The Challenge Factory discussion

News Alert: Godzilla is rampaging again! The city of Toyko must be saved!

How it works:
For this challenge, you and a partner will each choose a Japanese monster (kaiju) from the list. You cannot pick the same kaiju that your partner is reading for.

Each kaiju will have four tasks. You must read one of those tasks. Each task will score points. The higher the points, the harder the task. The 4 point task will always be the same: Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU. You can use or ignore the articles 'a', 'an', 'the'.

When both partners have finished reading their books, post a message on the Battle thread that you are ready for your fight with Godzilla. The moderator will use random.org to pick a number between 7-10 for Godzilla. If the total of your points ties
or is higher than Godzilla's number, you win.

Each partner will then pick another kaiju from the list (remember, it cannot be the same monster that your partner chooses) for another battle with Godzilla. This will continue until you have read for all the kaiju on the list.

If the partnership has won five or more of the battles with Godzilla by the time you have read for all the kaiju on the list, then Godzilla returns defeated into the ocean. I shudder to think what will happen to Tokyo if you don't :)

✱ Books must be 140 pages.
✱ Re-reads and audio books are okay.
✱ Page count for audio books will be determined by the first paper version shown on Goodreads. From the book's page, select “all editions”, then find the first paper edition as your guide.

Sample Completion Post:
Kaiju:
Book:
Date:
Number and Task:
How it fits the task:

Kaiju list and Battle scores:

Catsalive
Anguirus
Biollante
Destoroyah
Ebirah
Gigan
King Ghidorah
Mothra
Orga
Rodan
Titanosaurus


LaurLa
Anguirus
Biollante
Destoroyah
Ebirah
Gigan
King Ghidorah
Mothra
Orga
Rodan
Titanosaurus


Battles
1. Titanosaurus and Anguirus win
2. Rodan and Biollante win
3. Orga and Destoroyah win
4. Mothra and Ebirah win
5. King Ghidorah and Gigan win
6. Gigan and King Ghidorah win
7. Ebirah and Mothra win
8. Destoroyah and Orga win
9. Biollante and Rodan win
10. Anguirus and Titanosaurus win

Hi LaurLa, I'll start at the bottom & work up.

My first monster is Titanosaurus

I was think this started on April 1 but I guess it's right away. If you're bottoms up then I'm top down.

#1 monster: Anguirus

For Catsalive

Titanosaurus


Titanosaurus is the real star of 1975’s Terror of Mechagodzilla. But because he doesn’t get the title treatment, he feels a little disrespected and underrated. He’s a very tall monster, with thick, beefy legs. Atop his long neck sits a great dragon face with a cool fin coming out the back of his head. He’s also as lethal underwater as on land. It’s a shame he never got another big showcase.

3 point task - Read a book with stars or a moon on the cover
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with the word 'lethal' in the text
6 point task - Read a book first published before 1975

For LaurLa

Anguirus


Godzilla’s first foe, the legendary Anguirus. Another quadruped, Anguirus has a much more prehistoric look to him, taking many features from the Ankylosaur. He has a long snout like a crocodile and a turtle-shell back covered in spikes. Though he and Godzilla start off fighting each other in Godzilla Raids Again, they spend most of the series as good pals. Aside from Godzilla, Anguirus has one of the series’ greatest roars. A great monster, and a great friend. But also a great foe. Those Raids Again fights are no joke.

3 point task - Read the first book in a series
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book that has been tagged 'Humor' or 'Humour'
6 point task - Read a book with the word 'Great' in the title

Kaiju: Titanosaurus
Book: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick
Date: 29/3
Number and Task: 6 point task - Read a book first published before 1975
How it fits the task: pub. 1945

Next kaiju: Rodan

Checking in Q&A for my book. If it's not approved, I'll be another day or two on mine.

Catsalive wrote: "Kaiju: Titanosaurus
Book: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick"

Kylie, I've been wanting to read The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Did you like the book? Have you seen the old movie? How does the movie compare to the book?

