The hopeful readers group discussion

Starting soon(ish?) 😄

Any time from my side!

Same here! I've managed to get my hold from Library so all good for whenever 😊

My copy hasn't arrived yet. I'm hoping this weekend?

It's finally here!!!! When do you guys want to start?

Im up for start on weekend/Friday?

Sounds good. I hope I have my library situation sorted out by then, I didn't know that I have to renew my membership yearly *lol*
But I will have a copy available either way.

Can we start Saturday then?

Okay with me!
The book even has a reading group guide at the end. Do you ever use those?
However, 435 pages, 5 parts, 40 chapters. I am not the fasted reader, ~30 pages/hour, but I am also still on winter hours, which means that I'm reading 4 to 6 hours a day.
Is there a certain speed we should go? You both have a 7 to 8 hour head start, I guess. Why can't Europeans not stick to US times? 😉😅

🤣 that reminds me, they're stealing an hour again from us tomorrow. Ugh. I hate it...

With longer books I have sometimes agreed to stick to certain number of chapters per day, but that's the most rules I've ever used 😄

Oh yeah i forgot too 😂

Lol tbh I wouldn't worry too much, with these type of books I'm usually much slower then with m/m and romance reads.

Shall we aim for around 5/6 chapters a day across a week?

Laura wrote: "Shall we aim for around 5/6 chapters a day across a week?"

Sounds good to me :-)

We already started Daylight Savings Time a couple of weeks ago. I used to love it, but now I work in agriculture, and we do not quit working until sun down - this is stealing an hour of evening spare time every day :-(

So Ive just finished chapter 3 and must admit I had completely forgot the aynopsis for this one so went in blind.

It's rather grim and depressing concept, I can already see taking me a while to read it. But it's a fascinating idea, the world building is stunning and I'm really enjoying the journal entries. Very thought provoking and dark xx

Quotes
(view spoiler)[

"That a scythe is merely the instrument of death, but it is your hand that swings me. You and your parents, and everyone else in this world are the wielders of scythes." Then he gently put the knife in her hands. "We are all accomplices, you must share the responsibility"

"But remember that good intentions pave many roads. Not all of them lead to hell."

(hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 5.

I agree, it's pretty depressing...

I wonder if the journal entries are random or tie in with the plot at some point

Yeah, Its definitely that... I don't really know what I was expecting, but checking the synopis and mpg tags literally has death as main. So I should have realized 😂

I'm curious too, but I feel like they're more of an insight into the scythes and how the world is then anything. They help to explain a lot.

Although I was thinking (view spoiler)[

The fact death is no longer a permanent thing usually, but people are like revived. So technically they must still die for a time.

And the scythes go by percentages of deaths based on various old causes like disease, natural and drunk driving etc...

Surely if these things are still happening, why don't the scythe/government just let those individuals die instead of revive? Or give a limit too how many times people can reage?

It just seems ridiculous how they base it on previous death rates as what was the point of stopping death if still going to follow that system?

It just seems very strange to me... Logically.
(hide spoiler)]

🤣 my thoughts exactly (view spoiler)[I think the argument is that people have to go to make room for new people eventually? And that the randomness of it all makes it less personal/malicious and just sort of. Random? Kind of like death, just not natural? Why the AI in charge of it all let it get to the point were humans could become basically immortal, now that is a different question 🤣🤣🤣 it should have known better (hide spoiler)]

Haha well I'm glad not jsut me 😂 (view spoiler)[ i understand that, but I thought the whole idea is that scythes make the system fair/random.

Like I said if people have to go anyway why dont they just let some of the ones that got themselves dead to go, instead of revive. It just seems like a pointless system..

But considering they pick one of a bunch of teens that chose to have a drivers licence and coincidentally drink. Like its worse, because that individual may have lived in normal yet few choices put them on murder list... I guess I'm not a fan of the randomness.

