The Challenge Factory discussion

2024 The Year of the Dragon
Duration - February 10, 2024 through January 28, 2025



The Dragon is ranked Fifth in the Chinese Zodiac.
According to one of many myths, the Jade Emperor held a race and decreed that the order of the animals in the Chinese zodiac would be decided by who crossed the finish line in the first 12 places. It would seem a matter of common sense that the mighty Dragon would be deserving of first place, however he did not achieve this. He came after the Rabbit, Tiger, Ox, and Rat. Why was this?...

When Dragon was on his way to the finish line, he found a village suffering from a very serious drought — even its plants and crops did not grow, and a great number of people were in famine. So, he flew across the clouds and opened his mouth to make rain and solved their hardship.

Dragon continued on in the race, but after a while, he saw another village threatened by a flood. He stopped without hesitation and opened his mouth to absorb the water. His efforts and powers moved the flood waters to the sea, and the disaster at the village was averted.

As Dragon hurried on his way towards the race's end, he saw that Rabbit was being chased by a wolf. In order to deal with the wolf and save Rabbit, he let Rabbit go on ahead. So, by generously helping those he met on the way, as is always his nature, Dragon came in after Rabbit in the zodiac race.

Tasks:
1. Read a book published in December.
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)

Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

* 1. Read a book published in December.
The Lies of Vampires and Slayers by K.M. Shea (published 15 Dec 2023, read 10 Feb 2024)
2. Read a boom where the MC makes a selfless sacrifice to help someone else.
* 3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.
They Come at Knight by Yasmin Angoe (read 11 Feb 2024)

* 4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON.
A Conspiracy of Truths by Alexandra Rowland (read 18 Feb 2024)
* 5. Read a book where any of the characters are suffering from a water-based environmental calamity (drought, flood, tsunami, etc.)
One By One by Ruth Ware - characters are trapped by an avalanche (read 20 Feb 2024)

First set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

People born in the year of the Dragon are often seen as confident, ambitious, and adventurous. They are also known to be passionate, strong-willed, and have excellent leadership qualities. Dragons are the fifth animal sign in the Chinese zodiac and are associated with the Fire element, which is believed to symbolize energy, creativity, and transformation.

Set 2 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a confident MC.
2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
4. Read a book published in May.
5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.

Set 2
Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

* 1. Read a book with a confident MC.
The Assassins by Alan Bardos (read 6 Mar 2024)
* 2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).
Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault (read 3 Mar 2024)
3. Read a book where the MC goes on an adventure.
* 4. Read a book published in May.
Drowning by T.J. Newman
(published 30 May 2023, read 6 Mar 2024)
* 5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.
Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon (MC goes from journalist to wife to resistance heroine, read 01 Mar 2024)

Second set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

Dragons are highly respected and revered in Chinese culture and are often associated with the emperor, power, and authority. People born in the year of the Dragon are believed to possess some of these characteristics and are often successful in their careers and personal lives. They are also said to be charismatic, imaginative, and have a strong sense of justice and fairness.

Set 3 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.

Set 3
Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

* 1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.
Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald (read 25 Mar 2024)
* 2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.
Colossus by Colin Falconer (read 19 Mar 2024)
* 3. Read a book where the MC has a successful career.
Time to Shine by Rachel Reid (read 8 Mar 2024)
4. Read a book with a MC is highly imaginative.
* 5. Read a book that has a dominant theme of justice.
It Ends with Knight by Yasmin Angoe (read 24 Mar 2024)

Third set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

Despite their many positive traits, Dragons can also be impulsive, stubborn, and prone to anger. They can sometimes struggle with their emotions and may find it challenging to work with others who do not share their vision or passion. However, with their determination and perseverance, Dragons can overcome most obstacles and achieve their goals.

Set 4 Tasks:
1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.
2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.

Set 4
Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

* 1. Read a book whose cover is at least 50% red.

The English Führer by Rory Clements (read 21 Apr 2024)
* 2. Read a book with a MC who is very stubborn.
Rotkäppchen lügt by Elias Haller (read 18 Apr 2024)
3. Read a book where the MC struggles with their emotions over some issue.
* 4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).
The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor (read 16 Apr 2024)
* 5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DETERMINATION.
Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth by Iain MacGregor (read 23 Apr 2024)

Fourth set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year) and concluding on January 28th, 2025 (Chinese New Year's Eve). The Dragon is also associated with the years 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952. People born in Dragon years usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.

Set 5 Tasks:
1. Read a book published in February.
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.

Set 5
Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

*1. Read a book published in February.
The Murder After the Night Before by Katy Brent (published 29 Feb 2024, read 26 Apr 2024)
2. Read a book with an enthusiastic and confident MC.
* 3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count.
Die anderen Geschlechter by Dagmar Pauli (272 pages, read 25 Apr 2024)
* 4. Read a book that takes place over a New Year's Eve time frame.
Murder at Maypole Manor by L.B. Hathaway (read 1 May 2024)
* 5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title.
Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918 by Katja Hoyer (read 25 Apr 2024)

Fifth set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. Consequently, 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you're seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.

Set 6 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.

Set 6
Level: Dragon Wing
Tasks: 4/5

* 1. Read a book with a very talented MC.
We Looked Like Giants by fulushouxi (read 09 May 2024)
* 2. Read a book with the numbers 2 and 4 in the page count.
Hot Shots by Tara Bennett (429 pages, read 07 May 2024)
3. Read a book with nobility in it.
* 4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY.
Pulp by Robin Talley (read 11 May 2024)
* 5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain (read 08 May 2024)

Sixth set: Level Dragon Wing, 4/5 complete.

According to Chinese astrology, 2024 is a Wood Dragon Year. Wood indicates calmness, loyalty, and reliability and Dragons endowed with prominent abilities and revolutionary ideas. Such features incline Wood Dragons toward a successful life. Even though stubbornness and a little arrogance are innate with Dragons, these negative traits, sometimes, may be the key to achieving their goals.

Set 7 Tasks:
1. Read a book with a very calm MC.
2. Read a book where a character works with wood.
3. Read a book with all the letters LOYALTY in the title and/or series names (can use both).
4. Read a book where a MC's negative characteristic helps them achieve their goal.
5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY.