SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Expired Challenges
>
Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2012
August Update
Title/Author: Heiress in Love by Christina Brooke
Series: Ministry of Marriage
Read: 17 - 20 August 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: (from my blog)
I chose this book because of the mostly positive reviews and I thought I might enjoy it. The idea of a group of wealthy, titled individuals arranging various marriages may seem like a bit of a stretch, but the more I thought about it, the more it sounded plausible. These men and women were doing their best to strengthen their family fortunes and political positions.
I liked Jane. She made the best of her marriage, though deeply hurt knowing it wasn’t the love match she thought it would be when Frederick first started paying his addresses to her. Frederick wasn’t an abusive husband, just a selfish one. I can understand why she’d find it hard to trust Constantine, what with his reputation and the rumors.
Constantine is a man who is still paying for the stupid mistakes of his wild youth and his own pride. I love a tortured hero and Constantine fits the bill. Not too broody. He’s a honorable person, though society doesn’t see that. Jane is the first person who’s opinion of him mattered to him, and she’s also the first woman in a very long time that he’s allowed himself to fall in love with.
I liked the author’s voice. I particularly liked the Ministry’s minutes, at the start of Chapter 14. They made me chuckle. I look forward to reading the next book.
Also Read :
Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound #1)
Title/Author: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races
Read: September 15, 2011
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review:
I was worried when I started this book that it had been built up too much and that it could never live up to the high expectations I had. Everyone loves this book and I have to say I agree. The first ten to twenty pages were a little slow for me, but the next 300 pages were great. This book was wonderfully written. There was great balance between the action, character building, and romance. The interaction between Pia, Dragos and the sentinals, especially Graydon, was incredibly fun to read. I look forward to reading the next book!
Monthly Update: September
Title/Author: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy
Read: September 18, 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes, have DOUBLE CROSS ready to go right after this weeks Bingo book
Review: What a great surprise this book was! It was such an odd premise and the author made it work in combination with an interesting storyline. Taking completely flawed characters with major psych issues and using that mental illness as a weapon to use for a "good" cause. Then the added twists and turns in the end really set up the next book in the series nicely. I like how Justine's character developed and Packard's crew rallied to support her too. Favorite lines of the book- Now and then I lurk in the lobbies across from his office building, hoping to catch a glimpse of him...I suppose you could qualify it as stalking."
Also Read in September:
★★★
★★★
★★★★
YIKES! Got to get caught up on my reviews! SORRY!AUGUSTMONTHLY UPDATE
August 2011 (2/12 Done)
Title/Author: Angelfall by Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days
Read: 8/12/11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I was first introduced to this book via an author chat, and thought it sounded intriguing (and I love the cover!). I put it on my "to-order-soon" list, but was lucky to win a copy. After reading it, I've put this series on my "MUST GET" list!
The blurb explains about the story, but doesn't touch on the fascinating characters, interesting twist on angels and vivid pictures and images that stick with you even after reading it.
Penryn is a very strong teen who has been taking care of her family of three for quite some time. Her mother, while loving her children, is basically insane, which is part of why Penryn has to be strong. The family members have a complex relationship that is very intriguing.
Even more intriguing are the angels. Why have they done what they did? Who exactly is Raffe? Will some sort of balance be restored? I'm eagerly awaiting the next book (tentatively scheduled for next summer) so I can get the answers to some of those questions, and many others.
Though there are many further things I want to know, this story did come to a satisfying end.
Also read:
SEPTEMBER MONTHLY UPDATESeptember 2011 (3/12 Done)
Title/Author: Morrigan's Cross by Nora Roberts
Series: Morrigan's Circle (trilogy)
Read: 9/10/11
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Nora Roberts has the romance and trilogy genre/styles down pat. That doesn't mean each story isn't interesting, but you generally know what's going to happen in the end, just different flavors of adventure in between the pages.
