GtN: Does it ever pick up?

[terpkristin]

I don't know what's up with me lately. The majority of the picks in the last 12 months or so, especially lately, have been duds for me. I thought Gideon had a chance, but 1/4 in and I don't know why I care or why I should continue listening. I can't figure out what if anything is compelling about the characters (I hate them all, which I think is normal) and I don't see any hint of a plot.

Does it ever pick up? I really hate giving up on another S&L pick, and I imagine that my disinterest relates to work insanity but now I'm finding myself back in the boat of not wanting to read at all, for feeling guilty for not reading this.

[Lee]

it does pick. the hidden plot is being progressed by the other characters. not sure I'm a fan of that literary device. but once Gideon is filled in, the action really takes off. I will say if you don't like Gideon by now you will probably not like the book IMO.

[Elizabeth]

The plot does wander back, at around 50%/Act Three (I listened, so not sure percentage-wise how far through Act Three is).

[Trike]

terpkristin wrote: "Does it ever pick up?"

I liked the first couple chapters and the last couple chapters. The middle 400 pages were pretty meh for me.

I recommend just reading the end. You can probably figure out what you missed from that.

[John (Taloni)]

Yep, Muir does stick the landing. I had increasing interest from about the 70% mark. There is a whole lot of muddle in the middle setup, and I had trouble keeping the characters straight. Maybe skim if it is bothering you, but there are gems that affect the ending.

[Trike]

That’s true about the gems, but they are few and far between. This would actually be an awesome novella.

[Iain]

Since this is book with only one point of view character you will have too be able to stand the character..

The snark and general grumpiness hit the spot for me and the book flew by pretty quickly, especially after the slog through ITCOO which dragged along (even if it had much better writing and more rounded characters).

Now I a reading A Memory Called Empire which has such a completely different authorial voice.

[Anne]

For me it's a strange one. Although a lot is happening and the characters are actually quite funny, it feels soooooooo sloooooow. I don't even know why. I don't mind it too much, I guess I just expected it to be different.

[Iain]

Anne wrote: "For me it's a strange one. Although a lot is happening and the characters are actually quite funny, it feels soooooooo sloooooow. I don't even know why. I don't mind it too much, I guess I just exp..."

I did not read the blurbs or even the back of the book. It was the pick so I just bought it and read it. they may have had an effect....

(I usually try to ignore blurbs... )

[Melani]

I ended up enjoying the book well enough to continue the series. I never warmed to Gideon, or any of the characters honestly, but the set up of the wider universe interested me enough to continue.

[Ruth]

I was considering Lemming this, but I found that it picks up about a third of the way through, and now it’s got a bit of momentum building. Hopefully enough to keep me going until the end.

[Jessica]

I am about one third of the way through this book, and personally quite enjoying it

[Jan]

Yeah, I was thoroughly entertained throughout. And the last few chapters are a pure thrill ride

[Lisa]

I enjoyed Gideon’s snarkiness from the beginning, so as I hoped, I enjoyed the whole book. Honestly I was really relieved that I enjoyed this book because the last two were so hard for me to get through.

[Amy]

I also thought it dragged initially and it took me a little while to get into it and get interested in what was happening. Somewhere around the halfway point it picks up and you understand what was being established previously that seemed pointless at the time. Some elements are predictable, but some are not, and the humor grew on me. By the end, I was quite enjoying the ride :) Stick it out a little while longer before giving up on it!

[Lisa]

Ok, I’ve now read it twice this month. And then I was REALLY disappointed that the next book isn’t out until summer.

[Ruth]

I’m now about 60% of the way through and I’m starting to remember who all the characters are, and the plot is really getting going. So I’m enjoying it more and more and feeling confident I’ll reach the end, albeit probably only just by the end of the month, which is slow for me.

[Stephen]

You found a Plot? I missed it.

[Trike]

Stephen wrote: "You found a Plot? I missed it."

There is one. It’s not complex by any stretch of the imagination and it takes a backseat to character interaction, but it’s there,

[Jan]

I must admit that I am quite surprised about the negative reactions, I though it was enormous fun

[Rob]

I was about ready to lem it at the quarter way mark,but it got a lot better once they got to the first house.

[Fresno Bob]

um yea, it picks up.....