So yeah I am intrigued to learn more the like government, thunderhead? Like a lot of their choices make no sense to me but maybe thats the point. It is an interesting world and concept thats for sure 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Part 1 done, and I after you scared me with your "depressing" thoughts I was surprised that I liked it so much. I got such a kick out of the splatting junkies and how the Scythe was treated by "mortals" 😂

The only glitch had been when the ring vibrated, giving off a little alarm, refusing immunity to his grandmother’s new husband because he was a bot after all.

Also grandma's husband was worth a laugh, and I hope we learn more about bots in this story. I am always good for bots. A shame we do not have them, yet 😂

I don't find the concept depressing (I find dark, cold, hunger, pain, and angst depressing, not so much the offing of someone once in a while), but it does not make much sense to me, either. Ever heard of birth control? Or choosing the old ones? Maybe join these two - as more kids you have as sooner you have to die to make room for your kids - or use effing birth control ...
and/or what Andrea said: "Surely if these things are still happening, why don't the scythe/government just let those individuals die instead of revive? Or give a limit too how many times people can reage? " - also good points! But I guess we would not have a story, then ... ;-)

I guess the journal entries are meant to help understand the world. It finally explains what the Thunderhead is, and how the world became to be as it is now.

Yay! Im glad to hear you're enjoying it. I will need to catch up tomorrow as didn't get to all the chapters.

Lol I love a dark vibe every now and then. The grief aspect feels heavy impact, considering the way deaths chosen and such thats what feels depressing. Kohl's scene just got me.

Exacly! The purpose behind just doesn't make a lot of sens at the moment, so i am interested to see if any is cleared up as to why its done this way. Like did they try other options? Be interested to know, was this the plan which every one agreed on creation of scythes.

Agreed on the journals, i kind of wish I could just read a bunch of those entries before the book as feel would better understand it. But i suppose like you say, there wouldn't be a story then 😂

😄 Glad you're both enjoying this! I still don't really get the hype. It's ok for me but... eh? But we'll see

I read ahead a bit (finished chapter 15) because I don't think I'll get much reading time tomorrow. But I'll wait there until you're caught up. Curious to hear your thought on the new developments ^^

Part Two begins with the 10 commandments ... *huh*
I am starting to wonder if I should be more annoyed with the book for senselessness, but so far I enjoy the writing stile and pace.
So, the commandments. Of course they remind of Christianities commandants, not sure why the author thought that necessary. I had a problem with this one the most:
9) Thou shalt have neither spouse nor spawn.
Supposedly humanity is much smarter now with the help of Thunderhead, why would anyone come up with a rule that already failed in good old clergy world?
Oh ... to make the story work, I guess ...

I absolutely loved chapter 6 - An Elegy of Scythes - they were so beautifully BAD!

In chapter 8 Rowan has to choose the victim. I know it's easy to say "what would I do" if I am not seriously doing it, but at the end I would go with the good old proven "Ene Mene Muh und raus bist Du". Of course it would have taken Rowan a bit longer than me, because his rhyme goes like this:
"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
Catch a tiger by the toe
If he hollers let him go,
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
My mother told me
To pick the very best one
And you are it."

Come on! Its a kids book! ;-)

I am getting annoyed of the ways to die. Isn't it supposed to be painless? Since when is drowning or getting ones throat slashed painless? *shudder*

I do like the sometimes hidden dry humor like this journal entry:
I wouldn’t want the return of crime, but I do tire of we scythes being the sole purveyors of fear. It would be nice to have competition.

Or - not so hidden - Tyger's obsession with splashing:
He had even convinced a girl to splat with him once, just so he could say, “Girls fall for me—literally.”

I am shocked to read that emo-nanites limit feelings?!

This would be my impressions until chapter 10 - I am also a bit farther, but have a full day of outside work in front of me.

I like the book. The pace suits me, very little inner dialogs and blablabla to fill pages.

I finished chapter 5

Sorry I think I'm going to dnf this one, it's just making me depressed reading it and I can't handle it. Its got stunning wtring and an incredible concept, so can see why many love this book.

Very much a case of not for me, but It was a recommended book from a challenge so I'm glad I gave a try. I definitely should have looked into it more.

