SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Buddy read for the Dozen Roses Game.

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Read this in the last seven days and OMG why can't all Faerie stories be this good?!

I read it some years ago and I remember I gushed about it somewhere. I even remember what I was doing while listening. (Coloring on my then new iPad.)

I’m reading this right now. Enjoying it so far. Coincidentally the MC and I couldn’t sleep 🤣.

To think I was reluctant to read this. I only read it this month because my library had the audiobook available. For some reason I was expecting drug trips and hallucinations. Must have confused it with something else.

Anyway, Millie was such a likeable immoral character. (view spoiler)[She's sooooo good at burning bridges!
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How was the narrator?

I could search but won't because too lazy, but I remember saying something like I shouldn't like this, because I don't like urban fantasy, and I was very surprised :) I love when that happens. I don't remember why I decided to read it though, maybe for IBB?

I do remember it being brought up for IBB but I didn’t have access to it back then

I searched after all :D Yes, I read it for IBB, here's the proof and I'll copy the comment over so that those who can't follow links will also see.

April 9th, 2018:

"I just finished Borderline and it was so good! I wasn't expecting to like an urban fantasy series this much. I'm going to continue immediately to the next two books.

It was my mobility impaired pick, because it's the only SFF one I knew of, but it would work even better as a mental illness read. Not only because the BPD part is own voices, but there are so many other mental issues discussed. Some trigger warnings obviously, of which self harm is not mentioned in the blurb.

I know nothing about what life is like as a double amputee, so I don't know how "real" it was, but I really like how it was actually a part of the story. Same goes for all the wonderfully diverse characters. This is definitely worth reading! I've been waiting for the series to complete, but I feel like the first one can be read as a standalone, there are no major cliffhangers."

Two hours later:

"I'm a few chapters into the second book and there's yet another diverse character. I'm still not sure why I'm interested in the plot, though, since it has everything I usually dislike. I guess it's just the characters and how all their issues are discussed that's compelling enough to keep going."

Ahhh 🤗 I miss IBB

Me too! ^_^

What was IBB? That was before my time.

Oh, and the links are followable in the app!

Figured out what IBB was by following the link! Ha!

Nicol wrote: "How was the narrator?"

They didn't distract me from the story.

Just saw a mention that the author has BPD - it should make for an interesting read!

Yes I also read fir IBB and finished the series - it really is a shining example of GOOD UF, and different able ness and all kinds of mental health. So good

I read this last year and also enjoyed it. People's comments are making me want to continue the series sooner rather than later.

I will reveal myself as the one who had this on their list of three. I wanted to choose a SFF book with a strong "mental health" motif, though as others have mentioned there are other vectors of representation in this book. I would have chosen Planetfall but it has already been a BOTM. Still, I'm glad that others are enjoying it and am not disappointed that this was one of the few SFF books along these lines that I found with a google search.

I'm about 1/6 of the way in and Millie's pretty hard to like (especially the physically acting out), but I'm interested in getting to know her better and seeing more about what she's like as a main character. I'm also curious what's going on with the viscount, and want to learn more about Teo and Millie's other compadres in house 4.

As a side note, I've been living not far from Los Angeles for 20 years now. Lines like "I would have walked across the 405 for David Berenbuam" have a stronger, funnier impact since I've visited LA--including sitting in weekend traffic on the 405*--many times.

* Calling highways "the [number]" was something I hadn't come across until I moved out here. Now I use that by default, though only when talking about California highways specifically.

Ch. 16: CW self-harm: (view spoiler)[

"You know how this works," she [Dr. Davis] said calmly. "Once you've engaged in a target behavior, it's too late to call me for coaching. I have to end the call now."

(hide spoiler)]Is there someone familiar with therapy (or education, potentially) that can explain the reasoning behind this? Is it a matter of liability (view spoiler)[once the self-harm has already been done? It seemed like Millie needed help, but Dr. Davis was unable to provide it. (hide spoiler)]

(note, this is NOT a request of anyone who's had therapy themselves, I'm looking for the reasoning from the therapist's standpoint. it's possible that this is handled differently in the U.S. than other places, or in California vs. other states in the U.S.)

