Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Calamity by Brandon Sanderson starting July 1, 2018.

Gonna be here for this one! After Firefight, have to find out what is going to happen to the professor, David and his epic babe. One thing is for sure, Sanderson will not dissappoint!

I"m about 20% in. I think Cody's character is getting a bit stranger..and more over the top, not that I mind.

currently reading this and thought i would be slow but this is fast and chapters are small, so found myself at 60% after few hours.

(view spoiler)[I don't why but I think Mizzy will be a traitor, selling out David&Co.'s secret/location...

What is Prof.'s purpose? am curious. how changed a person he's now, quite a shock for me.

and Firefight made a brief appearance! i think he'll be playing an important role in fight against Calamity. (hide spoiler)]

Started reading last night.
I will miss David when I finish this.
Anyways (view spoiler)[I don't think Tia is dead, especially after we learn she and Prof had something going on. (hide spoiler)]

I started on the first, then got real busy, now I'm gonna back on this, about 38% through, and I find myself with the same situation I was with Blood and Tempest It's the last book in a trilogy that I've really enjoyed, but I really feel like dropping this book.

This book has its moments like this somewhere before chapter 17.
(view spoiler)[
“You,” I said, tipping her chin up to look her in the eye, “are a sunrise.”
She cocked her head. “A…sunrise?”
“Yup.”
“Not a potato?”
“Not right now.”
“Not a hippo?”
“No, and…wait, when did I call you a hippo?”
“Last week. You were drowsy.”
Sparks. Didn’t remember that one. “No,” I said firmly, “you’re a sunrise. I spent ten years without sunrises, but I always remembered what they looked like. Back before we lost our home, and Dad still had a job, a friend would let us come up to the observation deck of a skyscraper in the morning. It had a dramatic view of the city and lake. We’d watch the sun come up.”
I smiled. It was a good memory, me and my father eating bagels and enjoying the morning cold. He’d always make the same joke. Yesterday, son, I wanted to watch the sunrise. But I just wasn’t up for it….
Some days, the only time he’d been able to make for me had been in the morning, but he’d always done it. He’d gotten up an hour earlier than he needed to get to work, and he’d done it after working well into the night. All for me.
[2:39 PM] MorteTorment: “So, am I going to get to hear this glorious metaphor?” Megan said. “I’m twinkling with anticipation.”
“Well, see,” I said, “I would watch the sun rise, and wish I could capture the moment. I never could. Pictures didn’t work—the sunrises never looked as spectacular on film. And eventually I realized, a sunrise isn’t a moment. It’s an event. You can’t capture a sunrise because it changes constantly—between eyeblinks the sun moves, the clouds swirl. It’s continually something new.
“We’re not moments, Megan, you and me. We’re events. You say you might not be the same person you were a year ago? Well, who is? I’m sure not. We change, like swirling clouds and a rising sun. The cells in me have died, and new ones were born. My mind has changed, and I don’t feel the thrill of killing Epics I once did. I’m not the same David. Yet I am.”
I met her eyes and shrugged. “I’m glad you’re not the same Megan. I don’t want you to be the same. My Megan is a sunrise, always changing, but beautiful the entire time.”
She teared up. “That…” She breathed in. “Wow. Aren’t you supposed to be bad at this?”
“Well, you know what they say,” I told her, grinning. “Even a clock that runs fast is still right twice a day.”
“Actually…You know what, never mind. Thank you.”
She kissed me. Mmmmm. (hide spoiler)]

But for the most part, this book really really feels like it's dragging its heels. I don't know what you're talking about Manju about chapters being small, as I'm on part 2 of four and so many chapters went on for like 10-15 pages each, and it really felt like a lot of it could have been cut. Chapter 18 felt like it went on for an eternity!

If you're not gonna be really great, then at least let me breathe book!

you know what? Fuck it! I wanna read, not spend the whole day deciding whether to continue this book or not. And hell, it's been over a week and no oens' even mentioned if they've finished the book. I'll take that as a sign that most of us gave up on it.

I finished the book last week and I found it to be mediocre. some chapters were good but at the most I found it to be dragging. Sanderson did end most of the chapters on cliffhanger but it was expected as he has been doing this in first two books too.

(view spoiler)[ two things that bugged me most were 1) that alternate world. i didn't understand it. Sanderson always explains things in detail in his books, he just skip few points here.

