R13: Team #4 ~ Two-Squared

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Two-Squared!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'guilty pleasures'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp 2sq!

[Suzanne]

Thanks! Good job everyone!

[☘KathyD☘]

awesome!!
i'm going with for urban fantasy! =)

[Leah]

Excited to see your review, Kathy. I've always said I should start the Dresden series, but have never committed. Seems like everyone else I know is on Book 10 or something like that!!

I'm almost done my urban fantasy read, I should have my review up later tonight.

I have out from the library right now. If it doesn't fit this week's shelf, then I will probably read it quickly first as my Free Space book.

[☘KathyD☘]

i don't know that i would have started the dresden files if i hadn't heard james marsters (spike from buffy the vampire slayer) was the narrator! the first book was awesome though, so i'm glad to have a reason to move on to book two!

i can't wait to hear your thoughts on the beast! i'm hoping to maybe sneak it during may! =)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

SHELF ANNOUNCEMENTS

As many of you may remember I was facing Jury Duty for May. I've been excused on the grounds of pathetic public transport & the 2.3km (I think about 1.5 miles) walk to my nearest bus stop. Yay!

So, I will continue to post the shelf announcements and Judithe is off the hook.

Saying that, do you want them to be at this time or 1 hour earlier, in whichever time zone you are? Please comment either way in the discussion thread.

[Leah]

For the urban fantasy shelf:



Archangel's Shadows by Nalini Singh

Date Read: April 27, 2016
Rating: 4 stars

Much improvement over the last book in this series! I will say the love story was actually not the biggest part of this novel, but it was still well done. A slow build between Janvier and Ash, our two main characters. However, the highlight of the story is all the other characters we get to see! This isn't a series you can start midway through anymore - the best part is hearing all these little snippets about characters from all the previous novels.

[Leah]

Also new shelf - Sci Fi Romance!!

Link to shelf is here: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Suzanne]

Thanks for posting that Leah.

For Urban Fantasy, I'm going to read:

For Sci Fi Romance, I'm going to read ...I think :)

[Carrie]

So this should be an interesting list of books to look through, I can soo see my library/actual to buy wishlist getting larger after I look through it.

[Leah]

For the Free Space, I found this on the group bookshelf:



The Beast by J. R. Ward

Date Read: May 1, 2016
Rating: 3.5 stars

I feel like I'm opposite of most J.R. Ward fans in that I really enjoy all the new characters and subplots she's introduced in the past few books. As a result, I was nervous that I wouldn't like this book because the main storyline is an old couple who already had their happy ending. I want new couples!

My worries were partly right. Although the story was well done, it just lacked the tension and sexual chemistry of a new couple. I did really (again) like all the subplots. Assail is turning into one of my favorite characters.

[Suzanne]

Oh very nice getting that done! I will get things updated on the list later tonight.

I've never read any J.R. Ward, but I keep hearing about her. I think I need to check her out.

[Leah]

And I think for Sci fi romance, I will read ... Doesn't sound Sci fi to me, but 19 people gave shelved it that way!! It's on my owned but unread list.

[Suzanne]

That's a huge series- so if you enjoy it you will have discovered like 40 new books to read :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Not sci-fi but it is set in the future, with lots of gadgets etc etc. But the mysteries are really good, and Eve & Roarke are delicious.

[☘KathyD☘]

finished my urban fantasy book!

, Jim Butcher – 5/2/16 – ✮✮✮✮✰
I didn’t like this book as much as the first. It was a bit convoluted for me. I missed Murphy since she wasn’t a huge part of the story and Bob, because who doesn’t love a spirit inside a skull! The basis of the werewolf story worked for me, but the execution was off. I will say, though, the last chapters were excellent…loved seeing Harry in his magical element!

[☘KathyD☘]

i'm going with for sci-fi =)

[Leah]

Suzanne wrote: "That's a huge series- so if you enjoy it you will have discovered like 40 new books to read :)"

I saw that the series is huge, which is both enticing and daunting -- I already have a big enough to-read list!!!!! :-)

[Carrie]

Leah wrote: "And I think for Sci fi romance, I will read ... Doesn't sound Sci fi to me, but 19 people gave shelved it that way!! It's on my owned but unread list."

I've read the first 2 book is that series and I enjoyed them.

[Suzanne]

I think I have everything updated in Post 6 with the reviews linked - be sure to let me know if I missed anything!

I'm super tempted to switch to a JD Robb book for Sci-Fi Romance.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

SHELF ANNOUNCEMENTS


All the comments have been either earlier shelf call or it doesn't matter cause you'll be asleep etc.

So shelf calls will now be 1 hour earlier, starting this week.

If in doubt, they will be 7.30am Thursday Sydney time.
Converter is here

[Carrie]

Just requested my sc-fi romance book from the library, it is currently in transit so I'll get it sometime during the week.
The book is

[Suzanne]

Oh nice Carrie.

[☘KathyD☘]

...and I finished my sci-fi book also! =)

, J.D. Robb – 5/3/16 – ✮✮✮✮✮
What an emotional roller coaster! I so love Eve and Roarke, and each book brings another layer of their relationship into view. While this book didn’t really focus on the two of them as a couple, they were together a lot (quite a few sexy times!) and worked well as true partners. Eve had quite a few emotional punches and dished a few out herself. She becomes a bit more human with each book, shedding the stoic, no nonsense cop for the complex, lovely woman that she is. The overall crime story was put together well. I enjoyed that this one didn’t seem as cut and dry as previous cases. On to the next!

[Suzanne]

Nice Kathy - you are on a roll with those books and reviews. I'm glad that was a good one!

