Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Synopsis
Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors…

Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace.

Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship, Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albion—to join a team of agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory.

And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake…

      ~ Buddy Style Reads ~
    Three Ways to Enjoy a Book!

At NRBC we use three styles of buddy reads. These will be indicated in the thread title as “Buddy Read”, “Relaxed Buddy Read” or “Informal Buddy Read”.

A “Buddy Read” has a discussion leader and a reading date is set to start the book. A reading schedule is posted prior to the start date and discussion questions are posted each day regarding that section of the book. More information about these types of reads is below. An example is here, showing a reading schedule here.

A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers. An example is here.

An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

A “Read and Watch Buddy Read” may be set up as any of the above, but we will also watch the movie or T.V. series - or even go to a play! - and make comparisons, discussing what has been left out or changed as well as the actors and actresses. There is a long debate of what one should do first: read the books or watch the movie? We usually read first, but it isn’t essential. Also, if you would like to join in, but don’t want to watch the movie, show, or play, but only read the books, that is fine, too. An example is here.


MORE UNDER SPOILER
(view spoiler)[

“Buddy Reads” (“BRs”) include:

• A reading schedule which can range from 50, 75, to 100 or so pages a day.

• Discussion questions posted daily by moderators and occasionally group members
   who help one of us out. If you want to be a Discussion Leader, let us know.

• If the book is really long, we'll plan a break day.

• Members do NOT have to answer every question, they are meant to stimulate
   conversations about the books AND allow us to glance back upon them when the
   sequels come out. This helps us to remember what exactly happened in the previous
   book.

• We find the buddy style of reading to be more fun than just posting one or two
   sentences about a book. We feel this is what distinguishes us as being a ‘book club’
   rather than just another GoodReads ‘group.’

• If you can NOT start the book on time, feel free to join in at a later date. They are
   set up to make it easy to do so.

• Moderators are people too, so occasionally we get sick, have to work late at our real
   jobs, or have something that keeps us from writing the questions. Please forgive us;
   we're only human and we don't get any compensation for what we do--not even
   free books!

• Discussions and questions are set up to make you think, analyze, and see things you,
   or even we, may have missed. Feel free to add your own thoughts at any time, if you
   think we've missed something.

• If you've read the book, feel free to let us know what you thought about the book.
   You can do so at the end of the buddy read, or, if you can't wait, add spoiler tags
   before you comment like:

   **************BEWARE! SPOILER FOR THE END OF THE BOOK**************

   Or insert a (view spoiler)[spoiler (hide spoiler)]. If you do NOT know how to do so, just check out our
   GoodReads 101 explanation on how to Insert a Spoiler.

• If you are looking for a reading buddy, post an inquiry in our Buddy read requests thread. Use that thread, if you want to have a repeat read of a BOM
    or buddy read, too.

• Have fun! We always do when more than one person joins in. And we look less silly
   if someone else discusses a book with us. (hide spoiler)]

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Here! Team Draco.

I love Jim Butcher. Not sure why I was having a hard time with this book.

Bought this on a whim because it was on sale. Ive only read the first book in the Dresden files, but plan to contonue eventually.

I love his other two series. Excited to see how I like this one.

Ohhhh. Team Snape

Hi Stacie!

If I weren't going on a trip I would've wanted to start already. The hardcover's a bit heavy for me to carry around.

Hi Stacie!Joining in? Let's snake in (see what I did there?lol) more people!

Haha!

Yes, this book is a door stopper! I was going to bounce between the audio and reading it.

Hi, Jenny from team Remis Lupin here!
May I join in? I just read this for Quidditch, and really liked it. Happy to discuss.

Yes, please! The more the merrier.

I’m starting today.

Hi all! I'm from Team Tom Riddle and I just read this book, too, for Quidditch. I started it on June 4th and finished it just over seven hours later on June 5th. (Audio at 3x speed is great!)

