R7: SS "Last Page at Midnight" (3)

[Elle]

I'm going to read the 2nd Harry Potter from page 4 of the Beautiful Covers list

[maria helena]

Not sure which book I will read yet, but it will probably be something from the Beautiful covers list.

Do we need to read the edition/cover that is on the list, or is it ok as long as the title is on the list?

[Cait S]

I don't know if Ezi runs things differently than before, but Jenne's rule was that any edition was fine as long as one of the editions fit and you linked to the edition that met the criteria. You may want to run it by the mods just to make sure that's still how it's done.

[Shan ~A~]

I'm going to read which is the fourth book on the beautiful covers list.

[maria helena]

I will read Countdown by Iris Johansen - 6th in series

[Stacey]

Completion Post: Week 10 Spot 67
Book: by Kiera Cass
Date Finished: 3/20/16
Criteria: #1 on List of Beautiful Covers
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I shouldn't have really liked this one as much as I did. It was kind of a mash up of a bunch of other YA that are out there and that I have read already. And worse--there was a Love Triangle--a huge pet peeve of mine. But the characters were mostly likeable, it was fun learning about the world as the h did, and there was enough interesting that I will probably keep reading the series.

[Elle]

Week 10 Spot 67
Date Finished: 3/20/2016
Rating: ★★★★

Page 4 of the Beautiful Covers list

Review: This is the second book in the Harry Potter series and it was a lot of fun to read just like the first one. Harry Potter is an easily likable character. His friends are great supporting characters and I really appreciate the continuation of the story in terms of the history of Hogwarts. You also learn more about Harry Potter the same time he learns about himself. He is able to speak to snakes. While he recognized this in the first book, he didn't really know the implications of such a trait. The conflicts amongst the different "types" of wizards makes it as relatable as other discriminations common today. The plot uses a similar formula as the last one but getting to the climax is not easily predictable and the story unfolds with much imagination. Looking forward to the 3rd one of the series.

[Cait S]

Cait's Week 10 Review
by Elizabeth May
Date Finished: 3/22/2016
Star Rating: ★★★★★

Love, love, loved this. I've been getting burned by YA fantasy/romance for a while now. It's all so cliche and bland as oatmeal. The same story told over and over again with the same predictable endings. This, however, was different.

I've read a few reviews saying this is super similar to Karen Marie Moning's Darkfever series, but as I've never read that I can only speak to this book. I enjoyed all the characters, I enjoyed the story, I even SHOCKINGLY enjoyed the romance. It was all done in perfect quantities, not too much of anything. The steampunk setting added just enough without being overwhelming and confusing, while the fae magic did the same.

Kiaran was everything. Derrick was everything. Hell, even Aileana was everything. I truly have no complaints here. The book lacked a Gale Hawthorne for me (which if you know me you know what I mean) but even without that, it's still probably the most entertaining book I've read so far this year. Thrilled to see there's more books in this series!

[Rosina]

Week #10
- A book found on the Beautiful Covers Shelf - page 8

Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead
Finished March 21/16
4 stars

Review: I really enjoyed this story. The world and take on the vampires were different from any kind that I have read before. I thought the comparison of current day teenagers and struggles was done quite well. First book I have read that addresses the issue of cutting. The characters were believable, there were parts that had me laughing and I love it when an author can write in such a way that makes me laugh. I plan to continue with the series and the spinoff series.

[maria helena]

WEEK #10 (SPOT #67)



Book: Countdown by Iris Johansen
Date: 3/22/2016
Criteria: Eve Duncan #6
Rating: ★★★
Review: This was the sixth book in the Eve Duncan series (which I've been reading out of order). Once again, Eve's adoptive daughter is the target of a madman due to her resemblance to Cira, a woman living in Herculaneum 2000 years ago. I didn't think this one was one of the better books of the series, but I did like the return of Mark Trevor from Blind Alley where the story arc about Cira started.

