SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R7: Team #2 ~ Two Hot to Handle
Hope you're feeling better Tiffanie (((hugs)))
For angels and demons I'm going to read
I should have my Ink review up tomorrow for cover love and I'll be reading
for the angels and demons shelf. Hope you feel better Tiffanie!
Get better soon (((Tiffanie)))
I hope you start feeling better, Tiffanie!!
Tiffanie, hope you're feeling better very, very soon!
I will read
for angels and demons shelf. It'll be the end of the week before I finish it though since I'm doing a challenge and have to read 2 other books first that connect to "Dawn" in the title.
Strong Heroine ShelfThe Rift Walker
5 Stars Great Book
Completed 06-29-13
Gareth, Prince of the Vampire Clan
Adele, Prince of Equatoria one of the great human empires.
Will their love bring death or salvation?
This is the 2nd book in the Vampire Empire trilogy. Great book. I loved the fist one and this one was just as good. Can't wait to buy the 3rd.
Strong Heroines: 5/5Stamp Received: 7/1/13
Barbara:The Rising, 4 stars, Review
Breann:Twice Bitten, 4 stars, Review
Christal:Tiger Lily, 5 stars, Review
Steph Ann: Kiss of Fury, 4.5 stars, Review
Tiffanie:The Rift Walker, 5 stars, Review
Angels and Demons: 5/5Stamp Received: 7/16/13
Barbara: The Darkest Edge of Dawn, 4 stars, Review
Breann: Into This River I Drown, 5 stars, Review
Christal: Kill City Blues, 5 stars, Review
Steph Ann: Demon Night, 4 stars, Review
Tiffanie: Rapture, 4 stars, Review
CONGRATULATIONS, Two Hot to Handle!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'strong heroines'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Shelf: Cover Love
Read: 29 Jun 13
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Ink has gotten some pretty bad reviews, but I actually really enjoyed it. I thought the characters were awesome, the setting was vivid but realistic, and the central plotline about the Kami was really interesting. Since I lived in Japan for a few years, I loved reading about the Japanese culture and comparing it to what I had seen. I thought this was an excellent debut and I will definitely be continuing with this series.
Congrats 2 Hots!
Shelf: Angels and Demons
Read: 7/2/13
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was another solid addition to this series. There is something about the way Meljean Brook writes that I just love. She just sucks me into the story, and I don't want to put the book down. I really enjoyed Charlie and Ethan's story, and it was also nice to see glimpses of Hugh & Lilith and Colin & Savi to see how they're doing now. I'm already 30% into the next book, so I'm definitely continuing the series. :)
I think the combination of wedding planning and packing for the move has completely fried my brain cuz I had a hard time coming up with something to say in my review, lol.
Steph Ann wrote: "I think the combination of wedding planning and packing for the move has completely fried my brain cuz I had a hard time coming up with something to say in my review, lol."Whooooooo's wedding???? :D
Angels & Demons: Into This River I Drown
7/3/13
★★★★★
This might be the hardest review I’ve ever tried to write. Mostly because I don’t want give anything away about this book. I think it should be experienced with a completely blank slate. Also, there’s no way I could adequately express the beauty that I just read.
Benji is drowning in the loss of his father. He’s lonely, lost and drowning. Since his father’s death five years ago he goes through the motions of life. He feigns his happiness for his mother’s sake but nothing about his life really gives him any joy. He’s been having dreams about his father’s death in the river, dreams of drowning and dreams of blue.
Caliel. The angel with blue wings who fell to help Benji, to be with him and to love him. And love him he does. He’s so strong and is a protector, a guardian. But, being new to Earth, is very naïve at the same time. So endearing. So loveable. He’s watched and loved Benji for a long time so when he saw how Benji was drowning he came to guard and protect him.
What I loved the most was the way this was written. The prose was so lyrical, so emotional and real. Everything about this story fit together. There was no wasted page, no wasted paragraph. It all moved the story forward so beautifully. The flashbacks to Benji’s childhood with his father were perfectly woven into the story. Paralleling his present with his past. It was a story for Benji and his dad just as much as Benji and Cal.
It’s a story of loss, grief, courage, life, death, love. All of the impossible and improbable things that happen in our life. How impossible and improbable it is just to have someone you can love so completely.
“Sometimes I float along the river, fit to its surface I am bound. And there are times stones done fill my pockets, oh Lord, and it’s into this river I drown.”
Breann wrote: "Whooooooo's wedding..."My wedding :D
Cover love shelfDarkfever Karen Marie Moning
Completed 07-04-13
5 Big Stars!!
I can't believe I owned this book for so long without moving it up my TBR pile.
MacKayla Lane leaves for Ireland to find out what really happened, after her sister is found left for dead in a trash strewn alley, only to discover her life as she knew it gone forever and possibly the world.
