Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

This is the buddy read for the third book, Abaddon's Gate (The Expanse #3) starting January 1, 2023. Enjoy the read and please use spoiler tags when necessary. :)

Thanks Marie! I’m ready for this next book to get started.

Awesome

Thanks Marie!

I'm in

Thanks Marie for setting this up! I've got my copy and I'm ready to go. :D

I'm really enjoying getting back into this world with book 3. I'm up to the middle of ch14 and ran across this line that I like: (view spoiler)[ 'So many highly evolved primates in the same box for months on end, a certain death rate had to be expected.' I've wondered what it would be like on spaceships for long amounts of time, but this made me laugh. (hide spoiler)]

I am about 30% in now and things are heating up. (view spoiler)[... Holden and the crew just can't seem to stay out of trouble. They are in a real mess (again) with all of the ships at the gate about to ram torpedo's up their arses... (hide spoiler)]

4% in. I love how the prologue covers off recent history while introducing something weird about the 'Ring,' all told with an interesting short story.

On a side note: Abaddon is possibly interpreted as a guardian of the doorway to Hell.

Graeme wrote: "4% in. I love how the prologue covers off recent history while introducing something weird about the 'Ring,' all told with an interesting short story.

On a side note: Abaddon is possibly interpret..."

That start definitely set the hook. And I loved that title reference when I looked that up. Very exciting.

Another note. This book aligns with Series 3, episode 7 onwards on TV. News for me, I thought the series generally lined up 1 for 1 with the books.

Terry wrote: "That start definitely set the hook. And I loved that title reference when I looked that up. Very exciting..."

Yeah ... so what lies beyond the gate?

It remains to be seen.

Just got to the beginning of Chapter 17.
My thoughts so far...

(view spoiler)[I really like Bull. His character is an addition to this book. His actions and thoughts in regards to the OPA and the Behemoth is exactly what that ship needs.

Anna is okay so far. I'm hoping to see more in depth with the character as the book goes on. Right now, I'm only seeing goodness and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Maybe I'll see the goodness take on something terrible and good will prevail?

I have a hard time with Melba's chapters. I don't like being in her head (yuck!) just because of her "mission" and how she's endangering Holden and crew. I really despise her right now.
It will be interesting to see where they take this character in the series! (hide spoiler)]

Denis (deez_bookish_adventures) wrote: "I am about 30% in now and things are heating up. [spoilers removed]"

Dang, that's the truth Denis! LOL

Terry wrote: "I'm really enjoying getting back into this world with book 3. I'm up to the middle of ch14 and ran across this line that I like: [spoilers removed]"

I can't even imagine (view spoiler)[what it would be like to be in a crew on a spaceship for that long. You'll even become family, enemies or dead. hahaha!
I agree. That was a great line. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Just got to the beginning of Chapter 17.
My thoughts so far...."

I definitely agree, Ginger. These guys are so good at writing interesting, relatable characters. (view spoiler)[ And even though Melba is kinda rotten, it is very interesting to see inside her mind.

I think Bull is another one of those characters that are going to be around for a while. Anna, I'm like you and haven't decided yet about her. (hide spoiler)]

I've made it up to the start of ch26 (which is right at the 50% mark). (view spoiler)[ Wow, this story is really blowing up in this book! Chapter 25 is huge as we're now talking about galaxy spanning hive consciousness. Mind bending! And I'm still trying to figure out how Miller (or rather the protomolecule is playing into this). I certainly am getting the impression that it is not necessarily the bad guy that we originally thought? Or is it the cause of the stars getting blacked out that Holden experienced when he tapped into the memory?? So much still to learn! (hide spoiler)]

Up to the start of ch29. Ch27 and ch28 (view spoiler)[ were so tense! I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading them. (hide spoiler)]

Hoping to read a bit more this week, try to get caught up and read your spoilers Terry. Things are definitely starting to heat up with the plot!

Terry wrote: "I've made it up to the start of ch26 (which is right at the 50% mark). [spoilers removed]"

Well, regarding the protomolecule civilization (view spoiler)[

1. There's the protomolecule civilization, and then there is the

2. Thing that wiped them out.... (hide spoiler)]

Graeme wrote: "Terry wrote: "I've made it up to the start of ch26 (which is right at the 50% mark). [spoilers removed]"

Well, ..."

Learning (view spoiler)[ that the advanced alien beings toying with us like we’re nothing are the small potatoes is more than a little humbling… (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Hoping to read a bit more this week, try to get caught up and read your spoilers Terry. Things are definitely starting to heat up with the plot!"

Sounds good, Ginger. Just like with book 2, I'm having trouble putting this one down and keep reading ahead!

