Crystal S’s Comments (group member since Jan 07, 2011)

Crystal S’s comments from the SOS: Serious Overload of Series group.

I've finished my book too. Will post review later when I'm not at work.

I'll read .

Just finished my book.


02/09/13
★★★1/2

I waffled between 3 and 4 stars and decided to split the difference. The book is marketed as PNR, but it barely qualifies if you ask me. Most of the book is spent on story lines other than the hero's and heroine's romance. It also lacked a true HEA ending. It's similar to the way JR Ward's BDB books have become more UF with a splash of romance (although not nearly that bad). The book was way too long. Way way way too long. Mostly because there was too much going on. (view spoiler)[Keita and Ragnar's romance; Anwyll's drama and worry about the twins; Eibhear and Izzy's drama; Keita's spying; battles raging with two different enemies; finding the twins a nanny; etc. Pardon any incorrectly spelled names. (hide spoiler)] The author is clearly continuing and building on plot lines from earlier books, but it's just too much, if you ask me. Even the ending went on and on and on.

BUT, it was funny and sarcastic and I like the characters (even if there are too many at this point). I'm just hoping the next book is a little more concise.

Also, I don't generally notice typos. So if I notice them they must be plentiful. And there were several.

I'll finish. I've got a couple more errands to run and then I'll settle down for the night and get reading.

Yay for Karen!

I picked a looong book this week. I'm not even halfway done. It's good, just long.

Probably will read .

Finished my book earlier last night.


Finished: 02/01/13
★★1/2

Big fat meh. I don't know why I'm not crazy about this series. It's got decent enough characters. It's funny (or meant to be.) It's light enough that it should be a fast easy read. But this book and the first in the series are such chores for me to get through. I can't pinpoint what I don't like though. Maybe it's that I don't really find the hero all that great (he's ok, but kinda boring). Maybe the books go on too long. This one in particular ended about 10 or 15 pages past what I thought was a good ending. Too many side characters? That's a definite possibility. Who knows? I just didn't think it was all that great. I admit I only read it because I already had it on hand. I have the 3rd in the series on hand already too, but probably will not slog through that. For funny, light vampire reads I think I just prefer Lynsay Sands.

Ok. I'm off work for the weekend. I'm gonna crack down and finish my book before this evening.

I'll join in.

0/3

1. PNR -or- UF
2. ROMANCE - (any type!)
3. DEMONS

My book is ok so far. It's slow going cause I've been super busy at work, which is normally prime reading time (night shift doncha know? LOL).

I think I'll read . Unless I can't find it. My apartment is a bit of a mess right now. LOL

Yeah, captain-ing is not hard at all. It's just takes more time than I have to commit to it right now. You'll do an awesome job.

Just posting before I head to bed (night shift worker here, yuck). Read in Sixty Seconds is fine by me; team name never matters much to me anyway.

Team captain doesn't matter to me either. Whoever wants it more can have it. :-)

Off to dreamland I go.

February Challenges

(view spoiler)[RRRC - Read the Month (in Dutch) Challenge

5/8

F - Letting Go! by Mara Fox <*finished 02/13/13* ★
E - Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison *finished 02/28/13* ★★★★
B
R - The Romantic by Madeline Hunter *finished 02/23/13* ★★★★
U
A - Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken *finished 02/09/13* ★★★
R
I - Sin Undone by Larissa Ione *finished 02/11/13* ★★★★★




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RRRC - February Monthly Challenge

5/5

1. 'F' is for February (Read a book by an author last name begins with 'F') - Letting Go! by Mara Fox <*finished 02/13/13* ★
2. Groundhog Day (a book involving a historical/futuristic/non-contemporary time): The Romantic by Madeline Hunter *finished 02/23/13* ★★★★
3. Lunar New Year (Feb 10) (read a book with dragons): Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken *finished 02/09/13* ★★★
4. Tell a Fairy Tale Day (a book about the fey): Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison *finished 02/28/13* ★★★★
5. Reader's Choice - Sin Undone by Larissa Ione *finished 02/11/13* ★★★★★



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SOS - February Genre Juice Challenge

3/3

1. PNR: Last Dragon Standing by GA Aiken *finished 02/09/13* ★★★
2. ROMANCE - (any type!) - Letting Go! by Mara Fox <*finished 02/13/13* ★
3. DEMONS - Sin Undone by Larissa Ione *finished 02/11/13* ★★★★★

(hide spoiler)]

Hey y'all. I've been captain before but I'm not in the mood/don't have the time this time around so I'm glad you volunteered Paris.

I'll join in. :-)

Well, there's something you can't unsee. 8-(

ETA: Someone pass the brain bleach please.

January Challenges

(view spoiler)[
RRRC - Read the Month (in Dutch) Challenge
7/7

J - Death Masks by Jim Butcher *finished 01/07/13* ★★★★
A - The Shy Duchess by Amanda McCabe *finished 01/09/13* ★★
N - Honor Bound by Brenda Novak *finished 01/10/13* ★★★
U - Undercover Mistress by Amethyst Ames *finished 01/12/13* ★★★
A - The Gamekeeper's Lady by Ann Lethbridge *finished 01/13/13* ★★★★
R - Rogue In My Arms by Celeste Bradley *finished 01/14/13* ★★★★
I - I, Spy? by Kate Johnson *finished 01/17/13* ★★★★



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RRRC - January Monthly Challenge

