Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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The Rook
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O'Malley, Daniel - The Rook - Start Date October 12th 2012
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@ Stefani66 - I know. I don't really think the gynecologist scene was necessary at all.
69 - Hehe.
72 - Yeah, I'm wondering everything's going to be explained. I hope he doesn't leave anything hanging.
@ Parvathy66 - I agree.
68 - Haha, I like your questions, especially the one about starting a tribe and being their queen.
70 - Yeah, I wish she'd picked up on the fact that he was very uncomfortable with the duck predicting something about him...
72 - The mystery man is really driving me nuts. Who is he?! Argh.
Questions and Comments for Chapters 36 - 4373) A lot of unanswered questions with this one. Am I the only one who dislikes it when authors do this? They add something perhaps just for filler and nothing ever comes from it? This I believe is the author's first book so perhaps it's just something that one learns not to do?
74) Chapter 36 appears to be an information dump that was useful. We got to see Gestalt's fifth body in action. No wonder the house hadn't been baby proofed, it probably didn't need it. Did you guess it was the fifth Gestalt?
75) So a Bishop was the one trying to kill or at least wipe Myfanwy's memory clean.
76) Did you like how Myfanwy saved herself?
77) I'm not sure if the Gestalts having a baby would be incest or something else. They are one person after all.
78) Should Myfanwy become a Bishop?
79) Did you like the ending?
80) Thoughts on the book? What will you rate it? I kind of liked it, but I kind of feel it should have been edited better.
73) A lot of unanswered questions with this one. Am I the only one who dislikes it when authors do this? They add something perhaps just for filler and nothing ever comes from it? This I believe is the author's first book so perhaps it's just something that one learns not to do?I have already added the book to my "books that drag" shelf. Is there some kind of a mandate that a good book should be more than 400 pages long. Just trying to understand the author's motivation for inserting such fillers. Especially the one about the dragon. Then the end was kind of rushed. No big showdown between the Villain. Although I am happy that he is one of the persons I suspected
74) Chapter 36 appears to be an information dump that was useful. We got to see Gestalt's fifth body in action. No wonder the house hadn't been baby proofed, it probably didn't need it. Did you guess it was the fifth Gestalt?
I didn't. I didn't even think about the pregnancy bit before I read one of the questions. Good thinking by the way wouldn't have guessed.
75) So a Bishop was the one trying to kill or at least wipe Myfanwy's memory clean.
Thought so from the very beginning. He didn't particularly seem like the loyal type. But his motives are still not clear to me.
76) Did you like how Myfanwy saved herself?
Yes, but I was hoping for a big fight with Gestalt or Conrad in the end where they would be amazed by her powers.
77) I'm not sure if the Gestalts having a baby would be incest or something else. They are one person after all.
Still it is weird. They same the share blood and have the same parents and they call themselves brother and sister. I think sharing a DNA is enough for incest even though the it is the same person in both the bodies.
78) Should Myfanwy become a Bishop?
No, I think she is better of as a rook. And they should make the Belgian grafter her counterpart and they could fight crimes together.
79) Did you like the ending?
I would have if it came a little bit sooner. By the point I reached the ending I just wanted the book to end. Too much information dump and yet a lot of questions left unanswered.
80) Thoughts on the book? What will you rate it? I kind of liked it, but I kind of feel it should have been edited better.
I rated it two stars. It was Ok. The book lost me at times and it dragged in some parts. I concur that the book could have been better if proper editing was done. But the thing that got me the most was the characters were a bit hard to believe. Not the paranormal part but the normal part. The reactions of most of the characters when faced with unnatural situations was off the mark. Myfanwy's sister for one, Myfanwy herself and many others. Could have done better job making them believable.
So I'm in the middle of catching up on yesterday's reading, but I can already tell I'm going to be really frustrated with the answers we've been given. Grumble grumble.
Mary wrote: "@ Parvathy68 - Haha, I like your questions, especially the one about starting a tribe and being their queen.
Started thinking of names for my tribe LOL
Parvathy wrote: "Mary wrote: "@ Parvathy68 - Haha, I like your questions, especially the one about starting a tribe and being their queen.
Started thinking of names for my tribe LOL"
Heh! What did you come up with?
