Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion
This topic is about
Daybreak
Previous BRs - Authors; A - D
>
Connor, Ellen - Daybreak (Buddy Read) Jan. 9th 2011
CaroB's Questions for Chapters 1-6 1. What's your take on the first part of Chapter 1: The flower = Penny, The Lion = Tru, The Leader = ?
2. Penny sees Angela in the darkness but it doesn't seem to bring her comfort and she doubts her own sanity. This and Tru's asshat behaviour were definitely not what I expected! How are your expectations being met in the adult characters compared to the children we read about previously?
3. When the lion first jumped onto the truck, did anyone else think he'd actually come to save Penny?
4. Is the interaction between Tru and Penny now ringing as believable to you from two people who'd once had such a connection? I'd thought they were childhood friends in what was a traumatic time in the history of their current world. Wouldn't something like that have bonded them together or did I read too much into that?
5. Not to belabor the point, but what did you think about Tru never having gone back to visit Mason and Jenna, or even given Penny a thought in years?
6. Were you intrigued or disappointed by the sex bargain?
7. In Tru's willingness to "pay-it-forward" with Adrian and look out for him for a year, is he showing he's not quite as beyond redemption as he thinks himself? Will Adrian continue to play a key part in Tru and Penny getting together?
8. Part question, part grumbling: The cover shows two dark haired people, but I'm reading about her blond highlights (where do you get those in the world after the Change, that's what I wanna know!) and his golden hair. Grrr. Am I misreading descriptions?
Heather's Questions for Chapter 7-13
9. The ritual that Pen goes through seems excessive. I can see this need for her ritual getting her into trouble later for the time needed. Thoughts?
10. Our Pen isn't just a pixie flower, she's rather brutal and kick ass! Does this jive with you and your thoughts about Pen and what you've read so far about her?
11. Though Pen has been with other people in the past, it seems as though she gave herself as a reward. I'm not sure why I found that odd and sad, but I did. Do you think that Pen might be more closed off to humanity than Tru?
12. I don't think anything Pen dreams about should be taken lightly. What did you think of her dream in the beginning of Chapter 9? Who do you think the following dream comment was referring to: I gave you my all, love. I did, I did.
13. Was I the only one that was irritated and sad at Pen's thoughts on Jenna and Mason? So little info and insight, though we did find out that they had a baby. Pen and Tru both seem so cavalier and a little uncaring toward their old adoptive parents. Thoughts?
14. Pen's need to take down O'Malley seems like a destination to her rather than a desire. Do you agree or disagree? Could a vision or dream showing her the fight or end result be a driving force?
15. Shades of Mason. Tru is so reluctant but forthcoming with Adrian. Does this scream too much a repeat and taking away from your enjoyment or are you just liking what your reading and not making comparisons?
16. What in the world happened to Tru while he was on his own??????? I have a theory and let me know if you agree or have another thought: From the thoughts he has had so far I think he got involved with a woman and they had a child, but he lost them both. Thoughts?
17. So Mäkinen’s camp has been waiting for Pen. I thought it was rather ingenious of the camp's hiding spot. And we finally meet Finn!!! I almost forget about him. Your thoughts on this reveal and this island of magic?
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapter 14-19
18. I was sure going WTF when I read Tru & Pen’s first sexual encounter, were you? On one level I understood what Tru was doing, but that didn’t mean I had to like it, LOL! You? But before I could stay too upset, boom! Chapter 15. How did you feel about Pen using magic to make her second sexual experience with Tru more…well, magical?
19. Okay, if Arturi has “no magic” then how did he know to tell Burke (the guy who took Tru to the mainland) that Tru would show up. Did Zhara tell him? How did he remain unknown to the others when Pen was a little girl? How did he keep track of her while she was growing up (and she had given him up to a figment of her childish imagination)?
20. Well, Tru didn’t get very far. Were you surprised he stopped and stayed at the orphanage? What did you think of Mary Agnes, Bethany, and the rest of their cadre?
