Return of the King: Book 6 Discussion Post

It's over :'(

This is our last discussion post!

This has been a fun 3 months!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Jenni's Discussion Questions:

1.    Has your favorite character changed in The Return of the King? If yes, why?

A little, I really liked Eowyn's role a lot. I also loved Aragorn and Theoden. Gimli wasn't as prominent in this one. If I had to choose one, I'd go with Theoden.

2.    Which is your favorite book of the series? Why?

Probably The Two Towers, It had more action and a lot going on. I really liked the content and what happened during that book, but my favorite part is in The Return of the King.

3.    Do you like how the series ended? Why?

Yes, It was a good ending. Everything wrapped up nice. I love that Sam inherits Bag-End. I like how the Fellowship had one last meeting and parting. I like how Bilbo and Frodo get to sail away with the elves. It was good. I'm content.

4.    If you could change one thing about the ending what would it be and why?

I wish Sam had the opportunity to go with Frodo. Obviously he had a family to take care of and everything, but they could have at least extended the invitation. 

5.    Were there any changes in The Return of the King movie that you liked or disliked?

Ugh! Faramir!!! WHY!? 

I wanted them to show Aragorn healing people in the movie.

I liked Theoden's death better in the movie. I liked that his last words were to Eowyn instead of Pippin.

6.    What was your favorite moment in Book 6?

The ending, when Frodo passes along the book to Sam. It is one of those tingly moments when you know something special is ending, but life is going to continue. 

7.    Which death affected you the most?

This might be getting repetitive, and I'm sure you can all guess, but I LOVE Theoden's last words! They are so awesome! His death is so amazing.

8.    Why do you think Frodo didn't want to kill Saruman and Wormtongue, even after all the destruction and heartache they caused in the Shire?

I DON'T KNOW! Frodo didn't want to kill anyone! Saruman needed to die! Thank goodness Wormtongue stabbed him in the back, and thank goodness the other hobbits shot Wormtonge. Geez!

9.    If you were in Frodo's place, would you have done the same thing? (See previous question.)

No! I would have encouraged Saruman's death. 

10.    If J.R.R. Tolkien were still alive and wrote a sequel to The Lord of the Rings, which character would you want to see the most and why?

That is a hard one. I'd like to read about Gimli and Legolas traveling together. I liked to read about Aragorn as king. I'd want to know about Sam and the Shire. I'd want to know how Eowyn and Faramir are doing. I would want an epic story with everyone again.

You won't want to miss:

Twitter Chat

Monday, August 4 @ 7:00 PM Mountain Time

We'll be discussing the books and stuff.

#LotRreadalong

Movie Night

Saturday, August 9 @ 6:00 PM

We'll be watching The Return of the King!

If interested, ask for more details!

The Return of the King

From Goodreads:    The Return of the King is the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure, The Lord of the Rings.

The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by the Orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents. Gandalf returned, miraculously, and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman.
Meanwhile, Sam and Frodo progressed toward Mordor to destroy the Ring, accompanied by Smeagol -- Gollum, still obsessed by his "preciouss." After a battle with the giant spider, Shelob, Sam left his master for dead; but Frodo is still alive -- in the hands of the Orcs. And all the time the armies of the Dark Lord are massing.

My Thoughts:

-    I'm always a little sad when the epic journey ends. I want it to never end. 

-    I LOVE this book, and I LOVE this series! It never gets old. There is always something new.

-    I loved Alan Lee's illustrations throughout the book, but I liked his pictures in the previous books better. A lot the illustrations were scenery in this one. 

-    The battles were awesome! Theoden and Eowyn are awesome!

-    I wish the movie hadn't cut a few things. I really wish we could have scene Aragorn healing the wounded. I understand why they couldn't show the scouring of the Shire, but it would have been fun to see.

-    I think the scouring of the Shire really shows how the hobbits have grown. They are fearless and leaders. They don't hide away from the world anymore. 

-    Sam is amazing! I think he is more of a hero than Frodo. Sam does so much to make sure the ring is destroyed. 

-    I wish the book moved along a bit faster after the ring is destroyed. There is a lot of stuff that happens after the climax, and some of it is slow. 

-    The ending is good! I love that it turns into Sam's story. I love the Sam inherits Bag-End. He should just change his name to Gamgee-Baggins.

-    I don't feel like I'm doing this book justice. I just can't gush enough! I could talk and talk about all the things I loved, but I think I'll stop here. 

-    Read this! It's awesome!

