The Sword and Laser discussion

I asked this in the podcast episode thread but I think that it belongs here instead. Many reviews I've read have compared The Traitor Baru Cormorant to Ann Leckie's Ancillary books. One of the (many) things that really turned me off after reading Ancillary Justice is that the book was mostly set-up. Nothing happened until about 50 pages from the end, and even then it wasn't interesting. It left a lot (apparently) for books 2 and 3. I do not want to waste my money on new book prices (no copies at the local libraries, not that I have a library card yet...I've only lived in this county for 10 years...hmm....) if it's going to be such a letdown.

So, does this book stand on its own?
Is it eventually going to be a part of a series?
Is it all setup and world-building with no real plot?

So, as I wrote this, Tom replied in the podcast thread. He wrote, "You definitely have to read why it's compared since the two are VERY different in stone and style. The comparison is largely in the world-building."

Is the comparison IN the world-building (that there's a lot of it with lots of details) or in the fact that the book is ALL world-building?

terpkristin wrote: "So, as I wrote this, Tom replied in the podcast thread. He wrote, "You definitely have to read why it's compared since the two are VERY different in stone and style. The comparison is largely in th..."

I've heard there's a lot of dense chapters about economics. As in that the technical aspect of what the protagonist is trying to accomplish is a major focus. So in terms of dense world building, there is that. And some people get turned off by it. But there's definitely plot and it's definitely stand-alone. And actually one of the controversial plot points happens about 1/3 so the plot definitely don't start near the end.

Being me, I read the end, haven't read the middle. It very very definitely stands alone.

terpkristin wrote: "I asked this in the podcast episode thread but I think that it belongs here instead. Many reviews I've read have compared The Traitor Baru Cormorant to Ann Leckie's..."

If you think Ancillary Justice is all setup and no pay-off then do not read Ancillary Sword. It's one of those slow meandering character focused books. Even more than the first one.

I will say, I think I will finish this book, but I don't think I have the stamina for more then one. I took a break at the halfway mark to read something a little less zero sum game. Trying to decide if I should go back now or stuff yet another one in the gap since I'm so far ahead.

Serendi wrote: "Being me, I read the end, haven't read the middle. It very very definitely stands alone."

Haha. :-)

I just happened to have read the book right before it was a pick and it's definitely planned as part of a series. There is a real plot though, it's not all set up. I think it's compared to the Ancillary series because of the colonialism based culture Baru is operating in.

terpkristin wrote: "not that I have a library card yet...I've only lived in this county for 10 years...hmm...."

TERP! Get a library card. How will they know to buy new sff if you aren't there asking for it? :)

I don't have any insight into the book comparison, just being a librarian. :P

I think it can stand alone if it's trying to make a certain statement which I'm not going to elaborate on because spoilers. I could see the author continuing, but I think if he chose to do so, I think it would cheapen the message I think he's trying to make. Hard to know for sure without asking the author, though.

I read a Q&A with the author and he said there's at least 1 more book coming, 2 possibly.

Anja wrote: "terpkristin wrote: "So, as I wrote this, Tom replied in the podcast thread. He wrote, "You definitely have to read why it's compared since the two are VERY different in stone and style. The compari..."

maybe because I love economics, but I was expecting more economics than was delivered

Now that I've read more, I realize I was unduly influenced by Dickinson's "The Big Idea" feature to think that a thing that happens by the end of this book was the overall thing that happens. I recognize the error of my ways.

I've also read a bunch of chunks of the book, none of which lead me to think I want to read it all the way through. This is *really* not my book.