"Middlegame" by Seanan McGuire Read-a-long

[gali]

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire Read-a-long

[gali]

@hsimone have you started the book?

I have read a few chapters and like it so far. The beginning was a bit confusing, but it becomes clearer the more I read.

The author inserts in the book sections from her other book, "Over the Woodward Wall" supposedly written by A. Deborah Baker (which I read and loved). Have you read that one? The second book is coming soon.

[gali]

@hsimone where are you in the book?

I am halfway through the book and truly enjoy it. I love the wink to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the connections between this book to "Over the Woodward Wall" book. The loops are expertly done. @Gravy, I know you loved the book and can understand why.

[Gravy]

I need to reread this sometime. I know my brain missed some things. I could feel it at the time.


I love the way it repeats things, but also kinda doesn't...
I can't wait to hear what you both think of the ending.

[gali]

I need to reread this sometime. I know my brain missed some things. I could feel it at the time.


I love the way it repeats things, but also kinda doesn't...
I can't wait to hear what you both think of the ending.

I get your meaning about the loop.

I like the character dynamics and all the references to the other books.

The opening of the book was great: "Five minutes too late, thirty seconds from the end of the world."

What did you think about the quotes and the references to the King of Cups, Queen of Wands, Jack Daw, and Page of Frozen
Waters? I think all those quotes from her Over the Woodward Wall add spice to the main plot, but I am not sure yet how they are connected.

[Gravy]

I need to reread this sometime. I know my brain missed some things. I could feel it at the time.


I love the way it repeats things, but also kinda doesn't...
I can't wait to hear what you both think of the ending.

I get your meaning about the loop.

I like the character dynamics and all the references to the other books.

The opening of the book was great: "Five minutes too late, thirty seconds from the end of the world."

What did you think about the quotes and the references to the King of Cups, Queen of Wands, Jack Daw, and Page of Frozen
Waters? I think all those quotes from her Over the Woodward Wall add spice to the main plot, but I am not sure yet how they are connected.

Fun fact about Over the Woodward Wall. She actually wrote the entire thing just so she could quote it in this.

She did the same thing with a children's book that's quoted in Parasite (which has not been published, though hopefully will be one day, because I NEED IT!).


I actually wonder what reading it after reading Over the Woodward Wall would/will be like, having read it without that as a reference...
I liked them at the time, but I wonder if I would get more out of them now.

[gali]

I need to reread this sometime. I know my brain missed some things. I could feel it at the time.


I love the way it repeats things, but also kinda doesn't...
I can't wait to hear what you both think of the ending.

I get your meaning about the loop.

I like the character dynamics and all the references to the other books.

The opening of the book was great: "Five minutes too late, thirty seconds from the end of the world."

What did you think about the quotes and the references to the King of Cups, Queen of Wands, Jack Daw, and Page of Frozen
Waters? I think all those quotes from her Over the Woodward Wall add spice to the main plot, but I am not sure yet how they are connected.

Fun fact about Over the Woodward Wall. She actually wrote the entire thing just so she could quote it in this.

She did the same thing with a children's book that's quoted in Parasite (which has not been published, though hopefully will be one day, because I NEED IT!).


I actually wonder what reading it after reading Over the Woodward Wall would/will be like, having read it without that as a reference...
I liked them at the time, but I wonder if I would get more out of them now.

Yes, I know she wrote it. I have read Over the Woodward Wall and liked it. Have you read it? Its sequel is coming out soon, btw.

[Gravy]

I get your meaning about the loop.

I like the character dynamics and all the references to the other books.

The opening of the book was great: "Five minutes too late, thirty seconds from the end of the world."

What did you think about the quotes and the references to the King of Cups, Queen of Wands, Jack Daw, and Page of Frozen
Waters? I think all those quotes from her Over the Woodward Wall add spice to the main plot, but I am not sure yet how they are connected.

Fun fact about Over the Woodward Wall. She actually wrote the entire thing just so she could quote it in this.

She did the same thing with a children's book that's quoted in Parasite (which has not been published, though hopefully will be one day, because I NEED IT!).


I actually wonder what reading it after reading Over the Woodward Wall would/will be like, having read it without that as a reference...
I liked them at the time, but I wonder if I would get more out of them now.

Yes, I know she wrote it. I have read Over the Woodward Wall and liked it. Have you read it? Its sequel is coming out soon, btw.

Oh no, I know you have. That was probably the last read-a-long that I was actually able to keep up with (lol).

I just meant that, instead of writing the relevant parts for Middlegame and then completing it when she planned to publish it, she wrote the whole thing prior to Middlegame so she would have it to reference while writing.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of another author writing an entire book (even if it's a children's book) just so they could reference it in another book.

I will definitely be reading the new one.

[gali]

Fun fact about Over the Woodward Wall. She actually wrote the entire thing just so she could quote it in this.

She did the same thing with a children's book that's quoted in Parasite (which has not been published, though hopefully will be one day, because I NEED IT!).


I actually wonder what reading it after reading Over the Woodward Wall would/will be like, having read it without that as a reference...
I liked them at the time, but I wonder if I would get more out of them now.

Yes, I know she wrote it. I have read Over the Woodward Wall and liked it. Have you read it? Its sequel is coming out soon, btw.

Oh no, I know you have. That was probably the last read-a-long that I was actually able to keep up with (lol).

I just meant that, instead of writing the relevant parts for Middlegame and then completing it when she planned to publish it, she wrote the whole thing prior to Middlegame so she would have it to reference while writing.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of another author writing an entire book (even if it's a children's book) just so they could reference it in another book.

I will definitely be reading the new one.

Oh, I see.

I also plan to read the new book.

[gali]

Ok, I finished the book and liked it. The premise is brilliant, and I love that the author wrote Over the Woodward Wall just for the book. I gave it 3/4 stars because of the repetitious sections which dragged the story a bit. The ending was awesome and exactly right. I wonder if a sequel is planned.

[Gravy]

A sequel is coming, but I think it's going to be about different people.

I knew the name at one point, but I can't remember it at the moment.

[gali]

@Gravy, the sequel, Seasonal Fears, is coming out on May 3!

[Gravy]

Yay! I'm looking forward to it.

[gali]

@Gravy the sequel, Seasonal Fears, just came out today. Shall we read it together?

[Gravy]

@Gravy the sequel, Seasonal Fears, just came out today. Shall we read it together?

*frustrated noises*


I don't have it in hand quite yet (and my brain is kind being a bully at the moment).


If you want to wait a bit, I should be able to start it in a week or two?