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Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
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Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson- March BOM Theme - Spring Clean (start 10 March)
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Date Chapters MPDQs
10 March Parts One and Two Lexi
12 March Part Three Eldarwen
14 March Part Four and Epilogue Catherine
Guidance for DQ setters
Aim for a reasonable number of questions: 4 - 5 is typical. Please don't post too many - any more than 7 gets unwieldy!
Use consecutive numbering of the DQs for your days. So, for example, if Day One is posted as questions 1-4, Day Two should start at number 5 etc.
Don't worry too much about your questions: you aren't being tested on how clever your questions are!
Hints and tips:
- Is there a quote that jumped out at you? Use that in a question.
- What about the characters - do they generate strong feelings? No feelings? - either way, we can explore that!
- What about that plot twist?!
- Explore the writing style: is there an unusual structure being used? what's the tone of voice like? or the point of view?
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I probably should go find a copy. I am good with Day 1.
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Day 1 DQs: Part 1 and 2 1. Have you read Brandon Sanderson before? Specifically, have you read his first YA book? Did that influence your decision to read this book?
2. What do you think about the two worlds so far? Would you prefer to live in either one?
3. Has the narrative style helped you engage with the plot? Did you know who Hoid was before the book began?
4. Do you like the illustrations (if your book has them)? Did you picture any of the characters differently than the illustrations?
I didn't realize this was book two. Should finish Tress later today/ tomorrow morning eek. Should be good though on getting my DQ's in on time :)
They are standalone. Hoid is the only recurring character. I liked Tess though so hope you are enjoying it.
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On the plane to Thailand tomorrow so will finish part two and come back to answer DQs.
Now I have a better idea of what is going on I may also try the audio again
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I’ll go answer my own questions, but I think my thoughts are generally clear from how I asked the questions.Day 1 DQs: Part 1 and 2
1. Have you read Brandon Sanderson before? Specifically, have you read his first YA book? Did that influence your decision to read this book?
I have read Tess and I liked it more than this one. I don’t know that I knew this was YA though I would have read it anyways.
2. What do you think about the two worlds so far? Would you prefer to live in either one?
I would not like to live in either of them, as both seemed pretty awful. I found the first section a bit long, but it did pick up in the second section as things started to happen. The rock stacking was interesting and the description of spirits a more complex world. The nighttime noodle shop neon world was less interesting to me. I read the author’s note at the end and the FFX references are a bit overdone.
3. Has the narrative style helped you engage with the plot? Did you know who Hoid was before the book began?
I remembered Hoid from Tess but I have not read nor plan to read the Way of the Kings series so I don’t have much emotional involvement with him as a character. I mostly found the asides annoying and the mention of shards and the universe too much like inside jokes that took away from the book.
4. Do you like the illustrations (if your book has them)? Did you picture any of the characters differently than the illustrations?
I am getting a bit whiney here, but I did not like the illustrations. They felt a bit juvenile and repetitive. I would not have minded one or two are a cover page or section header, but I didn’t find they added much.
Tess was fine but enjoying this book a lot more. Almost done with part two.
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1. Have you read Brandon Sanderson before? Specifically, have you read his first YA book? Did that influence your decision to read this book?
I have read Sanderson before (Mistborn #1 and Stormlight Archive #1-3) but not Tess' story, though I've got a copy on my shelves. Having read Sanderson before definitely influenced my decision to read or rather grab a copy of this book and then I took advantage of diving in when the BOM came up. I enjoy his writing and the creativity. The creativity certainly shines through in this one but the characters...
2. What do you think about the two worlds so far? Would you prefer to live in either one?
Both worlds are so very different and so very uncomfortable. One mostly dark (let's face it neon light isn't necessarily what you'd call actual bright light, is it), and the other overly bright and incredibly hot. They both might have their advantages and disadvantage but I would not like to have to choose either one.
3. Has the narrative style helped you engage with the plot? Did you know who Hoid was before the book began?
I've known a little about Hoid before starting this book but I'm still fuzzy on who he truly is and I actually enjoy the fact that I find out little bits about him throughout the various books I'm reading (somewhat nilly-willy). I loved his appearances in Stormlight Archive.
