SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Thanks Steph Ann, I'll have to move that up my to-buy list. Kerstin's book looks interesting too. So of course I had to add it to my list of possibilities. LOL.

The next shelf has been called! It doesn't give us 4 in a row, but it'll give us another 3 in a row. :)

ghosts

I'm going to read because it'll fit in for a couple other challenges I'm doing.

Happy reading, everyone!

LOL Daffodil, I've been adding books like crazy to my TBR list since the beginning of this Bingo round :)

I'm going to read for this weeks shelf. Really looking forward to it!

Well, I wanted to read ...and actually 25 people have placed it on the ghost shelf, so I guess it would be ok. However, the first book in the series didn't have any ghosts in it that I rememeber; and if this second book has them, I think they would probably be minor characters at best. So after all that rambling, I think I will just go ahead and read instead and save the other for another time.

My TBR pile is getting so enormous that I don't think I will ever be able to read them all in my lifetime...but I still continue to add daily :)

My to be read pile is growing by the day as well. I spent several hours at two different bookstores today and happily left with my arms full of books and $70 poorer.

Anyway, for the 'ghosts' shelf, I've narrowed it down from 18 owned/not read paperbacks to four:

I'm going with

I have on my TBR list, Cristina. Looking forward to seeing how you like it!

I just noticed the ghosts shelf will give Team 17 4 in a row. Hopefully the next shelf isn't male lead! Not that I'm competitive or anything. :)

Kerstin I'm jealous, I haven't been able to buy a copy of yet. I can't wait to hear what you think of it.


Steph AnnCompetitive? Nahhh! Not us. Now I wonder, what do you bribe a randomizer with? LOL. I hope you have fun with . I've read the first two and they were enjoyable.


CristinaI love trips to the bookstore. I used to haunt our local Waldenbooks when they were in business. Now, I have to drive 40 minutes to get to the nearest bookstore in Champaign. Otherwise, I have to rely on local grocery/drugstore shelves or order online. Of your possible books, I think is a good choice. I've got sitting on my TBR at home.


After debating over a few choices, I decided not to start anything new and finish out a series instead. is Jennifer Rardin's last book and I'm anxious to see how she closed out the series.

Lisa Ghosts do appear in Night Huntress series, but they're pretty much ignored by vampires until Cat comes along. I can't remember how integral they are to the second book though. Happy reading everyone.

I9 - Ghosts: 3/5
Stamp Received: Still reading

Kerstin Chasing Magic
Steph Ann Dead Girls Are Easy, 3 stars, Review
Daffodil The Deadliest Bite, 4 stars, Review
Cristina Black Wings, 4 stars, Review
Lisa Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake

Shelf: "Ghosts"
Rating: ****
Read: 07/16/2012

Review: It started off interesting enough. It reminded me a bit of the old tv show, Dead Like Me. Reapers=Agents in charge of ushering the departed to The Door.

I loved Beezle, I'd love to have my own snarky but sweet gargoyle. I'm not a huge fan of "angels" in books but there have been a few exceptions. This is one of them. I like the Nephilim idea (though not a unique idea of itself) and I like this incarnation. I liked Gabriel, and I'm not happy that he has that whole "issue" that keeps him and our main character apart. I really REALLY don't like Nathaniel.

I like the way the fallen angels were portrayed, not good or evil but certainly lacking any humanity.

If you asked me if I was going to continue the series at page 100, I would've given you an apathetic maybe and rated it a 3*. At page 200 though, I was hooked and continued to read (with the book hidden under my desk) well after my lunch hour was finished just so I could see what was going to happen next.

I will definitely read the next in the series, sooner rather than later.

Shelf: Ghosts
Read: 7/16/12
Rating: ***

Review:

This was a very fast read. I had a hard time warming up to the book and the characters at first. It just seemed like some of the characters were no more than stereotypes: Nicki's the "bad girl," complete with pink streaked hair and nipple ring; another example is she has a flamboyant gay best friend who overreacts to everything. I guess my problem was they just didn't seem like unique characters, if that makes sense.