Lanelle wrote: "Catsalive wrote: "Kaiju: Titanosaurus
Book: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by R.A. Dick"

Kylie, I've been wanting to read The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Did you like the book? H..."

I loved it! It's been so long since I saw the movie, probably in the 80s, that I can't remember how closely it stuck to the book. I could remember the very last scene, though, which was pretty much the same. I'd love to see the movie again, with the lovely Gene & sexy Rex.

LaurLa wrote: "Checking in Q&A for my book. If it's not approved, I'll be another day or two on mine."

There's no hurry.

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Anguirus


Task🔹5 point task - Read a book that has been tagged 'Humor' or 'Humour'
Book🔹Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron
How it fits🔹mpg humor
Date Read🔹03.30 ★★★
Next🔹Biollante

Checked us in for battle #1

Battle 1



Catsalive
Titanosaurus - 6 points

LaurLa
Anguirus - 5 points

Godzilla - random.org says 9 points

And the winners are Titanosaurus and Anguirus! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Rodan


Rodan is very popular, one of the all-time legendary monsters. But consider this: Rodan’s design, while classic, is just a bit on the boring side. On top of that, he and Godzilla don’t actually fight all that often. They’re good pals in most of their appearances together. Rodan certainly isn’t a poor monster, but when it comes to the big ones, he’s a little on the overrated side.

3 point task - Read a book with 10,000+ ratings
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with a cover that is 50% white
6 point task - Read a book that is tagged 'Classic'

tineye - https://labs.tineye.com/color/

For LaurLa

Biollante


The main thing about Biollante is how visually striking she is, almost beautiful. Which makes sense as she was created by a scientist who combined Godzilla DNA with the DNA of his dead daughter and injected it into a rose. She’s not even all that villainous until the Godzilla genes take over and turn her into a crazy monster. Supposedly, Biollente can never die due to her ability to regenerate wounds and turn into a cloud of spores if things get too heavy. That means she’s still out there somewhere, just waiting to bloom.

3 point task - Read a book by a female author
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with clouds on the cover
6 point task - Read a book where a significant character is a scientist of some kind

I've got a J title ready to go. If a white cover or classic comes up, I can change it.

Kaiju: Rodan
Book: The Final Hour by Tom Wood
Date: 5/4
Number and Task: 5 point task - Read a book with a cover that is 50% white
How it fits the task:
Next kaiju: Orga

I'm so sorry. I messed up by book database on my laptop on Saturday night and I've been scrambling trying to fix it! I'm working on a book that has a scientist. Hopefully be done tonight.

LaurLa wrote: "I'm so sorry. I messed up by book database on my laptop on Saturday night and I've been scrambling trying to fix it! I'm working on a book that has a scientist. Hopefully be done tonight."

Take your time. We're in no hurry & Godzilla will wait until we're ready :0)

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Biollante


Task🔹6 point task - Read a book where a significant character is a scientist of some kind
Book🔹The Family You Make
How it fits🔹Levi is a data scientist
Date Read🔹04.04 ★★★★
Next🔹Destoroyah

Battle 2



Catsalive
Rodan - 5 points

LaurLa
Biollante - 6 points

Godzilla - random.org says 7 points

And the winners are Titanosaurus and Anguirus! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Orga


A lot of Godzilla’s later enemies transform throughout the film, not emerging as their full selves until the final fight. Orga goes another route, simply beaming down to Earth when it’s time to fight Godzilla. His transportation evolves from a flying rock to an alien spacecraft, but he appears fully formed. This means we don’t get to know much about the monster. He looks cool, almost like a Pacific Rim monster, but doesn’t stand out among other monsters on this list. He does get points for trying to swallow Godzilla, though he learns the hard way why that’s a bad idea.