5/5

1. 'J' is for January (a book by an author whose first name begins with 'J') - Death Masks by Jim Butcher *finished 01/07/13* ★★★★
4. 'New Year' means New Year Resolutions! (character that has moved to a new district/country) - Wanted: Mail-Order Mistress by Deborah Hale done 01/02/13 ★★
6. 13 Jan is Rubbie Duckie's Birthday (a book that features children) - Rogue In My Arms by Celeste Bradley *finished 01/14/13* ★★★★
8. National Hugging Day and Make Your Dreams Come True Day (read a romance book) - Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton done 01/03/13 ★★★★
10. Reader's Choice - The Shy Duchess by Amanda McCabe *finished 01/09/13* ★★

(hide spoiler)]

NBRC - Harry Potter Sorting Hat Challenge
Date 01/01/13 - 12/31/13
Level: Hard
6/16

Keep track of star ratings. Add each House up at the end and that's the House you end up in.

(update original post)

Ravenclaw
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic animal is the eagle: Read a book which features an eagle on the cover or in the story. You can also read a book about someone who can shape shift into a bird of any type.
➲ Ravenclaw's emblematic colors are blue and bronze (a book that has a predominately blue cover) - Rogue In My Arms by Celeste Bradley *finished 01/14/13* ★★★★
➲ Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder of Ravenclaw, was Scottish: Read a book that takes place in Scotland.
➲ Members of Ravenclaw are described as intelligent, witty, and wise: Read a book in which the protagonist is scholarly, bookish, all knowing, etc...



Gryffindor
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic animal is the lion: Read a book about a lion (or a shape shifter who turns into a lion).
➲ Gryffindor's emblematic colors are scarlet and gold: Read a book that has a predominately scarlet or gold cover.
➲ "Nearly Headless Nick" is the house ghost of Gryffindor: Read a book featuring ghosts or read a book in which someone was decapitated or beheaded. Yikes!
➲ Members of Gryffindor are described as courageous, chivalrous, and brave to the point of recklessness (sometimes) (a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities) - Death Masks by Jim Butcher *finished 01/07/13* ★★★★



Slytherin
➲ Slytherin's emblematic animal is the snake: Read a book which features a snake on the cover or in the story.
➲ Slytherin's emblematic colors are green and silver (predominately green cover) - Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton done 01/03/13 ★★★★
➲ The Bloody Baron is the house ghost of Slytherin (Read a book in which a murder takes place) - I, Spy? by Kate Johnson *finished 01/17/13* ★★★★
➲ Members of Slytherin are described as cunning and shrewd (a book in which the protagonist irked you) - Something Blue by Emily Giffin *finished 08/21/13* ★★★



Hufflepuff
➲ Helga Hufflepuff, the founder of Hufflepuff, was a witch during medieval times: Read a book that is set in a medieval time period (between 5th to the 15th century)
➲ Hufflepuff's emblematic colors are yellow and black (book with a predominately black cover) - Sin Undone by Larissa Ione *finished 02/11/13* ★★★★★
➲ Fat Friar, the house ghost of Hufflepuff, dedicated his life to religion: Read a book about someone who is extremely religious.
➲ Members of Hufflepuff are described as hard working, patient, and loyal: Read a book in which the protagonist portrays one of these qualities consistently throughout the book.

NBRC - Disney Princess Challenge
Date 01/01/13 - 12/31/13
9/15

(repost updated list)

♚Pocahontas:
Read a book where the protagonist is Native American, loves nature, or displays shamanic powers. You can also read a retelling of Pocahontas.

♚Princess Jasmine:
from Aladdin
Read a book where the protagonist is of Arabic descent or is named Jasmine. You can also read a retelling of Aladdin.

♚Snow White:
Read a book where the protagonist has fair skin and dark hair. Or read a book where the protagonist is German (or of German descent). Read a book where the protagonist has many male friends. You can also read a retelling of Snow White.

♚Aurora (a book where the main character is unaware of her biological family) - Blood Sport by Judith French *finished 03/23/13* ★★★★
♚Mulan (a book where the protagonist disguises herself as a man) - Honor Bound by Brenda Novak *finished 01/10/13* ★★★
♚Ariel (a book where the protagonist has red hair) - Rogue In My Arms by Celeste Bradley *finished 01/14/13* ★★★★
♚Belle (a book where the protagonist loves books and reading): Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper *finished 02/01/13* ★★ (heroine is ex-librarian and works/owns a bookstore)

♚Esmeralda:
from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Read a book where the protagonist is a Gypsy or read a book where the character has a pet goat (this should be interesting). You can also read a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

♚Megara:
from Hercules
Read a book where the protagonist has a low opinion of men and is cynical about love. You can also read a retelling of Hercules.

♚Tiana (a book that takes place in New Orleans) - Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon *finished 04/06/13* ★★★★
♚Cinderella (a book about someone who has had a difficult life but perseveres with the help of love) - Sin Undone by Larissa Ione *finished 02/11/13* ★★★★★
♚Rapunzel (read a book where the MC was kidnapped) - On Thin Ice by Anne Stuart *finished 01/20/13* ★★★★★

♚Alice
Read a book where the protagonist lives in a dream world or discovers an alternate (fantasy) world; read a book where the protagonist defies a monarch (preferably a queen). You can also read a retelling of Alice in Wonderland.

♚Jane (a book set in a rural area) - Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris *finished 08/17/13* ★★★★

♚Tinker Bell (a book where the protagonist is very shy or has problems communicating) - The Shy Duchess by Amanda McCabe *finished 01/09/13* ★★