R6: Team #9 ~ Cloud Nine Assassins

[Steph Ann]

Don't worry about it, Mandy! I've just been lucky the last few months that real life has been calm enough to give me plenty of reading time (although that could be a nice way of saying I have no life...lol oh well, the extra reading time is still good). :)

[[deleted user]]

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Shelf: Kick Ass Heroine
Read: 9/18/12
Rating: ★★★★★
Continue Series?: YES!

Review:

I was going to hold myself from going all overboard giving this 5 stars and raving like some fanatic. I stared at the blank page for a second and decided to let myself be swept.

I picked Angelfall for a game under the label kick-ass heroine, and boy, did Penryn fill the order. 30 pages in, I was ready to put this girl in the order of Mac on book five, but trained, effective and not a ditz. And ruthless. Priorities set. No angst over what is beyond her to do.

She's in this angel destroyed world saddled with a crazy mom and a wheel-chair bound little sister, running for the heels (literally) one night, when they come across a five against one skirmish between angels. By trying to distract them to buy her family time to scape, she ends up saving the now de-winged one, but her sister is kidnapped. They strike a bargain: help navigating the world for passage to where her sister might be.

This is a fast going book, action packed. Practically no resting points. I liked how Penryn and Raffe struggle with each other, mistrust each other, but having to depend on each other starts a grudging bond.

I was entertained, at many points horrified, some times surprised. Never, ever bored.

I want the next one NOW (and I kinda want to weep knowing I'll have to wait a year)

[[deleted user]]

Took your format Steph Ann ^_^

For my Free-Space Shelf I choosing Outlander




Finally decided myself :D

[Steph Ann]

So glad you liked Angelfall, Zanahoria! I loved it and almost started gushing about it as soon as you picked it for the Kick Ass Heroine shelf, but managed to hold myself back. :) I also wish the wait for book 2 wasn't going to be so long!!

[★Meghan★]

Zanahoria (Taly) wrote: "Took your format Steph Ann ^_^

For my Free-Space Shelf I choosing Outlander




Finally decided myself :D"

Can I assume that is from the group bookshelf?

I will have to pick up Angelfall soon. It is sitting on my wishlist... :)

[Steph Ann]

Shelf: Free Space (from SOS bookshelf)
Date Read: 9/19/12
Rating: 5 stars

Review:

While I have a lot of series that I love, few draw me in as quickly and completely as Downside Ghosts. This book was no exception, as it started with a bang and never let up. There were moments that made me smile (largely due to Terrible), moments that had me on the edge of my seat, and moments that broke my heart (view spoiler)[(the huge change in Chess' relationship with Elder Griffin) (hide spoiler)]

There were many times I just wanted to give Chess a hug. I really hope her self esteem starts improving in the future books because it just breaks my heart every time she says she's worthless. On the other hand, she also makes me want to smack some sense into her sometimes (view spoiler)[especially when it comes to her almost hooking up with Lex again. Speaking of Lex, I also wanted to smack him...well, punch him if I'm being honest...cuz he just ticked me off with him trying to have Terrible killed. (hide spoiler)] Terrible is awesome as usual, and has some lines that just make me melt with how sweet they are.

Basically, I loved this book, and I really wish the next book was out right now because I really don't want to wait.

[★Meghan★]

Way to go Steph Ann! I am really liking Unholy Ghosts. Now to find the time to read it. I am about 1/2 way through right now. I am absolutely loving Terrible. Not sure how I feel about Chess yet, but we will see.

[Steph Ann]

Glad you're liking Unholy Ghosts, Meghan! It took awhile for me to warm up to Chess too. Terrible just gets better with every book!

[[deleted user]]

★Meghan★ wrote: "Zanahoria (Taly) wrote: "Took your format Steph Ann ^_^

For my Free-Space Shelf I choosing Outlander




Finally decided myself :D"


Can I assume that is from the group ..."

Oh, sorry, yeah, from the group's bookshelf. I'm a ditz, and was dropping asleep by then.

Angelfall was ninja kick awesome. And you are right Steph Ann, I'm having trouble stoping myself from gushing and putting this one in everyones hands :D

[Dawn (Kat N Hat)]

Ok, sorry all. I've had a crazy insane week and not much reading or internet time.


I would like to change my free space book to TBD and claim The Mane Squeeze as my Kick Ass Heroine.