Questions and Comments for Chapters 36 - 4373) A lot of unanswered questions with this one. Am I the only one who dislikes it when authors do this? They add something perhaps just for filler and nothing ever comes from it? This I believe is the author's first book so perhaps it's just something that one learns not to do?
I don't like it either. I was really frustrated with the way things were wrapped up with Grantchester and the Grafters. Nothing seemed finished and it wasn't satisfying.
74) Chapter 36 appears to be an information dump that was useful. We got to see Gestalt's fifth body in action. No wonder the house hadn't been baby proofed, it probably didn't need it. Did you guess it was the fifth Gestalt?
No, I had no clue. I did think that Grantchester's wife was involved, as Thomas had made special note of her blue eyes. I'd already guessed that Conrad was the other traitor, so I figured that his wife was in it, too. It makes more sense now, though.
75) So a Bishop was the one trying to kill or at least wipe Myfanwy's memory clean.
This whole scene was really cliche, with the villain explaining his evil plan to the main character. Don't villains ever learn? Also, I found the revelation that a student of Camp Caius with manufactured abilities wiped Thomas's memory clean a cop-out. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't something so easy.
76) Did you like how Myfanwy saved herself?
Yes, I did! That was the best part of this scene. It was nice to have the epi-pen come back into play.
77) I'm not sure if the Gestalts having a baby would be incest or something else. They are one person after all.
Definitely disturbing no matter how you think of it.
78) Should Myfanwy become a Bishop?
No. She's still missing lots of memory and knowledge of the Checquy, and I'm sure Thomas didn't cover everything in those letters and the purple binder. Besides, she seems good where she is.
79) Did you like the ending?
No. It wasn't satisfying at all to me.
80) Thoughts on the book? What will you rate it? I kind of liked it, but I kind of feel it should have been edited better.
I liked the first half a lot - it had so much potential. But it soon became bogged down by unnecessary details. I agree, it needed editing. I think the book should have been at least 75 pages shorter. I'll probably rate it two stars. Grr. I really wanted to like this book.
Mary wrote: "Parvathy wrote: "Mary wrote: "@ Parvathy68 - Haha, I like your questions, especially the one about starting a tribe and being their queen.
Started thinking of names for my tribe LOL"
Heh! What..."
How about Callidus? Meaning the clever ones in lain. After all we were clever enough to survive the apocalypse:) (I just googled this)
Parvathy wrote: "How about Callidus? Meaning the clever ones in lain. After all we were clever enough to survive the apocalypse:) (I just googled this) "Love it! Queen Parvathy of the Callidus. :-)
Has a nice ring to it :-D
Questions and Comments for Chapters 36 - 4373) A lot of unanswered questions with this one. Am I the only one who dislikes it when authors do this? They add something perhaps just for filler and nothing ever comes from it? This I believe is the author's first book so perhaps it's just something that one learns not to do?
I hate it when they do that. If the information is interesting or going to be addressed later in a series, then I don't mind. But just interrupting the actual pot for things that never go anywhere is annoying.
74) Chapter 36 appears to be an information dump that was useful. We got to see Gestalt's fifth body in action. No wonder the house hadn't been baby proofed, it probably didn't need it. Did you guess it was the fifth Gestalt?
I didn't. Frankly, I was skimming at that point so I probably wasn't paying that much attention.
75) So a Bishop was the one trying to kill or at least wipe Myfanwy's memory clean.
I admit that I really didn't have any idea who it would be. Mostly because that whole plot was largely ignored until MyFawny had a lucky AH HA moment and figures it all out with nothing leading up to it.
76) Did you like how Myfanwy saved herself?
It was beyond cliche. Villains should never do this! Villains do not kidnap the hero/heroine in order to gloat about their evil deeds and their genius at accomplishing it. Allowing the hero/heroine to explain how they figured it all out. All of this leading up to a miraculous turn around where the hero/heroine turns the tables and saves themselves. It's boring, it's cliche, and it annoyed me.
77) I'm not sure if the Gestalts having a baby would be incest or something else. They are one person after all.
I thought about that actually a lot last night. Technically the 4 bodies are siblings...they were all carried in the same womb with the same parents. So based on that, yes it would be incest. But, they are all the same consciousness too...so that also makes it masturbation. Whatever they want to call it, it's weird and creepy.
