learn, or if she simply can't because of the way she has been brought up. Maybe the part of the brain that controls that will to learn and adapt hasn't been able to develop normally? And that's why she prefers to take drugs - because that's the way she's been taught to deal with difficult situations. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 32-35

(view spoiler)[87) I felt so bad for Tyrion when his feelings were displayed about the kind of marriage he wanted with Sansa.

Me too. I just wish for Sansa to open her eyes and see the person beneath that ugly appearance. He has always been so kind to her.

88) Guess Jaime isn't going to need that second sword. Notice how Lord Tywin didn't offer it to Tyrion.

Tywin will never give anything of value (according to him) to Tyrion.

89) I don't know about anyone else but I'm pretty suspicious of the singer. Does he have an ulterior motive? He and Tyrion's girl seem to know way more than they should. Could they be spies or something worse? Remember how she wanted access to the wedding as well?

It could just be that they hear the servants' gossip, but I'm not particularly fond of any of them really. I liked Shae in the beginning, but lately she's just been a whining problem...

90) Now know the messages said nothing about the others. Wonder where the Others are now?

Still out there, continuing to cause trouble.

91) Does anyone remember Janos Slynt? Is he the one who had a problem with Jon?

I...remember the name of course, but can't seem to really recall what his offence was - the reason why he was sent to the wall. Edit: ok, checked him up now.

92) Anyone else shocked by the death of Ser Mormont and Craster?

The deaths, no. The way they died, yes.

93) Samwell and Gilly? What do you make of the escape? As a mom of three children my first thought was, "Ouch!" I can't imagine going on a journey after just giving birth. Will she be able to help him get to the wall? Traveling with a new born? Will all of them make it?

I hope they make it. And that the baby will be okay too.

94) Who are Cater's sons? That sounded questionable.

The Others?

95) What did you think of the confrontation between the Hound and Arya?

She's a tough girl. I'm actually glad that the Hound survived.

96) The men they're with still baffle me. Are they good or bad? They say they're Robert's men. What does that mean and what will they do with Arya?

I have no idea.



I wouldn't trust them, but I can't see that Robb has any other choice now. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 36-39

(view spoiler)[98. It’s refreshing to see Stannis awake and lucid. How surprised were you that he asked Davos to be Hand of the King? Why do you suppose Stannis trusts Davos so much?

I was a little surprised. Have no idea why he trusts him.

99. Melisandre asks Stannis for “the boy” so she can wake the “stone dragon.” Is “the boy” Edric? What is the “stone dragon?” Do you think she’s asking for a sacrifice or just drops of blood? (My guess is sacrifice.) Were you surprised that Stannis told her no?

I'm happy that Stannis said no. That shows that she doesn't yet have full control of him. Not sure what the stone dragon means.

100. I continue to be surprised by and impressed with Jaime. He tells Brienne he killed Aerys to prevent him from burning King’s Landing. Why didn’t he tell anyone? He says he didn’t because he swore to keep the king’s secrets, but the guy was dead for goodness’ sake! I think Jaime could have saved his reputation if everyone had known about this.

Maybe his reputation would have been saved, maybe not. I can see why he kept quiet.

101. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Jaime has he tries to eat one-handed. I’m getting worried for Brienne since Bolton plans to send her to Vargo, and send Jaime to King’s Landing. I hope she comes up with a brilliant escape plan!

My guess is she will escape somehow.

102. Just an observation: Brienne is learning that oaths don’t mean much. She’s disappointed that Jaime, Robb and Tyrion have all broken their promises. Do you think now she will be more wary and less naïve?

Hopefully. Not too likely.

103. Roose Bolton says that Arya has been found and will be returned safely to the North. Does he know that Arya was the girl who had been serving him? I think not.

I don't think he knows that.

104. Well, now we have even more reason to hate Cersei if the story of Tyrion as a baby that Prince Oberyn told is true. Do you believe the story, or do you think Oberyn is trying to turn Tyrion against Cersei (not that he hasn’t already turned against her!). It’s really hard to fathom a 9-year-old girl being so cruel to her own baby brother! I like how Jaime came to Tyrion’s defense (in the tale).

Wouldn't be surprised if that's true.

105. How will Cersei react to the new wedding guests?

That will be interesting to see.

106. Why do they keep letting the Hound go? He’s nothing but trouble!

Maybe he's a lot of trouble, but I can't help but feel a bit sorry for him anyway.

107. Were you surprised Gendry wanted to stay with the outlaws rather than serve at Riverrun?

Maybe he just wants to feel as if he was free, even if it means being an outlaw, rather than being kept in a castle? I don't know... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-6

(view spoiler)[It's difficult to sum this up in any other way than has already been made.

I enjoy this kind of books, simply because one gets to think about that the outrageous ideas presented might become reality to some extent far in the future. And that's scary.

This whole thing about the breeding factories, and the way people are produced and raised during childhood gave me the shivers, but at the same time it was so fascinating.

I think that what makes me feel most awkward when reading this book is the fact that many of the things and ideas in it actually already do exist today - in less extreme versions. The divisions between races and social statuses, segregation, religious (and other) fanatics, cloning, ways to control the people, and so on. That fact only adds to my unease, thinking about where we (humans) will end up eventually one day.

That being said, I do like the book. It is written in a less common style, but it works well for this kind of story, I think. And I'm not really bothered by the lack of character focus - I actually prefer this. (hide spoiler)]