FL1: Team #2 ~ 2 Read or Not 2 Read

[Ezi]

I am ready to a new book too

[Josie]

Same :)

[Josie]

I had a quick nose about and I could've missed a team but I think we might be the first to have read and reviewed all our books :D

[[deleted user]]

Now all we need is Mr. Ramdomizer to give us a good card :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Thanks for reading that Dragana, so I don't have to :D

[Dragana]

Sandra wrote: "Thanks for reading that Dragana, so I don't have to :D"

LOL Well, I'm not saying it's bad, but it's not for me. :)

[[deleted user]]

Only a few more hours to go, I hope Mr.R draws us a good card :)

[[deleted user]]

I've posted a link to our reviews now we only have about 1 hour left before the draw :)

[[deleted user]]

Ok Team Mr.R was on our side this week :D

Week:2
Card: Black Joker (Fantasy Forward:Skull)
Space/Color: 32/Free Read

[[deleted user]]

I'll decide what book I'm going to read when I get home from work in a couple of hours

[Dragana]

Yay great roll Kat. Thanks to Mr. R. too for being good to us. :)

I'm in a middle of a book right now. Not sure what I will read next, depends on the mood. I will let you know. :)

[Josie]

Woo! Great news!
I haven't decided what to read yet - like Dragana I'm in the middle of a book so will use whichever I read after :)

[[deleted user]]

OK so I started reading but it's a pretty chunky one, not sure I can get it done in a week so I think I'm going to go with either or

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Woohoo! Way to go, team! I'll pop back soon with my book choice for the week.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Busy cleaning this afternoon. I decided to finally start listening to . I'm a bit over 1/2 way through & really enjoying it! :D This will be my book for our free-read spot.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Finished Hounded; will post review ASAP. Really enjoyed it. Also, I noticed that GR has me shown as starting the book on Feb 2nd, but it was Feb 3rd JST. Just didn't want anyone thinking I'd started it pre-draw. ;)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Glad you liked it Steph :DD

[[deleted user]]

goodness that was fast Steph ! I haven't even picked up my book yet :D

[Ezi]

My book will be

Steph:Listening to Hounded wad really good as opposed to reading it. I bought book 3 at the last audible sale

[[deleted user]]

Obsidian By Laurann Dohner
Finished: Feb 3,13
Card/Color: Black Joker/Free Read
Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Well first off I have to say that I LOVE THIS SERIES!! and Ms.Dohner has out done herself yet again. This is book 8 in her New Species series and I am surprised that after all this time she can still manage to make each story just that little bit different so you don't feel like your reading the same thing over and over.

Obsidian's story was heart wrenching and I had to run for tissues more then once. I am now so invested in these characters that they feel like family and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. This series will now and always be in my top five favorite series. It's hard not to fall in love with these alpha males but boy do I enjoy it when I do :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks, Sandra!

Yeah, I prefer to listen to audiobooks at 2x speed. Whenever I listen to them at normal speed I sometimes get frustrated thinking I could read the book faster myself. Sometimes, when I listen to several books within a series, the narration will sound funny to me on normal speed b/c I've read the previous books at 2x. I'm weird.

It was a fun audiobook, Ezi. I'm super happy that my hubby bought all of them on audio, so I can listen to the rest soon. It definitely made the packing prep chores a bit less painful.

I have many of those books, Kat. I'm excited to read your review and know you're enjoying them. I'll have to move them up on my list. :D

[Dragana]

I'm glad that Kat & Steph enjoyed their books.

My next book will be - so since it's a free read, you can count that as my entry for this challenge/game. :)

[Ezi]

Book True Colors by Kristin Hannah
CARD: Black Joker/Free Read
Rating: 3 stars
Finished on 2/3/13
Review: I can't say that I loved this book. What I can say is that I probably will never read it again. It reminded me off all the things I can't stand about small town life.
this book follows 3 sisters whose mother just died of cancer and from the beginning, the fathor favored oen child, the youngest Vivi Ann.
Wynonna, the oldest and Auruora the middle child tried everything they could to get his approval, which resulted in a deep seated jealousy of Vivi Ann.
Many things that happened to the sisters were a result of the seed of discord sown by that mean ass father of theirs.

Does that excuse Wynona's future actions, no, it doesn't. But it gives a background to illuminate the motivations behind Wynona's actions to Vivi Ann.

for me, a happy ending doesn't erase some of the bitter stuff that happened in this book so I am glad I am done with this book.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hounded (Iron Druid #1) by Kevin Hearne
Space: 32/Free Read
Read: 3 Feb
Rating: 4★
Review:
Hounded is a good mix of mythology, strong characters, bloody-good action and humor. Atticus O’Sullivan, a 2,100 year-old druid, is so long-lived because of his magical knowledge and his ability to walk the line between sharing and secrets with more than one goddess. His Irish wolfhound companion, Oberon, is a hoot and offers much comic relief throughout their adventures.

