The Not a Book Club Club discussion
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Heroes Die
The Acts of Caine
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HD - Section 1: Prologue & Day 1
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So I hadn't read the book description, so I was confused by the Elmer Fudd reference and then the CRT reference until he came back out of whatever it is. A simulation of some kind?
Interesting. So a bit cyberpunk mixed with fantasy.
I'm intrigued by the caste system. Hari is a 'Professional' while his boss Vilo is a 'Businessman'.
Seems like he acts out adventures primarily for the enjoyment of the ultra rich. And much like the matrix dying there apparently means dying in real life.
Good start so far...
Well, it seems like only the end consumer experience is a virtual simulation, a recording of the actor's adventure that the viewer can experience virtually from whatever POV they pay for - but the actors seem to actually "go away" to an alternate universe on adventure? And then they get brought back to Earth - if they live? Kinda like a blood sport?That's how I'm reading it so far anyway. My head is spinning.
I'm really digging the audio narration. Stefan Rudnicki's voice just sounds badass cool.
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Seems that Overworld is Earth in another dimension. They have two ways to send people there. One way used for training doesn't allow for two way communication. But the other does.
I'm really enjoying the contrast and similarities of the two worlds. You have a sort of futuristic dystopian main world and a fantastical other world.
I have so many questions at this point and I just can't wait to find out the answers.
This pretty bloodthirsty. That scene with the Emperor pulling the guys guts out with hooks and keeping him alive was gruesome. I have hankering for a nice big steak now.
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Yes - and they seem to like goats a lot.
Does anyone else think Lamorak sold out Shanna and crew? He apologized to Shanna and only wanted to talk Berne once he was captured. Think he may have sold them out then been double crossed by Berne who wanted his sword.
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I didn't think about that at all - but it sounds like a good theory
Fuck me like a virgin goat.Stover doesn't hold back.
The best pieces in the stories I've read so far are the action parts interluded with dialogue and inner monologue slapsticks.
Caine is just badass which isn't enough for a character in my opinion. I hope he develops to something more interesting.
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I think there is more to Caine, but certainly to Hari that seems to come out as the story goes on.
At this point he does look paper thin though. I'll be curious to see if your opinion changes the further you read.
I'm liking the glimpses of the real world - as was mentioned above it looks like some sort of caste system. Ha - "competence porn" - Alex, great description.
The danger of competence porn is that it can lead to a Mary Sue story if applied too much. Caine is too twisted for that, but the villains Berne and the Emperor read like some pulp superhero.
I am getting a strong Star Ocean: Till the End of Time vibe off this book... probably just because I haven't gotten far enough into it yet.
Really looks promising after reading the prologue.Also the descriptions which Stover gives when he describes violence are gruesome.The caste system looks interesting where in each individual is classified on the basis of his profession that would make me a professional I guess :P.
I did not much get the part where Hari explains how Shanna will die as she is offline.Also Korlberg is going to do something nasty to Hari.
All in all I am really enjoying this book.
Please keep all discussion to the events and speculation to the Prologue and Day 1.
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