February 2016 Group Read: 14 by Peter Clines

[Katy]

Zach wrote: "Just finished this morning and rated 4 stars. I really liked the mystery at the beginning and it kept me wanting to read more. The Lovecraft connection was fun but the last act didn't really work f..."

Hey, somebody found gainful employment. These days, that's good.

[Kimberly]

Katy wrote: "Zach wrote: "Just finished this morning and rated 4 stars. I really liked the mystery at the beginning and it kept me wanting to read more. The Lovecraft connection was fun but the last act didn't ..."

(view spoiler)[I figured with the way Nate was taking the leadership role, that he wouldn't be "abandoning" the building afterwards....just wondered "who/what" the corporation would be like. (hide spoiler)]

[Jia]

Maybe it's just me, but must say that I'm a bit disappointed - was really hoping for something REALLY dark and sinister after all the build-up.
Well-written none the less, but not too much of a "horror" for me.

[Maxine Marsh]

Just finished this one and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't put this under the horror genre though, science fiction most likely. Despite this, I really loved the Lovecraft angle. A solid story. I have Clines's superhero books, looking forward to reading more of his work.

[Kimberly]

Maxine wrote: "Just finished this one and I enjoyed it. I wouldn't put this under the horror genre though, science fiction most likely. Despite this, I really loved the Lovecraft angle. A solid story. I have Clin..."

I agree Maxine, beyond "Lovecraft", I felt it was more a mystery/science fiction. I really enjoyed this one, though!

[Shaun]

Finished it last night. Loved it. Wasn't the horror story I was expecting, but it had just the right amount of pop culture references, and the author did all his homework. Was definitely a fun read.

[Maxine Marsh]

Shaun wrote: "Finished it last night. Loved it. Wasn't the horror story I was expecting, but it had just the right amount of pop culture references, and the author did all his homework. Was definitely a fun read."

Agreed, Shaun! Very entertaining with some well-drawn, non-cliche characters.

[Tressa]

I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I liked that.

The only character that got on my nerves was Veek. I had no idea why she was so cold and rude to Nate when they first met, and I got tired of her snarky, jealous comments to the female artist. Veek seemed to be more worried about snagging a boyfriend than keeping two worlds from colliding.

[Kimberly]

Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I liked that.

..."
I think that Veek (view spoiler)[ was very insecure and jealous of Xela's natural confidence. Remember, she was the "computer nerd", and couldn't really trust anyone because of her "unofficial" job... (hide spoiler)]

[Maxine Marsh]

Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I liked that.

..."

An attempt I think for Clines to 'foil' her against Xela (confident/sexy/artistic vs. insecure/prudish/tech-geek), I think Clines was trying to make them a little different, but I didn't find Veek to be too bad, they never really fought just sort of chided each other...I get what you're saying though Tressa.

[Shaun]

Maxine wrote: "Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I..."

Almost like Velma and Daphne. :-p Lol.

I'll admit, out of curiosity, I looked up Whipple Van Buren, and it's pretty much all true. Lovecraft's grandfather who told him stories, owned the land and irrigation company. Built two dams that both failed.

Peter Clines definitely did some very thorough homework.

[Kimberly]

Shaun wrote: "Maxine wrote: "Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected on..."

Thanks for that information, Shaun! (I was seriously going to look it up, myself... it sounded very "solid").

This is one of the things I love best about HA group reads--I had never heard of this book before, and ended up REALLY enjoying it! :)

[Tressa]

I like both Veek and Xela, and that is funny that I overlooked that whole "Velma and Daphne" thing if that's what the author was going for. I think I was just a little deflated that these two women were put in yet another "cat claw" scenario over a guy (even though Xela had zero interest in Nate and vice versa). It took away a little of my enjoyment of the Veek character that she would stoop to such inanity when she is clearly an intelligent, good person. But, I guess we all have our personality quarks.

This did make me like Xela more that she could just brush it off and still get along with Veek and her little jabs.

I love when a story successfully weaves real-life people into the fiction. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoyed Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and The Last American Vampire. One of the historical characters in 14 makes an appearance in Last American Vampire too.

[Obsidian]

I finished this and have to say that I gave it four stars.

Looks like some other people had issues with some of the logic of this book too.

I also really was sick of Veek by the time this book got to the end.

Just like Tressa said I think the whole Velma and Daphne thing was cute, but Veek took it way too far and turned into a raging asshole. I was over it. Xela was nothing but nice to her, and was obviously not interested in Nate. And even if she was, hello, Nate has a brain and can be interested in whoever he wants to be.

[Obsidian]

Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I liked that.

..."

Wasn't just you.

(view spoiler)[When she is calling Xela a slut when she is off with Nate and Robert? No. She was acting like the worst person ever.

When they are in the other place and Xela just goes I thought I was Velma? And Veek says no bitch you're Daphne? I mean seriously? Squales are coming to kill you, you are all about to die? What is your damage woman?. (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

O wrote: "Tressa wrote: "I also enjoyed the non-cliche characters and how both the college-educated and blue collar workers brought bravery and intelligence to the table. They all respected one another and I..."

I'll admit to liking Xela's personality more on the basis of her attitude, as well. Veek was insecure, but that's no reason to be "bitchy" about someone else. I could picture her better portrayed as a "shy, genius", than with that mentality.

[Tressa]

LOL, O. Thanks for backing me up. It was the ONE thing I didn't like about the book. I can kind of see it happening before the whole (view spoiler)["opening up to another dimension filled with giant squid" thing," back when they were just a bunch of young people renting rooms in the same building and not risking their lives saving the world. (hide spoiler)] But when it kept on after that? Yeah, a little too much for my preference. If I were Nate I think I'd slowly back out of that relationship if that's what she's like.