Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
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Foundryside
Books of the Month
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Foundryside, by Robert Jackson Bennett August 2026 Theme BOM (The 2010s) - Start 2 August 2026
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited Aug 08, 2026 01:26AM)
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Date Chapters MPDQs
2 Aug Part I: Chapters 1-6 Melindam
3 Aug Part I: Chapters 7-10 Shannon
4 Aug Part I: Chapters 11-15 Teddie
5 Aug Part II: Chapters 16-25 Imke
6 Aug Part III: Chapters 26-33 Vicky
7 Aug Part III: Chapter 34-end Judith
Guidance for DQ setters
1. Aim for a reasonable number of questions: 4 - 5 is typical. Please don't post too many - any more than 7 gets unwieldy!
2. 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.
3. Don't worry too much about your questions: you aren't being tested on how clever your questions are!
4. Please don't use AI to generate your questions. It is fine to get it to help out with your wording, but we want a genuine conversation and not a literary discussion with a robot.
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?
Want more information about how NBRC runs their Book of the Month discussions? Check out the information here
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(last edited Jul 09, 2026 03:44PM)
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You don't need to be particiating in the team challenge to participate in the BOM.
If you are in the team challenge, please note your team name when volunteering.
Where we have more volunteers than DQ days;
>If we have more than one volunteer from the same team, only one team entry will go into the randomiser to be selected to write DQs. (the other volunteers will be 'back ups')
>The nominator of the BOM is automatically assigned a DQ day
DQ volunteers are randomised around 3 days before the start date of the BOM. Please confirm your participation if you are selected. We reserve the right to go to the next person in the list if we don't hear from you
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Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief
(last edited Oct 03, 2026 02:25AM)
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Shannon - Chimborazo extra entry
Teddie - Kinabalu
Judy - extra entry Ben Nevis
Shannon - Chimborazo
Vicky - Puncak Jaya
Judith - Denali (last day pls)
Insiyah - Drakensberg Amphitheatre
Imke - Ben Nevis
Angie - extra entry
Angie - Sinai
Ashley - Elbus
Judith - Denali (last day pls) extra entry
IP: 185.106.27.200
Timestamp: 2026-07-30 11:17:56 UTC
(view spoiler)
==================================
Participation Verified
Angie
Mel
Judith
Shannon
Karen ⊰✿
Catherine
Judy
Preeti
Roseline
Mod
Also would like to use an extra entry
Mod
Mod
Also would like to use an extra entry"
yes and yes. That leaves you with 12 extras
I volunteer for DQs Ben Nevis
Volunteering as backup for Ben Nevis - and I'd like to use an extra entry, please!
Mod
Mod
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Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jul 10, 2026 03:00PM)
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Done - That leaves you with 2 left
More back up for Sinai- trying to encourage others learn to love writing DQs!!!!!!!!
Mod
If anyone else from Sinai volunteers other than me and Jenny, we can duke it out amongst ourselves!
Also, could I use an extra entry, please?
Mod
If anyone else from Sinai volunteers other than me and Jenny, we can duke it out amongst ourselves!
Also, could I use an extra entry, please?"
Done. you have 10 left
Sign me up for Drakensberg Amphitheatre please! I'd like to also use an extra entry, please.
Mod
Volunteering for Chimborazo! Also would like to use an extra entry please
Volunteering for Kinabalu!
Mod
Sure, that leaves you with 3
Mod
Has been updated to include:
Please don't use AI to generate your questions. It is fine to get it to help out with your wording, but we want a genuine conversation and not a literary discussion with a robot.
All I can say is THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!No need to ruin GR with AI. It already has the rest of the world in its thrall.
Mod
I can be backup for Denali
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I will be backup for Chimborazo
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No need. Judith already has an extra entry in for Denali :)
Mod
Mod
No need. Judith already has an extra entry in for Denali :)"
According to the rules. I think I can have an extra entry too. I looked it up this morning (it was too late last night to think).
◈ Each team may have a maximum of 6 entries per BOM.
Mine would only bring us up to 3.
Mod
No need. Judith already has an extra entry in for Denali :)"
According to the r..."
It is overruled by the instances where there are more volunteers than DQs available
(Where we have more volunteers than DQ days;
>If we have more than one volunteer from the same team, only one team entry will go into the randomiser to be selected to write DQs. (the other volunteers will be 'back ups')
I have updated the rules over in the rules thread to make this clearer
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If you want to switch the DQ writing with another member from your team, you can do so, provided they have also volunteered for writing discussion questions.
