SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Book-of-the-Month
>
Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2014
date
newest »
newest »
Title/Author: A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
Series: Kinsey Millhone
Read: 11th September
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This is what happens when I convince my oldest sister to start reading crime novels. She's now passed the entire series onto me (up to the letter T). If things don't pick up in the next book she could be getting the whole lot back again.
I'm not sure I like Kinsey. For a PI she can do some pretty stupid things. It was a bit predictable in some aspects, very dated in others.
Sept 2013 Update
Title/Author: The Wanderer by Robyn Carr
Series: Thunder Point
Read: Sept 21, 2013
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author: No
To-Be-Continued Yes
Review: I was a little disappointed that Carr is not longer going to be writing the Virgin River books. I'm not completely sure that Thunder Point is going to be a good replacement or not. I liked it, but I already knew almost everyone in Virgin River and it's a little strange to read a book by Carr and not have any idea who the people are (although Cooper is friends with a VR resident, so Luke gets a brief mention in this book). I like the people in Thunder Point so far, so that's a big plus. The HEA seemed to work out a little too well in the end. Not that I didn't want Cooper and Sarah to get a HEA, I just expected a little more drama.
October 2013
Title/Author: Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet
Read: October 4
Rating: ★★★★☆
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: There were some misunderstandings because of how shy/reserved Marcus is, but everything worked out well in the end. I really liked that both Honoria and Marcus love sweets and that they were childhood friends, although they only really became friends in this book. I ended up really loving Marcus, who isn't your typical hero: he's shy and I just loved that for some reason.
September Update - 3/12 completedTitle/Author:
Open Minds by Susan Kay QuinnSeries: Mindjack
Read: 12/9/2013
Rating: ★★★★ 1/2
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: a world where you didn't talk out loud. where videogames and cell phones were controlled with your mind. lemme jusy say that this book was intriguing from start to finish. I really loved the aspect of the Clan and Simon, i think, was a really good corner. I was waiting around every corner for something big to happen with him but I guess thats what happens when you read great books!
October Update - 4/12 completedTitle/Author:
Changeling by Philippa GregorySeries: Order of Darkness
Read: 5/10/2013
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was a pretty good book! It was my first by Gregory, and I can see her becoming a favorite author of mine someday. Changeling pulled me right in with the characters and especially the setting-- both time and place. As I've taken and absolutely enjoyed European History, this really made my day. Another thing I loved was the Inquisitor part that Luca played. Quite wonderful indeed :).
I did not read a book for this in September. I did start a new series this month, so hopefully I will finish book 1 and report it before October is over.
Title/Author: Flu by Wayne Simmons
Series: Flu, Book 1
Read: 10/6/13
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: Gory, bloody, zombies and a lot of f bombs!
Title/Author: The Awakening by L.J. Smith
Series: The Vampire Diaries
Read: 26th October
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes, but only because I already have the next book
Review: The book came out when I was 16 - back then YA was Point Horror, Sweet Valley High - tired and cliché and I'm afraid this suffers from the same syndrome. I picked up the first 4 in the series a couple of years ago, never watched the TV series. I needed something quick for this challenge (as I was on the verge of giving up due to other challenges), so I thought I'd burn through this one. And I did. The only characters I was remotely interested in were Bonnie and Stefan (even though he needed to lighten up on himself). Most of the characters were 1 dimensional and the story was rather thin.
But it has encouraged me to get the first series on DVD (because it's incredibly cheap on Amazon at the moment). I want a better look at Damon........
3/12October Update:
Title/Author: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Series: Jenna Fox Chronicles
Read: 01/11
Rating: ★★
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
* Not bad for YA-a genre I detest.
* Guessed the "secret" at the beginning.
* The end seems to show that the author wasn't planning any sequels & I would have been okay with that too.
* Dane was far more interesting than Jenna.