This story combines a sorcerer, witch, shifter, vampire, demon hunter and pegged-to-be-queen with magical abilities traveling through time and across worlds to save our world from destruction/enslavement by Lilith. The goddess Morrigan brings this cast together, and gives them a three-month timeframe to either succeed or die.
It took a bit to get into this, (originally picked it up because I needed another trilogy, and I've enjoyed what I've read by Roberts so far) but it became a well-paced, nice read.
I'll probably read more of Roberts' work (have two that I'm planning to read soon, in fact), though I generally won't go out of my way to get the latest.
Also read:
SOS: Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read September Monthly Update
3/12
Cover:
Link: My GR Review
Title/Author: The Texan's Wager, by Jodi Thomas
Series: Wife Lottery, #1
Re-Read: 9/2/11
Rating: ★★★★½
First from this author?: No. Though, this review was done after the first read of this book. I think, at that time, I had read one of her books years ago, but I couldnt' get into it (was a book in the middle of another series.)
To be continued?: Yes, yes, yes! Doing it as a "buddy read" made it more fun. :)
Review: To say Carter is not much of a talker would be an understatement. He’s downright silent at first which causes Bailee, conversely, to start to babble. I love what he thinks of the quixotic rules she makes up and changes on the spur of the moment after their kissing secretly flusters her. He has secrets too; secrets that are delicious and heart-touching to uncover in this tender, sweet, surprisingly action-packed story.
First in series, also read:
4★
4½★
4½★
4★
4★
MONTHLY UPDATESeptember 2011 (3/12 Done)
A Taste of the Nightlife (Vampire Chef Mystery #1)
Title/Author: A Taste of the Nightlife by Sarah Zettel
Series: Vampire Chef Mystery
Read: 9/23/11
Rating: ***
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Interesting world with restaurants that cater to the paranormal. Charlotte is the head chef and big sister to a vampire. She is competent for most of the book and there are some interesting secondary characters. Unfortunately there is the dreaded love triangle that seems to be a necessity in most cozy mystery series these days.
SOS: Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read September Monthly Update
3/12
Link: My GRs Review.
Title/Author: Through a Dark Mist, by Marsha Canham
Series: Robin Hood
Read: September 26, 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩
First from this author? No. Though, I just discovered her this year, thanks to GR friends.
Recommend? Yes!
To be continued? I’ll continue with the series.
If you want the ambience of the Medieval Ages, with all its swashbuckling, pageantry and brutality, as well as a historical with a good plotline, plenty of twists and a bit of a “tongue-in-cheek” nod to an oft told – but great – legend, then this is the book for you. Ms. Canham is the master at writing these scenes and her books are obviously well researched.
First in series, also read:
4★
4½★
4½★
4★
4★
4½★
SOS Love or Hate @ FIRST Monthly Update: September 2011
3/12 Read
Updated 09.15.11
Cover
Title/Author: Beyond the Night by Joss Ware
Series: Envy Chronicles
Read: 09.15.11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The author has created a post-apocalyptic world that resulted from a world-wide catastrophic event that could very well have been man-(or alien)made. As the book ended, the reader is left with many questions: What or who is really responsible for the apocalypse? Why do certain humans have super-human powers? Who is controlling the zombies? (yes, there are zombies - post-apocalyptic novel here, zombies are a must! :) The list of questions just goes on. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Also Read:
MONTHLY UPDATESeptember 2011 (3/12 Done)
No Going Home
Title/Author: No Going Home by T.A.Chase
Series: Home
Read: 9/6/11
Rating: ***
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was a sweet m/m cowboy romance. I've read T.A. Chase before and will continue with this series and reading this author. This story was about not finding acceptance for who you are with your blood relatives and finding your real family, the ones who accept you.
Joann wrote:"This was on my TBR for this month but I didn't get around to it. Your review as rekindled my interest and I'm going to read it in October.
Lauren - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!
