Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: busy
  • Music: Ookla the Mok, "Super Secret."

MIDNIGHT BLUE-LIGHT SPECIAL open thread!

To celebrate the release of Midnight Blue-Light Special, here. Have an open thread to discuss the book. Judging by the comments I'm seeing, you've had time.

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS.

Seriously. If anyone comments here at all, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. So please don't read and then yell at me because you encountered spoilers. You were warned. (I will not reply to every comment; I call partial comment amnesty. But I may well join some of the discussion, or answer questions or whatnot.) I will be DELETING all comments containing spoilers which have been left on other posts. No one gets to spoil people here without a label.

You can also start a discussion at my website forums, with less need to be concerned that I will see everything you say! In case you wanted, you know, discussion free of authorial influence, since I always wind up getting involved in these things.

Have fun, and try not to bleed on the carpet.
Tags: incryptid, midnight bluelight special, open thread
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tylik

March 5 2013, 19:47:38 UTC 4 years ago

I must start this off with the obvious (and will likely chime in with other comments later) -

Aaaagh! Sarah! Aaaaagh!

(I mean, okay, prognosis is at least okay. But. Agh.)

(And maybe this will inspir Artie into... something. Which would probably be an improvement.)

seanan_mcguire

March 5 2013, 19:55:00 UTC 4 years ago

Writing from her POV was super-fun, however. Like, super-fun, and SUPER HARD. I can't reference facial expressions unless they're Muppet-level exaggerations, and it made for a lot of backing up and revising.

Artie is...not happy, no.

tylik

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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swevene

March 5 2013, 19:48:47 UTC 4 years ago

Help I think I fell in love with Dominic. Apparently male love interests tortured by their loyalties are my favourite kind. (My favourite title for him is definitely the God of Never Smiling, No Not Ever.)

Istas is also frilly, lacy, deadly perfection.

rymenhild

March 5 2013, 19:58:36 UTC 4 years ago

I did a very loud "YESSSSSSSS" when Sarah confirmed that Dominic switched sides. Not a surprise, but a delight.

I was very, very pleased to see Sarah directing the rescue plan. She may not be naturally cut out to be an action heroine, but she'll do it, if she has to.

It occurs to me that the anti-telepathy field was actually Margaret's first major mistake. The moment Verity cut off, Sarah knew. While it took Sarah a little while after that to figure out what must have happened, gather the forces, and make a plan, the invasion force became possible in that instant.

I know you won't confirm or deny, and I wouldn't want you to in any case... but someday, I'd love a Sarah book.

That was a lot of fun. Thank you for writing and publishing.

seanan_mcguire

March 5 2013, 20:00:30 UTC 4 years ago

Assuming that the series gets picked up for more books after #5 (Professional Gore-eography, Verity narrating), the plan is to eventually come to two Sarah books. After Antimony, but before Alice.

rymenhild

4 years ago

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resolute

March 5 2013, 20:20:04 UTC 4 years ago

Sarah Sarah Sarah Sarah Sarah Sarah Sarah

I might kinda think she's neat, that one.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:26:30 UTC 4 years ago

Oh, good! Me too!

sparrowpunk

March 5 2013, 20:46:21 UTC 4 years ago

I loved the book, but ouch! I was very glad I had yarn to squish at some points (especially since I was too sunk into the story to remember there was another Verity book...). The rest of the evening is going to be for rereading favourite bits :)

aliciaaudrey

March 5 2013, 20:51:24 UTC 4 years ago

Have I mentioned lately that I love Istas? Because I adore her.

aliciaaudrey

March 5 2013, 21:00:37 UTC 4 years ago

I really need to add that when you discussed theoretical tanuki waheela offspring I didn't expect that our resident examples would be dating and it is just possible I squeed in the middle of a room full of 100 cranky attorneys.

tylik

4 years ago

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aliciaaudrey

4 years ago

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shiyiya

4 years ago

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melebeth

4 years ago

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shiyiya

4 years ago

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jenfullmoon

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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brightlotusmoon

March 5 2013, 20:52:37 UTC 4 years ago

SARAH! SARAH! SARAH! SARAH!
*cough*
That is all.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:27:12 UTC 4 years ago

That is a wise set of statements, there.

anna_en_route

March 5 2013, 21:10:32 UTC 4 years ago

About two hours into the audiobook and loving it. Your book is hopefully going to get me through a 20k walk home round the Wellington coast this afternoon (the joys of having too much leave stored up...my manager actually likes it if I take random afternoons off).