3 point task - Read a book set along the Pacific Rim https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific...
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book that is tagged "Science' or 'Science Fiction'
6 point task - Read a book from the Life Transformation Books list

For LaurLa

Destoroyah


A fan favorite, and for good reason. Destoroyah was designed as the ultimate Godzilla foe, as he came from the same oxygen destroyer that took out the original Godzilla. In his final form, he means serious business, looking like a big, thick demon straight from Hell. But Destoroyah also starts small, as a collection of little demons that kill humans like monsters from a horror film (including mini-mouths that totally rip-off Alien). Toho needed a monster that would take Godzilla’s final Heisei movie out with a bang. And they got one.

3 point task - Read a book with "favorite" in the text
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read an anthology (collection of short stories)
6 point task - Read a book that is tagged 'Horror'

I have a book for 6 points but will be after the weekend probably before I get to it. More quickly I could do the 4 point task.

Up to you, LaurLa. I've got one for this 6 point task - Read a book from the Life Transformation Books list.

Kaiju: Orga
Book: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
Date: 7/4
Number and Task: 6 point task - Read a book from the Life Transformation Books list
How it fits the task: #180 on List
Next kaiju: Mothra

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Destoroyah


Task🔹4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
Book🔹Knight
How it fits🔹title K
Date Read🔹04.12 ★★★★
Next🔹Ebirah

Battle 3



Catsalive
Orga - 6 points

LaurLa
Destoroyah - 4 points

Godzilla - random.org says 10 points

And the winners are Orga and Destoroyah! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Mothra


No monster enjoys more personality and mythology than Mothra. There is so much to her. For starters, her look is absolutely iconic. She comes in two forms. A whole culture worships her, usually represented by miniature identical twins. She has her own theme song. Her offensive techniques are surprisingly varied and deep. And if one Mothra dies, there’s always another one to take her place. Sometimes two! Mothra is the benevolent protector we deserve, always there to sacrifice herself for the greater good. That’s a nice way of saying she dies a lot.

3 point task - Read a book that comes in more than two forms (i.e., paperback, hardback, ebook, audio book)
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with twins in it (must be more than a mention)
6 point task - Read a book where more than two people die (3+)

For LaurLa

Ebirah


Ebirah might just be a giant crab, but he has personality. For some reason, his entire existence is to guard one island and murder anyone who tries to enter or leave it. That’s it. He doesn’t seem to even move. But that dedication to his task is admirable. Furthermore, he seems like an especially grumpy monster, even though he barely has a face. Godzilla literally declaws him, which is maybe more gruesome than he deserves. But also, don’t mess with Godzilla.

3 point task - Read a book with a 'crabby' character (irritable, cantankerous, bitter)
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book set on a small island
6 point task - Read a book with a dedication to someone at the beginning

I have a 6 point task ready to go. Probably tomorrow.

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Ebirah


Task🔹6 point task - Read a book with a dedication to someone at the beginning
Book🔹Spellbound in His Arms

How it fits🔹
Dedications
In memory of my late mother, Helen—a wonderful mother and my best friend—who will always be remembered for her love, kindness, and wisdom. She will live in my heart forever.

In memory of my late grandmother, Lili, whose unconditional love and encouragement inspired me throughout the years.

Dedicated to my beloved family in Greece and the USA for all their love, guidance, and support—especially to my wonderful husband, Bill; my loving father, Dimitris; my amazing Aunt Angie; and my adorable son Dimitris.

Date Read🔹04.15 ★★
Next🔹Gigan

Kaiju: Mothra
Book: The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz
Date: 17/4
Number and Task: 6 point task - Read a book where more than two people die (3+)
How it fits the task: 10 individuals killed + everyone left on Ringrock
Next kaiju: King Ghidorah

Battle 4



Catsalive
Mothra - 6 points

LaurLa
Ebirah - 6 points

Godzilla - random.org says 10 points

And the winners are Mothra and Ebirah! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

King Ghidorah


When picking the number one Godzilla foe, it has to be this three-headed dragon with no arms. What is it about Ghidorah? He’s just so cool, from his first appearance in 1964 to his most recent battle in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. When you think of Godzilla fighting a monster, that monster is almost exclusively Ghidorah. He can fly, shoot lightning out of his mouths, latch onto Godzilla with his three mouths, and do some real stomping damage as well. He is visually and offensively a perfect counterpart to Godzilla, as his many appearances make clear.