78) Should Myfanwy become a Bishop?
NO! Because that means that he'll write another MyFanny book and then I'd have to poke my eyeballs out!
79) Did you like the ending?
Nope, but then I didn't really like any of it past about chapter 6. I did, however, sob in relief that it was over lol.
80) Thoughts on the book? What will you rate it? I kind of liked it, but I kind of feel it should have been edited better.
Definitely, unequivocally 1 star for me. And I will vent my frustrations and anger at the book in my review, it probably won't be pretty.
Gods I'm sooo behind the schedulled... but I'm not giving up, I'm avoiding the spoilers in this discussion, so I'm only here to to check on the chapters and questions, I'll read all the comments when I finally finish the book - soon, I hope.Questions and Comments for Chapters 4 - 10
14) Suspect number one please enter the room...Gestalt. What did yo think of the first two of four Gestalt bodies? Cool Twin and Tidy Twin. I like it. It made me laugh.
It was kinda weird trying to imagine one mind controlling both bodies while behaving and talking differently, but at the same time it was amusing seeing her reaction to both of them
15) *Snicker* A gynecologist appointment??? "And...it's still...there." I wondered could a man have taken over Myfanwy's body? lol
It was so funny. Clearly written by a man :o)
16) What did you think of the play-by-play experience? The seemingly zoning out as one body needed more attention? I would think this would make the other bodies very vulnerable. I guess if Gestalt really disliked being thought of as a freak he/she could kill off his/her other bodies. Do you think if one dies they all do? Oh the possibilities.
I'm still mulling over this... I think the zoning out must be a play... now, really, I don't think that he would so openly show any weakness to other court member... unless of course, he thought she was so unworthy of any concern... but, if she was so underestimated, so why to wipe out her memory in the first place?
17) So powers in a person definitely seem to be gained throughout a person's life like the incident Myfanwy describes with the Argentina government official. It sounds like some Dr. Who type situations may end up popping in with this one too.
I never watched Dr. Who, or even know what the show is about, so no clue about this one *blushes*
18) Sounds like the old Myfanwy was a very lonely person if her social life is examined. Do you think that dream about her kissing someone was that--just a dream or do you think there was someone in her life? Perhaps right before she lost her memory?
I think she has no social life, she's like an hermit within a large organization without a drop of social skills whatsoever.
19) The new Myfanwy seems like she is very different than her old self. Did her powers evolve when she lost her memories? She seems more connected to them than what we know of the old Myfanwy. Could it just be the new Myfanwy just is more open to them?
The old Myfanwy didn't like having powers, she lost her family because of them, and lost all physical contact because of them. I think that her subconscient blocked her true potential because of her internal resistance to her powers, so, the new Myfanwy, not having any of these internal struggles, find herself more attuned to what she can or cannot do.
20) What were your thoughts of the interrogation? What did you think of Myfanwy's thoughts on something not being right within Peter Van Syoc?
She could see/feel this weird influxes of energy, so even I was thinking that something was not right
21) Do you think it's wise of Myfanwy to not be as meek and mild as the original?
Yes, I think. Maybe it was her personality that allowed someone to try to eliminate her in the first place. It's time to people stop bullying her
22) What do you think of Ingrid, Myfanwy's secretary?
I like Ingrid. I still don't know if I trust her, but I like her
23) Did you like the way Myfanwy backlashed Perry?
Hell yeah, who do he think he is talking to a Rook that way?
24) Are there too many "Dear You" moments? I keep finding myself wanting to skip them to find out what happens next.
I have mixed feelings about them. They kinda stop the action and sorts, but I still want to know more about old Myfanwy - as boring as her life was. I hope they don't be used as fillers, sometimes they look just like that.
25) So do you think part of the reason Myfanwy isn't in a relationship has to do with people's fear to have skin to skin contact with her?
No. I think the main reason is her pathologic shyness, and fear of human contact all her life.
26) What do you make of the latest Gestalt body? Why does he need to know everything before she does?
Because he likes to make her feel unworthy of the Rook position. The way he treats her make me want to wipe the sneer from his face with a crowbar… seriously… I hate bullies
27) Gestalt definitely has a temper. Do you think his display moves him to the top of the lists of suspects?