If your book is responsible for me finally seeing the pod of transitory orcas that have been hanging around the harbour that would be really cool.

Thank you for writing this =)

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anna_en_route

4 years ago

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purpleranger

March 5 2013, 21:13:42 UTC 4 years ago

All Hail the Festival of The Release Of The New Book!

(Come on, you know the mice would be saying that.)

acelightning

March 5 2013, 21:45:46 UTC 4 years ago

I pre-ordered it on Amazon, and it's already in transit; I should get it on Friday. (What am I going to read until Friday??)

spectralbovine

March 5 2013, 22:12:50 UTC 4 years ago

Discount Armageddon was fun, but I love this book more for having more meat to it. Character conflict! Real danger!

The narrator change took me completely by surprise I did not know you were doing that in these books. Although it made me wonder who's writing the chyrons. Is it the omniscient narrator or the character who's narrating commenting on her own activities and locations?

As others have said already, Sarah was awesome in this book, and I enjoyed Istas and her obsession with carnage even more in this book. I like how you play with the differences in cryptid psychology and behavior. Their normal is not our normal.

In conclusion, I'm glad you didn't kill me.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:28:20 UTC 4 years ago

The books will be changing narrators completely from time to time; books three and four are narrated by Verity's brother, Alex.

I'm so glad you like the human-form cryptids not acting like humans, while still being people.

spectralbovine

4 years ago

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wendyzski

4 years ago

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shiyiya

4 years ago

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wendyzski

4 years ago

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Zeenatroohi Kwon

March 5 2013, 23:50:43 UTC 4 years ago

That was fantastic! I too loved Sarah's POV. She's such a great character. Complex and sweet.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:44:30 UTC 4 years ago

Thank you!

sleightedge

March 6 2013, 00:42:13 UTC 4 years ago

First: I was only going to read a little bit of it during lunch. I swear. I had work to do. Next thing I know it's 7pm. Well played, Seanan. Well played.

Second: Sarah! Sarah! SARAH!

I love Sarah's inability to recognize people without telepathy. It's one more great detail emphasizing that, for all she looks like a homo sapien, she really is from a completely different species.

Third: Verity's description of the roof beams is wonderfully squirm-inducing. Yep, squirming right now even thinking about it.

Ok, I'm going to stop gushing now before my comments become any more disjointed.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:45:00 UTC 4 years ago

When Sarah says she loves you for your mind...

...she means it.

professor

March 6 2013, 09:32:05 UTC 4 years ago

I have been sitting on my comments because I had the privilege of winning one of the ARCs.

*deep breath*

OH MY GOD CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW MADHURA UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE IMMUNE TO CUCKOOS. LET ME REPEAT THAT. IMMUNE TO CUCKOOS. THE DEADLIEST PREDATOR (CURRENTLY RESIDING) ON EARTH.

MIND = BLOWN

(Although, not presumably, immune to the cuckoo simply ordering anyone not immune in the vicinity to tear the Madhura apart if the cuckoo feels threatened. Still, RESPECT.)

I am really hoping that we see more Madhura in future books, and their connection to cuckoos is explored. Between the comments in the book about Madhura "molts", and the comments on the field guide about how Madhura do not lactate and feed their young a honey-like substance, I am thinking the field guide entry is going to get updated from "could be insects maybe?" to "probably are insects, and may not originate from this dimension."

bzarcher

March 6 2013, 14:24:49 UTC 4 years ago

At the least, I'm thinking a case of protective evolution. They may have been a native species that started to encounter the Johrlac and began to develop defenses. For all we know the original cuckoo population started in East Asia and worked their way around the world.

hasufin

4 years ago

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bzarcher

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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bzarcher

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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dornbeast

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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dornbeast

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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herefox

4 years ago

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ironed_orchid

4 years ago

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skelody

4 years ago

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droewyn

March 6 2013, 11:27:59 UTC 4 years ago

I have lots and lots of things to say and think about, but I really wanted to make sure this got mentioned:

Thank you for making Istas a size sixteen.

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:45:43 UTC 4 years ago

Istas made Istas a size sixteen. I was just smart enough not to argue with her.

