Then and back again - Timey-wimey-adjacent Book Club

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Kiernan: This is the big talking point of the book, I think... and the truth is still up in the air, but I think this is safe to read regardless of location, because it's pure..."

That's kinda what I was thinking... I don't think I'm too far ahead of you... just some follow-through on Kate's plan to impersonate Pru...

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "My vague reference to dangling plotlines was about Houdini/Bess... "

I'm not happy how this got resolved eigher... So much drama around them and the key and that was the solution? I don't think we'll ever learn what really happened to Houdini or if something else happend to him after Kate's last interference

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

OK... there's confusing, then there's late chapter 19... I'm going to have to rewind this shit to make sense of the theory...

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "OK... there's confusing, then there's chapter 20... I'm going to have to rewind this shit to make sense of the theory..."

Haha, I for sure won't bother continuing tonight, sounds like I would twist my brain otherwise...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... I rewound 5 or 6 times... it's like Rysa tried to explain the whole series in like 3 paragraphs... spanning like 6 timelines including the original timeline... very mind-bendy...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

After marinating overnight, anf continuing to chapter 25, the explanation in chapter 19 started to really make sense with a bunch of the oddities in the earlier books and novellas... I still have questions/problems, but it's good enough...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I finished... I wonder if the ending would have been more satisfying if the author wasn't basically setting up a scenario where she could write all the little CHRONOS short stories she wants in the future, about new characters?

Book summary:



I took that from TV Tropes... the topic was Timey-Wimey Ball

[lupine]

Sorry I disappeared there for a bit; my life got pretty hectic. Timebound was a DNF... :( Maybe I'll go back to it at some point... But I'm here now!

When are you planning to start One Word Kill?

[Elinor]

I may (perhaps) (you know me) join for One Word Kill 😀 (this book club is so my jam I'm eager to read one time-travel stuff 😁)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Emma wrote: "Sorry I disappeared there for a bit; my life got pretty hectic. Timebound was a DNF... :( Maybe I'll go back to it at some point... But I'm here now!

When are you planning to start..."

Honestly, you didn't miss much... we complained and stressed over the rules a bunch in the CHRONOS world...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "I may (perhaps) (you know me) join for One Word Kill 😀 (this book club is so my jam I'm eager to read one time-travel stuff 😁)"

Me too... it's been torture spending so much time on CHRONOS Files, when there are so many other books to try...

[lupine]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Honestly, you didn't miss much... we complained and stressed over the rules a bunch in the CHRONOS world..."

Yeah, I just read through most of your posts and your and Sir Anni's banter has been most enjoyable!

[Anni]

Yeah, yeah, I'm holding everyone back right now... Sorry 😅 But I guess I should be ready with Chronos Book 3 this week. Are you care enough to read the last novella from Simons point of view Iain? I'm currently undecided...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "Yeah, yeah, I'm holding everyone back right now... Sorry 😅 But I guess I should be ready with Chronos Book 3 this week. Are you care enough to read the last novella from Simons point of view Iain? ..."

You mean you'll finish this week?... I thought you were halfway through?...

Speaking to future short stories, I have no plans to continue... the Prudence one was largely a disappointment at the time, even if it makes more sense after reading the 3rd book...

The Simon one just sounds like Rysa having fun with the character, with very little connective tissue to the main series... and I don't really want to like Simon anyway...

Gambit sounds like it should really be 0.5, since it's Saul's first steps to triggering the series...

2092 doesn't even seem to take place on Earth, even tho it's been referenced in every book (which seemed more like a running gag, since every book is a different timeline and the chances of 2092 being significant in every timeline seem small)

Whack Job further muddles the timeline talk, considering what I know/learned in 2.5 and 3, but at least seems like it might show Simon's descent into alcoholism and madness...

Time Burned is the beginning of new authors playing with the world, and I'm not a fan of how it tries to screw with things...

Time Frame seems like a truly Whovian story, involving Agatha Christie (altho the first Simon story is similar, in that it involves Marilyn Monroe)...

The Time Trial comics seem like the kind of thing the ending to the trilogy was setting up, altho the fact it's set in 1931 confuses it for me...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Emma wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Honestly, you didn't miss much... we complained and stressed over the rules a bunch in the CHRONOS world..."

Yeah, I just read through most of your posts and your and Sir Ann..."

Your comment had me skimming some old spoilers, and I see some of my early theories/questions/rebuttals ended up being true in the end...

