The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor comes out May 5tma

[George]

this is a prequel to one of my favorite monthly reads, Who Fears Death.

[Wilhelmina]

Looking forward to it!

[George]

As am I. I've already pre-ordered it.

[Beverly]

I have it on library hold.

[Karen Michele]

Would you suggest reading Who Fears Death first? I have it from the library, but I also have the new prequel coming soon.

[George]

I'm about half way through the Book of Phoenix. it's certainly well worth reading, although at this point, I don't think it will matter all that much which you read first. logically Phoenix should be first though.

[Alexa]

Yet, I almost always prefer reading books in publishing order - usually authors have planted seeds in their earlier books that they then harvest in later books - and even though this comes first in internal chronology, it comes second in her thoughts about the subject. There are a few exceptions, but for most authors I think viewing the unfolding of their work as they envision it is a richer experience.

[George]

Who Fears Death is the richer work in any case, in my opinion. this one is good, Who Fears Death is astonishing.

[Michael]

One important question is whether there will be Who Fears Death spoilers in our The Book of Phoenix discussion next month. I might have to read them both by then just in case...

[George]

Well, it's better to have read both and frankly I think Who Fears Death is the better work in any case. But you can read The Book Of Phoenix as a stand alone and I don't think any facts from Who Fears Death will interfere much if at all. Most of what occurs in Phoenix is only hinted at in the earlier work. At the moment, I"m reading Lagoon, which I like a great deal as well.

[Michael]

Ooh, so many choices! Thanks, George.

[Tishana]

I haven't read who fears Death. I'd better get it beforehand