Great book. I really connected to Mac and can't wait to read the rest of the series. Looks like I'll be digging into my back up book money to purchase the rest of this series. My TBR pile it starting to lean to one side.
Hi, my name is Tiffanie and I am seriously addicted to series. Please don't tell my husband.
Steph Ann wrote: "Breann wrote: "Whooooooo's wedding..."My wedding :D"
Well, spill more beans than that Steph Ann. Give us some juicy details!!!!
And Congratulations!!!!
Thanks, Sandra! :)The wedding is currently planned for December 6. We've had a lot of unexpected financial issues (vet bills, moving expenses, etc.) pop up though in the last couple months, so for the past week, we've been seriously discussing the idea of scrapping the whole big wedding idea and just going to the courthouse. The more we talk about it, the more I'm really liking the idea of the simpler wedding. I'm really just wanting to be married to my fiance. It's the planning that's driving me crazy! :)
I'm glad you liked Darkfever, Tiffanie! That's such a great series!! :) When you get a chance, can you add the date you finished the book to your review?
Steph Ann wrote: "Thanks, Sandra! :)The wedding is currently planned for December 6. We've had a lot of unexpected financial issues (vet bills, moving expenses, etc.) pop up though in the last couple months, so fo..."
Congrats!! That's what the hubby & I did a Vegas wedding. So much easier! :D
Tiffanie wrote: "Cover love shelfDarkfever Karen Marie Moning
5 Big Stars!!
I can't believe I owned this book for so long without moving it up my TBR pile.
This is such a great series! Glad you liked it!
MacKayla Lane leaves for ..."
Angles and Demons:
Read: July 5, 2013
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
ITF agent Charlie Madigan is changing. Into what? Nobody knows. She has tri-racial DNA - human, Elysian and Charbydon and her body is transmogrifying into something completely different. Not only is she still learning about her various powers but she is also dealing with a host of personal and professional problems. Her sister is dealing with an accidental Ash addiction that Charlie feels responsible for. Her daughter suddenly has special powers and is acting out. Her ex-husband's body has been taken over by a revenant and is living in her house. Her siren partner is having issues with his masculinity due to the siren-subduing device attached to his throat. Oh and we must not forget about the sadistic serial killer killing Elysian nobles. Yup Charlie definitely has her hands full this time.
I continue to like the world-building and even though it's similar to other urban fantasy worlds, there is enough differences to keep one flipping pages. We've seen some real growth in the main characters and it'll be interesting to see where Charlie's changes ultimately take her. I will certainly be continuing the series with The Hour of Dust and Ashes.
I haven't had a whole lot of online time this weekend, but I wanted to post the shelf real quick: dystopian.I'll be reading
. I'll get everything updated on our master list tomorrow when I have a little more time. It's moving week, so I may be a little slow on making updates, but everything should calm down once this week is over!
For Dystopian, I'll read
-by Lauren Oliver.
Shelf: Angels and Demons
Read: 4 Jul 13
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I read this as a buddy read with my co-blogger AH. Here's out joint review! Kill City Blues was a definite high point in a consistently entertaining and slightly disturbing series. AH and I both loved this book and gave it 5 stars!
James “Sandman Slim” Stark:
AH: I think Stark has got to be one of the most badass characters I’ve encountered in urban fantasy. I love his “devil-may-care” attitude (pun definitely intended).
Christal: Lol, nice one! I agree, Stark is hardcore and doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. I think he really grew in this novel and it was the first time we have seen him willingly depend on others.
The Supporting Characters:
Christal: Wow, almost everyone was back in Kill City Blues. It was like a reunion and I kind of loved it. I like the Stark is starting to build a “Scooby Gang” and relying on others to watch his back. I still think Candy is a stand out but I really enjoyed seeing Stark and Kasabian’s relationship evolve.
AH: I loved that you referred to them as the Scooby gang. That was hilarious and I could seriously see one of them going Ru-roh – sharp-toothed demons on your right or something like that. I loved Candy too – so fierce! Kasabian made me laugh. I’m hoping the next book has his head on a Trevor Mosely body. Speaking of Trevor Mosely, what did you think of the Tick Tock Man’s creations?
Christal: I totally want to see Kasabian’s head on a Mosley body; that makes more sense than the hellhound. The Trevor Mosley clones were a bit creepy… especially the one that thought he was a real boy. The animals now, those had definite possibilities. I might fight Candy for a Tick Tock Pikachu.
The World Building:
AH: The world building is so intricately constructed. No details are spared, yet as a reader, you never feel like there is an information overload. The writer did all of his research. I love Kadrey’s version of Hell – “Downtown” LA. It’s a dirty, gritty world.
