Lyssa’s Comments (group member since Dec 27, 2013)

Lyssa’s comments from the The 104 Book Challenge - 2014 group.

Valyarn wrote: "Hello everyone!
I'm a bit late in this group but when I found it I really wanted to join! I'm Valyarn, live in Finland and I love books and reading :) I re-discovered Goodreads this year when I wan..."

Hello! I joined late, too, my first year with the group, but it looks like you're right on schedule. Glad you're doing better after your accident ~ I don't know what I would do if I was recupaerating from something and unable to read. :( I'm looking forward to exploring your list as well as there are so many good books that haven't quite made it to U.S. publishers.

#33 Archangel's Legion Found out I'd missed this (thanks Kim!), swooped it up and finished it today. I do like how some of the Seven have their stories expanded, and it looks like some other storylines are being set up with Elena's family, but generally seemed like a lot of hoopla to get to the actual Legion in the very last pages of the book. :/ And, as per Kim, lots of sex. Tho mostly "hey, they did it again" rather than pages of description (looking at you Laurell Hamilton....) 3.5/5

#32 Mary Ann in Autumn This author was recommended to me by a friend who knows I'm trying different books. Turns out this is the last book in a series about the same characters ~ wonderful knowing the end without having the beginning or middle! :/

I liked the characters and wanted to know their stories. I will say that most of the characters are homosexual or transgender, so not for everyone. 3/5

#31 By Blood We Live Hmm. Not really my favorite of the three. Just seemed like lots of pages to get two or three things done. Can't say that I didn't like it, because I'm a fan of monsters that act like monsters. And, even tho it's promoted as the conclusion to the trilogy, the set up for another book (or three) is present. 3/5

Kim wrote: "Unused gift cards are the best! (Although I'm a little concerned you managed to *not* use it already..." I know, right?? It was one of those weird things where I didn't want to spend it on just anything, and then it got buried on the coffee table. They've gotten pretty steamy in the past, so wondering just how much more equals "A LOT"? Should know in, oh, 2 days when it gets here. :)

Kim wrote: "#35 - Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh" Argh! Why do I not have this?? I knew I'd miss something while trying to rein in the bookstore visits!! Good thing I just found an unused gift card the other day.... ;)

#30 Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal Really enjoyed this book even tho it's not generally "happy" reading material. A little glossed over as to the details of starting his NGO, how he financed operations and I'm pretty sure the kids weren't angels 24/7 despite what he's written. Surprised that the issues regarding integrating the children back with their families wasn't addressed when he started looking, but it's covered in a few pages in the last chapter. :/ 4/5

#29 Secret Keepers Great cover and.... yeah, great cover. I liked Emma, Kyle and Bobby. Dora, not so much. Trying books from different genres, and still waiting for one to wow me. 2/5

#28 The Weight of Blood Well if I ever wanted to go to the Ozarks before I don't now! :) The story switches well between differing viewpoints to tell the stories of the disappearance of Lucy's mom, and the unsolved murder of Lucy's friend. The final confrontation just didn't do it for me ~ just wrapped up too quickly to feel satisfying. 3.5/5

#27 Ghost Month First time reading this author for me. Seemed like the book was more about life in Taiwan rather than the mystery- lots of descriptions of neighborhoods and the Night Market. 3/5

#26 Twilight's Dawn Boo.. lots of folk were unhappy with this book as a finish to the series, but it always makes me weepy. And now, on to Hollow City.

#25 Shalador's Lady

#24 Across Many Mountains: A Tibetan Family's Epic Journey from Oppression to Freedom Not knowing much about Tibet's occupation, figured this might be a good intro. Reading about her grandmother's life before and during the occupation is enightening. As it's a personal story, not overfilled with detail, but enough that it's educational as well as being an easy read. 3.5/5

#23 Shadowborn Another 'young girl becomes assassin' novel. I liked this one better than most others because it wasn't all non-stop action. Sure, it reads slow in some parts, but it still moves forward. Can't stand it when a newbie assassin becomes an instant expert and that doesn't happen here. 3.5/ 5

#22 An Unexpected Guest The whole book takes place in one day, so expect for *slow* progress. Clare is.... self involved. Sure, some is required for the wife of a diplomat, but stop looking at your damn hands! Sheesh! The kid is an overly indulged brat and the possible terrorist just seems like an afterthought. At least I got to use some of my high school French.... 2/5

#21 Concealed in Death 38? Ye gods, I've read 38 of these books?? This one seems like a filler entry in the series - kind of a non-mystery. And while the blurb gets excited about a "connection with someone Eve knows(!!)", that lasts all of a couple pages, then poofs out of existence.

Just seems like this series is running out of steam and REALLY hoping it doesn't go the way of the Sookie Stackhouse books. 3/5

#20 The Shadow Queen Two more to go!

#19Child of the Ghosts For some reason, I thought this was geared YA, then I started reading it. More violence than I would expect from YA. Not being my usual genre, maybe this is typical? In general, the book was interesting, but some editing errors (grapnel for grapple). 3/5

#18 Tangled Webs Not as much of the main characters in this one - more of a filling out of some of the other members of the SaDiablo family.

#17 The Shining Girls So it's not just me.... Stephen King (at least it's his avatar) also said this was a twisted version of the Time Traveler's Wife.

I like the novelty - can't think of another book offhand with time travelling serial killers - and I was ok with just accepting that there is time travel, and a House with a Room (author's caps). Don't question, just accept and it all makes twisty, time travel-y sense. My brain is telling me it's better than 3.5, but 4 isn't quite right, so for the sake of simplicity, I'm just rounding up. Easier than arguing with the brain right now..... 4/5