2) the Reckoners were not same without Prof. I think Prof. was the backbone and without him they were just a bunch of reckless kids. going into a operations without too much planning. :/ (hide spoiler)]

Wowww.
I'd never thought I'd say this about a Sanderson book but, wasn't the ending a bit rushed? Ilditya scenes were dragged too long unnecessarily too.
Okay its a 5star read and everything is great but (last time I said this was after I finished Elantris) Sanderson's only rival is Sanderson himself. I will just let this one slide because its a different genre :)

Just finished this morning. I get what Sanderson did with it and how he ended it. I'm not sure what he could have added to improve upon it but just felt like some plot piece was missing. On the other hand, there were no digressions, he moved the plot every chapter, so something to be said for that. Still, Probably my least favorite of the three. (view spoiler)[Also a bit confused as to how David had Steelheart's powers when his dad, who was steelheart, was only steelheart in another world, not in the world he was born too. (hide spoiler)]. Still, characters remained consistent and the tone was good. I don't think I could imagine David having another voice than the narrator's voice, kinda a Fry from Futurama quality.

So, since so many of have actually finished this book anyone feel like spoiling the entire second half for me?

MorteTorment(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader) wrote: "So, since so many of have actually finished this book anyone feel like spoiling the entire second half for me?"

Oh just finish it. It's a decent enough book :)

I still need to start this book. I'll probably finish my current book this weekend, and start afterwards with this one.

Jakyro wrote: "I still need to start this book. I'll probably finish my current book this weekend, and start afterwards with this one."

If you haven't read it yet, we're doing a second Buddy Read, starting on the 25th, right here :)

Sir Anni wrote: "Jakyro wrote: "I still need to start this book. I'll probably finish my current book this weekend, and start afterwards with this one."

If you haven't read it yet, we're doing a second Buddy Read,..."

I finished it last month. Good conclusion to a good series. I don't really have a favourite of the three books, I liked them equally well. A very conistent series I thought

I'm in for buddy read round 2! :)

I'm about to start this guys! How many pages can I fit into my 10 min break!?

I guess I'm the one ahead this time... you guys reminded me this was starting on the 25th, so I read it over the past 2 days...

Haven't said much since I've been pretty harsh on this book in this re-read... I think I'm reaching Sanderson Burnout, and I read some harsh reviews of this book over the summer that got me thinking and agreeing...

I'll share more once you guys start reading...

I'm sorry you didn't love it Iain, it sucks when you're disappointed with a read. My problem so far with this series is that I can't help but compare it to Mistborn. I adore that trilogy so I know what Sanderson's capable of, this just doesn't measure up. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed it, it's been a fun read but really I think it could be so much better than it is.

Anyway I've just finished chapter 1. (view spoiler)[ I think it's a bit of a cop out that we're told very casually that Prof took over Newcago. Considering everything the team went through in book one to make it safe, we at least deserved a big grand battle. I feel cheated. Apparently he's also wiped out all the other reckoner teams, which again, we hear of in passing.

I do love that Megan's back on the team and I like that this new team is a mix of both the Newcago and Babilar reckoner cells. (hide spoiler)]

In a lot of ways, this book just has too many IDEAS, and not enough details, or planning... the team just runs around hoping for the best... and luck into a win... the previous books had some of that, but a sense of goals and manageable steps to achieve them, as well...

Iain wrote: "I guess I'm the one ahead this time... you guys reminded me this was starting on the 25th, so I read it over the past 2 days...

Haven't said much since I've been pretty harsh on this book in this ..."

You still gave it 4 stars, that doesn't sound too harsh :D Or is it your first rating?

And actually I started on the 25th, but only read two chapters 😅

That's my first rating... I'd probably rate it 2 stars this time, and average it to 3 stars as my GR rating... updated my review...

I definitely thought this book was the weakest of the series. There were some good elements, ideas, and as typical with Sanderson, things I didn't see coming. (Something he's really good at in Mistborn and Stormlight Archive) and the banter and tone are same as the rest, but not sure it got me revved up enough as most climax-to-series books should.

Finished chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ David has infiltrated the lab and it's super creepy. Full of body parts in jars. Yuck! He's just been caught by a load of robots, this should be fun! (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "I'm sorry you didn't love it Iain, it sucks when you're disappointed with a read. My problem so far with this series is that I can't help but compare it to Mistborn. I adore that trilogy so I know ..."

I completely agree with you on chapter 1. (view spoiler)[That was such a cop out! They could have filled a full book with Prof taking over Newcago and wiping out the other Reckoners! Seems like a lot to just mention in passing. (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "I'm sorry you didn't love it Iain, it sucks when you're disappointed with a read. My problem so far with this series is that I can't help but compare it to Mistborn. I adore that trilogy so I know ..."

I completely agree with you on chapter 1. (view spoiler)[That was such a cop out! They could have filled a full book with Prof taking over Newcago and wiping out the other Reckoners! Seems like a lot to just mention in passing. (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "..."

They really could have!! I would have enjoyed that kind of book!

I think Sanderson feels he needs to stick to trilogies for his non-Cosmere stuff since he already has so many other books he needs to write... and it's a typical contract to sign with a different publisher from his main one...

I agree, this could have been better as a 4 or 5 book series...

I understand sticking to a trilogy. Just disappointed by the info dump.

