"To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoiler thread.

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ loss of a loved one, body horror and torture, refugees, gore (hide spoiler)]

[Mindy]

Only 50 pages in but really enjoying the science, tech, and space world building.

[DivaDiane]

I have this in audio. I have 2 books to read before I can get to it though. And if I don’t get through it by the time we leave for Christmas (assuming we are going in the end!), it won’t be until the New Year. I typically have lots of time for eye-reading but none for ear-reading.

[Anna]

I don't know if all audiobook editions are the same, but the one on Storytel has a 2.5 hour addendum/interview at the end. On normal speed that is. I was listening and got to the "epilogue" and thought wow that's a lengthy epilogue! :D

[Mindy]

Anna wrote: "I don't know if all audiobook editions are the same, but the one on Storytel has a 2.5 hour addendum/interview at the end. On normal speed that is. I was listening and got to the "epilogue" and tho..."

I know some people who tried to read this book and they had some serious issues with how the characters were written. Anna, did you have that experience? (Sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask this question.)

I am confused because the book has plenty of very positive reviews on Goodreads as well. Perhaps parts of the book are well-written but other parts are not?

[Anna]

I'm going to be 100% honest and say that I can just barely remember reading this book, so I can't really talk about any specifics! Also anything I do have to say about what I remember doesn't belong in the first impressions thread. Sorry! I know others have read it and are more inclined to have opinions, so someone will surely have answers for you! :)

Mindy wrote: "I am confused because the book has plenty of very positive reviews on Goodreads"

I think this is the Paolini divide. You either love him, because you loved Eragon, or you don't, for the same reason :D

[Gabi]

Anna wrote: "I think this is the Paolini divide. You either love him, because you loved Eragon, or you don't, for the same reason :D..."

Or you have never heard of him before and thus go into it completely unbiased ;).

[Anna]

Haha, I almost said that because I remember when you read this!

[Mindy]

Anna wrote: "I'm going to be 100% honest and say that I can just barely remember reading this book, so I can't really talk about any specifics! Also anything I do have to say about what I remember doesn't belon..."

Thanks for your thoughts!!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Both the books this month are I think quite distinctive tastes, so I expect we'll have lots of yums! and likely a few yucks! And I hope we remember not to yuck someone else's yum.

[Jordan]

Lots of people seemed to love this. I loathed it. Highly recommend the narration though, which is done by Jennifer Hale. It was the only redeeming quality for me.

[Anna]

Let's loathe in the spoiler thread and keep this a safe space for those still getting to know the book! :)

[Robert]

Soon after this book was published, I recall reading all the negative reviews. Given the inflated rating criteria for Amazon and Goodreads, I tend to avoid any book under 4.0. Consequently, I went into this book with low expectations. By the 25% point, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, it is a bit wordy, but still enjoyable. Some readers complained about the lack of characterization; I have not noticed that.

The book is written from a single, third person POV, and a very deep POV at that. We spend a lot of time inside Kira's head, perhaps to the determent of the flow. As anyone else noticed that, and what do you think of it?

[Jan Mc]

I'm listening to the audiobook, and I find it difficult to keep track of my progress because the "chapters" are numbered so strangely. I'm really looking forward to seeing how others feel about this one. I agree that it's going to be either love or loathe.

[Robert]

I have a feeling this book will generate much more discussion than the Steerswoman.

[Anna]

Jan, yes, that's another thing I meant to say, but forgot. There are parts, chapters and ... subchapters? So don't be alarmed if you hear a number you were not expecting, your audio is most likely fine!

Robert, that is probably a discussion better suited to the spoiler thread! It's already open, everyone who has finished the book can head on over there to talk about all the things!

[Anna]

Robert wrote: "I have a feeling this book will generate much more discussion than the Steerswoman."

Quality vs. quantity? :)

[Dane]

I am sneaking up on halfway complete and am really enjoying it so far! Looking forward to more in-depth discussion in the other thread, curious what others are not liking about it. It’s a long book so I am glad it has really kept my attention and the story has moved along!

[Ellen]

Listening to the audio. Jennifer Hale is great. 36% through. Enjoying it so far but it's going to take awhile. This book is long and would have been good when I still had a long work commute.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

the start of this unfortunately set me up to be less than thrilled, for personal taste reasons related to me still believing in cooties or something

[Mindy]

I wonder if maybe this book was marketed as kind of an artistic book but is actually more of an adventure/thriller type. The cover is just so beautiful and I think the book synopsis emphasized all of the grand themes. But maybe it is just a book with an exciting plot?

[Rosie]

Going into this knowing nothing about the author or their others works.

I didn't find the beginning hugely engaging to be honest. The focus seemed to be much more on the relationship aspects of the characters. Not something I find interesting that often and especially with people I've only just met. I don't know these characters to be invested in their personal feelings.

It's been improving somewhat though.

[Rosie]

Ellen wrote: "Listening to the audio. Jennifer Hale is great. 36% through. Enjoying it so far but it's going to take awhile. This book is long and would have been good when I still had a long work commute."

I'm listening to Jennifer Hale read this too. She's doing a good job. Also yes, that's a lot of hours on the playlist!

[Mindy]

Perhaps inspired by thoughts of how Paolini is also an acclaimed fantasy writer, I have started thinking of the main character Kira as a Princess. To me, it kind of justifies how everybody in the book seems so eager to defer to her frequently and be so willing to provide just what she needs.

[Bonnie]

Mindy wrote: "Perhaps inspired by thoughts of how Paolini is also an acclaimed fantasy writer..."

I thought SFFBC had read another book by him, about a dragon, and I was going to read that after Sea of Stars. Come to find out, it's a different dragon. Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman is on the shelf, not Eragon by Paolini

[Cheryl]

I'm only at p. 18 and already (view spoiler)[the female is shown as too weak to move a piece of equipment that is designed to be portable and is integral to her work, and also willing to drop what seems to be a pretty good career just to be with a man. I am not impressed. (hide spoiler)]

[Liane]

Started a couple days ago. So far a light read but obviously really long. I agree with AMG that he’s polished up his writing.

[Meredith]

I've just started listening to the audio. I'm a little ways in (1 disk out of 26 complete). I'm finding the writing, especially dialog, a bit clunky, but I'm willing to keep on with it for now. It's possible I set myself up for low expectations since I read some negative reviews.

[Sadean]

brilliant