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Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R12: Team #8 ~ Vor8ious Readers
New2You Series Space
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Finished: October 7, 2015
Series: Bloodlines, #1
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Number of pages: 421
This series spins-off a character from her Vampire Academy books—Sydney who is (view spoiler) that I found interesting. I went into series "blind" without reading reviews or synopses just because with the Vampire Academy books I got way too many spoilers just in book descriptions nevermind friend reviews and posts. (Spoiler tags in these comments are only spoilers for readers who haven't read VA books.)
That going in blind had mixed results because I would otherwise have known they were assigning Sydney as an undercover student at the high school they were hiding Jill (view spoiler) who is now the target of assassins. Adrian is nearby because (view spoiler).
I like the writing and aspects of story and characters are interesting. So, I'll still read on in the series via library borrow, but in no hurry.
I wasn't in the mood for a high school setting. Frankly, they mellowed Sydney and Adrian way too much. Everyone seemed way younger than in VA books. The bad guys were pretty force fed to the reader to add to the "rebelling against authority" aspect of Sydney's character and made that less interesting plus adding a serial killer mystery to solve (mystery not my bag and not what I was expecting even in a small piece for this book). I was already liking her character and agreeing with her motivations -- no reason to dump her in with high school setting and glom on how wrong/bad the bad guys and others were. Stereotypical "after-school special" style bullies, sibling quarrels, crushes and mean girls ... which thankfully weren't main focus of book or I would have DNF'ed and picked another for the shelf call.
Did I mention how this series
(I do use the goodreads star rating scale where ★★☆☆☆ means book was average/okay unlike Amazon where ★★★☆☆ means book was average/okay.)
Nichole wrote: "I have the attention span of a gnat and keep starting books only to put them down after 30 pgs. or ..."I've got a few started that way. And some later books in series I'm slogging through a chapter at a time between other reads because (a) at a grim or unpleasant part or (b) started recycling previous books in series and/or moving around map points (I swear one is now one set of characters boards a ship, debarks to find inn, other set of characters boards another ship to chase them, also debarks to find inn, next chapter repeats -- and not even debarking in interesting ports/nations with stuff happening other than provisioning to board next ship ...).
Easy to get distracted by book sites like this, all the posts from friends of what sound like way more interesting books, all those downloaded samples ...
Just checking in n shelf day ...
Sorry Ladies!! I'm almost finished with my book, should have it finished this evening and the review up. I've been very Blah this week.
For "Reader's Choice" I'm reading:
Fable: Blood of Heroes by Jim C. Hines. (I know it's the characters from a video game I've never played but it's supposed to be in the vein of his Jig books which is exactly what I'm in the mood for.)
Shelf #14 ~ 14 Oct: Reader's ChoiceRead a book: of your choice (over 200 pages)
Shelf: New2You SeriesBook:
by Seanan McGuireFinished: 10/14/15
Rating:★★★
Verity Price just wants to be a professional ballroom dancer and leave the family business behind. However, when female Cryptids start disappearing, strange lizard men are in the tunnels and there's a rumor of a Dragon sleeping under Manhattan she trades in her dancing shoes.
This was a pretty cute start to what I think will be a fun series. There was humor, action, a bit of romance and all kinds of unusual supernaturals (Cryptids). I enjoyed it and plan to see where things go from here.
Shelf #13 ~ 7 Oct: New2You series 4/4D.A.: Bloodlines 10/7/2015, ★★, Review
Elizabeth: Daughter of the Blood, 10/10/2015, ★★★★, Review
Melissa: A Stone in the Sea, 10/11/2015, ★★★★, Review
Nichole: Discount Armageddon, 10/14/2015, ★★★ Review
Nichole wrote: "Shelf: New2You SeriesBook: Discount Armageddon ...
Verity Price just wants to be a professional ballroom dancer a..."
I liked that one and it had some chuckles. The series doesn't keep same M.C. so I haven't been that anxious to continue series.
