SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

I have heard mixed reviews about it, starting it later today just finishing off which I have really enjoyed :)

Not sure what to expect really but I will give it a go

11.10.2012
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★

Review
I decided to listen to this audiobook as it was a free download.

The story follows Historian Diana Bishop who discovers a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library, having kept her magic roots hidden she has been unknowingly using magic to get through her own life. Fining the manuscript brings her into all sorts of creatures who are determined to get their hands on it and will do whatever it takes to get it.

This was a very interesting book, not just another story of vampires, witches and demons. It had more depth to the relationship of the characters and a wealth of historical knowledge including differnt characters from history, and various time periods covered when Matthew was discussing his past life being a 1500 year old vampire there was alot to cover! It weaved together a lot of history, legends and scientific subject matter, to create a very intersting and satisfying read, taking the reader or listening in this case on a beautiful journey.

The relationship between Diana a witch and Matthew a vampire had me turning the pages to see how this impossible realtionship between two different species could work, and I have to say I was not disappointed. I am looking forwards to reading the next book in the All Souls Trilogy and other works from Deborah Harkness.

Jade, I wonder if I should give Harkness another try. I didn't really like ADOW, but so many did like it I wonder if there's something wrong with me?? I think my expectations were way too high. Also, Diana spent so much time rowing, running, and drinking tea. :-)
Seemed very repetitious. Reviews for the 2nd book are really good. Maybe I should check it out.

by Richelle Mead
Shelf: Vampires
Date Finished: 10/10/12
Rating: ★★★★

I find it hard to articulate why I enjoy Richelle Mead's writing so much. Maybe it's because when you read her stories it feels like the narrator is having a conversation with you. The Golden Lily is the second book in Mead's Bloodlines series, a spinoff of Vampire Academy. Our narrator is Sydney Sage, an alchemist charged with protecting Jill, the younger sister of the vampire queen, who is the target of assassins. Sydney and Jill's entourage are undercover posing as students at a private school. While there, the group finds themselves in danger from an entirely different group of killers. I feel like we get to know Sydney a lot better in this book. Her rigid beliefs and assumptions got on my nerves, but many of her quirks are endearing. It was cute to see her go on a first date and have no clue what to do or say, or how to read the other person. I really liked her interactions with Adrian, who was a major character in the VA series. It's not that Mead's books are great works of literature, but they do make this 40-something mom feel a little giddy imagining being a teen again!

Sandy wrote: "Jade, I wonder if I should give Harkness another try. I didn't really like ADOW, but so many did like it I wonder if there's something wrong with me?? I think my expectations were way too high. Al..."

Lol I know how much tea can one person drink?

I know A Discovery of Witches, I always try to fit it into a reading challenge but always end up changing my mind. from the reviews I should put more effort into it.

I got about halfway through A Discovery of Witches and couldn't finish it. I also wonder what's wrong with me. LOL I thought I might later pick it back up and finish it, but I don't really want to when I have so many other books to read. Luckily I'm not one of those people who absolutely MUST finish a book.

I enjoyed it although I chose the audiobook version so, had it on in the background when I was cooking, I possibly wouldn't have enjoyed the book quite as much if I had to read it :)

by Kelley Armstrong
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Date Finished: 10/11/12
Rating: ★★★1/2

Elena was bitten and changed by a werewolf several years ago, but she is trying to live a "normal" life in the human world, complete with apartment, job, and live-in boyfriend who doesn't know her secret. When the leader of her former pack calls her in to help them get rid of some murderous "mutts" who are threatening their way of life, she's unable to resist going back to her old life that she thought she'd left behind. The first half of this book dragged and I had to put it down for awhile. The second half was much better and I can see great potential for the series. (view spoiler)[ The problem I had with Elena was that in spite of insisting how much she loved her human boyfiend, she had no qualms about sleeping with her former pack lover. This really irritated me for some reason. (hide spoiler)] I've heard really good things about the series so I'll definitely continue at some point.

Sandy, I'm one of the few that wasn't wrapt in this series from the beginning, and as I have to buy them, I haven't gone any further.

Will be interested to see what you think of the next one, hopefully you'll get a chance to read it during this game or the next :)

New shelf: Series Catch-Up
This is a personal shelf, not a Goodreads shelf.

Reminder: please check in and let us know what you are reading.

Good luck!

Hmm. I'll have to think on that new shelf. In the meanwhile, I have a review!

