Amber’s
Comments
(group member since May 16, 2018)
Amber’s
comments
from the Tsundoku Reading Group group.
Showing 1-19 of 19
I have been reading these with my Mother in Law, and she made it through, she said it got a little better toward the end but the whole thing was a drag for her also. I usually like historical fiction but I just felt like the style was so pretentious and the characters made no connection for me, which I've discovered is really important for me to enjoy a book.
Would love to read any reviews from those of you who made it through this read. I really liked it.If you read it here are some discussion questions for you too!
What was your general opinion of the story overall? Was there anything about the main character you particularly loved or disliked?
When we reach the climax we discover the true nature of the wood and why it was corrupted, was this a surprise to you or did you feel the foreshadowing in that direction was obvious?
Did you feel "The Dragon" was unnecessarily bad tempered? I read a lot of negative feed back on him, would love to know all your opinions.
In the beginning of the story, the main character is prepared to give her best friend over as sacrifice to the Dragon but is instead chosen due to her magical abilities. Did you think that this preparation by not only her, but the whole town was heartless? Why do you suppose The Dragon was known for taking girls of Kasha's standard?
Since I didn't make it through the whole standalone last month I figured I better start with it this month because lord knows I'll finish Royal Assassin. Anyway, I started listening to this on my audible yesterday, literally couldn't stop. I am really enjoying it. Has a bit of a Beauty and Beast feel to it, but I can role with that. I won't call it the most original work I've ever read, but its a decent story so far. Easy read. YAY! I feel like I deserve an easy read.
So, how did you guys like this book first off?I personally did not really enjoy it, I actually didn't even finish it. Made it about 70% through, month ended, not gonna finish it. Can't make me. Gonna trade it out on my Audible because I will never listen to it again. LOL
Anywho, it's cool if you did like it, and I will still cover some topics over it. I know at least one of you had some positive opinions on it because we've been messaging about it! LOL
SOOOOO...
Whose approach to english magic did you prefer? Jonathan Strange's or Mr. Norrells? Who do you think the more accomplished magician?
What was your opinion on the footnotes? I didn't find them that bothersome since I listened to it.
How did you feel about the intervening story of Stephen Black?
Who did you think was the Ultimate Hero of the novel?
What did you think about that plot point of relationships in this novel, both between men and women, races, classes, and also friendships?
Aryanne wrote: "Why do you think the seamstress changes the emblem on Fitz's clothing from a buck with a red line through it to a buck charging? What do you think this means?I think that the change in his emblem..."
I love your take on this, I totally agree that the charging buck is very symbolic to Fitz's designation as a weapon. This is perfectly said!
Thanks for responding to all these!! I hope some other people get involved. I don't want to divulge all my opinions right onto the site because I want to go over them in my podcast. I felt like the first question was pretty complicated, I stole it from someone else LOL. I was hoping to see some responses to it!
I am listening to it on Audible. It makes the footnotes more bearable. I'm about 30% done with the book, just got to Jonathan Strange participating in the novel.I'm mostly just not really into all the stuff happening with Stephen Black, its so off the wall and just doesn't really connect for me. I mean I get that it's the Fairy or whatever Mr. Norrell summoned but...I guess....I just don't care. LOL
Hi all,I am about 20% ish done with Jonathan Strange. Its just starting to get good. So I'm basically hunkering down with it. Since we're closing in on the end of the first month though I'm going to post up some discussion questions for Assassin's Apprentice.
I will address my opinions on these in the podcast, but would love to read other peoples responses first so I can maybe reference back to them or what not.
Here we go.
Why do you think the seamstress changes the emblem on Fitz's clothing from a buck with a red line through it to a buck charging? What do you think this means?
Fitz is known by several names throughout the story: Boy, Fitz, Thomas, and FitzChivalry. What name do you prefer? What do you think each name means in respect to how he evolves as a character?
In the story Burrich and Fitz have a sometimes sordid relationship. How did you feel about some of Burrich's choices in raising Fitz? What role do you see Burrich playing in Fitz's Life?
FitzChivalry shows an affinity for practicing The Wit, a frowned upon and persecuted art in the setting. Do you consider The Wit to be a form of magic or more a part of the person? What are your opinions on why it could be good and why it could be considered bad?
I have always wished Fitz and Patience had the opportunity to make a sort of family together. I mean, I see the point that maybe something like that would have increased the liklihood of Fitz being killed but I always felt like he was pretty clever and would have managed. I like how you brought up that point about Regal though. I never really considered it, probably because I really don't like Regal, but from a psychological stand point he most likely always did feel a bit out of place being the only son of queen Desire and King Shrewd. Almost but not quite in the same realm as the bastards. He definitely uses his half brother Galen to the fullest possible extent and even Fitz is a bit of a pawn to him. I totally agree that the mindset of bastard gets pounded into all three so strongly, it becomes a part of all their personas, it almost creates the books driving plot point since Galen is, in my opinion, the strongest villian of the first book. I mean, I Regal doesn't really pop in until the climax and Galen has done a lot of the leg work I feel.
Anyone else reading this? What do you think?It is seriously dragging for me, I keep hearing it gets better, but I am having a hard time sticking to the reading on this one.......
NOOOO!!!
I think I'll put that on my to read list, mostly because the name sounds cool. LOL!!
Yes, it's through June, It's just going to take me forever to read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I can already tell. I guess it gets better after about 150 pgs but thus far its a bit of a slog.Reading Robin Hobb is so much easier!!
Hey, I'm starting to this today!!Whose read it?
Whose reading it?
Post your review links!
I'm listening on Audible. So if you haven't listened to it, I'll give you the D.L. on the reader shortly.
Hi guys!I finished Assassin's Apprentice yesterday, and I have been thinking about how the treatment of bastards in this world is so interesting. I mean we have the main character, Fitz, but also Chade and Galen. Each developed differently and had somewhat different treatments throughout life. However, all of them are huge influences on not only the story, but how the world is changing due to there closeness to the thrown. What did you all think of each??
I hate Galen, but of course I see how he developed into the character he was, which I think makes him well written. I don't think we get enough of Chade in this book to really discuss his underlying motives, but of course develops over the course of the story.
How do you think Fitz would have been different had he the chance to be raised by Patience as she expressly desired in the story?
I haven't read Silence of the Lamb, but when I watched the movie I loved her! I should put that on my reading list. Since usually the book is way better than the movie.
Hello! If you have any interest in working on the wikia for this series let me know and we can work together to make some kind of priority list and maybe a standard for page layout.
You can check out what is there by clicking Realm of the Elderling's Wiki
What are you favorite characters that you've read?Some of mine include:
Guy Montag - Fahrenheit 451
Locke Lamora - Gentlemen Bastards Series
El Capitan - Pure Series
Hi everyone! The first podcast went up last night, it isn't much, just a quick "Hello, Goodbye" but give it a listen and I'll have something new up as soon as I finish Assassin's Apprentice.
Listen Here
