You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Up to chapter 3 I am on my phone so can't do a spoiler but it is so hard not to compare this book to Ready Player One. It is interesting though but I think I want to read Enders Game after this.

Same here Tasha. Buddy read For Ender's then? it would also fit September's group read theme too.

I too find my slef curious on Enders game. I think I own it maybe

YEAH!!!!!
Both the ebook and the audio have just become available.

I am almost done with my current book. I shoud start this weekend.

Sarah wrote: "I know I've started Phase 2 now which is Chapter 8 but I don't think I've finished the chapter yet. "

(view spoiler)[it would be interesting if Zack's mom didn't know because it really seems like she knew, from the way the author is telling the story. (hide spoiler)]

I'd like to read Enders game as well :-)I really liked the movie.

Sarah wrote: "Same here Tasha. Buddy read For Ender's then? it would also fit September's group read theme too."

Sounds great Sarah, count me in for next month

That's great Esther! Just in time.

I've set up a thread for Ender's Game. Looking forward to it.

Darn GR! I had a whole comment about your Chapter 5 and 6 thoughts, Sarah and I clicked back up in the thread and lost it all. GRRRRR.

I am not a gamer. I do not play anything, but I watch Amy and the boys a lot, and I agree with your remarks about Zack setting up his new equipment. Not easy at first. I picked up on the Kvothe call sign, but IDK about AtomicMom. Maybe.

I am behind again. Got caught up in a Nero Wolfe offering and snuck back to The Angel's Game at lunch today. I am at 92%, so I will finish it off tonight.

Sarah wrote: (view spoiler)["I was wondering whether Zack's Mom knew he was going to be drafter up because that day she served him dinner-for-breakfast, a nice hearty meal, and told him she loved him when he left for school" (hide spoiler)]

I had wondered about this also. (view spoiler)[Nothing ever came of it, though; so, maybe it was just a way of reinforcing the lack of normalcy that's sure to follow. As in that one last fond memory of home sort of thing. (hide spoiler)]

For what it's worth, I highly recommend Ender's Game I never read past the first Ender's book, though...someday. Dune is one of my all time favorite books. Loved the quibbling among the geeks over Lynch's Dune and what is actually from the books.

I am going to listen to chapter 7 and then go to bed.

Speaking of Dune, one of my all time favorites too, Atticus made a reference to "spice" and followed it up with "and not the kind found on Arrakis", in the Iron Druid book I was reading. Kevin Herne uses many of these literary references in his books. I love it when I come across remarks like that. It tickles me and I feel very well read when I understand them. I think this group has been very good for my literary education. Hehehe.

Just finished chapter 8. Hahaha, the geek in me totally loved chapter 7, the Obi Wan references and all the movie stuff. Pretty sobering going into ch 9 (view spoiler)[ really is like The Last Star Fighter! I was ROFL over the Q-Spec. I want one!!!! (hide spoiler)] ...more tomorrow

I haven't watched The Last Starfighter so cannot compare. I too liked the Q-spec.

I totally still own the mentioned snoopy and red baron album. Not cd, tape or 8track. But album as in record. I so feel like that allows me a manly strut

Strut away Travis! You've earned it.

Travis of NNY wrote: "I totally still own the mentioned snoopy and red baron album. Not cd, tape or 8track. But album as in record. I so feel like that allows me a manly strut"

pretty cool I bet it sounds great. Do you still have a record player?

Its funny because I was going to post earlier how I really don't catch a lot of the sci fi stuff as I really haven't read a lot of sci fi and not much of a movie or tv watcher but music I get. I can keep up so far with all the music. In fact some of the sci fi scores we used to play in band. School band I should say. Trumpet. Never had enough fingers for guitar nor rhythm enough for drums

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ what a tragic thing to happen to a family, It is so sad about his father. Also the incident, children can be so cruel. Not realizing how powerful their words can be. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 - Wil Wheaton as narrator is amazing his voices are so amazing especially Yoda. Love Yoda. (view spoiler)[ I have a really hard time liking Zack he really has frightening anger issues. To think of taking a crow bar to school because someone keys your car---that is just plain scary. After this scene I don't like him at all, which is sad because he obviously is someone special in this book.