Woo! I've been putting off starting this, but I'll be starting it tomorrow to prep questions!
Mod
1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
No I haven't read any of his books. I do like Foundryside so far.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
I like her and I am very curious about her back story because I think there is a lot there.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
I got a little bit of a venetian feeleing of the setting. The families as how they are described give maffia.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
I think of the paintings in the Harry Potter series where you can have conversations with. Difference with Clef is that he can only talk to Sancia because of the plate in here head.
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
This was the first book of his that I ever read. I have since read the rest of this trilogy, and The Tainted Cup books. Well, the first two. Very much looking forward to the third.
Not sure I have a favorite, as every one I read was very good. Jackson's world building is fabulous, and he comes up with interesting characters.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
Love her. Smart, snarky, capable, but not in a "she can solve any problem ever" kind of way. She is making the best of a crappy situation in a stylish way.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
It does remind me of Venice as well in our world, and a bit like the politics in the Island books by Christopher Priest. The "magic" system is interesting, and there have been others in the same vein, but he makes it feel kind of real.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, a few books with djinns in them that I cannot remember the names of right now. I think Clef is old and wise and very much his own "person." Also, he is a bit of an ass, which makes for some interesting dialogue between he and Sancia.
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
I’ve read the Tainted Cup (and sequel) and am kind of obsessed with them… can’t wait for book 3 to be released on Tuesday!!! I wanted to do a reread of the first two first but we’ll see if I’ll actually do that or just dive in. But now that I’m reading this, A Trade of Blood will probably have to wait a bit.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
Hmmm… interesting! So far, she seems to be kind of a stereotypical badass female lead in fantasy, and tbh, if I hadn’t read the Shadow of the Leviathan and knew RJB is a real one, I’d be a little annoyed. I find this character archetype quite annoying to read from.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
I feel like I don’t have enough of a grasp on the politics and geography of Tevanne yet to really compare to anything. But the whole Italian vibe of the names and the merchant setup is interesting.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
I’ve definitely read a few but I’m right now stumped what they were – oh right, that one talking sword in the Starlight Archive has really similar vibes to Clef. It’s not really my favorite thing in the world.
1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?Yes, I have read both The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption and enjoyed both. I slightly preferred A Drop of Corruption. So far I think I will prefer his other books but mayve that will change throughout the book. Sancia's implant reminds me of the augmentations in the Tainted Cup.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
I like her. I think her full backstory will be quite interesting. It definitely explains her motivations for wanting to keep the key to herself well. I think her powers are interesting and I liked seeing how they impacted her daily life. I also like her indifference to murder and crime. She seems very practical. I don't love her as a character quite yet but I will see if that changes at some point.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
I think the rich district with all the luxuries and the poor district living in squalor where violence is quite common and raids by the rich district happen out of their own self-interest is quite a common trope. My first thought was Arcane and The Hunger Games. Not quite the same because in both of them the enclaves don't esixt. It is just one rich part with the same laws/rules.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
I recently read Warbreaker which features a sentient sword and then also in Words of Radiance where certain swords are also formed out of sentient beings. The sword from Warbreaker also fulfills a more comedic role similar so far to Cleft. But in Warbreaker the Sword is very bloodthirsty while Cleft seems shocked by seeing a dead body.
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
Ive read "The Tainted Cup" and "A Drop of Corruption" which I really liked! I think my favorite of those two was the Tainted Cup. I'm REALLLY enjoying this one so far tho! It was a uniqueness to it, maybe its the sassy key lol!
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
I really like Sancia! I think she's fierce and a morally gray person whose just trying to survive in a harsh world. I think she's incredibly talented and smart.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
Tevanne slightly reminds me of Rellas from This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me. Just with how dangerous it is and everything. The Merchant Family enclaves remind me a little of the netflix series 3% where 3% of the population that passes tests gets to go live on a luxurious island with no struggles (although I only watched season 1)
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
Harry Potter comes to mind. I think there were a lot of sentient objects in those books. But I don't think they were quite as sassy as Clef.