Shelf- Kick Ass Heroine
by Shelly Laurenston finished 9/18/12
★★★★

Review: I love this entire series. The characters are great and hysterical. In this enstallment we see what happens what hijinx happen when a philly tiger/lion girl meets a jersey boy. Hilarious hijinx such as a decapitating a nest of rattlers, pushing the bear over the mountain and roller derby. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

[Steph Ann]

Zanahoria (Taly) wrote: Angelfall was ninja kick awesome. And you are right Steph Ann, I'm having trouble stoping myself from gushing..."

I have a friend at work who reads the same types of books I do, and I think I was only about 20% through Angelfall when I ran into her office saying, "You have to read this book!"

And Dawn, your review reminds me I need to pick up #2 in Shelly Laurenston's Magnus Pack series. I read the first one awhile ago and liked it, but just haven't gotten around to book 2 yet. Too many series, too little time! :)

[[deleted user]]

Steph Ann wrote: "Zanahoria (Taly) wrote: Angelfall was ninja kick awesome. And you are right Steph Ann, I'm having trouble stoping myself from gushing..."

I have a friend at work who reads the same types of books ..."

Yeap, exactly like that. By the way, you work fast girl. Free-shelf down too. Hat off to you, lady.

[Steph Ann]

I've been on a roll lately with reading, getting two to three books read a week, which has been really helpful in getting various challenges done. I'm enjoying it while it lasts cuz I know life isn't always going to let me do that! :)

[Mandy]

Born at Midnight by C.C. Hunter
Shelf: Kick Ass Heroine
Read: 9/20/2012
Rating: ★★★★★


Review-

Kylie feels like her life is on a downward spiral her boyfriend of over a year breaks up with her because she won't progress the relationship. She's being stalked by a guy only she can see in military clothes, so her parents sent her off to therapy. Her grandmother who she runs to for all her problems has passed away, and now her parents are getting a divorce. To make it worse her dad won't take her with him he is leaving her with her mom who she calls the ice queen.

Kylie agrees to go out one night with her best friend Sara to a party even though she's not really the party type. She runs into her ex-boyfriend Trey at the party with his new girlfriend who is hanging all over him. Before she can leave the party the cops show up finding alcohol, drugs, and who knows what else at the party. All the kids are sent to jail, where Kylie hopes for her father to come get her but instead she gets her mom. Thinking the worse Kylie's mom sends her off to a camp for troubled kids called Shadow Falls, but the students aren't what Kylie expected.

The camp is really a place for supernatural teens, to learn to deal with becoming something they didn't know existed. Kylie knows she's not in the right place because she's not a vampire, werewolf, fairy, witch or anything else at the camp. Her gift is having the ability to speak to ghosts but she doesn't know where she got the gift since neither of her parents has it. Something is going at camp that the leaders are trying to keep from the campers but Kylie has a bigger part in it when one of her friends runs away and everyone is looking for him.

I picked this book for my kick ass heroine bingo spot this week. I love the cover it lets my imagination run wild. I really liked Kylie she has so much stuff going on but she keeps on trying to find out who she really is. I like the whole supernatural camp it's kind of fun to see how they would interact with each other. I feel like the characters are well developed so you have a sense of who they are, what they can do as well as what they look like. For me the story sucked me in right away, I had a hard time putting it down to do real life stuff. I felt for Kylie right away I wanted to help her out and tell her it's all going to be alright. She's a very honest character which is refreshing she doesn't pretend to be something she's not. I just really loved the book, everything about it was great. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

[[deleted user]]

Really good and complete review Mandy. I'm glad you enjoyed it. The cover is drawing.

Steph Ann wrote: "I've been on a roll lately with reading, getting two to three books read a week, which has been really helpful in getting various challenges done. I'm enjoying it while it lasts cuz I know life isn..."

Yeah, times get interesting sometimes, and reading peters out. Better to ride the wave as enthusiastically as possible :D

[Steph Ann]

Great review, Mandy! And I now have another book to add to my TBR list! :)

[Barbara ★]

I'm still here ladies. Just caught up in reading books for challenges that end this week. On Monday, I'll start reading my kickass heroine book and then my free space book.

[★Meghan★]

Don't worry Barbara I know you will stick around I also know how fast you read so I know you will not fall behind. I am reading my free space book. Then I will start on my kick ass heroine book.

Great review Mandy! I have that book around here somewhere... *totters off to go find it*

[Mandy]

Shelf: Free Shelf
Read: 9/21/2012
Rating: ★★★★
McKenna Greylock is about to loose her family farm because she's not able to make the payments on mortgage that they had to take out when her grandmother was ill. She has ninty days to turn her farm into her dream bed and breakfast or else she will lose it all to the bank. So she hires a handyman to help her get the place ready. She didn't know that she would be getting a dragon for a handyman, and he would change her life forever.