[Joeera]

Week 10 Friday ( Beautiful Cover p, 2 )


Shiver ( by ) Maggie Stiefvater


( r-f-Mar 18 -19 )



Rated 5 stars



Review



This book is a beautiful tail about two worlds. A love so strong that you'd do anything to keep it. The characters were such a joy to read about, l got caught up in there stories this was a love story between two soul mates.

[Cait S]

Good morning, everyone.

Unfortunately, we're still missing Shan's review so I can't do our roll. We used up our free pass a few weeks ago so if she doesn't post by midnight tonight, we're going to be out for the week.

Shan, please check in and let us know what to expect. Do you think you'll be finished in time?

[Rosina]

The game will be done next week.....
I was looking at team rolls so far for this week and there is one team sitting on 100.....

So if Shan doesn't check in we don't read for this week, we would roll next week is that correct?

[Cait S]

If the game is over next week, no, we wouldn't roll. When someone hits 100 and finishes correctly, then the game is done and no one has to keep going.

So more than likely this would be our last week of reading together if we got Shan's review. If we don't get her review, then we're done.

[Stacey]

:( Since we clearly aren't going to win, and it's probably the last week, can't we just roll for the heck of it to finish it out? I'd hate to miss the last week.

[Cait S]

You'd have to ask Ezi. If it were up to me, I'd definitely like to do that. In all my rounds of playing this game, I've never missed a week due to missing reviews. It would be a super bummer to end the game this way when we've all put in so much time :/

[Stacey]

I threw it up on the Q&A thread. The worst she can say is no, right?

[Rosina]

Cait wrote: "You'd have to ask Ezi. If it were up to me, I'd definitely like to do that. In all my rounds of playing this game, I've never missed a week due to missing reviews. It would be a super bummer to end..."

I agree....we have no chance of winning so it shouldn't matter but then rules are rules....

[Cait S]

Yeah. I honestly don't mind not winning, but I really can't stand not competing. You know? Like I hate not showing up and doing the best we can, regardless of whether or not we win. So not rolling a week would be...not my favorite thing to have happen. This is a tough game for that reason. You are relying on 4-6 other people to show up and do their part too, it's not just you.

[Stacey]

Ezi says we can roll!

[Cait S]

Woohoo! Getting the post going right now.

[Cait S]

Week #11
What We Rolled: 11
We Are On Spot: 78
What You Can Read:
- #7 in a series
- #8 in a series
- #78 in a series
- A book with no people on the cover

Cait- I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan :: No People :: Review
Joeera-
Sha- The Summons by John Grisham :: No People :: Review
Stacey- Confess by Colleen Hoover :: No People
Maria Helena- The Absent One by Jussi Adler-Olsen :: No People
Shan-
Rosina- Undertow by Michael Buckley :: No People :: Review

[Cait S]

Where were those 11s all the other weeks!? Sheesh.

I'm going to read by Rachel Vincent, which is #7 in a series. And actually the last book in this series! I almost never finish out series (they take me forever) so this is exciting!

[maria helena]

I will read for a book with no people on the cover.

I'm moving on Thursday so I might not be able to finish this one on time, but I will try.

[Rosina]

I will read a book with no people on the cover...just not sure which one....

[Elle]

Yay! I am so happy we can at least finish the game with our last roll. I'm going to read a book with no people on the cover... by John Grisham

[Shan ~A~]

I am finished, but I just got home from work, so I am going to post my book as soon as I get a chance to use the rest room, wash my hands, and get me something to drink.

I am not going to apologize for not posting earlier, because I go to work early and get off late. Yesterday I didn't have a chance to log on at all.

Was about to do this first, but now it will have to wait a few minutes more.

[Cait S]

Everyone has busy lives. That's something to consider before you sign up for team challenges where other people depend on you...

[Stacey]

I'm going to read for the option with no people on the cover. Apparently not many of us have books 7 and 8 laying around. :)

[Shan ~A~]

Cait wrote: "Everyone has busy lives. That's something to consider before you sign up for team challenges where other people depend on you..."

