A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher - Feb 2022 Theme BOM - Award Winner (start 16 Feb)

[Judith]

DQ5 ; 20 Feb
Chapters 31-27

16. I loved the idea of the golems with the bucket feet, but even more than that how her aunt had to decorate their faces (with a smile but angry eyebrows!). For a war scene, I found there was a lot of humour. How about you?
Yes, I agree completely. I think the humor helped it be a lot less scary for the book's target audience. And made it more fun to read for me.

17. I wondered if Mona was done for and that is why it is a stand alone book. :o Were you surprised by Molly stepping in and sacrificing herself?
If I'd had to guess that happening, I don't think I would of so it was an unexpected twist. But when Molly and the horses showed up, it all seemed to fit. And mentions of Molly were sprinkled throughout the story so maybe others saw it coming more than I did.

18. "You haven't lived until you've seen a cookie look smug". The gingerbread man really was a great character. Who was your favourite?
The gingerbread man. WHY DOESN'T THIS POOR COOKIE HAVE A NAME. Also, I kinda love Bob (<-creepy sourdough starter has a name, why can't a gingerbread man).

19. Final thoughts on the book? Will you read more by the author?
Overall I thought it was a cute book with some important messages for middle school children and adults alike. I have others from this author already on my tbr list.

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[bamaace83]

Day 1 DQs - Chapters 1 through 8

1. I absolutely adore Mona. I'm really enjoying the writing style too. It's very conversational and humorous. What do you think about Mona and the story so far? Anything that stands out to you?

I really liked the story to this point. It is such a quick read and had me laughing at a few parts.

2. Who's your favorite magical person/creature so far? I'm imagining Bob to be this ball of squishy goo that I kinda want to touch! And I really want to see more of Lord Ethan (was that his name? I can't remember.)

I think Bob is my favorite at this point. I would've loved to see him expand all over the place.

3. Now, the murder and Oberon's handling of it was (1) biased (2) so illogical. I'm so glad the Duchess had a brain on her. What did you think of those scenes?

I was angry at Oberon for not listening to Mona. I'm glad someone listened because poor Mona didn't know what to do.


PS - all this talk about baked goods is making me crave some cake, pastry, sugar, I'll take anything!

I would like apple pie. That just sounds good to me.

[Cat]

DQ5 ; 20 Feb
Chapters 31-27

16. I loved the idea of the golems with the bucket feet, but even more than that how her aunt had to decorate their faces (with a smile but angry eyebrows!). For a war scene, I found there was a lot of humour. How about you?

And the battle can-can! I agree, the humour was there, but there was enough grit to make it work.

17. I wondered if Mona was done for and that is why it is a stand alone book. :o Were you surprised by Molly stepping in and sacrificing herself?

It was a reread, so I wasn't this time, but yeah, first time out it was a surprise.

18. "You haven't lived until you've seen a cookie look smug". The gingerbread man really was a great character. Who was your favourite?

I liked Spindle a lot, but the gingerbread man was pretty awesome!

19. Final thoughts on the book? Will you read more by the author?

I've a couple on the TBR to get to, but have read a fair few of her T Kingfisher work now. The Saint of Steel series is good.

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[bamaace83]

DQs Day 2 Chapter 9 through 16

4.) What did you think about the attack of the Spring Green Man? Surprised he came back or were you expecting it to happen at some point? Any thoughts about 'the list' and 'Oberon was supposed to take care of you'?

I was expecting him to come back. I'm a big fan of Bob. I think we all need a Bob in our life. I was curious about the list and who all was on the list.


5.) The getaway from the constables on bread slices! Was that fun or what? How strong of a baking wizard do you think Mona actually is? Side note: I loved that that gingerbread man was making faces at the constables.

I think Mona has more power than she realizes and hasn't tapped into all of it just yet. It was fun to read about sailing away on bread slices.


6.) What do you think of her gingerbread man? The faces, not letting her cheat at solitaire, but also chucking a dough person out the window for knocking over the card house. I wish he had a name. Would you want a . . .pet, familiar (?) gingerbread man?