[Elinor]

Sir Anni wrote: "Yeah, yeah, I'm holding everyone back right now... Sorry 😅 But I guess I should be ready with Chronos Book 3 this week. Are you care enough to read the last novella from Simons point of view Iain? ..."

Don't you worry about that! Do things at your own pace 😉

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "
You mean you'll finish this week?... I thought you were halfway through?..."

Yes, that's what I meant. I'm 60% done, I think, and I don't think I'll need more than 2 days to wrap ir up, but I'll visit friends in North Germany this weekend, so I don't think I'll have time to start something new before next week

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

You know me... I don't understand people that read 3/300 books at once ;)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Any updates on when we're doing One Word Kill?

[Anni]

I'm free from Wednesday onwards :)

[Siobhan]

Woo! I'll stalk that one, then jump in for Limited Wish!

[Elinor]

I will be here !

[lupine]

Just got One Word Kill via KU, and I'll start reading today!

[Anni]

Emma wrote: "Just got One Word Kill via KU, and I'll start reading today!"

Me too :)

[Jessica]

Planning on joining in for this one! Hoping to start today or tomorrow. I bought this when it first came out and haven't had a chance to read it yet

[Elinor]

Started it ! I read about 10% yesterday. I do'nt know yet what to think of the way the story is told but the story itself is really intriguing ^^

[Anni]

It took me a little to get into the story, but I do like it so far :)

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ I think the scene where Nick told his friends that he has Cancer was really well done, him being really uncomfortable and the others first shocked then sad and angry felt very real. I like Nick as a main character as well and I wonder why he'll die so soon, is it really because of the cancer?

I also think that his "stalker" is an oder Nick somehow (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

I've read the first chapter. It's good so far, kind of morbid obviously, but the writing is good as expected.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'll join tomorrow or the day after... you know how quickly I burn through a book... I discuss more if there are people ahead of me than behind :)

[Jessica]

Started this one yesterday. Really good writing, almost to good with the morbid bits. Actually had to stop reading on the bus when he was talking about the line of kids. Not the happiest thing to start reading first thing in the morning.

[lupine]

I like Nick, too. He seems like a real person, and multidimensional. I feel like the writing is very good, and I'll be trying out some of Lawrence's other books in the [perhaps somewhat distant] future! The book resonated almost immediately with me, and I think that had to do with their playing D&D (which I do, too). That facet of Nick's life really made me feel like I could understand the characters better, and understand their motivations, because in that sense at least (the nerdy outcast sense) I do know exactly how they feel.

@Anni - re: ch4 (view spoiler)[I wonder if the stalker is his dad? But I feel like Nick would have recognized him immediately... definitely someone who went through chemo (had/has cancer), I think (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Sir Anni wrote: ""

I thought (view spoiler)[ the creepy guy was older Nick too! I'm also really enjoying the D&D stuff. (hide spoiler)]

@Emma Nick definitely feels like a real person to me too. (view spoiler)[ I really don't want him to die, I hope he survives somehow. Because of all the physics stuff, my prediction is he'll escape into another universe or something. (hide spoiler)]

[lupine]

@Charlie - I hope so, too!

[Elinor]

Jessica wrote: "Started this one yesterday. Really good writing, almost to good with the morbid bits. Actually had to stop reading on the bus when he was talking about the line of kids. Not the happiest thing to s..."
I started it just before bed and had to read a few pages of something else after because it wasn't the happiest thing to read before sleep either ^^

[Charlie]

Up to chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ okay so future nick is here to help current nick turn into future nick. And future nick can't deviate from anything he remembers back when he was current nick or future nick will be an entirely different nick. My head hurts! But I'm enjoying it! (hide spoiler)]

[Elinor]

Charlie wrote: "Up to chapter 10 [spoilers removed]"
Plus there is the fact that (view spoiler)[at some point future can be changed (or has already been changed) (or will be changed) (time travel conjugation problems XD) without creating a new universe, if I understood things correctly ? Anyway this is my jam, the type of time travel stuff that I like the most :D (hide spoiler)]

[Elinor]

51% (in chapter 12) : (view spoiler)[there is this wicked thing in their D&D game that hurt Nick and Mia and now I'm anxious because their game reflected reality earlier with the stalking guy and it felt like the cancer and I'm worried for Nicky-boy and Mia (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Up to chapter 10 [spoilers removed]"
Plus there is the fact that [spoilers removed]"

