It’s the most magical time of the year: time for the annual The Dark is Rising readathon. If you’ve never encountered Susan Cooper’s classic, it’s not too late – join us from December 20th for a whirlwind of myth and magic told in lyrical prose that will leave you with goosebumps.
Category Archive: Read-Alongs
Better late than never, I’m tackling the final week of The Sparrow read-along. When the wheels come off on Rakhat, they take everyone out. At last we know exactly what happened – but how do we feel about it?
Being part of the Galactic Commons is bringing changes to the Exodan Fleet, and change can be a scary thing. Sometimes you need a bit of perspective to know what’s good for you…
On Rakhat, Emilio dances God, transported by the beauty of the alien world and the challenge of learning to communicate with the Runa. On Earth, Vincenzo Giuliani is determined to save the priest who fell from grace.
In the Exodan Fleet, everyone is guaranteed a home and food on their table, and everyone works to make a contribution to the Fleet in return. But life isn’t without difficulties. This week focuses on the challenges faced by those who make the Fleet their home…
Blessed with impressive funding and free from the concerns of global politics or corporate profit, a mission to another planet becomes far more feasible. But the Jesuits believe they have another advantage in their corner: Deus vult.
From the ground, we stand; From our ships, we live; By the stars, we hope
Welcome to the Exodan Fleet.
30 years ago, the Society of Jesus sent a ship to Alpha Centauri to make first contact with alien singers. Only one man survived, rescued and returned to Earth a physical and emotional wreck amidst rumours of murder and sin. But what really happened to Father Emilio Sandoz on Rakhat?
When SETI decode a mysterious signal to hear gorgeous singing, the world’s governments bicker over how to respond. The Jesuits don’t hesitate. They have the means and the will to build a spacecraft and send a team to make contact. After all, surely only children of God could make such beautiful music… right?
This is it: the end of The Poison Song read-along. We have followed our heroes (and Hest) from one end of Sarn to the other. We have shared their victories and their dismays. Now it’s time to find out which will triumph: love or vengeance. I am not ready.
It’s all getting very personal: as the Queen rips through Bern’s memories in her attempt to understand emotions, the war beasts discover that blood ties cannot be denied and our heroes are confronted by irresistible truths. And Hest? Hest has had enough of all their shit.
Our heroes’ situations are rapidly going from bad to worse. Noon must confront her past, Vintage must confront a former friend and Tor really mustn’t confront his sister. But can any of them seize some advantage from adversity to aid their war against the Jure’lia?
Our heroes are separated, Hest has a Grand Plan (#HestNO), Tyranny has the upper hand, and Noon has attracted the attention of an ancient force whose intentions are entirely ambiguous. We’re only a week in and the screaming is intensifying.
Autumn has come and it’s time to witness the conclusion to the epic battle between the nations of Sarn and the Jure’lian invaders. An unexpected victory at Ebora reset the board – but the war is far from over….
We delighted in The Ninth Rain and howled through The Bitter Twins. Will we ever be ready for The Poison Song? Probably not, but the time has come. Like any good rollercoaster, it’s best enjoyed with friends. Fancy joining us? You’re welcome!
