R7: Team #4 ~ 4get the Competition

[Jenne]

Lauren I felt the same way about that one. Mira really grated my nerves.

[Kimberly]

I'm ready for the next shelf!!
I have the sir conditioner on, I've got a stack of books ready and I have snacks within reaching distance.
NEW SHELF!
NEW SHELF!
NEW SHELF!

[Lilac]

I'm not going to bother picking a paranormal book yet because I need to focus on Angel and Demons and Aliens, which are needed for our 4 in a rows.

[Kimberly]

NEW SHELVES!!
Paranormal Mix or Paranormals
As you can see, the actual shelf is much smaller than it originally appears, so we have a second shelf for you as well. A book from either of these shelves can be used for the 'paranormal mix' shelf!

I'm going to read since the book I really wanted to read isn't on either shelf!

Happy Reading!!
GO TEAM!!!

[Alyssa]

I'm almost done with my Cover Love book. Tomorrow, I think.

[Jenne]

I'm going to read for this week's shelf and I'll have my aliens review up soon :)

[Jenne]

Also here's the stats incase anyone didn't see them:


Updated stats:
16 shelves left
9 are winning shelves
They are:
freebie (10)
guilty pleasures(6)
keepers(3),(4)
maybe(7)
shifters(6,10)
soul mates(5)
time travel(1)
vampire(4)
urban fantasy(9)

56% chance of one of these being called next week.
9 out of 15 teams have 4 in-a-row (once all stamps received).

[Lauren]

Thanks for the stats update, Jenne.

I have a few options for the Paranormals shelf. I will see what I'm in the mood for.

[Jenne]

Aliens Shelf:
Read: by Kaitlyn O'Connor
Finished:7/22/13
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Review:
2.5
I really liked Bri and admired her strength and tenacity. But there were things I would of preferred to see fleshed out a bit more. The aliens weren't "villain" enough for me. I never really felt the desperation you'd expect to feel in a situation like that. Also I was expecting more of an erotica type book. It was definitely more sci-fi romance than erotica. I think anyone who likes sci-fi romances would probably like this. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Lauren]

Sorry the book wasn't for you, Jenne :0(

[Jenne]

Supernatural Mix Shelf:
Read: by Jennifer Estep
Finished: 7/25/13
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
4.25

Pretty hard to review this one without spoiling previous books. So don't click on the spoiler if you haven't read up to this point yet. (view spoiler)[Finally what I've been wanting to see since the 3rd book! Gin runs into Donovan and it's finally her time to put him in his place! At the start of this one I didn't think Gin & Bria would ever resolve their issues. And I was glad to see Gin accept and forgive herself as well. Now that the Gin vs Mab show down has happened I'm really wanting to see Gin vs the slimy Jonah McAllister! I really hope he dies a slow painful death. (hide spoiler)]

[Kimberly]

Jenne, I got the first book, so I can't wait to start this series.
I peeked at the spoiler! hehehehee!!

[Lauren]

I love Gin but I'm only on book #3 so I'm avoiding your spoiler, Jenne :0)

[Lilac]

My aliens book is a bit boring so far so it might take me a while to finish. I've started my Angels and Demons book, now and it's much better (and shorter).

[Kimberly]

Finished: 26 July
Paranormals
Rating: 4 Stars

I thought I had a bunch to say about my irritation to Bettina and what part of manipulative did she not understand about Trehan, and the fact that Trehan was trying so hard to contain himself from being something other than what he was. But then I got to the chapter where Lothaire actually appeared and he just summed everything up for me. To think, Lothaire was the reasonable one in this book.

[Lauren]

Lilac wrote: "My aliens book is a bit boring so far so it might take me a while to finish. I've started my Angels and Demons book, now and it's much better (and shorter)."

It's really difficult to slog through a book that is boring. Its OK if you want to switch it out to something else.

[Lauren]

Kimberly wrote: "
"

I'm still on Regin's book. I really need to get a move on with this series.

[Kimberly]

Lauren, there are so many characters with so many interactions with others that I forget who is who and who they are trying to kill...

