The Consuming Fire (The Interdependency #2) by John Scalzi - Starting 20th September 2020

[Dannii]

The Consuming Fire―the sequel to the 2018 Hugo Award Best Novel finalist and 2018 Locus Award-winning The Collapsing Empire―an epic space-opera novel in the bestselling Interdependency series, from New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi

The Interdependency―humanity’s interstellar empire―is on the verge of collapse. The extra-dimensional conduit that makes travel between the stars possible is disappearing, leaving entire systems and human civilizations stranded.

Emperox Grayland II of the Interdependency is ready to take desperate measures to help ensure the survival of billions. But arrayed before her are those who believe the collapse of the Flow is a myth―or at the very least an opportunity to an ascension to power.

While Grayland prepares for disaster, others are preparing for a civil war. A war that will take place in the halls of power, the markets of business and the altars of worship as much as it will between spaceships and battlefields.

The Emperox and her allies are smart and resourceful, as are her enemies. Nothing about this will be easy... and all of humanity will be caught in its consuming fire.

[Dannii]

I'll be starting this one, tomorrow :)

[Quirks]

Same here!

[Dannii]

Soooo I didn't end up actually starting this seven days ago like I said I would, but I am doing so right now :)

[Quirks]

No worries. I didn't get to start either. I'm actually gonna start it on the 1st because I have three other books to finish this month.

[Dannii]

Quirks wrote: "No worries. I didn't get to start either. I'm actually gonna start it on the 1st because I have three other books to finish this month."

No worries :) I've been so behind on my reading but just about managed to squeeze it into this month. I always assume sci fi will take me an age to get into but this has flown straight-away.

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm loving how this, just like book one, jumped straight into a scene of action. I was definitely thinking the worst when the air leak occurred on board the ship but it quickly became clear that this was a past incident that nicely led up to the present-day scenes.

It has only been a few months since I read book one but I thought the initial chapters did a great job of reminding me of previous details concerning Grayland II without feeling like a dull recap. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[Somehow I flew through the first 20% and then struggled with the next 20%. Maybe it was the few months I had out of this world or that my mind is not gelling with sci-fi today, but the politics of the interdependancy and the science of the collapsing flow is taking me so long to digest. There are new alliances formed, characters appearing, and perspectives switching constantly. I am enjoying all that is occurring but it is taking me some time to truly understand all that is going on. Despite all of this, the pace feels slow. This quarter has very much felt like much theory with little forward motion. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I didn't manage to complete this book, this month. It's partly to do with struggling to fly through these pages but honestly more to do with the fact that I just downloaded Sims 4. haha!

[Dannii]

I'm 48% of the way through and excited to continue on to get to some more action-heavy segments as this book has set up for some interesting scenes to come.

[Quirks]

Chapter 3 (19%)
(view spoiler)[You know, I'd really hoped that Nadashe was done with in the last book. I don't like her. And I wish Spoon Shiv had done the job. Because now Nadashe's going to be scheming again. I can't wait for the second shoal to close. Everyone might finally start taking the Emperox seriously. (hide spoiler)]

[Quirks]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[I fucking love Kiva. And I really hope that she doesn't die. Her and Marce need to survive this series. And Marce's sister. I wish we could see what what going on on End. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Quirks wrote: "Chapter 14
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[She is great, isn't she. I was also waiting for a return to End. I'm so curious to see how everyone is surviving or if panic and rioting had spread, as no-one can leave. They can't have a never-ending stream of ships entering with supplies as surely that would leave to overcrowding. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm about 50% into this one and hoping to finish it up today :)

[Quirks]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[I thought Marc's would be safe because no one knew where he was going. Should've known the Countess would find out. Glad he's still alive. And also not unhappy about Roynold dying. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Dannii wrote: "I'm about 50% into this one and hoping to finish it up today :)"

It seems I lied as I have hardly picked the book up all month. I'll aim to get it read asap :)

[Quirks]

Finished
(view spoiler)[That was such a great ending! Can't believe she had them all fucking arrested! I'm only mad that Nadashe still fucking got away.
I'm excited for the next book. I really want to find out what's been going on on End. Lets hope Ghreni is a decent person now. Also, are we gonna see more of the other two systems? Will the Flow system in the Interdependency by fixed? So many questions! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[Kiva is an absolute icon! I really hope she manages to bring Countess Nohamapetan down!

I was so surprised when life on Dalasysla was discovered. That they continued to survive for 800 years is so impressive and also provides hope to the rest of the Interdependency. Hopefully those at The End can thrive, too. I wonder if we will ever see those left there again, during this series? (hide spoiler)]

[Quirks]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter - Kiva is an absolute icon! I really hope she manages to bring "

(view spoiler)[I was surprised too! For one, I didn't expect Dalasysla to have a part in the story at all. But for there to still be people there... It definitely paints a tad more hopeful picture. As for End, I think we'll see it again. It's still the only place that can survive without the flow. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[That ending was insane! She had the entire room arrested. I love the strength of these female characters. Also, so much was introduced in the second half and I can't wait to learn more about the others who existed outside of the Interdependency. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Quirks wrote: "Finished
That was such a great ending!.."

Eek, I was screaming at the page. I truly didn't anticipate her doing that. I love how she isn't the timid Emporex anymore and is fully willing to take everyone down!

[Dannii]

I'm hoping to get to the third book sometime in the next two months if you're up for buddy reading it too? :)

[Quirks]

Yeah, sure! I already have my November reads planned, but I can do December.

[Dannii]

Quirks wrote: "Yeah, sure! I already have my November reads planned, but I can do December."

Awesome. December works better for me too. What date is good for you? Would the 1st be a good date to start?

[Quirks]

Yeah, I think that would work.

[Dannii]

Great :) I'll request the thread once the December BR one is open :)

[Quirks]

Okay, great!

[Dannii]

I've made the thread early in case I forget about it lol. I'll request it as soon as I can :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Quirks]

Thanks!