Status Updates From Rising Thunder (First Blade...

We're getting there! I wonder how far into the story we will get in this first part. I'm honestly rather excited.

Aziz’s autonomous program name, determined by the program: the Overcast!!!!

Lizzie-dubbed the “British BLADE”

Ari/Ariel-The rings!

Renz-eco nihilist who destroys the Mona Lisa

Kevin-best descriptor is pansexual, has a predilection for kimonos (significant pause) & robes.

Aziz-creating an autonomous computer program to optimize everything, learning each user, Pakistani

Lizzie-agonizing over how to make death “matter” and life to end with grace; discussions of “turning the corner” & what might be around it

Ari/Ariel-Jewish/Indigenous

This is great! I love these characters so much more than those of the Scythe trilogy.

Yeah, I mean you see it coming (Chapter 20), but it still hits kinda hard. I'm liking this a lot.

It's getting so exciting and interesting!

Honestly, I'm liking this a lot more than Scythe so far. It feels more nuanced, more thought out, cleverer, with better characters and more moving storylines. Does make me wonder if it will appeal to the same audience, but I at least am liking it so far.

To this point (first five chapters) we've just gotten mostly separate stories, but mostly they've been fascinating. I'm digging this so far.

Hm, every chapter seems to be more interesting than the last. That's a good sign.