September update:
Title/Author: The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen
Series: The Ascendance Trilogy
Read: Sept 1, 2013
Rating: ★★★
First time author: Yes
To-Be-Continued Yes
Review:
This was engaging but wasnt exciting. The ending was a little too fast to my liking. But the journey was enjoyable. Sage's contin0us mischief was irritating and he clearly has a problem with authority. The 'friends' he made al0ng the way was d0ubtful and I didn't understand him at all, his m0tivati0ns, his sorrow, his head? However, his sharp t0ngue and witty c0mebacks had me laughing. Those I like.
I suppose this bo0k was intended for middle grade and such musings about feelings and reas0ning was sec0ndary if they were there at all.
I d0nt kn0w what I've read that was similar to these that made me l0ok for s0mething m0re in these b0ok. But whatever it is, its n0t a c0mplete disapp0intment, merely lacking in em0ti0n and back story I think.
Still, I will read b0ok tw0 just to see what happens.
October update
Title/Author: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Series: Skulduggery Pleasant
Read: October 10, 2013
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author: Yes
To-Be-Continued Yes
Review:
What a world! I bow to this guy's imagination. With wicked characters, snarky humorous lines, clear storytelling, and action packed to the nth level, the result could only be awesomeness!!! :-)
There's nothing to sneeze at in this book. It's a solid 5star, saving-the-world-one-book-at-a-time read. The skull and the hell raiser team up was outrageously funny yet good. I simply love it.
Well, off to my next adventure with the funny Mr Skulduggery! Where are we to go next time Sir? :-)
November 2013 Update
Title/Author: The Pretender by Celeste Bradley
Series: Lair's Club
Read: November 4
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I ended up really loving Agatha. I also liked Simon and Agatha together which is a good thing, since this is a romance novel. The men kept underestimating Agatha and you would think they would know better.
Question, do you want new posts every month or do you want us to continue to update our original post?I have been updating my original post every month
Your original post is for your overall list for the year. But the detail of the book you read each month (with the rating etc.) should be posted each month.
Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "Your original post is for your overall list for the year. But the detail of the book you read each month (with the rating etc.) should be posted each month."Got it. Thanks
NOVEMBER's Book: Title/Author:
by Kresley ColeSeries: Arcana Chronicles
Read: 11/3
Rating: ★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I don't know how I felt about this one. It was okay, but i think my feelings were affected by the fact that I read Allegiant & Horde this past week. So a 3rd YA Dystopian was just overkill in a week. I'm YA Dystopian out.
Plus, Evangeline didn't quite measure up to Tris or Deuce. She was their opposite as she wasn't really a "heroine" yet. She was unsure, scared, and just a follower for all except the last chapter. She wasn't resourceful and she didn't think quick on her feet. She's not a fighter, not a leader, ,she really is a "resource suck" as Jackson often called her.It's hard to see why she was the "Empress", but she came into her own at the very end of the book.
One thing that annoyed me is the high school speak and lingo, it was just annoying because i had to think to figure out what the heck they were saying. It was like watching "Bring it On" with the cheerleaders. Luckily, that ended as world changed..
I wasn't sure if this world was an earth taken over by zombies, or an earth where supernaturals staged a game giving various characters powers to battle it out for survival. I think that is why I wasn't as drawn in to this plot. I will read book 2 before I decide what I think about this series. In addition, the lack of progress between Evie and Jackson was problematic for me. But like i said, I will give Kresley Cole book 2 to get me on board
Also Read (1st in series):
Title/Author: Call for the Dead by John le Carré
Series: George Smiley
Read: 10th November
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: George Smiley is a very clever man. Quiet, unassuming, eminently forgettable - which makes him perfect for a profession as a spy. This was a very clever book, I worried a lot while I was reading it that it was too clever for me. There are parts that I still don't completely understand - but I did guess what was going on about halfway through. It's a very quick little read as well - only 170 pages, but it crams a lot in.
Title/Author: Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
Series: Lord John
Read: 12/1/2013
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It took a while to get into. My attention was too divided at first to really get into the book, but the action picked up and I couldn't put it down! I've already started reading the second one
I'll join for next year.
