Thought the 500 page sci-fi novel was overhyped, now I get it.

My book club picked this huge space opera last month and I nearly skipped the meeting because I was so bored after the first 50 pages. The world building felt like work, not fun, you know? But then around chapter 12 something clicked and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up till 3am on a Tuesday finishing the last 200 pages. Ended up being the best discussion we've had in 6 months because everyone had different theories. Has anyone else had a book that started slow but totally won you over? What was the turning point for you?

2 comments

2 Comments

uma_baker998d agoTop Commenter

Wait, am I the only one who thought chapter 12 was actually where it started falling apart? I mean sure the action picked up but that's exactly when all the character development got thrown out the window. The first 50 pages were slow but at least you could tell who everyone was and what they wanted. By page 200 I had no idea why half the crew was even there anymore. Not trying to start a fight or anything but I actually went back to reread the first chapters after I finished because that's where the real story was hiding. Maybe I just like the setup more than the payoff but that world building you called work was the best part for me.

theawest8d ago

Chapter 12 was the turning point for me too, @uma_baker99, but I actually think the real issue is that the author introduced a time skip right there without any warning. That one weird sentence on page 121 where they mention "three months later" completely broke the momentum for me. I had to flip back three times to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a chapter.