Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Firefight by Brandon Sanderson starting June 1, 2018.

I'm in!

So in. hope that the conversation will last longer with this one though.

Just finished Steelheart, so will be joining in this one. Can't wait to see what is going to happen with the reckoners and what epics they get to take down!

I'm in! I read Steelheart a few months ago, so hopefully I remember enough to get back into the series.

Started this today because there's several brs on the first that I'd really like to do. Finished the first of 4 parts, 14% in Really exciting so far.

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering, I both reading and listening to it at the same time. While unfortunately there's no graphic audio for this series, the audiobook is QUITE good.

Jenny wrote: "I'm in! I read Steelheart a few months ago, so hopefully I remember enough to get back into the series."

Bearing with the fact I read Steelheart 2 years ago, the basic plot is (view spoiler)[supervillains with psychological Achilles' Heels... and it turns out the good guys aren't using special weapons, but benefiting from the superpowers of their leader... (hide spoiler)]

Nice super short synopisis Iain. Wish i could upvote you for that!

Im starting tonight, but might be a bit behind with my work and travel schedule but can't wait!

David and his obsession with metaphors...
Regalia seems cunning and scary so far.

"My name is David Charleston. I kill people with super powers"

Just getting started, but this is right down my alley. Who doesn't love some properly dealt with epics?

I'll be starting as well this weekend.

Finished the second of 4 parts today in one sitting just like I did with the first part. This isn't blowing me away like the first book, but it's still really good shit!

I'm now up to chapter 24, 45% through the book I got about 200 pages left of this book. Gonna try really hard to finish this book within the next 2 days. I did the math and considering that I'm also listening to the audio at the same time at double speed, it'll take me about 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Still enjoying this, and I'm probably gonna give it 4 stars at the end, but try as I might, I'm having a hard time not thinking about how I breezed through the first book so quickly because it really was that good.

Oh, and here's a couple of my favorite moments.

Chapter 24 spoilers

(view spoiler)[
I needed to say something. Something romantic! Something to sweep her off her feet.
“You’re like a potato!” I shouted after her. “In a minefield.”
She froze in place. Then she spun on me, her face lit by a half-grown fruit. “A potato,” she said flatly. “That’s the best you can do? Seriously?”
“It makes sense,” I said. “Listen. You’re strolling through a minefield, worried about getting blown up. And then you step on something, and you think, ‘I’m dead.’ But it’s just a potato. And you’re so relieved to find something so wonderful when you expected something so awful. That’s what you are. To me.”
“A potato.”
“Sure. French fries? Mashed potatoes? Who doesn’t like potatoes?”
“Plenty of people. Why can’t I be something sweet, like a cake?”
“Because cake wouldn’t grow in a minefield. Obviously.

This time, when she’d pointed it at me, she’d flicked the safety on. If that wasn’t true love, I don’t know what was.

(hide spoiler)]

gah! can't get myself to read today. Heat is so bad that I can't get immersed.

I finished this 2 days before, couldn't have time to ramble..

It was better than the first book at times but some other times 1st was better, I couldn't compare it overall.

It was nice to see various of epics with cool abilities, learning more about Calamity and all, the action was top notch but I find twists and revelations lacking after the 1st one.

Also (view spoiler)[ At first I was mad about David's secrets from prof but then after learning Prof was using David as a bait, Prof became the person I hate. They kept so many secret and information from him from the beginning though, David is kind of "Epic-smart" and could help a lot if only Prof talked to him.. Instead he hide the fact that he knows Regalia and other knowledge he knows about the epics, this book David was like his own men, he did most of the things by himself and sometimes with Megan's help. I wanted some more team action.. (hide spoiler)]

Whew! Finished it in 5 days like I hoped. Very very surprising, but oh so satisfying ending! Tons and tons and tons of great plot twists.

Sedat wrote: "I finished this 2 days before, couldn't have time to ramble..

It was better than the first book at times but some other times 1st was better, I couldn't compare it overall.

It was nice to see var..."

Oh cool someone else finished the book. What was your thoughts when you found out that (view spoiler)[ an epic creation is related to their fear, and they can only be kiled by what they fear? (hide spoiler)]

Oh, and I wanna confirm something.

(view spoiler)[Did David not become an Epic because he conquered his fear of Water? (hide spoiler)]

MorteTorment(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader) wrote: "Sedat wrote: "I finished this 2 days before, couldn't have time to ramble..

It was better than the first book at times but some other times 1st was better, I couldn't compare it overall.

It was n..."

(view spoiler)[It's interesting and I really liked the idea but more than that Calamity being an epic/person intrigued me so much more! I really want to know more about that (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[Yeah, he didn't want to become epic so he refused and also he confronted his fear so that's why he didn't become one.. But that's only how it seems for now, we may get more explanation at 3rd book and who knows it could be nice if David had some powers and tries to control his anger or whatever.. Maybe it will happen on 3rd book :) (hide spoiler)]

37% of the way. Enjoying quite a bit so far. Seeing most of the comments are all done with the book or past where I"m at, so I"ll wait to look at the spoilers till later :)

Wow, the second book in a row and it hasn't sparked much discussion.