21. Who is the traitor? Jack, Shine, Preacher, Reynard (has scar, good with a crossbow, turkey vulture), Miranda (baboon), Koss (twenty, marmot)… and is it fair to not tell us about all the rest? Is Zhara in the clear just because she suspects Pen, or could that be her strategy? See how I’ve turned around here? I guess, since she doesn’t trust Pen, then I no longer trust her. Is Zhara jealous of Pen? For that matter, could it be Arturi himself?
22. Are you curious as to what Tru made when he was in the tannery that “doubless would never see the light of day” – something for Pen or Adrian or both?
23. Ugh. So Pen can turn a person’s brain to mush. Sounds like that driver deserved it. But what could her history be that she considers that murder “again”?
24. Where you surprised the truck was empty, or where you expecting something to gum up the works on Pen’s test?
Here are the questions for the next six chapters. I’ll post them under a spoiler, in case someone hasn’t read this far.Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapter 20-25
(view spoiler)
I guess I'm going to have to change that to: "Gotch, M! ☺"
hehehe I can live with A too!
Whew! Glad I found this thread....I was just thinking to myself "when does this start, and WHICH GROUP was it in??"Too many groups is not always a good thing.
I understand completely, Megan!! Your update reminded me this is on tap for Monday. lol
Yeah, I'm ready, too!
~Megan~ wrote: "Whew! Glad I found this thread....I was just thinking to myself "when does this start, and WHICH GROUP was it in??"Too many groups is not always a good thing."
How do you usually keep track of your challenges and buddy reads, Megan?
I'm at a sick friend's house right now (yes, CaroB, I'm using "little polka-dot") so I haven't even started reading this one yet. Been here all night.
I hope your friend feels better soon, Lisa Kay.
Have you started reading, CaroB? How many chapters a day should we read?
I've just started reading today (it's Monday morning here). Shoudl we keep it to 3-4 chapters a day?
Sounds good. Don't have the book in front of me to see the length, so I'll go by your input.
I'll post first set of questions.
I plan on starting this in the morning. I'll post the 2nd set of questions. We're doing 4 chapters daily then?
Okay, just looked and this one has 42 chapters (including epi). Should we up the chapters to 6-8?
No probs, it's seeming to be a fast read.
Just woke up from a nap. Sounds good to me.
CaroB's Questions for Chapters 1-61. What's your take on the first part of Chapter 1: The flower = Penny, The Lion = Tru, The Leader = ?
2. Penny sees Angela in the darkness but it doesn't seem to bring her comfort and she doubts her own sanity. This and Tru's asshat behaviour were definitely not what I expected! How are your expectations being met in the adult characters compared to the children we read about previously?
3. When the lion first jumped onto the truck, did anyone else think he'd actually come to save Penny?
4.Is the interaction between Tru and Penny now ringing as believable to you from two people who'd once had such a connection? I'd thought they were childhood friends in what was a traumatic time in the history of their current world. Wouldn't something like that have bonded them together or did I read too much into that?
5. Not to belabour the point, but what did you think about Tru never having gone back to visit Mason and Jenna, or even given Penny a thought in years?
6. Were you intrigued or disappointed by the sex bargain?
7. In Tru's willingness to "pay-it-forward" with Adrian and look out for him for a year, is he showing he's not quite as beyond redemption as he thinks himself? Will Adrian continue to play a key part in Tru and Penny getting together?
8. Part question, part grumbling: The cover shows two dark haired people, but I'm reading about her blond highlights (where do you get those in the world after the Change, that's what I wanna know!) and his golden hair. Grrr. Am I misreading descriptions?
Thanks so much for kicking off the DQs, CaroB. You're a sweetie! I should get home to my regular computer and be able to start reading this tomorrow. (It is 11:30 p.m. on the 8th in California right now.)
CaroB wrote: "How do you usually keep track of your challenges and buddy reads, Megan?"I used to keep a list of them in one of my groups, but I gave up doing challenges recently and am now only doing buddy reads or Pick-It-For-Me type stuff, and I just try to remember. This may not be the best plan LOL!
I thought I sent the pdf of this to my work email, but I didn't. Won't be able to start this until I get home tonight. bummer.