Once I got over my initial frustrations though, I began enjoying both the plot and characters more and ended up being really curious to see how it was going to end. I don't know much about voodoo, so I have no idea how accurate that part of the story is, but it was sufficiently creepy for me! Everything got wrapped up at the end, with hints of what could be coming up in future books.

I won't be reading the next book in the near future, but I can definitely see myself picking it up when I want something fun and fast to read.

Quote:

"Who really needs an excuse to be bitchy or eat chocolate?"

I really need to finish up the Jaz Parks series too, Daffodil! It's been so long since I read the others though that I might need to start over at the beginning.

Great review, Cristina! I really liked the show Dead Like Me, so I might need to move this book up on my TBR a bit! :)

How's everyone doing on their books?

I finished on audio last night and today at lunch and I'm feeling a bit out of sorts.

I just don't know what to read next. I can't not read anything until the next shelf announcement. That's almost three days away.

I'm almost done with . It's really good, but it's so hot I've been sitting with the lights out in the evenings instead of reading while watching TV. At the end of my lunch hour today, I had to put it down right as it was moving toward the final scenes. I was not happy! LOL. I'll definitely finish it tonight.

I'm already feeling kind of bittersweet about it though, knowing that there won't be anymore books about Jaz, Vayl and the rest of the gang.

I finished yesterday morning, and absolutely loved it! I'm finding that I really like young adult books that don't read like they're for young adults, if that makes sense.

I'm now reading , which is also really good so far. I'm trying to read slowly so that I hopefully don't finish it til Saturday, but I have a feeling I'll only be able to stretch it til tomorrow.

Hope everyone's having a good week!

Daffodil, it seems like lately, I'm always finishing my lunch hour at a really important part of whatever book I'm reading! It makes it very hard to get back in a working frame of mind! :)

Well, so much for reading slowly. I finished last night, so I'm back to rereading . I'd set it aside for a bit while I worked on some challenge reads, but I figure working on a reread is better this late in the week rather than starting something new, so I can set it to the side if I haven't finished it by the time the next shelf is called. :)

I started on audio yesterday. It's narrated by Gideon Emery (be still, my fangirl heart). Then I finished which a friend had loaned to me on kindle. I'm still not sure what else I'm going to read until the new shelf is called.

I'm going on vacation for a week in five days (counting today) so when the next shelf is called, I'm going to try and get it read and reviewed asap.

How did I not know Gideon Emery has narrated audiobooks? I will probably now go on the hunt for anything he's ever narrated. :)

Ghosts


The Deadliest Bite, Jennifer Rardin, 7-19-12
Rating:4 stars
Review: With various story arcs from the previous 7 books still in play, I wasn’t sure how Rardin was going to bring closure to the series. Warning: Spoilers for previous books in the series.(view spoiler)[ Jaz and Brude are at stalemate. He still plans to take over The Thin and remake it into hell. She still has his spirit trapped behind locked doors in her mind. Vayl’s still searching for the resurrected souls of his murdered sons. Jaz and Vayl both want vengeance for Pete’s (Jaz and Vayl’s CIA boss) murder. Cole’s been remade part demon and his soul is still tainted due to Kyphas’ actions. (hide spoiler)] As the book progressed you could see the various threads coming together and by the end of The Deadliest Bite I had my answers. Rardin even gave us a chance to check in on the whole gang before the book concluded. Reading was bittersweet, though. The knowledge this is Rardin’s final book was constantly present in the back of my mind and I knew once I turned that final page it would really be over.

Rardin’s characters are so interesting. Jaz’s sarcastic attitude and internal voices may not appeal to everyone, but she usually manages to get more than a few laughs out of me. I love that her relationship with Vayl has only grown stronger as the series progressed. We don’t have to worry about their commitment to each other. The tension comes from wondering whether they’ll actually both survive to have a future together. Bergman continues to come out of his geeky shell and become more involved in actual fighting. Cole’s playful sense of humor is balanced by the seriousness of his problem. Even the pets have a personality. Jack the dog is lovable and Astral the robokitty is fantastic.