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I am a fan of the journal entries those probably the only paets that didn't as much, as rather philosophical and more of a background into them which is interesting to see their thought process.

Laura wrote: "I finished chapter 5

Sorry I think I'm going to dnf this one, it's just making me depressed reading it and I can't handle it. Its got stunning wtring and an incredible concept, so can see why many..."

I don't blame you, why wasting precious reading time on something you do not enjoy!
I am the first who dnf's if the premises are too ridiculous. At this point (I am through to chapter 12) I still like the pace of the story telling, and forgive the premises about gleaning that makes no sense to me.
At one point it is said that scythes kill 5 Million people yearly. In "real life" 65 Million people die ever year, and world population is still exploding, so how would 5 Million make a difference in a world that, supposedly, has already doubled in population? So - yeah, one has to be able to ignore this and the whole premise of intentionally killing people. I am ashamed to admit that this does not bother me. As long as it's not cold or someone is hungry 😂
So I will stick with it for a while longer.

I wish you fun going off to greener pastures, Laura, thanks for trying!

Laura wrote: "I finished chapter 5

Sorry I think I'm going to dnf this one, it's just making me depressed reading it and I can't handle it. Its got stunning wtring and an incredible concept, so can see why many..."

No need to apologize. I get it. It is rather depressing... I hope you're next book will be better for you!

Heike wrote: "Laura wrote: "I finished chapter 5

Sorry I think I'm going to dnf this one, it's just making me depressed reading it and I can't handle it. Its got stunning wtring and an incredible concept, so ca..."

Agreed. A lot of things make very little sense...

Thanks both of you! Hope to buddy read again soon 😊

Yeah the suspending of disbelief over some of the choices, i probably could have ignored as I do often with scifi. Just the feelings wasn't good for me.

Ok, so I finished Part 2 and. Well that came out of the blue. Kinda weird. I mean. (view spoiler)[Why go through all that trouble of introducing a character if he dies after so short a time? But oh well. The next part should be fun, what with the boy (I want to say the name starts with an R? I can't remember it) forced to join the bejeweled group of assholes... (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Ok, so I finished Part 2 and. Well that came out of the blue. Kinda weird. I mean. [spoilers removed]"

Yes, this book is not short on surprises! Did you see my thoughts up to chapter 10 in the comments?

I am into chapter 28 now. Every time I finish one I want to dnf it like smart Laura did, but then I want to know what comes next.
So, this is not an enjoyable read, but a captivating one. Like a train wreck one can not look away from.

Heike wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Ok, so I finished Part 2 and. Well that came out of the blue. Kinda weird. I mean. [spoilers removed]"

Yes, this book is not short on surprises! Did you see my thoughts up to chapte..."

Huh. I did. I thought I'd answered...

I agree with you on everything 😂😂😂

I have a lot of catching up to do, I'm still on chapter 18 🙈

Ok so I finished the chapters of female apprentice's first days. I'm bored. Really bored. The public display of BEHOLD MY AWFUL POWER was just. Weird. The whole woman is weird. And ugh the whole "you can push me under a train!" thing. I mean. Honestly, what is the point of this AI overlord if children can just end other children's lives for a bit there? I mean. Big whoop if they can bring her back and everyone knows that. It's still, oh I don't know. Wrong??? Sigh

Oh well. On to boy apprentice's first days with the asshole pack...

I'm going to say it's not a good thing that I don't remember who this Esme is?

Also, why is the whole, "only one will survive" thing still going on? I'm so confused. I thought The woman told the girl (sorry, I don't think I'll be able to care enough to remember the names) that it was over. So why is boy still going on about it? I'm confused

Ok, finished chapter 23, I need a break.

I'm still waiting for the two to meet again and be suddenly and madly in love. It's going to happen, isn't it? I just know it...

Andrea wrote: "Ok, finished chapter 23, I need a break.

I'm still waiting for the two to meet again and be suddenly and madly in love. It's going to happen, isn't it? I just know it..."

Do I read a touch impatience between the lines? 😂😂😂

Let me ease your mind. It is not getting any better! I think you will hate chapter 24. I hated it! But again - not what I expected to happen.

