Reading as a Stand Alone Book

CommMayo · Post by **CommMayo** » 07 Oct 2019, 10:32

Sounds like we have a nice divide between the "purists" and those who can jump into the middle of a series. For those on the forum that read the first two books, what do I need to know about the characters and their past experiences to have a greater understanding in this book?

lauren3cats · Post by **lauren3cats** » 07 Oct 2019, 11:04

I do think this book could be read as a stand-alone. It would not be my personal preference as I think you lose something when you don’t read them in order.

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 07 Oct 2019, 18:15

I have not read any of the others in this series so I am reading this one as a stand-alone. I'm sure I would have a better grasp of the characters had I read the others, but I am still enjoying this one. I probably will not go back and read the other books in this series since I read this one first. I will just be content to take it as it is!

Julie Petitbon · Post by **Julie Petitbon** » 07 Oct 2019, 23:04

I think it can be read as a standalone book. The author gives ample background information in the story so that you don't need to read the previous books to understand what is happening. That being said, I want to go back and read the others in the series now that I've read this one.

Agnes Masobeng · Post by **Agnes Masobeng** » 07 Oct 2019, 23:51

Having a flashback gives the reader a little bit of understanding. But reading the third book with flashbacks is definitely not the same as reading the first two then proceeding to the third. Even though there may be flashbacks, they'll still be that feeling of missing out on certain details.

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes · Post by **ReyvrexQuestor Reyes** » 08 Oct 2019, 10:27

This book seems to be on the recapitulation phase of the three books of which this is the third in the series. I pity those who were not yet of any working knowledge of the previous two, so to speak. The reading of this last book should be propped up by foreknowledge of the previous two for optimum enjoyment. For instance, how important was Colonel Johnny Cook to Jacko and the other two? Surely the backstory must be first taken from the previous books.

LinaMueller · Post by **LinaMueller** » 08 Oct 2019, 18:15

Brendan Donaghy wrote: ↑03 Oct 2019, 14:09 If I know there are other books in a series, I have to start with the first one. Same with tv box sets, I have to go to the first season and start there. I don't do stand alones

It's exactly the same with me. Even so, I do think it's possible to read Skills of the Warramunga as a stand alone book.

dingans · Post by **dingans** » 08 Oct 2019, 18:26

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes wrote: ↑08 Oct 2019, 10:27 This book seems to be on the recapitulation phase of the three books of which this is the third in the series. I pity those who were not yet of any working knowledge of the previous two, so to speak. The reading of this last book should be propped up by foreknowledge of the previous two for optimum enjoyment. For instance, how important was Colonel Johnny Cook to Jacko and the other two? Surely the backstory must be first taken from the previous books.

I've just finished reading the third book as a complete newbie to the series. I suspect it's the romantic relationships that aren't as meaningful to readers like me compared to those who started at the beginning. It's very clear the two couples are in love, but it just won't be the same unless you've seen them meet and the relationships blossom. So I found the [spoiler: events between Jacko and Monique at the end of the book] nice, but I'm not hugely invested in it.
I echo the others, the author gave plenty of background detail from books one and two, so has done all he can.

Susmita Biswas · Post by **Susmita Biswas** » 09 Oct 2019, 02:02

I think this book can be a stand alone book, but if you read the full series then you can enjoy every little incident.

Wyland · Post by **Wyland** » 09 Oct 2019, 04:58

To appreciate this book fully, I think what one needs to know the background of the excellent working relationship between Jack O'Brien and Jamie Munro. Sarah, who is Jack's Aboriginal sister is also quite an interesting and hardworking character mainly because of her above par tracking skills.

Sam Ibeh · Post by **Sam Ibeh** » 09 Oct 2019, 15:08

Though I prefer to read series chronologically, I wouldn't mind reading a latter installment of the series before the previous ones. However, there has to be sufficient flashbacks to help understand the journey of the characters.

KariD3 · Post by **KariD3** » 09 Oct 2019, 15:17

I'm the type of person that I'll pick up a book to read and read it if it sounds good, even if it's in the middle of the series. Often times I do it without knowing that its even a part of the series. Sometimes it does make it a bit confusing but I feel like if the author does a good job leaving tidbits of background information, just enough to let it be read alone than it should be fine. I haven't finished this book, but so far I think it does a decent job of doing that, and I haven't felt that confused at all.

Hester3 · Post by **Hester3** » 10 Oct 2019, 02:23

I think this book work as a stand-alone because it takes place in a different location than the previous two. Even with the same main characters, there is a whole new plot and sub-characters.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 10 Oct 2019, 02:52

If you read it as a standalone, it fits well, the story is easy to follow and the story sticks. However, we get very little knowledge of the main characters- where they come from and how they came to be what the are today. So this can prove a hindrance to a few readers who want to know their main characters better.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 10 Oct 2019, 03:52

Michelle Fred wrote: ↑03 Oct 2019, 15:55 I doubt I will enjoy reading the third book first even if it's a standalone; I won't be able to shake off the feeling that I 'm missing some details.

Yes, that's definitely true. There are a few major flashbacks missing for the main characters.