As for the narrative style, sometimes Hoid's interjections make me roll my eyes and feel patronised (do not like), and sometimes they make me grin. Having the story told from an outside narrator gives a slightly bigger overview, which seems necessary for the story, considering they're so very different from one another and the characters' views are very limited, but at the same time I don't think it would've been needed either. Since we have two points of view, which I like, the reader would've eventually puzzled it all out anyway, without Hoid's commentary and explanations.
What is bugging me a little is the interaction between Yumi and Painter. I always love it when one character doesn't give another character a chance to explain and assumes a bunch of things, but then later on blames the other one for any misunderstandings...
4. Do you like the illustrations (if your book has them)? Did you picture any of the characters differently than the illustrations?
It's a shame that the illustrations haven't been reproduced in the paperback edition I'm reading. But it's typical, really. Fancy special editions for people to throw their money at (I do it often enough myself but not in this case). They are all on the internet however, so easy to track down. I've had a quick look at them and some of them are lovely and fancy, other are more simplistic but still a nice addition.
Day 1 DQs: Part 1 and 21. Have you read Brandon Sanderson before? Specifically, have you read his first YA book? Did that influence your decision to read this book?
was my very first read from Brandon. His other books have of course been on my TBR as he is from my home state- Utah.2. What do you think about the two worlds so far? Would you prefer to live in either one?
Honestly they both sound dismal. But I think Painter's world seems more interesting, but perhaps less safe.
3. Has the narrative style helped you engage with the plot? I do like the narrative style; it is fun and honestly wouldn't mind many more books like this.
Did you know who Hoid was before the book began? Only because I read Tress right before this book. thinking it was a continuous series instead of a standalone
4. Do you like the illustrations (if your book has them)? Did you picture any of the characters differently than the illustrations? My kindle has some kind of pics but when the audio describes the illustration I know I am not seeing the correct picture. I think I will go to the library to look at a book to actually see them in person. Or maybe not after reading your answers.
I looked up the illustrations and yes very underwhelming. Like I could probably have made those drawings, and I do not draw at all.
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Mar 13, 2026 06:09PM)
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1. Have you read Brandon Sanderson before? Specifically, have you read his first YA book? Did that influence your decision to read this book?
I've read The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn , Legion, Reckoners series plus a bunch of others. I'll pretty much read a menu he has written. I can't really decide if Elantris or Way of Kings were my favourite. In terms of YA, I really enjoyed Reckoners.
2. What do you think about the two worlds so far? Would you prefer to live in either one?
They are both interesting to me and I like how we have one light and one dark, so to speak. Neither are apealling as a resident, but if I had to choose I would have to choose Yumi's as I need the sun.
3. Has the narrative style helped you engage with the plot? Did you know who Hoid was before the book began?
Yes I know him well, but I understand what you said in your comment about feeling like there are inside jokes. That is absolutely true. This feels like a story for the fans. So I am enjoying Hoid's interjections because he is such a multi-layered character.
4. Do you like the illustrations (if your book has them)? Did you picture any of the characters differently than the illustrations?
My paperback doesn't have them actually which I was surprised by!! The audio keeps describing them to me though 😂
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Part Three
5. What are your thought on the characters? The development both Nikaro and Yumi have gone through from the start to this point in the story?
6. I was beginning to doubt Nikaro's and Yumi's theory of them being from their respective star, and when the scientists in Yumi's place managed to harness Hion for a machine, it was definitely clear that it was wrong. By the end of this section, we have even more proof, as explorers from Nikaro's world have landed on the star to find a world definitely not like the one Yumi is from. So... where IS she from?! Any theories or guesses?
7. The reason for why the two of them have been brought together are still a little uncertain as well. Spirits asked Yumi for her help, and somehow a nightmare painter is involved in her quest for freeing the spirits. I have a theory in mind but I would like to hear yours. Why are those two specific people thrown together to complete a quest? And what exactly is their quest?