Change to review one that I have read.Monthly Update: September
Title/Author: Warrior By Zoe Archer
Series: The Blades of The Rose
Read: September 2, 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩1/2
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: 4.5 stars. Love it. This is like Indie Jones plus Lara Croft. Though, it took me a long time to read -- got interupted by Irene/power out al all -- but finally finished. Zoe Archer rocks. Moving on to the next book. Oops! how could I forget....to mention THE chapter 13. Hot!!!
I took a break from updating on challengesso for September:
Title/Author: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy
Read: 9.18.11
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes!
Review: Loved it!! Loved it, loved it!! So over the whole vamp train but Richelle Mead put them in a whole new light (which I didn't think possible)! I loved Rose, and I think she's a great character! She is just as great as the other main female characters in Mead's other series. I think Richelle Mead has become one of my favorite authors! I can't wait to continue Rose's story!
September Monthly Update:
Title/Author: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines
Read: 9/23/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First Time Author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: After discovering (and devouring) the Vampire Academy series this month I decided to try Richelle Mead's VA spin-off series that she recently released. I definitely think I've found a new favorite author! It was fun to get to know some of the characters better from the VA books and to watch Sydney's character develop throughout the story. Richelle Mead definitely has a way of writing a story that makes you keep telling yourself, "just one more chapter and then I will go to bed!" The book ends with a tease and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
Also Read:
3/12 DoneJuly 2011:
August 2011:
September 2011:
October 2011: Once Bitten by Kalayna Price
November 2011:
December 2011:
January 2012:
February 2012:
March 2012:
April 2012:
May 2012:
June 2012:
Also read these first's this month...
October Monthly Update:
Title/Author: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races
Read: 10/1/11
Rating: ★★★★✩1/2
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: 4.5 for me. I love it. First 3 chapters were little slow, then it took off from there. Miss Thea did a really good job with this book. Short and sweet! I fell in love with Pia and Dragos right away. Pia was really likable yet strong and independent while Dragos was so (primitively) charming, in his own right. Loved their connection and attractions. Loved the world building, reality and the Other world, the sentinels. Can’t wait to read all of their stories.
...but what's up with the cover. Half way thru the book, I still couldn't figure out who the juvenile Hispanic looking dude on the cover was supposed to be? Don’t get me wrong, he’s hot……but not even close to be my Dragos. Come on now. Dragos wears Armani for god's sake... ‘Nuff said?
Wan, I agree with you about the cover. He's hot, but not ...Dragos. :)
I agree. The cover isn't how I pictured him at all.
September Update
Title/Author: Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu
Series: Dirk & Steele
Read: 3 - 4 September 2011
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: (copied/excerpt from my Bingo entry)
I liked Dela and Hari. They're both good, decent people. Hari's been through a lot, but it never destroyed his core ethics. There were a couple of times I agreed with Hari and the others when Dela seemed to be a bit blasé about her safety -- but I also agree with her reasoning, that she couldn't just hide under the bed all the time either.
I really loved this book. One of the things I wanted to learn about was Dirk & Steele itself: how Dela was connected to it, what was its purpose. The game barely touches on it. I also wanted to know more about Roland, too, but like Charlie from "Charlie's Angels", he's only heard from, not seen.
Once Dela and Hari are back in the States, we're introduced to several members of Dirk & Steele: Artur, Dean, Blue, and Eddie. I loved these guys and I can't wait to continue with the series.
Also Read :
Kindling the Moon (Arcadia Bell #1); His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire #1); Passions of a Wicked Earl (London's Greatest Lovers #1); Viper Moon (Earth Witches #1); Sins of the Angels (Grigori #1)
Haven't had much time on-line so I'm only getting round to posting my September review now.September Update
Title/Author: Raziel by Kristina Douglas
[ bookcover:Raziel|8379305]
Series The Fallen
Read September 9
Rating ****
First Time Author? Yes
To Be Continued? Yes
Review: Really interesting new world. Loved the characters, mainly because they are not perfect and at times you want to bang their heads together. Just got very confusing with the different narratives, first person for the main characters and third for everyone else. Took a while to get in to it but enjoyed it and want to read more about this world.