I even tracked the story while it was playing so fast! (Of course, I was also reading along.) :-)

I was reading my paperback edition (The Aeronaut's Windlass) for the first time. This was a reread for me, as I first read - and reviewed - it in hardcover in November of 2015.

I am pleased to report that I enjoyed it even more this second time through it. I upped my 4.5-star rating to the full five stars and, thanks to my playing the audio so fast, Gwen wasn't as objectionable to me. (She was still rather annoying, but I didn't have or take the time to dwell on it, like I did on my first read-through.) :-)

Also, I was pleased to note that the continuity issue I found in Chapter 58 of the hardcover seems to have been edited out of the paperback release. :-)

I laughed and cried during my reading, but once again I can't remember where I cried. It probably involved a scene with Ferus and/or Folly? But I just don't remember. (Sorry!) I really love Ferus and Folly, though. They're delightful!

Other favorite characters include Grimm and his crew aboard the AMS Predator, and Bridget Tagwynn - Littlemouse! - and Rowl. :-)

Gwen's cousin Benedict was also a great guy. (And an excellent foil for his cousin, Gwen: the scene when she meets the Spirearch is fabulous!) :-)

Another reason for my upping my star rating is because I didn't finish this book until 5:30 in the morning - after dawn! - but I never felt like pausing even though I normally go to bed by about 2:00 in the morning. So this story kept me awake and reading. :-)

And I think that's all of what I can think of to say right now. I hope you all will enjoy it! I'll hope to participate if you get to discussing anything. :-)

Interesting start to the book! A little mother-daughter mind game, and it worked beautifully. :)

Jen, I'm amazed you can listen at 3x speed! I have a hard time following at 1.5x. I usually listen at 1.3.

This book is huge on audio. I think my app said 52 hours.

I'm amazed at the quick read audio that so many people are doing. I have never have listened to a book on anything but regular speed. Doesn't it make the narrators sound silly?

I plan to reread this one soon. I read it in the same match that Jen did. (Jen, sorry about all the brouhaha around that chain. It got weird. But, I do appreciate that you introduced me to this book- I wouldn't have read it otherwise).
Since I read it non-stop and so quickly, which is not how I usually read enjoyable books, I'm sure I missed some nuances. It was very hard to not slow down and savor all of the Little Mouse and Roul scenes. Those were my favorites.

Also, besides looking forward to a sequel, I wouldn't mind a movie. The visuals in my mind of the airships is really cool, but I'm guessing that a good special effects team will do even better.

Michelle wrote: "Jen, I'm amazed you can listen at 3x speed! I have a hard time following at 1.5x. I usually listen at 1.3.

This book is huge on audio. I think my app said 52 hours."

Audible has it at 21h,46m. At 3x speed, that's about 7h,15m. :-)

I CAN read/listen at 3x speed, but I really prefer to read at 2x speed. At 3x, I REALLY have to focus hard to keep track. 2x is much more leisurely for me. Especially as I have trouble focusing nowadays. But I was mostly successful with the audio of this book. The story is just so good! :-)

Michelle wrote: "Interesting start to the book! A little mother-daughter mind game, and it worked beautifully. :)"

Yep. It also cemented my love for Gwen's mother. :-)

Jenny wrote: "(Jen, sorry about all the brouhaha around that chain. It got weird. But, I do appreciate that you introduced me to this book- I wouldn't have read it otherwise)."

No worries, Jenny. I was astonished that you finished it so much earlier than me, when you started it after me, but it's all good. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Also, I too hope to reread (relisten to?) the audio edition at a more leisurely pace sometime in the future.

At the faster speeds, you tend to lose the nuances in the dialogue portions. Such that everyone starts to sound the same. And some performers do sound silly. But it mostly works for me. Although 2x speed is better than 3x for distinguishing voices from one another. :-)

Any slower than 2x and, if I'm reading along, I continually have to pause and wait for the performer to catch up.

If I'm not reading along, sometimes going slower than 2x drives me absolutely batty, because they read "so slow." About the only time I can make a go of listening to entire books at 1x "normal" speed is if I'm in the car and driving. (But even there, Magic Shifts on audio was P-A-I-N-F-U-L in this one scene. I had to relisten at a faster speed to really enjoy that audiobook.)

