The Cornerstone Readalong Week #3's Questions Answered!

I missed last week's Cornerstone Readalong because of my blogging woes (read about that HERE) but this week I'm back in action and ready to talk Cornerstone!


1.  Were you surprised about the revelations of the unique society that Nali now finds herself a part of? Which of the four signs do you identify the most with: Alo, Contego, Addo or Veritas?


I was surpised, I love this part of a book, when things start to reveal themselves and this whole new world opens up to us! I love the idea of this entire world living and functioning underneath our own, I think that is fascinating! Which of the four branches of the Ianua do I identify most with? Well, if I was part of the Ianua I guess I would be Alo. I like the idea of keeping the memories of people, so long as I could do it in a non-paper hoarding type of way. I definitely don't think I'm kick ass enough to be Contego, the Veritas seem a bit obscure at this point and the Addo's don't seem much like me either so I'll stick with Alo.

2.  The Reese boys have a unique way of answering their phone. Tell me the funniest or most interesting way you have answered your phone or someone else's phone.

Hmmm...I don't really have a fun answer for this one. Sorry!


3.  Do you think Nalena is going to be able to stick with her initial choice of living a Simple Life or do you feel Garrett or the Addo will persuade her to change her mind? 

I think Nali is very impressionable and more than a little confused. With her dysfucntional upbringing and her insecurity, I would think coming to a simple decision on this matter would be pretty hard for her. I forsaw changes in her decision for sure.

4.  The Addo does not fit the wise man mold with his sweats and cookie crumbs. What was you first impression of him? Would you go to him for advice?

He doesn't fit the stereotype AT ALL! But that made his charcater fun. My first impression was a bit mixed. On the one hand I felt like he was odd and a bit dopey, but on the other I felt there was much more to him then meets the eye. That's a theme that repeats again and again throughout Cornerstone!

5.  What do you think of Nalena's mom's reaction to the revelation that other Addo are dying? Do you think she is in denial?

I do think she's in some denial. It seems like much more then a coincidence. Nali's mom removed herself (and Nali) from the loop when she broke away from the Ianua, so perhaps she isn't able to fully grasp how things have changed in their absence.


6.  What do you think of Nalena's new guardian angel, Grace? Do you believe in guardian angels? Have you ever had an experience where you felt like someone was looking out for you?

I really loved this part of Cornerstone. The line "Grace, one, saves us all." was something tht stuck with me the moment I first read it so it was not a huge surprise to see the role she ends up playing later in the book. I do kind of believe in guardian angels. It's comforting to think that maybe our loved ones who have passed are somehow looking out for us:)

We are nearly at the end of the book and our readalong! 

Now it's my turn, so here are next week's questions! Have fun:)

Cornerstone Readalong Questions- Week #4 

1.  At the party Jen's true colors seem to re-emerge. Did you buy Jen's earlier apology and feel that she was genuinely sorry for the way she treated Nali or did you suspect all along that she was being false? Do you think Jen had an ulterior motive for inviting Nali (and Garrett) to her party? Was it a good idea for Nali to attend the party in the end?

2.  When Nali discovers her father holding her mother at gunpoint he tells her that he only wants to be a family again. He also tells Nali that her mind has been poisoned against him by her mother.  Did you believe there was any truth to his words or that his feelings towards Nali were sincere at all? Do you think there is any truth to Roger's claims of the Ianua being controlling?

3.  When Nali drops the Cornerstone in exchange for the release of her mother, it distracts Roger and Nali's mom attempts to escape. After a struggle Evangeline is shot and killed by Roger. Do you think Evangeline intentionally sacrificed herself? Were you surprised when Roger took his own life afterwards instead of returning to the Fury with Nali? What does Roger's suicide say about his character?

4.  After Nali's mom is killed, she returns as Nali's new connection replacing Grace. Did this surprise you? Do you think it "was meant to be" as Nali's mother says?

5.  When Nali regains consciousness she learns from the Addo that in addition to losing her own parents, all the other Addo's have been killed as well as Garrett's father. Were you surprised that all these characters were killed off by the end of the book?

6.  Nali must decide whether to pick the Cornerstone back up and start the imprinting process again (which will be extremely painful and possibly life threatening) or she can choose to walk away and have a Simple life. Nali decides to pick the stone back up and become Contego. Why do you think she made this decision? Was it for vengenace? Was it for Garrett? Or do you think there is another reason? Would you have made the same decision if you had been in Nali's place?