Joseph Beth Sci-Fi Book Group discussion

Thoughts?

Kayla wrote: "Hey guys. Unable to make it tonight, but want to know what you all think. I think I gave it four stars. Not my favorite, it felt more like a Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia rip-off. It was amusing though, and easy to follow...."

I will be there tonight although I probably won't have it completely finished. So far it's good. It's an enjoyable enough of a read. But I have wondered along the way what JK would think about it. The author has clearly yanked stuff straight out of Harry Potter. Like thestrals. They are only in Harry Potter and there is mention of them in this story. The character's name who is James and the "house" screams of Hogwarts. The flap of the book does say it's a "grown up Harry Potter" but the similarities sometimes are so close to HP that I almost find it annoying. I almost want to say, HP has already been written. You need to write your own story. It feels a bit like HP fanfic.

Sorry to miss last night. Any good discussion on the book?

I was late and missed some.

Had mixed feelings I think overall book was good. But plenty of the characters they emptiness they constantly had/felt drove me nuts.

I have heard that the direct comparisons to narnia and potter were on purpose. That the chars having to deal with all that trauma would act in not so perfect a fantasy. Voila the magicians.

And I am still pissed that Janet remains unscathed for her role in all this. I mean she at least deserves a rousing, " go F**** yourself Janet," from some character.

We actually didn't get started until Daniel got there. Daniel was definitely not pleased with Janet's character getting any comeuppance. LOL!