Welcome to our third My Lady Jane readalong discussion! And I hope that all of you have been enjoying this next portion of the book as much as I have. I’m still upset with myself for waiting so long to read this, but am at the same time quite happy to be reading and discussing it with all of you! If this is the first time you’re hearing about this readalong, you can read the announcement and sign-up post here! I was accepting new participants up to this point, and welcome to all of you who may have joined us since the first discussion! I guess I could accept participants for the next discussions as well? I mean, if you read quick, or are sure that you can catch up, you are welcome to join in and even add to the previous discussions! Just be sure to sign up so that I can keep track of everyone!
– The Readalong Book –
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows!
Title: My Lady Jane
Author: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Historical, Fantasy, Romance
Imprint: HarperTeen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date published: June 7, 2016 (hardcover)
May 9, 2017 (paperback)
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 494
Synopsis: Edward (long live the king) is the King of England. He’s also dying, which is inconvenient, as he’s only sixteen and he’d much rather be planning for his first kiss than considering who will inherit his crown…
Jane (reads too many books) is Edward’s cousin, and far more interested in books than romance. Unfortunately for Jane, Edward has arranged to marry her off to secure the line of succession. And there’s something a little odd about her intended…
Gifford (call him G) is a horse. That is, he’s an Eðian (eth-y-un, for the uninitiated). Every day at dawn he becomes a noble chestnut steed—but then he wakes at dusk with a mouthful of hay. It’s all very undignified.
The plot thickens as Edward, Jane, and G are drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. With the fate of the kingdom at stake, our heroes will have to engage in some conspiring of their own. But can they pull off their plan before it’s off with their heads?
– Chapters 16-23 Discussion Questions –
Note: those of you who have not yet read My Lady Jane and still intend to read it, don’t read this post beyond this point (including the comments)! But if you like spoilers go right ahead.
To participants: It’s not mandatory that you answer these questions! This is not school, haha. These are mainly meant to generate conversations in case some of our read-a-long-ers are having a hard time picking something to talk about. Feel free to mention and discuss anything which I may not have thought of in the questions below! Please, also keep in mind that we are discussing chapters 16-23 at this point only, and that if you have read ahead, you be conscious about not sharing spoilers. We want to keep this fun for everyone! Please be considerate.
- What are your favourite parts in this section of the book?!
- Did you expect Edward and Gracie to make it to Edward’s grandmother’s at all?
- How bad did you feel for Jane and Gifford when they were locked up and thinking they were going to die in the morning, and never see each other again?
- Did you expect Jane to be and Edian and change into a ferret?
- Do you think that Jane and Gifford’s “curses” are good for their relationship? Or are the “curses” damaging their relationship?
- Now that Pet is back, who do you think will end up with Edward? Pet or Gracie? And who do you want Edward to end up with (if anyone…he is quite sexist after all, haha)?
- Do you think that the mystical white bear is real and that our group of heroines and heroes is in actual danger from it?
– My Answers –
- So many! I stopped writing them down though so that I could get to the end of the section before today, haha. But from what I remember, I liked when Edward pretended to stop because Gracie needed a rest, rather than him needing a rest. Silly, proud boy.
- I’m not sure! I think I felt that there would be a lot more obstacles in the way. But realistically, I think that Edward would have died if they didn’t make it to his grandmother’s when they did!
- I felt pretty bad! I was mad at Jane for taking too long to get away from Mary before the sun went down and revealed Gifford as an Edian….but at the same time, I know that this was all necessary for Jane to discover her Edian form, and for her and G to bond even more. Being burned alive terrifies me, so I kind of felt worse for G than Jane. But I think that watching a loved one burn to death can’t be too fun either.
- Actually, I did. And it’s not because I’ve suddenly developed the skill to figure out what these authors are doing with the plot of the book, but rather because I think…last year, I was researching this book, and came across this piece of fanart by Irena Freitas on Tumblr. Sigh. I really wish I could have been surprised by this plot twist, but oh well.
- I think that the curses are definitely causing more of a yearning between Jane and G, and they’ll likely explode and fall into bed the moment their curses are broken (haha). But at the same time, it’s bad that they can’t communicate because of the assumptions G has about Jane and Edward! Also, I want to add that I think it’s awesome that G is insecure, because you don’t really see much of that in male characters, without them somehow becoming less masculine. I’m not sure how to explain, but do you guys get what I mean?