Jan 2014 Update
Title/Author: God Save the Queen by Kate Locke
Series: The Immortal Empire
Read: January 8th
Rating: ★★★★☆
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Started out a little slow, but was hard to put down after getting though the first 1/3 or so. Loved Xandra and the world that Locke has build.
February 2014 Update
Title/Author: Daring to Dream by Nora Roberts
Series: Dream Trilogy
Read: Feb 2, 2014
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: The end of this one seemed a little fast after all the drama that happened right before (relationship drama, part misunderstanding part not being willing to listen to each other). I like the friendship between Kate, Margo and Laura and I'm looking forward to the other two books in the series.
JANUARY 2014's Book: Title/Author:
by J.M DarhowerSeries: Forever Series
Read: 1/8
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review: As soon as I read chapter 1, I thought to myself, not another child slavery book. But this book was much more than child slavery. It was a story of people trying to grow and move out of the shadows of their parents.
If you want a New Adult book that isn’t wrought with cliché drama and dialogue, then this book is for you.
Also Read (1st in series):
★★★1/2;
★★★★;
★★★1/2;
★★★1/2;
★;
★★★1/2;
★★★;
★★★★
February's Book
Title/Author: Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands
Series: Devil of the Highlands #1
Read: 2/11/2014
Rating: ***
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Maybe, if I need it for a challenge
Review: This was a pretty cut and dry historical romance novel, I liked it but nothing really stood out and made it memorable.
Updated Post 19FEBRUARY 2014's Book:
Title/Author:
by Jay BellSeries: Seasons Series
Read: 2/6
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
Also Read (1st in series):
(Done 2/7) ★★★ ;
★★★½;
★★★★;
Updated Post 19 MARCH's Book:
Title/Author:
by Rebecca ZanettiSeries: Sin Brothers
Read: March 15
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? YES, YES, YES!
Review: Just loved this one. Rebecca Zanetti has now gone on my auto-buy list.
Out of the blue Major Shane Dean (marine) was brought by a police officer to his estranged wife's job. Apparently Shane has walked out on his wife Josie 2 years ago to places unknown. Now he is back but with amnesia. This begins their journey to a second chance at love.
This book was exciting, intriguing and pretty hot. Zanetti tells an interested romantic suspense. I stayed up last to find out why Shane left Josie and why he is back and why he has amnesia. There was so much to this story and it was pretty good stuff. Shane was a military man, but Josie wasn't the damsel in distress he took his wife to be. Obviously they had to really learn to forgive and trust, but they had to get to know the real person they married. I enjoyed Shane having to put everything on the line and trust his wife.
I don't know what I was expecting, but I didn't find this story to be predictable or cliche. It was an interesting concept and it was action packed from page one. I just couldn't put it down so I think I will read book 2 tomorrow.
Also Read (1st in series):
★★★1/2;
★★★★;
★★★;
★★★½
Read two more for this: DECEMBER 2013
by David BaldacciSeries: The Camel Club
Read: December 29, 2013
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I had a little bit of trouble keeping some of the characters and their motives straight but once I got settled in, I couldn't put it down. Will read more of this series for sure.
JANUARY 2014
by Chelsea CainSeries: Gretchen Lowell & Archie Sheridan
Read: January 16, 2014
Rating: ★★★★✩
First-time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: What a F-ed up relationship.
"Because what could be more calming than spending quality time with a woman who repeatedly drove a nail into your chest?" Indeed...
Well, this was a really good book and to me, a unique and interesting insight into the relationship between a serial killer and the one victim she released. Except, he's not really free, is he? I'm definitely reading more of this series.
Also read in January:
★★★★✩ - will continue
★★★★✩ - will continue
March 2014
Title/Author: To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Legend of the Four Soldiers
Read: March 21
Rating: ★★★★☆
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: (spoilers!!) I liked Emeline and Samuel together, although it really bothered me that they had sex while she was still engaged to someone else. Not really a big deal in the long run but it was too much like cheating for my tastes.
