SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R7: Team #9 ~ AssaNINE Book Assailants
I'm a sucker for covers too Val...It shouldn't matter when deciding on a book, but it kinda does! I'm always attracted to pretty things. :)
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Thanks Heather...I'll go and delete the one I made yesterday. :)Sorry to critique your work but I'm a visual person...could you add the cover pictures once the book is read? I know I should never ..."
I will let you know. So far it is fairly good. I am only about 50 pages into it though. It is fairly quick-paced and I am liking the different characters.
Week 1: Assassins
Book: Assassins in Love by Kris DeLake
Finished: June 4th
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was a first time author for me. After combing through the shelf, I had a few options to pick from but decided on this one because I needed something quick and based on GR friends reviews, this fit the bill. Rikki and Misha are both paid assassins in the future where there it is a legal profession in some instances. At times this was a wonderfully witty read. There were times though, on a few occasions when the characters had to revisit their trust of each other, where it got repetitive.
Done with my book!!
I'm afraid my review is a bit too long. Couldn't help it!
Shelf: Assassins
Book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Date Finished:June 5
Rating:★★★★★
MY REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book! It was a thrilling and totally gripping read.
After the first few pages I was worried this was just going to turn out into another Hunger Games-like novel. But, I couldn't have been more wrong.
Celaena Sardothien is Ardalan’s greatest assassin,currently toiling away in the Salt mines of Endovier. One day, the Captain of the Guards of Adarlan-Chaol Westfall comes and takes her the Crown Prince- Dorian Havilliard, who puts a surprising proposition to her- The King of Adarlan, and Dorian's father has called for a competition to pick his own personal assassin, and each member of the court must sponsor a Champion. Dorian proposes to Celaena that if she agrees to be his Champion and wins this competition, after four years of service, she would be granted freedom.
But all is not what it seems in the castle. Weird Wyrdmarks begin popping up everywhere. And, many Champions are being brutally mauled by some unknown creature. Magic seems to be outlawed in Adarlan, but somebody is using magic to bring about Evil. More and more dark, evil creatures seem to be crossing into this world. Now Celaena has to win the competition, and also find this evil lurking in the castle. But the greatest dilemma of all- if she succeeds, she has to work for the very king who is responsible for millions of deaths, and slavery.
Another Love Triangle! Although I have to admit, this one wasn't so bad. I just can't decide to support either Chaol or Dorian. I like them both I guess. And, Chaol, Dorian, Nehemia, Celaena, and even Phillipa were interesting characters.
I believe one of the great accomplishments of an author is the ability to make you feel what the author wants you to feel. Sarah J. Maas did just that here. You just can't help the wide variety of emotions as you read this story. In fact I ended up hating Lady Kaltain, Cain, Duke Perrington, and king so much.
This book is definitely a must read! I loved this. Hope others will too!!!
I'm afraid my review is a bit too long. Couldn't help it!
Shelf: Assassins
Book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Date Finished:June 5
Rating:★★★★★
MY REVIEW:
I absolutely loved this book! It was a thrilling and totally gripping read.
After the first few pages I was worried this was just going to turn out into another Hunger Games-like novel. But, I couldn't have been more wrong.
Celaena Sardothien is Ardalan’s greatest assassin,currently toiling away in the Salt mines of Endovier. One day, the Captain of the Guards of Adarlan-Chaol Westfall comes and takes her the Crown Prince- Dorian Havilliard, who puts a surprising proposition to her- The King of Adarlan, and Dorian's father has called for a competition to pick his own personal assassin, and each member of the court must sponsor a Champion. Dorian proposes to Celaena that if she agrees to be his Champion and wins this competition, after four years of service, she would be granted freedom.