No, he’s too arrogant for that. Either he’s putting an act or he definitely thinks he can handle Myfanwny without breaking a sweat.
28) Did you like or dislike the change of view point to each of individual summoned for the meeting? I thought it distracting.
It was kinda distracting, but it was nice to see another pov, even if it felt like another filler
29) What the heck was going on with Eckhart shooting the King? Which King--the Checqey group's or England's?
no clue
30) Should the new Myfanwy redecorate?
Well, the old one would never have the nerve to do that, but she surely deserved to do it
31) Thoughts on the Grafters?
The first think that crossed my mind was the scene from the independence day movie, when they are performing the autopsy on the alien, and he comes to life and uses the doctor’s body to tell them about the invasion and that the only thing that humans should do is die. Can’t shake that thought every time they talk about the grafters
32) Could the Googling be a result of her signing the petition?
I thought about that, but then I couldn’t remember if Myfanwy’s middle name was in one of the “dear you” letters
33) We now know the dream lady is one of the boss' of the Checqey Group. Does this make it even more surprising she didn't have concerns with Myfanwy losing her memory and going back to work?
Well, nobody leaves the Checqey, and if Myfanwny didn’t go back to work that couldn’t be explained – and we wouldn’t have a book to read :o) – so I don’t think is not lack of concern, but inevitability (is that a word?) . Besides, she can always take care of that liability, as she puts it
Questions and comments for chapters 11 - 15 34) Lady Farrier just seems as sweet as can be (not really), "but if you'd been killed, what would simply have served to tidy up an inconvenience." Gah! I'm outraged for Myfanwy.
Me too. But if we think about it, most of the leaders in fictional organizations (at least I hope that only occurs in fiction) seem to have that lack of attachment to people
35) What the heck are the Alrich sentences included for in chapter 11???? Is it for a timeline reference??? Was it truly necessary?
like I said before, the book has too many fillers
36) Initial thoughts of Lady Ferrier?
Any that would be considered lady like material :o)
37) The question of King and Queen is answered. What did you think of the court?
I don’t have an opinion yet
38) Sounds like Myfanwy is really throwing Gestalt off his game with her new found assertiveness.
It’s about time he learns that she’s his equal and not his damn secretary… or verbal punch bag – does it show that I dislike him? :o)
39) So we now know the rest of the court and the suspect who may have wanted Myfanwy dead. Any of them standing out to you?
Saddly, no
40) The Van Syoc video was pretty gruesome.
kinda… the Independency Day movie scene, comes to mind again
41) I like that we now know more of how Myfanwy came to learn she would loose her memory. So now we know 100% she is Myfanwy with no memory. How would you have taken the news if someone told you you would lose your memory?
I wouldn’t believe it, that’s for sure. My memories are so precious to me, that just the thought of losing what makes me the way I am… I don’t know… I sure know that I never would prepare life for the new “me”, but then I’m a normal person, not a Rook with a deadly power
42) The question of what happened to Van Syoc has been answered. These Grafters sound scary and rather subtle in their new creations/enhancements.
The Independence Day movie all over again, without tentacles, I hope
43) I think Gestalt is having issues with the new Myfanwy. Do you think he'll create new problems for her? Is he intimidated by her, jealous, or does not handle change well?
He’s surprised, no doubt. I guess we have to wait and see.
44) We now find out there are Checquys all around the world. This could get interesting. The American Coatoan sounds interesting.
Totally. Although, as a former supernatural fan, can’t shake the image of the croatoan virus from my head... :o)
@Sonia.35) What the heck are the Alrich sentences included for in chapter 11???? Is it for a timeline reference??? Was it truly necessary?
like I said before, the book has too many fillers
Totally agree with you. The first few were interesting, then it was just info dumps.
44) We now find out there are Checquys all around the world. This could get interesting. The American Coatoan sounds interesting.
Totally. Although, as a former supernatural fan, can’t shake the image of the croatoan virus from my head... :o)
OMG, I totally thought that too! As a former Supernatural fan it kept jumping into my head every time they said the word.
ETA: Holy crap, I said former fan...AAHH, shame on me! Current current fan!