Also read:
October Update
Title/Author: You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister
Series: Aisling Grey: Guardian
Read: 7/10/11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was a fun and quick read. Aisling is a great heroine who gets herself in some hilarious situations, that made me laugh quite a bit throughout the book. She sort of reminds me of a paranormal Stephanie Plum. My favourite was her sidekick Jim though, who had some great quotes.
@Kerstin, I love Jim. Just read #2 in that, and it was quite fun as well!@Kristina, Dirk & Steele is a series I'm still enjoying, but Tiger Eye is probably my fave. Though, I'm really looking forward to this year's release,
.@Sarah, Are you going to read VA first, or read the two together? I've enjoyed her other series, but am reluctant for some reason to start the YA ones...weird.
So many other nice finds in here, too! I'm behind in posting as well...and it's partly due to spending too much time reading reviews and checking out how easily I can get ahold of some the new finds...yikes!
Judithe, glad the next one's fun too. I'll be starting on it soon :)
OCTOBER Monthly Update
Title & Author: Black Blade Blues by J.A. Pitts
Series: Sarah Beauhall #1
Date Read: 10-6
Rating: ****1/2
First Time Author? Yes
To-be-continued: Definitely!
Review:
I really enjoyed this book. Just flew through it! The 6 foot tall dwarves, even bigger giants, ogres, and trolls were a nice respite from all the Vampires and weres I've been reading. A couple of Norse Gods showed up in cameos, and the Valkyries came down too! Oh yeah - there are dragons. Not your usual dragons though.
Sarah is an apprentice blacksmith involved with a group of people that train for RenFaire battles. She had a very strict religious childhood that causes her a lot of guilt in her current love life. There is a little F/F interaction. Nothing overly graphic, but it could be disturbing for some. I felt it fit well with both the characters and the story.
Look for a review of Honeyed Words, book 2 in the series later this month. I just got it in the mail about a week ago. Thanks to Bingo (and the wonderfulness of book 1) it got bumped to the almost top of the pile!
The Hunger Games
Finished: 10/10/2011
First time auther: Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Stars★★★★★
I am so happy that I tryed this book again. I fell in love with Peeta at the start.I'm going out to buy all three books asap. I'm going to make my mom read this book too.
SOS: Love or Hate at FIRST Sight Read ChallengeOctober Monthly Update
Sorry, I'm on a murder mystery craze right now. Just a phase.
4/12
Title/Author: Murder is Binding, by Lorna Barrett
Series: Booktown Mysteries
Read: 10/13
Rating: ★★★½✩
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
★★★½✩ to ★★★★✩ Pretty entertaining for a start of a cozy series and I was looking to fulfill my owing a small town bookstore fantasy. I couldn’t figure out why the female sheriff was so hostile, but that was answered by the end. Good enough that I’d be willing to read the next in the series.
Also Read:
4½★
3★
4★
Love or Hate @ FIRST Duration: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
Complete: 4/12
OCTOBER UPDATE
August: Key of Light by Nora Roberts - Finished (Aug 12)
August: Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher - Finished (Aug 14)
September: Warrior by Zoe Archer - Finished (Sept 9)
October: When You Dare - Finished (Oct 3)
November:
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:
Title/Author: When You Dare by Lori Foster
Series: Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor
Read: October 3, 2011
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably
Review: A little disappointing after all the hype. The basic premise of human trafficking is intense but the action and suspense is lacking. The characters have potential but their development is problematic and there is too much focus on their thoughts and motivations. Molly's reaction to her ordeal is unrealistic - no one could possibly be that stoic after what happened. Dare is very sexy but seems too sweet and caring to be a mercenary and is more in line with law enforcement. Finally, the villain is obvious and the ending predictable.
October monthly updateTitle/Author: Kiss of Midnight, Lara Adrian
Series: Midnight Breeds
Read: 7 October 2011
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: The intro was excellent, and the latter parts of the book was good too, but everything else was quite meh.
Oops!