But all is not what it seems in the castle. Weird Wyrdmarks begin popping up everywhere. And, many Champions are being brutally mauled by some unknown creature. Magic seems to be outlawed in Adarlan, but somebody is using magic to bring about Evil. More and more dark, evil creatures seem to be crossing into this world. Now Celaena has to win the competition, and also find this evil lurking in the castle. But the greatest dilemma of all- if she succeeds, she has to work for the very king who is responsible for millions of deaths, and slavery.
Another Love Triangle! Although I have to admit, this one wasn't so bad. I just can't decide to support either Chaol or Dorian. I like them both I guess. And, Chaol, Dorian, Nehemia, Celaena, and even Phillipa were interesting characters.
I believe one of the great accomplishments of an author is the ability to make you feel what the author wants you to feel. Sarah J. Maas did just that here. You just can't help the wide variety of emotions as you read this story. In fact I ended up hating Lady Kaltain, Cain, Duke Perrington, and king so much.
This book is definitely a must read! I loved this. Hope others will too!!!
@Preethi, I only read the first prequel short of this series. I wanted to continue since they were available at my public library but completely forgot about them.I should be done with my book tomorrow for a review.
Shelf #1 ~ 6/02/13: 'assassins'
Book:Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
Series: Sandman Slim #1
Finished: 06/06/2013
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
In all, it was a pretty interesting book with a little twist on the angels and demons theme. I personally liked Stark smart-ass comments constant flow during the book. It is a bit fun and depressing to realize that I get all his references.
For most of the book Stark does not know exactly why or how he can do the things he does but mercifully it is all explained at the end (so no long wait and speculation there). My real problem is that Stark came back from Hell for revenge and gave little thoughts on how he is going to accomplish it. (view spoiler) Another issue is that while he went away to Hell at 19...after 11 years he seems to have the same reactions and initiatives of a teen thinking he is immortal and death is a long way down the road.
I'm interested to know more about the supporting characters (Vidocq and Allegra) but Stark was such a complete asshole to them ... he almost effectively alienated himself from them. Let's hope he wisen up soon because he's going to need help with the jobs he's got lining up.
I don't have anything planned for the day, so I should be able to finish my free space book Fated (which I'm really enjoying so far))!
Shelf #2 ~ 6/09/13: 'book boyfriends'book boyfriends
Shelf #2: Book Boyfriends 5/5 Shelf Complete!
Valerie ~ Val Hall - Lover At Last 4★ 6/14 review
Heather ~ Marceline - Wallbanger 5★ 6/9 review
Lisa - Some Girls Bite 3.5★ 6/14 review
Meghan - Beautiful Disaster 4★ 6/15 review
Preethi - Spirit 4★ 6/10 review
New shelf is up. It is book-boyfriends. I will probably try to read Beautiful Disaster. I will load it onto my Nook later since my power is out right now and not sure when it will be back up.I am still working on my books but my Nook is almost dead so I have to wait for the power to go up so I can charge it before I can try to finish any books :(
No fun! Hope you get power back soon, Meghan!
Yay! I have power! Unfortunately it is only temporary power in order to keep us running for the weekend until the company that messed it up can get an electrician to fix it. Now time to charge and load my Nook :) and get back to reading.
Some of the books I want to read are under Boyfriend...singular so not eligeable. I'll tentatively put
...subject to change.
I'm noticing that a lot of the books on this "book boyfriends" shelf are YA (not my favorites). I think I will try
. I don't know anything about it, but it was only $1.99 for kindle and has lots of good reviews.Oops...Just realized it is YA as well. Might have to think about this one for a while.
I noticed the same, Lisa, but further into the list I found some "adult" choices (as in, not YA).
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Some of the books I want to read are under Boyfriend...singular so not eligeable. I'll tentatively put ...subject to change."Good choice Val...I have enjoyed all the BDB books! If I hadn't already read this one, I'd probably be joining you.
Lisa, Kristen Ashley's books aren't YA and are on there, and most are under $5 at Amazon. I like her Rock Chick and Dream Man series. I haven't read anything from KA's Colorado Mountain series. Though I don't know if the humor in her books is for everyone. (ETA...by that I meant that not everyone likes it)I am deciding between
from the Dream Man series and
.