Bastian Dragonelli hasn't been in the world of humans for long but he's learning everything he can however he takes everything literally. Bastian was formerly before coming to earth a dragon, so everything is new and exciting for him. Like corn dogs, cherry wine, centers of cream sickles. He's not your typical muscle head guy either, he helps out by painting beautiful dragons on the walls in the bedrooms, helping to name the bed and breakfast.

I picked this book for the free spot in the bingo game I'm playing and was super excited because I love books with dragons. I like the concept of Bastian being a dragon and now a man, it's fun to read about him learning and experiencing everything for the first time. The characters are written in a way that let's you get to know them but still keeps it light and entertaining. For me it was a fast read I started it last night and finished it this morning, if I didn't have to get up early I would have finished it last night. I found myself giggling through most of the book, it has several humorous parts. It is however a little heavy for my taste on the sexual innuendos. I love the cover, it's what caught my eye from the start. Overall it's a fun story that I enjoyed reading.

[★Meghan★]

I finished Unholy Ghosts. I will write my review tomorrow morning sometime.

[Steph Ann]

Another great review Mandy! I think I've had that book on my TBR list for awhile. One of these days I'll get around to reading it! :)

[Barbara ★]

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
Book #3, Alpha & Omega series
September 21, 2012
★★★★★

Anna's efforts to get Charles a little relief from killing wayward werewolves, finally are heeded and Bran sends them to Boston to help the FBI with a crazy, long-term serial killer who has suddenly started killing werewolves and the fae.

I loved how Ms. Briggs took a sublime mythological character and turned him into the bad guy. Just excellent and what a twist. Charles and Anna's love reminds me a lot of Eve and Roarke (from the In Death series). No matter what is going on or tearing one of them up, the other is always there and they know it. IMHO that is the definition of love. The ending is amazing and the long range implications could be incredible. I sincerely hope it isn't another three years before we get book #4.

[Mandy]

I loved Fair Game Barbara. Have you tried the her Mercy Thompson series? That's my all time favorite shapeshifter series.

I can't wait for the next book. I'm hoping to finish my current book today just before the new one is announced.

[[deleted user]]

I enjoyed it too, and loved how you put in your review all that I liked about it. Steady relationships well past the will-they-won't-they are so scarce in fiction. It's great when there is a good one depicted in a series. And I'm awaiting the next vol. too.

[★Meghan★]

Wow! Great job guys! I guess I better get on the ball with Graceling. I just barely started it.

[[deleted user]]

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Shelf: Free Shelf
Read: 9/22/12
Rating: ★★★
Continue Series?: Not likely

Review:

I guess I'm very much a daughter of my times, and glad of it. I was more or less enjoying it, not raving about it, but was breezing. I didn't mind slow and long pages. I usually don't once I hit my stride. But when we get to physical punishment, from husband to wife, and the cute virgin guy becomes an educating husband, and rough sex is for vengeance, I dig my heels. Fast.

Intellectually, I get it. It's correct and even mild given the times. I can also get why and how the heroine gets over it. The background, back-stories, reasons and way of consideration is even sweet. But like I said, I like today, and don't pine for past times when manly man was the one that dragged you to his cave, had his way with you when it pleased him and expected you to follow his every order. To other women, this type of books, these type of heroes, is the height of romance, a sexy fantasy. But today, that man would be the prototype of abusive husband or white dealer. Full stop.

So I'll admit that my modern standards really got in the way of my enjoyment of the book. That said, it's a well written romance, like few I've seen and wish there were more like it out there. This is what I was wanting whenever I hunted for a good romantic novel, and my shying from the punishing does not make it any less good.

Though long. Endlessly. Meandering. Each part a book, I'd say, and looooong.

[Steph Ann]

Shelf is up!! It's a personal shelf: Favorite Author.


I'm going to be reading for this shelf.

