How well does Vanguard read WITHOUT Reap the Whirlwind?

[JonnyQuest037]

When the first Vanguard book came out a few years ago, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I didn't buy the follow-up books in the series at the time they were released, but I'm catching up now. The one book I haven't been able to get my hands on yet is Reap the Whirlwind, which I understand is very difficult to acquire because of a screwup with the ISBN number.

Since I'm not sure if I'll be able to get my hands on a copy anytime soon, let me ask this: Would I be able to skip from Book 2, Summon the Thunder, directly into Book 4, Open Secrets, without hopelessly confusing myself? Would I miss out on any major developments in the series?

Please keep the discussion as spoiler-free on plot specifics as possible. Talking in generalities is fine.

 

[21Spike65]

I'm afraid Reap the Whirlwind is a pretty integral part of the Vanguard saga. It is really the culmination of everything that was being built up in the first two books. It's something you're definitely going to want to try to get your hands on at some point, though I sympathize with the difficulties that can arise trying to do that.

Open Secrets is sort of a cool-down following Reap the Whirlwind, picking up on three or four trailing threads and progressing with them. If you're someone who's able to just accept that a, b, and c happened, and just run with the consequences of those, you can probably enjoy Open Secrets well enough, but those a, b, and c events are pretty significant and would spoil Reap the Whirlwind for you.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

Dammit, I was afraid of that. I already had one character revelation spoiled for me by the back cover copy on one of the more recent books, and I'd rather try and keep that sort of thing to a minimum.

 

[David Mack]

It is a shame that S&S has allowed Reap the Whirlwind to fall out of print, because it really is a crucial turning point in the series, and its unavailability can't be helping the sales of subsequent books in the series. Unfortunately, no one seems to understand the problem or know how to fix it.

So, I will say what I have said before: regardless of your feelings about eBooks, buy this story as an eBook. But don't skip it.

 

[Stevil2001]

Bookfinder.com shows me several used copies available for a mere(!) $12.82 including shipping.

So, how much do you want it . . .

 

[kkozoriz1]

It's available thorough ABE.com
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=david+mack&sts=t&tn=reap+the+whirlwind&x=0&y=0

It's a bit over cover price but at least you''ll have the dead tree edition.

Holy cow! Prices range from $9.85 to $56.49!

 

[Thrawn]

It's worth it, if it helps any.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

I might be willing to do $9.85. It's high for a paperback, but it's not absolutely outrageous. Most other paperbacks are going for $6.99 or so these days. Thanks for the info, kkozoriz!

 

[kkozoriz1]

ABE.com is your friend.

 

[captcalhoun]

no MMPB is worth 56 bucks. even RTW. sorry, dave.

 

[Xenu Cruise]

If you have a Kindle, you can get it for $7.99. That is a pretty big "if" there though.

 

[Smiley]

There's also the library option, assuming that you live in an area that carries the book or can get it through an inter-library loan. The recap in Open Secrets is good, but Reap the Whirlwind is well worth reading.

 

[Smitty]

Yeah, you can get it on the Kindle.... but you cant get book 1 on the Kindle!!! Someone explain that crap to me....

UPDATE: I found it, the secret is how you search for it, Geez

 

[Smitty]

If you have a Kindle, you can get it for $7.99. That is a pretty big "if" there though.

Keep in mind, you do not need a Kindle to read Kindle books. There are clients for the PC (maybe Mac too), Android and iPhone.

I am one of those that has bought several Kindle books without owning an actual Kindle device. But yes, I want one and will most likely get one soon.

 

[David Mack]

^ Also, remember that Barnes & Noble has Reap the Whirlwind in a non-Kindle, regular eBook format compatible with most mobile devices and computers for $7.99.

 

[JWD75]

I was able to order Reap the Whirlwind through my local bookstore about a year and a half ago, which was fortunate because I have greatly enjoyed the Vanguard series, but would have never read the series if i had been unable to get that book.

 

[CaptKirk]

"Reap the Whirlwind" was a great read and is vital to the series not only for plot but more importantly for character development.

Amazon is listing it as available in Septemeber 2010 when it is supposed to be offered in a reprint...don't know if its true.

It is available for the Kindle

 

[JD]

Actually there's a thread about that going on right now, and it's not.

 

[Rat Boy]

Oh sure. The one novel with my name in it and now it's almost impossible to find. I'm cursed, I tell ya.

 

[Clancy_s]

^ Also, remember that Barnes & Noble has Reap the Whirlwind in a non-Kindle, regular eBook format compatible with most mobile devices and computers for $7.99.

which it will sell to people who live in the US...

and maybe Canada, but not Australia.