October Monthly Update
Title/Author: Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean
Series: Secret McQueen
Date finished: 14 October 2011
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Vampires, werewolves, were-vamp hybrids, it's all been done before but nevertheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed this. Maybe I've been away from UF too long but I thought it had a different feel to it. And even with a love triangle (and it seems that there are more love interests yet to come), I'm moving onto the next one straight away (and with a cliffy like that I dare anyone not to). The writing was good and I really liked Secret (yes, that's her name but somehow it works). It has more romance than the traditional UF but I didn't mind that although I think it could be an issue for some.
OCTOBER Monthly Update4/12 completed
Title/Author: Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Series: Kara Gillian
Read: 8/10/11
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Kara Gillian, a Police Detective, assigned to her first Homicide case and given the lead spot. She is also a Demon Summoner in her spare time. Intrigued?
She has been drawn to the Symbol Man case since seeing the last body, 3 years ago, and catching a glimpse of the arcane. Kara just knows she is the only one that can stop the torturing serial killer.
Summoning is a family trait and Kara was taught by her Aunt Tessa, but Tessa has kept a very important part of her past from Kara and of course it all ends up being connected to the case.
I really enjoyed this demon-world view and want to read the next one sooner rather than later.
MONTHLY UPDATEOctober 2011 (4/12 Done)
Switched (Trylle Trilogy #1)
Title/Author: Switched by Amanda Hocking
Series: Trylle Trilogy
Read: 10/15/11
Rating: **
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably Not
Review: Wendy's mom tried to kill her when she was 6 and since then her brother and aunt have spoiled her rotten. At 17, she finds out she is a changeling and the tracker wants to take her to her home. (view spoiler) There is a lot that doesn't really make sense once you start thinking about it. The character's motives aren't explained well and I really don't like most of them. I might consider continuing if it still was 99 cents, but since a publisher picked these up, they are available sometime next year for full price and it isn't a full price story.
October Update
Title/Author: Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur
Series: Dark Angels
Read: October 8, 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes, Still a Riley fan and now a Risa one too
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was soooo good and a great start to the new series by one of my fav authors. This gives us a flash forward 25 yrs from where the Riley Jensen series left off and Risa is a young successful woman with her own adventures. She co-owns a restraunt with her roommates Tao, nephew of Riley's ex Kellan, and Ilana a horse shifter witch with pre-cog skills. The book is full of Aedh, Reapers, and ghosts. This is not for anyone looking for a HEA PNR ending, this ends with heck of a cliff hanger. DO NOT spoil this book by reading the cover off the next issue, DARKNESS RISING.
Title/Author: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever
Read: 30th October
Rating: ★★✩✩✩ and a half
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Because everyone said it was a great series the rest of it is now on my Kindle - so damn straight I'll carry on.
Review: I don't really like Mac, I'll get that off my chest right now. She complains too much and she's a bit too girly for me (not a huge fan of pink). It was an interesting idea and the action certainly barrels along. But I find it hard if I don't really like the H/h. There was also a lot of useless detail (I don't care if Mac wears matching panties with her nightshirt).
What I did like was Barrons..... I'd like to have him pin me down and bounce around on me. He wouldn't be wasting time painting my fingernails....
LMAO! I didn't like
either, Charlotte. (Please, no hate mail!) I gave the rest of my brand-spanking-new books in the series away here on GoodReads to loving homes. That was the best thing I could do for them.
Charlotte, I finished Darkfever yesterday too! You have me sentiments down pat. Mac was just annoying. I am only going to give it a another shot because I had heard such great things about the series, and looking back at some of my fav series, the first is not always the best.
I felt the same way when I read "Darkfever" last year. I keep on meaning to try #2 as everybody says the series gets better and better, but so far I haven't picked it up yet.
Charlotte, you’re not alone! I’m actually relieved I’m not the only person that didn’t like Darkfever. So many people rave about the series but after one book I wasn’t impressed. I have Bloodfever sitting in my TBR pile but I’m not sure when (if ever) I will get around to trying it.
