Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

February Buddy Read Match-Up Group #2
(This is your thread to discuss the book of your choosing)
Have fun!

1. Kronos
2. Chris

Hey Kronos. I see that you're a fan of James Rollins. What do you think about reading The Blood Gospel? Or I just picked up Arrowood the other day.

Hey Chris. I don't currently have the blood gospel. How about reading the doomsday key? I started it recently. If not, I can get the blood gospel on kindle. Have you read the doomsday key? It's brilliant.

Or how about The Demon Crown or Odessa Sea or Arctic Drift or Ice Hunt? I have these in my TBR pile ?

The Demon Crown is the new James Rollins right? I'm not that far into that series, I recently finished Black Order so is be up for the next one.

The next up for me is The Judas Strain

Ok so through private messages so that we wouldn't spam your notifications... We've decided to read Orphan X, starting on February 15th, which is the best day of the year... just sayin!

Hey Chris. I started Orphan X. What about you? I think this series has broken a few stereotypes. Evan, who's an efficient vigilante lives in a civilian high rise building and is forced to manage himself in the midst of sheepish folk. He hides in plain sight while some popular heroes in the spy genre like Rapp and Harvath mostly live in isolation. Chris, what did you think of the flashback scenes in Orphan X ? I could somewhat relate it to Kain's perspective in Bloodline by James Rollins.

Well I haven't read that book by James yet, but I enjoy how the author is using flashbacks as a teaching tool. That way we don't miss on the main action while having to read about the training which can get dry and repetitive.
I actually thought that the opening chapter was one of the best that I've ever read in a book. It was simple, introduced a bunch of characters and you got to look into his life in a very short span, and it was hilarious!
I'll read some more today and tell you my thoughts later bud!

I feel the same. The opening chapter humanized a former professional assassin. Most writers shy away from having their protagonists face these simple but exciting situations.

They might shy away but that's what makes them real, something we can relate to. Which in the end should mean that we have a greater attachment to the character because we can relate.

Of course, Chris. But I personally find it extremely tough to write that sort of content. It's not easy for amateurs to write in a way the readers can connect to the characters. Gregg Hurwitz does it brilliantly. In which chapter are you in now?

I'm still on page 50. I like to read this one at night because it's easier to read than the other book that I have on the go right now. Last night I played video games with the wife, but tonight I'll get back on track and probably read another 50 pages or so.

Cool. I'm way behind you. I'm midway through the 4th chapter. What's happened until page 50? I love spoilers!!

He took a job and you learn a little about how he lives his life. The hit goes down but I haven't read about his clean up. He's very Dexter like in his "job".

Oh and let me know what a good pace for you is and I'll match you. Because if you let me go, I'll have this read in about a week.

I'll increase my speed. I plan to finish it in Feb and I cannot maintain consistency in my reading speed. I have tests this week in college and lots of assignments. But I'll surely find the time. What's your average reading speed for this book? I think it's 50 pages per day. I'll try to match it. I just finished an ebook of Devil's Due . You can check out the review I wrote a few minutes ago. Now I can concentrate all of my free time on Orphan X.

If you can handle 50 per day that would be cool. But I can slow down for you too bud. I went to college, my free time was filled with World of Warcraft because I didn't want to read anymore lol. So just let me know what pace you want to maintain and I'll match you!

I'm in another reading group that does fantasy so I'm never short of things to read. It was actually my birthday the other day and I've purchased or have been given 25 new books...So there's a bunch to catch up on! lol

Happy birthday. I don't play games regularly. I think I can definitely do 30 or 35 pages a day if I'm occupied. When I have time to kill I can read 200 pages a day. (if it's a holiday).

I just realized that the book we've chosen has some depressing tropes. The young girl, her sis and their entire block being under the control of a sick evil cop who marks them with his Glock.... This is screwed up. Is there any optimistic content as the book progresses?

The cop is his target!? lol

Killing the evil cop isn't actually written but is implied. That follows with a really funny scene in Vegas where Evan meets a good 9 fingered arms dealer. Chris, which chapter are you currently in ?

Evan Smoak is having a weird and interesting connection to Mia which is really fun. It's really hard for him to manage his vigilante life and his personal civilian life at the same time. I'm in chapter 10. Where are you at ?

Sorry about not responding bud. I've been crazy busy with the family. I power read the book tonight. Some 150+ pages to finish it. I feel bad for leaving you guessing like that.

I loved the book though, so thanks for the great recommendation! That scene where he meets Katerin and gets shot at while they're in the restaurant was pretty intense. From that point on, I was pretty much hooked. Did you finish? I don't want to comment anymore until I know you're done. Talk to you soon bud.

Hey Chris. I too loved the scene where Evan gets shot at in Chinatown. I'm at the part where Evan takes Katrin to his safe house after he stabs two assassins. The technology in the book is just awesome. I think I'll finish it this week. I too had some personal problems and couldn't finish it in February. How are you now, Chris ?

I'm good, I just need to make sure to take some reading time to myself each day and is not always easy to do that.

I don't want to comment much more on the book because I don't want to give any accidental spoilers. So just send me a message when you're done and we can chat buddy!