I have done plenty of team challenges and have never missed a deadline. I didn't realize their was a certain time that we had to post. Just as long as it was posted on Friday. Well were I live it is just now 8pm. Friday is not over with yet.

[Cait S]

Do what you gotta do, Shan. I'm not going to argue with you.

[Rosina]

Week #11
- A book with no people on the cover

I will read
Frostbite - Richelle Mead

[Elle]

Week 11 Spot 78
Date Finished: 3/26/2016
Rating: ★

by John Grisham

Review: This is my 10th John Grisham book and it was surprisingly horrible. John Grisham is one of my favorite authors and I am convinced that he loaned his name to an aspiring writer and let them have a go at a story. There is no way he wrote this book. I am still in awe. The story is about a dying judge who has asked his only two sons to come home to discuss his final will, etc. He's dead when they get there and there is a ton of money found by one of the brothers. The money is not included in the will and it's unaccounted for. The plot line is not bad but the execution was just so amateur. Oh well, I guess I was due to be disappointed by one of his books since I've enjoyed them all so far.

I hope you all have a good Easter. It was a fun game as always even though we didn't win. :D

[Rosina]

sorry Sha you didn't enjoy Grisham I use to read him faithfully but nothing in the last 8 years I'm guessing. yes it has been a fun team challenge and as usual added many more to my Neverending towering TBR.

[Cait S]

Oh no! I'm sorry you had to finish out the game on a 1 star book. That's such a bummer.

Thanks for playing with us, Sha! I hope you enjoy your Easter weekend.

[Cait S]

Cait's Week 11 Review
by Lois Duncan
Date Finished: 3/27/2016
Star Rating: ★★★

This was a short, fun read. I don't think there's ever really any question about who is doing the stalking and such, but somehow the story still caught and kept my attention. I think I was hoping for a bit more gore than I got? The ending seemed a bit nicey-nice, considering. But still enjoyable.

[Rosina]

Changed my book.

Week #11
- A book with no people on the cover

Book:
Undertow - Michael Buckley
Date Finished: 3/29/16
Rating: 4 stars

Review: I had picked this book up at the library to fit in another challenge that needed the letter U in a spell out. I was very pleasantly surprised. This book is the start of a YA trilogy and is about a race of beings that comes to earth who are water creatures. Think humanoid squid, toads, eels,etc. This story dealt with racism and handled it very well. There is the usual love triangle and angst. The supporting characters were well done. The MC Lyric is half human and half siren but no one knew this as she had only found out 3 years ago. Her mom was one of the original Alphas to arrive and if it was known that she was one of the Alphas the whole family would be sent to a camp and experiments would be done on them. At the school they are attempting to integrate the Alpha children into high school. The governor and the group called the Niners are against integration. There are battles where some are killed or harmed. The end of the story is a bit of a cliffhanger. It was a page turner and I wanted to know the fate of some of the characters. Checked out book 2 but will have to wait to 2017 for the last one.

[Stacey]

Completion Post: Week #11 Spot 78
Book: by Colleen Hoover
Date Finished: 3/31/16
How it Fits: Book with no people on the cover
Rating: 2 stars
Review: This is the first Colleen Hoover book I've read, but I have heard nothing but good things about her writing. I had a lot of trouble with this book. The writing was truly lovely, but the plot reminded me of an old Danielle Steel novel in that it was trauma after obstacle after trial for the 2 main characters. And the way she handled a certain situation still makes me want to toss the book at the wall. Added to the endless internal dialogue/drama and I just really couldn't like it.

I guess we are done! Hope to see you all on the next round. :)

[maria helena]

I won't be able to finish my last book on time, but it was great playing on a team with you all!

[Cait S]

No worries, Maria Helena! The game officially ended yesterday anyway so you're all free ;) Thanks for playing with us!

[Joeera]

It was great playing this round with you gals

[Cait S]

You too, Joeera! It was lovely having you on our team. Se you around, I'm sure!