Overall, a wonderful end to the series.

I9 - Ghosts: 3/5
Stamp Received: Still reading

Kerstin Chasing Magic
Steph Ann Dead Girls Are Easy, 3 stars, Review
Daffodil The Deadliest Bite, 4 stars, Review
Cristina Black Wings, 4 stars, Review
Lisa Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake

Steph Ann wrote: "How did I not know Gideon Emery has narrated audiobooks? I will probably now go on the hunt for anything he's ever narrated. :)"

I personally had no idea. I just was clicking the sample button on a few books that were on the 3 for 2 sale at audible and I heard his voice. Took me about half a second to click 'add to cart'. I'm thrilled to have found it. The book isn't bad so far but he is (as you know) fantastic. Who am I kidding? I'd listen to him read the complete history of yarn.

Daffodil, I'm glad to hear that it was a good finale. Bittersweet, as it may be. :/

I picked up to read until the next shelf announcement. Somehow, I've never gotten around to reading it.

Cristina wrote: "Who am I kidding? I'd listen to him read the complete history of yarn"

lol, I was actually going to say earlier that I'd listen to him read the dictionary! :)

Hope you enjoy , Daffodil!

Steph Ann wrote: "How did I not know Gideon Emery has narrated audiobooks? I will probably now go on the hunt for anything he's ever narrated. :)"

Big list of audiobooks at the bottom of the Wiki page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_E...

Daffodil wrote: "I picked up to read until the next shelf announcement. Somehow, I've never gotten around to reading it."

Love Ender's Game, enjoy!

Hi guys, sorry I haven't checked in lately. I have been on vacation and thought I would have more internet access. I am almost done with my ghosts read and hope to have a review up soon. You will see me more in the next few days :)

No worries, Lisa. Hope you had a great time!

Sandra wrote: "Big list of audiobooks at the bottom of the Wiki page ..."

Gotta love Wikipedia! Thanks, Sandra!

Hope you've had a wonderful vacation, Lisa!

Next shelf is up early!

Demons

I think I'm going to read for this week's shelf. :)

I have quite a few possibilities: are topping the list. I'll make up my mind later tonight.

Hi everyone! Sorry, I haven't been around much this week, but I had a very busy one. I'm still only half way through , but I hope to finish it in the next couple of days. It is a fantastic book though!

Steph Ann, you just reminded me that I really have to get started on the "Lords of Deliverance" series soon.

Daffodil, I'm looking forward to your review of whichever book you choose. They're both on my TBR mountain.

For this weeks shelf I'll read

Kerstin, I'm really enjoying the Lords of Deliverance series! :) Your shelf choice is on my TBR list as well, so I'm looking forward to your review!

Daffodil, both of your choices are on my TBR list also! Looking forward to see what you choose!

Just to summarize:

I9 - Ghosts: 3/5
Stamp Received: Still reading

Kerstin Chasing Magic
Steph Ann Dead Girls Are Easy, 3 stars, Review
Daffodil The Deadliest Bite, 4 stars, Review
Cristina Black Wings, 4 stars, Review
Lisa Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake



I10 - Demons: 0/5
Stamp Received: Still Reading

Kerstin A Brush of Darkness
Steph Ann Lethal Rider
Daffodil Kindling the Moon
Cristina City of Ashes
Lisa Shadow of Night

Rachel put together a wonderful Team Status post on the main discussion board.

I'm reading . Hoping to be done by tomorrow night, before I head out on vacation.

Cristina: Have a great time on vacation. We just got back last night and had a wonderful time...good to be home though. Now I need some time to just relax :)

I think I am going to read for the demons shelf. I read the first book and loved it...have been waiting for this next one to come out.

Daffodil wrote: "Rachel put together a wonderful Team Status post on the main discussion board."