Chapter 6 was great!

Chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[So the secret to faking the epic powers is using some of their cells. Seems simple (if you can do science) haha.
I am curious how David is going to kill Calamity, and I hope he succeeds. I'm assuming he will! (hide spoiler)]

Aaaah, I need to catch up! 😱

Sir Anni wrote: "Aaaah, I need to catch up! 😱"

I'll hold off a bit until you get started! :)

I'm up to chapter 9! I don't think I've ever gotten this far through a series where I don't like the main character! (view spoiler)[ Davis has told the nighthawk guy about epic fears and in turn he's given the reckoners epic tech that makes salt. I don't understand! I'm obviously missing something! (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote:

Chapter 10 was great! I have no idea (view spoiler)[ how on earth David is going to try and kill calamity, how is he going to get up there, a rocket?! (hide spoiler)]

Hohoho!
I won't tell :)

Siobhan wrote: "Sir Anni wrote: "Aaaah, I need to catch up! 😱"

I'll hold off a bit until you get started! :)"

Aww, that's really sweet :) I finished chapter 4 yesterday and hope to catch up with you two tonight.

I hope you're enjoying it so far Anni. I've got plenty of other things to read at the moment so no rush :).

I do :) The bad metaphors still make me smile and even when there're small things that don't make sense imo, I don't mind. I see this more as an easy and funny read, well... something I don't really need my brain for :D

Sometimes his metaphors are so bad, they're good, now :)

It was endearing at first but it annoys me now. I know I'm in the minority but I don't like David as a character at all. I find him irritating and stupid. Still, I really like the world and the story but he frustrates me.

This is my easy, funny read too. I still love the bad metaphors :)

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 10 - [spoiler]"

(view spoiler)[ Hmmm... You're right this again sounds like something damn obvious, same as the epic's fear as their weakness. As if only a few people know this 'secret'...
Also I'm not sure I really like it, maybe this is too close to home for me :D I can't see how 'run power through them' can work. Also creating cell cultures isn't that easy after all, especially creating a new cell line... And shouldn't it be important what kind of cells you use? Because most cells aren't totipotend and can only divide into the same type as they are. And the motivator being an incubator working for decades? That doesn't sound likely at all 😅 But, I will just ignore that and move on. Because I still enjoy the story.

I like the charakters and it's pretty cool to see Mizzy togehter with the 'old team'. And I think David and Megan are rather cute together. Thank god, there's no angsty drama between them (or a love triangle with Mizzy!)

And yay for Germany being the drone-creating country (with painful to unpack packages... Maybe I should use more duct tape to wrap packages as well!) 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "I'm up to chapter 9! [...] I don't understand! I'm obviously missing something!"

Hmmm, I don't know what you mean, sounds like you summed it up quite good.



Charlie wrote: "Siobhan wrote:

Chapter 10 was great! I have no idea [spoilers removed]"

A really good question, can't wait to find out :)

But why did he give them a salt machine?! What can they do with the salt, I don't understand!

Charlie wrote: "But why did he give them a salt machine?! What can they do with the salt, I don't understand!"

(view spoiler)[ It's not a salt machine :D It's a motivator that allows you to use Epic-Superpowers like the water-thingy David used in the last book.
This one gives the one who carry it, the power to form everything out of crystal if you touch something crystaline (like salt for example). I guess it's a little like Regalia's power with the water. And in a place with that much salt like the area where Prof stays right know it could be useful. (hide spoiler)] Does that make sense?

Charlie wrote: "It was endearing at first but it annoys me now. I know I'm in the minority but I don't like David as a character at all. I find him irritating and stupid. Still, I really like the world and the sto..."

I do love David. I need to reread this series soon.

I'm up to chapter 19, really enjoying this as usual.

(view spoiler)[The salt city is crazy! It just breaks down and grows again, constantly moving. I think this will answer Charlotte's question about the salt motivator thingy? They did say something about the city being made out of salt when they got it.
But, what happens when it's moved as far as it can move in any direction? Will it just shuffle off into the sea?! What if it hits another city? Crazy idea, not very practical. Haha.

Can I just say, chapter 17 I think, David's Sunrise metaphor was the sweetest thing I've ever heard!! 😍 I think Megan was thoroughly charmed! (hide spoiler)]

Charlie wrote: "I'm up to chapter 9! I don't think I've ever gotten this far through a series where I don't like the main character! [spoilers removed]"

I think you missed that they are (view spoiler)[headed to a city made out of salt. That's where Prof went. The motivator allows them to manipulate it and build with it too, like the epic who formed the city. (hide spoiler)]

Yes I realise Anni has already explained this but it just became clear in my head 😂

Siobhan wrote: "Yes I realise Anni has already explained this but it just became clear in my head 😂 "

It's ok, just say my explanation was bad :p