[Lauren]

Here's our status up until today:

Free Space:

✔ Lilac: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin - June 16th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Darkness Unmasked by Keri Arthur - June 13th, ★★★★1/4: Review
✔ Alyssa: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost - June 14th, ★★★★1/2: Review
✔ Lauren: Biting Cold by Chloe Neill - June 10th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward - June 16th, ★★★★★: Review



Shelf #1: Assassins

✔ Lilac: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch - June 8th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep - June 3rd, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Alyssa: Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep - June 7th, ★★★★1/2: Review
✔ Lauren: Marked by Elisabeth Naughton - June 8th, ★★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: Caressed By Ice by Nalini Singh - June 4th, ★★★: Review



Shelf #2: Book Boyfriends

✔ Lilac: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - June 23rd, ★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - June 10th, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Alyssa: Until I Die by Amy Plum - June 20th, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Lauren: Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren - June 14th, ★★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: A Fall of Water - June 12th, ★★★★: Review




Shelf #3: Strong Heroines

✔Lilac: The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau - June 18th, ★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan - June 15th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Alyssa: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey - July 6th, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Lauren: The Maze by Catherine Coulter - June 22nd, ★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost - June 20th, ★★★★: Review



Shelf #4: Cover Love

✔ Lilac: Prodigy by Marie Lu - June 25th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen - July 1st, ★★★★: Review
Alyssa: If I Should Die by Amy Plum
✔ Lauren: Moonglow by Kristen Callihan - July 2nd, ★★★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger - June 29th, ★★★: Review



Shelf #5: Angels & Demons

Lilac: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld
✔ Jenne: Trapped by Kevin Hearne - July 3rd, ★★★★: Review
✔ Alyssa: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - July 12th, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Lauren: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione - July 9th, ★★★1/2: Review
✔ Kimberly: Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter - July 2nd, ★★★★: Review



Shelf #6: Dystopian

✔ Lilac: Sever by Lauren DeStefano - July 9th, ★★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Divergent by Veronica Roth - July 9th, ★★★★: Review
Alyssa:
Lauren: Embrace the Night Eternal by Joss Ware
✔ Kimberly: Hexed by Kevin Hearne - July 9th, ★★★★: Review



Shelf #7: Aliens

Lilac: Dune by Frank Herbert
✔ Jenne: Genesis by Kaitlyn O'Connor - July 22nd, ★★: review
Alyssa:
✔ Lauren: Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian - July 19th, ★★★: Review
✔ Kimberly: Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian - July 15th, ★★★: Review



Shelf #8: Paranormal Mix/Paranormals

Lilac:
✔ Jenne: By a Thread by Jennifer Estep - July 25th, ★★★★: Review
Alyssa:
Lauren: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
✔ Kimberly: Shadow's Claim by Kresley Cole - July 26th, ★★★★: Review

[Lauren]

Kimberly wrote: "Lauren, there are so many characters with so many interactions with others that I forget who is who and who they are trying to kill..."


Lol! Yes, this series is one with way to many characters to keep track of. I've learned to go with the flow.

[Jenne]

Well there's a good chance one of our winning shelves could be called today! I'm ready for the new shelf!

[Kimberly]

I'm ready!

[Kimberly]

Supernatural
Not a winning shelf for us, but it's another week for us to catch up!

I'm reading . YAY!!

Happy Reading!
GO TEAM!

[Lilac]

I'm glad we have a week to catch up, I really need to finish my Angels and Demons and Aliens books. For supernatural I'll be reading The Time Traveler's Wife.

[Lauren]

It is good to have another week to catch up. I will read for the Supernatural shelf.

[Kimberly]

I loved .
Let me know what you think of the beer scene!

[Lilac]

My angels and demons book.

- ★★★☆☆ - 28/07/13

I really enjoyed this book. Scott Westerfeld has proven to me that he's good at writing paranormal as well as dystopian, so I'm sure I'll be reading more of his books as well. It wasn't like your normal YA paranormal book, with a mysterious guy that the main character is always thinking about. It was much more unique and interesting and the characters all has their distinct personalities. And the ending was really good so I can't wait to read the next in the series.

[Jenne]

I'm deciding what to read this week still. We sure need to get caught up this week if possible. More than likely the game will have a winning shelf next week. Only one other team has 2 4 in a rows like us, so hopefully that'll help our odds :)

[Lauren]

Well, this should help. I'm off to request our stamp for the Angels & Demons shelf.

Shelf #5: Angels & Demons

✔ Lilac: The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld - July 28th, ★★★: Review
✔ Jenne: Trapped by Kevin Hearne - July 3rd, ★★★★: Review
✔ Alyssa: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - July 12th, ★★★★★: Review
✔ Lauren: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione - July 9th, ★★★1/2: Review
✔ Kimberly: Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter - July 2nd, ★★★★: Review

[Jenne]

Woohoo good

[Jenne]

job team!