I tend to listen to books when I am at work- I own/ run a picture frame shop- so unless I am using the saw, or helping a customer, I've got a book going. It's wonderful to be entertained while working. Other than that, I read hard copy books. I have read more on Kindle this past week than I ever have before. Still like real books better.

I have never read along with an audiobook either, I think the slowness would drive me crazy as well.

I'd like to join this one! Trying to finish a couple books tonight then will start tomorrow.

I just started. I'm 4 pages in and Wow! I don't know what to make of Gwendolyn. I take it that she seems to be sure of herself but I do not like the way (view spoiler)[she talks back to her mother. To me it comes across as a little disrespectful. Well, there could be an explanation somewhere in the book why she acts this way. (hide spoiler)] I really hope so.

Ah ignore my first comment. Chapter 1 was fun! That was a cute (view spoiler)[mother-daughter moment. (hide spoiler)]

*hehehe* Kathleen. I actually found Gwen to be my least favorite character the first time I read this book. There's a scene later and. . . *ugh*

But on my reread, listening to it at 3x speed (and reading along), I found that I tolerated her better. Maybe because (view spoiler)[I knew she'd be more mature (hide spoiler)] by the end, but more likely because playing the audio that fast didn't give me time to dwell on her character. ;-)

Jen wrote: "*hehehe* Kathleen. I actually found Gwen to be my least favorite character the first time I read this book. There's a scene later and. . . *ugh*

But on my reread, listening to it at 3x speed (and..."

I'm tempted to click the spoiler tag but I will resist until the end! :))

I’m up to chapter 17. Doing the audio during my runs and my commute, but only on 1.5x. I can’t do faster or I lose my place.

I wasn’t sure about Gwen, but she has really grown on me. Loving Grimm, Bridget, Rowl and Benedict.

And I am totally pulling for Bridget and Benedict to fall madly in love and conquer the world together.

(view spoiler)[ Love how his training her for the duel came back to help then when they were captured. Perfect callback, even if she did misunderstand what he wanted. I really love them both. (hide spoiler)]

Michelle wrote: "And I am totally pulling for Bridget and Benedict to fall madly in love and conquer the world together. ..."

I want this, too. :-)

Rowl was a character I didn't expect! Talking cats, whoah! So far I like Benedict and Rowl!

(view spoiler)[Creed asked somewhere at the beginning why is it that Predator has a strong shroud. Any ideas forming as to why indeed? (hide spoiler)]

Jen wrote: "Hi all! I'm from Team Tom Riddle and I just read this book, too, for Quidditch. I started it on June 4th and finished it just over seven hours later on June 5th. (Audio at 3x speed is great!)

I ev..."

That scene where Gwen met the Spirearch? I wanted to smack her! Hahaha

Anyone else bothered with how the book jumps from one POV to another?

I'm listening to it on audio, but I can only squeeze in about an hour or two a day. There is so much going on that I should have just read it, but I don't want to switch now.

I'm on chapter 40. The POV switches are just part of the issue I'm having. Back later tonight to discuss.

Kathleen wrote: "That scene where Gwen met the Spirearch? I wanted to smack her! Hahaha"

Yes! I really did, too. I DID give her a slap upside her head in my head! :-)

Kathleen wrote: "Anyone else bothered with how the book jumps from one POV to another?"

I was not bothered. POV changes don't always bother me when I'm reading. But I can see how they might make audiobook reading confusing.

I've tried starting this but have had a hard time getting into it :/

So, I got the audiobook & hope to actually make it past Chpt 2!

I think it’s one that takes a while to get into. A lot of establishing the world, characters, etc.

I’m actually enjoying the story now. Gwen doesn’t bother me.

Also, I love Folly. She's so delightfully weird, but she and Bridget make a great team.