Terry wrote: "Sounds good, Ginger. Just like with book 2, I'm having trouble putting this one down and keep reading ahead!..."

I completely understand! I finally got to the half way mark last night and it's hard to put down now that the plot is in full gear with all four characters.
If work and NFL football wasn't trying to take all my attention right now, I would be much further along with this. hahaha

Terry wrote: "I've made it up to the start of ch26 (which is right at the 50% mark). [spoilers removed]"

Right! I feel like there is so much going on (view spoiler)[with the protomolecule and it feels like we're just getting an inkling of how advanced it is and whether it's a threat or not. (hide spoiler)] I can't wait to find out more!

I've made it up to ch41. Such a good story! (view spoiler)[ But I have to say I have a feeling of disappointment in the human race as I read this (which I believe is partially the point). Everything bad that has happened so far in these 3 books has been caused by humans screwing over other humans for power! We get introduced to an alien technology, and we seem to implode, everyone for themselves. Would it really be this bad in reality - I'm pretty sure it would. Very sad... (hide spoiler)]

Good news! I'll finally get back to this tonight and the weekend. I'm only reading this (ha!) so I should make some progress.

Terry, don't wait for me to catch up. If you need to binge this since you are getting to the end, you should. :D

Ginger wrote: "Good news! I'll finally get back to this tonight and the weekend. I'm only reading this (ha!) so I should make some progress.

Terry, don't wait for me to catch up. If you need to binge this since ..."

Glad to hear it, Ginger! I probably will finish it either tomorrow or Sunday. The need to finish is strong at this point!

Terry wrote: "The need to finish is strong at this point!..."

Can't wait to get to that point!

I did end up finishing it up this morning. Loved this one too! It was not possible for me to put it down during the last 100 pages.

Terry wrote: "I did end up finishing it up this morning. Loved this one too! It was not possible for me to put it down during the last 100 pages."

Sounds like the last two in the series! I got back to this one last night and looking forward to seeing how this ends.
I'm seeing a few differences with the book vs tv series and I'm glad I decided to read this after all! :D

Terry wrote: "I've made it up to ch41. Such a good story! [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree with your spoiler on this one Terry! It’s pretty (view spoiler)[accurate in the books that as human beings, we would end up f!€king up this technology and alien discovery for our own greed and power. (hide spoiler)]. *sigh*

Looking forward to getting to Cibola Burn in February. I’m hoping I can still do a book a month! I’ve really enjoyed reading this series!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I've made it up to ch41. Such a good story! [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree with your spoiler on this one Terry! It’s pretty [spoilers removed]. *sigh*"

Sad, isn’t it!

Ginger wrote: "Looking forward to getting to Cibola Burn in February. I’m hoping I can still do a book a month! I’ve really enjoyed reading this series!"

Me too! I’m ready for it already. I saw you finished the short story. I need to get to it.

Terry wrote: "Ginger wrote: "Me too! I’m ready for it a..."

I really liked The Churn and it’s one of my favorite short stories so far! I think you’ll like it too.

Good to hear! I am going to read the Churn before I start book 4. Thanks, Ginger!

Denis (deez_bookish_adventures) wrote: "Good to hear! I am going to read the Churn before I start book 4. Thanks, Ginger!"

Awesome Denis! I hope you end up liking it.

I'm a bit behind in my reads for January, so I'll be late starting this one.

I certainly understand that Nyssa. Post comments here whenever you can and we'll follow along with you.

Nyssa wrote: "I'm a bit behind in my reads for January, so I'll be late starting this one."

I'm still at 23% in ... trying to finish Chamber of Secrets and this book so I'm ready for the next buddy read...

I may have to drop out, and join back in with Nemesis Games, which I have not yet read.

Just convinced myself. Too over-booked... 🤨.

Still a great book.

Nyssa wrote: "I'm a bit behind in my reads for January, so I'll be late starting this one."

Totally get that. I've been behind on everything this month! hahaha

Graeme wrote: "Just convinced myself. Too over-booked... 🤨.

Still a great book."

Completely understand especially if it's a re-read. Glad you'll be joining for Nemesis Games though. :)

Hi, Ginger, I've been looking for an opportunity to pick up the series again. I'll make room for Nemesis Games once this group gets there.

I’m so behind on this buddy read and am just starting this one. Looking forward to catching up. Hopefully I can get through this one quicker and start the next soon!

Kristen wrote: "I’m so behind on this buddy read and am just starting this one. Looking forward to catching up. Hopefully I can get through this one quicker and start the next soon!"

Good luck, Kristen! This one is good too!

I finally started this late last night. I've only read two chapters so far.

Nyssa wrote: "I finally started this late last night. I've only read two chapters so far."

Good luck also, Nyssa!

Thank you, Terry! :)