3 point task - Read a book with 3 in the page count
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with a dragon in it
6 point task - Read a book with three or more mouths on the cover (can be a combination of human and animal mouths, but they must be easily visible)

For LaurLa

Gigan


Gigan is just amazing, a kaiju who seems built from the ground up by a malevolent child. He has knives going up the back of his head, which combined with his beak, makes him seem like he started as a chicken. That beak, however, is flanked by two more knives. Also, instead of arms? More knives. That would normally be enough, but no. Gigan also has a table saw coming out of his torso. The craziness doesn’t stop there. Gigan enjoys modifications in Final Wars that turn his knife arms into chainsaws. Because at that point, why not?

3 point task - Read a book with the word 'knife' or 'knives' in the text
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with a young child as a significant character
6 point task - Read a book with just a human torso on the cover

checking on my tasks. I'm a little stumped depending on the interpretation of young child and how much besides torso can be showing.

I'll be slow finding a book for this one.

No worries - I'm going for the 6 point task if that helps you any.

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Gigan


Task🔹6 point task - Read a book with just a human torso on the cover
Book🔹Dirty Rogue
How it fits🔹human torso only on the cover
Date Read🔹04.23 ★★★★
Next🔹King Ghidorah

Kaiju: King Ghidorah
Book: The Fathomless Caves by Kate Forsyth
Date: 26/4
Number and Task: 5 point task - Read a book with a dragon in it
How it fits the task: many dragons abide in Eileanan
Next kaiju: Gigan

Battle 5



Catsalive
King Ghidorah - 6 points

LaurLa
Gigan - 6 points

Godzilla - random.org says 9 points

And the winners are King Ghidorah and Gigan! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Gigan


Gigan is just amazing, a kaiju who seems built from the ground up by a malevolent child. He has knives going up the back of his head, which combined with his beak, makes him seem like he started as a chicken. That beak, however, is flanked by two more knives. Also, instead of arms? More knives. That would normally be enough, but no. Gigan also has a table saw coming out of his torso. The craziness doesn’t stop there. Gigan enjoys modifications in Final Wars that turn his knife arms into chainsaws. Because at that point, why not?

3 point task - Read a book with the word 'knife' or 'knives' in the text
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with a young child as a significant character
6 point task - Read a book with just a human torso on the cover

For LaurLa

King Ghidorah


When picking the number one Godzilla foe, it has to be this three-headed dragon with no arms. What is it about Ghidorah? He’s just so cool, from his first appearance in 1964 to his most recent battle in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. When you think of Godzilla fighting a monster, that monster is almost exclusively Ghidorah. He can fly, shoot lightning out of his mouths, latch onto Godzilla with his three mouths, and do some real stomping damage as well. He is visually and offensively a perfect counterpart to Godzilla, as his many appearances make clear.

3 point task - Read a book with 3 in the page count
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with a dragon in it
6 point task - Read a book with three or more mouths on the cover (can be a combination of human and animal mouths, but they must be easily visible)

Kaiju: Gigan
Book: You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn
Date: 28/4
Number and Task: 5 point task - Read a book with a young child as a significant character
How it fits: Clay's niece Layla is 2-3 years old
Next kaiju: Ebirah

My turn for this one to take a bit 😁

LaurLa wrote: "My turn for this one to take a bit 😁"

No worries. It was a tough one for me 👍

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹King Ghidorah


Task🔹5 point task - Read a book with a dragon in it
Book🔹Dragon on Top
How it fits🔹mc are dragons
Date Read🔹04.29 ★★★★
Next🔹Mothra

Battle 6



Catsalive
Gigan - 5 points

LaurLa
King Ghidorah - 5 points

Godzilla - random.org says 10 points

And the winners are Gigan and King Ghidorah! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Ebirah


Ebirah might just be a giant crab, but he has personality. For some reason, his entire existence is to guard one island and murder anyone who tries to enter or leave it. That’s it. He doesn’t seem to even move. But that dedication to his task is admirable. Furthermore, he seems like an especially grumpy monster, even though he barely has a face. Godzilla literally declaws him, which is maybe more gruesome than he deserves. But also, don’t mess with Godzilla.