@ Sonia14 - I know! Mind-bending.
17 - Ahh, it's so good. It's a British TV show about a time traveler called The Doctor who travels through time and space (with a companion or two) in his time machine, the TARDIS, which is disguised as a blue police box.
34 - Very true - good point.
40 - I liked your comparison, and it reminded me that I haven't seen that movie in a while and will have to watch it again. :-)
Stefani wrote: "OMG, I totally thought that too! As a former Supernatural fan it kept jumping into my head every time they said the word. "I'm so glad I'm not the only one :o) I'm listening to the audiobook, so everytime they say "Croatoan" I actually cringe. :o)
Just started chapter 19... next set of questions will be answered soon... The books is starting to become tiring... which is a shame, since I was so excited in the beginning, wanting to know more...
@Parvathy73) I totally agree with you. I thought the same about the dragon chapter. There was truly no reason for it other than the author being able to say, "I wrote a book with a dragon in it." It did seem like the author was attempting to add length to the book and I wondered the same thing--Why?
74)Thanks, I think it sprang from wondering what their kids would be like and I wondered at the weight gain if she could be pregnant then immediately disregarded it and then when a fifth body seemed to be lying around I just thought, "Maybe?".
75) This one caught me by surprise until the baby came into play and I was truly hoping he'd be the missing grafter perhaps evolved into the image of the Bishop.
76) Yes, that would have been nice to have seen her come fully into her own. Too bad it was just an Epi pen.
77) I agree very weird. It sounded like they might have a couple of other children around because they said it could only work with the female sibling. Creepy.
78) I'm not sure about this one. She's much more powerful than she was so maybe.
79) Very true.
@ Mary73) I kept thinking maybe there would be a sequel, but I don't see anything to suggest one, therefore, I agree with you on this.
74) I keep wondering who were Gestalt's parents? Wouldn't that have been interesting if Grantchester's wife was perhaps their true mom or perhaps normal sibling?
75)I was expecting something more complicated to and I thought they truly wanted to kill her not just remove her memories.
76) I liked it too, but as Parvathy said it would have been nice if her powers were powerful enough to overcome her enemies. It would have been a little poetic justice to see that what they did to her actually made her stronger and defeat them. Also, has anyone else considered that if Myfanwy hadn't been warned of her impending memory loss she NEVER would have been poking her nose into things. It seems like the predictions altered things. It would have been interesting if something had been behind that.
77) True
78) True. She should probably get a little more self defense training too.
80) I agree things got a bit off track and it was such a good beginning. I'm still not sure what I'll rate it. i think I wait till I feel up to reviewing it.
@Stefani76) lol I think the villain wanted to try to recruit Myfanwy and her new powers, but as you and Mary pointed out it was a bit cliche.
78) lol I suggest just don't read the book.
79) This started out so promising. Oh well.
80) I imagine not. I'm not going to give a number yet for this one. When we read Glow I thought I'd give it a 3, but as I was writing my review it changed to a 1. I didn't realize how much I disliked until I started writing it down. I have a feeling I won't know until I start writing. This one won't get above a 3.
So I reached the end of chapter 19, in the middle of a crises, and chapter 20 begins with a dear you letter, talking about the second state?!?! arrghhhh...seriously...who writes this way?Ok, so, since I am too upset to continue, lets tackle next set of questions.
Questions and Comments for chapters 16 - 19
45) First impressions of Shantay?
She’s too nice to be a bishop, but I like her anyway. Myfanwy desperately needed a friend
46) Is Bronwyn truly her sister or a spy?
I don’t know. She apparently had founded Myfanwy too easy… seriously, so much care with keeping the secret and forget about covering the taxes trail? Maybe she’s telling the truth, and they just found out a whole in security
47) Do you think it was smart for Myfanwy to let Bronwyn stay the night? I thought that strange.
I think she’s too naïve. But, she didn’t have any memory of her training, that lacking could bring her troubles in the future
48) So now we know someone siphoned off funds to buy land and create Camp Caius. I wonder who did it and why?
With so many deaths, my theory is either is a grafter collaboration project, or a research to copy the grafter manipulation. Or to infuse special abilities in normal humans
49) So Myfanwy is called into the field. Do you think this is a set up to get rid of her?
