October 2014 Group Read: The Troop by Nick Cutter

[Ms. Nikki]

You ladies and gents know the deal. No spoilers unless you use tags. Let's make this an enjoyable environment for everyone.

Happy Reading~

[Addy]

Great, if not awesome book! You all will enjoy it I'm sure:)

[Andy]

I agree that it's a good read. How did we manage to pick the one non-Halloween-themed book on the poll??

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

I've heard stuch good reviews on this book! I'm going jump in for this. Thankyou to the people that chose this. :-D

[Missy]

Crap I forgot to vote!!!

[Marc-Antoine]

I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did.

[[deleted user]]

Marc-Antoine wrote: "I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did."

Same here, this was one of my favorite books of the year so far. Looking forward to the discussion!

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

lol Missy, So did I. I didn't even know they had closed the votes I'm glad troop got voted though.

[Sean]

Going to read this one as well as Dark Harvest if anyone is doing a buddy read for that.

[Angela]

Ohhhh i have to try and find it :-)

[Katy]

Sean wrote: "Going to read this one as well as Dark Harvest if anyone is doing a buddy read for that."

Looking forward to reading this one with everyone.

[Monica]

MMm I don't know If I can buy it..I just bought some things but I want to read iiiiiit

[Robert]

Andy wrote: "I agree that it's a good read. How did we manage to pick the one non-Halloween-themed book on the poll??"

Yeah, I wondered that as well. :-) Oh well, democracy in action - I just figure not everyone is as fanatical about reading ghostly and/or Halloweeen-themed stuff in October as I am.

It is a good book, and I plan to read plenty of things for the Fall Fear Challenge, since I've recently read this one already. I know folks are going to enjoy it!

[[deleted user]]

This was a great book. My teenage son just loved it and said it was the best book he has ever read!

[Michael]

I'm also going to read Dark Harvest as well.

[Nate]

Michael wrote: "I'm also going to read Dark Harvest as well."

Agreed!

[Ms. Nikki]

Andy wrote: "I agree that it's a good read. How did we manage to pick the one non-Halloween-themed book on the poll??"

Don't worry. Jon has something planned for you Halloween-ers! (Yeah, that didn't sounds so great, but you know what I mean. *wink*)

You can ask folks to buddy read anything that didn't win here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Have a good one~

[Latasha]

I'm going to read Dark Harvest as well-it got my vote :( it's on my fall challenge. buddy read? sure!! I'll probably start this one around the 2nd week in October.

[Katy]

Latasha wrote: "I'm going to read Dark Harvest as well-it got my vote :( it's on my fall challenge. buddy read? sure!! I'll probably start this one around the 2nd week in October."

Got started on The Troop today. Creepy opening...bwah-ha-ha.

[Jessica]

This is my first group read. How exactly does it work?

[Wayne's]

Jessica wrote: "This is my first group read. How exactly does it work?"

You just read the book and share any observations or comments here Jessica. Just conceal any spoilers for those who may not be as far in the novel.

[Audrey]

read the sample last night...so far so good..and it really does feel like the old time horror..hope it keeps up this way!

[Kasia]

Love this book so I'm looking forward to all the comments :)

[Nate]

Just scored a copy from my Library on Saturday. I've been reading novels strictly in ebook form for over a year now, so this will be quite a change.

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

sadly I couldn't get this from my library but it's really cheap for the uk peeps.

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

on amazon and kobo site even.

[Raymunda]

Latasha wrote: "I'm going to read Dark Harvest as well-it got my vote :( it's on my fall challenge. buddy read? sure!! I'll probably start this one around the 2nd week in October."

I'm going to read both books too. While I was waiting for my copy of The Troop to arrive (finally arrived this morning), I started reading Dark Harvest.

[Jon]

I've had so much going on lately that I was going to skip the group read this month, but I've had this one on my to-read shelf for a while...

Well, so much for will-power: I cracked and bought it this morning. :P

Now all I need is the time to actually start it!

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

40 % in I dunno. .... in two minds about this polt I'm not going to discuss it until some of you are all in though.

[Rachel]

Gonna see if I can get this one at the library in a few days. Excited to take part in my first group read. :)

[Michael]

MiZzy wrote: "40 % in I dunno. .... in two minds about this polt I'm not going to discuss it until some of you are all in though."
I'll be curious to hear what you say MiZzy since I had the same reaction.

[Liz]

Cool, I'm excited. Had this one for a while.

