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For our October group read, Kraken Rising, its author, Greig Beck is available to chat with the readers as they read the book this month.

This is an informal discussion. Greig will pop in when he's available to answer questions and reply to comments.

Please Remember:

We treat everyone with respect on this group. We value Greig as a member and an author.

Thanks for joining us, Greig.

Thank you for inviting me, and for choosing Kraken Rising. I'm looking forward to the discussion.

I think due to my ocd when it comes to books I'm going to have to read book 1 first

Justin wrote: "I think due to my ocd when it comes to books I'm going to have to read book 1 first"

Book 1 Beneath the Dark Ice is really good Justin!!!
You bring up a good question for the author...How important is the reading order for this series?

Hi Lisa, it's a question i get a lot. I personally get frustrated with series which have way too much overhang and backstory in previous novels, so I made every book a standalone adventure. Of course the characters are maturing, and I leave Easter eggs for my ongoing readers, but I wanted to make sure that a new reader can pick up any of my books and enjoy the story as a ready-set-go.

I like when a series is written standalone. It's getting almost impossible to keep up with all the series I follow.

Greig wrote: "Hi Lisa, it's a question i get a lot. I personally get frustrated with series which have way too much overhang and backstory in previous novels, so I made every book a standalone adventure. Of cour..."

That's great to know...thanks! I'm with Danielle and loving the idea of standalone books in series.

Me too! I just read a good book that was fairly long only to discover that the ending is a 'cliff hanger'. Virtually nothing got resolved in Book 1 of the series. The consequence is that the book wound up feeling more like a soap opera ("Tune in next week ..."), than a good syfi. I'm opting not to read anymore of the series.

Greig Beck is very underrated; Beck is one of my favorite authors.

I loved 'Kraken Rising.' My favorite novel by Beck before this was 'Beneath the Dark Ice.' Don'5 get me wrong, the other ones are fantastic as well (especially 'Black Mountain'), but the "Dark Ice" books are my all-time favorites. I love sci-fi action thrillers (not overly sci-fi, like Star Wars [sorry to offend]).

I also like that the stories happen in real-world locations. As a geography buff, it'sone of my favorite plot elements.

Anxiously looking forward to the next Beck novel. Keep it up!

It is unbelievable that you invite me to read the book I am mid-way through. I love the Arcadian series. Unfortunately these days I only get chance to read when Igo to bed so it is taking longer to read than when I had more free time. However this is, so far, the best book in the series. A big thanks to Greig for the series.
Oh and I do have a question.
Greig why have you chosen an American hero (whilst I have nothing at all against your choice, after all, it is easier to imagine the Americans creating an Arcadian) But you are Australian and from what I have seen of Australians they are very patriotic. (I do love The Ashes for that haha) The fact is Australian special forces are some of the very best in the world. Why didn't you choose an Australian hero?

Austin wrote: "Greig Beck is very underrated; Beck is one of my favorite authors.

I loved 'Kraken Rising.' My favorite novel by Beck before this was 'Beneath the Dark Ice.' Don'5 get me wrong, the other ones are..."

Thanks Austin! I spend quite a bit of time on researching locations. In one of my books I couldn;t move on until I could determine what the cobblestones looked like in an old street.

I'm glad you like Kraken. It took me 3 years before I was happy with it.

Rgds, Greig

Alan wrote: "It is unbelievable that you invite me to read the book I am mid-way through. I love the Arcadian series. Unfortunately these days I only get chance to read when Igo to bed so it is taking longer to..."

Hi Alan, your question is one I get a lot of the Aussies. Usually asking why I don't have one set in Australia (psst, I plan to). But the main reasons for Alex Hunter being American is that I worked for many years in New York, Chicago and LA for my software business, and got to know the people and technology very well. Also, as the HAWCs have some pretty souped-up tech, I figure the US is better placed to develop that.

There is an Aussie character coming in the next Arcadian adventure - hang five!

I enjoyed Beneath the Dark Ice immensely. But I did not read the following books, and just for this discussion I purchased Kraken Rising. Maybe because I didn't see Alex the Arcadian develop in the intervening novels in the series (this is #6 I believe), I struggled with KR. Perhaps a bit too much suspension of reality for my taste as well--I generally shy away from sci-fi and fantasy novels.

I started this and off to a good start. I am a bit obsessed with Antarctica, so I am glad we get to go back with Alex.

I'm just starting this too Danielle...like that it's going back to "Beneath the Dark Ice" locale!

Just finished Kraken Rising and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for another great read Mr. Beck!!! Any hints as to what is coming next for Alex Hunter?

Lisa P wrote: "Just finished Kraken Rising and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for another great read Mr. Beck!!! Any hints as to what is coming next for Alex Hunter?"

Thank you Lisa! And yes, I've just finished the first draft of the next Alex Hunter called: From the Void.

Pull Quote:
We don’t know what’s really out there � maybe it’s better it stays that way. Colonel Jack Hammerson

I'm midway through Beneath the dark ice. The science and concepts are very intriguing. But I find the superpowers of Alex being under utilized . You could try adding more human villains than monsters. Matt Reilly creates enormous action with loads of humans and less of creatures.(Expect for contest)- That's more interesting. Humans against Humans are always better and more violent. I really liked your suspenseful style of writing and want to know if you plan to create any more super soldiers.

Kronos wrote: "I'm midway through Beneath the dark ice. The science and concepts are very intriguing. But I find the superpowers of Alex being under utilized . You could try adding more human villains than monste..."

Hi Kronos, I think I'm up to about book 6 for Alex Hunter, and along the way, I have all manner of human adversaries coupled with horrors as well. Check out my website (link below) as it has good overviews of each story. Rgds, Greig