Eldarwen’s Comments (group member since Feb 21, 2015)

Eldarwen’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

DQs Day 1
Ch 1 to 4

1.) Had you heard of this book before it was nominated for/was selected to be a BOM this month? Or read other books by the author? Any expectations going in?

I've heard quite a bit of it as it was quite hyped as a very good self-published book and suddenly many, many special editions popped up. I haven't read anything by the author though. My expectations are somewhat high in that I hope to find a really good stand-alone fantasy; concise, developed characters, good story - not a watered-down start to what will become at least a trilogy.

2.) How effective is the author at conveying the isolationist nature of Kaigen? And at the glimpses of what the rest of the world is really like? How do you think the Emperor has managed to do this so effectively?

No idea how the Emperor has done it but the author certainly has made it clear that they're a tiny little bit insulated from the rest of the world. I assume it was only possible if the elders were in on it, those who apparently fought in this war where there were practically no casualties.

3.) Misaki is an interesting character with a lot of repressed or hidden depths I think. I like that one of the main characters in an epic fantasy is not a 20 something who just happens to master everything in 5 pages. What are you most curious about her at the moment. Also, shout out to her friends, who seem like real women-friends. Yay!

Misaki really does seem like a very interesting character, and I couldn't agree more. Finally someone who knows stuff because they learned for years! What I am most curious about currently is how she came to be married to a man from some backwater island who must have laid down the law before they ever got married? She must have sort of known what she would get herself into, if maybe not all the details. Why would she do this to herself if she could be so much more?

4.) Tekure (husband/father) has managed to make me hate him without even popping up on page yet. Go him. Do you think we'll get a scene where Misaki does her version of 'down with the patriarchy' before the end of the book?

I really, really hope so!! Because Mamoru's father, Misaki's husband sounds like an utter *insert whatever insult you would like*. But I do wonder why he is like he is. Not having any patience for teaching his son is one thing, but forbidding his wife from talking about her past, and more specifically the fact that she is a sword fighter? He is probably in on the whole conspiracy thing to keep the little peninsula isolated and docile.

5.) What do you think of the magic system so far?

It sounds interesting so far, but we have only just learned a tiny little tidbit I think. Especially since there are quite a lot of myths being thrown about concerning the special talents of certain families.

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Eldarwen wrote: "Finished #18


Book: Frostheart by Jamie Littler

I'm not much one to read childrens' books but this was a gift and it was an unexpec..."


Oh yay! So happy to hear that! :-)

Logan wrote: "Completion Post


My Friends by Fredrik Backman
Pages: 448
Finished: in the nick of time 8/2/25
Rating: 3 stars

Started as 1 star,..."


Wow, well sometimes it's just worth it to push through. Kudos for your perseverance!

Sammy wrote: "E, you're so close!!

Cat, what the heck happened? 😆


I *might* up my goal by another 5, but not sure. House is finally going on the market this week, so we will likely end up moving at the end of..."



I knooooow :-D
Very happy about that hehe.

We'll see if maaaaybe I can get over it at some point this year. Would be a first ;-)

Oh yay, good thing the house is going on the market soon! Probably not quite so fun to be moving into your parents' house for a bit, but it'll all be worth it once you're in the new place :-)

Mini 4 - Food Around the World - Update

Figure it was time for a little update on our progress here, so you can see how awesome we're doing! (Even though V is slacking somewhat haha :-p)

Part 1:

We only need the following food items in text:

- naan
- quinoa

And for both of these Keely has found books.


Part 2:

We've finished quite a lot of specialties in the meantime:

- Souvlaki
- Pastel de Nata
- Zapiekanka
- Smørrebrød
- Sarmale
- Cevapi
- Momo
- Nasi Goreng
- Bibimbap
- Okonomiyaki
- Bánh Xèo
- Char Kuay Teow


And we're only missing two letters (Y and A) from:

- Chipsi Mayai


We've also started on these three but have only filled in a couple of letters so far:

- Biltong
- Jallaf Rice
- Kabuli Pulao



Really really well done, team!! :-)

Aw, shame that you didn't enjoy that one, Klare!

Jessica wrote: "I will be reading 4 books for mini 1 in the next week. I can also do author born in Korea if no one else has claimed it."

Not been claimed yet, so all yours :-)

Mini 3 - World Wheel - Update

Our next trip is taking us to Korea.

WW119	Author born in Korea
WW120	Red, Blue, White and Black on cover
WW121	character goes to the spa
WW122	letters SEOUL in title (any order)
WW123	MPG Science
WW124	character works in technology
WW125	K
WW126	O
WW127	R
WW128	E
WW129	A

Finished #25.


Book: The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich
Date Read: 31st July
Rating: 4 stars


I liked this one very much. It wasn't difficult to guess the motive of the murderer, but that didn't in any way detract from my enjoyment of the story. Well-written, interesting story and I felt for the poor detective.

Completion Post


Book: The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Woolrich
Date Read: 31st July
Pages: 288
Rating: 4 stars (very enjoyable)


Mini 3 - World Wheel
Turkey - letters KEBAB in title (any order)
The Bride Who Whore Black


Spell-Out Options:
T / B - title
C / W - author
K - character: Kenneth Bliss
F / M - character: Frank Moran
H - character: Holmes

Yay, Caipi! :-D

I'm finishing up an episode of The Bachelors now (guilty pleasure :-p and the only reality tv I watch) and then I'll attack the remaining 15 pages of my book so we can get a new countryyyyy :-)

Charlotte wrote: "
The Phantom of the Opera
Gaston Leroux
7/27/25
p269
3 stars

Works for:
Mini 1:
France - Set in France

Mini 3:
Nigeria - diverse ca..."



Finished before the country was spun, so can't be used for Nigeria, sorry! (Read dates are important for this mini.)

Mini 4 it is :-)

I'd heard the name Caroline Wahl before but can't remember where and haven't read anything by her (obviously), but I've added 22 Bahnen to my TBR now. It sounds interesting and since you enjoyed it, I'm thinking it's worth a try :-)

Sounds like a good plan, Audrey!
Sorry to hear your mum couldn't fully enjoy the stay though but at least she got home well and is already planning her next visit - well, good for her anyway? ;-))

I've only read "The Painted Veil" so far and I enjoyed that a lot. I also watched the film first, not realising it was based on a book, and I loved that, so I was pretty sure I wasn't going to not like the book ;-)

Awesome, thanks! :-)

In the interest of making most use of our books and moving our countries along at a steadier pace:

Klare,

I've taken the liberty of moving your "We Used to Live Here" to Nigeria, for the E letter, since that's one of the main characters' name.

I'm going to use Heather's bookshop book to fill the K spot for Turkey.

That way we're only waiting on Caipi's two books for that country and I'll be done with my book by Friday at the very latest.

Heather wrote: "Completion Post

Book: The Bookshop on the Shore
Author: Jenny Colgan
Pages: 432
Date: 27/Jul/25"


This one doesn't have a read date - just the date added to GR.

Something to remedy once you're back from holiday :-)
Not something you can easily do on the app, that's too annoying for that. And the desktop version on the phone is maybe a bit too tiny to fiddle with while you're on a camping trip hehe.

Woohooo, new country coming in sooooon :-D

Hehehehe