8. I've had my issues with the first two parts, where the characters are concerned, but this part started reading more smoothly for me. Are you enjoying the story? The friendship issues that are thrown into the mix? The little hints of romance sprinkled on top?
DQs Day 2Part Three
5. What are your thought on the characters? The development both Nikaro and Yumi have gone through from the start to this point in the story?
I love the aspect that they are tethered together and must teach each other about their life and how to master each other's skills
6. I was beginning to doubt Nikaro's and Yumi's theory of them being from their respective star, and when the scientists in Yumi's place managed to harness Hion for a machine, it was definitely clear that it was wrong. By the end of this section, we have even more proof, as explorers from Nikaro's world have landed on the star to find a world definitely not like the one Yumi is from. So... where IS she from?! Any theories or guesses?
My guess but I would not be happy with the end so I hope I am wrong, but Nikaro has been captured and is stuck in a dream/nightmare.
7. The reason for why the two of them have been brought together are still a little uncertain as well. Spirits asked Yumi for her help, and somehow a nightmare painter is involved in her quest for freeing the spirits. I have a theory in mind but I would like to hear yours. Why are those two specific people thrown together to complete a quest? And what exactly is their quest?
Well thinking that Painter is caught in a nightmare. I am thinking that Yumi is manifestation of someone who will give him the credit he is seeking of making something wrong, right.
8. I've had my issues with the first two parts, where the characters are concerned, but this part started reading more smoothly for me. Are you enjoying the story? The friendship issues that are thrown into the mix? The little hints of romance sprinkled on top?
I love that Brandon Sanderson dived into a bit of romance. I love their banter and how Yumi enjoys annoying Painter. But what will happen when this nightmare ends?
DQ 3Part Four and Epilogues
9. They meet the aliens from the other planet so they discuss other options of where Yumi came from and she suggests time travel. Did you take that in and whose time would have been first? Yumi's warm/bright world with floating plants or Painters colder/darker world with the shroud.
10. Yumi contemplates what she would want to take home with her. Of all the things it was a bra. What would you take back to Yumi's world from our own?
11. Yumi's disappearance in the end because she was a part of the shroud was a sad part of the story, but do you feel it was less tragic because of the narration? And do you believe she did come back and as what?
12. This is a very Asian eccentric story. Did you listen to author's note of how it came about? How did you like this story, and did you take to reddit for answers like me?
The Manga type drawings do make more sense now.
DQ 3Part Four and Epilogues
9. They meet the aliens from the other planet so they discuss other options of where Yumi came from and she suggests time travel. Did you take that in and whose time would have been first? Yumi's warm/bright world with floating plants or Painters colder/darker world with the shroud.
When she mentioned this I was more like perhaps her world is beyond the shroud. But I would think a darker world would come after a bright warm world.
10. Yumi contemplates what she would want to take home with her. Of all the things it was a bra. What would you take back to Yumi's world from our own?
Probably a food item 🤣 but most definitely music and books.
11. Was Yumi's disappearance in the end because she was a part of the shroud become devastating because of the narration? And do you believe she did come back and as what?
because the narration made it funnier and explained it was the only option it was only a second of oh no. I think she is around the shop, perhaps taking Hoids place as a statue.
12. This is a very Asian eccentric story. Did you listen to author's note of how it came about? How did you like this story, and did you take to reddit for answers like me?
I wondered the whole time how Brandon chose such an Asian type of background for this story. I always love hearing Authors notes so I am glad it was included.
The Manga type drawings do make more sense now
Participation PostDQ1-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ2-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Question3-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQ3-https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
DQs Day 2Part Three
5. What are your thought on the characters? The development both Nikaro and Yumi have gone through from the start to this point in the story?
They were not my favorite characters. I don’t really feel connected to either of them or their purpose, but it is nice that Yumi got to be female in Nikaro’s world so she could be the “sister” and make friends. The eventual prupose is only introduced very late in the book such that there is more time spent trying to figure out why that I didn’t feel very committed to the plot.
