Apology accepted. I'd prefer the discussion to move on and focus on the actual book, which, despite not being particularly progressive in its portrayal of women, is pretty awesome and fun! Especially since I, too, grew up on video and computer games. It pretty much won my heart for the big honking Zork reference alone. You should have seen me freaking out and celebrating in my car when that happened. Couldn't believe I missed it either, Parzival.

Well, honestly, that is basically her role in the story.

I'm going to disagree with you on that point. Art3mis doesn't start out to be date meat. She's the chaotic neutral opponent who is kicking ass at one point. My interest was piqued. Then she was devolved and I got pissed off. It's not her role in the story at first. It's what the author chose to do in order to keep his character in line with a stereotype.

I can hate that part and love much of the rest of the book, but this is a major flaw for me.

You're totally right, Sox. She definitely starts out as a potentially interesting character, and some of that role does remain, but she's mostly the Love Interest overall.

It's definitely flawed, and it had the potential to be more amazing, but I enjoyed the hell out of it, so I focused on the positive.

Art3mis doesn't start out [spoiler]

Oh, I think she does. How do you differentiate "what her character is" from "what the author chose to do with her"? If it were a completely different book with a different POV, then she could have been a completely different character. But it's not, and she's not. She's a fanboy wet dream.

And only marginally less offensive than Aech winning the token minority jackpot and instantly having her identity erased because, you know, Parcival doesn't see race or gender or sexuality! People tell him he's white and he believes them because he's a giant fucking douche. Sorry, did I mention I hated this book yet? Because I really did.

How do you differentiate "what her character is" from "what the author chose to do with her"?

Good point. I think I was so glad to see her character allowed to play a strong game at the start I let a lot of things go. Until I didn't. And yes, " She's a fanboy wet dream." this.

And only marginally less offensive

I lessthanthree Jessica a whole lot right now.

Edited because I can't type and think at the same time today. I left in my bobblehead impression, because, well.

Well, Jessica and Sox between them have convinced me not to read Ready Player 1... sorry, P-C!

Jessica convinced me long ago. I feel so cutting edge.

It was the only titled I was bummed to see on The Readers summer book club list because Jess had been so vehement awhile back it stuck in my brain.

Exciting news for Discount Armageddon fans: DAW just bought three more books! The next Verity book is Midnight Blue-Light Special, and then there are two Alex books, Half-Off Ragnarok and Pocket Apocalypse, followed by another Verity book, Professional Gore-eography.

HAIL!

Right on! I just finished Discount Armageddon and it was lots of fun (I also want Aeslin mice for reals!)