SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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FL1: Team #8 ~ Epic Eights
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Kerstin wrote: "This will be my first book by the author, Valerie. It's been sitting on my Kindle for ages now and I finally decided to read it. I've heard of the 'Wraeththu' series and a few of my friends gave i..."
Don't give up! What I had the time to read was very interesting and I plan to get back to it at some point in time. I admit it was a bit ambitious of me to try to read such a book when my mastery of English was tenuous at best. :)
Week #10
Book: For the Love of a Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk
Color: Green
Space #: 135
Read: 01/04/2013
# Pages: 352 pages
Rating: ★★★ (2.5 stars)
Review: I must say that I enjoyed the first two Goblin novels but this one fell a bit short.
I was pleased to read a book with a non-Caucasian heroine and set in Australia (a little change from US based story for UF).
Where the previous books had action this one does not, it focused more on the H/h's relationship. Also there is little interaction with the Shadowlands (mostly in dreams or hallucinations), which was what made this series so interesting to follow.
I'll say that an ok book but not the best of the series.
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Don't give up! What I had the time to read was very interesting and I plan to get back to it at some point in time. I admit it was "I won't be giving up! I'm about 20% in and after a little bit of a slow start I'm absolutely engrossed by the characters and the story.
I didn't know English wasn't your first language. Where are you from originally? I remember the first few books I read in English took me ages to get through as well...luckily we've improved or we couldn't keep up with out TBR mountains :)
My first language is French, second (and regrettably only) is English. I remember the first book I had to read in school (in english) was Lord of the Flies. It took me ages with a dictionary to finish. The first book I read by my own was Anno Dracula...then the Lords of the rings because of the movies. Funny how a book stay in your memory.
I tried to learn French at school for a couple of years, but unfortunately I wasn't all that good at it and I've hardly retained any of it. I've been thinking for a while now to either pick French up again or learn Spanish...it would be nice to speak a third language. The first book I read in English by myself was The Witching Hour. Rather ambitious of me, I should have picked a shorter one :)
Bows down to you both!!
Reading in a second language is pure torture, my hat off to you both for succeeding.
Lauren wrote: "Reading in a second language is pure torture, my hat off to you both for succeeding."I guess it depends on your degree of proficiency and necessity. I moved for 2 years in another province where french speaking people was a rarity so learning was imperative. I'm still not really fluent but it's easy to find books, television or radio station to listen to in English. It helped that all the nice kid programs were in english when I was young so I was always 'exposed' to it.
I wish I had learn Spanish but I somehow it's more difficult and I lost motivation. :(
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "I guess it depends on your degree of proficiency and necessity. I moved for 2 years in another ..."I had no choice but to learn Hebrew when my family emigrated and I have no problem speaking the language or reading it for every day purposes like filling in forms and reading the newspaper. But when it comes to reading for pleasure, I have to read in English. When I was in school and university, I found English translations for every Hebrew book we had to read otherwise I never would have gotten through them.
So you should really feel proud that you read and enjoy books in English when it isn't your mother tongue :0)
Hebrew sounds like a tough language to learn! Congratulations!I've lived in English speaking countries for the past ten years, so I've been immersed in the language 24/7 and that helped out my reading abilities a lot.
Stalking Tender Prey by Storm Constantine
Week: #10
Space: Green
Read: 3/4/13
Rating: ★★★★★
What a deliciously brilliant novel! It deals with the myth of the fallen angels from the 'Book of Enoch': the Grigori, or Watchers, are angels that are sent to Earth to watch over humanity. Many of them fall in love with human women, teach them their secrets and magics, and create offspring, the so-called Nephilim.
This book is an imaginative take on how the aftermath of these events affect a modern day village in England and its occupants.
Each of the many characters was fleshed out wonderfully, and had their own distinctive personality. The story was interesting and hidden under many different layers.
This was a fantastic read and I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
Kerstin, that book looks interesting.
It was a great book; very different to what I've been reading lately. It's quite a dark and gritty story with a few 'taboo' subject matters (eg. incest), that are essential to the story though. I absolutely loved it!
I'm working on
but it's really boring and very slow going. I'll definitely have it done by Saturday though even if it kills me. lol
Crossing fingers that it will improve soon, Barbara!
Week #5: 3 of Hearts
Space: Greeb
Book: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
Finished: April 5th
Rating: 5★
Review: The post-apocalyptic world in which magic and technology compete for dominance continues to amaze as does Andrews' incorporation of mythological elements - this time from Babylonian myth and Jewish mysticism.
The basic premise of a god of fear and destruction wreaking havoc on the denizens of Atlanta has tremendous potential and on the whole is well-executed and action packed. That said, none of Erra's henchmen have any individual personality or motivation, and as such, the threat they pose is rather mundane, although they do possess some truly nasty skills, such as spreading plague or terrifying people to such an extent that they revert back to their primitive instincts.
It is the characters, the humor and the romance that make this series a true masterpiece. Kate is stubborn, intractable and kick-ass but still has moments of such intense passion and emotional vulnerability that it is impossible not to love her. With each book in the series, more is revealed about her past and the focus here is on her very interesting but seriously disturbed paternal aunt - with relatives like that who needs enemies?
Curran and Kate finally get together and it is well worth the wait - their verbal sparring and intense push/pull dynamic plays a huge role in making them an incredible and engaging couple. It will be very interesting to see where their new commitment to each other takes the relationship and I really hope that they maintain their lively and energetic connection.
The secondary characters, both new and old, add an extra layer of nuance to the story - the trials and tribulations of Andrea and Raphael's mating, Aunt B's machinations, Derek's scarred face and Dali's terrible driving are just some of the highlights. In terms of the overall story arc, old questions are answered but new issues arise and I can't wait to see what happens next with Kate, Curran and the rest of the pack.
