Challenge Corner discussion

Aly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Same here!! It's so annoying.

I forgot book 2 wasn't out yet. I have the ARC though"

WHAT? I got rejected for it .. probably"

Ha! Probably ;)"

yeah most likely

Alaina wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "82%..."

Shh.. we don't talk about him lol"

LOL *blatantly ignores plothole*

Ok I'll ignore it too because I liked the book

Alaina wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Are you guys planning on reading book 2? Should we stay on this thread?"

I would love to read the next book when it comes out. I'm getting reallly annoyed with this whole capacity cr..."

yes UGH

Kelly wrote: "Same here!! It's so annoying.

I forgot book 2 wasn't out yet. I have the ARC though"

Where do you have the ARC from?

Ok so I found the ARC on Netgalley and requested it. I also emailed the author because as I shared a couple weeks ago if you sign up to be one of her reviewers online she'll send you the other indie books she's written like she did for me so I responded on that email to try and get the ARC for The Theft of Sunlight

Ruthie wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Same here!! It's so annoying.

I forgot book 2 wasn't out yet. I have the ARC though"

Where do you have the ARC from?"

I had it from Edelweiss

Kelly wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Same here!! It's so annoying.

I forgot book 2 wasn't out yet. I have the ARC though"

Where do you have the ARC from?"

I had it from Edelweiss"

I'm pending from there.. definitely got rejected in NetGalley

Rejected on NG, pending for Edelweiss but I almost never get anything on there so...

Aly wrote: "Rejected on NG, pending for Edelweiss but I almost never get anything on there so..."

we have to wait for it to come out lmaoo

Yeah unfortunately

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 15TH, 2023

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HI Ellen, I am super late with my February reads, but let me know when you want to start and I'll try! :P

I've literally started just now - I'm super behind as well, but it's a library book so I've got to get it read! Are you able to start soon?

Ehy! Yes, no problem, I'm halfway through Kindred, but I am happy to read both at the same time! Not sure I'll read much over the weekend, but I'll start it tomorrow and let you know! ;)

Okay, hope you get to starting it today! :)

I'd completely forgotten the story of The Goose Girl - not that it matters - but I just reread it and I like how creative Insitar Khanani has been in this adaptation

Chapters 1 -15 (view spoiler)[

Well, her family are TERRIBLE. It's awful that she's so frightened of her brother and that her mother condones the whole thing. And that her 'crime' was being honest and saving a servant's life. Jeeesus! I was pretty glad she was getting out fast, whatever the new dangers would be.

Wasn't expecting the body switch; it felt a bit... clumsy? Or maybe childish? I don't know; it was probably just because I wasn't expecting it. I'm cool with it now.

Valka is a really fun character to hate; she has literally no redeeming qualities (although that makes her a bit one dimensional...). But Alyrra is showing her up pretty well.

I liked the way the prince got her to dictate a letter so he could see the handwriting - well played!

The talking horse (don't know the spellings as my library has it on audiobook) is... kind of weird lol. But I'm used to it now. The way he's done in the audiobook makes him sound super pompous unfortunately. It's another aspect that makes this feel a little childish but I think it's just expectations; should've reminded myself of the fairytale beforehand.

Nice of her to save that boy but I feel like something is going to go wrong because of it... (hide spoiler)]

Not sure what I think about it yet. I'm not really feeling it yet but I am SUPER tired tbh.

Up to chapter 20 (view spoiler)[

WTF?!? o_0 Why why why did you have to kill the horse? This is an EVIL book - isn't there some rule where animals and small children don't die? I found him kind of annoying, so I'm sort of out of proportion upset lol. And putting his head up - isn't it just going to rot and be absolutely foul?? I know he's a magic horse but surely flesh will still decay... bleugh (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 - 32 (view spoiler)[

Oh my god, this is turning out to be a really horrible book *cries* I got the wrong idea, thinking it was a light read to go alongside some heavier things I've got going on. Anyway.

Devastated about Violet. But I'm worried about how Thorn and Sage are so thirsty for vengeance, about what this will do to them. Whoever raped and abused Violet definitely deserves to be brought to justice but I feel like this won't help them.

It's really going to change things up when she lets out who she is - but she's been saying it for ages; is she really gonna go through with it?

The wind coming back seemed a little random - maybe it would've been better if it had been a bigger part before? I don't know; it felt a bit awkward. (hide spoiler)]

Okay, what did I say???

To end of chapter 34

(view spoiler)[
Their thirst for vengeance is just... not good. Taking things into their own hands, meting out 'justice' - just seems bad. Red Hawk doesn't seem like an awful man, but I can't see how this will ultimately help Thorn and her adopted family.

And now we have mention that the horse's head (don't know any of the spellings because it's on audio) isn't rotting but it's SPEAKING. This is getting weeeeeeeeird. (I realise it's in the original fairytale but still).

