The Challenge Factory discussion

Nikki (Nyx), Denise & Runell - The Collapsing Empire

I'm really excited for this :D

Checking in, have y’all gotten a chance to start it yet?

I haven't yet, though I do have it on my kindle ready to go.

Mine just came through from the library so I'll be good to go when I get it. I just got back from out of town yesterday and today was my last day off for vacation so I wanted to stay in and sleep. Hahaha.

Runell wrote: "Mine just came through from the library so I'll be good to go when I get it. I just got back from out of town yesterday and today was my last day off for vacation so I wanted to stay in and sleep. ..."

Makes sense lol

I’m starting tonight :)

Just finished the prologue
(view spoiler)[Interesting start to the story, curious if Gineos will be a big part of the story. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 3
(view spoiler)[oh snap. So it seems her father knew that something would happen to the flow. Interesting development, im curious how she is going to handle it. I'm also curious how all of these characters are going to come together (hide spoiler)]

I should be starting this one by tomorrow if I don't read a couple of chapters tonight.

I've gotten started now too. Just the prologue so far, but I think I'll do a couple more chapters today.
(view spoiler)[I sure hope she will, because oh boy, do I like her style! (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 3, more tomorrow. :)
(view spoiler)[Yup, same here! I'm looking forward to having them in the same room with each other, it'll be interesting for sure. I love the concept of the Memory Room. And I'm very intrigued to see what is going on with the Flow. Also, I just love Scalzi's writing style. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 5
(view spoiler)[Things are rapidly getting more and more interesting... I have a feeling Kiva is going to be making a hell of a lot more money smuggling that Claremont guy out just because. I very much enjoy her attitude (and the sheer amount of times she can manage to include the word "fuck" in any conversation). And it appears Gineos is under arrest on End - wonder if we'll get to check in with her sometime soon... (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 7
(view spoiler)[This is all getting more interesting with each chapter! So Cardenia's reign kicks off with a bang - I assume we'll learn something about who was behind it and whether it's connected to the information about the Flow that everyone's being all hush hush about. And may I just say, I love all the kickass ladies in this book. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 9
(view spoiler)[Hah! I knew Kiva was gonna double cross that guy! I really do like her more and more. I hope we'll see Cardenia meet some of the other main characters soon, she could use some support... (hide spoiler)]

How are you guys doing? I'm kinda talking to myself here...

I’m going to read more tonight and I’ll check your spoiler tags as I get to those chapters and respond :)

Denise wrote: "Finished chapter 3, more tomorrow. :)
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Agreed, the memory room is cool. Especially since it seems that the past emperox counciousness cant lie and is just purely true memory and feelings. I am also enjoying the writing style. (hide spoiler)]

Cool. I'll stick with the 2 chapters per day pace, so maybe you'll catch up in a bit. :)

End of chapter 11
(view spoiler)[I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say these Nohamapetan people are very much involved in the Flow being all wonky, which is why Marce can't be allowed to get anywhere near the emperox and tell her what's going on. I wouldn't be surprised if they were behind the bomb too. And I'm definitely not getting tired of Kiva kicking ass - and I doubt she's done yet. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 13
(view spoiler)[Oh boy. A lot going on. Wonder if somehow all the characters we're following will eventually end up on End if it's essentially going to be the last thing standing? Interesting to get an insight into what exactly the Nohamapetans are up to...
Also, Kiva's method of "seduction" just cracked me up. Have I mentioned that I love that woman? Because oh, how I love that woman. And after his conversation with Ghreni post-coup I'm also quite fond of the Count of Claremont. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Ha, I see where Kiva gets all her awesomeness and verbal ass kicking skills from! And Marce and Cardenia seem to be getting along very well - might we just have found a possible solution to the consort question? I kinda like the idea. (hide spoiler)]

Denise wrote: "End of chapter 5
[spoilers removed]"

Just finished Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[I also hope we get to catch up with Gineos soon too. I’m thinking you may be right. Kiva is totally going to try and get more money out of him for the trouble. I think she will take him no matter what as a fuck you to Ghreni lol. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 17
(view spoiler)[Holy hell. That stonecold bitch. Nadashe, obviously. But Kiva's already figured it out, good for her. And her talents for getting sexy time out of absolutely everyone and everything if she is so inclined are truly astounding. :D (hide spoiler)]

I've started, but I really won't get more into it until tomorrow. I'm trying to read one last book for the contemporaryathon, Moxie, but I know I won't finish it by 12 tonight.

I have enjoyed what I've read so far. It'll be my first John Scalzi book. Is this the first one for you guys as well?

Yup, first one for me as well. And don't stress about getting started late. Glad to hear you are enjoying it so far, excited to hear your thoughts/responses once you hit the chapters we have posted about :)

I've read a few before: Redshirts, Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades, all of which I've enjoyed.

Finished! I had to take a break yesterday because it had almost slipped my mind that the library wanted a bunch of books back today, so I found myself with almost 900 pages to speed through after getting home from work. XD
(view spoiler)[Hah! And that, ladies and gentlemen, was an expertly delivered smackdown by Marce and Cardenia. Nicely done. And Kiva got something out of all the trouble too. Wonder what plan Cardenia came up with there at the very end... definitely looking forward to the sequel! (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 6
(view spoiler)[
Nooooooo!!! Not Naffa :( that really sucks. The memory palace dream was interesting. Curious what Cardenia is going to do in reaponse to this (hide spoiler)]

Denise wrote: "End of chapter 7
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
I am also curious who may already know about this and planned the explosion. I feel bad for her for losing her friend in the blast. (hide spoiler)]

So I've gotten up to chapter 5 at this point.

The best part so far, for me, is Scalzi's humor; it's sharp and witty and sarcastic which is my type of humor.

I am finding it hard to get through just a little bit. I'm interested, but it takes me a bit of convincing for me to pick it up sooner rather than later. My plan for tomorrow is to finish it, hopefully that will happen.

So I DNF'ed The Collapsing Empire. I was really enjoying the humor, but it was a struggle for me to get even to chapter 5 and I just couldn't really seem to retain any of the information.

I'm not sure if this was just not the right time for me to read it, if John Scalzi isn't for me, or if Scfi isn't for me and that I just prefer fantasy. *Shrugs shoulder* Oh well. I'm glad you guys enjoyed it in any case!

Ah well, not every book is for everyone. :)

Denise wrote: "End of chapter 9
[spoilers removed]

How are you guys doing? I'm kinda talking to myself here..."

(view spoiler)[Haha her whole conversation with him was hilarious and satisfying. I wish Vrenna could have gone with Marce because I would like to see more of her as well, but hopefully she isn’t totally out of the story even being stuck on End. (hide spoiler)]

Yup, she's pretty awesome!