- I want Edward with Gracie, and I think he’ll end up with Gracie! I just don’t know how they’ll get over the obstacle of him being King and her being a common girl…UNLESS she’s the daughter of Mary Queen of Scotts somehow? But doubt it.
- I’m not sure what to expect from this book anymore really, haha. So I’ll just buckle myself in and enjoy the rest of this fun ride! (I’ll also be quite sad when this is over and will experience a mega book hangover! No lie.)
– Readalong Schedule –
| Date | Chapter Discussions | Discussion Location |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2017 | Start reading! | N/A |
| August 9, 2017 | 1 – 8 | Located Here |
| August 16, 2017 | 9 – 15 | Located Here |
| August 23, 2017 | 16 – 23 | This post! |
| August 30, 2017 | 24 – 30 | Flavia the Bibliophile |
THANK YOU FOR READING AND THANK YOU TO THOSE OF YOU PARTICIPATING IN THIS READ-A-LONG! PLEASE GIVE ME ANY FEEDBACK REGARDING READ-A-LONGS YOU’VE HOSTED OR PARTICIPATED IN THE PAST (AND YOUR PREFERENCES), IN THE COMMENTS BELOW! I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS, AND HAPPY READING!
What are your favourite parts in this section of the book?!
To be perfectly honest, I finished reading this book a week ago, and I’ve read 2 books since, so I can’t pin point where things are in the narrative, but I love the humor and the pop culture references.
Did you expect Edward and Gracie to make it to Edward’s grandmother’s at all?
I agree with your thoughts on this, it feels like there should have been a little more of a fight, but Edward did go through a lot to get out of the castle and to the point where he meets Gracie to begin with. I did have confidence that he would get there because it felt like an important plot point.
How bad did you feel for Jane and Gifford when they were locked up and thinking they were going to die in the morning, and never see each other again?
I felt like they were just starting to reach a point of understanding with each other like they were learning to be friends.
Did you expect Jane to be and Edian and change into a ferret?
I felt like she was going to change into something, I wasn’t expecting a ferret, I was excepting some kind of bird, but it makes sense. I think of it like the Mauraders from Harry Potter, each of the animals that they turned into ended up having a very specific purpose and I think that Jane’s ferret fits the same idea as Peter Pettigrew (without being secretly evil).
Do you think that Jane and Gifford’s “curses” are good for their relationship? Or are the “curses” damaging their relationship?
I think his curse functions as a way to avoid things. There are parts of his “curse” that was bringing them together, but it did feel a bit like Gifford can avoid things and conversations.
Now that Pet is back, who do you think will end up with Edward? Pet or Gracie? And who do you want Edward to end up with (if anyone…he is quite sexist after all, haha)?
I think Pet functions more as a pet. Edward is 16(?) and the appearance of a naked girl, I can imagine causes confusing feelings, but I personally like Edward and Gracie better. I think she is the kind of person that can make him see that some of what he thinks is wrong. That they work better together.
Do you think that the mystical white bear is real and that our group of heroines and heroes is in actual danger from it?
I have feelings about this part, and I’m sure where in the White Bear story this part of the book falls and I don’t want to accidentally spoil it, but know that I have feelings about these scenes.
That’s too funny that you finished it early! But yeah that’s the problem with reading ahead, haha, especially if you read another 2 books after. I’m so scared that I’d forget what happened when!
I like your reference to the Marauders! And it makes total sense too!
I definitely agree that Gifford’s “curse” was a way for him to get out of things. I mean, it did start when he had a bad conversation with his dad, and wanted to get away, right?
Yeah, I found Pet to be an odd addition to the story, but also an interesting one! You don’t really see a character like her. Her parts were pretty funny, and I was usually smiling or laughing when I read about her. I’m also happy that she didn’t get hurt!
Now I’m wondering what feeling you had about the white bear!
My favorite parts were when Jane turns in to a ferret, when Jane is scratching at G for looking at naked human Pet, when Edward is admiring Gracie’s ankles, and when Gran threatens to spray Edward!
I did expect them to make it because no one really knows where Edward is or who Gracie is.I think Edward had enough obstacles that he needed an easy time.