I am really interested in how the father may fit into this book it seems to be a common thread. (hide spoiler)]

Anger is an interesting thing. In my hypnotherapy training we were taught that when our brain thinks we're in danger (and i emphasise thinks), we drop down in to the primitive part of the brain which kicks in with the fight or flight response. All very useful in a life or death situation. But this response happens in our everyday life too. Generally, when we escape danger, we return to the intellectual part of our brain and go about our life normally again but when we have background levels of stress and we can't run away, the fight or flight response stays on. The flight mode manifests as anxiety, freeze/hide mode manifests as depression and fight mode manifests as anger. Three very different reactions but stem from the same cause - our brain is trying to protect us. Anger is scary and all consuming. Using kids as example, a kid who goes to school and has a panic attack in class will get all the help he needs while a kid who kicks another student or trashes his desk might be expelled and gets no help. I find this frustrating. (view spoiler)[Zack lost his dad at a young age which can't be easy on him. I'm not excusing his behaviour but normalising it i guess. (hide spoiler)]

Re Zack going to school that day (view spoiler)[He took the tire iron because his mates had said earlier that this other kid was planning revenge so it was for protection not as a direct reaction to getting his car keyed. But that's no excuse and is no rational way to deal with things. He could have ended up in a lot of shit. (hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "Anger is an interesting thing. In my hypnotherapy training we were taught that when our brain thinks we're in danger (and i emphasise thinks), we drop down in to the primitive part of the brain whi..."

This is a fair assessment and I am glad you posted, these situations are one sided and nothing is definitely clear in some situations.
My concern Re Zack going to school that day was (view spoiler)[ why is this incident not being looked at and brushed over because of a spaceship. I wonder will he get help, does he think this is acceptable. I guess I am thinking he premeditated bringing the tire iron, knowing someone would mention it and he wanted to be angry. He didn't talk about it or think of a different way. He immerses himself in games not dealing with reality, I just think there are many resources out there kid help lines, and violence never solves anything -- violence begets violence.

I think this is why some games have ratings and if you are a certain age you cant buy them. With my boys I often had to shut off the game as they were screaming at each other and the game. After we talked and when they calmed down the game was returned, but in one instance the game wasn't returned it made the boys too angry. (hide spoiler)]

I know that computer games have made me frustrated when I've played them in the past especially if i kept dying or couldn't get past a certain point. An ex boyfriend of mine got so angry once playing PlayStation that he threw the controller across the room and it broke. The rumble function didn't work too well after that. And it was my controller! But then on the plus side, if I've been feeling annoyed, going to shoot the hell out of some imaginery aliens or whatever has helped me calm down. Yes playing computer games is escaping reality. As is reading. As is drinking. As is taking drugs. Most people do some form of it at some point in their lives. It's not always clear to that person that that is what is happening though or if they do realise, don't think that it's a bad thing. Sometimes reality sucks! Zack (view spoiler)[is still only 18 and may not be able to link his anger to the fact his dad died, even though it only seems to come to the front when someone mentions his dad. It doesn't seem to be a problem all the time so maybe he thinks he doesn't have a problem. As for Zack's anger, i don't think it stems from playing computer games. If anything, gaming seems to be a time where he can just shut off and chill out. (hide spoiler)]

I completely agree with video games being a nice way of anger releasing. I have had plenty of days where I have went into a game like Diablo and kicked some demon butts. It makes it fun to level up a character and reek havoc.

My best memories are of my brother and I playing games one of the best were Double Dragons, protecting the world. I keep waiting for a reference for it

Sarah wrote: "I know that computer games have made me frustrated when I've played them in the past especially if i kept dying or couldn't get past a certain point. An ex boyfriend of mine got so angry once playi..."


agree

Wheaton's Carl Sagan voice sucked! I don't know most of the popular music references, but I did understand Zack's call sign. We used to have the album. You rock Travis!

I know movie and TV music and sci-fi used to be all I read for many years. Yeah reading has always been my escapism after sports. When you get too old for sports, it is always there.

Notice how all the really top players are kids from homes with single adult caregivers?
I can't see either of my grandsons flying the planes but Evan could probably qualify with the ground forces. He likes to shoot things. Ryan plays Mine Craft and likes to build things.

My problem with playing games, roll playing games, is that I want to understand what is going on. Wandering around and randomly finding things is boring and hacking and killing things is gross and icky and too time consuming. Just give me a book!

I'm not much of a gamer these days. I used to love playing games on the Nintendo when I was a kid. I liked the GameCube when it came out. Love the Mario games :)
I played 007 on Nintendo 64 but I couldn't play it for long stretches at a time..would make me sick to my stomach if I played too long..not sure if it was a motion sickness thing or what. The game was fun though.
These days I mostly read. It has been forever since I played a game.