I saw that! It looks like there are two teams that will have four in a row (in one team's case, two four-in-a-rows) once they're all caught up on shelves. We're doing very well on three in a rows though! :)

Hope you have a great vacation, Cristina!

Looking forward to your review of , Lisa! I really enjoyed .

Started over the weekend and I'm pleasantly surprised. It's not what I was expecting, well written and the main characters are interesting.

Shelf: Ghosts
Read: 7/24/12
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This was a cute, quick summer read...nothing deep and awe-inspiring, but fun nonetheless. Ghost hunter Josie goes back in time to debunk the charlatan who has been stealing money from Lord Deverell's family estate. Josie first meets Deverell as a ghost in modern times while working a job. He hires her to go back in time to help save his family fortune. Of course adventure and romance ensue. Deverell the ghost and Deverell in the flesh are both present in the past, which makes for a confusing time for Josie and her emotions. I love the heroine Josie because she is not a weak, overly emotional female...she can definitely take care of herself. Deverell is just what you expect for a studly hero, without being too over-the-top. There is a HEA albeit a bit confusing at first. Overall a fun read!

Shelf: Demons
Read: 7/24/12
Rating: 4.5 stars

Review:

I really think the Lords of Deliverance series gets better with every book! I'd been excited to see how Thanatos' story would go after reading the previous book in the series because it was obvious it was not going to be an easy road. I definitely was not disappointed! The book started off with a bang and just kept getting better, to the point that I was seriously considering staying up last night to finish it because I did not want to put it down. The only negative thing I can really say is I figured something out before the big reveal was made, but it really didn't affect my enjoyment of the book that much. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Quote:

"Do you know how many episodes of Jersey Shore you can watch before you want to gouge out your own eyes? I do, and it's probably a lot fewer than you'd guess."

Great review, Lisa! Another book to add to my TBR list, cuz sometimes you just need a cute and quick read! :)

I9 - Ghosts: 4/5
Stamp Received: Still reading

Kerstin Chasing Magic
Steph Ann Dead Girls Are Easy, 3 stars, Review
Daffodil The Deadliest Bite, 4 stars, Review
Cristina Black Wings, 4 stars, Review
Lisa Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake, 3 stars, Review



I10 - Demons: 1/5
Stamp Received: Still Reading

Kerstin A Brush of Darkness
Steph Ann Lethal Rider, 4.5 stars, Review
Daffodil Kindling the Moon
Cristina City of Ashes
Lisa Shadow of Night

Another lunch hour over too soon! I'm this close to finishing Kindling the Moon and now I have to wait until 5 p.m.

Barring any surprises in the last few chapters that ruin the book for me, I'll definitely be continuing this series soon.

Shelf: Demons
Rating: ****
Read: 07-25-12

Review: This felt very much like a middle book. I enjoyed the conflict and interactions. I wanted to yell at several characters though. On the romance front, I not only wanted to yell at them; I wanted to slap some sense into half the characters. SO FRUSTRATING.

I'm looking forward to some resolution in the next book. I NEED some resolution in the next book.

Magnus is still one of my favorite characters.

Demons

Kindling the Moon, Jenn Bennett, 7-24-12
Rating: 4 stars
Review: What a wonderful surprise this book was. When it comes to new authors and new series, I never know quite what to expect. But if the world building is decent and the bones of a good story are present, I'm usually willing to give an author time to grow. Bennett far exceeded my expectations.

In Bennett's world, demons are hidden from savages (unaware humans), but Arcadia is unique even among magic users with her ability to see their halos. Arcadia is a strong female and while she has a few casual friendships, she has to be wary of close relationships. Lon's ex-wife's past actions have made him very protective of his son and wary of letting others in. But his insular attitude disappears the minute he begins interacting with Jupe. I really liked the characters, but I absolutely adore Jupe. He ran away with every scene he appeared in.

The story itself was well written and the pace moved along well. I was kept guessing until the very end on a key plot point, which was great.

Overall, a wonderful read and I've already tracked down book 2 to start soon.