Finished yesterday. I think i liked it just as much as the first. Sanderson always does a good job of misdirection and twists I don't necessarily see coming. (view spoiler)[Totally thought David would become an epic, but Sanderson giving him the chance to refuse I did not see coming. Excited like Sedat said to find out more about what/who Calamity is. I think the Megan/David related parts towards the end of the book gave the book a stronger emotional reaction than the first actually. (hide spoiler)]

re Iain on David(view spoiler)[Maybe. But it seemed more like he just had free will to me? (hide spoiler)]

I just finished this book and loved it ALMOST as much as the first. What will happen with prof? Looking forward to the 3rd installment. Sanderson continues to astound me with his story telling with its twists and turns. Really like what is happening with David and Megan, they deserve one another.

Michael wrote: "I just finished this book and loved it ALMOST as much as the first. What will happen with prof? Looking forward to the 3rd installment. Sanderson continues to astound me with his story telling with..."

Quoted for truth! :D

I'm still reading this. Started a bit late, and I didn't have too much time to read afterwards. But yesterday I did have a lot of time on my hands and I finished 160 pages. I'm now at part 4 (79%). I should finish the book before/during the weekend.

I'm liking it a lot so far, but probably I prefer the first book slightly over this one

Jumping on this thread for a buddy read reboot with Anni, Charlie and possibly Iain?! :)

I started today. Up to chapter 9. I'm fully into this already and enjoying it a lot. (view spoiler)[I like that they're going to New York, Any other city would have done, just so we can see what the rest of America is like after Calamity. Newcago was turned into steel and frozen like that, but everywhere else is a decaying pile of bricks. Pretty interesting.
Looking forward to meeting this new Epic, Regalia, and finding out what Prof's connection to her is! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 - (view spoiler)[Ooh she sunk New York! I'm picturing Venice with sky scrapers! What a power, manipulating water like that. And she can see or hear them through it. Very cool.
I like this new team of Reckoners so far too. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14 - (view spoiler)[Obliteration seems like he'll be pretty hard to kill. What an evil guy, just destroying city after city for fun... And Regalia is just going to let him destroy NY.
I get the feeling she's trying to hold herself back from being an evil epic, but feels herself slipping again. Just that last thing she told them to tell Prof. (hide spoiler)]

I started yesterday as well :) Finished Part 1 (Chapter 7) (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed the first battle against Sourcefield very much! The end of Chapter 3 was pretty badass! I also like that we see her so vulnerable in the end and how she became 'normal', it makes the whole situation a little more complicated, because we see that the epics might not be fully evil and that the enemies they kill, are humans after all. Nothing is as black-and-white as it first seems...

How Prof told David that it would be his fault, if some Epic destroy Newcago was very, very cruel and unnecessary! What do you think about Megan/Firefight? Is she a friend or the enemy? So far I think both is possible, but as this is a YA-book I tend to belive that David is right about her. Let's see how their trip went, I'm looking forward to see other cities :)

Oh and what a stupid epic name is Instabam, by the way? 😂 I wonder what have been his superpowers. (hide spoiler)]

Sir Anni wrote: "I started yesterday as well :) Finished Part 1 (Chapter 7) I ."

(view spoiler)[Instabam?! I have somehow missed that or blocked it out of my head already! 😅 What a stupid name!

I loved the fight with Sourcefield too, and how David realised at the end he'd just killed a vulnerable human in that moment. Definitely not black and white.

I think Megan will be good in the end! (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 9 - Ooh she sunk New York! I'm picturing Venice with sky scrapers! What a power, manipulating water like that. And she can see or hear them through it. Very cool.
I like this new team of Re..."

(view spoiler)[All I can think about with all those sunken buildings is...oh my god the whole place must smell like mold. (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "[spoiler removed]"

Haha, but honestly (view spoiler)[ Venice (hide spoiler)] smells a little, too 😂

And you revealed Siobhan's spoiler in your quote ;)

Siobhan wrote: "Instabam?"

He was an Epic coming to Newcago between Mitosis and Sourcefield. I think he was only mentioned once, so you haven't missed much 😂

Sir Anni wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Instabam?"

He was an Epic coming to Newcago between Mitosis and Sourcefield. I think he was only mentioned once, so you haven't missed much 😂"

Ooh right! Obviously didn't leave an impression on me! 😂

Rob wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 9 - Ooh s..."

HA! Good point 😅

Finished chapter 3! (view spoiler)[ That Epic was awesome, shame she was a murderer really. I love that her weakness was Kool-aid, I wonder why. (hide spoiler)]

Great start to the book, straight into the action.