I felt really bad for Jane and G when I thought we would lose them too soon! I just want them to have one moment where everything is right in their relationship before they go!
I kind of expected Jane to be Edian since Edward was and it seemed like the change happens during times of duress for those who don’t already know they can.
I think it is funny that they change in opposite times of the day. It’s ironic and it fits since they are both so scared to allow themselves to love each other. Subconsciously I think this is their way of avoiding getting closer.
I still think Edward will end up with Gracie. Pet kind of freaks him out, and the only reason he gawks is because he is a 16 year old boy with raging hormones. and the most of a women’s body he has ever seen is ankles!! LMAO!!
I do think the bear is real. I don’t know if it will be dangerous or not. I wonder if it is a woman too.
This section has A LOT of Princess Bride references, and even a couple monty python references, lol!! Very fun!
YES! I can’t believe I forgot to mention the part when Jane is scratching G because he’s looking at naked Pet. I laughed so hard!
Thinking back now, I think that I love that Jane and G kept switching into their animal forms at opposite times, because of how it ends! (Yes, I know I should have responded to these comments before we finished the book, but I work too much, and I suck…so yeah. I’m sorry. Haha.)
I didn’t catch any Princess Bride or Monty Python references 🙁 but it’s been a while since I’ve seen the Princess Bride movie, have never read the book, and only saw a tiny bit of one Monty Python movie. Maybe I need to fix that…soon…haha.
Girl, we know you are busy! We all enjoyed the read along with you, so that’s all that matter!
I really loved the whole book and Jane and G were so fun and funny!!
There was one place where someone throws out the “your mother was a hamster” quote, and when they are talking about the polar bear and someone says, “I don’t think think it exists”, that’s a nod to the Princess Bride ROUS.
I am starting to get frustrated that G thinks Edward and Jane have something going on. How hasn’t he figured out how much Jane cares for him yet???
I was surprised Jane turned into a Ferret, of all things. Random. I’m pretty knowlegable about animals, and it took me forever to figure out what she was. Haha. But I think that her and G’s “curses” are helping them in some ways, mostly that they are liking the IDEA of each other. But it also hurts them, because they can’t resolve this conflict. Or kiss.
Hahaha yes that was definitely frustrating! But just remembering how lacking in confidence I was as a teen though, I kind of understand why or how he felt that way.
And hehe, yeah a ferret is pretty random, but very cute and funny in retrospect! I really like the idea of the curse now, looking back, as well! A very good plot device in my opinion 😀
I thought it was a good plot device too, and it was especially touching when they overcame it. <3
Yes! ❤️
Lol. Oh man, and that midlogue!! I knew all hell would break loose after that! Haha!
So I *ahem* finished the entire rest of the book in one sitting last week. And I no longer have my copy because it was due at the library today. So I’ll just…say nothing. I’ll say nothing. I dont want to accidentally spoil the next section.
*whistles innocently and walks away*
Aweee haha you’re not the only one who finished early! And that’s why I’m so scared to read ahead, hahaha, no matter how much I really WANT to. I hope to be able to hear about your thoughts in the last discussion though, since there’s no fear of spoilers there! 😉
JANE IS A FERRET!!!! *insert flailing*
What in the heck is going on with the sun? Why is it controlling G and Jane? This is getting annoying, those poor kids.
I… I don’t understand the question. Are people shipping Edward with his… dog?! Pet definitely prefers her dog form and just… This is weird. Moving on.
This book, so far, is way too fun and light-hearted for there to be any real danger. This feels more like an adventure than a thriller, ya know?
Yessss I thought her as a ferret was super cute!
And hehe, I never thought it was the sun, but rather their mixed emotions about their situaton and their marriage. It was frustrating to read about, but I like what it lead into!
Haha I did ship him with her at first, when I thought that she was just disguising herself as a dog. But once it turned out that she prefers her animal form, and that Edward feels awkward about her, that kind of disappeared. Plus…GRACIE <3
And I agree that it's more of an adventure than a thriller! Had so much fun reading this book!
Yaaaay! I’m pretty sure most of us are fans of it now too hehe 😉 I can’t wait for the next book that these authors will be co-authoring (coming out next year)!
It’s hard not to be! It’s such a fun book. I can’t wait for that one! I’m hoping they come do another event here in SLC for the next one! Fingers crossed!!!
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