Darn Heather....I have it with me, but only in ePub format. If you can open that, I'm happy to send it to you!
I wish. =( Thanks though. PDF is the only thing I can read on my work laptop.
Megan's Answers for Chapters 1-61. What's your take on the first part of Chapter 1: The flower = Penny, The Lion = Tru, The Leader = ? That's what I thought, too, but does this seem like it's shaping up to be a love triangle to anyone else? Why is she stuck between the leader and the lion, and having to make a choice? If there is a love triangle, I might cry....I don't read them voluntarily.
2. Penny sees Angela in the darkness but it doesn't seem to bring her comfort and she doubts her own sanity. This and Tru's asshat behaviour were definitely not what I expected! How are your expectations being met in the adult characters compared to the children we read about previously?
Once again, I am completely flabberghasted by the behaviors of the main characters in comparison to book one. The authors took the characters we loved in book one, and made them wholly unlovable so they could redeem them once again. I am having a hard time with it, especially in Tru's case, because I felt he really had some character growth in book one that has been totally pushed to the side in this book.
3. When the lion first jumped onto the truck, did anyone else think he'd actually come to save Penny? I hoped that was the case, but I guess it was just wishful thinking.
4.Is the interaction between Tru and Penny now ringing as believable to you from two people who'd once had such a connection? I'd thought they were childhood friends in what was a traumatic time in the history of their current world. Wouldn't something like that have bonded them together or did I read too much into that?
This is what I'm saying!! It's so unbelievable to me that all of the original group have parted ways, never to see each other again.
5. Not to belabour the point, but what did you think about Tru never having gone back to visit Mason and Jenna, or even given Penny a thought in years?
Again, it's so unbelievable to me. I can understand Chris going off on his own, but seriously, the kids, too?? If I were Mason and Jenna, I'd be extremely ticked.
6. Were you intrigued or disappointed by the sex bargain?
Sadly, I'm a sucker for a good sex bargain LOL!
7. In Tru's willingness to "pay-it-forward" with Adrian and look out for him for a year, is he showing he's not quite as beyond redemption as he thinks himself? Will Adrian continue to play a key part in Tru and Penny getting together?
I feel like we're missing something crucial in Tru's story at this point. There has to be some event we're unaware of that has turned him into what he is now. He keeps referencing how much he's lost....surely he is not only referring to what happened in book one? If there is no story, I will be really mad. I think Adrian will definitely work as a catalyst for both of them to rediscover things about themselves, the same way they served this purpose for Mason and Jenna...full circle, no?
8. Part question, part grumbling: The cover shows two dark haired people, but I'm reading about her blond highlights (where do you get those in the world after the Change, that's what I wanna know!) and his golden hair. Grrr. Am I misreading descriptions?
This is something that actually doesn't bother me...I'm kinda weird that way. Don't ask me why, but I always picture my characters with dark hair, no matter what the author tells me. Maybe their hair is sun-streaked? Hey, you never know, there could be lots of hairdressers in this post-apocolyptic world.
@ Megan:1. Who do you think might be the leader?
2. I couldn't agree more! It's a disappointing start for me, I'm thinking my expectations were too high. Can't deny it's a very easy read though.
3. Glad to know I wasn't alone on that.
5.Ungrateful brats! You save them from an Apocalyptic Change in the world and what thanks do you get??? ;-)
6. LOL!!
7. Good point about the full circle!
8. LMAO!
CaroB's Questions for Chapters 1-61. What's your take on the first part of Chapter 1: The flower = Penny, The Lion = Tru, The Leader = ?
I think the leader is this Arturi guy. I don't see Tru as a leader (at all!). The flower is Pen, though I don't think a flower is a correct description of this Pen. Maybe Penny.
2. Penny sees Angela in the darkness but it doesn't seem to bring her comfort and she doubts her own sanity. This and Tru's asshat behaviour were definitely not what I expected! How are your expectations being met in the adult characters compared to the children we read about previously?