[★Meghan★]

Week 2 Update:

Free Space 5/6
Received:
StephAnn Chasing Magic (group bookshelf) Sept 19, ★★★★★, Review
Mandy Naked Dragon (group bookshelf) Sept 21, ★★★★, Review
Dawn (Kat N Hat)
★Meghan★ Unholy Ghosts (group bookshelf) Sept 21, ★★★★½, Review
Barbara Firelight (group bookshelf) Sept 24, ★★★★★, Review
Zanahoria (Taly) Outlander (group bookshelf) Sept 22, ★★★, Review


9/16/2012 Week 1: B1 Kick-Ass-Heroine 5/6
Received:
StephAnn You Slay Me, Sept 16, ★★★★, Review
Mandy Born at Midnight Sept 20, ★★★★★, Review
Dawn (Kat N Hat) The Mane Squeeze Sept 19, ★★★★,Review
★Meghan★ Graceling
Barbara Fair Game Sept 21, ★★★★★, Review
Zanahoria (Taly) Angelfall Sept 18, ★★★★★, Review


9/23/2012 Week 2: B2 Personal Shelf 'Favorite Author' 6/6
Received:
Steph Ann Gunmetal Magic Sept 24, ★★★★★, Review
Mandy Broken Sept 25, ★★★★★, Review
Dawn (Kat N Hat) Deadlocked Sept 27, ★★★, Review
★Meghan★ Summer on Blossom Street Sept 25, ★★★★, Review
Barbara Born To Be Wild Sept 26, ★★★★, Review
Zanahoria (Taly) Persuasion Sept 27, ★★★★, Review

[[deleted user]]

Hey guys! Saw the shelf, and going with J.K. Rowling. Been wanting to read The Tales of Beedle the Bard of hers for a while.



BTW, how orderly the draw is being for us, huh?

[★Meghan★]

That is what I thought too!

[Mandy]

My choice this week is perfect chance to catch up on the series.

[★Meghan★]

Ummm... Zanahoria I am not sure if you have a different version, but the version I have is only just over 100 pages.

[[deleted user]]

Yeah, just realized when I grabbed it. Let me rummage a bit...

Well, I have Persuasion by Jane Austen just purchased.



Now it's better. Sorry for the mix up. I though it'd be a longer tales collection. Lazy Rowling.

[★Meghan★]

I am glad you found a book. I will add it. I kind of wish this shelf had come next week since I had already preordered her new book

[[deleted user]]

Oh, that's true, it just got released. I want to read it too, but maybe not for challenge. I had UnWholly on hand too, but I'm being a scaredy rabbit, and don't want to press on a book that's sure to be very intense.

[Dawn (Kat N Hat)]

I am going to read .

[Barbara ★]

I'm going to read . Catherine Coulter used to be one of my very favorite authors but now she's just one of many but still a favorite.

[★Meghan★]

Meghan's Free Space Review
Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane

Book Completed: 9/21/2012
Rating: ★★★★½
Continue Series?: Yes

Review:

This book is a barely 4 ½ star book.

The story was unique. I loved the way that it incorporated dystopian with paranormal. The whole story and premise behind the book was everything against any religion that has ever existed. Although it didn't really seem believable that everyone would convert from whatever religion they believed in to all of a sudden believing only in the Church. The storyline was a little odd on how it all fit together into one piece of work. That everything she happened to be working on at the same time happened to all be for the exact same case. Not very likely, but hey it is fiction right.

I don't think that I really liked Chess as a character. She was so heavily reliant on her drugs that she was not at all a character that I am used to or would want to be around. She seems like she could have been a much stronger heroine without the drugs. Terrible...seriously how could you not love Terrible. I always have loved a guy with a rough exterior, but a teddy bear heart. He is sweet and wholesome, but with no education and no real meaning in life he just turned into a drug lord's crone. Lex I am not sure how i feel about him. I did like his speech-style in the book though. He was unique and funny and had a way of talking that would annoy me to no end, but I seem to love in male characters in books. Not sure why.

Overall, I am excited to see what else happens in this series.

[★Meghan★]

I am reading for my Favorite Author book. She is one of my favorite light read authors and I am glad I am reading a book I haven't read before yet. She is just what I need to get out of my reading rut.

[[deleted user]]

Interesting review, Meghan :D Hope you like the next one if you go for it, and that you enjoy "Summer".

[Steph Ann]

Hope you're able to get out of your reading rut, Meghan. Those are always so frustrating!

Also, great review of Unholy Ghosts! Book 2 is what really hooked me on the series. I wanted to read #3 right after I finished that one, and that doesn't happen to me very often, as I tend to hop from series to series!

[Steph Ann]

Shelf: Favorite Author
Date Read: 9/24/12
Rating: 5 stars

Review:

It's hard to believe that at this time last year, I had never read anything by Ilona Andrews. Fast forward to now, and I'm completely caught up on both series this husband and wife team are currently writing and am desperately ready for their next book.