Favorite Author shelf (I think)

★★★★★
10/13/12

I love these books. They are fun and kind of different from the usual, with a less common setting (Victorian England). Alexia is a lot like me I think (ok, a bit more fearless than I am and more prone to trouble). That's probably why I like her. Baby Prudence is a precocious cutie and Lord Maccon is a sexy werewolf. There were a couple of surprises at the end (view spoiler)[Ivy becoming a vampire queen and Biffy being a future alpha (hide spoiler)], although I kind of suspected one of them was coming (view spoiler)[Biffy being alpha (hide spoiler)]. I am sad the series is over, but it was well wrapped up and I am looking forward to the new series which apparently is based on Prudence all grown up(???).

Series Catch Up

I'll be reading for Series Catch-Up

Crystal S wrote: "Hmm. I'll have to think on that new shelf. In the meanwhile, I have a review!

Favorite Author shelf (I think)

★★★★★
10/13/12

I love these books. They are fun and kin..."

I liked this one too... very much!
Yes, she has a series based on Prudence coming up, AND a YA series set in the Parasol Protectorate world. :-)

It'll have to think about this week's shelf. Right now I have 1st in a series lined up for reading challenges and it just won't do.

Urban-fantasy shelf
The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine
Completed 10/14/12
Rated: 3 stars

Review: This series is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I like the concept, but the characters can drive me crazy sometimes! Claire alternates between being incredibly smart to incredibly stupid so fast it makes me a little irritated. But I do like Michael and Shane... I will probably give the next couple books a try but I'm hoping Claire gets a little less annoying.

Kari, just checking, was Dead Girls Dance for Urban Fantasy or Vampires?

Regarding Claire, (view spoiler)[she does not stop being annoying. :-) <\spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

Tentatively I'll put A Tale of Two Vampires for series Series Catch-Up.

urban fantasy for Dead Girls Dance. I'll read the next one for vampires. That's unfortunate about Claire. I really do like Michael, Shane and Eve.

I changed my favorite author shelf selection: I read Across the Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories by Garth Nix.

I love the Old Kingdom trilogy and this compilation of stories contained a novella from the Old Kingdom realm as well as other short stories that Nix has written. I loved most of the stories in this compilation. The novella was interesting and continued the romance between Lirael and Nicholas Sayre. It was a fun short read. The choose your own adventure short story was hilarious! Usually I'm not a fan of short stories but this collection was worth it :)

Finished 10/15/12
Rated: 3 stars

Vampire book done!


★★★★
10/14/12

I enjoy Lynsay's Sands Argeneau books. They are easy to read, cute, and funny. This one was no exception. I like Lucern a lot. He's cranky and all but I still think he's pretty hot (and underneath the cranky is a sweetheart). Kate was vaguely annoying and some of the story lines bordered on too ridiculous so that's why this is not a 5 star read for me. I have actually read the two books before this one and several after this one, but for some reason skipped this one (probably the library never had it) and I'm glad I went back. It's probably gonna be one of my favorites in the series.

ETA: Oh yeah, there was a whole scene where they robbed a blood bank and Lucern glamored the blood bank tech into deleting the blood they stole from the system. Excuse me, I work in a blood bank and that just ain't happening. Even if there was a way to do that, the average tech isn't going to have any clue how to do it. I'm nit-picky about lab stuff since that's what I do. LOL

Tentative pick for series catch-up shelf is

CONGRATS, Ladies!
We have earned a stamp for the Favorite Author shelf.
Heading over to request it now. :-)

Series Catch-Up shelf
A Tale of Two Vampires by Katie MacAlister
Rating: ★★★
Finished: 16/10/2012
# pages: 352

Review: After so many books about Dark Ones, the steps to become a Beloved are pretty well known. It was a relief to know that that fact was glossed over. The heroine was a lot of fun, making me laugh at times while Nikola was not as angsty as the previous Dark Ones, which made me like him even more. The time travel aspect tie everything up nicely with returning characters.

The fact that the story is recounted with switching POVs made even more enjoyable. It was a fast but satisfying read.

I'm having second thoughts about the Catch-up book, since it's #10 out of 10 books published...someone could say that it's not catching up. Waiting on an answer from Steph or her minions.

Hmmmm, I would think it is catching up since you're reading the most current in the series. Will be interested to hear what the mods say.

Val, that is fine.

Ouf! Thanks Sandra.

by Rachel Caine
Shelf: Series Catch-Up
Date Finished: 10/16/12
Rating: ★★★★

I think this is the best in the series yet. Claire, Eve, Michael and Shane actually get to leave Morganville so that Michael can go to Dallas for a recording session. Of course, there's a catch to that. They have to take Oliver, second Vampire-in-command, with them. On the road, they encounter fugitive vampires, as well as another group of "infected" vampires that no one in Morganville knew about. Claire was much less annoying in this one, I'm happy to report. In fact, she was very brave and displayed a maturity beyond her 17 years. My only complaint continues to be that I think she's too young to be shacking up with her boyfriend. I really like this series because it's action-packed and there's never a dull moment. I like how the vamps and humans find ways to live together in relative harmony, and even join together to fight common enemies.