Christal:I agree, I love how real this series is — you can just picture every place that Stark visits. I liked that Mr. Kadrey combined the typical rings of hell with his own version of a mirrored L.A. Very unique!
AH: The research into the series is just amazing – did you know that the names of God’s “brothers” are from Kabbalistic teachings? The names of God are the levels of the soul. Kind of odd how God is depicted in almost schizophrenic terms, but it makes sense in this world.
Christal: I didn’t know that but now it makes so much sense. I am interested to meet the other “brothers” and see what they are like compared to the “brothers” we’ve already met. I’m especially looking forward to a meeting between Stark and Ruarch.
The Plot:
AH: This book has got to be one of the best reads so far this year. Richard Kadrey writes amazing urban fantasy. One of my favorite scenes had to be at the beginning where Samael, Stark, and Candy are enjoying donuts. Samael ponders the donut and wonders if he invented them to “destroy mortals from the inside out.”
Christal: Ha, I liked that scene too; I also like how Mr. Kadrey carried the joke later into the book with Samael only staying for dinner if there are no donuts. I think my favorite scene was probably the group adventure through Kill City mall. Instinctually, I knew that Stark would probably be okay but that someone else probably wouldn’t make it, but I was not prepared for the emotional impact of the ending. Man, that was intense!
AH: The rescue scene from Hell near the end when Stark “rescues” Father Traven and leaves him in “limbo” I thought to myself that Stark really is a nice guy, or as nice as Stark could be.
Christal: Completely agree, he really does have a heart of gold deep deep down. The rescue and eventual compromise with Mr. Muninn were a nice resolution for everything that happened in Kill City.
AH: For some reason during the Kill City scenes, I felt like we were in the middle of an Indiana Jones adventure, complete with booby traps, scary critters, and even a treasure. Speaking of treasure, the Qomrama Om Ya, aka the Magic 8 Ball, aka Stark’s holy grail – what do you think will happen with it? Will the Angra come and destroy everything?
Christal: I don’t even want to guess. Mr. Kadrey always takes what I think will happen and then twists it into something completely unexpected. I have faith in Stark though, I think he and Candy will both go down fighting in the end no matter what they are up against. I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for Sandman Slim in the next book and to see how he continues to grow and adapt!
Shelf - Dystopian
Read: 7/9/13
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I want to read the next book asap! This series has never disappointed me, and this book is no different. I was hooked from the first page and never wanted to put the book down. I think Kaleb and Sahara may now be my new favorite couple from this series. The trust, loyalty, and love they have for each other is simply amazing. The only minor complaint I have is that we didn't see much of the changelings in this one, but that still didn't stop this from being a 5 star read for me. The ending makes me very excited to see where the series goes from here!
Updated post 172 - Completed Darkfever on 07-04-13Will be reading
for my Dystopian shelf.Almost done with
.Once again I am sorry for being behind. Still trying to get caught up on my homework I miss from when I was off. I will get a lot of reading done the next few days, unless there is an problem at work and I called called in to cover.
It's totally ok, Tiffanie! Real life comes first! :)I'll go request our cover love stamp!
Cover Love: 5/5Stamp Received: pending
Barbara: Everbound, 5 stars, Review
Breann: Aklesh, 4 stars, Review
Christal: Ink, 4 stars, Review
Steph Ann: Twice Tempted, 4 stars, Review
Tiffanie: Darkfever, 5 stars, Review
CONGRATULATIONS, Two Hot to Handle!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'cover love'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats 2Hots!
Thanks, Steph & Sandra!!My move officially starts tonight once I get off work. My internet is supposed to be transferred over to the new place tomorrow, but if something goes wrong, I probably won't be able to post anything until Monday when I get back to work. So if it seems like I've dropped off the face of the earth, just assume my internet is not working and I'll be back as soon as I can. :)
Christal wrote: "Shelf: Angels and Demons
Read: 4 Jul 13
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I read this as a buddy read with my co-blogger AH. Here's out joint review! Kill City Blues ..."
Cute review!
Steph Ann wrote: "Shelf - DystopianRead: 7/9/13
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I want to read the next book asap! This series has never disappointed me, and this book is no diffe..."
GAAAHHHH! So good, right?!?
Good luck with the move :D
Dystopian: Mind Fuck
7/10/13
★★★★☆
This is really hard to rate. I was terribly bored through half of it, then I friggin loved the other half. Let’s go through the motions here and see where I come out...
What terribly bored me
The investigation: Unfortunately, this was about half the book. Boring procedural investigation stuff. Filled with techo mumb-jumbo talk. Meh.
What I friggin loved
Toreth: He works for Investigations and Interrogations and is pretty unapologetic about what he has to do for his job. After visiting the sim and seeing some seriously amazing stuff, this is his first thought:
”He imagined taking prisoners into something this real. Everything that happened to them could be an illusion and the would never know. There was nothing he wouldn’t be able to do to them, over and over again.”