Charlotte & girls, I got 6 pages in and thought of something better to do, like go clean the kitchen cupboards or watch paint dry. Luckily I've only got the first 2 sitting here, and I may force myself to start again someday, but I can forsee a lot of skimming. I'm also not a huge fan of pink or lots of useless descriptions.
Thank goodness for that - I thought I'd get a lot of haters because I wasn't struck on it. I will read the next one - probably next year and that's only because of Barrons :)
Sorry for my belated updates. Here's Sept & Oct :DSeptember 2011 (3/12 Done)
Title/Author: Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin
Read: 11 Sept
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes (under this pseudonym)
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I loved Shelly Laurenston's Pack series, have just started her Pride series, and thoroughly enjoyed the start to this series. I felt the age of the story (first published in 2007), but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. It was a nice set up to the series. Annwyl is a strong, warrior determined to do what is best for her people while battling against her evil brother. I loved how someone so slight could be viewed as such a fierce woman and warrior among men. Fearghus (that name still makes me chuckle) had been alone for so long it was so sweet to see him soften to the little lady in his cave. I look forward to continuing the series.
Also Read:
October 2011 (4/12 Done)
Title/Author: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines
Read: 6 Oct
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: While I loved Richelle's Vampire Academy series, this one started off a bit bumpy for me. I did, however, enjoy finding out more about Sydney and her family. I also liked that we get more of Adrian. He's the same character we fell in love with in VA (view spoiler). The world-building, while necessary to set this world apart from that of VA, was kinda boring to me. (view spoiler) I'm interested to see where she takes the story.
Also Read:
I realized I never updated my challenge at the end of September, so here it is.September 2011
Hounded, Kevin Hearne, 9-13-11, 4 starsI really enjoyed this book. Hearne's humorous style made it easy and funny to read. I adored Oberon and his obsession with historical figures (and French Poodles). The multi-pantheism (if humans worshipped it, it existed) made for an interesting mix of gods/goddesses. It also creates a lot of possibilities to explore in the future. Possibilities I can't wait to read about. I'll definitely be picking up the next book.
Slave to Sensation, Nalini Singh, 9-11-11, 4.5 stars, re-readI really love this series. After reading Kiss of Snow, I felt the need to go back and reread the series and I fell in love with this book all over again. The world building is fantastic. The conflict between the Psy and Changeling societies is given a firm foundation to build upon and the character interactions are interesting.
The Accidental Werewolf, Dakota Cassidy, 9-14-11, 3.5 starsI enjoyed this book. Cassidy's style is funny with many humorous moments sprinkled throughout the story. I had trouble connecting with Marty at first, but as the story went on, I could relate easier. The villains identity was clear to me as well as the reason for his/her actions, but it was still a fun read getting to the end. I'm definitely going to read more in this series, especially since Nina was one of my favorite secondary characters.
And here's my October update! LOL. Only one new series started this month.October 2011
Would-Be Witch, Kimberly Frost, 10-3-11, 3 starsFrost's style makes for a fun read and the action moves along quickly. Two things lowered this from a four star read.
I'm going to address the love triangle first. Why, oh why, do writers go down this road? Tammy Jo's unique relationship with her ex-husband created quite enough tension and humor all by itself. Zach's good ol' boy charm made him loveable, while his unwillingness to believe Tammy Jo about ghosts (and the good ol' boy attitude that accompanied that charm) made it impossible for her to live with him. If Frost ultimately intends him to be the main focus of the relationship, then it wasn't necessary to make Bryn Lyons so sexy, helpful and attractive to Tammy Jo. Tweaking Bryn's personality just a bit more toward arrogance or dourness would have created more tension on the teacher/student front.
On the other hand, let's say Bryn is the other half of the intended relationship. Tammy Jo's already been warned to avoid all contact with the Lyons family. Not knowing how dire the consequences of even her minimal interactions with him, the tension could escalate as she grew more attracted to him. Especially if she remains unsure of his motivations. No need for a romantic third in the form of the ex-husband. Zach would still have been interesting as a disbelieving sheriff, regardless of his relationship with Tammy Jo.