[Kimberly]

YAY TEAM!

[Jenne]

Kimberly I hope you like I couldn't put that one down!

[Jenne]

For supernatural I'll be reading I'm strongly debating on staying up tonight so I can start when it hits my kindle at midnight!

[Lauren]

I'm so jealous, Jenne. I'll be waiting for the audio :0(

[Jenne]

No way I could wait! I've waited long enough as it is lol

[Lauren]

I only finished last month so it hasn't been that long a wait for me :0)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, 4get the Competition!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'angels & demons'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Kimberly]

Late night book release party?
Jenne, DO IT!!!

WOO HOO TEAM!!!

[Jenne]

Thanks Steph!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Welcome :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats 4gets the comp!

[Lilac]

Supernatural shelf
I had to read this before continuing with my aliens book because it's due in at the library tomorrow. So tomorrow I'll go back to Dune :)

- ★★★★☆ - 30/07/13

This book was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect it to be so good. The first half was especially good, keeping me interesting the whole time and wanting to find out what would happen to the characters. I really liked Clare and thought her attachment to Henry was really sweet. The second half was a bit more like a contemporary book about a couple trying to live normal married life, but there were still time-travel bits that kept it interesting. The ending was a little anti-climatic, but not enough that it let the book down, just disappointed me a little.

[Jenne]

Supernatural Shelf:
Read by Ilona Andrews
Finished:7/30/13
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
Solid gold! Team Andrews delivers again! One of my favorite things about this series is that it has all of these weird oddball creatures that in most books would be cheesy but they enhance Kate Daniels books. Who knew weredolphins could be so vicious and that little hobbit like men could be so helpful. These books are so addicting and I hate having to wait between books but that's the price you pay for the joy of reading them. This one was a little dark and there were times I almost cried and times I found myself smiling while I was reading. I already have a major book hangover!

[Lauren]

Thanks for the review Jenne. I can't wait to listen to it.

[Jenne]

It was so flipping great! I'm so sad it's over now :(
I couldn't put it down there were literally some moments where my jaw dropped while reading it too.

[Lauren]

That is so good to hear. I'll listen to it as soon as I'm done with .

[Lauren]

Shelf: Paranormals
Book: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Finished: July 29th
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:

Bone Crossed is a solid addition to the series and Patricia Briggs does an admirable job in dealing with the aftermath of events from the previous book. Nevertheless, several issues continue to rub me the wrong way. There is still an obvious lack of positively drawn female characters - (view spoiler)[Marsilia is evil, Aurelia is prejudiced and Amber is an idiot (hide spoiler)], Briggs' religious agenda has been toned down but still pops up every now and then, and Mercy is still not as kick-ass as she could be.

Mercy is an engaging character, however, Briggs attempts at reinforcing her resilience, courage and fortitude are constantly being undermined by situations in which Mercy appears submissive and weak. The most obvious examples are her interactions with Blackwood (view spoiler)[loss of free will, forced blood transfers - seriously? (hide spoiler)] and the deus ex machina ending.

It is great to see Mercy and Adam take their relationship to the next level, and Adam is definitely one of my favorite heroes in the UF genre - he knows exactly what to say and when to say it *sigh*. That said, given the build up and anticipation, the much awaited sex scene leaves much to be desired.

On a more positive note, the plot is well developed and engrossing (although any resemblance between the blurb and the actual story is superficial at best). More details are revealed about the intricacies of vampire politics as Stefan's loyalties are put to the test, Mercy's abilities as a Walker are explained but there is probably still more to come in this area, and the villain is one of the creepiest in the series so far.

In sum, Briggs is a talented writer and her Mercy Thompson series is fun to read despite the problems outlined above. Finally, Lorelei King's narration is excellent and she is skilled at bringing the characters and events to life.

[Alyssa]

I finished for the Cover Love shelf on 7/29/13.

Rating: ★★★★★

Review: It was a great final book to the series, even though, I kind of guessed what would happen after the second book. Still love the characters. I kind of wish there could be some kind of spin-off series with some of the secondary characters or maybe a bunch of novellas. I really loved the Revenant world.

[Alyssa]

I'm working on my Aliens book right now. I picked .

I'll definitely be done before the new shelf announcement. Crossing my fingers for one of our winning shelves.