Part 2 (Chapter 16) (view spoiler)[ First things first, I still love David's metaphors :) I like the other Reckoner Team, but I miss Cody and Abraham a little... Yeah ok, mostly Cody 😂 I also like the setting of the city, but why do they use two names? Sometimes they call it Babylon Restored and sometimes Babilar. The glowing building parts are really cool too, reminds me a little of Carmorr from 'The Lies of Locke Lamora'.

There was this sentence describing Mizzy "She seemed the type to be excited about pretty much everything." And this weekend I had to admit, that I'm overusing the scentence 'I'm excited' a little too, because I might be a little too enthusiastic. So I like her 😂

Regalia's superpowers are damn scary! Very smart to flood the city, she's crazy strong that way. I'm wondering where she, Prof and Tia have met before, do you think they worked together as Epics in the beginning? I still think she acts very strange... Why build up the city's economy to destroy everything later? And why did she called Prof and the Reckoners first? She said that she can't hold her evil Epic nature back much longer but I don't belive her...

Obliteration is very strange too, why does he talk that way and walk around with a sword? I bet it has something to do with his weakness!

Then there was Megan saving David. Hui! I haven't expected to see her that soon. I'm wondering what she's up to. And I'm also wondering of she might have been the one who trapped the people with fire to distract Mizzy? Don't know why, but something about this was fishy. The fire trapping them could have even been an illusion from her.

And now they are in this hiding place underwater, I'm wondering how Prof is going to find/meet them. (hide spoiler)]

I feel like I should have updated earlier to avoid such a long post 😂

Charlie wrote: "Finished chapter 3! [spoilers removed]

Great start to the book, straight into the action."

Glad you liked it :) I was wondering about her weakness to and also how they managed to find out? I does sound a little too random to just try it out 😅

Finished part 1! They're (view spoiler)[ leaving the city, it's a terrible idea although I am looking forward to meeting Regalia and seeing her powers.

RE Megan, I'm hoping she turns out to be one of the good guys! (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 10. The city is super cool. (view spoiler)[ It's all submerged and glowing, people are living on roofs and there's random fruit and veg growing everywhere - wild! Regalia is super cool, i'm imagining she's like Ursula, all powerful sorceress. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this goes.

I want to know when we're going to see Firefight since the book is named after her. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 finished! That was excellent!


Sir Anni wrote: "Part 2 (Chapter 16) First things first, I still love David's metaphors :) I like the other Reckoner Team, but I miss Cody and Abraham a little... Yeah ok, mostly Cody 😂 I also like the setting of ..."

Regalia is amazing! (view spoiler)[ Off her rocker, but brilliant. Sinking the city was a super smart move, I really want to know how she knows the professor, I think she could have been in league with him during Calamity.

I LOVE that Megan saved David. I'm hoping she's really on his side, I'm rooting for them! (hide spoiler)]


Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 14

(view spoiler)[ Obliteration was freaking awful. What a lunatic. I think you're right that Regalia is trying to be decent but I think she's struggling and using her powers will obviously make it harder for her to maintain control. (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "Finished chapter 10. The city is super cool....."

Oh, I love the picture of her being like (view spoiler)[ Ursula (hide spoiler)]!

Sir Anni wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Finished chapter 10. The city is super cool....."

Oh, I love the picture of her being like [spoilers removed]!"

Minus the tentacles :P

Charlie wrote: "Sir Anni wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Finished chapter 10. The city is super cool....."

Oh, I love the picture of her being like [spoilers removed]!"

Minus the tentacles :P"

Or with tentacles made out of water ;)

You guys are running a secret Buddy Read over here... I should have realized this was coming up, but you're using the old thread...

Iain wrote: "You guys are running a secret Buddy Read over here... I should have realized this was coming up, but you're using the old thread..."

Uh, I thought we said so on the Steelheart Thread (which was the old one too...). But I would have come to collect you, if you haven't made it here. But I thought it wouldn't be too bad to give us a headstart first 😜 You know, to be ahead of you for a short time.

Sir Anni wrote: "Iain wrote: "You guys are running a secret Buddy Read over here... I should have realized this was coming up, but you're using the old thread..."

Uh, I thought we said so on the Steelheart Thread ..."

yeah, I'm sure Iain will be finished in no time. This one is going to take me all week I think since I'm reading multiple books at a time.

I have tons of Buddy Reads the next week or so, so I'll probably be behind on everything... I haven't even been checking in with the Naughty Book Club much, since I don't have access to the new release audiobooks yet...

Iain wrote: "I have tons of Buddy Reads the next week or so, so I'll probably be behind on everything... I haven't even been checking in with the Naughty Book Club much, since I don't have access to the new rel..."

Well I'm going to take my time with this one so no rush :)

Sir Anni wrote: "Part 2 (Chapter 16) First things first, I still love David's metaphors :) I like"

Haha his metaphors are the best! 😂

(view spoiler)[I really like Mizzy too, and I'm assuming David will end up quite liking her too... (I spy a love triangle...!)

That's a good thought about Obliteration and the sword. Could very well have something to do with his weakness! (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "Finished chapter 10. The city is."

It is so cool isn't it!!