SF/F Read Alongs discussion

Week 1: Friday 9th June - Chapters 1-14, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Friday 16th June - Chapters 15-28, hosted by The Illustrated Page
Week 3: Friday 23rd June - Chapters 29-43, hosted by There's Always Room For One More
Week 4: Friday 30th June - Chapters 44-End, hosted by The Illustrated Page

I'm good with either May or June, I just might be running behind the first week. My exams finish that week, and I've got pack up my dorm room.

If we do end up doing May, I could take either Week 3 or Week 4.

I'm interested in participating but not up for hosting. I read it years ago and feel it is time for a reread.

Update: I suspect June may actually work better for me, as it will give me time to clear some of the currently-reading slate that somehow *cough* exploded over the last couple of days... Is that all right with everybody?

I'm fine with moving it to June.

I might join you if it's June. April steamrollered me and I need May to reinflate ;)

Yeah, I do think June works better at this point, heh! OK, I will redo the schedule.

Original post updated! Still looking for co-hosts...

co-hosts?

I can take a week! I have no preferences regarding which one.

M wrote: "co-hosts?"

Someone to come up and post a few (4-6, usually) questions for other participants to blog their answers to, re: that week's chapters.

Coolcurry wrote: "I can take a week! I have no preferences regarding which one."

Yay! I'll put you in for week 2.

Are we still on for starting this Friday?

Coolcurry wrote: "Are we still on for starting this Friday?"

I am, but I realise we still need hosts for the last two weeks. Would you be OK with taking another one if need be?

Sure thing!

Excellent! Thanks.

I can host one of the last two weeks. I'll probably be late this week as I forgot and am juggling some other commitments, but I will catch up :)

Yay, thank you! I've given you week 3.

Just a heads up in general - it may be Thursday before I get the questions posted, since that's my day off this week and life is a little hectic at the moment. But if so they'll go up as early as possible!

OK! Here's the first round of questions.

(view spoiler)[
1. First impressions! We're given two main POVs here, a lot of important information, and a big fat (intriguingly political) murder mystery in space. What's your take on the setup so far?

2. Regarding the narrative: we get the bulk of the story so far from the POVs of Miller and Holden. What do you think of each character, and how do you think they compare to one another? Do you think their paths might cross or are we looking at more of a Game of Thrones style approach to the story's arc? For that matter, which might you prefer?

3. Let's talk about Julie Mao, and THAT prologue. Given what we know about her by the end of chapter 14, do you think Julie might just be a victim of circumstance or is she more deeply involved in whatever is going on?

4. Chapter 14 ends with Miller contacting Julie's father; do you think his hunch about dear old Dad knowing some things is right, or should he listen to Shaddid on this one?

Leaving space here for any extra observations/ruminations etc! What else do you think about the story so far?
(hide spoiler)]

Thanks Lisa! I can try and knock up a banner in Photoshop this evening.

Here's the link to the banner - http://imgur.com/a/f3UaR

*Thumbs up*

Here's my Week 1 post! http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

And here's mine! - https://theillustratedpage.wordpress....

Hi, I'm new to the group. Just joined a minute ago and saw this thread. This is a book my son's been talking about and I thought it would be fun to try it out this way. Mind if I tag along? He happened to have a copy in his book case.

Welcome Carina! I think you will enjoy reading along with us. Do you have a blog? Of course you can always post your answers to the discussion questions here, if that works best for you.

And here is the link to my responses to the question:

http://dabofdarkness.com/2017/06/09/l...

Carina wrote: "Hi, I'm new to the group. Just joined a minute ago and saw this thread. This is a book my son's been talking about and I thought it would be fun to try it out this way. Mind if I tag along? He happ..."

Welcome! And absolutely. The more, the merrier!

Thanks for the welcome!
No, I'm afraid I don't have a blogg. And I've never before done a readalong. Or fortsatt mattor discussed books I've read in this way.
This type of book is new to me, as I've not really read SF before, and I'm playing catch-up here, having started the book last night.
This far I can only really comment on the prologue. It sets a very dark and unforgiving tone, with a definitely promising end. Parts of it reminded me of the water-preserving costums of Dune.

My week 1 post is belatedly up!

I'm getting sucked in by the politics and the mystery.

I'll have the questions for week two up later today -- sorry for the delay!

And here's the questions!

(view spoiler)[The plot thickens! Do you think the sickness has anything to do with what we saw in the prologue? And who ordered it to be incubated? What's their end goal?

What's your current takes on the POV characters? Think they'll continue to work together? Is Miller crossing a line in this section?

James S.A. Corey's set up an entire futuristic solar system. What's your favorite part about it so far?

So Miller found Julie. Do you think this effectively ends her involvement, or is there more to learn about her?

Any other thoughts on this section? (hide spoiler)]

Here's my Week 2 post! http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

And here's my post! - https://theillustratedpage.wordpress....

Here's my Part II: http://dabofdarkness.com/2017/06/16/l...

Okay, my Part II post will (belatedly) go up tomorrow - but I've caught up (hooray!) and got some Part III questions all ready to go for you:(view spoiler)[

1. After a skin-crawling start, our crew get back into space with information in their back pocket - and our two POV characters disagree on whether it should be shared. What do you think?

2. The villain is unmasked! What did you make of Antony Dresden's little speech? 

3. After the action, we get another round of comparative morality: this time on the act of killing. Whose view do you sympathise with more (and why)? 

4. Somehow, this rollercoaster isn't over yet. What do you expect from the final act?

Any other thoughts this week? (hide spoiler)]

Here's my part three - https://theillustratedpage.wordpress....

Here's my week 3: http://dabofdarkness.com/2017/06/23/l...

And mine: https://onemore.org/2017/06/23/leviat...

Ah! Forgot to add mine. Here it is: http://overtheeffingrainbow.co.uk/201...

Here's Week Four questions!

(view spoiler)[1. So first off, what do you make of what Miller found inside Eros? 

2. Was Miller's end a noble sacrifice or was it the act of a suicidal man? Is Holden right in wanting Miller to be presented as a person, not a symbol? 

3. Do you believe war between Earth, Mars, and the Belt is inevitable? Will the they achieve peace, even peace for now?

4. Do you have any predictions for the next book? Things you want to see more of or find out about? (hide spoiler)]

What's everyone's thoughts on the schedule for book two? I'm game, but I still need to get a hold of the book.

Same here :) I'm probably good to roll straight over but wouldn't say no to a 1-2 week gap between books either

My husband loves this series so we already have the next book. I'm good to go when you all are. I've really enjoyed discussing Book 1.

Waiting a week or two works for me, if necessary. Once I have a chapter breakdown for book 2 I'll post it, but we can at least hold off until the start of July?

Waiting a week or two works for me, if necessary. Once I have a chapter breakdown for book 2 I'll post it, but we can at least hold off until the start of July?

I can start in the first week of July as long as I'm not hosting that week. I don't want to worry about impacting anyone else if I have trouble getting a copy.

(Also I noticed you referred to war between Earth and the Moon - it was Earth and Mars, surely?)

Oh no! Yes, I'll go back and fix that.

Aahhhh week 4: https://onemore.org/2017/06/30/leviat...

My week four: https://theillustratedpage.wordpress....

Here's my Week 4: http://dabofdarkness.com/2017/06/30/l...