Honestly, what is it with this writer. First Chris and now these two. I can understand some hardness and grit, but the temperament of both is a bit too absurd. Makes me think why I was excited to read the book. lol
3. When the lion first jumped onto the truck, did anyone else think he'd actually come to save Penny?
I hoped he was there to save them, maybe find her by accident. But instead we get the Pig of Lions. ;-)
4.Is the interaction between Tru and Penny now ringing as believable to you from two people who'd once had such a connection? I'd thought they were childhood friends in what was a traumatic time in the history of their current world. Wouldn't something like that have bonded them together or did I read too much into that?
It's like they both look on their childhoods with Jenna and Mason with hatred or something. Not sure why they can't be happy to see each other. It's a rough world, but take the light and good moments when you can.
5. Not to belabour the point, but what did you think about Tru never having gone back to visit Mason and Jenna, or even given Penny a thought in years?
I'm not sure why things of their past must be shut out. Both Try and Pen have closed out people who cared about them. I hope, really hope, we get somekind of explanation as to why they left and never went back. And that we get to see them again (Jenna and Mason that is).
6. Were you intrigued or disappointed by the sex bargain?
I was a little of both I guess. Tru already had a human moment when he asked himself when did he get so cold and I would like to hear from Pen about her feelings on this trade. I just wonder if Adrian will be the proverbial wet blanket in this situation.
7. In Tru's willingness to "pay-it-forward" with Adrian and look out for him for a year, is he showing he's not quite as beyond redemption as he thinks himself? Will Adrian continue to play a key part in Tru and Penny getting together?
I think the kid will be a mood killer and a frustration point for Tru and Pen in the relationship area. As for Tru paying it forward, I just have a sinking feeling that something is going to happen to Adrian and kill any human development Tru may have made.
8. Part question, part grumbling: The cover shows two dark haired people, but I'm reading about her blond highlights (where do you get those in the world after the Change, that's what I wanna know!) and his golden hair. Grrr. Am I misreading descriptions?
I think this has been the case with all these books, hasn't it? Misrepresentation on the covers for all three (or I might not wrong). I guess it sorta bugs me, but not as much as it used to. lol
@Megan#2- Agreeing with you completely. I have no idea why the author is doing this. It's so repetative from last book and just makes the book unlikeable from the start. Sorta like killing off your favorite soap opera star only to bring them back as their evil, repugnant twin. lol
#7-Hadn't thought of it that way, but completely agree with you again. If what he lost is what everyone has lost, then the 180 shift really makes no sense, so I hope we get more of a story. If not then the writer really is just re-writing book one and two and mashing them together here.
Take 1 reluctant hero and burden him with a kid to look after and train + 2 completely different adults from their child version + 1 one wise, strong female = MidFall (aka Daybreak thus far)
@CaroB#1- I am leaning toward this Arturi person like Heather. I swannee, if there is a love triangle, I might have a seizure.
@Heather
#2- YES!! Why make us love characters only to make them completely unlovable later on?? Unnecessary, in my opinion, and a perfect example of the writing deficiencies in this entire series. It's like they can't come up with anything original, even though they have a totally made-up playground of a world to work with. They could've been nice people who face some awesome challenges together. And another thing.....it's been like 12 years since the last two books....why does it feel exactly the same? Surely some progress was made in the interim, otherwise what's the point of the time jump besides letting the kids grow up a bit and become complete turdheads????
#7- I have a real bad feeling we're going to get a book one and two mash up here. Why did I get my hopes up?
@MeganOne of things I hate about romance is the love triangle, so I feel ya!
Heather's Questions for Chapter 7-139. The ritual that Pen goes through seems excessive. I can see this need for her ritual getting her into trouble later for the time needed. Thoughts?
10. Our Pen isn't just a pixie flower, she's rather brutal and kick ass! Does this jive with you and your thoughts about Pen and what you've read so far about her?
11. Though Pen has been with other people in the past, it seems as though she gave herself as a reward. I'm not sure why I found that odd and sad, but I did. Do you think that Pen might be more closed off to humanity than Tru?
