The Sword and Laser discussion

I just started reading today and got to the Reagan Stolper chapter. Reading the other 3 characters’ stories, I thought “hmm yeah they’re doing illegal stuff but it’s not THAAAT bad”. I feel like Reagan went too far even if Courtney was a “racist ho”. Especially considering that she claims firing Carlos was justified because he was leering at her. She may be racist but also he may have been harassing her?
Either way, exposing someone that way just doesn’t seem right. It makes me think of too many real-life stories of women who are harassed and threatened online every day.

You are having the reaction the author intended.

Reagan is a nasty internet troll who has no filters and a warped sense of justice.

She does occasionally show a spark of humanity.

I’m definitely looking forward to her arc. Loving the book so far!

What Reagan said about the Kardashians made me laugh out loud & pause to share it with a coworker. Poor Khloe.

I found that chapter interesting, because the way Courtney described her love interest set off instant alarm bells to me. I immediately thought he sounded like a jerk, which, given how it played out, was more or less accurate. I wonder if that was intentional, or if we were meant to think he was great at first.

I've not read much further, but I definitely got the impression that we are not meant to love all these characters. They are being picked for their skills, not their personalities, that much is clear. It's going to be fun getting to know them all, and see who I end up liking and hating. Reagan is definitely on the dislike pile. The book, on the other hand, is definitely on the goood pile for now.

It seems like some characters are set up for you to instantly like only to find out later that they are not so great. Others are instant dislike to find out that they are not that bad. Reagan was a rough patch of highway though.

I just finished that chapter this evening. I am hooked now. I love when a book gives me a character that I don't like. Reagan is human garbage and it's great!

Reagan is absolutely human garbage. Wendig does such a great job of creating such an infuriating character. I wanted to knock her out several times.

He’s had lots of experience with trolls from being on Twitter, I suppose.

Priscilla wrote: "I just started reading today and got to the Reagan Stolper chapter. Reading the other 3 characters’ stories, I thought “hmm yeah they’re doing illegal stuff but it’s not THAAAT bad”. I feel like Re..."

While I think we are supposed to start liking Reagan, I never really forgave her for what she did to Courtney.

OK I cheered Reagan on against the big bads, and I felt sorry for her because of her past... but, no... that hung over her narrative all the way through.

I had the same problem with this book as I had with 'The Magicians', not a bad story and concept, but I couldn't stand any of the characters.

AndrewP wrote: "I had the same problem with this book as I had with 'The Magicians', not a bad story and concept, but I couldn't stand any of the characters."

I'm not done with Zeroes, so, judgement there pending. I'm not liking anyone so far, but that could change.

However I had Andrew's problem with Jade City: Nice concept, thoroughly unlikeable characters.

I didn't dislike any of the "heroes" except Reagan so I didn't find it as bad as something like The Magicians.
I did find that I kept picturing the characters about 10 years younger than they were supposed to be. Maybe Wendig thinks nerds are super immature.

Ruth (tilltab) wrote: "I found that chapter interesting, because the way Courtney described her love interest set off instant alarm bells to me. I immediately thought he sounded like a jerk, which, given how it played ou..."

So, Courtney's love interest is a playbook example of the love extortionists on the web. As soon as "his webcam was broken" I knew how it would end.... well, except I thought she was going to lose all her money to someone (which is what usually happens in real life)

AndrewP wrote: "I had the same problem with this book as I had with 'The Magicians', not a bad story and concept, but I couldn't stand any of the characters."

I had the same reaction to the Magicians

Did anyone else picture Reagan as a cyber troll version of ‘Badison’ from Orange is the New Black?