Corbet is a bloody bastard. Nearly everyone in this book is; apart from the ones who are nice. There's not that much nuance. Still not convinced by this as a book as whole; I just... it's a mix of serious issues and kind of silly things - like talking horse heads - which doesn't quite sit right.

And the wind again! It doesn't fit - but then I guess it wasn't Thorn's wind, it was the lady's wind? Or it was the Prince all along? slightly confused there... Guess he's a mage so his powers can be practically infinite.

Glad to see the lady again for a bit of variety. Picking up I think? (hide spoiler)]

So sorry!Will start it tomorrow night, I am away all day tomorrow!

Chapter3:(view spoiler)[ I like the protagonist, poor thing! The brother and mother are absolutely terrible!
I woneer what's up with the magic now, it was a bit confusing... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[Well, at least she seems to be taking it all in stride, very brave of her. Valka is really terrible. I hooe she finds a way to help the prince... (hide spoiler)]

Ah, I finished this a couple of days ago - will add my comments tomorrow (it's late here). Life is too busy! Hope you're enjoying it :)

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Okay, hope you get to starting it today! :)

I'd completely forgotten the story of The Goose Girl - not that it matters - but I just reread it and I like how creative Insitar Khanani has been in t..."

Chpater 15: sorry, I only now catching up to your first comments! I am enjoying it! :) (view spoiler)[I am guessing the body switch comes from the original fairytale... You are right about Valka! She might be a bit one dimensional, but I don't mind, I just really dislike her! :P The protagonist is very sympatetic, I like following her. Iwould totally try to tell the prince something though, I don't approve of her choice to say nothing and lie... I understand why she does it, but I feel she could have found a better way...

Yes, the bit with the boy is going to bite her in the behind! :P (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Ah, I finished this a couple of days ago - will add my comments tomorrow (it's late here). Life is too busy! Hope you're enjoying it :)"

Sorry I have been so late and slow with this! Work has been too stressfull and long... By the way, I'm pretty sure we are both in the UK! ;)

Forgot to say: (view spoiler)[I saw the writingploy from miles away, I am actually almost irritated that the gi didn't :P

Falada is totally a pompous horse, I think the audio might just have given it justice!:P (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Up to chapter 20

WTF?!?"

Chapter 20: (view spoiler)[WTF indeed, so so sad!!! Not just for Falada, but for the girl now too, it was her first ever close friend! :( Valka is a monster and I wish her all the ill! :P (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Okay, what did I say???

To end of chapter 34."

Chapter 34: (view spoiler)[Well, I guess revenge and justice used to go hand in hand in middle ages' type time, and there need to be repercussions for bad acts to keep people safe. I think it should be improved, as does the girl, but I also think it is a reasonable thing to do for the time.

I don't find the silly things too bad... They are just part of the reality of this world: someone the horse can somewhat talk even if he's dead, somehow there is a talking Wind... Didn't love the reveal that it was the prince all along, though I had a somewhat similar theory at the very beginning, so... Fine.

I don't feel too much back-lash between silly and dark moments - I think it is a very dark book! It is in line with how fairytale actually are originally though, so I think it's fine...

Please, please, no more death though...
(hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[I did quite like this! :) The ending with the trials of the prince sounded a bit like a different fairytale shoehorned in, but it d8d sort of fit with the lady... I also liked the ending quite a lot! I don't know that I'll continue, because there is a different protagonist in the next book, and I am not sure how well the mystery is going to be done... I am happy treating it as a standalone. :)
Sorry you found some bits jarring, I thought it was doing the grim fairytale very well! ;) (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Forgot to say: I saw the writingploy from miles away, I am actually almost irritated that the gi didn't :P

Falada is totally a pompous horse, I think the audio might just have given it justice!:P"

(finally catching up on comments and thoughts - sorry!)

Yes, I listened to the audio as well and Falada was SO pompous it irritated me hehe. Perhaps why I objected to him so much. And, yes, we're both in the UK, I do know that - I just have the memory of a goldfish. Many apologies

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Okay, what did I say???

To end of chapter 34."

Chapter 34: Well, I guess revenge and justice used to go hand in hand in middle ages' type time, and there need to be repercussi..."

Interesting different thoughts!
(view spoiler)[
I see what you mean - fairy tales are incredibly dark (except when they're disney-fied), but I just couldn't quite balance the silliness with the darkness in this one. I suppose it's just personal preference because I really wanted to enjoy this one! I'd be looking forward to when it came free at the library, but it just... it felt so awkward to me.