12. I don't think anything Pen dreams about should be taken lightly. What did you think of her dream in the beginning of Chapter 9? Who do you think the following dream comment was referring to: I gave you my all, love. I did, I did.
13. Was I the only one that was irritated and sad at Pen's thoughts on Jenna and Mason? So little info and insight, though we did find out that they had a baby. Pen and Tru both seem so cavalier and a little uncaring toward their old adoptive parents. Thoughts?
14. Pen's need to take down O'Malley seems like a destination to her rather than a desire. Do you agree or disagree? Could a vision or dream showing her the fight or end result be a driving force?
15. Shades of Mason. Tru is so reluctant but forthcming with Adrian. Does this scream too much a repeat and taking away from your enjoyment or are you just liking what your reading and not making comparisions?
16. What in the world happened to Tru while he was on his own??????? I have a theory and let me know if you agree or have another thought: From the thoughts he has had so far I think he got involved with a woman and they had a child, but he lost them both. Thoughts?
17. So Mäkinen’s camp has been waiting for Pen. I thought it was rather ingenious of the camp's hiding spot. And we finally meet Finn!!! I almost forget about him. Your thoughts on this reveal and this island of magic?
Lisa Kay's Answers to CaroB's Questions for Chapters 1-6 1. What's your take on the first part of Chapter 1: The flower = Penny, The Lion = Tru, The Leader = ?
Well, Pen is the Orchid, or flower. Tru is the lion. So, I guess that makes Adrian b/c Calla bit the dust. Wait! There is Arturi Mӓkinen; but, he has “powerful magic” and the prophesy said a leader without that.
2. Penny sees Angela in the darkness but it doesn't seem to bring her comfort and she doubts her own sanity. This and Tru's asshat behaviour were definitely not what I expected! How are your expectations being met in the adult characters compared to the children we read about previously?
Not really. Seems like another character change in this book. Déjà vu! Just like book two. Tru is like the old Tru, b/f Mason. You’d think something like the Change would change someone – and stick!
3. When the lion first jumped onto the truck, did anyone else think he'd actually come to save Penny?
Yup.
4. Is the interaction between Tru and Penny now ringing as believable to you from two people who'd once had such a connection? I'd thought they were childhood friends in what was a traumatic time in the history of their current world. Wouldn't something like that have bonded them together or did I read too much into that?
I think they would have been more bonded. He is remembering some things about their relationship, though. So, we’ll see.
5. Not to belabor the point, but what did you think about Tru never having gone back to visit Mason and Jenna, or even given Penny a thought in years?
Ingrate.
6. Were you intrigued or disappointed by the sex bargain?
A little intrigued.
7. In Tru's willingness to "pay-it-forward" with Adrian and look out for him for a year, is he showing he's not quite as beyond redemption as he thinks himself? Will Adrian continue to play a key part in Tru and Penny getting together?
Yes. And yes!
8. Part question, part grumbling: The cover shows two dark haired people, but I'm reading about her blond highlights (where do you get those in the world after the Change, that's what I wanna know!) and his golden hair. Grrr. Am I misreading descriptions?
Well, he’s golden as a lion, but I’ve read thrice now where he is “dark” – as he was in Book 1. Her, however, they messed up.
@ Megan#1 – I don’t think it is a love triangle. I think the leader is Adrian, and he is too young.
#2 – Seems like they was each of the heroes in all three books to be a “lone wolf”. Yes! They took away his character growth! Mind Meld!
#4 – So true, Megan! I wouldn’t think the original group would have parted way. Survival is in sticking together. Unless there was someone you couldn’t stand.
#5 – Ditto!
#6 – Well, what can I say but. . . (view spoiler)
#7 – Excellent point! I also get the impression that whatever happened happened before the Change – which doesn’t lead credence to his having grown, like we assumed in the first book.
#8 – LMAO! Okay!
CaroB wrote: "Ungrateful brats!"LOL!
@ Heather#2 – Yeah, what is with these writers? I guess it is hard to develop a character, but that is what makes an excellent writer!
#3 – LMAO! O.M.G! Too funny, Heather.