Reader's Choice book - I will wait until Fri and use whatever book I need for my other team challenge. I will update y'all on Friday. I'm hoping to get to
CONGRATULATIONS, Vor8ious Readers!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'new2you series'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Anyone else doing the worldwide Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon this Saturday? http://www.24hourreadathon.com (goodreads group for is https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )
Congrats on the stamp V8 Readers!Nope Debbie, its a bit too hard logistically for me to do it. What with the hubby wanting attention and stuff to do :)
I'm sure you'll enjoy it though.
Where I think we are with potential wins:
| 
| 
6 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 already stamped.
This week's "Reader's Choice" call will get 5-of-9 for rightmost "+" pattern.
No readathon for me either. However, I did finish my book today but I'm too tired to write a review so I'll do it tomorrow.
D.A.—Shelf! Shelf! Shelf! wrote: "Where I think we are with potential wins:| |
6 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 9 already stamped.
This week's "Reader's Choice" call will get 5-of-9 for rightmost "+" pattern."
Team#2 is closer to a potential win with 8/9 in one pattern but they have stamped only 5/9 so far.
Teams #4, 5, 9, 13, 14 have 7/9 in one pattern and team#12 7/9 in two patterns.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
Shelf: Reader's ChoiceBook:
Finished: 10/15/15
Rating:★★★★
We finally get the long awaited showdown with Gin and MMM-2.0! This time things were a little different with Madeline attacking all of Gin's friends/family at the same time. She's a crafty B though and took a different approach. She didn't challenge them with her elemental powers but by causing trouble through their work or school and leaving them scrambling to try and fix it with little hope of success.
This book was really exciting! Gin shows all of her enemies just what it means to go up against The Spider. There is one little piece of info that we get towards the end that I'm not too excited about though. I actually groaned when it was revealed and I hope to never see it come back and haunt her. Until then, I'm curious to see how Gin will handle her new position in the Ashland Underworld.
D.A.—Shelf! Shelf! Shelf! wrote: "Anyone else doing the worldwide Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon this Saturday? http://www.24hourreadathon.com (goodreads group for is https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/......"Not this time - wish I could though. Good luck!
Will they say when the next one for April is being planned or not til closer?
Nichole wrote: "Shelf: Reader's ChoiceBook:
Finished: 10/15/15
Rating:★★★★
We finally get the long awaited showdown with Gin and MMM-2.0! This time things were a little different..."
Glad you liked it!
~Melissa~ wrote: "Will they say when the next one for April is being planned or not til closer? ..."Not sure, this is my first one. I presume they'll keep same website.
~Melissa~ wrote: "Reader's Choice ~ going with Eighth Grave After Dark"I've head mixed things about it, including that the ending makes up for some issues.
D.A.—Shelf! Shelf! Shelf! wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Reader's Choice ~ going with Eighth Grave After Dark"I've head mixed things about it, including that the ending makes up for some issues."
we'll see - I've really loved the series so far but IMO in every series I read there is always one book that isn't as good or they do something to change things up. Hoping it's not this one :)
Shelf: Reader's Choice
Finished: 10/17/15
Rating: 3.5-3.75♥
Review: So this starts up a few months after the last book. Reyes and Charley are hiding out on hallowed ground so the hell hounds can't get to them. Charley is very pregnant. Ubie and Cookie are getting married. Charley has had a case fall into her lap and Reyes is keeping things from her. Charley is also keeping things from him. Stepmother dearest is there as well along with sister. We get to 'see' her Dad's ghost as well. As much fun as it is to be in Charley's world this one just felt kind of off to me. Something's could have been resolved if Charley and Reyes talked. Not sure how they all missed (view spoiler). Some other interesting happenings occurred to further the storyline. Ending - I hate cliffhangers. Next book not out til January.
I've finished mine but won't be posting until Dewey's Readathon ends.
I'm halfway through mine but I'll be busy for the next couple of days, so I'll probably finish it by Wednesday.