6. I was beginning to doubt Nikaro's and Yumi's theory of them being from their respective star, and when the scientists in Yumi's place managed to harness Hion for a machine, it was definitely clear that it was wrong. By the end of this section, we have even more proof, as explorers from Nikaro's world have landed on the star to find a world definitely not like the one Yumi is from. So... where IS she from?! Any theories or guesses?
I have finished the book but I think I was thinking on the other side of the darkness of Nikaro’s at this point since both “worlds” were clearly very small.
7. The reason for why the two of them have been brought together are still a little uncertain as well. Spirits asked Yumi for her help, and somehow a nightmare painter is involved in her quest for freeing the spirits. I have a theory in mind but I would like to hear yours. Why are those two specific people thrown together to complete a quest? And what exactly is their quest?
I have finished the book at this point.
8. I've had my issues with the first two parts, where the characters are concerned, but this part started reading more smoothly for me. Are you enjoying the story? The friendship issues that are thrown into the mix? The little hints of romance sprinkled on top?
I never bought the romance as much but the complex friendships are interesting and the evolution even of Yumi and her attendants’ relationships as well. I have finished at this point but it did pick up in the middle for me and then didn’t buy the ending as much.
So has anyone else played Final Fantasy X to the end of the plot? This reads a lot like FFX fanfic considering the respective endings.
DQ 3Part Four and Epilogues
9. They meet the aliens from the other planet so they discuss other options of where Yumi came from and she suggests time travel. Did you take that in and whose time would have been first? Yumi's warm/bright world with floating plants or Painters colder/darker world with the shroud.
When she mentioned this I was more like perhaps her world is beyond the shroud. But I would think a darker world would come after a bright warm world.
Um, your section had the end of the book so everyone answering this question already knows the ending. I assumed Yuni was further back in time as Painter kept mentioning that her costumes looked like historical dramas.
10. Yumi contemplates what she would want to take home with her. Of all the things it was a bra. What would you take back to Yumi's world from our own?
Some way to make baked goods and my kindle. Lots of books.
11. Was Yumi's disappearance in the end because she was a part of the shroud become devastating because of the narration? And do you believe she did come back and as what?
It was clear that this wasn’t going to go the route with Yumi being gone so not at all surprised that she was brought back about two paragraphs later. I assumed it would end as a romance with a happy ending regardless of some of the source material.
12. This is a very Asian eccentric story. Did you listen to author's note of how it came about? How did you like this story, and did you take to reddit for answers like me?
It made perfect sense when I read it. Parts seemed a bunch like FFX fanfiction as the character is even Yumi versus Yuna which is a very fanfiction barely change the name thing. I just never connected as much with the world as it just felt derivative which makes sense in context. No, I didn’t find it confusing.
TrackingDay 1 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 2 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Day 3 - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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Never played the game but I watched the film eons ago, though I can't remember much either apart from what Vincent looked like with his prominent red cape.
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Part Four and Epilogues
9. They meet the aliens from the other planet so they discuss other options of where Yumi came from and she suggests time travel. Did you take that in and whose time would have been first? Yumi's warm/bright world with floating plants or Painters colder/darker world with the shroud.
Like Lexi, I figured their worlds were only separated by the shroud, which in the end they sort of were, even if there were a few thousand years between their true existences. What I was more interested in knowing, but which we didn't find out, was what the entire planet looked like once the shroud was gone. The sun appeared, yes, and they found some useable crop, but I found it dissatisfying that we didn't get more on the planet.
10. Yumi contemplates what she would want to take home with her. Of all the things it was a bra. What would you take back to Yumi's world from our own?
11. Yumi's disappearance in the end because she was a part of the shroud was a sad part of the story, but do you feel it was less tragic because of the narration? And do you believe she did come back and as what?
It was always meant to end this way. It was a good ending. It was also clear that she was going to come back. I'm just glad that Nikaro finally got around his own blockage and started truly painting again.
12. This is a very Asian eccentric story. Did you listen to author's note of how it came about? How did you like this story, and did you take to reddit for answers like me?