And she's damn hot, too.

fadedbluejeans

March 6 2013, 12:23:15 UTC 4 years ago

I have a lot of feelings about Sarah, and about a lot of things, but mostly right now I just want to scream YES! VERY AND DOM GOT TOGETHER AND DID NOT DIE IN THE PROCESS!!!

I will one day process my Sarah-feelings into something I can discuss like a rational person. Today is not that day, so.

Also, I have a Price family tree in a notebook that keeps getting more detailed, which is fun. (the one in the books is no help. It doesn't go far enough back.)

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:46:38 UTC 4 years ago

The book family tree will eventually have to be updated because oh god wait we found another cousin.

I have a lot of feelings about Sarah, too. None of us can compete with Artie, who is currently refusing to leave his basement until someone fixes her.

jenfullmoon

4 years ago

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bzarcher

March 6 2013, 14:27:18 UTC 4 years ago

Devoured this yesterday and in around my lunch break, dinner, and sleep last night. It's a fantastic ride!

Are we going to see more of Columbus, either in the potential Sarah-centric books or when we go to check in on Alex? (And does Jungle Jack know about the Basilisk project?)

I would love to see how you capture the feel of my hometown. :)

seanan_mcguire

March 6 2013, 15:47:10 UTC 4 years ago

Alex's book takes place entirely in Columbus! (I invented a fictional zoo because the real Columbus Zoo wouldn't let me backstage.)

bzarcher

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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hasufin

4 years ago

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themysteriousg

4 years ago

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greyduck

March 6 2013, 22:45:18 UTC 4 years ago

Okay, finally finished. WHEW.

Thoughts, in something-like-bulleted-list-form:

* Echoing the chorus of SARAH! SARAH! SARAH! Because damn.
* I like the first book, I love this book. You nailed every chapter right to the wall.
* Istas, and Istas+Ryan, is a hoot to read. Also, I think "Sarah and Istas visit The Dragons" is one of the most delightful passages you've ever done. Granted, my exposure's a bit limited.
* Dominic started the book in a situation "fucked up times eleventy" as Vel might say, yet he started out and continued to do his best as he could figure out at what the right thing should be. Thank you for not making him develop a bad case of wishy-washy.
* Almost all of the interactions at Very's Nest were great fun to read. Utter joy, even during the tense & scary bits. Which leads me to...
* HAIL! HAIL THE BADASS AESLIN MICE FOR THE WIN! (Also, Istas and The Aeslins, sheer brilliance. And a possible great band name.)

Huzzah. Done. For now.

seanan_mcguire

July 29 2013, 20:41:25 UTC 3 years ago

Aw, thank you. :)

elentiriel

March 6 2013, 23:20:54 UTC 4 years ago Edited:  March 6 2013, 23:21:42 UTC

Another Healy-Price girl converts one of the Covenant! I love how the mice kept on changing Dominic's title, did they finally settle on "God of Hard Choices in Dark Places"?

Can't wait to hear about Alex's story! Just a question, is Verity's older brother's full name Alex Healy Price or Alex Healy? Since in Midnight Blue Light Special Verity mentions that Great-Great-Grandpa is Alex Healy, Sr., I'm getting a little confused.

diva_dame

March 7 2013, 05:10:33 UTC 4 years ago

I'm thinking I need an extended Healy-Price family tree too. One that goes further back than the one at the beginning of the books, that is.

elentiriel

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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diva_dame

March 7 2013, 05:09:05 UTC 4 years ago

I tried to drag out my reading to make it last but, alas, the end of the book eventually came.

- LOVE the Aeslin mice but that probably goes without saying. I better get my own splinter colony for Christmas this year or Santa and I are going to have words.

- Istas is a new favorite. Cake and Carnage = Everyone Wins

- So happy that Dominic actually had to wrestle with his decision and agonized over it. I can never truly respect UF heroes/heroines who change their beliefs at the first hint of love/lust/attraction. If they're that easy to sway then why should I believe they'll have any sense of stick-to-it-ness in their love life? This way i can buy that Dominic put some hard thought into his decision and came out with something true.

- The change in POV threw me at first but,hey, it's Sarah so it's all good. Speaking of Sarah...O_O.

- Too bad we won't get to see Dominic meet the Price parental units. I would've loved to see Verity needle Dom about that.

- Looking forward to reading about Alex for the next couple of books but I'm glad to hear that Verity will be back one day.