I have an 1 hour and 15 minutes left in this audio book. It's at that point well past the slow part, you have let go of any comparison to RPO, you are "involved" in the story, you really like the characters but the end is near.....(gasp).....so I have quit reading for while.

I began the day knowing I would finish it today---move on to the next audio book. No can do!!! This on must last....at least until tomorrow.

Of course, listening to the audio, narrated by Wil Wheaton, I have been unable to imagine the main character of RPO and Armada as anything other Wesley Crusher from Star Trek: Next Generation.

In regard to being able to install the new software and use the new helmet and gear with no problem. I might have questioned that ability IF I didn't have a son that can do exactly that!!! Some people just have an extraordinary talent with electronics and video games. It's an incredible, unfathomable, ability to those of us who don't have it. I am always awestruck at how quickly my son can learn and complete a video game, install software, and diagnose computer problems and repair them. He can do things in 10 minutes that I would take me several days to figure out.

The problem with audio books: If you don't listen with a notebook in hand, to note thoughts or write down comments, they are lost. Hard to do while working in the yard. I took a vacation day from work. :0)

I have finally gotten the image of Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher out of my head and you had to remind me, Lori!

THE reunion. (view spoiler)[wow! Very touching and well done. Well narrated too, I might add. I am definitely going to buy a print copy of this book. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 18 - smoking man reference, Sarah! (view spoiler)[Zack's fathers' theory seems plausible, but why or how could he be the only guy on earth to think of it? That is the problem with conspicery theorists - they think they are the only ones smart enough to come up with them, and just like Zack being the only one to disobey orders, fu#* things up. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19 (view spoiler)[gaydar? Give me a break!!!! (hide spoiler)]

I have been listening all day. My head is going to explode.

3 hrs to go on my audio book. 1 he to go on the count down. I just got home from the movies and decided to finish.

I saw Mr. Holmes, what else?

I didn't get any reading done yesterday so I've gotten behind you guys. Its August bank holiday here this weekend so an extra day with my partner home. We're desperately trying to get the floor down this weekend and to unwind in the evenings we seem to have engrossed ourselves in a Sons of Anarchy-a-thon so I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done.

Ch 23. 1 hr and 6 minutes left on my audio book. I need sleep.

I cannot believe all of the movie and other references that have flown by as I listened! There was one that took me a whole chapter later before I could drag it from my memory. Hint - it involves a flying saucer, a huge robot and the initials, MR, the actor. If I hear 'may the force be with you' any more, I will scream but the gallows humor had me rolling on the floor. The only movie that has not had a quote from is The Forbidden Planet.

"The sun'll come out tomorrow."

I am at the end of chapter 2.
I am listening/reading with a big smile. Love the conspiracy thery.

If it goes the way i think it is foing to be, this will be fun.

I am off to do my volunteer work at the wildlife reguge and then i 'm iff to quebec's Bordeaux wine fest. Not sure i will get time to read much but i will try to read what i can of this thread later today.

I haven't done much reading in this book the last few days. I started another class and had to do the weekly dusting yesterday :) woohoo!! Hoping to get more read this weekend!!

Cherie,

Hahahaha My apology for the reminder about Wesley Crusher!!!

I agree it is much harder to recall things in the audio. I do occasionally rewind and tap the book mark so I can go back and find a section or a quote with ease, however, I rarely go back and listen to it again to write it down.

The other bad thing about audio is spelling. Often I am unsure of how a characters name or a faux location is spelled and sometimes it is not easy to find out how it is spelled online.

I butcher names all the time listning audio

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ I knew it I knew the dad was alive I just felt it, I wonder what he is like.

Our first mission is done and we are off to the moon, now I can start thinking of this book as separate from RPO and I am liking the connection between Lex and Zack

Lets see if Zack can keep his cool with the new recruits on the moon base

(hide spoiler)]

Sarah wrote: "Chapter 9 [spoilers removed]

I'm in the middle of the briefing in Chapter 10. It makes for interesting reading."

I would be interested in a buddy read for Dune as well Sarah in an upcoming month

It has been raining pretty hard here (we had a great thunder and lightning storm about 4:30this morning). I finished the story.

I will wait for others and maybe we can discuss the events at the end together.