(view spoiler)[I love how Bridget was able to get her to talk to her by throwing the crystal when they were captured. Bridget is a smarty. I'm still pulling for her to fall madly in love with Benedict. (hide spoiler)]

Slowly getting into it. So far thru Chpt 10 -

(view spoiler)[So far I'm liking Gwen, Bridget, Rowl (LOVE that he's a talking cat!) & Benedict but am not getting Grimm yet. I haven't read a lot of steampunk-style stories so maybe that's why it's taking me longer to warm up to him. And I wasn't into that battle scene right at the start.

Love that Bridget didn't back down from the duel with Reggie, though I'm sort of glad it didn't happen. At least not yet!

The pacing is a little slow because, you're right, there is a lot to build up to. But now that I've gotten past the first few chpts, think it will be easier to keep reading. (hide spoiler)]

Cathy M. wrote: "Slowly getting into it. So far thru Chpt 10 -

So far I'm liking Gwen, Bridget, Rowl (LOVE that he's a talking cat!) & Benedict but am not getting Grimm yet. I haven't read a lot of steampunk-styl..."

My favorite character at the moment is Rowl too. It's so fun that he's a bit sarcastic and he's a cat to boot!

It took me a while to warm up to Grimm as well, but I like him a lot now.

I am slowly making my way thru this & am liking it a lot more now.

Thru Chpt 24 - (view spoiler)[I take back my earlier comment about Gwen - not liking her as much now. She's arrogant & a bit of a snob. When she questioned Creedy & Grimm about their pasts - how about not state it in such a bitchy manner?! Who does she think she is?

Grimm has grown on me, and Folly & Ferus are great additions to the story. They are so funny! Interesting how they use the etheric energy.

I'm more interested in what is happening politically/war aspect. This IS a Jim Butcher novel so not expecting too much on the romance front but agree with Michelle - totally rooting for something to happen between Benedict & Bridget :) (hide spoiler)]

I’m in chapter 64, so almost done. Back to share wrap up thoughts tonight.

100% not my favorite Butcher book. In fact, a distant third behind Codex Alera and Dresden.

But I did end up enjoying it. I think he made the first book way too long. Establish the world, suck us in, but leave us going back for more. However, I will read the next book, if for Rowl and the cats if nothing else.

Favorite characters ended up being Rowl, Benedict & Bridget, with Grimm and Folly as well. I really wasn't bugged by Gwen like a lot of you were. I rated it 3 stars, which is an enjoyable book for me.

Michelle wrote: "100% not my favorite Butcher book. In fact, a distant third behind Codex Alera and Dresden.

But I did end up enjoying it. I think he made the first book way too long. Establish the world, suck us..."

I haven't read Codex Alera (yet?). But I agree that I like the Dresden Files better than the Cinder Spires. This first outing in the Cinder Spires was still pretty great for me. I'm not sure how he could have shortened it. I think it was pretty perfect just as it was. (That said, though, I did read it over three weeks ago. So there might have been unnecessary parts in this first outing, but I can't recall any.)

My favorite characters include Rowl and Littlemouse (or Bridget) and Benedict. Also, Grimm, Ferus, and Folly. :-) I also love Grimm's crew on the Predator. My least favorite character remains Gwen, but she showed some growth in this book so I am ready to love her in future books if she continues to mature. :-)

FINALLY finished this weekend so final thoughts -

Overall a sometimes fun adventure BUT I totally agree with Michelle that this is a distant 3rd in terms of Butcher's series.

As much as I liked some of the characters, I never felt completely invested in them or the story. At one point I did start to get into it but then it seemed to go on and on and I was ready for it to be done.

Loved Rowl's thoughts and actions - a constant source of amusement :) And that last scene (view spoiler)[with the cast & shaved fur had me laughing so hard! Made me imagine what my cat thought when I got her the lion-cut. (hide spoiler)]

It really hurts me to say this but I will probably not continue with this series. Especially seeing as it has been YEARS since the last Dresden & I really don't feel there's enough here to invest that much time waiting around for another one. Also there are too many out there that I think I would enjoy more.