D.A.—Completed Dewey's Readathon wrote: "I've finished mine but won't be posting until Dewey's Readathon ends."How did your read a thon go? I was thinking about you on Saturday :)
I'm still sleepy and playing catchup. It was first time I did that one; I enjoyed it but there were a lot more potential activities associated with it than I was expecting between their website, booklikes, goodreads, Reading Rainbow and Twitter -- I think I'll do it again next year if dates work out but will plan ahead for what participation I want to make instead of being surprised by activities often after too late to join in. I didn't see participation from Leafmarks but their groups are pretty basic and if I hadn't followed/friended participants there I wouldn't have seen the activity.I napped whenever I felt like it. I think I read more pages and books outside of Readathon tha during. I finished four, loved three and was disappointed in one that still wasn't that bad.
D.A.—Completed Dewey's Readathon wrote: "I'm still sleepy and playing catchup. It was first time I did that one; I enjoyed it but there were a lot more potential activities associated with it than I was expecting between their website, go..."I know when I did it a few years ago. I did my own thread just in the site on here for keeping track of my reading. Only participated when I had time to be online but spent most of my day reading. I still had fun even though I didn't 'particpate' as much in the group stuff - was just nice to sit and read. I think kids and hubby were away for the day for something for it to work out for me IIRC.
Glad you enjoyed it Debbie!
@Debbie ~ forgot to say - nice job finishing 4 books and loving 3 out of 4 is not too shabby :)
Oops -- totally destroyed this post copying something over to round 13. This was a fun adventure with a great cast of characters. I'm not familiar with Fable franchise/games to discuss if true to that world-building or gameplay; I was reading because a new release from a favorite author that promised to be more along the lines of one of my all time favorite series by him (The Legend of Jig Dragonslayer). It delivered as promised. Was a perfect start for my first time participation in last Saturday's Dewey's Readathon.
Books based on video games have always been hit or miss with me depending on whether they just read like game actions/instructions or had a real story -- this one had story with true heroes despite the humor. No idea if will be a series or not; I hope so unless a series where too many authors are used to have a good continuity.
Just checking in on shelf day. I probably won't be back online to see actual shelf call until later tonight. But, I haven't forgotten and will pick book later tonight.
The shelf is up!Shelf #15 ~ 21 Oct: Coupledom
Read a book: featuring a couple on the cover
Shelf # 15 ~ Coupledom I will read
Shelf #15 ~ 21 Oct: CoupledomI think I'll go with
Crap, another cover one for "Bookshelf" BINGO. I'll change my ereader displays to show covers after I get home to them; I'm on mobile devices and there's no bookshelf link to easily click and search for this one.
D.A.—Shelf! Shelf! Shelf! wrote: "Crap, another cover one for "Bookshelf" BINGO. I'll change my ereader displays to show covers after I get home; I'm on mobile devices and there's no bookshelf link to easily click and search for ..."
LOL - too funny - I know I personally hate the mobile app :)
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead will be my read. (I double checked with mods that couple pictured did not have to be romantically involved).Came thru via library ebook waitlist ... the first one was a bit disappointing by shoving Sydney back in high school but these books are like candy you know is bad for you but still eat ...
"but these books are like candy you know is bad for you but still eat ..."I like that! I have a couple of series like that, lol. I FINALLY gave up on one of them but it keeps popping up and I'm tempted to try just one more time...
Coupledom Space
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Finished: October 21, 2015
Series: Bloodlines, #2
Rating: ★★½☆☆
Number of pages: 319
Get out the popcorn. I still like these quick books, still intrigued by Sydney and the whole Alchemist aspect. Finishing in one sitting means I cannot really rate it badly or complain about the writing; but, I did have mixed reactions to this one.
Pro: Did get to see more of Sydney's abilities. And the lack of social experience made for some funny moments, including the short-lived mini-me dating Trey sucked her into. Dimitri showed up with Sonya Karp to do pull Adrian in on the research on Strigoi and why Dimitri cannot be turned again. The high school setting took major backseat.
