Justine’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2015)

Justine’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

I don't know what page, but it is from the first few chapters, and not really much of a spoiler. Kathi is being super diligent:)

The drink that is so popular in Coral being made from the stuff that comes from the dead people plants. Gross.

Yes, that whole scene with Corab was great.

Helen I just noticed your comment where you said Brys wasn't mentioned in your copy...did you finally get to that part by the end? At the point here they might have just been referring to him as the Champion or something instead of by name...I can't remember now.

Ah! A rereader! How many times will this be for you?

Speaking of convergence, I assume too that Seerdomin is the same person who was caring for Toc when he was imprisoned with the Matron? His actions all fit with what we saw him doing with Toc, being so compassionate; that scene where he recalled for Toc his father returning to the village and then turning back out to sea once he saw the Pannion Seer had taken control of the people there remains so memorable to me.

The village with the dead people bound up feeding the crops and all the villagers with black stained mouths? Just when you think things have got as creepy as they can...

I think we definitely see Erickson's background in anthropology coming out in these books. There is a critical study of civilization and what constitutes "civilized" that is ongoing throughout the entire series. That would make an interesting study just by itself.

No way. I'll live underappreciating the books. There isn't any way I'm ever doing a reread. :)

Started this yesterday and skimming through the list of characters I saw Rallick Nom listed. I can't believe we are finally going to find out what happens with him 7 books later!

Because he's Clip:)

I actually read quite a few zombie books, and this is definitely a good one. There are certainly others that meet the same standard though, The Reapers are the Angels comes to mind as one. This is Not a Test is also very good. This book is a bit different than those because it fits into the sub-genre of "sentient zombie" books like Warm Bodies and Raising Stony Mayhall.

For the most part I really liked the book. I found the main characters very sympathetic and their developing relationship believable. The evil genius doctor was a nice foil as was the over-the-top military jailer. None of the characters were subtle in this book, but that's OK, because honestly, it's the kind of book where that works. The ending was a litte sad but hopeful at the same time - depending on how you see things, of course.

My only little complaint with the book was that there were times that, all of a sudden, I found the writing quite jarring. I don't know what it was about the choice of language or phrase - it was never anything I could exactly put my finger on. I would just be reading along and then suddenly the way something was phrased wouldn't seem to flow quite right. It wasn't something that bothered me that much though. Overall, I thought it was very good.

I also read this book earlier this year and really enjoyed it.

Like Lulu I just finished (and loved) Bird Box. I'm now reading the Shades of London trilogy by Maureen Johnson and really enjoying that as well. I'm currently halfway through the last book, The Shadow Cabinet.

Next up I plan to start Toll the Hounds.

WOO HOO!

Yes...lol to that for sure!!

Just finished Children of Time - second everything Lindsay says; it was terrific and a definite must read everyone:)

Now starting Ancillary Mercy and then next up will be Toll the Hounds with the Malazan reading group:)

The usual answers are provided...:)

Yes, I don't necessarily need the email if that's the decision, but I would see an update to this thread. I also admit to not having read the first message properly either - sorry!

Thanks, Kathi! I'll be starting in the first week of November if not the actual 1st. :)