Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss A Treacherous Curse byDeanna Raybourn.



Synopsis
London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can’t resist the allure of an exotic mystery—particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker.
His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London.
But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker’s past.
Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats—and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe—Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything. . . .

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

res

I'm in!

I’m in! Team Tom Riddle.

Me too. Team Luna Lovegood.

I'm hoping to start this by the weekend. Love the friendship between Veronica and Stoker... but I want them to be MORE... Maybe this is the book when they become more than friends.

I hope so, too!

Excited to start this one in a few minutes! I've loved this series. :)

That might be the best first line ever. :)

I'm not going to join this one since I read it only a few months ago, but I LOVE this series! And get really excited when I see others reading it! Enjoy :)

Chapter 4

This is going to be an . . . interesting investigation.

Chapter 5

(view spoiler)[My prediction: Fairbrother stole the crown. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[I’m really hoping this visit with the ex gets her out of his system. He’s hung up on her, and that’s halted any romance with Veronica. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11

I just cheered Veronica a little. Mostly in my head. :)

Same chapter

(view spoiler)[That child is up to something! (hide spoiler)]

Just finished!

(view spoiler)[I knew it!

I love Veronica’s description of butterfly hunting and equating it to pursuing Stoker. I have high hopes for romance in the next book! (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "That might be the best first line ever. :)"

Yes... very amusing I love the witty banter in this series.

Laura wrote: "Chapter 5

[spoilers removed]"

Oh, I didn't think of that... but you may be right. Love the Egyptian aspect of this case. A curse and lost treasure fits right in with Veronica and Stoker's adventures.

Laura wrote: "Chapter 9

[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[ Caroline is as horrible and shallow as I imagined. Stoker must have been mesmerised by her beauty (as some supposedly intelligent men are, LOL) and only "saw" the real her once they were married. Yes, hope he gets her out of his system the sooner the better. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ Yay, Veronica for giving Stoker a serve. He needed it! I feel though that they are on the verge of a break through in their relationship and moving it on to the next level. About time, they are perfect for each other.

Agree, Figgy is in it up to her eyeballs!! (hide spoiler)]

I still plan on reading and commenting but I'm just overloaded with books right now!

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chapter 9

[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

What he reveals about their marriage sheds a lot of light on his character, and some of why he acts the way he does.

Laura wrote: "Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Laura wrote: "Chapter 9

[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]"

What he reveals about their marriage sheds a lot of light on his character, and some of why..."

Just finished Chapter 15. Finally we know the truth about what happened (view spoiler)[ in Stoker's marriage. Veronica hit the nail on the head how could such an intelligent man get taken in? I think it was because of his childhood and being made to feel so inferior because of his parentage. But finally he is coming to terms with the past and realising what he has in front of him... his soul mate Veronica Speedwell. Yay... (hide spoiler)]

Hoping to finish this afternoon.

Laura wrote: "Just finished!

I knew it!

I love Veronica’s description of butterfly hunting and equating it to pursuing Stoker. I have high hopes for romance in the next book!"

Finished. I really enjoyed it, both the mystery with the Egyptian theme which is so Victorian and the slow burn of Stoker and Veronica's relationship .

(view spoiler)[ Hopefully now that Stoker has exorcised the "ghost" of Caroline he will be free to move forward with the real love of his life. I love the way DR writes their relationship and the analogy of the butterfly hunting was perfect. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait for the next book, early next year, I believe.