For Book Boyfriends Shelf, I'll be reading
.... I'd been hoping for this very shelf, so I could read this book... Yay!
.... I'd been hoping for this very shelf, so I could read this book... Yay!
Preethi wrote: "For Book Boyfriends Shelf, I'll be reading .... I'd been hoping for this very shelf, so I could read this book... Yay!"That's nice when it works that way. :)
Shelf #2: Book Boyfriends
Book: Wallbanger by Alice Clayton
Finished: June 9th
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This was a quick read for me. I gave it five stars for a few reasons. It was a fun read that grabbed me from the beginning. The character development was great and what could have been a full on sex-fest based on the recent trend in fiction and the title, really wasn't. I loved the relationship between Simon and Caroline and how much they both grew through the book. I loved the unexpectedness of this book.
Wow, your quick Heather...I guess I better decide on something!
Ok, I'm going to read
for the book boyfriends shelf. I've been wanting to start this series and it was available at the library for my kindle. I did finish my free space book and will be posting my review soon.
Shelf: Free Space
Read: 6/8/13
Rate: 4 Stars
Review: A lot of people have compared this book to the Dresden Files Series. I can see the similarities (a few) for sure, but the differences (many) are what make this book really special. Alex Verus is such an unlikely hero...A mage with the power of seeing the future, but not much else compared to all the other super-powerful mages around him. But what he lacks in skills, he definitely makes up for in brains. He is smart and clever, and maximizes his limited magic skills to their fullest potential. He has a kind soul and throughout the story, he slowly begins to understand his place in this magical world of good and evil. Throughout the story, bits and pieces of Alex's past are slowly revealed to us, so that we may better understand his relationships with the Dark and Light mages. This story is really a race amongst all the mages, to solve a fantastical mystery and to retrieve a sacred relic...The outcome of which will affect the entire world. From about midway on, it was a real page-turner for me. Another high point for me were the creative, and sometimes endearing, secondary characters. Arachne (you can probably already guess a little about her) and Starbreeze (an air elemental), were two of my favorites. If you're looking for a smoldering romance, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking for a fun, adventurous, magical mystery, then look no further! I highly enjoyed this adventure and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Geez!!! I better get a move on!!! Luckily on vacation this week so I can catch up with everything.
I've chosen my Free Space book (actually I read it this week-end and found out that I can use it). I'll review later this week
from the new releases posts (http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...)
Status Update Shelf #1 June 2: Assassins 4/5
Valerie ~ Val Hall- Sandman Slim 4★ 6/6 review
Heather ~ Marceline- Assassins in Love 3★ 6/4 review
Lisa- Something Secret This Way Comes 3★ 6/3 review
Meghan- Grave Mercy
Preethi- Throne of Glass 5★ 6/5 review
Shelf #2: Book Boyfriends 5/5 Shelf Complete!
Valerie ~ Val Hall - Lover At Last 4★ 6/14 review
Heather ~ Marceline - Wallbanger 5★ 6/9 review
Lisa - Some Girls Bite 3.5★ 6/14 review
Meghan - Beautiful Disaster 4★ 6/15 review
Preethi - Spirit 4★ 6/10 review
Free Space 3/5:
Valerie ~ Val Hall - Tiger Magic 5★ 6/9 review
Heather ~ Marceline - TBD
Lisa - Fated 4★ 6/7 review
Meghan - Unholy Magic
Preethi - Bronze Gods 4★ 6/15 review
Finished Spirit!!!
Shelf: Book Boyfriends
Book: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Date Finished:June 10
Rating:★★★★
REVIEW:
Wow! I really do not know how to review this book!
Spirit is a book which is totally satisfying, yet it leaves you feeling confused and wanting for the next book soon.
I have never hated Hunter, nor have I actually liked him before this book. You can't expect someone to face what he faces and not end up being how he is. I get it.