I had hit a lull with this book until chapter 13 (view spoiler)[I am so happy Zack's dad is alive :) I hope when Zack sees him, he isn't to angry towards him for abandoning him and his mom. I'm also liking the connection with him and Lex. I am having a hard time not comparing this book to RPO though. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out. (hide spoiler)]

I so far after a slow start am enjoying this more than RPO. May be lacking in pop culture compared to RPO but I find fighting aliens in soace more believable than the whole virtual reality treasure hunt thing

Oops. I just read a chapter 13 spoiler that i shouldn't have. I closed it quick. I thought I'd read that far but clearly not. No harm done though as i had my suspicions. I've not read anything this weekend. I might get a chance later while I'm waiting for paint to dry.

Yes a Dune buddy read would be good Tasha. Someone started a thread for one recently but it's for the whole series but we can use that one. We can arrange a date for us second wave to start it.

I've stopped comparing the two now as i read. I really like the story line of this one too. And while there are a lot of pop culture references it's not as heavy with them as RPO and this plot doesn't depend on them like the easter egg trailer did.

Cherie wrote: "It has been raining pretty hard here (we had a great thunder and lightning storm about 4:30this morning). I finished the story.

I will wait for others and maybe we can discuss the events at the e..."

Waiting with Cherie.....

Just starting chapter 6 and I had read what spoiler I can...

Sarah I had the same thought (view spoiler)[ Is that her mum in the top ten? (hide spoiler)]

My thoughts on the story so far (view spoiler)[ I liked the first chapters a lot. The conspiracy theory and all. I want to know exactly what happened to his father. I am sure there is more to it than an "accident".
But since the last chapters, it is remindin me too much of "Ender's Game". I hope the story takes another turn soon. (hide spoiler)]

I'm sat reading some more of the book while Star Wars Episode I is on in the background. Very fitting. It's pod racing time!

Who Knew? Sky has a STAR WARS CHANNEL!! Back to back films were shown last night. We only got through Episode I and 2 though and then we started to nod off.

I read chapter 13 (view spoiler)[I really liked everything that happened at the Crystal Palace. I thought it was very Maverick of Zack during the assault there - the flying generally and his kills but also the going after that last one ship. His reprimand from the General was also very similar in that he was given a slap on the wrist but allowances were kind of made because he's a good pilot (and who his dad is/was). There were also a couple Top Gun references around that point too.

I too am hoping Zack won't be too angry with his dad but I'm guessing there might be some friction to start with.

I like that Zack is going to the Moon base. I think I've read chapter 14 too or at least I'm in the middle of it (view spoiler)[The trip up there is the shuttle was interesting what with meeting all the other high scorers. Love that the gadget they all have can translate speech on the fly. Oh and that Lex is a whiz with it and has hacked it. I'm wondering what will come of that. I'm guessing Zack will discover something he's not supposed to. AtomicMom has shown up so it's not Zack's mom. (hide spoiler)]
(hide spoiler)]

I'm really enjoying this book.

So after discussing this book a bit in another group a member made the conment that he enjoyed Armada only he liked it better the first time he watched it as a movie years ago called The Last Starfighter. I'm not familiar with a lot of movies and never even geard of the last starfighter so I am unable to make the connectiob with this book being a remake or a knock off of the movie depending how you look at it

I've not seen the Last Starfighter either Travis. There are a number of references in the book to it though. I don't see this book as a knock off of other films/books although there are a number of similarities I gather. I see it that it plays in to the conspiracy (view spoiler)[ at the beginning (and actuality later) that computer games were used to train the masses for impending wars and then later to fight in wars by using drones rather than the usual planes/tanks/infantry that we saw in say Independence Day. That ALL books and films and games that link to space and alien invasion since the 70s were ONLY released for the purpose of education and training. This happened I guess in the other book/films/games but they were all fictional but this book is about the conspiracy of all that happening in our REAL world (yes I know this book is fiction too but to Zack it's not...). I hope that rambling made some kind of sense. (hide spoiler)]

I have played very little amoubts of video games ib the last 15 years. As a kid I lived for them. Honestly if I think back over all the games I think hands down Galaga is my all time favorite game of all time. I don't believe it has showed up in this book. I'm simply saying my favorite is no other than a space craft shooting dowb alien spacecraft. Man I wish I was pkaying galaga right now. You get the double ship going on and hit a bonus stage. I loved it

This book is right up your street then Travis. The only alien game I have played is a turn based pc game called UFO which i really liked. It's about 15yrs old now i reckon.

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ so glad we have met Zack's father I love this character and I am completely onboard with his theory. My theory -I am also thinking maybe these aliens are wanting us for an alliance I think there may be a bigger threat and they have been helping earth prepare for it. Especially when they have given us all the tech information. -- yes I may be optimistic about aliens being kind but I do still have my ET from when I was a child in my room (hide spoiler)]