Previous Lord of the Rings Book

(click on cover to see my thoughts)

 

Old Man's Cave

Goodreads Synopsis:    A showdown with the rat creatures and a secret ceremony by moonlight; revelations and battles: The Bone cousins are in the thick of it again!

The thrilling BONE saga continues in book six. As war spreads through the valley, the Bone cousins join Gran'ma Ben and Lucius at Old Man's Cave to make a stand against the rat creatures.

But not everything goes as planned. By the end of the book, Phoney Bone is strapped to a stone altar and about to be sacrificed; Thorn is lying lifeless nearby; and the rumblings of an earthquake suggest that the Lord of the Locusts is about to be released. Fone and Smiley Bone must do something drastic to save their friends.

My Thoughts:

-    Things are way more complicated than I though. I hope I'm understanding everything correctly. 

-    Why do we need to see the cat's anatomy?

-    The story is really taking off! Wow! There are some major reveals in this one.

-    I'm happy to finally see Thorn stepping it up and doing something. 

-    This is one of my favorites in the series so far! 

Previous Bone Books

(click covers to see my thoughts)

  
 

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Own The Most Books From

Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Ten Authors I Own the Most Books From

This could also be called: Ten Authors with the Largest Series


Lemony Snicket - 13
He has a long series of unfortunate events.


Lloyd Alexander - 10
One of my favorites!


Laura Ingalls Wilder - 9
I own her box set.


L. M. Montgomery - 8
I also own her box set.


Raymond E. Feist - 7
I used to own more, but they were part of the Rape Feist.


Jeff Kinney - 7
Yes, I'm missing the last Wimpy Kid book.


Jessica Day George - 7
One of my favorite Utah Authors! If she writes it, I buy it!


C.S. Lewis - 7
Some day I hope to read and own more than just the Narnia series.


J.K. Rowley - 7
Harry Potter, nuff said.


Orson Scott Card - 6
Ender's Game and the Ender's Shadow series + one I don't know if I'll read, 
but it's on the shelf.

Rock Jaw, Master of the Eastern Border

Goodreads Says:    Trying to return a rat creature cub to the mountains, Fone & Smiley Bone encounter yet another adversary: the sly and mighty mountain lion, Rock Jaw.

In this fifth volume of the BONE saga, Fone and Smiley Bone strike out into the wilderness to return a lost rat creature cub to the mountains. It doesn't take long before they run smack into Rock Jaw, "Master of the Eastern Border," an enormous mountain lion with a none-too-friendly disposition. Life gets even more complicated when they befriend a group of baby animals who are being orphaned by rat creature attacks. Everything comes to a head in an earth-shattering clash between Rock Jaw and Kingdok, the leader of the rat creatures.

My Thoughts:

-    This volume wasn't as good, but it was still fun.

-    Awww! Bartley!

-    The beginning is hilarious and awesome!

-    The whole book focuses on Fone and Smiley. I want to know more about Phoney, Thorn, Gran'ma Ben, and the others.

-    The ending is sad.

-    I hope Rock Jaw has a larger role to play. It would be weird for a new character to get his own volume, but all he does is chase the main characters around. 

Previous Bone Books

(click covers to see my thoughts)

  

Oz the Great and Powerful

My Thoughts:

-    This movie was awful!

-    There were a lot of cheesy parts, and Oz was super cheesy. I don't know if that was just his character or how James Franco portrayed the character. It bugged me. 

-    The CG looked cartoony. It wasn't good!

-    The movie was very predictable.

-    What was up with the evil with stealing the Emperor's finger lightning thing?

-    The best part of this movie was the music! 

-    Don't watch this movie! Go watch the Judy Garland movie instead. 

Some Lord of the Rings Vids

I found these videos on YouTube, and I wanted to share for the read along.

Enjoy!

He he! Funny!

The Dragonslayer

From Goodreads:    The forces of evil are growing stronger - but could our heroes' worst enemy be Phoney Bone himself?

Fone Bone confronts a host of dangers in Book 4 of the BONE saga, The Dragonslayer. He and Gran'ma Ben and Thorn have a terrifying encounter with Kingdok, ruler of the rat creatures. The Hooded One is inciting his army to full-scale war. Someone is continuing to haunt Thorn in her dreams. And then wise Gran'ma Ben disappears.

To make matters worse, Phoney Bone has hoodwinked the townspeople into believing that he is a mighty dragonslayer. When he actually does catch the Red Dragon -- much to his surprise -- he must face up to his promise: to slay the dragon at sunrise.

My Thoughts:

-    Gran'ma Ben is one tough old lady!

-    This volume is darker and not as light hearted as the previous Bone books. It is great!

-    Why is Thorn all doom and gloom? Crap is happening and she has a role to play! 

