What did you think of the flashback? Do you like the Book storyline? Do you think the crew will fool the Alliance?
What did you think of this week’s chapters?
What did you think of this week’s chapters?
Week 4 - Chapters 16-20 Discussion
- Thread starter Buffy Summers
- Start date
I loved the Flashback! Young Mal! I mean, I didn’t know I wanted it, but now that I’ve got it, heck yeah, I am here for this!
I want to know what happened on Shadow (guessing the girl died) but so far this is great. Pre-war Mal is interesting to engage with, especially in the context of having to face his post-war former buddies.
At this point the Badger cargo side plot is just a distraction to me, not very interesting.
I care more about Book’s investigation and Mal’s situation. I don’t have much to day about Book except that I enjoy following his pov and investigation.
River’s ”boom” was a bit ominous.
I want to know what happened on Shadow (guessing the girl died) but so far this is great. Pre-war Mal is interesting to engage with, especially in the context of having to face his post-war former buddies.
At this point the Badger cargo side plot is just a distraction to me, not very interesting.
I care more about Book’s investigation and Mal’s situation. I don’t have much to day about Book except that I enjoy following his pov and investigation.
River’s ”boom” was a bit ominous.
I feel like unlike the way the show was, where they could sort of put some characters in a corner for an episode when they weren't being used, the author here is trying to almost give equal time to everyone. So where the show might not have shown as much of the crew and focused on Book & Mal, the book feels like they have to do justice to every single character.
I liked the flashback, and the having some more about Book's past. I was glad they didn't just put Simon and River out into space when the Alliance came, like I thought they were going to at first. I kind of like that Book got caught and Mika felt betrayed, and Book felt bad. I feel like that doesn't usually happen in situations like this. I'm interested to have the kidnappers reveal exactly why they think Mal is a traitor.
I liked the flashback, and the having some more about Book's past. I was glad they didn't just put Simon and River out into space when the Alliance came, like I thought they were going to at first. I kind of like that Book got caught and Mika felt betrayed, and Book felt bad. I feel like that doesn't usually happen in situations like this. I'm interested to have the kidnappers reveal exactly why they think Mal is a traitor.
I’m sorry it took me so long to actually post.
I’m interested in the Mal plot, but I wish the book itself was more focused on that angle. There feels like a lot to explore in any one plot thread and it’s becoming a little scatterbrained and rushed.
Like the biggest pain point this section was Book just getting pages upon pages of exposition from Mika. I feel like that could’ve been its own little story, where Book maybe goes off to find his old friend and stumbles on this morally gray and sticky situation. As it is, he shows up on the planet, gets conned insanely fast, then Mika saves him and tells him the whole story of this other character. 3 chapters :/
I think the flashback is a good idea, but I really couldn’t believe the book actually did a “Hey it’s my old best friend who I’ve never thought about or mentioned at all!”
On the positive side, the whole brown coat vigilante thing is fascinating still. Just tell me what they want! I’m very interested! The whole “yeah we’re not doing the space suit thing again” was a good move. Callbacks are one thing but just copying an episode moment is lazy. Liked how they had to work around it and in a pretty tense time-frame this time.
I also loved the Book getting caught and playing the “yeah you caught me and here’s what I want” card. I’m watching the CW Nancy Drew show (so good, check it out) and she did something similar in it. Love that sort of subversion to the spy work and tradecraft moments. I just like Book’s sections a lot in this book (ha ha). His whole shtick is interesting and fun to see/read in action.
Definitely looking forward to what’s next, but this felt like the weakest so far for me. Just a little too cliche and the tired “best friend who I never mentioned ever” trope is so stale and a total avoidance of having to write character development. The strengths of this book are pretty strong though!
I’m interested in the Mal plot, but I wish the book itself was more focused on that angle. There feels like a lot to explore in any one plot thread and it’s becoming a little scatterbrained and rushed.
Like the biggest pain point this section was Book just getting pages upon pages of exposition from Mika. I feel like that could’ve been its own little story, where Book maybe goes off to find his old friend and stumbles on this morally gray and sticky situation. As it is, he shows up on the planet, gets conned insanely fast, then Mika saves him and tells him the whole story of this other character. 3 chapters :/
I think the flashback is a good idea, but I really couldn’t believe the book actually did a “Hey it’s my old best friend who I’ve never thought about or mentioned at all!”
On the positive side, the whole brown coat vigilante thing is fascinating still. Just tell me what they want! I’m very interested! The whole “yeah we’re not doing the space suit thing again” was a good move. Callbacks are one thing but just copying an episode moment is lazy. Liked how they had to work around it and in a pretty tense time-frame this time.
I also loved the Book getting caught and playing the “yeah you caught me and here’s what I want” card. I’m watching the CW Nancy Drew show (so good, check it out) and she did something similar in it. Love that sort of subversion to the spy work and tradecraft moments. I just like Book’s sections a lot in this book (ha ha). His whole shtick is interesting and fun to see/read in action.
Definitely looking forward to what’s next, but this felt like the weakest so far for me. Just a little too cliche and the tired “best friend who I never mentioned ever” trope is so stale and a total avoidance of having to write character development. The strengths of this book are pretty strong though!
Love the chapter with Book, he's past being more revealed.
I did enjoy the flashbacks with Mal and his friends, and it makes sense to once a rebel always a rebel.
The approaching Alliance ship and that storyline is probably the weakest part at the moment.
I did enjoy the flashbacks with Mal and his friends, and it makes sense to once a rebel always a rebel.
The approaching Alliance ship and that storyline is probably the weakest part at the moment.