Oct 2022 READER Threshold by Flint and Spoor

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

The October 2022 Reader Pick is Threshold by Eric Flint and Ryk Spoor. Please use this thread to post questions, comments, and reviews, at any time.

Official description:
When the strange fossil she'd discovered had ended up giving her a trip to Mars, Helen Sutter thought she'd gone about as far as any paleontologist would ever go in her lifetime. But when you've also married A.J. Baker, overconfident super- sensor expert for the only private agency in space – the Ares Corporation -- and your best friend Madeline Fathom Buckley is a former secret agent who's just signed on as the chief of security for the newly created and already embattled Interplanetary Research Institute of the United Nations, there's always somewhere farther to go.

The newest discoveries will take her, A.J., and their friends Jackie, Joe, and Madeline to the mysterious asteroid Ceres – and beyond, in a desperate race to Jupiter's perilous miniature system of radiation- bombarded moons. The next gold rush is on – for alien technology, hidden in lost bases around the system. And there are people willing to do anything to get it – even plan the first interplanetary war, four hundred million miles from home!

[Joseph]

Does it matter if you haven't read Boundary?

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I’ve read this book twice and look forward to rereading it in October (or possibly sooner). This is the second book of a series. We discussed the first book in September: Boundary. You can probably enjoy Threshold without having read Boundary but the first few chapters will throw a lot of characters at you, and the backstory mentions will include spoilers for Boundary. And Boundary first edition is available as a free ebook.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

I’m about halfway through rereading Threshold. It’s worth rereading but isn’t the roller coaster that the first reading was, since I know the major plot points.

I like the fact that the characters have to make ethical choices in what actions to take.

Man it’s hard to talk about this book without giving spoilers……

[Audrey]

I am up to Chapter 16. I suspect that one of the characters is up to no good. No spoilers...just saying...

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Quote that isn’t a spoiler!
"This is going to be the most . . . what is that name—Goldberg? Yes, Rube Goldberg–inspired operation I have ever imagined. Are you sure that we do not need to trigger it all with a hamster on a wheel?"

"I dunno," Jackie said. "Do you have a hamster on board?"

"Let me check the medical supplies . . ."

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

And finished. Now do I dive into the third book or hold off in case it’s the pick for November? Hmmmm…..

[L J]

Teresa wrote: "And finished. Now do I dive into the third book or hold off in case it’s the pick for November? Hmmmm….."

If there's nothing else you have a greater desire to read I say go for it. Doubt anyone here would hold it against you. You can post in November you couldn't wait to read and still participate in discussion. Course I'm coming from position of series binge reader who reads both books and comments but seldom posts.

Your comments enhance my re-reads and remind me why I enjoyed the books. I hadn't read these Eric Flints in years but you remind me why I enjoyed them and caused me to add them to my re-read list.

[Audrey]

The Great Red Spot(s) of Jupiter as "The Mote in God's Eye" from a Bemmie point of view

[Audrey]

and the chase is on... Not saying who is chasing what, but some real action seems to be imminent.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

It gets really intense, yes.

[Audrey]

Finished! The tone and pacing of this book was quite different than the first book, Boundary. I think it is obvious from the ending where book 3 will pick up.

[Teresa, Plan B is in Effect]

Threshold has a stronger space opera feel to it, and less hard SF feel than Boundary. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but yes it is obvious what comes next at least at the start of book 3. If you want to gallop through with book 3 we can discuss it on this thread.