He definitely needs a name. I really liked how he was always by her side and looked out for her. He's a little sassy in my opinion. He knows what he wants.


7.) What do you think of Spindle? Why do you think he's helping Mona?

Spindle is a fun characters. I think he's helping because he has no family and she's the closest thing he has to a friend or family.


8.) The end of this section has a lot of changes to society rules are requirements. What do you think Oberon's end game is? Any thoughts on why the Duchess is allowing it to happen?

At this point, I wasn't sure what Oberon's end game was. I think he has some kind of dirt on the Duchess and she doesn't know how to stop him.

[bamaace83]

9. I found the meeting with the Queen very interesting.
She accepts easily Mona's claim that someone is plotting against her but seems weak in dealing with it initially but moves on to purposeful resolve.
What do you think to how she is dealing with the situation? AND how she Describes the characters of Inquisitor Oberon does this match the ideas you had about him?

Yes, I don't like Oberon. He's a snake and up to no good. I think she should stand up to him more but she may have her reasons.


10. Mona says "when you are different, even a little different, even in a way people can't see, it's nice to know that people in power won't judge you for it" What do you think of this quote and its potential effect on the young readers this book is aimed at?

I like this quote. I think young readers are having such a hard time in today's society and this is validating that it is okay to be yourself and not fit the mold that everyone else lays out for you. Also, that you won't get judged for being your true self.


11. Hmm Magic passing through twinned bowls of water (also twinned) Do you think Mona will take any of these ideas on in her Magic?

I think that she is watching and learning and will definitely try to use some things in her own magic.


12. Another Quote "The book felt different, kind, like a cup of tea on a warm day" - Do you have a book which feels like this to you?

I always love a good Nora Roberts book. She was one of the first romance authors that I read in junior high school and she just makes me feel like I'm back home.

[Shá]

DQ5 ; 20 Feb Chapters 31-27

16. I loved the idea of the golems with the bucket feet, but even more than that how her aunt had to decorate their faces (with a smile but angry eyebrows!). For a war scene, I found there was a lot of humour. How about you?

Definitely! This was a really clever scene. I thought it was really humorous when they tried to stand. I also loved when the other little men started to fight each other, which I predicted would happen, but I thought the idea of the main gingerbread man having a pep talk with them was brilliant.

17. I wondered if Mona was done for and that is why it is a stand alone book. :o Were you surprised by Molly stepping in and sacrificing herself?

I was surprised that she sacrificed herself. She didn't seem like the "type" to do such a thing, so it seemed out of character for her. Given her introverted demeanor.

18. "You haven't lived until you've seen a cookie look smug". The gingerbread man really was a great character. Who was your favourite?

This was a previous question, but by the end, it was the gingerbread man (previously it was Molly and the gingerbread man was second). I'm not sure what caused that shift; maybe his humor and personality won me over.

19. Final thoughts on the book? Will you read more by the author?

This was outside of a genre I would have typically chosen, but I did enjoy it by the end. I don't know that it's enough to read more from the author, but I did like the characters and creativity.

[Marie (UK)]

16. I loved the idea of the golems with the bucket feet, but even more than that how her aunt had to decorate their faces (with a smile but angry eyebrows!). For a war scene, I found there was a lot of humour. How about you?

Yes I think this book had loads of humour but alongside that serious messages. It is the humour that will get younger people reading it.

17. I wondered if Mona was done for and that is why it is a stand alone book. :o Were you surprised by Molly stepping in and sacrificing herself?

I was surprised by that

18. "You haven't lived until you've seen a cookie look smug". The gingerbread man really was a great character. Who was your favourite?

I liked Spindle I think he was the only one with a real eye for a plan and the future.

19. Final thoughts on the book? Will you read more by the author

I would read other books by this author but i think i would look for those with an older target age

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[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Judith wrote: "The gingerbread man. WHY DOESN'T THIS POOR COOKIE HAVE A NAME. Also, I kinda love Bob (<-creepy sourdough starter has a name, why can't a gingerbread man). ..."

haha I agree
Maybe if there is a sequel one day it will get a name

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cat wrote: "The Saint of Steel series is good. ..."

