Indie Eden Book Club read Finding Pandora!

This month, the Indie Eden Book Club on Facebook read Finding Pandora: Book One (World) and discussed several aspects including plot, character and theme. Hosted by Jessica Scott, here were some of the questions and responses in the group.You can join their book club here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IndieEdenBookClub/What were your first impressions of the book?One member commented 'It's very interesting' and another added 'It's a 'thinker', There's a lot of information to absorb.' It sounds like Earth doesn’t fare too well in the future... Do you think our planet is currently headed the same way as is predicted in the book? Or do you think we can turn things around?All commenting members seemed to agree that unfortunately we're headed for a similar future. 'We are headed in the same direction. I think we can turn things around, but we are unwilling.' A second member said, 'The biggest problem is that people don't want to change... if nothing changes, nothing can improve.'If you had been in Arriette’s place, would you have left with your ex-boyfriend on a dangerous journey to help the girl he cheated on you with?The first comment was 'Probably not. He sounded like a jerk... I think Arriette felt sorry for Susan', however another member followed this with, 'I thought maybe he could have been sincere... but I personally wouldn't have believed him.' The final comment for this topic was, 'For Susan's sake, yes.'There is a lot of discussion in Finding Pandora: Book One about the politics and social structure of Haeylo. How does it compare to today’s (Earth) society? How is it similar/different?Interestingly, one of the comments said, 'I feel like the Everlasts are like politicians today in the US, never leaving office... And Humans are the lowest rung.'If you were in Pandora’s place, would you have been tempted to open that box?Firstly, a member replied, 'Probably...maybe?... It seemed to me she'd been contemplating on opening it for a while.' A second reader added, 'Isn't that part of the appeal of the myth? I think we can all empathize with Pandora; in a way, she couldn't stop herself because of her human nature.'What did you think of all of the different supernatural beings in Finding Pandora? Was it hard to keep track of them all? Or did you like that each being had its own history and powers?The first comment said, 'I liked the main categories of Supes', closely followed by a comment from another reader, 'The Time Travelers seem really interesting!' A third member admitted, 'I got a little overwhelmed by all the introductions of different types of creatures all at once'.What do you think of the “Power Scale” in Finding Pandora? Do you think it’s a fair ranking of which creature has the most (or least) power? If you had written the scale, would it be in the same order?The first comment agreed with the power scale, stating, 'The power scale works... it helps to convey the politics of Haeylo. I don't think I would have done the ranking any differently.' The final comment added, 'It's a scientific way to measure things that aren't necessarily scientific.'Still thinking about the power scale and all of the magical beings and creatures on Haeylo, I’m curious: If you could have any of the powers listed on the scale, which would you choose?This sparked a lot of discussion. I admitted I'd love to be a Dreamer. Another member quickly agreed, 'I was thinking I would like to be a Dreamer too! When Arriette accidentally dreamed her clothes away, though, I thought "Hmm... I'd have to be careful with that..." A Retainer would probably be my second choice, or maybe an Angel, since they can fly.' When advised of a Retainer's purpose and an Angel's responsibility, the same member added, 'In that case I would stick with being a Dreamer... I can't handle those kinds of decisions.' A second member soon agreed with Retainer or Dreamer, but interestingly, a third said, 'I might want to be a Dreamer or an Everlast. Being youthful forever might not be so bad.'While you were reading, did you think that Casper and the group really, genuinely cared about Arriette? Or did you think they were just using her to meet their own goals?Firstly, a reader commented, 'They genuinely cared about her, but entangled with that is the fact that she's this person that they need. If she were someone else, they wouldn't have cared so much', followed by another reader's agreement, 'I think they started out needing her (and put in the extra time and effort because they needed her), but I think that maybe they genuinely came to care about her too.'If you had been in Arriette’s place, would you have been able to trust Casper, Baby A, and the others in the group that found her in the woods, especially after all she had been through?Immediately someone said no. 'Way too suspicious for me.' Another member also agreed, saying, 'I would have found it hard. They wanted her participation without telling her the whole story. And I think she could sense that.'Arriette’s greatest power was that she was a voracious reader, and someone who loves to learn. What did you think of her character? Could you relate to her?After a funny Disney GIFF had been posted, one of the members said, 'I liked that she's smart. Too many female leads are not. She overthinks sometimes, but who doesn't?'Which character do you most identify with in Finding Pandora, and what makes them so relatable to you?The first comment said, 'I think Rihaana. I've always felt as if I were struggling to choose my own path versus walking the one laid out for me. Then again, that could be said for all of the characters.' Another reader then commented, 'I didn't like Rihaana as much at the end of the book, but I still think that she is the one I have the most in common with.'What did everyone think of the ending of Finding Pandora: Book One: World? Did it end the way that you hoped? Did it leave you wanting more?All members of this group are entitled to free e-copies of the following books in the series to satisfy their curiosity. 'I was a little disappointed in the ending. I thought that there would be something more satisfying. It definitely seemed like a cut-off ending, although it did leave me intrigued to read more.'What do you think of Tobias from Finding Pandora? Do you think he is a good match for Arriette? (And can we discuss that scene where she used her Dreaming powers the first time by accident?! Talk about embarrassing...)The first comment (followed by some cheeky emojis), was, 'I like Tobias. He's definitely better than Kalvin.' A second reader, although in agreement, said, 'I feel like he's still kind of a mystery at this point in the series.'How would you have reacted if you found out that you suddenly had four different types of magical powers? Would you have wanted them? Or would you have been reluctant to accept them, like Arriette?Someone jumped in and admitted, 'I would be nervous but excited! I think Arriette was afraid to use them because she wasn't sure she could control them' and a second said, 'I've been waiting for magical powers since I read Harry Potter!'How did you come up with the Haeloean language? Is it based on another language?I answered, 'It's a mix of other languages and the use of semiotics (and some made up words)! It was good fun but I only wrote the parts of the language I needed.'If you would like to read Finding Pandora: Book One (World) and answer these questions yourself, please visit www.books2read.com/findingpandora where you can download the book free of charge.I'd like to invite the members of the book club, and anyone else who has read and enjoyed the book, to leave a short review on their favourite retailer's website. A huge thank you to those who participated!