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
This is my first book by him.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
I don't know how I feel about her yet. I'm mostly just curious about her and scriving.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
I feel like I've read similar settings a lot in fantasy books. Not quite the same, of course, since they all have their own unique things, but the blueprint is the same.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
Usually they have weird, creepy voices that talk in your head and are otherworldly. But Clef is fun. He's actually my favorite part of the book so far.
Mod
1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
Yes, I've read the books from his Leviathan series and have been wanting to read this for a long time. It being a BOM just gave it the nudge to the top of my tbr. So far an interesting world with interesting characters so tracks with the author's skill.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
A pragmatic survivor.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
Italy comes to mind. This type of set up isn't all that uncommon in fantasy books though the parameters and sources of the factional power differs of course.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
T Kingfisher has a talking sword. Actually I can think of a few with talking weapons (Empire of the Vampire comes to mind and Stormlight Archives). They tend to inject humor, advice, and keep the MC alive. Clef is interesting and curious to see what he actually turns out to be.
Mod
1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
I've read City of Stairs. It was on my tbr for 10 years before I read it, and I really enjoyed it (but haven't gone back to the series!!)
What surprised me by this one is how YA it feels. I expected more of a 'serious' kind of adult fantasy. I'm not sure if it is just the audio narration (I started it on the plane today although I also have the paperback) but it feels almost middle grade at times.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
I quite like her so far. Survivor, smart, more than meets the eye
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see? I agree with others it feels a bit Venetian
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
Yes talking/sentient swords in other fantasy, but also Bob from Harry Dresden came to mind!
Mod
1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
I have read and absolutely enjoyed Books 1 & 2 of the Leviathan series and looking forward to the 3rd. This book has been on my TBR for years, so I'm glad I finally picked it up.
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
Despite some "mysterious" past, so far I like her and she doesn't give the impression of an all-too-common speshul-snowflake character.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
It gives some real place vibes. For some reason I thought of those big, modern city ports in our time. Also the enclaves made me think of the favelas of Brazil.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
My first thought was the Sorting Hat in HP, and while I cannot recall its name, I seem to remember of a talking doornob in Book 1 of the Throne of Glass series? 🤔
Clef seems like a fun "character" and I'm expecting to learn some more intrigue surrounding him and curious about his role in the book.
Day 2 DQs (Part 1, Chapter 7-10)5. I think Gregor Dandolo is such a complex character. Upon meeting him, he seemed well-mannered and said he hasn't broken any laws in a long time, but then ends up murdering/severely hurting several people in the Commons (sure, the commons don't have laws, but...) Then he proceeds to give children money? What are your takes on him? Do you think he will be a protagonist or an antagonist or what role do you think he will play?
6. Any prediction on what Clef is, how he was made, or his origins? There seems to be a lot at play with him.
7. Do you think Gregor and Sancia will end up working together?
8. The Enlightenment Wars keep getting alluded to, but so far, we haven't had much explanation about what happened. What do you think the war was about? And how do you think it ended in such economic inequality?
9. Where do you think all this new technology (Clef, the gold coin that turned all scrivings in the vicinity off, the shriekers) are coming from?
Day 2 DQs (Part 1, Chapter 7-10)5. I think Gregor Dandolo is such a complex character. Upon meeting him, he seemed well-mannered and said he hasn't broken any laws in a long time, but then ends up murdering/severely hurting several people in the Commons (sure, the commons don't have laws, but...) Then he proceeds to give children money? What are your takes on him? Do you think he will be a protagonist or an antagonist or what role do you think he will play?
I thought it was so interesting that we got more of his POV after the initial part… just when we thought Sancia would be the only main character, suddenly we got him! I agree, he’s very interesting and seems to be very contradictory… but he’s clearly also traumatized by various things that happened to him in the past.
6. Any prediction on what Clef is, how he was made, or his origins? There seems to be a lot at play with him.
It kind of seems like the way magic is being used right now is not really how the magic was intended to work – which is why they have to jump through such hoops to get it to work properly. So far, I see no reason to doubt that he’s an artifact from the Orientals and has been “lost” for a long time.
7. Do you think Gregor and Sancia will end up working together?
It looks like it…
8. The Enlightenment Wars keep getting alluded to, but so far, we haven't had much explanation about what happened. What do you think the war was about? And how do you think it ended in such economic inequality?
I’m curious about who benefits from the Commons and from the people’s suffering there. Surely, the merchant houses aren’t actually just leaving them be… surely there’s a reason why they’re ostensibly ignored and unaffected…
9. Where do you think all this new technology (Clef, the gold coin that turned all scrivings in the vicinity off, the shriekers) are coming from?