Updated Ezinwanyi's List on Post 19: APRIL 2014:
Title/Author:
by Courtney MilanSeries: Brothers Sinister
Read: 4/11
Rating: ★★★★½
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review: Minerva Lane was hiding a secret. She isn't who she says she is and she has been passing in the ton as the niece of two old spinsters. But now someone is investigating her.
See someone has been writing and circulating scandalous pamphlets trying to encourage workers to unionize against their betters and Mr. Stevens thinks that rebel rouser is Minnie Lane. The only thing Minnie can do is figure out the real author of the pamphlets so she can throw Mr. Stevens off the scent of her past before he discovers what she is really hiding.
Minnie's investigation leads her to Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, whom we met in the prequel as the legitimate heir of Clermont. In the prequel, Robert was so miserable to his illegitimate half brother Oliver at their boarding until Robert decided he wanted a brother and they became close.
Robert admits to Minnie that he is indeed the author of the letters, but he tells her that no one will believe her since he is a duke and it's not in his best interest to get the lower class to unionize. But Robert offers her a deal instead--to marry him and become his duchess and they both will be covered.
What's a girl to do, give Mr. Stevens a new suspect or accept the offer of marriage to a man who is doing something that will call attention to her and her past?
This book was good though it took a while to develop. I liked Minnie and I didn't think the past scandal was that bad. What made this book a 4 star for me was Robert's thoughtfulness and need to fix some society wrongs. He was brave and I am glad he stood up for those unable to fight for themselves.
I wish the author told us what became of Minnie's aunts that took care of her despite the secret. I am also glad she reconciled with Lydia, the heroine of the next book as I just started audiobook 1.5.
Also Read (1st in series):
★★★★;
★★★★ ;
★★★½;
★★;
★★★;
MARCH 20144/12
by David BaldacciSeries: John Puller
Read: March 27, 2014
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First-time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I liked it enough to continue the series but I did have to suspend my disbelief a lot.
April 2014 Update 
Title/Author: Mark of the Witch by Maggie Shayne
Series: The Portal Trilogy
Read: 4/28
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It took a while for me to really get into this book. I think I would have liked it better if Indy hadn't been a lapsed Wiccian. I would have liked her more if she hadn't kept thinking that magic isn't real and all religions are shams. I liked her a lot better by the end of the book, but that really bothered me. I'm not religious at all, but everyone has the right to their beliefs. I think I'll like the next book in the series a lot more.
May 2014 Update
Title/Author: Something About You by Julie James
Series: FBI/US Attorney
Read: May 6, 2014
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I would have liked it better if I hadn't known who the killer really was early on. It would have been okay if I'd guessed who and been right, but there is part of the book that is in the killer's POV and that gives it away. Half the fun of a mystery is not knowing who and trying to guess. Loved Jack and Cameron together, so that almost made up for it.
Is this running again for next year?
Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "Is this running again for next year?"Yes Charlotte, you only have to ask and it shall be done :)
Thank you for setting this one up every year. It would feel weird without this particular challenge. :)
No worries, Cristina. I'll set it up in the next few days, and if I forget, just remind me :D
June 2014 Update
Title/Author: Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts
Series: In the Garden
Read: June 21, 2014
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I could have done with out the whole blue dahlia in her dreams thing. I liked the characters and the setting but the dreams always threw me off.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Wicked Appetite (other topics)Blue Dahlia (other topics)
Blue Dahlia (other topics)
The 5th Wave (other topics)
Blackbirds (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nora Roberts (other topics)Lori Austin (other topics)
James Dashner (other topics)
Julie James (other topics)
Maggie Shayne (other topics)
More...
September Update:
Title/Author: Midnight Marriage by Lucinda Brant
Series: Roxton Series
Read: 10/09
Rating: ★★★
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
* Well written & well edited
* Free on Smashwords
* Cute romance with a misunderstood rakish hero & a different from other girls heroine with a tarnished reputation.
* I liked how the couple overcame all the odds which led to a happy, if typical, ending.