Vicki’s Comments (group member since Jul 02, 2023)

Vicki’s comments from the NetGalley Buddy Readers group.

I hope to start tomorrow.

This one looks so good! I just had to get it too since it's a READ NOW request! Woo hoo! Not sure if I'll start it today though, but most likely not. Can't wait to read it.

debbicat *made of stardust* wrote: "I am in a few buddy reads and went MIA. I have had a death in the family. Just letting you all know I’ll check in next week hopefully. Thanks."

So sorry to hear this, Debbie.

Elyse, that's my problem. I don't really check my emails anymore because I rarely use emails. But I saw that on their site so now I'm going to be looking for them.

Kristie wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Where do you find Amazon's First?"

US site is here: https://www.amazon.com/firstreads/ref... Prime members get a free book every month."

Thank you, Kristie, I have had Prime forever, but honestly I keep forgetting about it because it's easily seen. At least I haven't.

Vicki Willis wrote: "Off topic of NG
but...
Did anyone else see the choices for Amazon First? What did you pick?
There were 3 that I can't decide which to pick!
[book:Name..."

Where do you find Amazon's First?

Thanks, Trisha, I got it. :)

Trisha wrote: "Yes, I actually finished it today!
I got completely wrapped up in a Valentine weekend with hubby and wasn't on here much but I had a great weekend!

I loved this one!

and I love that it was tied ..."

That's wonderful, Trisha! I'm glad you had such a good time with your husband! :)

Kristie wrote: "The cast of characters really helped me to keep them straight in the beginning.

your ch 16 spoiler - Yes, the good old [spoilers removed]"

No kidding!

Finished

(view spoiler)[I was kind of surprised to find out that Dorothy had a son and it was such a shameful thing back then that only 2 people knew. That must've been so tough.

I wasn't surprised that the powers that be who were investigating did a lousy job for May. Thankfully the Queens came along. It takes a woman SO often to get things done. I hated the "she deserved it" mentality and it still exists today.

I loved that the authors were real authors and not just fictional. I think I've only ever read Agatha Christie, but I did read the info from the links posted previously in this thread. That was pretty interesting.

Women's rights are so important. I think about the right to vote, things like being able to do what men do (like the Queens), and equal pay which definitely does NOT exist. This book really got me to thinking. (hide spoiler)]

I loved it!

Through Ch. 29

(view spoiler)[The ladies are making some strides! I thought the confession letter was a bit strange and the timing made it suspicious to me. But wow, what women can do when they set their minds to it.

It upset me when I read all the things that the various "investigators" had ignored, probably in part because the disappearance and then death of May was a female. They were unbelievably derelect in their responsibility to her and the community in general.

I can't wait to see The Queens fully solve the murder case. They've learned so much about her disappearnce so far. I (like most women) LOVE strong women! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 16

My sentiments are the same as everyone else's...loving the 5 women working together, infiltrating the "men's club" and setting out to prove their worth/skills.

(view spoiler)[I was angered by the almost immediate accusation that the murder was May's fault...ugh. Still dealing with this in society: "if she didn't go in the car with him she wouldn't have been raped" or "she was 'asking' for it" etc. WHAT woman asks to be raped/murdered?! (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "I looked up our group of ladies to be able to put some faces to the characters. I find it easier to keep them straight that way. So, just in case anyone else was interested too -

Our cast of chara..."

I JUST started this one today and so far I love it! Thanks for posting these women's names/dates, etc. :)

Finished

(view spoiler)[I think Ribat's holding back on something that might've been helpful just speaks to his character. I never fully trusted him, so maybe it was his character I didn't trust. I guess I was upset with his decision but not surprised.

Ilu definitely got what he deserved but not all that he should've gotten...aka his comeuppance. He wasn't a principled man and I didn't like him at all.

This book had me crying! It really hit me in places and it ran the gamut of my emotions. I almost gave it 5 stars but I'm sticking to being tougher in 2025 and only giving the best of the best (in my humble opinion) 5 stars. I liked Clytemnestra better even though this book has SLIGHTLY better ratings. As of this rating a 4.24 vs. 4.28. Maybe because I read Clytemnestra and I was on vacation and relaxed it played into how much I liked it. lol But I honestly loved both. (hide spoiler)]

Book 4

(view spoiler)[I think all of the madness etc. that Onnes was going through was definitely a foreshadowing of what was to come. I had a feeling his death was imminent and wasn't surprised by it. Although, it was still sad.

I know that she was the ONLY female ruler of the Assyrian Empire so very possibly was higher than the queen. I guess because I know what a powerful and historically famous Queen she became I haven't been surprised by all that's happened so far. (hide spoiler)]

Book 3

Shruti, (view spoiler)[I understand how you can question that and I do too, but only to a degree. She was the Assyrian Empire's ONLY female ruler so she obviously was just seriously intelligent! I think those things just were easy for her to grasp.

I don't skip battle scenes and this one was definitely brutal. It brought it to life in the most disturbing way. I sometimes feel like those days people were even more brutal than today, but not so sure that's really accurate. I actually like how intense it was. Maybe I'm sick? lol

I feel like this section especially illustrates the empowerment of women (Semiramis) and her strength as a female and ruler. Decisions having to be made and quickly isn't an easy feat! (hide spoiler)]

Book 2

(view spoiler)[I'm with you, I just have such a distrust of people and I don't trust Ribat. Maybe he's a little too nice? Not sure but I guess we'll see.

I'm pretty sure she's too smart to sleep with the creepy Prince!! What a thing to say to a woman. And her lion...I love that too. It reminded me of Circe and Odysseus's men when they went to her home and it was surrounded by animals.

And, yes, her writing is just beautiful. It's what really drew me in to her first book I read and made me know I'd read more of her historical fiction books. I think she's amazing. (hide spoiler)]

Book 1

(view spoiler)[I agree that it started slow AND there were a lot of characters! But the Prologue drew me in right away so I felt like there was going to be a good storyline for sure. Loving Greek mythology doesn't hurt either. lol (hide spoiler)]

Comments based on Vicki and Shruti's previous comments on the book:

(view spoiler)[ I don't think there was a single thing that I didn't agree with you two on. Liam committing suicide never did make sense. I suspected Alexis, Louise, and Nick in particular at various times. I just felt like the old bitty, Louise, had something to do with it. I was happy for Theo that her mom wasn't having an affair with Liam and that he was really just trying to help her.

Family secrets...do people ever learn? The Daltons went way too far to protect Alexis and whoever else. When you protect to the detriment of others that's no good...EVER! They were something else, but thankfully Connor really was a good guy and supportive of Theo. I loved this book. To me, this is truly a mystery/thriller. Some genres that are "thrillers" just aren't. I will be looking for this author and narrator again. The narration's pace was excellent. (hide spoiler)]

Oh, jeez, I didn't realize that so I'll be more careful! (Fixed it!)

Finished

I had to finish this last night! But then I went to bed and had a meeting this morning and had to leave her by 7:15. I am so curious to hear everyone's final thoughts and read those of others who have already finished.

(view spoiler)[Oh. My. God! This book has more twists and turns than we get in most good mysteries. I loved the narrator who did the audio version of this. I think her narrating made my heart pound more than it would've otherwise. lol

Every time I decided on who killed her mom, I'd vacillate and change my mind. I was not willing to stick to any one suspect. lol I loved this book and the ending, the last few chapters, really had my heart racing and I was SO anxious to find out once and for all who did what!! I'm glad that Theo made the choice that she made at the end. I loved this one! (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "I'm through chapter 37

You better know it and now my husband "needs" me to come watch a show with him so he can go to bed. lol Ugh...why me!? lol