[Mars]

This is my first time with group reads. I am very excited to start reading this book. It sounds really good. I am ready to join in and read everyone's reaction to this book.

Happy Reading!!

[Amanda]

About 36% through and seriously considering giving up on it. I know I'm really going to be in the minority with this book, but at the moment I am hating it.

[Michael]

Amanda wrote: "About 36% through and seriously considering giving up on it. I know I'm really going to be in the minority with this book, but at the moment I am hating it."What isn't working about it for you? FWIW, I didn't love it either.

[Amanda]

It's really strange Michael, it seems to be all of it! I can't remember last time I wanted to give up on a book. The main things I can pin it to is that I just don't find the plot engaging, and the writing style isn't inspiring me either. Maybe I should sleep on it and give it a go again tomorrow?

[Michael]

Amanda wrote: "It's really strange Michael, it seems to be all of it! I can't remember last time I wanted to give up on a book. The main things I can pin it to is that I just don't find the plot engaging, and the..."I think you should stick with it for a bit longer. Overall, I found the book to be very middle of the road. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. Ultimately, nothing about it struck me as terribly fresh or original, but nothing seemed awful and there are some scenes that are pretty great horror.

[Amanda]

Thank you for the encouragement Michael, I shall give myself a rest from it tonight and carry on tomorrow.

[Timothy]

This will be my first group read as well and I hope it's ok if I join in. I've had this book for a few months and saw this group read come up, so I thought I'd take a crack at it and whittle down the ole TBR.

I'm about 46% in and I'm of a like mind as Amanda and Michael. Although I'm not hating it, the hype and reviews had me expecting better.

I'm curious as to MiZzy's take as well.

I think I know what I find less than appealing but I'll wait a bit too.

[Marc-Antoine]

Man, it sucks that you guys aren't enjoying this as much as I did. I couldn't get enough of this book. I can't wait to see all of your comments.

[Amanda]

Ah, I'm going to have to give up. I'm just getting no joy from this book. It's a real shame, as like Tim I thought from the reviews and hype that I would love it. Alas, it's not to be! I suppose we can't all like every book.

[Kirstin]

I'm bummed too, Marc! I had such a great time reading this book. I found it gory and suspenseful, like a good horror film.

So sorry you guys aren't enjoying it!

[C.J.]

I'm starting on it tonight. Right now, in fact. Looking forward to it. This is my first group read, though. Not sure how far into it I can characterize without spoiling it. Tips?

[Sean]

Alright, Just picked this up and will start tonight.(Had to read Dark Harvest first, PS its awesome.) I'm really looking forward to it being reminiscent of a good classic horror film. Something to really get me into the swing of the season.

[Catster]

Just started last night and so far I like it quite a lot! The fake newspaper clips and reports are a huuuge plus for me, make it easier to believe in the story.

Sean wrote: "Alright, Just picked this up and will start tonight.(Had to read Dark Harvest first, PS its awesome.) "

I did the same thing, but also read the other suggestions for October (except the Exorcist). All three were great! :)

[[deleted user]]

Amanda wrote: "Ah, I'm going to have to give up. I'm just getting no joy from this book. It's a real shame, as like Tim I thought from the reviews and hype that I would love it. Alas, it's not to be! I suppose we..."

It's okay, Amanda. I think with almost every book there are people that love it and those that don't. No big deal. There are plenty of books out there to keep us all happy!

[Timothy]

Amanda wrote: "Ah, I'm going to have to give up. I'm just getting no joy from this book. It's a real shame, as like Tim I thought from the reviews and hype that I would love it. Alas, it's not to be! I suppose we..."

I'm sorry to hear that Amanda. But I think I understand. Althought the aspects of the book that bother me are still present, I'm still finding enough enjoyment to keep reading. And its not the ickiness that bothers me. I expected that and am rewarding with it in spades.

[Tim]

MiZzy wrote: "40 % in I dunno. .... in two minds about this polt I'm not going to discuss it until some of you are all in though."

I am about that same spot and so far i love it some pretty gross out stuff if your squeemish dont eat while reading this book haha

[Nate]

Well, I'm on chapter 6 and I'm enjoying this a lot so far. It seems like a book that's not going to take itself too seriously, which is probably a good thing considering the subject matter. I like the tone;
I hope it keeps up. Going to read more right now!

[Amanda]

Thank you Kathryn and Tim, fingers crossed I enjoy the next group read. But hope everyone else does enjoy this :-)