Week #5: 3 of Hearts
Space: Green
Read: April 5, 2013
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I had high hopes for this book since I absolutely loved the Pirates of the Caribbean movies (though I haven't seen the one based on this book). I just loved the slap-stick humor, the ridiculousness of the plots and the zany characters. Unfortunately this book didn't entail any of that kookiness. Many elements of the story are great but the author never really gets it all together at the same time. The characters are pretty much flat, the pacing is all over the place and the whole voodoo thing is too complicated to follow. And I was completely thrown when half of the characters took new names. The story has voodoo and zombies, magic galore, pirates, kidnapped persons turned pirate and the Royal Navy even makes an appearance or two. Heck even Blackbeard has a starring role. Regardless of the promising premise, the novel just fell flat. I'm hoping that the movie industry does a better job with this should-be fascinating story.
Love the Kate Daniels series! Barbara, glad that you persevered even if the book was just ok. I wonder what the rules for the end of the game. I guess it could be as soon as this week with so many teams close to the end.
The rules state "Be the first team to get from START to THE END" so I would imagine whichever team finishes their five books first (and posts to the captain's thread) will win.I guess we'll all have to pick our books and read quickly. :)
Barbara ★ wrote: "The rules state "Be the first team to get from START to THE END" so I would imagine whichever team finishes their five books first (and posts to the captain's thread) will win."Lol, I think I'll pre-select colors then since browsing from a cellphone is not the best. Don't mind me (view spoiler)
This week's reviews:Week #10: Green
✔Barbara ★: On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers (Apr 5, 3 Stars) - Review
✔Lauren: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews (Apr 5, 5 Stars) - Review
✔Carrie: Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerney (Apr 1, 4 Stars) - Review
✔Valerie ~ Val Hall ~: For the Love of a Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk (Apr 1, 2.5 Stars) - Review
✔Kerstin: Stalking Tender Prey by Storm Constantine (Apr 3, 5 Stars) - Review
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Lol, I think I'll pre-select colors then since browsing from a cellphone is not the best."Great idea.
Would this work for purple?
Barbara, I'll allow that one as half purple/half red ;)
Mod announcement on how to win:How to win
Hasbro's Candyland rules state: If you're the first person to reach the last orange space or move beyond the last orange space, you've reached the Candy Castle and won the game.
In keeping with those rules, play continues until a team reaches the last orange space (#138) or until a team draws a color card that directs them past the last orange space (IE: a team draws a red, blue or green card). Books must be chosen based on the color card drawn for that week. All members of the team must have read, rated and reviewed their book by week's end to win.
In the event of a tie (more than one team reaches the end that week), the first team to read, rate and review the books for the final card, and post it on the * Fantasyland | Game Board & Team Movements - thread will be the winner.
Week #11Card: 5 of Hearts
Space #: 137
Color: Purple
Another purple, then I'll go for
That sounds interesting, Barbara. Looking forward to your review.
Week #11
Color: Purple
Book: Voice Of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready
SERIES: Reawakened #2
READ: April 8, 2013
RATING: ★★★★
Review:
In my younger years, everything Native American fascinated me. I had Native American art and sculptures all over the place. I read anything about Native Americans. Heck I even had a coffee table book devoted to Native Americans. And I read more romances with Native American heroes than even I can believe (now of course, they hold no appeal at all). Hmmm how times change.
Anyway, I liked this installment more than the first. I think it's because of the changing POVs. Though Rhia and Marek play an important role in this story, they aren't the main focus. That belongs to Filip and Alanka. I really enjoyed their courtship and the visible growth of both characters throughout the story. There were also POVs from other characters as well which greatly enhanced the reading experience. This book was heart-breaking for everyone but especially Rhia and Marek.
I particularly like the Native American-like spirit animals mixed with mythology and the world building is spectacular though it does take some getting used to. I will definitely be reading the conclusion to see how (if) the Spirits prevail over the Gods and how these various tribes overcome their differences and combine to fight a common enemy.
Femforce Five have posted there winning review!
Well done Epic Eights! We put up a good fight but the cards were not always in our favor, lol! Had a blast with you ladies!
Darn I had high hopes on Saturday. Oh well we had a good showing and it's been fun.
It was a good game! We were one of the last for a long time until Lauren picked a card that kicked us up and I had high hopes...never won any BSB games either...but it was a lot of fun to play and read your reviews. My TBR pile is not so pleased but that`s all right.
We were so close...oh well. It was a lot of fun playing with you all! Thanks for a great game and growing my TBR mountain :)
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Voice of Crow (other topics)The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (other topics)
Voice of Crow (other topics)
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold (other topics)
Ashes of Honor (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.R. Ward (other topics)Lara Adrian (other topics)
Kim Harrison (other topics)
Sandy Williams (other topics)
Week #10
Card: 3 of Hearts
Space #: 135
Color: Green
Finished: April 1st
Rating: 3.5 to 4 stars
Review: I haven't really read that many cozy mysteries, and I found Murder on the Rocks to be rather enjoyable. Set in a small town in Maine, Cranberry Island.
Natalie Barnes is one of the newer residents of Cranberry Island is the owner and innkeeper of the Gray Whale Inn, a bed and breakfast. Even thought she's made friends with many of the the folk who live on the island, there are some who are quick to snub and judge when a murder takes place. So on top of running her inn, baking her many goodies for the townsfolk she has a mystery to solve.
This was a delightful little story and I found it cute that the author had the recipes for the baked goods that Natalie prepares at the end of the book.
Looking forward to my next stay at the Gray Whale Inn. :)