Thanks, I'll add it! Unfortunately this is not an author stocked at any of my local libraries so it may take me a while as I'll need to buy it (look out for it on my TBR Closet challenge in a few years. lol!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shá wrote: "Definitely! This was a really clever scene. I thought it was really humorous when they tried to stand. I also loved when the other little men started to fight each other, which I predicted would happen, but I thought the idea of the main gingerbread man having a pep talk with them was brilliant. ..."

Yes I agree!
And sorry if Q18 was similar to one in the first day. I got caught up in my love for that gingerbread man. haha

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Marie (UK) wrote: "Yes I think this book had loads of humour but alongside that serious messages. It is the humour that will get younger people reading it.."

That is what I really liked about it too. I would like to read it with my kids

[Marie (UK)]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Marie (UK) wrote: "Yes I think this book had loads of humour but alongside that serious messages. It is the humour that will get younger people reading it.."

That is what I really liked about it t..."

I ink there would be lots to talk about with your children in reading this book

[Cat]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Cat wrote: "The Saint of Steel series is good. ..."

Thanks, I'll add it! Unfortunately this is not an author stocked at any of my local libraries so it may take me a while as I'll need to buy it (..."

Get Men at Arms et al read first! ;)

[Cat]

Also, I can't have been the only one who really really wanted a gingerbread cookie whilst reading but felt massively conflicted by that desire?!

[Judith]

Nope, I was right there with you Cat! 😂

[Shá]

haha I may have had a slight flashback to eating a gingerbread cookie!

[Marie (UK)]

Shá wrote: "haha I may have had a slight flashback to eating a gingerbread cookie!"

I am not ALLOWED to even think about gingerbread cookies ( i will just put weight on)

[Aiswrya]

Day 3 Questions
Chapters 17 - 23

9. I found the meeting with the Queen very interesting.
She accepts easily Mona's claim that someone is plotting against her but seems weak in dealing with it initially but moves on to purposeful resolve.
What do you think to how she is dealing with the situation? AND how she Describes the characters of Inquisitor Oberon does this match the ideas you had about him?
Okay first of all, what sort of ruler says people don’t let her go out of the castle so she’s unaware of what’s happening in her own kingdom? Like really? And honestly, oberons personality from the earlier chapter doesn’t hold up to her opinion of him. He was so meek earlier.

10. Mona says "when you are different, even a little different, even in a way people can't see, it's nice to know that people in power won't judge you for it" What do you think of this quote and its potential effect on the young readers this book is aimed at?
I think it’s important for children to understand that it’s okay to be different, even if people of power judge you for it. Today’s political climate really doesn’t let any leader in the world support any segment of the population unconditionally. We need to find that for ourselves.

11. Hmm Magic passing through twinned bowls of water (also twinned) Do you think Mona will take any of these ideas on in her Magic?
I hope she does. I’m kinda getting tired of bread being told to remain soft 😅

12. Another Quote "The book felt different, kind, like a cup of tea on a warm day" - Do you have a book which feels like this to you?
Yeah, two in particular. When I need some sunshine and daisies, I read The Lightning-Struck Heart. When I want to feel romance and love, Kiss of Snow

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Shá wrote: "haha I may have had a slight flashback to eating a gingerbread cookie!"

haha
gingerbread are my favourite

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cat wrote: "Get Men at Arms et al read first! ;)..."

Ah! I know!
Just finished The Fifth Elephant so only 3 more of that series to go. Which is kind of sad because I love the characters so much

[Audrey Jane]

Finally able to pick this one up.