Hunter Garrity is not sure where his loyalties lie. He was bought up with the sayings like "Use them before they use you", after all! Calla Dean and cronies want an all-out war, by brings the Guides to town. As if all the fires which happened in Spark were not enough, Calla sets a Carnival on fire, and is planning for something more disastrous.
Meanwhile, a Guide- Silver and his accomplice Kate are really in town- their mission: to destroy all the Merricks and other Pure Elementals in town. Hunter also has a lot of problems at home, which results in him being thrown out oh the house. He ends up sleeping in his car, until the Merricks help him into their house. Hunter is sure they don't trust him. He doesn't know whether to trust them or not. He is not at all sure if all their actions are out of kindness or just to keep their enemy-him close. Added to this the problem of Kate. He doesn't trust her; He believes that Kate is using him. In the end, he also ends up in total disarray about his feelings for his father and mother-especially after some revelations.
Hunter seems to have a whirlwind relationship with Kate-first mistrust, then confusion, anger, followed by a little bit of trust and then to something he doesn't even know what.
This book contains some action, as usual, but also focuses on the emotion aspect. The confusion, loneliness and mistrust aspects are very well written.
Shelf: Book Boyfriends
Book: Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Date Finished:June 10
Rating:★★★★
REVIEW:
Wow! I really do not know how to review this book!
Spirit is a book which is totally satisfying, yet it leaves you feeling confused and wanting for the next book soon.
I have never hated Hunter, nor have I actually liked him before this book. You can't expect someone to face what he faces and not end up being how he is. I get it.
Hunter Garrity is not sure where his loyalties lie. He was bought up with the sayings like "Use them before they use you", after all! Calla Dean and cronies want an all-out war, by brings the Guides to town. As if all the fires which happened in Spark were not enough, Calla sets a Carnival on fire, and is planning for something more disastrous.
Meanwhile, a Guide- Silver and his accomplice Kate are really in town- their mission: to destroy all the Merricks and other Pure Elementals in town. Hunter also has a lot of problems at home, which results in him being thrown out oh the house. He ends up sleeping in his car, until the Merricks help him into their house. Hunter is sure they don't trust him. He doesn't know whether to trust them or not. He is not at all sure if all their actions are out of kindness or just to keep their enemy-him close. Added to this the problem of Kate. He doesn't trust her; He believes that Kate is using him. In the end, he also ends up in total disarray about his feelings for his father and mother-especially after some revelations.
Hunter seems to have a whirlwind relationship with Kate-first mistrust, then confusion, anger, followed by a little bit of trust and then to something he doesn't even know what.
This book contains some action, as usual, but also focuses on the emotion aspect. The confusion, loneliness and mistrust aspects are very well written.
Hi teamies... How are your books going?
Hi Preethi, I'm about halfway through with Some Girls Bite. So far it's pretty good. I haven't decided yet if it will be a series I will continue or not...It really depends on how the second half shapes up. How's your reading going?
Hi Preethi, I'm afraid I'm very behind on this week's book. I'll be away for the weekend and won't have time to read. i should have it finished on Monday with reviews for this week and free space book. I normally am able to do away a book within the week but it's taking unusually long on this one.
I think I may finish this week's book first and then go back and finish the others. I normally also am able to finish at least one book a week but fell extremely behind with being so busy last week with some work changes.
I am having a really hard time focusing on reading and I apologize for it, but I have been watching the news almost all day. I live in Colorado Springs about 20 minutes south of the Black Forest Fire. My dad works close to the area and I have friends that live in the area that are evacuated. What is worse is that my mom worked near the Waldo Canyon Fire and we knew someone who lost their house.
@ Meghan -> I hope everything gets better soon out there. Fire in the area where your father works and your friends are, must really be stressful.
@Lisa-> I liked the first four books of that series. Even though I have the 5th book, I somehow find myself stalling to read it...
