"The Actual Star" 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)[ self harm, incest, racism, graphic violence, body horror (including eyes), graphic sex (hide spoiler)]

[Deedee]

I read the first 54 pages. Then I read the first 54 pages again. The author does not believe in info-dumps (at least during the first 54 pages) so it really did take 2 readings to *get* what is going on. It is also helpful to look up "Xibalba" (mentioned on page one) as it is important in the novel. I'm definitely continuing on!

[Paul]

Just started listening to this as an audiobook and getting She Who Became the Sun vibes which made me wonder if I'd started reading the fantasy book club offering. No idea what is going on yet.

[Meredith]

Started this evening and really intrigued by the first few chapters. Also super happy there's a Glossary in the back.

[DivaDiane]

Oh, that’s good to know. I’ll be listening, so I wonder how that will work? Hopefully I can find it online, when I get to it.

[Meredith]

I poked around a little online but didn't find an online version.

There's a lot of info in the glossary related to the world-building. Some of the information is coming out in the text as I read further, but not always in depth, and it's nice to be able to refer to the glossary and even poke around reading different entries. Byrne has put a lot of thought into the world and society/culture she created.

There's also a couple maps in the book.

[DivaDiane]

Hmmm. I found an audio version of it on Scribd, I think, but I’m uncertain they have an ebook of it too. If they do I will do both.

[DivaDiane]

Thanks for the info, Meredith.

[Daniel]

Good to know about the glossary! I like fantastical encyclopedias and a little bit of one in a glossary is enticing. I’m behind on my February reading but might jump to this next.

[D]

This one intrigues me, but I'm overbooked this month on reading. I may catch up a little late.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

So, my first impression is that I have way more information about one part of everyone's body than I really care to have.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Big juicy brains.

[Daniel]

Allison wrote: "So, my first impression is that I have way more information about one part of everyone's body than I really care to have."

I guess I’m not to that point yet! So far, an interesting vision of the future. I’m getting some New Agey vibes, but I don’t know if that’s really where it’s going: none of the reviews I scanned mention it.

[Jen]

First impression of the first couple of chapters... I'm not so sure about this one. I'm up to page 73 and curious enough to keep going for now.

[Daniel]

Up to page 94. “misuse” of the word pluripotent really irks me and some Goodreads reviewers seem to be buying into this usage as well. I put “misuse” in quotes because language is defined by usage, not dictionaries or the grammar police and all that. I lol at myself because I get so triggered.