Day 1 DQs - Chapters 1 through 8

1. I absolutely adore Mona. I'm really enjoying the writing style too. It's very conversational and humorous. What do you think about Mona and the story so far? Anything that stands out to you?
I agree with the others that Mona reads older than a fourteen year old but I'm not surprised since I would categorize this book under Middle Grade instead of YA. And in my experience MG books are in many ways more mature & less angsty than most of YA. For example Mona makes me think of Tiffany Aching in the Discworld series

2. Who's your favorite magical person/creature so far? I'm imagining Bob to be this ball of squishy goo that I kinda want to touch! And I really want to see more of Lord Ethan (was that his name? I can't remember.)
Knackering Molly seems fun and a carefree kind of person.

3. Now, the murder and Oberon's handling of it was (1) biased (2) so illogical. I'm so glad the Duchess had a brain on her. What did you think of those scenes?
At this point I think the inquisitor (and others) dislike wizards as a whole and not Mona in particular. However I wonder what the Duchess and Lord Ethan's role is in this.

[Audrey Jane]

DQs Day 2 Chapter 9 through 16

4.) What did you think about the attack of the Spring Green Man? Surprised he came back or were you expecting it to happen at some point? Any thoughts about 'the list' and 'Oberon was supposed to take care of you'?
I didn't connect the murder of the girl with the Spring Green Man but it makes sense in hindsight. I thought he would show up later in the book. It seems obvious now that Oberon has a problem with magickers but don't know if it's sactioned by the state/Duchess.

5.) The getaway from the constables on bread slices! Was that fun or what? How strong of a baking wizard do you think Mona actually is? Side note: I loved that that gingerbread man was making faces at the constables.
I think Mona is going to show that even with a little 'silly' magic she can achieve big things. It seems she gets more creative with her kind of magic.

6.) What do you think of her gingerbread man? The faces, not letting her cheat at solitaire, but also chucking a dough person out the window for knocking over the card house. I wish he had a name. Would you want a . . .pet, familiar (?) gingerbread man?
Yes, absolutely, he seems like a great companion and I believe it has more agency than a pet.

7.) What do you think of Spindle? Why do you think he's helping Mona?
At this point not much. He lost his big sister so I see why he stays with Mona for the moment since she's similar to his sister.

8.) The end of this section has a lot of changes to society rules are requirements. What do you think Oberon's end game is? Any thoughts on why the Duchess is allowing it to happen?
He seems to have an irritional fear of wizards, maybe something happened in his past with a wizard. I'm not sure how much the Duchess knows about what's going on in her duchy.

[Audrey Jane]

DQ 4 - chapters 24 - 30

13. After successfully kicking Oberon out, we get to see Mona trying to settle back into her routine, but struggling with the notion of heroism. What do you think about the different notions of being a hero that are brought up here?
I expected that she would be able to prove that she could achieve big things even with her small amount of magic. Heroes die in fame but I love that she wants none of that and rather live a long peaceful life instead.

14. A montage sequence of Mona practicing with her magic. What sort of magic would you like?
Time travel. Both in the past and future. However teleporting is a close second but would likely use it for silly things like going to work so I can sleep/hit snooze a bit longer

15. The other shoe drops, and we are at war! And another montage of the war preparations. Do you think the shift from caper to war worked? Do you like the growth in Mona and Spindle?
Yes!

[Audrey Jane]

DQ5: 20 Feb
Chapters 31-27

16. I loved the idea of the golems with the bucket feet, but even more than that how her aunt had to decorate their faces (with a smile but angry eyebrows!). For a war scene, I found there was a lot of humour. How about you?
Yes, the humor was well done. It helped me enjoying the book a bit more.

17. I wondered if Mona was done for and that is why it is a stand alone book. :o Were you surprised by Molly stepping in and sacrificing herself?
Yes, didn't see that coming. She was my favourite character.

18. "You haven't lived until you've seen a cookie look smug". The gingerbread man really was a great character. Who was your favourite?
Knackering Molly.

19. Final thoughts on the book? Will you read more by the author?
It took me a while to get through. I thought it was ok. I've read 4 books by this author. My favourite so far is The Seventh Bride. I like retellings so I'm planning to read her next book Nettle & Bone.

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