I just want to pop in and say that I read the prologue and the first three chapters at a café today. I have some quibbles, but there's also potential. I will reserve judgement for now.
I must say that prologue in my eyes is the worst part of the whole series...
I'm quite intrigued about how I'll feel about it in my reread with the book club 
Hi,
@Sarene, I have to agree that the prologue didn't do it for me. It just felt way over the top. BUT, I sort of set it right aside (as I think you must have) as I read into the book proper.
I've been enjoying. I read the first 9 about two weeks ago, and then set things aside so I'd be reading more along the timeline of this club.
Here is how I've responded so far:
> Prologue - meh (sorry)
> Huang: The most interesting character so far; certainly the most relatable. You ca ntell he's headed for some tough decisions.
> Zhou: Not quite sure what his long term arc will be. He's a mix of irritating and OK. Not much to like about him, yet. In fact, I started out thinking he'd be a good guy; changed my mind to "idiot" when he was so disrespectful to his master; and then turned it around again as he schleps along as a road builder in Ch 9.
> The Cattle: It feels very fable-like, doesn't it? Almost like a story out of Greek myth. Of course it has to be an actual illusion, or maybe just a scam.
> The Stone Road: So my theory is that
What interests me is where Geoff is going with all this. I don;t have any real sense for the broader story arc or the world canvas of this. But that's what makes reading more - fun!