[☘KathyD☘]

Suzanne wrote: "Nice Kathy - you are on a roll with those books and reviews. I'm glad that was a good one!"

Thanks! I've been lucky that most of the shelves include books already on my reading list for the month! =)

[Suzanne]

Our newest shelf is Hunter.
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

The above shelf has several pages of kids books - lol not sure how Berenstein Bears are hunters. Anyway, we can also use this shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Looks like some fun choices!

[Suzanne]

I think I'm going to read for Hunter - I just got it on audible last week, and it is on the list!

(And I just finished my last audiobook).

[Suzanne]

Ironically I started another "Hunter" book 2 days ago - so it won't count for this shelf, but... that's ok! Woof iwill be a good one - and I needed another book to listen to :)

[Carrie]

Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Book:
Read: May 4th
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Jane Yellowrock, is a skinwalker and the only one of her kind that she knows of. No one other then her best friend Molly and, an earth witch, and Molly's family know what she is.

She is a rogue vampire hunter by trade and in this first novel of the series she has been hired by one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans to hunt down a vamp (offensive to term btw) who has been killing other vampires and cops.

Skinwalker had moments where I found myself, skimming the page because it wasn't holding my attention then having to go back and re-read the skimmed words. This happened at times when Jane was in her beast form (Beast what Jane calls it when she's in shifted into her cat form). It was the short clipped sentences of Jane's thoughts when in her "beast" form that made me feel sluggish when reading. I like the authors way of make the beast think in non human way but those moments dragged on and made my mind wander. Never fun to have to re-read sections because you get distracted each time the main character is in her other form.

That being said I did enjoy the story over all, and I am interested in continuing on with the series. Who knows perhaps as I read more I'll adjust to the beast and her thoughts.

[Suzanne]

That's a great review Carrie - I like your insights about the beast form and how that changed the way you read a bit. :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Due to all the kids books on the Hunter shelf we have also approved using the Hunters shelf.

So with my Ninja powers I decree that you can use either shelf:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/... or https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Suzanne]

We got an additional hunter shelf to use - I posted it above as well. So two shelves to peruse.

I will try to finish my urban fantasy book soon. I'm grading finals now - but my biggest class is finished. I cannot wait to be done!!

[Suzanne]

And....I may change my hunter book to if my library reserve comes in.

[Suzanne]

Thanks for using your ninja powers Sandra!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

;)

[☘KathyD☘]

i found a couple of books that will work on the first link, but i was surprised by how many children's books were on it...the second list gave me a few more choices, as well! =)

[Leah]

For hunters, I'm going to read . One person marked it as 'hunters', thank goodness.

I actually still haven't started my sci fi romance one, so I might read this one first (it's one I've been waiting to read impatiently!!).

[Suzanne]

Oh nice Leah!! I can't wait to see what you think of it. Thank you "hunters" reader!

[Suzanne]

Oh I checked - #2 in that series is also marked by one person as hunters. Wow...decisions decisions.

[Suzanne]

Review: Shelf #5 Urban Fantasy


Book: Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
Date Read: 5/7/2016
Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: I own (but haven't read) several of the later books in the series, and this challenge inspired me to start the first. I'm glad I did, and I'm sure I will continue on.

The main character Gin is competent and skilled and pretty kick-ass. I also liked the world that it is set in, and the idea of elemental magic. There is LOTS still to explore.

The only thing I didn't like was the relationship between Gin and her "love" interest. He pretty much expressed his hatred of her constantly. I didn't feel any sparks from their non-sexual interactions.

[Suzanne]

Our Completed Urban Fantasy Shelf
Shelf #5 - Urban Fantasy
Suzanne Review
Leah Review
Carrie Review
Kathy Review

[Carrie]

My hunter(s) book is

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Two-Squared!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'UF'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp 2sq!

[Leah]

Suzanne wrote: "The only thing I didn't like was the relationship between Gin and her "love" interest. He pretty much expressed his hatred of her constantly. I didn't feel any sparks from their non-sexual interactions."

Suzanne, you'll be happy to know that the love interest in the first book doesn't stick around too long - I didn't like that relationship either. For such a smart girl, I didn't understand why she would be dating someone who so obviously disliked the core of her personality.

And yay for stamps!

[Leah]

For the hunters shelf:



Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Date Read: May 10th, 2016
Rating: 4 stars

I just love this series. I can't even put my finger precisely on what it is that I like so much compared to other fantasy series, but this one just does it for me. The stories are such a perfect mixture of simple problems and complex plots. It's just right.

The only thing that bumped this down a star for me was that we had a lot of human viewpoints (chapters) in this novel, and less from the Others (the non-human shifters and other creatures). I liked the balance a bit better in the earlier books.

Overall, a great story - and one where major events happened that will change all the future books in this series - so I don't want to give anything away. And now I have to wait until March of next year to find out what happens!!!

[Suzanne]

Leah I'm so glad you told me that - it makes me happier to continue on with the series!!

And nice review. Do you know how long the Bishop series is going to be? I think the first book I read (and it was for this challenge) is still my favorite 2016 book.

[Leah]

Suzanne wrote: "Leah I'm so glad you told me that - it makes me happier to continue on with the series!!

And nice review. Do you know how long the Bishop series is going to be? I think the first book I read (and ..."

I know that there's a fifth book scheduled for release next year, but I haven't heard any books planned for after that. The main storyline of humans versus the Others is wrapping up, so I could see her ending it after five books, even though that would make me sad. It's such a big world -- she could write stories forever about it if she wanted!!