Probably
50) Do you think Myfanwy can rise to the occasion and end the crisis without any help from Gestalt?
If not, it would be disappointing, I really dislike Gestalt, and giving him the satisfaction of getting her out of trouble would be a no no to me
@ Lisarenee73) Yeah, it seems like he's left things open for one. Maybe he hasn't made up his mind.
74) I think in the section about Gestalt, it says Gestalt's mother gave birth to all four siblings at once - ouch. And she and Gestalt's father were relieved to have Gestalt off their hands when the Checquy swooped in. Other than that, I don't know. I'm guessing they're normal. It's too weird to me that something as bizarre as Gestalt could be born out of the blue like that.
75) Yes, me too. And why didn't he just kill her at the end? I forget why he thought it was necessary to wipe her mind again. To make her work with the Grafters? I think that was too risky. I can't believe he didn't just kill her instead of detailing his entire evil plan.
76) Ahh, true! I hadn't thought of that. That makes this entire book seem too easy, really. I mean, why did she even receive the predictions? Because she happened to be around people with the ability to see into the future. Luck, really. I think it would have been much better if Thomas had figured out on her own that someone was after her and was going to wipe her memory (somehow). I don't know, perhaps she wouldn't have believed it. Too much of this book is based off of coincidence and chance, to me.
80) It's hard to rate a book right after you've read it sometimes. I often go back and change ratings weeks after I've written a review.
@ SoniaYou are right around where I was when I began to get frustrated over the same thing. It's hard to be in the middle of action when suddenly you're thrust into something less interesting.
46) True, she tracked her down very quickly considering Myfanwy works for a top-secret organization that knew the moment her name was Googled.
47) Good point - a lot of the mistakes I've been frustrated with her over, I can't be too angry about. She hasn't been trained for this job like Thomas has. She's really just playing catch-up with a purple binder and stacks of letters.
@MarySometimes I feel sorry for her, is like waking up to discover we are in the twilight zone or something.
Anyway, I'm beginning to feel frustrated with the book, O'Malley isn't consistent, either he delivers some brilliant and well constructed parts, but in the other hand, the "dear you" letters are a little bit anticlimactic.
Next set of questions. Discussion Questions for Chapters 20 - 24
51) We learn a little more about the students at Camp Caius through Thomas’s letter. Does anything stand out? Do you think this is where the altered Retainers from Chapter 24 come from?
Yes, I do. One of my theories was something grafter related, so, no surprises there
52) Thoughts on the purple fungus house? What was its purpose? I’m confused there. The image of the chanting cultists covered in purpley goo was pretty disturbing.
Disturbing, unrelated to anything, confused and incoherent… now, seriously, first two teams were liquefied, third team was imprisoned, and Myfanwy and Shantay walked with no incidents from room to room, and after some trance state and convulsions, Myfanwy fixed the whole thing with a blink of an eye? Clearly too much detail in some things, and not so much care in others.
53) Did Gestalt’s treachery surprise you? What exactly have they/he been up to with “Goblet the hedgehog man”? After Chapter 24, it seems very likely Gestalt is involved with the Grafters in some way. What do you think?
It wasn’t the treachery per se that surprised me, but the possibility of him being responsible for Myfanwy’s lost of memory. His reaction to her changes of personality don’t make any sense, unless, of course, he ordered the attack but didn’t have a clue about the outcome
54) So Myfanwy’s powers seem to work on everything, even purple fungus and hedgehog men. Do you think her powers will be an important weapon against the Grafters?
Absolutely…specially because of what she experienced during the interrogatory
55) What did you think of Thomas’s story about the dragon? What about her order to kill it upon hatching?
What was the point of that piece of information? Seriously, I don’t get what it adds to the story at this point… her ability to cover different angles and outcomings? We all know how good she is in that department… it looks like another filler to me
56) So who is this Greek that made Thomas buy colorful clothes? Hmm. I wonder if Myfanwy will start to embrace this new style, seeing as she’s tired of black business suits.
I was hoping that, although her reaction of wearing it didn’t meet my initial expectatives
57) So, crazy stuff happening in the last chapter. What surprised you the most? Could any of the remaining characters secretly be a Grafter or Grafter agent?