3 point task - Read a book with a 'crabby' character (irritable, cantankerous, bitter)
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book set on a small island
6 point task - Read a book with a dedication to someone at the beginning

For LaurLa

Mothra


No monster enjoys more personality and mythology than Mothra. There is so much to her. For starters, her look is absolutely iconic. She comes in two forms. A whole culture worships her, usually represented by miniature identical twins. She has her own theme song. Her offensive techniques are surprisingly varied and deep. And if one Mothra dies, there’s always another one to take her place. Sometimes two! Mothra is the benevolent protector we deserve, always there to sacrifice herself for the greater good. That’s a nice way of saying she dies a lot.

3 point task - Read a book that comes in more than two forms (i.e., paperback, hardback, ebook, audio book)
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book with twins in it (must be more than a mention)
6 point task - Read a book where more than two people die (3+)

Completion Post🔹LaurLa
Kaiju🔹Mothra


Task🔹6 point task - Read a book where more than two people die
Book🔹With Everything I Am
How it fits🔹2 unnamed intruders are killed when trying to kidnap Sonia; the rebel Nikolas is beheaded as a traitor; their friend Waring along with several unnamed soldiers die during the rebellion battle
Date Read🔹04.30 ★★★★
Next🔹Orga

Kaiju: Ebirah
Book: Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
Date: 1/5 4★
Number and Task: 6 point task - Read a book with a dedication to someone at the beginning
How it fits: For my sister, Sandy Upham Morril. You are my rock, my rainbow, and my sounding board. I'm so extraordinarily lucky to be related to you - my very best friend!
Next kaiju: Destoroyah

Battle 7



Catsalive
Ebirah - 6 points

LaurLa
Mothra - 6 points

Godzilla - random.org says 9 points

And the winners are Ebirah and Mothra! *mighty roars are heard*

For Catsalive

Destoroyah


A fan favorite, and for good reason. Destoroyah was designed as the ultimate Godzilla foe, as he came from the same oxygen destroyer that took out the original Godzilla. In his final form, he means serious business, looking like a big, thick demon straight from Hell. But Destoroyah also starts small, as a collection of little demons that kill humans like monsters from a horror film (including mini-mouths that totally rip-off Alien). Toho needed a monster that would take Godzilla’s final Heisei movie out with a bang. And they got one.

3 point task - Read a book with "favorite" in the text
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read an anthology (collection of short stories)
6 point task - Read a book that is tagged 'Horror'

For LaurLa

Orga


A lot of Godzilla’s later enemies transform throughout the film, not emerging as their full selves until the final fight. Orga goes another route, simply beaming down to Earth when it’s time to fight Godzilla. His transportation evolves from a flying rock to an alien spacecraft, but he appears fully formed. This means we don’t get to know much about the monster. He looks cool, almost like a Pacific Rim monster, but doesn’t stand out among other monsters on this list. He does get points for trying to swallow Godzilla, though he learns the hard way why that’s a bad idea.

3 point task - Read a book set along the Pacific Rim https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific...
4 point task - Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in KAIJU
5 point task - Read a book that is tagged "Science' or 'Science Fiction'
6 point task - Read a book from the Life Transformation Books list

Kaiju: Destoroyah
Book: Pet Rescue's Amazing Dog Stories by Saskia Adams
Date: 2/5 5★
Number and Task: 5 point task - Read an anthology (collection of short stories)
How it fits: a collection of stories
Next kaiju: Biollante