Laurel > Recent Status Updates

I've reached Chapter 9 (Exodus) and my loan of this book is expiring. Will have to borrow it again to continue.

The best sequel to a book in a long while! The adventure just keeps going, and the character development along the way is very realistic and doesn't feel forced or fake. I really enjoyed the story's progression, and I can't wait to get started on the next book!

Totally guessing at percentage ... but I'm enjoying it so far! Not my usual story preference, but I like the pace of it. (Most spy stories tend to drag on.. this, the action just keeps coming!)

Well after a long hiatus, finally picked it back up. And...What!!... enjoying it, wondering where it's going to go..

Ugh, stuttering in written format... While Sad King Billy has been mentioned previously, this is the first occurrence of him speaking, and it's with the m-m-m-m-most annoying st-st-st-st-stutter. (That isn't meant harshly against people with speech impediments. It's just... it's irritating as frick to READ things written l-l-l-l-like th-th-th-this.)

Now the poet is telling HIS story, and.. while I appreciate the author's ability to write in all these different styles (because each one so far has been distinguishable from the next, as it's a story being told by "someone else"), I really hate this poet. Arrogant & pretentious. Again, super impressed that the writing style varies so much, it does show talent in the author of the book, but.. the poet is still awful.

...what.....did I......just read........ Okay so. The soldier is telling his story, and it's all boring "Troops there, troops here, ships flying shooting shoot shoot, troops war" (not my kinda thing), and then there's this mystery woman who shows up literally just to...*ahem* a little victory moment after a battle.... and.. well huh.

The book starts with these 7 people (meeting for the first time) telling their stories, kind of a "why are you here." And I haven't even finished ONE person's tale, because it itself is a whole complete story. A fully thought out 'what the heck', and I am impressed! Mind you, so far the only female character is your typical "angry, beautiful Woman In SciFi", but who knows, that could just be first impressions.

Here's what I've got so far: A tree spaceship, with 7 passengers on board (a soldier, a poet, a priest, a detective, a consul & a scholar, which sounds like the beginning of a fantastic joke), heading to a planet about to be attacked, in hopes of uncovering grand truths of the universe. So far, so good!

At last, an explanation! 'Scarlett just saw flashes of color attached to her feelings.' I wish the author had just said that earlier. (I still dislike it; I feel like the author is just using it as an excuse to try to be weirdly poetic or just downright abstract) Other things are kinda annoying, but... I'd like to think I'm enjoying this book otherwise. Lol.

So far the story itself seems interesting. But Scarlett has this ability to sense colours or something? Or her feelings make colours appear? It's originally described as her seeing various shades due to feelings. But other times, it's almost like the people & things around her have a halo. Either way, hasn't really been clearly explained. "Five different shades of berry-coloured foolish." Hm :/

I had never heard of this book before I saw it at a second-hand shop, and something about the cover just called to me. Maybe it was the way the name was simply one, curious word. Maybe it was the way the letters themselves seem to just invite you to read it. Maybe it was that the cover reminded me of another favorite series of mine (the Lunar Chronicles).. Either way, I'm intrigued and enjoying it so far!