#4 – You would think they would be happy just to see that each other is still alive!
#5 – I want to see Mason & Jenna again too! **pouts**
#6 & 7 – Oh, I figure Adrian will definitely delay things.
#8 – Well, I with CaroB! It still bugs me. **pouts again**
Lisa Kay’s Answers to Heather's Questions for Chapter 7-13 9. The ritual that Pen goes through seems excessive. I can see this need for her ritual getting her into trouble later for the time needed. Thoughts?
I don’t know if it is excessive, but maybe OCD (if there’s a difference, LOL!). And, yeah, I thought about that. The time delay could backfire. She seems to be worried about her control over her magic, and that being a danger to those around her. Hmmm.
10. Our Pen isn't just a pixie flower, she's rather brutal and kick ass! Does this jive with you and your thoughts about Pen and what you've read so far about her?
I would imagine that most people have to learn to be something of a kick-ass. Actually, I’m surprised Adrian doesn’t have more skills. So, in answer to your question, I’m fine with it.
11. Though Pen has been with other people in the past, it seems as though she gave herself as a reward. I'm not sure why I found that odd and sad, but I did. Do you think that Pen might be more closed off to humanity than Tru?
Yeah, that was weird. You might have something there, Heather.
12. I don't think anything Pen dreams about should be taken lightly. What did you think of her dream in the beginning of Chapter 9? Who do you think the following dream comment was referring to: I gave you my all, love. I did, I did.
I thought at first her mother, but later…mayb Finn?
13. Was I the only one that was irritated and sad at Pen's thoughts on Jenna and Mason? So little info and insight, though we did find out that they had a baby. Pen and Tru both seem so cavalier and a little uncaring toward their old adoptive parents. Thoughts?
I agree. What is up with that? Glad to know they have a baby.
14. Pen's need to take down O'Malley seems like a destination to her rather than a desire. Do you agree or disagree? Could a vision or dream showing her the fight or end result be a driving force?
I see what you mean about the destination, mainly b/c we don’t know her plans after she gets there! Hmmmm. Could be influencing her.
15. Shades of Mason. Tru is so reluctant but forthcoming with Adrian. Does this scream too much a repeat and taking away from your enjoyment or are you just liking what your reading and not making comparisons?
Yeah, a bit. I’m just reading along, but the comparisons do pop in my head.
16. What in the world happened to Tru while he was on his own??????? I have a theory and let me know if you agree or have another thought: From the thoughts he has had so far I think he got involved with a woman and they had a child, but he lost them both. Thoughts?
I concur!
17. So Mäkinen’s camp has been waiting for Pen. I thought it was rather ingenious of the camp's hiding spot. And we finally meet Finn!!! I almost forget about him. Your thoughts on this reveal and this island of magic?
We do? Oh, I only read to Chp. 12 – Let me come back to this. LOL!
Update: Yeah, I figured he was coming into play when she mentioned him a few chapters back. However, I thought it might be some memory, not that he would make an appearance. Total surprise for me. I don’t know, I trust Zhara, but I don’t know about the other two; why did Pen have that feeling of dishonesty? Is one of them a spy for General O’Malley?
Third in a stunning post-apocalyptic paranormal romance trilogy.
It's been twelve years since the Change, and Penelope Sheehan is one of the few still practicing magic for the good of humanity in this dark, dangerous world. But she needs the help of a shapeshifter named Tru, whom she knew when he was a troubled boy. But Tru is a creature of instinct and impulse, living only to satisfy his senses- ignoring the scarred heart nobody has ever reached. Fighting alongside the last holdouts of humanity, they will unleash a passion that tempts them to risk everything for love. But if they succeed, Tru and Pen hold the power to brighten the Dark Age for all time.
★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩
We are planning a "buddy read" of the third book in the Dark Age Dawning series. Anyone is welcome to join in the discussion questions or just pop in to say "Hi!"
Planned start date: January 9, 2012
EXPECT SPOILERS!
Participants So Far
CaroB.
Heather
Megan
Midu
Lisa Kay
Lurkers