-    I can't decided if I like the dragon design. The hands kinda freak me out.

-    The art in this is great! I love the picture of Thorn that takes up the whole page during sunrise! So beautiful! 

-    Is that rat creature ever going to get his quiche?

-    The rat cub is SO cute!!! 

-    More! More! More!

Previous Bone Books

(click covers to see my thoughts)

  

Eyes of the Storm

Goodreads Synopsis:    In "Eyes of the Storm," book three in the epic BONE series, Gran'ma Ben reveals long-kept secrets about Thorn's royal heritage and the ancient enmities that may lead to war.

In "Eyes of the Storm," volume three of the nine-book BONE saga, Lucius, Smiley, and Phoney survive an attack by the rat creatures and return safely to Lucius' tavern in Barrelhaven. Phoney, desperate to win a bet with Lucius, stokes the townspeople's fear of dragons and boasts that he is a professional dragonslayer.

Back at the farm, Fone Bone and Thorn are troubled by strange dreams, and Gran'ma Ben's reaction to them is stranger still: She reveals long-kept secrets and warns of great danger. Thorn, Fone Bone, and Gran'ma Ben may have to leave the farm forever.

My Thoughts:

-    I thought Smiley was a fun side character, but I didn't pay him much attention before. In this volume he cracked me up! Smiley is so hilarious!

-    It rains for a lot of the story, and the lightning panels are so awesome! Well done!

-    Will Phoney never learn? He just goes from one debacle to the next. 

-    The plot is thickening! I really liked how we learned more about Thorn and Gran'ma.

-    The art style is really growing on me. I really like how the artist combined simple characters with a more complex world. The Bones should be out of place, but they aren't. 

Previous Bone Books

(click covers to see my thoughts)

 

The Battle of the Labyrinth

Goodreads Says:    Percy Jackson isn't expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse.
In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth - a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.

My Thoughts:

-    This isn't my favorite in the series, but I still liked it.

-    The drama between Percy and Annabeth is frustrating. Can they just get together already!?

-    The maze was a cool concept. It was scary and ominous, but since the characters were exploring a maze, there were some slow parts.

-    I liked all the cool monsters and awesome battle at the end.

-    Hooray for Tyson being back!

-    I liked that Rachel played a larger role. I had a feeling she would be back.

-    I really love that Percy is growing as a character, but I also love that all the other characters are growing as well, and some of them have more of a character arc than Percy even.

-    Daedalus was a cool and complicated character. I really liked him. 

-    I'm excited the final book! I want to know how the prophecy will be fulfilled and how our heroes will stop Kronos. The tension is rising!

Previous Books in the Series
(covers are linked)

  

Hero

From Goodreads:    Rough and tumble Saturday Woodcutter thinks she's the only one of her sisters without any magic—until the day she accidentally conjures an ocean in the backyard. With her sword in tow, Saturday sets sail on a pirate ship, only to find herself kidnapped and whisked off to the top of the world. Is Saturday powerful enough to kill the mountain witch who holds her captive and save the world from sure destruction? And, as she wonders grumpily, "Did romance have to be part of the adventure?" As in Enchanted, readers will revel in the fragments of fairy tales that embellish this action-packed story of adventure and, yes, romance.





My Thoughts:

-    I was a little disappointed with this one. I loved Enchanted, but this one was lacking some of the magic and charm.

-    Saturday is my younger sister. Tall, athletic build, blond, and very tom boyish is the epitome of my sister!

-    The Peregrine parts confused me a bit. I couldn't really follow his perspective very well. 

-    I wish there had been more adventure. Being stuck in a cave forever was slow.

-    The ending was fun! I'm still excited for the next book. 

-    I loved the parts with Thursday. She is so awesome!

-    I wish there had been more about Trix. What was he doing the whole time? The book started with him running away, and I wanted more with him.

-    I usually love retellings, but I didn't see very many fairy tales in this one. I noticed some Jack and the Beanstalk. Snow White was mentioned. Snow White and Rose Red had a small role. 

-    Seven's family is very intriguing. I'd like a book about her and all her sisters. 

Previous Book

(cover is linked)

The Titan's Curse

Goodreads Synopsis:    IT'S NOT EVERYDAY YOU FIND YOURSELF IN COMBAT WITH A HALF-LION, HALF-HUMAN.

But when you're the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.

Oh, and guess what? The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive...

My Thoughts:

-    This is another great book in the series! They are so much fun to read. The characters and the story are great!

-    I liked meeting Artemis and her hunters. They added a whole new element to the story. I especially liked Zoe. She was a little pissy at times, but I her character had a lot of depth. I liked her back story a lot. 