Right now, I'm half-way through my freespace book-Bronze Gods. Not enough steampunk element, there though. Interesting so far...
@Lisa-> I liked the first four books of that series. Even though I have the 5th book, I somehow find myself stalling to read it...
Right now, I'm half-way through my freespace book-Bronze Gods. Not enough steampunk element, there though. Interesting so far...
Meghan, hope everyone stays safe!!!
Meghan, I have been watching as well. I lived in Colorado Springs for many years and all of my husband's family is still there. They are in the Monument area, so we are keeping a close eye on things. Have they got any of it contained yet?
Meghan, it must be difficult for you...the waiting. I hope your family remains safe.
Shelf #2 ~ 6/09/13: 'Book Boyfriends'
Book:Lover At Last by J.R. Ward
Series: Black dagger Brotherhood
Finished: 14/06/2013
Rating: ★★★★ (more like 3.5)
Review:
OBVIOUSLY, if you haven't followed the series..please don't read because spoilers are unavoidable....and I'm venting out.
I'm not much for writing reviews so I'm going to do some rambling. I rarely read GLBT theme stories, the few series I do follow have really great story plot characteristics with less emotional drama than the mainstream series.
After 10 books and nearly as many to follow the train wreck of a relationship that was Qhuinn and Blay...I was ready for their issues to be resolved. I can understand that introducing a m/m story to a mainstream series can be difficult for a lot of fans to swallow. This perceived problem had the author beating around the bush to death with no sex scenes between Qhuinn and Blay for 10 books...in a PNR series. I must say that I was not thrilled with the last 2 books in the series because most of the previous characters (now mated) were pretty much pussy whipped.
Needless to say I had lower expectations for this new installment but I still like the series even if the cohesion of the world building has deteriorated. One of the great strength of the book is that many storylines are interwoven into each one, the downside is that the main couple is relegated to being fourth fiddle in their own book....but that's the way it always has been with this series.
Qhuinn is really a tortured hero in every sense of the word and spreads the hurt generously on Blay. John was a no show...maybe he got the better deal but it's not what I would call a good friend. And....real, completed, detailed sex scenes for once. it was cruelly lacking in all the series but Ward redeemed herself on that score (mind you the lack of lubing disturbed me a bit but they are vampires so maybe that's why). Another good point is Ward crafting really poignant scenes that felt authentic, there are many examples in this book. At the end of Lover Reborn, Qhuinn had a wake up moment but it took him many near death experiences in this book to finally come clean. There was so much potential there and the author did not exploit it, shame.
The other storyline were less supportive of the main couple's story and basically a set up for the following books. In that respect we have Assail, or Trez, or Xcor, or Layla, or Sola to contend with.
I always had a dislike for Layla and she ruined many parts of the books when she was present but she reinforces the Scribe Virgin's cult/religion...making her (and us) a cultural prisoner of her tribulations and sheep stupid hopes. Her latest casualty is Xcor, morally ambiguous with an interesting dynamics with Throe got downgraded to a musing idiot about how magnificent is the Chosen Layla.
While Assail doe not have the charisma that the Reverend ever had....I found his cat and mouse relationship with Sola refreshing and I'm interested to know where his new partner in crime will lead the future of the race to.
Trez and iAm were always in the background and it's fun to know a bit more about them but iAm was way too talkative and Trez's story sound too much like a 2.0 version of Vishous's one.
I'm bitching a lot but it kept me entertained.
Meghan, I hope everyone is safe and that the losses won't get any worse for your friends and family. It is completely understandable that you would be distracted. With two young kids in the house we don't have the news on too often so I haven't been following it much myself sorry to say.
