LI: Part 1: Chapters 1–7

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I'm really enjoying it so far. It's a lot of fun. I really love the world he's built. He says he has an idea for a sequel. I hope he gets a chance to write it.

I'm doing the Wil Wheaton audio, and it's as good as usual. I still don't get the two versions though.

I haven't read Ramez Naam, but I've yet to find a SciFi author whose books are as fun as Scalzi's.

[Suzanne]

I'm enjoying it so far too - I just finished the audio of Endymion yesterday and started this one right up. Its pretty easy to get into. At first I kept seeing episodes of "Almost Human" in my mind's eye.

I haven't read Ramez Naam either - I may need to check him out. Although - you guys keep giving me more good books to read - I need more time!!

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Here's a discussion question. If the neural networks and threeps were available now/to everyone one would you get the network? Would you then use a threep or just use the network to plug in the world?

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I'd really love to plug the internet into my head if it was safe. I'd worry about a virus or having someone steal my inner most thoughts.

More importantly, I'd be afraid of the surgery. I wear glasses and I doubt I'll ever get LASIK. Too worried about going blind.

[Suzanne]

From the little I know now- hmm...I was thinking I'd just use the network to plug into the world, but then I started thinking about extreme sports, etc. Maybe I'd want a threep. I know they can get hurt, but at least that wouldn't kill me.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I guess you didn't read the novella first?

[Sky]

Still in chapter 4 (finished the novella) but I found the neural network bit just a little implausible...At least the background that was given in the novella. The guy who invents it basically says "hey the brain is just a big neural network! I gotta get to the office and code this up before I forget!!!"

The book so far is not what I expected (not in a bad way). I liked how the novella set up the whole background and the book takes place 25 years later. I was expected to be walked through the outbreak all over again in the book.

So far threeps and the human "carriers" (forget the term they use in the book) that can hosts the hadens remind me of sleeves from Altered Carbon.

Also, about the carriers...They haven't had surgery to implant neural networks, right? It's just a freak mutation that happened to a small percentage of the people that had stage 2 haden's but were never locked in? I found that part a little hand wavy.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Scalzi isn't hard SciFi.

[Suzanne]

Nope - I didn't read the novella first. I should have but...too late now! I just had too many things on my plate to finish and then I was ready to start the audiobook.

[Sky]

Rob wrote: "Scalzi isn't hard SciFi."

Ah ok...This is my first Scalzi book. I am liking the ideas/concepts, the science part is just a little hand wavy for my tastes :)

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

The audiobook includes the novella. Just bookmark where you are and jump to chapter 27 I think.

[Suzanne]

Oh nice - thanks. I'll do that - it sounds as if I am missing some background! But I'd still like a "disposable" body to do extreme sports =)

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Threeps cost about the same as a car.

[Suzanne]

Yeah true...but so does the hospital =). I like the instant travel to somewhere too - that's kind of cool.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Yeah. I like how car rental places also rent threeps. Instantly having your conscious anywhere is appealing.

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

It's on my list. No idea when I'll have time.

[Suzanne]

If I'm reading this correctly (and sorry if it was mentioned earlier) - Carrie are you saying the two versions of the audible book change the gender of the main character and Van? Interesting.... I've been wondering why the two narrators/versions, and that would make sense!

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

I know the answer, but I'm torn on if it's a spoiler or not. Probably not, considering the answer came from a promotional video with both readers that audible put out.

[Scott]

Know I'm super late to the party but I'm digging the hell out of this so far. Light Sci-Fi is perfect for me and I love that it's bracketed around a detective mystery.

Agreed with Alex that the characters immediately jump right off the page. No forced BS. Finding Scalzi to be a very fun writer. Some excellent dialogue and the dinner party was interesting as hell. Can't wait to see where this is going and I already know I'll be reading more of his work from this little taste

[Scott]

Yep, my first Scalzi. I've heard great things about him, obviously, just haven't gotten around to starting any of his books. Have been picking up his works at the used bookstore in town so I have a few to choose from after this: Redshirts, Fuzzy Nation and Old Man's War.

Admittedly I haven't read that much Sci-Fi so I was kind of hesitant about his stuff but this has been right up my alley so far.

Oh and I did read the novella first and glad I did. The background info has helped a lot

[Rob, Mayor of Ghost Town]

Fuzzy Nation or Old Man's War.

[Michele]

I really liked the Old Man's War series and Redshirts and I'm not a huge scifi reader. Scalzi is just fun and easy and all his characters seem really normal and relatable and believable, no matter how bizarre the circumstances they react like you or I would. (Unless you're really a weirdo? Haha just kidding)

[Scott]

Sweet, thanks for the insights! Think my next of his will be OMW, read very good things about it and nice to know it has the endorsement from you guys as well

[Andreas]

It took a while, but now I've finally got that brand-new Scalzi. Judging from those first couple of chapters, I'd say it is a very typical Scalzi:
Very light and easy read, bringing you right into the characters, world, and action, but no spectacular awesomeness. I don't know which direction it will develop - more towards Fuzzy Nation or desastrous Redshirts (didn't like that one).

But what I know is that it is a perfect change after having read dense Annihilation and slow Cyteen.