Honestly? I was expecting Myfawny could get control over several people at the same time, and that didn’t happened. I was also surprised by the easiness that members of the court were taken by surprise, they were the elite of the cheqcey and had so much trouble dealing with humans.
Right now, I am totally caught with the conspiracy theory, so trust no one, believe nothing, and let’s see where O’Malley will take us… I’m keeping my fingers crossed not to be disappointed by the end
Another dear you moment right in the middle of the action... finish this book is proving to be an annoying task.
@ Sonia"Anyway, I'm beginning to feel frustrated with the book, O'Malley isn't consistent, either he delivers some brilliant and well constructed parts, but in the other hand, the "dear you" letters are a little bit anticlimactic. "
Well said.
52 - Hah, totally agree. The way everything was resolved there, with Myfanwy magically shutting everything down by blinking was too easy. I'm pretty sure I rolled my eyes.
57 - Yes, these super important, powerful people were taken completely unawares. I was surprised by that, too.
I'm at chapter 30 now... and struggling to go on... and vampires' hair changes colors when their hungry? Seriously?
Sonia wrote: "I'm at chapter 30 now... and struggling to go on... and vampires' hair changes colors when their hungry? Seriously?"Trust me, I feel your pain! It hit me about chapter 10, and the interruptions in action scenes and constant info dumping was just unbearable. I wish I could say it gets better, but I don't want to lie to you :)
Sonia wrote: "I'm at chapter 30 now... and struggling to go on... and vampires' hair changes colors when their hungry? Seriously?"Don't let our dislike of it get you down, though. There are lots of people that really like this book, including the person that recommended it to me, who has fantastic taste in books.
Stefani wrote: "I wish I could say it gets better, but I don't want to lie to you :) "
:o)
Actually I'm at chapter 32, not 30... Sometimes I lost chapter order when I'm listening to a book. I have to say though, that the voice they chose to be the narrator is simply amazing. Sometimes she's the only reason I keep on reading.
Questions for chapters 25 - 30 58) So it appears Gestalt has a fifth body. We know the female sibling had a weight gain could she be pregnant or have had a child or do you think there's another sibling?
I may be weird, but I got the feeling that the fifth body was Myfanwy’s rabbit… I think it was the carrot that did the trick
59) You had coworkers killed by Grafters and you know some of the Grafters escaped and are at large. Would you go out clubbing?
Why not? We all going to be at war soon, so better enjoy life… I’d pick another car though
60) From Alrich's information dump we know the Checquy seems to employ people of questionable origin. I thought it strange that they'd hire the man after he and his family killed so many of the group. This makes me think it would be easy for Grafters to infiltrate.
the difference is, when they took Alrich, they didn’t hide what he was, and this whole grafter story seems… not well told
61) Now that we know Gestalt was a supporter of the Grafters looking back at his Dr. Crisp assault do you think he was attempting to shut him up?
I don’t know. According to Ingrid he was the only one that looked really surprised. Which gives me more questions than answers.
62) Did the new Myfanwy need to know where all the colorful clothes and fripperies came from? Were you curious?
No, I wasn’t. The dear you letter describing the greek lady only had another vision to the story, nothing more. I swear that if I was reading instead of listening, I would skip all “dear you” parts.
63) Why did they reject Myfanwy at the hotel this time, but not the last?
This time she was filthy. Last time she was only wet and beaten. Either that, or O’Mallye decided we need to see Myfanwy washing herself on the pool
64) What did you think of the interaction with the guy at the pool?
Another filler, but I think that about her sister, so I’m biased
65) The man with no skin was an odd addition to the story. I'm a little confused by what is going on here. Was the mutiny and grafter attack two separate things?
I’m beginning to think so. And I’m also confused by the email to her part. Every action bring us more questions and no clues or answers
Mary wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I'm at chapter 30 now... and struggling to go on... and vampires' hair changes colors when their hungry? Seriously?"Don't let our dislike of it get you down, though. There are lots ..."
I'm liking the main storyline... what I don't like is that it had so much potential, and it isn't delivering it... like the little child called Myfanwy Thomas, which is kinda ironic. :D
@ Sonia59 - Heh, didn't think of it that way.