The other thing that bothered me? Sure Tammy Jo grew up in small town Texas with unusual caregivers. But, there's a fine line to tread when trying to portray naivete humorously. A couple of her internal dialogues over misunderstand words/phrases were funny. But there were a few that made her seem too simple. Has she been locked in the house for the last 50 years with no access to any media of any kind?
Overall, I enjoyed the book. And I'll be moving on to the next one.
October Update Title/Author: Serendipity by Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity
Read: October 2, 2011
Rating: *** 1/2
First time author? NO
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I enjoyed this first novel in the Seredipity series. I liked Faith and Ethan a lot. Bad boy/good girl who had a spark when they were in High School and reconnect as adults. I am a sucker for second chances story lines and really liked this one. I will continue with the series.
Also read in October:
,
,
,
SOS: Love or Hate @ First Read ChallengeDuration: July 1 2011 - June 30 2012 (Updated: 7/22/11)
Completed: 4/12
I already updated, but it was on a murder mystery and I know how you ladies love PNR…
Title/Author: Nightfall, by Ellen Connor
Series: A Dark Age Dawning
Read: October 31, 2011
Rating: ★★★1/2✩
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? YES!!!
Review: This is the best ★★★ star book I’ve read this year, and for that I have to give it another ½ star. I really liked this book, when I wanted to love it. It is like one of those B movies – you know the classic kind that turn into a blockbuster. There are so many neat things in it. However, there is something off about it too. When I found out it was a collaboration of two authors, this made total sense to me. Still, I would recommend it to anyone looking for an apocalyptic sci-fi romance or a book with zombies for a challenge – it is a hoot.
I especially enjoyed doing it as a “buddy read” in the Nothing But Reading Challenges Group – ladies you saw where this was going long before I did. It was so compelling, nobody in the group stayed on track – we all read ahead.
I’ve set up the next book in the Dark Age Dawning series – and joining in a “buddy read” again.
First in series also read this month:
3½★
4★
5★
4★
3½★
October Monthly Update:
Title/Author: Isle of Night by Veronica Wolff
Series: The Watchers
Read: 10/4/11
Rating: ★★★
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Maybe
Review: Through a series of events the main character ends up at a school where girls are trained to be “watchers”; women who become partnered with vampires to help with their missions. In addition to schooling the girls go through a series of “battles to the death” as part of their training. I was interested in this book because I read two different reviews that said it was “The Vampire Academy meets Hunger Games” – well, you can’t beat that! If only it had lived up to either of those series. I had a hard time connecting with the characters, especially the main character, and I felt some of events in the story were very unrealistic. I like the premise of the storyline but this one fell kind of flat for me.
4/12 DoneJuly 2011:
August 2011:
September 2011:
October 2011:
November 2011: Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper
December 2011:
January 2012:
February 2012:
March 2012:
April 2012:
May 2012:
June 2012:
Also read these first's in October...
Lisa Kay, I've got that one TBR. Glad to hear you were so enthusiastic over it even w/3★. :)Jane W, Vampire Academy meets Hunger Games would'a been sweet! But, like you said, doesn't matter if it doesn't live up to it. I've been wondering about that one. Good review.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Ashfall (other topics)Fury of Fire (other topics)
Once Burned (other topics)
Darkness Falls (other topics)
Demon's Caress (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
H.L. Reasby (other topics)Delilah S. Dawson (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
More...
Title/Author: The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod
Series: Spellcrackers.com
Read: 17th September
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? I'll try the next one
Review: Very confused. So much happening in this book that I got hopelessly lost and I'm still trying to figure out what the hell it was all about. It wasn't terrible - it just needed to stop and take a breath and not assume that we knew everything (before going onto to explain things several chapters later).
There were far too many characters which made it all the more confusing.