Shelf: Book Boyfriends
Read: 6/14/13
Rate: 3.5 Stars
Review: I thought this book started off a little cheesy (ok, most vampire books are a little cheesy...but this one a little more so than most). But I have to admit that the progression of the storyline was a little bit more "realistic" than other books of this genre. Not to say that vampires, werewolves, fairies, nymphs, witches, etc. are realistic. I'm just saying that at least the main character, Merit, did not turn into a "superhuman" overnight...The pace of the story was a little more "natural" with at least some training and education involved. However, this slower progression made for lengthier world-building and character development in this first book of the series. Lots of fun secondary characters developed as well. Not a lot of action going on here, but definitely set up for a lot to potentially happen in future books. I'm definitely going to check out the next one to see what might happen next.
Thanks everyone! It looks like everything is looking better today with 30% containment. It is sad because almost 380 homes were lost. Largest destruction in Colorado history. I am going to focus on reading today and turn off the television for the rest of the day.
I finally finished Beautiful Disaster and will post my review shortly.
Sorry to ask but I only have my phone to work with....does any of those fit the strong heroine? Please could you tell me?
To take care of both challenges I am in with one book, I will be reading
, not my first choice, but for my other challenge I need a book with pasta in it, and it is surprising how few pnr and uf books has pasta or noodles in them. :) Since we aren't quite ready to request our stamp, I will update the review posts later tonight or tomorrow morning.
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Sorry to ask but I only have my phone to work with....does any of those fit the strong heroine? Please could you tell me? [book..."I checked all three Val and none of them were shelved under "strong heroines" as far as I could tell. Of course I often make mistakes, so someone else might want to check too.
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Sorry to ask but I only have my phone to work with....does any of those fit the strong heroine? Please could you tell me? [book..."I checked as well since Lisa mentioned for someone else to, and I agree, they aren't on there. Two were on the singular, but none on heroines. I had been hoping for the Nalini book too.
Val, sorry, none of them made it to the list :(
Meghan's Book Boyfriends Review
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Book Completed: 6/15/2013
Rating: ★★★★
Continue Series: Yes
Review:
All right so first off the most important thing about this book was that it was an absolute emotional roller coaster. I was laughing, I was crying, I was hanging onto the edge of my seat, who knows what else actually happened while I was reading this book. These are the kind of emotions and out loud experiences that make me rate a book higher.
I actually really liked Abby as a person and who she wanted to be. I LOVED her friend America as she was about the best friend I have ever seen in absolutely any book. (Can't leave out Finch either as he was incredible in the hard times.) Shepley was the perfect middle man for Abby and Travis and America. He was the type of person that always tried to be the voice of reason.
As for Travis, I have to say that he seems like a typical guy. Wake up call, ladies, all men have their flaws and not one of them is perfect. He is the type of guy that I want to root for into being a better person. His family is awesome and in a way you can see where he gets his attitude and behavior from. The one thing that I did not like was his dependency to always having her around. It was endearing at points, but at other times it was something that I was extremely annoyed with. His dependency on her was what made him seem like he had some mental issues (bi-polar maybe). The way he was so high and low was a bit scary at points in both directions. I know for a fact that I would absolutely never in my life date Travis (first and foremost and instant trigger was because he smoked), but there are qualities that I would like in my life. (What can I say every girl has a small thing for a bad boy somewhere in her life.)
Maybe because I am a fairly recent college graduate or maybe because I still have a very similar way of speaking to people, I absolutely loved the banter and honesty that was always going on between Abby, America, Shepley, and Travis. It was something that was extremely refreshing in a book and seemed very realistic in my eyes. I haven't seen something like this in a long while.
As for the book I will read this week. I think I will go for...
. As it looks like I will be able to use it for the Scavenger Hunt challenge and for a Help Me Decide challenge.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
The Darkest Craving (other topics)After Ben (other topics)
Magic Rises (other topics)
Lover Awakened (other topics)
After Ben (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Charlaine Harris (other topics)Stacia Kane (other topics)
MaryJanice Davidson (other topics)
Margaret Atwood (other topics)
Pittacus Lore (other topics)
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Sorry to critique your work but I'm a visual person...could you add the cover pictures once the book is..."
Awww ...5th grade graduation...so exciting!