62 - Frustrating, I know! I'm glad you like the narrator, by the way. Sometimes a great narrator can elevate a mediocre story into something very exciting.
63 - Again, didn't think of that (the last part)! Totally makes sense...
Sonia wrote: "Mary wrote: "Sonia wrote: "I'm at chapter 30 now... and struggling to go on... and vampires' hair changes colors when their hungry? Seriously?"Don't let our dislike of it get you down, though. Th..."
Yes, that's how I felt, too.
So I finished it... finally!!!And I must say, by the end, I did liked it, I rated it 4 stars, it should be only 3.5 but goodreads doesn't allow it :)
I'm still processing it, so no reviews today, no more questions answered either, my brain is all this mess of mixed feelings, I really need to collect my thought about the whole book.
Sonia wrote: "So I finished it... finally!!!And I must say, by the end, I did liked it, I rated it 4 stars, it should be only 3.5 but goodreads doesn't allow it :)
I'm still processing it, so no reviews today..."
I am glad you mentioned about the rating system. I sometimes give a 1/2 after a star(s) on my private list on my computer but here, there are no 1/2s allowed. I wonder if it is a computer programming issue?
Sonia, I'm glad you liked it! (I didn't see this until Chelsea Anna posted in the thread.) I wish Goodreads would allow half stars, too. Maybe someday.I don't know why they don't allow half stars. It doesn't make sense to me. I bet people have already debated this to death, though.
Mary wrote: "I don't know why they don't allow half stars. It doesn't make sense to me. I bet people have already debated this to death, though. "It comes up at least once a week on the Feedback group lol. But basically the rationale is this...and this was directly from Otis.
Half stars provide double the options for rating and it inhibits people from ratings things. Netflix stated when they took away half stars that during the time they had half stars available they had LESS overall ratings despite an increase in things being watched. They figured that too many people sat there debating "was this 3 stars, well I don't know maybe 3 1/2, well if its 3 1/2 then why not 4, or why not 2 1/2" and finally they just gave up. So for a similar reason GR has decided on no half stars.
Stefani wrote: "Mary wrote: "I don't know why they don't allow half stars. It doesn't make sense to me. I bet people have already debated this to death, though. "It comes up at least once a week on the Feedback..."
Ah, I see. Well, I guess that makes sense, but it's still frustrating.
Yeah, that makes sense.Too bad they don't follow one of the most basic statistics' rules... the rating system must be an even number... not an odd one... to force the one that is rating to gave a positive or negative note, otherwise, the chances of we stick to the middle are pretty high, and the rating is not accurate
Agreed. Maybe if one of their computer tech people read this (doubt they will), they may re-consider.
66) Thoughts on the examination?
Strange, I agree. There could have just been a short paragraph describing the process, without all the unnecessary details.
67) I did not like the scene with the skinless guy on the telephone. What the heck was she thinking???
She doesn't really think before she speaks/yells, or she would have realized pissing off the leader of the Grafters was a horrible idea. Agree with Stefani - convenient plot device.
68) Now we know how the old Myfanwy knew she had little time left. A duck told her. If you had three questions with the duck what would you have asked?
This was incredibly bizarre. I'd probably ask 1) Will my boyfriend and I ever be able to get married? 2) Will there ever be a cure for Parkinson's Disease? 3) Will nuclear war happen in the next hundred years?
69) Gestalt was definitely acting strange prior to Myfanwy losing her memory. Was that the way he always was with her? Then they were straightening each others clothes in preparation for the an important visitor and I don't know what that was about.
That was strange. I didn't really know what to make of it. Maybe the purpose of that scene/passage was to show how they worked well together?
70)I thought the situation where Myfanwy told Gestalt that one of the duck's predictions had to deal with him was pretty funny.
I agree, heh.
71) Thoughts on the cube thing? Do you think it was a Grafter?
I suppose so, yes. What else would it be?
72) Do you think we'll get some answers? We still don't know what or who the king was whom Echart was dealing with at the beginning of the book. Is the Lord compromised? We don't know how the fifth body came into being. Why was a heart delivered? Who the heck is Ernst von Suchtlen and where is he?
Everything's going to have to be wrapped up pretty quickly, that's for sure.