I didn't like the reveal with the prince either - just too obvious sadly. But, going with the fairytale retelling, fairytales are pretty formulaic so I'm not sure how it could've been done better... (hide spoiler)]

Andy wrote: "Finished: (view spoiler)[ I did quite like this! :) The ending with the trials of the prince sounded a bit like a different fairytale shoehorned in, but it d8d sort of fit with the lady... I also liked the ending ..." (hide spoiler)]

I finished ages ago, but thanks so much for your comments :) Here's more of what I thought (view spoiler)[

YES, the ending was totally shoehorned in. I suppose it kind of fitted with the lady but I was really not happy with the ending if I'm honest. We'll have to agree to disagree :)

And I didn't even realise there was a sequel! I don't really see where it can go from here - is it more like a story set in the same world if it's a different protagonist? Like you, I'm treating this as a standalone and that's fine by me.

I really wish I liked it more :( It sounded so good, I just couldn't get into it... I wonder if I'd read it it would have been better? (as opposed to Borrow Box). Who knows? Certainly not in a hurry to read anything else by the author but I would give her another chance (not the sequel to this). (hide spoiler)]

Thanks so much for buddying - I always like your comments :)

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]

I finished ages ago, but thanks so much for your comments :) Here's more of what I thought

YES, the ending was totally shoehorned in. I suppose it kind..."

Thank you for suggesting to read this! :) It woul have been quite low on my priorities otherwise! :P I rather liked it, I think it's a 4 stars for me, but I understand your points!
I recently also read Little Thieves, which is another Goose Girl retelling, but completely different. It was interesting tocread them so close together. I liked that one a lot, I think you might like it more than this, if you ever want to try another retelling of the same story: it has a more even tone (and the story goes in completely different dorection!).

I just started The Daughters of Izdihar, which you might also like, I think!
I look forward to reading Juniper & Thorn with you! That's gonna be dark! O_O

I envy you your library, I must say: mine has no YA fantasy and only very old adult fantasy... :(

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]

I finished ages ago, but thanks so much for your comments :) Here's more of what I thought

YES, the ending was totally shoehorned i..."


You're very welcome - at least one of us enjoyed it! :P

I'm going to check out Little Thieves (although I'm meant to be reading all the books I've got...) and I'll definitely check out Daughters of Izdihar because I just love buddying with you!

I only use my library online, and it used to be pretty terrible, but it suddenly got a whole more fantasy, including YA fantasy! I don't know what changed but I'm very grateful - I used to be in your position :( Always envious - particularly of people in the US who seem to be able to get EVERYTHING from the library... :(

Ellen-Arwen wrote: " only use my library online, and it used to be pretty terrible, but it suddenly got a whole more fantasy, including YA fantasy! I don't know what changed but I'm very grateful - I used to be in your position :( Always envious - particularly of people in the US who seem to be able to get EVERYTHING from the library... :(."

Right??? :P People I know or see on booktube from US or Canada keep saying "I'll check out this new release from the library" and my library is probably like "we might consider getting that book in 10 years, if it becomes really popular" :P
All the places in UK I lived had the same problem, so I just assumed it was endemic - I'm glad it's not, there's some hope... :P

Ellen-Arwen wrote: " I'll definitely check out Daughters of Izdihar because I just love buddying with you! ."

Oh wonderful! :) Let me know if you manage to pick it up soon, and I'll ask for a tread! :)

(Maybe tell me here, I haven't been able to access the buddy tread in the past week for unclear reasons!)

Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: " only use my library online, and it used to be pretty terrible, but it suddenly got a whole more fantasy, including YA fantasy! I don't know what changed but I'm very grateful -..."

You can't access the buddy thread either?? Okay, so it's not just me then! I wonder if it's got too big and GoodReads is struggling to load it? (I don't think it's my computer which is pretty happy and healthy). I'm really glad you mentioned you can't access it either - maybe we should start a new one? I can't think of any other reason for it being problematic...

Btw, have you read The Merciful Crow? I loved the synopsis to Little Thieves and realise I recognise the name because I own The Merciful Crow but it is sadly unread...

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Andy wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: " only use my library online, and it used to be pretty terrible, but it suddenly got a whole more fantasy, including YA fantasy! I don't know what changed but I'm ve..."

I asked, we have new treads! :D

I could read Merciful Crow with you in April? I haven't read it!

Let me know if you get The Daughters of Izdihar! ;)

Yay for new threads - it's been driving me mad! Thank you :)

And double Yay, I'd love to read Merciful Crow in April :D

I think I'm probably going to be 'good' and not got The Daughters of Izdihar but you putting the link again there is testing my resolve :P

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Yay for new threads - it's been driving me mad! Thank you :)

And double Yay, I'd love to read Merciful Crow in April :D

I think I'm probably going to be 'good' and not got The Daughters of Izdih..."

Ah! I understand! Feel free to set a date for Merciful Crow for mid April! ;)