Up to Chapter 23:
(view spoiler)[
I knew from the blurb that "the winner gleans the looser" was coming, but it still annoyed me. Hello, Hunger Games.
Then the kids start something romantic, but it is only mentioned in the back ground, and yet they feel like they are so important to each other that Rowan decides to die for the girl.
Then beloved but super boring do-gooder Fara-something dies, but the life and death competition is not cancelled even though it was ruled for double apprentice ship. *huh*
Then comes the next do-gooder Scythe some-name-similar-to-female-protagonist-name, and the bad Scythe is allowed to break all the oh-so-important commandments.
(hide spoiler)]

So - I was many times close to quit, but now I am so deep in, I want to know what other mean stuff the author can make up. But I can say with certainty that I will not go on to book two or three. If this is a cliff hanger I will glean the author!

😂😂😂😂 I'm pretty sure it will end on a cliffhanger. The original mentor could come back and want to destroy the asshole pack for being asshole rule-breakers who think they are above his precious rules!!! Or. Something 😂

I'm pretty sure there'll be a conspiracy. People that need to be destroyed from the shadows! Or. Something 🤣

Oh no. What gave the impatience away? 😇🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Andrea wrote: "😂😂😂😂 I'm pretty sure it will end on a cliffhanger. The original mentor could come back and want to destroy the asshole pack for being asshole rule-breakers who think they are above his precious rul..."

NoNoNoNoNo. Do-gooder Scythe Faraway would never, ever, ever take revenge, even if he comes back to life somehow (everything is possible ...), so that direction is out.
This really is the only good thing about the story: it is not predictable. Except, of course, both apprentices will survive and become Scythes. I think.

🤣 we'll see... anything could happen. I think they'll find away to get out of the killing each other thing (must have more room for romance and crap). I'm pretty sure there'll be unconvincing romance somehow 🤣🤣 the only question is, will it be as unconvincing as the hunger games romance?

Oh, oh! What if the AI turns evil? Or always has been? 😱 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Andrea wrote: "Oh, oh! What if the AI turns evil? Or always has been? 😱 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Wishful thinking ... 😂

I finished ... the romance! Oh, the romance! ALL THE FEELS! *snicker*

Oh good, that's making me want to read more 🤣

I just looked at the plot for the next book, at least one of my theories panned out: the evil Sensemann takes over and must be destroyed 🤣 will the dream couple ever find a way...

🤣🤣🤣🤣 oh the chivalry of killing her so she can hate him for cheating 🤣🤣🤣

Oh this is bad

Also, do you also get the feeling sometimes that he didn't really think this through and came up with new stuff halfway through? They started talking of being deadish a while ago, and it feels like an afterthought...

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 bwahahahahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Oh the twist 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

So bad 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lol. But seriously. I mean. Really? Now suddenly they care about murder in this world? Where was that sentiment when she killed that girl when she was young?

Finished chapter 31. I can't take more of this today 🤣

Andrea wrote: "Also, do you also get the feeling sometimes that he didn't really think this through and came up with new stuff halfway through? They started talking of being deadish a while ago, and it feels like..."

YES! I was thinking he was making the story up while he was going - which did make some surprising twists and turns, so he should maybe stick with it! *lol*

Andrea wrote: "🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 bwahahahahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Oh the twist 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

So bad 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lol. But seriously. I mean. Really? Now suddenly they care about murder in this world? Where was that sentiment when she ki..."

*huh* Which one of the many twists is so funny here? 😂

Andrea wrote: "Finished chapter 31. I can't take more of this today 🤣"

Oh - you made it to the part of the book where I started to write "So ein Schwachsinn" into my notes, like the cryptic dialog with Thunderhead ... but there is so much happening in Chapter 32 and 33 - have fun! ;-)
I stand to my opinion - it is a horrible book, but it really is NOT boring. 😂

I was SO confused when they started accusing her of murder when she only learned that word a chapter ago because it apparently doesn't exist in their world. Which. Ugh. SO MANY QUESTIONS!