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.)

Since I chose Dragon Scale, I'm doing one-two tasks to start off. I'm going with:

3. Read a book with a cover that is at least 50% green.

I'm going to read when the event starts.

I DNF I only made it through 10% and it's all telling and info dump. It comes across like a parent reading a children's book to their kid. How it rates over four stars is beyond me. I'm going to pick a different book for this task.

1. Read a book published in December.



Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Loved this. Great characters and lovely holiday feels. A story I'd read again.

4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word DRAGON. -- Gabbi Grey -- The letter 'G'


Rating: 3
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
The plot is good. I loved Widget, but couldn't connect with the main characters. The book is okay.

I'm ready for the next set of tasks :)

I'm so sorry this slipped past me Penumbra! It's an incredibly busy time for me at work. Here you go:



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.

5. Read a book where the MC goes through a personal transformation of some kind.


Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I liked this. More romance than BDSM although there is some. Corey who is a sub, must overcome the sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his ex-master and other doms, before he can have a relationship with Derek.

2. Read a book with all the letters of FIRE in the title and/or series name (you can use both).

Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This book has great emotions and character growth. If you like adventure, this isn't that kind of story. It's about healing, and Danny and Jamie forming a new life together, better than their pasts.

Hi Erica, I'm ready for the next set of prompts, thanks!

Here you go!



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.

2. Read a book where a character is highly respected or revered.

Rating: 3 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
An age-gap trope between a rich, respected professor, and his eighteen-year-old student assistant. I don't think this was well-written. Read my review to find out why.

1. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EMPORER.

Rating: 2 Stars
Review: Haven't written the review yet, but I'm definitely in the minority about this book. It has what I consider far too much purple prose, especially on Corbin's part, and far too much internal monologue on both characters parts. I was bored and annoyed, it took too long to read. And last but not least the epilogue is written in omniscient, flipping back and forth almost every paragraph from each character's pov, or else there's a lot of head-hopping that wasn't corrected. I didn't care for the writing style at all.

Hi Erica, I'm ready for the next set of prompts. Thanks!

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.

4. Read a book with all of the letters GOAL in the title and/or subtitle (you can use both).


Rating: 3 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A low-key second chance romance. I liked the characters and the plot despite there hardly being any in-depth writing about sports. There's a lot of monologue and telling making the story distant. I didn't feel immersed like I wanted, therefore the three stars.

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


Rating: 3 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was okay. Another second chance romance. The writing is telling and has lots of monologue. There isn't much conflict either. It's fine to read after something stressful, however. I won't re-read it though.

I'm ready for the next set of tasks, Erica. Thanks!

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.

5. Read a book with a double vowel in the title. 'EE'

Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Currently writing
Oh gosh, this had all the feels! This author is getting better and better at ripping my heart out. The only thing I didn't like about this one is the jumping back and forth in time, it's not something I enjoy. But it was necessary to show what happened to the mc's to get them to where they were and the selfish mess their parents made that tore the mcs apart.

3. Read a book without a 3 in the page count. (194 pages)

Rating: 3 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was okay. I've read two other books in this series and suggest reading the books in order because of returning characters and setups for future books. My peeve: Far too much monologue, and I couldn't see what Parker saw in Lonnie. I didn't believe in them as a couple.

I'm ready for the next set of tasks, Erica. Thanks!

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.

5. Read a book where the MC takes a chance on something.


Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I enjoyed this book the most out of the ones I've read in the series. Still too much monologue, but the characters are more interesting as is the plot. Allister the billionaire, hides away in his penthouse. He takes a chance on Steve to find love and experience the world outside his isolation. Allister takes a risk to find love and life.

4. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word EXTRAORDINARY -- Letters 'A' and 'R'. Author republished book to name by: Ali Ryecart. But A, E, R are all included.


Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I enjoyed this. I thought it would be more fluffy, but it was more emotional than I thought. I'd say this ends on a strong HFN. I'll likely read the rest of the series.

I'm ready for the next set of tasks, Erica. Thanks!

Last one!



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.

5. Read a book whose author's initials can be found in the word REVOLUTIONARY. - Raquel Riley - Letters R and R


Rating: 2 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Main characters are not appealing. Hayes is weak and Lucky is manipulative. Inconsistent voices. First time I've read a book by this author. I'm not sure I'll read another book by them unless they improve their writing.

Currently Reading

2. Read a book where a character works with wood. - Barclay, the Alpha Bear, creates wood furniture and other objects.



Rating: 4 Stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
First book in a new series. Fluffy and all the characters were great. Highly recommend to omegaverse readers.

I'm finished, Erica. What do I do next?

Nothing - you're done!

CONGRATULATIONS!! You finished the Year of the Dragon!