My husband has been after me to start this series and I'm glad I finally did. I am looking forward to continuing this series. Kevin Hearne has done a great job of blending together my favorite aspects of UF.

[Josie]

Yay team! Fast reading and great reviews :D

I've finished the book that I was reading so I can start my challenge book now. For some reason Tangle of Need took me quite a while to read! I think it dragged just a bit in the middle.

Now I may start Storm's Heart but I do change my mind so that's not a definite pick :P

[Ezi]

I am reading Storm Heart next week for a buddy read and I can't wait

[Steph, Serious series addict]

*.* Go, Team, Go! *.*

I could not get into Adria and Riaz' story to save my life, Josie. Just wanted to skip over all their bits in the book, though I didn't. Liked them in the end and felt they were a good match, but sadly their "romance" was a snore-bore fest for me. That's never been the case for any other P-C HEA for me. Odd.

Hope ya'll enjoy Storm's Heart. Read that one in the dark during a typhoon. Very fitting.

I'm reading and I have to read little bits at a time b/c I always tear up. Such a touching story. Ames' review had me buy it and I'm just now reading it.

Hope everyone has a great week!

[Josie]

Yeah I didn't really feel any connection towards them - maybe it's because we didn't see much of them before the book and so there was no exciting build up. I mean, I remember Riaz sort of in Indigo's book but other than that I didn't know them. I loved reading about Kaleb, Aden and Vasic though, it's got me so excited for Heart of Obsidian (view spoiler)[- it's got me thinking about who the Ghost is, I don't think it's any of them, except maybe Kaleb because of how the book ended. (hide spoiler)]

Lol Steph! The UK doesn't have any typhoons but I will try to read it in bad weather :P

I've started Archangel's Storm so I'll probably we done fairly soon

[Literary Ames]

Steph wrote: "I'm reading and I have to read little bits at a time b/c I always tear up. Such a touching story. Ames' review had me buy it and I'm just now reading it."

I'm glad you're liking it, Steph, even though it's bringing a tear your eye.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I think you're right, Josie. I didn't have any strong, prior connection to them, so I didn't really care about their romance. Sounds mean when I put it like that, but tiswhatis. ;)

Oh, me too! Ghost! Ghost! Ghost! Who is the Ghost?! LOL! Must know!

;) Enjoy it and Archangel's Storm, which I read during a different typhoon. LOL!

Thanks, Ames! Thanks for the rec and awesome review that lead me to buy it. What a beautiful book. Ivan's story is told so well that you feel like you're there with him and his buddies. Did shed some tears, but that's the least I can do for The One and Only Ivan. :)

[Dragana]

In advance, sorry for a long review. :)



Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Date finished: 06.Feb.2013.
Rating: 4 stars

17-year-old Celaena Sardothien was one of the MOST NOTORIOUS ASSASSINs in Adarlan until she was arrested and convicted to slow and painful death in the Salt Mines of Endovier. After one year, good luck finally smiles upon her when crown prince of Adarlain, Dorian Havilliard, chooses her as his candidate in contest for King's Champion (glorified name for royal assassin) and offers her freedom in exchange for cooperation. A lot of training are in store for Celaena if she is to regain her strength and defeat all other candidates. You think she has the toughest task? Think again. Because, the most troubles will have Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Royal Guard, as he needs to re-train one of the Adarlan's greatest assassins and stop her from killing any member of Royal family while doing that.

Celaena is so full of contradictions. She's girlish and vulnerable at times but also arrogant, nosy, usually out of line, smart, fast, deadly and kick-ass. Of course I liked her. :) Oh and I almost forgot to mention that she's a complete bookworm who loves to read and adores to talk about books all the time. "What's not to like?"

As I mentioned before Celaena is assassin, so expect a lot of training and fighting, but that's not all Throne of Glass has to offer. There is also sweet slow-building love story. But there is one problem (at least for me it's a bad thing). Yes, we are talking about LOVE TRIANGLE between Celaena, Dorian and Chaol. I must admit I cheered for Chaol from the start because he sees not only beauty but also a deadly side of Celaena. Dorian is more enamored in her good looks, disregard for court rules and that she is not impressed with his tittle. Although I do not say that Dorian loves Celaena less, I just think that Chaol's kind of love offers a real chance of true happiness and that Dorian as a royal heir and prince should regard his position more seriously. Only in fairy tales prince ends up with a beautiful servant girl. In real life, prince marries to achieve happiness for his country and people not for himself. At least good princes do that.