Unapologetic badass. My favorite kind. But as much as I love him I want to know MORE! How did he come to work at I&I? Is what Marian said about all its employees true? I don't know! And I want to know, very badly.
Warrick: He’s so completely devoted to the sim almost to a fault. He’s a total control freak... but really just wants to be held down and told what to do... hot. I don't know much about him yet but I do know enough to be intrigued by him. I only wish we were able to see MORE of him in this book.
The world building: It was awesome and I wanted MORE! I wanted to know more about I&I and Mindfuck. How did this dystopian society come about? What about the rest of the world? Is it that same as New London? I definitely have more questions than answers here.
Toreth & Warrick together: Oh, the games they play...they’re both manipulative, stubborn and working with their own agenda. I loved reading them dance around each other, both trying to get and keep the upper hand. When really, they just wanted to have sex. Hot, hold you down, I’ll break your fucking neck sex. The best kind. But I would have loved to have MORE scenes with them together.
So, there were more things I enjoyed than not. But that ONE THING that bored the hell outta me? It took up a lot of page time. Everything I loved? I feel like I didn’t get enough and wanted MORE! I think that will put this around 3 stars for me.
Then there was this:
“’So,’ Toreth said, ‘do you want to fuck?’”
Cue the music. Roll the credits.
I’m giving a bonus star just for that exit. 4 stars.
Dystopian:
Read: July 13, 2013
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I was definitely in the minority with this book. Everyone else seemed to love it and I thought it was just okay. Too many issues especially with world-building.
I had issues with this book. I thought the theme was really interesting - love is a disease and must be eradicated with a lobotomy. Neat concept but there wasn't any background to support what happened and why this was necessary for survival. I assume something devastating must have happened to everyone so that they willingly submit (and look forward) to this procedure but the reader needs to know what caused this crazy society in order to get behind the story.
I didn't believe Lena's instant attraction to Alex. I mean we're talking about a month's time frame and she cuckoo over him. Really? Since her mother's suicide, she has always been terrified of love and has actually counted down the days until her procedure. And all of a sudden (heck almost instantly) she's in love with Alex and bucking society. It just didn't ring true.
There were other things too that just didn't have a resolution or were brought up and ignored. Like during the raid when Lena was so horribly bitten by the dog. It took her a while to get there on her bike yet Alex fixes her up and they walk home. WTH? She's got to be limping horribly and the raiding parties are all over the place and yet no one sees them.
The book was much longer than it needed to be and the story was repetitive and redundant. I found myself bored and fighting to keep reading. Honestly the dystopian society didn't scare me or put the fear of God in me or even disgust me (as they usually do). I also couldn't connect with Lena or Alex for that matter. Though I did really like Hana. She had the rebel spirit from the beginning though she loses it in the end which was depressing. Unfortunately, I don't care enough about anyone to continue this series.
Thanks for posting the shelf, Barbara! :)For aliens, I'm going to read
.I think I have everything updated correctly in our Master List on the first page. If you notice anything wrong, let me know!
Angles and Demons Shelf:Rapture J.R. Ward
4 Stars
Completed July 14, 2013
Jim Heron - Fallen angel with the world on his shoulders
Matthias - Freed from hell, giving a second chance
Mel's - Trapped in grief
Can Mel's love for Matthias set her free and him? Will Jim win this round against the ultimate evil?
Book 4 in the Fallen Angels series by JR Ward.
I enjoyed this book, but like the others better. The best part of this series, I believe, is Devina. The evil demon you love to hate. And I totally love her OCD problem. The most evil being has a personal flaw. I guess we all can't be perfect.
Dystopian ShelfEnclave Ann Aguirre
5 Stars
Completed July 15, 2013 (Yes I stayed up all night and read this book. It was that good)
Being raised in the Enclave far under Topside, Deuce has no idea her life was about to change forever. She is now a huntress, no longer just a number among the brats. She has a name and a partner in Fade.
But now she is exiled to Topside. Will everything the Elder taught be a lie? Can she survive Topside?
Book 1 in the Razorland series. This was a great book. Had me from being to end and I stayed up all night to finish up. I can't wait to read the rest of series. Book 2 is out and book 3 comes out in October. Can't wait.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Hell's Pawn (other topics)All Our Pretty Songs (other topics)
Clockwork Princess (other topics)
Shatter Me (other topics)
City of Glass (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Richelle Mead (other topics)Tahereh Mafi (other topics)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
Ann Aguirre (other topics)
J.R. Ward (other topics)
More...
Sorry for being missing for most of the week. I had some emergency surgery. But will be spending the next couple of days doing nothing but reading to get caught up.
I will be reading
I will be done with