Con: No one really seemed themselves. Dimitri and Adrian as researchers was just odd. High school stuff was still odd for the storyline. Made odder by Sydney being moved away from Jill (Eddie and others sent to protect her still away from her even if boarding school campus) and an unfamiliar to Moroi powers-that-be (and completely untrained although Eddie tasked with training her) keeper chick, Angeline (?), now rooming with and body guarding Jill. Hard enough to swallow then add Dimitri not questioning or improving security measures on campus, at Adrian's apartment and out at the old Moroi's estate even after several incidents ... just couldn't suspend disbelief enough to go with that or adult out-of-nest-ran-alchemist-territories-alone Sydney in teenage mode (the dating and couple of kisses were fine just other aspects jarred). Cult-ish villains (view spoiler) spring up out of nowhere. Sydney's general,acceptance of all kinds of shit and no one seeing anything coming ...
I'll read the next. Still interesting characters, alchemists and magic. Mentions Marcus Finch a renegade alchemist (not villain like Keith) so more conspiracy stuff like the cultish villains which I'm not fond of. (Hopefully not a love triangle with Sydney/Marcus/Adrian forthcoming after mess of Jill/Micah/Eddie/Angeline stuff this volume made). Good, easy reads with problems and stuff I don't always like but free library borrows so I'll finish.
Wow - you are quick Debbie - sorry you didn't like it that much.I have two books to finish before I can start mine
Shelf: Reader's choice
Finished: 10/22/2015
Rating: 3-3.5 stars
I am a bit disappointed by this installment. I expected Éibhear's and Izzy's romance to be awesome but unfortunately it wasn't and it covered a small part of the book, which was dedicated to the three cousins and the rest of the family, setting up the next three books, I suppose.
Shelf #14 ~ 14 Oct: Reader's choice 4/4D.A.: Fable: Blood of Heroes, 10/17/2015, ★★★★, Review
Elizabeth: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy, 10/22/2015, ★★★, Review
Melissa: Eighth Grave After Dark, 10/17/2015, 3.5-3.75★, Review
Nichole: Black Widow, 10/15/2015, ★★★ Review
~Melissa~ wrote: "Wow - you are quick Debbie - sorry you didn't like it that much.I have two books to finish before I can start mine"
Mine wasn't all bad and moved along nicely. ★★★☆☆ for me (meaning I use goodreads scale, not Amazon's) means I did "like" it; just some mixed parts were better and worse.
Elizabeth wrote: "Shelf: Reader's choice How to Drive a Dragon Crazy...I am a bit disappointed by this installment. I expected Éibhear's and Izzy's romance..."
*wince* sorry yours wasn't a hit either.
D.A.—Shelf! Shelf! Shelf! wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Wow - you are quick Debbie - sorry you didn't like it that much.I have two books to finish before I can start mine"
Mine wasn't all bad and moved along nicely. ★★★☆☆ for me (mea..."
I'm using GR rating, as well. I liked it but it wasn't great, I expected more :(
CONGRATULATIONS, Vor8ious Readers!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'reader's choice'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
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Bleeding Stars series #1
By A L Jackson
Finished 10/11/15
4♥'s
Review: this is my first book by this author. New Adult genre which is not always my cuppa but I really liked this one. I listened on audio. Oh my Sebastian York is panty melting killer as Baz - Sebastian Stone!! Andi Arndt is sweet as the very southern Shea Bentley. Sebastian has left California along with his bandmates to 'lay low' in Savannah for a break from being in the limelight after assault charges are filed against Sebastian. Laying low goes right out the window when he meets Shea Bentley. They are both keeping secrets - will they meld them together or pull them apart?? Ends on a cliffhanger....which I hate! I really enjoyed getting to know all the secondary characters as much as Baz and Shea. I hope she is planning books for all the boys as well as Shea's girls.