Gray, Claudia--Ten Thousand Skies Above You informal buddy reads starts July 16, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray.



Synopsis
Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

res

[megan]

I'm in on this one. May be starting a bit late, but excited.

[Suzanne]

I started this and got about 1/4 through and then my phone broke. I'll see if I can find another way to continue since I won't get a new phone til Wednesday - twitch :)

I like it so far!

First part (view spoiler)[ It was cool seeing a little bit of Renaissance Italy - and the whole Priest/forbidden love thing, as well as a female pope! And how awful to be splintered. (hide spoiler)]

I'm not sure if all plot parts make sense - I'll have to think about that. But it is a fun ride so far.

[Kristel]

Suzanne wrote: "I started this and got about 1/4 through and then my phone broke. I'll see if I can find another way to continue since I won't get a new phone til Wednesday - twitch :)

I like it so far!

First p..."

I'm also not super far in but I do love seeing other worlds. Honestly, I'm sometimes more intrigued about the rules and history of the parallel worlds than the actual plot.(view spoiler)[ I want to know more about the world where gender discrimination doesn't exist but everything is Renaissance Italy. How do the dynamics change? A book about that could be great! (hide spoiler)]

Also, I still don't fully get why Marguerite was made the perfect traveler. It doesn't make any sense! Why would Conley ever think that she would join him? He is her enemy! Also, she has no science background and doesn't know much about the technology behind Firebird which, in my opinion, makes her a horrible traveler.
Just saying if it was my Super Evil Plan To Take Over The Universe she wouldn't be my first choice.

[Suzanne]

Haha wow that is really a good point. Why not pick someone he controls even, or who agrees with his objectives. Oh well :)

[megan]

I think she was made the perfect traveler on accident. Something about a box exploding with light while she was around??

[Suzanne]

Oh yeah could be! That would make more sense.

[Kristel]

That does make more sense:)

[Suzanne]

I finished it. I did enjoy it - I really like the premise of the multi-verses.

(view spoiler)[ The love triangle was handled ok, but I still HATE them passionately. And all the accompanying angst - there was so much angst.

I LOVE that it handled consequences - like pregnancy - and that it mentioned evil Marguerite going and ruining peoples lives. I also like that they aren't the same everywhere - there are definitely evil versions - I was shocked at the kneecapping!

I'm sure I'll read book 3 in the near future. I need to find out what happens.
(hide spoiler)]

[Kristel]

I have finally finished the book!
For starters, reading the second book my expectations were way more accurate and because of that, I enjoyed this way more than the first one(when starting the series I expected it to be more science-heavy).
(view spoiler)[I find the love subplot to be way less interesting than the actual story and honestly could do without it.

Like Suzanne, I also enjoyed that the consequences of Marguerites actions were addressed and the morality of traveling into other peoples bodies came into question.
Found it quite rude when Marguerite left a note telling Grand Duchess Margarita that while her life is falling apart she should be comforted by the fact that in another dimension she and Paul are happy together. Was that supposed to make the Grand Duchess feel better? I didn't find it super comforting.

Super happy that many other dimensions were tackled and loved learning about them. I kinda want a separate book just about the Triadverse and how it became the type universe it is now.

One thing that did annoy me was that Marguerite thinks that her Theo has the capacity to be morally corrupt and because of that doesn't completely trust him but the second she meets good Conley she almost immediately thinks she can trust him and wants to tell him everything!?

Overall, I found this book to be better than the first one and I am definitely interested in how the series(trilogy?) ends. I do hope that Marguerite gets her body back and teams up with the other dimensions to take Triadverse down.

PS! I liked the little tidbit were we found out that the main Marguriete is not from our world but from another:)
(hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Kristel wrote: "I have finally finished the book!
For starters, reading the second book my expectations were way more accurate and because of that, I enjoyed this way more than the first one(when starting the ser..."

Oooh (view spoiler)[ I hadn't thought about the whole note thing to the Russian Marguerite. You are right, that really is no comfort - more of a "too bad I have it better than you." I'm glad that Russian Marguerite has her brother - he is awesome.

And good point about trusting/not trusting. I would NEVER trust Conley in any universe :)

(hide spoiler)]

[megan]

Suzanne wrote: "Kristel wrote: "I have finally finished the book!
For starters, reading the second book my expectations were way more accurate and because of that, I enjoyed this way more than the first one(when ..."

Was really hoping for (view spoiler)[ Marguerite to explain more about what is going on to the Grand Dutchess in the Russianverse. Tell he what's up - more than just the shadow world crap. The letter is just a mess of apologizing but does nothing to help with a solution to her mess. Tell her that she loves Paul in many versions of herself, but there are versions that love Theo. Get her version of Theo involved and write a letter to the Russianverse Theo too. Hook them up! (hide spoiler)]

[Kristel]

megan wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Kristel wrote: "I have finally finished the book!
For starters, reading the second book my expectations were way more accurate and because of that, I enjoyed this way more than the..."

I was thinking the same thing!! (view spoiler)[ Theo and the Grand Dutchess coud have been happy together, but she is most likely going to have to marry some royality :(

And that reminds me when in the Warverse Marguerite basicly told Paul that even tough this Margurite is in love with Theo he could still get with her. I mean, really!? Way to be rude to the other Theo. (hide spoiler)]

[megan]

Even though this was a reread for me, I didn't remember it nearly as much as I remembered the first book. (Except all of the Russianverse stuff because it's my favorite!) I know I remember even less of the third book, so I'll have to reread that one too. Still wish there was more science explanations.