-    I miss Tyson. I hope he has a bigger role in the next books.

-    I keep saying this, but I really like the modernized Greek mythology. It is too fun! This book had a bit of Jason and the Argonauts plus Hercules.

-    I want more scenes with the pegasi. They were funny.

-    Thalia is an interesting character. I wasn't sure what to expect from her. She reminds a little of Annabeth. I think she'll have a larger role to play in the future.

-    The writing style is so easy to read. It just flows. These books are just fun to read.  

Previous Books in the Series
(covers are linked)

 

The Great Cow Race

Goodreads Bit:    The cornerstone of GRAPHIX, our new graphic novel imprint, BONE is the incredible comic book saga of an unlikely hero who must save an idyllic valley from the forces of evil.

In THE GREAT COW RACE, volume 2 of this 9-book epic, Fone Bone and his cousins plan to return home after visiting the village of Barrelhaven with Thorn and Gran'ma Ben. But Phoney risks everything on one last get-rich-quick scheme for the town's annual Great Cow Race. As usual, Phoney's plans go disastrously awry, and Boneville seems further away than ever. Meanwhile, ominous signs indicate that a war is brewing, and Fone finds himself helping his friends defend their valley from a formidable enemy.

My Thoughts:

-    I don't understand when characters fall in love with someone from a different species. Why is Fone Bone so infatuated with Thorn?

-    This book was pretty funny. 

-    I want to know more about the rat race and its leader. I just know this story is going to get more complex and awesome!

-    Why will the dragon only let Fone Bone see it?

-    I have a lot of questions that need answers!

-    The story is light and fun, but there is a serious undertone. 

-    I want to see Boneville. I hope our characters go back some time. I want to know what this place looks like and how it functions.

Previous Bone Book

(click cover to see my thoughts)

Towering

Goodreads Synopsis:    At first, I merely saw his face, his hands on the window ledge. Then, his whole body as he swung himself through the window. Only I could not see what he swung on.
Until, one day, I told my dream self to look down. And it was then that I saw. He had climbed on a rope. I knew without asking that the rope had been one of my own tying.

Rachel is trapped in a tower, held hostage by a woman she’s always called Mama. Her golden hair is growing rapidly, and to pass the time, she watches the snow fall and sings songs from her childhood, hoping someone, anyone, will hear her. 

Wyatt needs time to reflect or, better yet, forget about what happened to his best friend, Tyler. That’s why he’s been shipped off to the Adirondacks in the dead of winter to live with the oldest lady in town. Either that, or no one he knows ever wants to see him again.

Dani disappeared seventeen years ago without a trace, but she left behind a journal that’s never been read, not even by her overbearing mother…until now. 

A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Alex Flinn knows her fairy tales, and Towering is her most mind-bending interpretation yet. Dark and mysterious, this reimagining of Rapunzel will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering where Alex will take them next!

My Thoughts:

-    I usually love Alex Flinn's stuff, but I was disappointed with this one. 

-    This is a modern retelling of Rapunzel, but I don't get why Rachel had to be stuck in the tower. Why didn't her "mama" and her just move someplace and stay away?

-    I didn't like the insta-love. I don't know why these two characters are attracted to each other.

-    I didn't really like the two main characters. They were really dramatic, too dramatic for the modern setting.

-    I liked how Rachel found everything so interesting and new. It was like looking through the eyes of a child, and I liked her innocence. 

-    The story was pretty predictable, and it didn't hold my interest very well. 

The Sea of Monsters

Dust Jacket Says:    Percy Jackson's seventh grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has est foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, tings get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy's friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.

In this fresh, funny, and hugely anticipated follow-up to The Lightning Thief, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their beloved camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family - one that makes him wonder whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor, or simply a cruel joke. 

My Thoughts:

-    This was fun, funny, and adventurous!

-    I really like how Percy and Annabeth encounter a lot of the same things Odysseus from The Odyssey did. 

-    I like how modernized the old Greek mythology is, and I like how the author explains certain modern things as part of the mythology. 

-    Tyson was a great addition to the story. I really enjoyed his character. He made me laugh, and I kinda have a soft spot for under dogs.

-    We can start to see Percy growing as a hero, and I'm looking forward to more character development for him.

-    I know a fair amount of Greek mythology, and it makes the books more fun. I'm also glad the characters explains some of the stories that relate to their quest. I'm learning new things!

-    I think I liked this one a little more than the first book, and I'm excited for the next ones! 

Previous Book in the Series
(cover is linked)