Throne of Glass is set in Adarlan, but we do not have a chance to learn a lot about the country, people and customs. I was especially interested to learn more about history: hinted fae ancestors and magic abilities, I hope these themes will be better developed in Crown of Midnight.

So, if you do not set your standards for world building and character development high, Throne of Glass will offer you an entertaining quick read with intriguing plot and sweet love story. It could have been better, but since it's Sarah Maas's debut I'm giving 4 stars to Throne of Glass and I hope that she will not disappoint me in the next installment of the series. 27th August can not come fast enough. :)

[[deleted user]]

Great review Dragana! I picked that book up on a great website I use for free ebooks so your review comes in handy for for me :)

[[deleted user]]

Looks like we're only waiting for one more review and we'll be all set to for the next card draw this weekend :) Good Job Team!

[Ezi]

Dragana, that was a really great review!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I love assassin stories! Great review, Dragana.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I want to start listening to , but will probably try to hold off until our next draw in case it's a yellow spot.

[Dragana]

Thanks Kat, Ezinwanyi & Steph. :)
I am also reading short books and waiting for next card to be drawn to decide my next 'big' read. :D

[Ezi]

Steph wrote: "I want to start listening to , but will probably try to hold off until our next draw in case it's a yellow spot."

I thought about holding off on reading a new boo but thought "nah!". At the rate we are reading, it would only take about 3 days to get our book read. So I will jump into a new book tonight

[[deleted user]]

I'm just giving everyone a heads up there is a massive winter storm coming my way this afternoon and all day tomorrow with high winds and lots of snow I'm hoping I don't lose power but if for some reason I don't check in when it's time to draw the next card, feel free to draw one for me.

I'm hoping Josie will have her review in soon so I can post our reviews link on the game board thread, so that will be one less thing I'll have to worry about tomorrow.

Fingers crossed the power says ON :)

[Ezi]

Please stay Safe Kat

[[deleted user]]

I'm preparing for the worst getting my bottled water and the like ready just in case, I am as we speak charging my e-reader and loading it up with a few books to pick from to keep me busy if the power does go :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Stay warm and dry Kat :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I've started another one instead, Ezi. Though I'm anxious to continue w/Atticus' adventures.

Stay safe, Kat. I'm sure Miss Josie will pop by shortly. :)

[[deleted user]]

So far so good the power managed to last the night but the worst of the storm hasn't really started yet.

We are still waiting on Josie's review but I know she won't let us down :D

There's just over 10 hours left before the next card gets called :) I'm excited to see what Mr. R will pick for us this week I have a book for each color picked out and a free read book in case we get lucky with another fantasy forward

[Josie]

Hi team! I am so sorry I have taken so long this week - dreadful team member behaviour. My only excuse is that my dissertation due date is in two weeks time and it's a bit of a mess at the moment lol. But I have finished my book so here's the review :)



Title/Author: Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh
Date finished: 9th February
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I much prefer the Psy-Changeling series to this one and I didn't get on at all with 'Archangel's Blade' but I actually quite liked Jason's book. I didn't love it and I worked out the mystery pretty early on, but I liked the setting.

I would prefer for every character not to be damaged in some way since it's like to be strong you have to have seen your butchered family or something which seems extreme but I will carry on with this series though I doubt it will be my fave (I loved the first book but since then... not so much). I am intrigued with where NS is taking this because it seems she has a plan :)

[[deleted user]]

We knew you wouldn't let us down Josie, Real life gets it the way sometimes it happens to the best of us :D

I have this series sitting on my TBR shelf waiting to be read, I might have to move it up my list :)

[[deleted user]]

Week 2:Black Joker Free Read

StephB:Hounded ~ Kevin Hearne (Feb 3, 4★) Review
Ezinwanyi:True Colors ~ Kristin Hannah (Feb 3, 3★) Review
~♥ Kat ♥~:Obsidian ~ Laurann Dohner (Feb 3, 5★) Review
Josie:Archangel's Storm ~ Nalini Singh(Feb 9, 4★)Review
Dragana:Throne of Glass ~ Sarah J. Maas(Feb 6, 4★)Review

[[deleted user]]

OK team the reviews are in and posted in the game board movement thread now we just have to wait for Draw time :)

[[deleted user]]

ok I'm off to draw our card ! :D

[[deleted user]]

OK Girls here's our card and color for this week

Week 3:
Card Drawn: 2 of Diamonds
Space Number & Color: 34 Blue