The Sword and Laser discussion

I don't want any spoilers. It's the first book in a series. Does the plot have a satisfying ending or is it left open? I don't mind if the world continues. I dislike cliffhangers.

I personally thought it had a good ending that wrapped things up while leaving plenty for the sequel.

It does not end in the middle of a battle with the fate/life of someone/the universe in the balance if that's what your worried about. There are still problems and danger but they are not something that will impact the characters 5 minutes after the book ends.

The second book picks up months after the first ends and so far is excellent I am about 70‰ through it and had trouble putting it down last night.

I agree with Brandon. All of the plots are resolved. So I say its fine.

There's a big "huh, I wonder what happens next?" type of cliffhanger. I mean we had that type of issue with Tigana and it doesn't even have a sequel.

At 965 pages, it is practically a trilogy in one volume as it is. I've already passed one good place to break off a shorter novel, but the writers just bounce the story off the wall in a new direction, keeping it going & keeping it interesting. I want to complain about the length, but I don't want to put the book down yet.

Richard wrote: "At 965 pages, it is practically a trilogy in one volume as it is. I've already passed one good place to break off a shorter novel, but the writers just bounce the story off the wall in a new direct..."

That must be a very small paperback edition with large writing. I have this as a 565 page paperback?

Richard wrote: "At 965 pages, it is practically a trilogy in one volume as it is. I've already passed one good place to break off a shorter novel, but the writers just bounce the story off the wall in a new direct..."

May I ask what version you're reading?

The copy I have on my Nook comes in at 955 pages, but it includes a free book: The Dragon's Path by Daniel Abraham.

Yeah, it turns out the book itself is only 495 pages (which I just finished), the other 470 pages of the ePub edition seems to be extra content. We have an interview, a preview of the sequel, & then The Dragon's Path, as well as the typical about, other books by, & praise for you'd see in end-leafs & dust-jackets. So forget what I said about length. There was a spot they could have ended the novel at, but the interesting new twist only added a few more chapters to it.

Great read, now I just might have to get the darned sequel.

I'm still trying to decide if getting the extra book I didn't know about makes me feel better about paying $10 for the eBook. It might just add to my annoyance if I don't get extras next time I buy an eBook.

Richard wrote: I'm still trying to decide if getting the extra book I didn't know about makes me feel better about paying $10 for the eBook. It might just add to my annoyance if I don't get extras next time I buy an eBook."

I don't know. Doesn't seem like too bad of a deal for this group. Buy a laser, get a sword free. =-}

Just finished today. Yeah its stand alone but does leave a hook at the end (not a cliffhanger) to let you know there's more coming.

My Review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I think it stands alone. I don't feel compelled to read anything following.

I finished it last night, and would say yes. I definitely want to read Caliban's War, but because I want to read more stories in this universe, not because this story was left unfinished.

It stands alone, read on if you want or stop now :)

Alterjess wrote: "I finished it last night, and would say yes. I definitely want to read Caliban's War, but because I want to read more stories in this universe, not because this story was left unfinished."

I agree - I finished it this morning, and would like to read Caliban's War, but don't feel like I have to. (I have a long list of books 'to-read' so I might wait for it to come down in price).

I agree that it definitely stands alone, but also that the last few chapters seem to be there primarily to setup the sequel. It kind of reminded me of Fallout 3, where one of the DLC packs changed the ending of the main storyline. In my head I imagine one of the two authors ending the book early, and the other reminding him that they planned a 3 book series... :)

I also agree that it stands alone. And also that it seemed to have several ending points during the story. But I definitely enjoyed the read, and really enjoyed both of the main characters.

It can stand alone. But I'm going on to Caliban's War.

Completely stands alone, however I will definitely read Caliban's War (there was a one chapter preview for it in my copy and it whetted my appetite).

Brandon wrote: "I personally thought it had a good ending that wrapped things up while leaving plenty for the sequel.

It does not end in the middle of a battle with the fate/life of someone/the universe in the..."

Well said :)