CONGRATULATIONS, Terrible 2's!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'Favorite Author'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

Congrats on the stamp Terribles!

by Sylvia Day
Finished 17.10.12
Shelf: Series Catch-Up
Rating:★★★★

Review
Well, I have been waiting for the release of this book with bated breath ever since I finished the 1st book in the series 'Bared To You' which I loved, so much so I read it twice :) and listened to the audio book just to make sure I didn't miss anything.

I was recommended the books initially after I have finished the Fifty Shades Trilogy and have to say this series was a breath of fresh air, for me, and personally blew Christian Grey out of the water. The Crossfire Trilogy was better written, the characters had more depth and it certainly a more romantic feel about it, which I prefer and I was hooked from the very first page.

I love the characters of Eva Tremell and Gideon Cross...especially Gideon Cross, Sylvia Day paints a VERY handsome picture. Both are totally infactuated with each other but due to their trouble pasts, neither knows just how to handle the depth of what they feel for the other. The book once again takes you on a roller-coaster journey of their lives. Throw in Eva's best friend Cary, a few unsavoury characters from their pasts and you have a very entertaining book.

Unfortunately for me this time around I was left a little disappointed....I expected more, but the characters themselves didn't seem to get much further forwards in their relationship. It almost felt like Day was trying to drag the book out for the third installment...I so wanted to be swooning over Gideon Cross again like I was in book 1 :(. However that said I will be waiting once again for the third installment to get my Gideon Cross fix and hope they manage to leave their pasts behind them and live happily ever after.

I wondered about the Crossfire series. Everyone I know tells me that it is better than Fifty Shades. I must admit that i gave up 1/3 into the first book because I disliked the plastic feel of Christian, the lack of description and Anna's inner goddess yapping all the time.

Would you say that Crossfire is lacking at least one of the above mentioned? I am just skittish about trying this one.

I tell you Val I was hooked from the very first page, so much more depth than Fifty Shades. The character though flawed are more realistic and you can understand their behaviour. Give it a go, I am sure you wont be disappointed.

Good to know, thanks Jade.

I actually just reviewed a book for an author that is kind of like a better written version of fifty shades... it is If I Were You. It was pretty good, I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. However be prepared for a cliff hanger as it is the first of a trilogy and is only out in ebook form right now.

New Shelf:
Demons

Come on, ladies! Let's get to reading so we can get more stamps!

For the Demons shelf, I will read

I'll follow your example ( and because it's in one of m'y reading challenges), I'll read for the demon shelf.

I'm going for

for demons I'm reading The Darkest Night

Finished Fool Moon by Jim Butcher ****

Great book, lots of mystery and angst ridden action.
Poor Harry got beaten within an inch of his life... forget an inch, half an inch!
I wanted to slap Murphy for not believing him but then I understood her too. I love the bad guys, they were scary, creepy and just great.
Can't help but wonder what'll happen in the next book.

Love the series, can't wait for news of Harry Dresden...well another month before that happens. :(

I've heard so many good things about the Dresden series. Someday I will get to it!

I've just requested our stamp for Urban Fantasy. Way to go, ladies!

I haven't started yet, so I'll switch that to my demon book. And my new series catch up shall be hmmm, , although I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it.

CONGRATULATIONS, Terrible 2's!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'urban-fantasy'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

Congrats on the stamp Terribles!

by Nalini Singh
Finished 22.10.12
Shelf: Free Space
Rating:★★★★★

Review
Nalini Singh has done it again.....Just when I think the series can't get any better it does. I love the fact that each book brings a different couple to light, some characters we have been introduced to previously in other books or new characters that she weaves into the story like they have always been there and you wondered how the other one coped without their 'mate' for want to a better word!

This book follows the story of Cop Max Shannon who meets Sophia Russo a J-Psy when they meet after being hired by Psy Councilor Nakita Duncan. They are on the trail of a murder targeting Nikita Duncan, her closest advisors. As soon as these two meet you know sparks are going to fly, and you will be drawn into another amazing love story.

I also like the fact that whilst these two are the main characters Nalini Singh still manages to let you know what is happening with the rest of the gang and I just can't get enough. I heart the whole series so far and look forwards to reading the next books in the series.

If there is any of you out there that haven't yet read any books in the series, get reading I am sure you won't be disappointed :)