I read a part of the Postscript but not all of it. I didn't play FFX so I have no relation to the game, so didn't see the connections either. I had my issues with the beginning of the story because the characters drove me up the wall, especially Yumi, but once we got into the third part and the plot actually got moving a little, the story became better and more enjoyable for me.
Eldarwen wrote: "Lexi wrote: "So has anyone else played Final Fantasy X to the end of the plot? This reads a lot like FFX fanfic considering the respective endings."Never played the game but I watched the film eo..."
I have never heard of the game or films.
I hear others liking Tress more than this one. How about you guys. Do you have a preference?
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Part Three
5. What are your thought on the characters? The development both Nikaro and Yumi have gone through from the start to this point in the story?
Yumi seems to have had more personal development. I’m not sure I’ve really seen Nikaro develop a whole lot. I’ve been flipping between the book and the audio and I find they are really irritating on the audio and I’m not sure if it is just the narrators. They are the same narrators as the storm light archive books (and I didn’t love them in those either but got used to them). I know it is meant to be a romance but there seems to be zero chemistry.
6. I was beginning to doubt Nikaro's and Yumi's theory of them being from their respective star, and when the scientists in Yumi's place managed to harness Hion for a machine, it was definitely clear that it was wrong. By the end of this section, we have even more proof, as explorers from Nikaro's world have landed on the star to find a world definitely not like the one Yumi is from. So... where IS she from?! Any theories or guesses?
No idea - the Cosmere is so big I’m Not sure if we are meant to know? Maybe just different sides of the samePlanet even?
7. The reason for why the two of them have been brought together are still a little uncertain as well. Spirits asked Yumi for her help, and somehow a nightmare painter is involved in her quest for freeing the spirits. I have a theory in mind but I would like to hear yours. Why are those two specific people thrown together to complete a quest? And what exactly is their quest?
Something is going on with those machines and capturing spirits. It is a little different to the spirits coming forth and agreeing to do a task. I don’t know how Nikaro and the nightmares fit in but the nightmares and the spirits seem to be a bit of ying and Yang ; like the planets being light and dark. Maybe they are all two halves of one whole .
8. I've had my issues with the first two parts, where the characters are concerned, but this part started reading more smoothly for me. Are you enjoying the story? The friendship issues that are thrown into the mix? The little hints of romance sprinkled on top?
I’m finding it a little slow, actually. I feel like a whole lot more should have happened by now and I’m kind of frustrated with the whole “he is such a liar” thing - it is getting repetitive. I’m looking forward to some action!!!
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Mar 20, 2026 10:38PM)
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Part Four and Epilogues
9. They meet the aliens from the other planet so they discuss other options of where Yumi came from and she suggests time travel. Did you take that in and whose time would have been first? Yumi's warm/bright world with floating plants or Painters colder/darker world with the shroud.
Time travel was a good option and would make sense Yumi’s world would be first as my our point of reference that would make sense as it is more “old fashioned” but in a fantasy novel it could just as easily be the other way around!
10. Yumi contemplates what she would want to take home with her. Of all the things it was a bra. What would you take back to Yumi's world from our own?
Books I think.
11. Yumi's disappearance in the end because she was a part of the shroud was a sad part of the story, but do you feel it was less tragic because of the narration? And do you believe she did come back and as what?
I was hoping she would stay gone haha
The romance never worked for me and I don’t feel a HEA was necessary although reading the author’s note he was happy with this as a romance.
12. This is a very Asian eccentric story. Did you listen to author's note of how it came about? How did you like this story, and did you take to reddit for answers like me?
I was a Final Fantasy X lover but it has been so long I honestly don’t remember much. I did like his note at the end but ultimately this was his weakest work imo. It was too long and the characters were irritating - but that may be because of the audio narration. If I had read it completely as a paperback I wonder if I would have felt differently
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us a gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different worlds must compromise and work together to save their worlds from ruin.
Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other’s communities from certain disaster?
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nominator: Lexi
This had an equal number of votes which is why we have two theme BOMs for March