Haha, really good summary :D

I really like the way the timetraveling is pictured here. (view spoiler)[ It's still confusing, yes, but it does make sense with its alternate realities and that they can't change things too much, because then they enter a different reality from the one future-Nick came from... Also I find the characers really likeable :) I'm not that much into D&D, in a near town there's a bar where, I think once a month, you can go and play a simplified round of D&D and it's great fun and I listened to the Authors and Dragons podcast, which is great too. But I really enjoy that aspect of the story as well (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Elinor Master of Gifs wrote: "51% (in chapter 12) : [spoilers removed]"

Uh really good point (view spoiler)[ Do you thing the disease symbols Rust (if that's his name?), who's still after them? I don't think it's the cancer, as Mia seems to be healthy, but maybe it's just there general well-being, being in danger. I hope they will be fine :/ (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'll be all over this tomorrow... start of a 4 day weekend for me, and I'll be home where I can more easily comment chapter-by-chapter-ish

[Siobhan]

I don't know if you guys have already read it, but I have a time travel book suggestion for you!

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler. It's from the 70s and was the first Science Fiction written by a black woman, which I think is super interesting. I just finished it and I genuinely loved it. :)

[Elinor]

I'm in chapter 17 (72%) and I have a few more thoughts : (view spoiler)[First, of course, Eva !! I'm so sad !! Well she is not dead yet but she is doesn't seem on the way to recovery :/ I really want her to be okay. And also, I'm in the middle of the party and the characters have so grown on me it's almost frightening. I love this little group so more. I'm sad that Nick isn't going to keep his memories of the party.
And, of course, a HEIST ! So cool ! (hide spoiler)]

About chapter 12 : (view spoiler)[Rust is also a good guess I think ! I so want them to be okay (hide spoiler)]

I didn't know Kindred was a time travel book ! I've been wanting to read Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler for so many years... since I read about it in How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy.

[Anni]

I just reached chapter 22 and I'm really tired so I initially thought to srop there and call it a night... But woah! Shit's really going down! I for sure can't stop now!

[Charlie]

I'm finished! (view spoiler)[ I loved the D&D and I loved the time travel. It was a great story, if a little mind bending. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Charlie wrote: "I'm finished! [spoilers removed]"

Me too :) And I agree. (view spoiler)[ I also liked the twist at the ending, even if I don't really understand how Rust get there and what exactly he was planning. And I'm sad for Elton and his family :( (hide spoiler)]

[Elinor]

I finished chapter 20 yesterday. I wanted to finish the book but social duties and stuff occured :/ Since this week is middle-grade and YA I will try and squeeez it in between books but I'm not sure.
I thought (view spoiler)[since there were only a few chapters left that the heist stuff was going to happen in the sequel, because I'm wondering what will happen in book 2, but the end of chapter 20... the heist is going to happen right now. I wish I could finish it >< (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

@Anni (view spoiler)[ I was confused about Rust too. But I'm glad he's dead. (hide spoiler)]

@Elinor (view spoiler)[ I thought the ending was really rushed. I enjoyed it, I just wish it was better paced. I hope you get to finish it soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "..."

Finally reading... was hard to stop my October Daye binge... 6.5 books in 5 days...

Anyway, I agree with your observations... it started really quick and morbid, then settled down... reminds me a bit of Stranger Things, which I finally watched the first 2 seasons of last month...

I also agree about the stalker... (view spoiler)[seems pretty obvious, with the Nick & Demus thing and looking like his father/uncle (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Emma wrote: "I like Nick, too. He seems like a real person, and multidimensional. I feel like the writing is very good, and I'll be trying out some of Lawrence's other books in the [perhaps somewhat distant] fu..."

I've read the first 2 Book of the Ancestors by Mark Lawrence, and had mixed feelings... the time travel element pulled me into this series, even tho my mixed feelings mean I haven't read the final BotA book that came out in April, yet...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "Sir Anni wrote: ""

I thought [spoilers removed]

@Emma Nick definitely feels like a real person to me too. [spoilers removed]"

I agree... well done D&D stuff is fun to read, even tho I feel like I could never be in a campaign that interesting/creative... I'm too logical / non-creative, at least in my own mind...

I've enjoyed a bunch of animated D&D stories online that have been reposted to Imgur...