I feel like all the explanations for where these items come from so far have made sense. Surely there’ll be some reveals about what’s actually going on, but as of right now, I’m choosing to believe what we’re told.
5. I was surprised by his chapter. I figured we would only get Sancia's POV. I think he will be more of a protagonist and will learn a better way to try to improve the Commons. I think he wants to do the right thing but does not go about it the right way. He is also quite hypocritical about violence. He is fine arresting people for crimes like Theft but does not seem to think he should be imprisoned for killing.6. Definitely to do with the previous civilisation. I think he might be part of a person or at least modelled after one.
7. Probably unwillingly for a while. I think there goals will align but they still will continue to go after each other after the fact.
8. Kind of sounds like Crusades to me. I think they tried to push their culture/religion/way of life onto others and people profited off of these wars while others didn't.
9. From the mentioned civilisation I assume. But I don't think they are entirely gone.
DQ -Day 1 (Chapters 1-6, Part I)1. Have you read any other Robert Jackson Bennett books? If so, which ones, and do you have a favorite? How does Foundryside compare so far?
I've read the Shadow of the Leviathan series and loved it so much (the next book comes out tomorrow which I'm so psyched about!)
2. What are your first impressions of Sancia?
She's practical, a survivor, and lonely.
3. Does Tevanne, or the merchant family enclaves in particular, remind you of any real or fictional place? If so, what similarities do you see?
Er, the entire world - capitalist societies where the wealthy few decide how the world works and damn the consequences to anyone else.
4. Can you think of any other books featuring talking or sentient objects? How do they compare to Clef?
I don't think I've read anything with sentient objects.
Day 2 DQs (Part 1, Chapter 7-10)5. I think Gregor Dandolo is such a complex character. Upon meeting him, he seemed well-mannered and said he hasn't broken any laws in a long time, but then ends up murdering/severely hurting several people in the Commons (sure, the commons don't have laws, but...) Then he proceeds to give children money? What are your takes on him? Do you think he will be a protagonist or an antagonist or what role do you think he will play?
He's the complicated and tortured anti-hero (from Sancia's POV). And way too idealistic, the kind of idealism that people who live in a bubble can have when they think they're tortured and have been through hell and they're seeing themselves as a savior or martyr because of it.
6. Any prediction on what Clef is, how he was made, or his origins? There seems to be a lot at play with him.
I'm guessing it comes from Occidental military research.
7. Do you think Gregor and Sancia will end up working together?
Reluctantly, but yes.
8. The Enlightenment Wars keep getting alluded to, but so far, we haven't had much explanation about what happened. What do you think the war was about? And how do you think it ended in such economic inequality?
I'm guessing it was a war fought with the surrounding countries or lands - the ones that are mentioned have plantations that are run using slave labour. If these places fought back, but lost... well, history is always written by the victors.
9. Where do you think all this new technology (Clef, the gold coin that turned all scrivings in the vicinity off, the shriekers) are coming from?
I'm guessing from the ruins of the Occidental Empire, which is being set up as such an advanced society.
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dragon Blood Collection, Books 1-3 (other topics)Educated (other topics)
The Tainted Cup (other topics)
Das erste Buch der Träume (other topics)
Empire of the Vampire (other topics)
More...
Sancia Grado is a thief, and a damn good one. And her latest target, a heavily guarded warehouse on Tevanne’s docks, is nothing her unique abilities can’t handle.
But unbeknownst to her, Sancia’s been sent to steal an artifact of unimaginable power, an object that could revolutionize the magical technology known as scriving. The Merchant Houses who control this magic--the art of using coded commands to imbue everyday objects with sentience--have already used it to transform Tevanne into a vast, remorseless capitalist machine. But if they can unlock the artifact’s secrets, they will rewrite the world itself to suit their aims.
Now someone in those Houses wants Sancia dead, and the artifact for themselves. And in the city of Tevanne, there’s nobody with the power to stop them.
To have a chance at surviving—and at stopping the deadly transformation that’s under way—Sancia will have to marshal unlikely allies, learn to harness the artifact’s power for herself, and undergo her own transformation, one that will turn her into something she could never have imagined.
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Nominator: Melindam
Official Page Count: 512