I believe the “DBT bible” - I don’t have it with me - specifies cutting off contact under certain circumstances. I think the idea is that engagement regarding any self-destructive behaviors (I think they are considered “para-suicidal”) encourages them, but I don’t have much actual experience. Personally, it feels like a method of punishment for “undesirable behavior”, but I tend toward cynicism.

Thanks, Daniel. I think I can see the reasoning better. (view spoiler)[If the behavior was incipient, Dr. Davis could possibly talk her down from it, but if it had already happened, then it's best to cut off that avenue of discussion rather than risk positive reinforcement, (hide spoiler)] something like that?

It seemed cruel before I understood, but now it makes more sense. (view spoiler)[Millie knew the rules of engagement and knew how Dr. David would respond when she called ("you know how this works"). Millie's outburst of tears comes across differently with that context. (hide spoiler)]

Beth wrote: "Thanks, Daniel. I think I can see the reasoning better. [spoilers removed] something like that?

It seemed cruel before I understood, but now it makes more sense. [spoilers removed]"

Maybe there’s a more specific theoretical foundation (as in “don’t quote me”), but I think you have it.

Finished it at lunch today!

in re the characters: (view spoiler)[I didn't think that anybody who was "not Millie" fully "popped" or came to life for me. This was particularly striking in the case of Caryl and Teo, who Millie had a number of dramatic scenes and confrontations with. At the very end of the book, Millie thinks something like she has a hole where her "self" should be. I wonder if my lacking a sense of a full personality, or deeper sympathy with these other characters was a side effect of seeing them from Millie's pov. It could also be that Baker had a better handle on Millie's workings than she did of the others.

I liked the whole thing with Graybriar and how Millie wasn't just gifted with an Echo to make everything better for her. I wonder if this will be explored in the other books. (hide spoiler)]

I'm normally not a big fey stories fan (I got really tired of them after binging a bunch in my early twenties) but I really enjoyed this. I loved the representation for mental health and the struggle to cope when dealing with a long term condition. (view spoiler)[I'm a horrible person though because I irl lol'd when the leg was used as a weapon. TWICE. (hide spoiler)](spoiler for the ending)

I'm really enjoying this, but also it's a bit triggery for me. But good! Because I'm still finding it enjoyable and even sometimes funny, but oh my Lord of the Rings, this book is real hard if you're the person with anxiety who cares about folks with BPD. It's like reliving every fight and awkward moment and tough conversation you've had and then having to remind yourself they're not talking about you, because this isn't real life, because there are fairy portals, which so far are news to me!

I read this yesterday and I might wait to rate it because I'm wondering if I just didn't ~get~ it. I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed reading about Millie as a protagonist and especially hearing about her thoughts and why she was having different thoughts/reactions. However, there were parts that just didn't make sense to me and it left me feeling a bit confused and having trouble suspending my disbelief. But I'm wondering if maybe I missed something?

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I didn't understand why Millie was let in on everything so quickly. No one seems to tell her the rules in an official capacity, which I thought was weird when the stakes are supposedly so high?

Why has everyone seen her movie?

How come Clay is certain she's his Echo and but she says no once they meet? Did this have something to do with her surgeries? If they had met earlier, would it have worked? I was very confused on this point because it seemed so one-sided. Maybe I just don't understand how they work?

I also thought it was odd how quickly these famous people trusted her. Was it just her association with the project?

Anyway, there was a lot I enjoyed about it but I just felt very confused. I have a tendency to skim if I get bored so it's possible I missed important pieces of information though :)

One thing I did enjoy was the explanation of why holy places worked. I've often wondered about then when reading other UF, so this was a satisfying answer for me.

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Has anyone continued the series?

I read all three back in 2018 but I don’t remember enough to comment anything other than I think I liked the first book the most?

I accidentally the whole series! I found the second one to be the weakest of the three but still very good. I thought the end was fitting if not exactly what I wanted it to be. And I agree the first book was the best of them.

Stephanie wrote: "I read this yesterday and I might wait to rate it because I'm wondering if I just didn't ~get~ it. I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I read it. I enjoyed reading about Millie as a protagonist and esp..."

Some of your questions will be answered in the second book if you plan to continue, I haven't read the third one yet, but I plan to!