Hail! Live Long and Prosper! And other such things. Thanks for sharing your words. :-)

seanan_mcguire

March 7 2013, 17:54:34 UTC 4 years ago

What makes you think you won't get to see Dominic meet Kevin and Evelyn? I do a lot of short stories in this setting, and that's going to be FUN.

anna_en_route

4 years ago

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diva_dame

4 years ago

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wendyzski

4 years ago

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hasufin

March 7 2013, 05:24:18 UTC 4 years ago

1) You know, I did not trust Uncle Mike. Like, I kept expecting to find he was selling Verity out. Or selling out all the cryptids to make sure Verity got out safe, or something.

2) I was also really wondering if one of the Covenant people was actually a Johrlac. I mean, it would completely make sense.

3) Now I'm wondering how the Covenant knew to bring the anti-telepathy charms. Is that just standard field load for when they think a knight has been compromised?

4) I think I love Kitty a little bit now.

5) The scariest thing anyone has said so far was Sunil: "My lady Johrlac, if you allow me to take my brother and depart your hive, I swear, we will never darken your door again,"
I mean, shit. Johrlac have hives,/i>. they're scary enough when they're nomadic life-wreckers. That they might stay in one place and build something? Have a community? And that he said "hive" - he knows what they are; he knows their nature. How?! Yeah, that's scary.

seanan_mcguire

March 7 2013, 17:54:06 UTC 4 years ago

Kitty is pretty damn awesome. I love Istas even more, though. She's just such a hammer, it's wonderful.

Johrlac hives are the worst thing ever.

hasufin

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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idancewithlife

March 7 2013, 06:25:57 UTC 4 years ago

Wow.

I want to marry Uncle Mike. Yes, I know. Nonetheless...

I'm not sure I breathed from the moment Verity got kidnapped until she woke up in St. Giles.

Verity's choice: Amazing way of telling it.

And Verity and Dominic on a cross-country road trip. I so want to be in the back seat.

I will nominate this for a Hugo next year.

seanan_mcguire

March 7 2013, 17:53:25 UTC 4 years ago

...wow.

Thank you.

museclio

4 years ago

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phoenix_singing

March 7 2013, 20:44:31 UTC 4 years ago

SARAH. OH MY GOD SARAH. <3 That part where Verity saw what she was doing telepathically...damn, girl. I cringed. Well done.

And Istas is my new favorite. Carnage ahoy! And she and Ryan are adorable. New favorite couple!

Also loving Kitty, kthx. Seeing her go into action to protect her people and help Verity was amazing.

Also am intrigued by the Madhura revelations and hoping we see more Madhura/cuckoo interactions.

And the Verity/Dominic relationship...beautiful. They've fought to get where they are, and they're wonderful. I approve this couple, yes yes.

Also: Aeslin mice being awesome.

tl;dr This was a fantastic read, even better than DA, and you should feel awesome.

seanan_mcguire

July 29 2013, 20:40:12 UTC 3 years ago

YAY.

I will feel awesome. :)

herefox

March 7 2013, 21:01:48 UTC 4 years ago

I loved the book. Which I expected but it's nice to have it reaffirmed when I was reading the last twenty pages under my desk this morning instead of working as I couldn't wait till lunch time to finish it.

Loved Sarah's point of view and I'm very much looking forward to hearing she's okay (given that she's going to have two books dedicated to her potentially I assume she comes through it at least sane and healthy which I was admittedly a bit worried about!)

I think Dominic should have kept the title "God of not smiling, ever" personally! Loved to see the mice be much more than comic relief in this book too. I love them but they might have gotten old if they weren't a little deeper. Luckily, that doesn't look as though it's going to be a problem.

seanan_mcguire

March 15 2013, 15:04:49 UTC 4 years ago

Y'know, that's part of why I wasn't admitting to there being Sarah books in the future for a while...

herefox

4 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

4 years ago

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herefox

4 years ago

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cgbookcat1

March 8 2013, 00:14:49 UTC 4 years ago

I second (or third, or fourth) most of the enthusiastic comments above! I loved the book and look forward to re-reading it!

This may be something you can't answer, but what cryptid event happened in Warsaw, IN? To someone who grew up in a much larger city nearby, I always thought of it as equally pretty and boring.

seanan_mcguire

March 11 2013, 19:09:25 UTC 4 years ago

That will eventually come out, but not in this setting. :)
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