I'd forgotten how much I love Kate Daniels' world until I started this book and immediately got swept away again. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about having Andrea as a narrator instead of Kate, but I ended up really enjoying it. I liked getting to find out more about Andrea's background and why she's so hesitant about joining a pack. Her interaction with Raphael is great, even though at times, I echoed her desire to punch him. I found myself eagerly looking forward to every scene they'd have together. My favorite part in regards to their relationship had to be when (view spoiler)[Andrea covers Raphael's home - even the plates - in bright purple shag carpet. What made the scene even more perfect was Kate & Curran trying to act nonchalant when Raphael came home. Priceless. (hide spoiler)]

There's plenty of action to go along with romance in this book, and the main storyline did not disappoint at all. I really wanted to stay up late last night and finish it, but I figured my coworkers would appreciate it if I wasn't grumpy today from lack of sleep. I hope to see more from Andrea's point of view in the future, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next Kate Daniels' book!

[Barbara ★]

Shelf: Free Space
Read: September 24, 2012
Rating: ★★★★★


When an experiment goes terribly wrong, Lord Archer is damaged, body and soul. He retreats from society, hiding behind a full head mask while he searches for a cure. Wherein he meets Miranda and takes her for his own (his wife that is). At first she is reluctant since he is never uncovered and close-mouthed. But she's a firebrand (in more ways than one) and not content to just sit back and let Archer deal with the murder charges and his deformity on his own. Her getting involved pulls them closer together and is the catalyst to a real marriage.

This is a terrific series starter with lots to offer: historical, paranormal, gothic, romance and psychic abilities. And in the next book...werewolves.

[Steph Ann]

Two of my teammates from Round 5 of BSB read Firelight and loved it as well. I really need to get my hands on a copy of it! :)

[[deleted user]]

Huh, it looks intriguing. I might try it too.

[★Meghan★]

I have it as an ARC somewhere... Weird how I have so many books that I have to hunt for. Nearly done with Summer on Blossom Street. I am hoping to finish it and post my review on it today. It was just what I needed for my reading rut.

[★Meghan★]

Yay! We are on a roll!!!! I just finished Summer on Blossom Street and now going back to Graceling. I will post my review in a little bit.

[[deleted user]]

Go cap! *high five*
Glad your reading rut seems to be over. It's good to hear you exited :D

[Mandy]

Shelf: Favorite Author
Read: September 25, 2012
Rating: ★★★★★


Broken is mainly about Elene the werewolf from the first two books, in this book she and Clay the wolf who bit her are pregnant and she's dealing with the stress of being on house arrest as well as worrying about if shifting will hurt the baby. Suddenly out of the blue Xavier a half demon from Elena's past calls up asking if she would do a job for him in return he will provide her the address for a mutt who's been killing women. The pack wants the mutt taken care of so Elena agrees to hear what he's requesting for them to do. Xavier wants them to sneak in and steal the from hell letter which is said to have been written by Jack the Ripper in the Victorian times. The reason it has to be one of the wolves is because there is a spell that will catch anything human attempting to steal the letter. The plan is for the wolf to shift just a hand to remove the letter but not enough to attract the spell.

The theft goes off without hitches until the trio Elena, Jeremy the pack alpha and Clay are walking down Cabbage town and Elena wants to look at the letter. Clay slaps a mosquito drinking Elena's blood on the letter unknown at the time it opens a portal bringing the Victorian era to current Canada including the two zombies who are sent to catch Elena. In addition to the Zombies running around, locals are missing, and suddenly the water is polluted and killer rats are on the loose. The trio calls in some help from the rest of the pack also Jamie shows up to lend a hand. Together they will have to seal the portal before what’s been in side gets Elena.

I have wanted to catch up on this series for a while and this book happens to be about my favorite of all the characters. I think it's because the first few are about Elena I just really like her. She's grown so much as a character as the series progresses. This book is mainly all about the werewolves but we do see a little of Jamie the necromancer who is another of my favorites. Broken sucked me in right from the start it's one of those stories you just have to know what's going to happen next and I found myself staying up super late to read. I really like the chemistry between Elena and Clay they have come such a long way since the first book, plus now they are having a baby. It's an awesome book full of great characters that leave me wanting more. Overall I love the series but Elena and Clay are my favorites.

I totally spaced it crazy house today and I wanted to post it before I forgot about it.

[★Meghan★]

Mandy-can we get your rating? I don't think that I saw it in there. Also you may want to put the day you completed the book.