The Sword and Laser discussion

Our July pick will be Planetfall by Emma Newman

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

We didn’t read this as a group already?

Anyway, I liked it. Very, very mild spoiler as to my rating: (view spoiler)[5 stars until the ending, which kind of sets up the sequel, which dropped it to 3 stars. (hide spoiler)]

95% Trike approved.

Emma Newman has been in the 2021 & 2023 March Madness nominations.

I've never heard of the author but I'm looking forward to reading the book. Sounds intriguing.

I devoured all 4 books way back in 2018. Each book is sort of a standalone save for one event which binds all 4 books together. Audiobooks versions are quite good.

I read this a few years ago and enjoyed it, although like Trike I found (view spoiler)[ the ending disappointingly inconclusive (hide spoiler)]

The audiobook is included for free with your Audible membership and is read by the author.

The author is a professional podcaster (Tea and Jeopardy) and audiobook narrator like Legends & Lattes author Travis Baldree.

Tamahome wrote: "Emma Newman has been in the 2021 & 2023 March Madness nominations."

The sequel to "Planetfall", After Atlas made it to the final 8 books in the 2019 March Madness

Robert wrote: "The audiobook is included for free with your Audible membership and is read by the author."

And it's also on Hoopla for library users.

Since I read all 4 books in this series (4 stars all the way). I'm going to buy the new short story collection Before, After, Alone: A Planetfall Universe short story collection from Audible ($13.96 member price or 1 credit) & listen to that instead.

I finished the book yesterday. Question for those who have read the entire series: (view spoiler)[Does the mystery concerning the "City of God," the plants and the other alien races ever get resolved? Looking at the blurbs for the other books, I don't see it addressed. (hide spoiler)]

John (Taloni) wrote: "I finished the book yesterday. Question for those who have read the entire series: [spoilers removed]"

As to your spoiler (view spoiler)[the other books take place on Earth or near Earth at around the same time (if I remember correctly) as events in Planetfall (in a universe without faster than light communication).
We haven't returned to the colony of Planetfall (yet). (hide spoiler)]

^ Thanks, appreciate the info. So if I could beat this into the ground to be sure, (view spoiler)[if I'm looking for answers on what the City of God is and what happens once the MC joins the (likely aliens) on the other side, I won't get it from the next three books, is that right?

I kinda got a "2001" feel from the book and wondered if the author was going to give more info. And as for 2001, the movie left mysteries where the book explained, and I like the movie better. So maybe less is more here. Just wanted to know before I plowed through three more books looking for answers that aren't there. (hide spoiler)]

Tamahome wrote: "95% Trike approved.

Emma Newman has been in the 2021 & 2023 March Madness nominations."

This is the year of clearing out the books that keep getting nominated

John (Taloni) wrote: "^ Thanks, appreciate the info. So if I could beat this into the ground to be sure,"

Yes, that is correct (view spoiler)[the following three books are more about humans and humanity and the future of Earth. The fact that the Pathfinder left Earth is discussed and impacts those books, but nobody in them knows what has happened to the people of that expedition. (hide spoiler)]

if you guys want to discuss the book/series already, please create a new thread. This is just the announcement thread and ideally should be spoiler free, even if using tags.

I will be locking this thread on July 1st anyways.

Just started the audiobook and I am already in love with the narrator.

Jen wrote: "Just started the audiobook and I am already in love with the narrator."

Emma Newman narrates her own book. I am also enjoying her reading style.

The month has begun, go forth and discuss!