Fangtastic Fridays is a read-along of Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater, and hosted by Ashley @ The Bookish Brunette, Felicia the Geeky Blogger, Missie @ The Unread Reader, and me. Visit The Bookish Brunette for specific details about the read along.
Discussion Questions for Chapters 1 – 6
1. After reading through Amaliya’s ‘awakening’… So realistic and freaking horrifying right? *shudders* What are your reactions to such a vivid scene?
I think what catches my interest most about the first chapter is how Amaliya seems to be driven primarily by instinct and does not seem to understand what happened to her or who she is, yet I, as the reader, know. And because I connected with Amaliya before she realizes she is a vampire and before she kills, I was able to justify the murders. We are on Amaliya’s side, even as horrifying and gruesome as the scene is.
2. I know it’s EARLY on, and we’ve only gotten a glimpse of him, but… In YOUR opinion, the man who made Amaliya into a vampire… friend or foe?
He is definitely a frenemy! He says,
“You see, fate had other plans for you. I have never made a child with your background. I honestly have no idea how you will fare, though I’m absolutely excited to see what you will do,”
which makes me believe that turning Amaliya into a vampire is an experiment. So while he may not be a foe, he is certainly no friend, either. I suspect the relationship between the two is more researcher/subject, and though he may not go out of his way to help Amaliya, he is not going to let his experiment go to waste.
3. Amaliya’s family are some PIECES of work aren’t they??? While I HOPE no one has a family as freaking crazy nuts as hers… We all have a few nutjobs in our family tree right? Tell me about a crazy member of YOUR family… Or a time when you thought, “Please, NO… I am SO not with them!”
I don’t know that I have a crazy member of my family, but there have been plenty of instances where I have not wanted to be associated with my family, most of which involve bodily functions in public places.
4. Pete… Awww, Pete… He confesses his unending love for her, then everything goes to hell in a hand-basket! Who is/was YOUR Pete? Did you have a guy who was hopelessly in love with you for years that you never even knew about?
I have never had a Pete, at least that I am aware of, though I have had a student or two with a crush on me, and that was just awkward.
5. Have you started connecting with Amaliya? What specific instance stands out the most for you? (hopefully you are LOVING her hardcore by Chapter 6!)
I think that what helps me connect with Amaliya the most are the moments where she is still very human-like. Moments like learning that her professor killed her and turned her into a vampire without consent and being shunned by her family yet still wanting to be accepted make me sympathize with Amaliya. Even when Amaliya killed the crazy lady, it was one of those times where you secretly wish you had the same option.
Looking for next week’s discussion questions? I’ve got those for you!
Discussion Questions for Chapters 7 – 12
1. The end of chapter 6 gives us a sense that something bad is going to happen between Rob, the truck driver, and Amaliya. What are your thoughts on what actually happened between Rob and Amaliya in Chapter 7? Do you think it could have been avoided? Why or why not?
2. Chapter 8 introduces us to some new characters, Cian and Roberto. Ashley asked us earlier whether we thought the man who created Amaliya was friend or foe. After listening to Cian and Roberto talk, has your opinion about the professor changed? How? Do you think Cian and Roberto would be Amaliya’s allies or enemies?
3. There seems to be a growing divide between Amaliya’s humanity and her actions as a vampire. Do you think this would be “normal” for a new vampire, or do you think it is not a “clean transformation” as Cian stated in Chapter 8?
4. Amaliya seems to be running primarily on vampire instinct. After reading chapter 10, specifically the beginning, do you think vampires can overcome their instincts and be good — or at least, not deadly?
5. In Chapter 11, we finally learn more about the Summoner and Cian. How do you think this information will impact the rest of the story? What do you think will happen?
6. The Summoner thinks that Amaliya has had good luck thus far. Amaliya thinks she has had lousy luck. With whom do you agree?
16 Responses to “Fangtastic Fridays Read Along: Chs 1 – 6”
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Not sure what is going on with the MAKER dude. He even pays the other trucker guy to take her, but unfortunately she heads out with the asshole.
I really felt for her in those human moments too. Realizing school just got screwed up again. OMG!!! She showed great vampire restraint when dealing with her evil family. Heart breaking.
I think the reason she showed restraint with her family — even though they were horrible to her — is that all she ever wanted them to do is love and accept her. And there is probably some part of her that wants that, even as they completely shunned her.
I am with you on accepting her actions even her killing ones. I don’t think she had enough information to make better choices and her changing was not ideal.
Oh the professor— I think that is a very accurate way to describe him. I think he very much is using her for experiment!
Exactly! You really have to put yourself in her position and ask yourself what YOU would do in such a situation. I don’t think she could have made a better decision, and she never seemed to kill needlessly given what she knew about herself and vampires.
Uh oh! Did I make my crush on you obvious? Oppsy! ;)
“and though he may not go out of his way to help Amaliya, he is not going to let his experiment go to waste.”
Good point. This being the first book I’ve read by the author, I really was expecting him to turn valiant at some point. Took me a while to realize, that wasn’t going to happen. LOL
Yeah. I think there was a part of me that wanted him to be caring but… clearly that just isn’t possible.
Frenemy! Yes! I couldn’t really think how to word it, he seems like he could be either/or though most likely both.
Ha. I couldn’t think of a better word than frenemy. At this point, it wasn’t exactly clear, but he has some interest in her, though it doesn’t seem to go beyond wanting to ensure his experiment lasts.
I totally agree with you on your answer for number 2. It’s like the only reason he created her was so he could see how she would turn out. A way for him to pass the time. Great answers! I really love this read-along idea! I want to participate so it forces me to read the book instead of letting it get pushed back on the TBR pile.
Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Books
I am loving the read-along as well! It is really forcing me to look at the book even more in-depth than I would normally. :)
Yeah, it’s hard not to feel bad for her even when she does kill someone, because she doesn’t even fully understand what she’s doing.. And the fact that she was FORCED into becoming the way she is, makes me sympathize even more with her. She’s rejected by her family, and then by Pete…. how much can a girl take?
Life really dumps on her, and I think this is what makes it easier to identify with her. We’ve all had a time when life was against us. It’s relateable.
“bodily functions in public places” – You could be describing my brothers and my dad!
Ha! My dad and my brother were exactly who I was thinking of.
Duuuuude, I love it… “justify the murders” !! Win!
My LuLu didn’t wear panties under her dress one day and promptly FLASHED everyone at Olive Garden. True story!
The mark of a well told story is one where it gets you to justify things you normally wouldn’t. :)
LOL.