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R8: SSS Team Order of the Phoenix (5)
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Sarah
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Aug 13, 2016 07:40PM
I will be finishing my book tomorrow.
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Roll: #9 (Thursday) 36, 3rd in a series
Book: Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
Pages: 230
Read: 8.14.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I really like Rachel Caine! I loved her Weather Warden series which is UF, and the spin-off to that series. I read the first two books in this series a while ago (which I feel like I say a lot, but when you read so many series it happens). It's so different from other YA vampire books! Not romanticized at all. The vampires can be ultra creepy, especially if they're a little off their rocker.
Midnight Alley is all about choices. Claire has to deal with the consequences of being Protected. Michael has to deal with becoming a Vampire. Shane has to decide if he wants to be like his anti-vamp dad, or something different. Consequences are unavoidable. Claire is supposed to be the innocent one, the one that needs to be protected by the others in her group, but what happens when she's forced to become a shield?
The depth of this series was increased in this book, and I really like where Caine is taking it. There is a mix of mythologies that is fascinating. I really enjoy when authors put a new spin on an old idea. It's innovative and refreshing. I see now why there are like 15 books in this series. Hopefully I'll get to read the next one very soon.
Disclaimer: the edition I read is a part of a volume featuring the 3rd book and the 4th book which is why it is still on my currently reading shelf.
Sunday RollI rolled a 6, we are now on 42
- 42nd in a series
- 4th in a series
- 2nd in a series
- Alternative: Friendship
Perfect. I'm going to be reading Stars Above, which is technically 4.5 in the series, but works for 4. :) It is 400 pages.
Week 5 - Sunday RollSpot: 42
Alternative: Friendship
Erin - On Vacation
Maya - Stars Above (Lunar Chronicles #4.5) Review
Sarah - Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires #4) Review
Shelby - Sweet Revenge (Sin Brothers #2) Review
I'm really looking forward to it. My mom got it for me for my birthday, after I forced her to read the entire series. :D
Maya wrote: "I'm really looking forward to it. My mom got it for me for my birthday, after I forced her to read the entire series. :D"That's awesome! The series is so good, I'm glad you shared it with her!
Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
finished 8/15/2016
Rating : 5 stars
How it fits : #4.5 (works for 4) in series
All of the stars.
Love love love love love.
I honestly hate anthologies. I don't really get the point of collected short fiction, and I don't enjoy it - with one exception. A collection of short stories about a world I already love. It's why I look forward to eventually getting a hold on an anthology collection of Terry Pratchett.
All that aside, this was everything I wanted and more. I didn't know that some of these stories were a thing! My favorites in this collection were The Little Android because it was lovely and totally unexpected, and Something Old, Something New because I cried literal tears. It's every fan's dream.
Seriously, if you loved The Lunar Chronicles, you NEED to pick this up.
Week 5.5Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanetti
How Fits: Series: #2
Read: (8/17)
Rating: ★★★★★
This is exactly the sort of military suspense style book I like. Sure it's a little instalove-y but I accept it when everything's all thrown together with this kind of intensity. I felt for Matt in all the responsibility he's heaped on his own shoulders in trying to protect his brothers and make sure that they all stay free. Laney was great as well. She's spunky and has things in her past she's not proud of.
This was a great continuation of the series. We get a little further along with the main plot as the guys try to find out what really happened to their brother and work to find the information they need to get the chips removed from their backs that will kill them all shortly. The battle is brewing between the boys and their old commander.
Of course I could see the reveal coming with Laney, but I liked how these two started to fall for each other and how everything came to light. Matt has a hard time with anything being out of his control and there was nothing he could do about how things were shaking out here.
All together this was fun and action packed. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Roll: #10 (Sunday) 42, 4th in a series
Book: Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine
Pages: 215
Read: 8.18.16
Rating: ★★★
Review:
The ending of the last book really led me to believe that this one was going to be much more exciting. While there are some small moments of intense action, there wasn't anything that really surprised me.
Plain and clear, Mr. Bishop is the bad guy. But no one really understands why except for his unexpected arrival in Morganville and his unknown/misunderstood past with Amelie.
This one really left a lot to be desired as far as plot goes. There was some character development. Claire, even though she's 16, acts like more of an adult than her house mates who are adults. But she does have her moments where her age gets the best of her and she does something that is completely expected of someone who hasn't seen enough of the world.
I really don't know where Caine is taking this, and I'm a little apprehensive to go on. But I do own all the books so I'd like to read them and cross them off my TBR. Series sometimes have their lulls so I'm hoping that's all this is.
Thursday RollI rolled a 2, we are now on 44
- 44th in a series
- 4th in a series
- Alternative: Sequel in a series you've already started. Must have read a book in that series already.
Question. I won't be at a computerr until Monday. Is there any way I can mark it as completed and post when it's due, and then update it with a full review on Monday? Or should I just steal my roommates computer?
Maya wrote: "Question. I won't be at a computerr until Monday. Is there any way I can mark it as completed and post when it's due, and then update it with a full review on Monday? Or should I just steal my room..."This is probably something we need to consult Ezi about, because I don't know.
I messaged Ezi. She said that you don't need a long review, even just a couple sentences would be fine, but that you do need one for us to roll on Sunday. Do you have a smartphone? Goodreads has an app, you can post your review through that if you can access it. The app is free.
I should be able to manage a couple sentences. Just not a long one. I'll make sure to get it read then. :)
Week 6 - Thursday RollSpot: 44
Alternative: Sequel in a series already started
Erin - On Vacation
Maya - Fighting Ruben Wolfe Alternative: Wolfe Brothers #2 Review
Sarah - Beautiful Darkness Alternative: Beautiful Creatures #2 Review
Shelby - Beta Test Alternative: #gaymers #2 Review
Week 6Beta Test by Annabeth Albert
How Fits: Sequel in a Series
Read: (8/19)
Rating: ★★★★½
So this was all things adorable and cute. I love my gamer geek stories. I have a soft spot for nerds of any sort. Tristan and Ravi were perfectly suited for each other but just couldn't see it through their own past experiences.
There's something about being thrown together and forced to work with one another that works without having to put a lot of effort into it. Make that throwing two people together in a confined space, like a truck, and it's inevitable that all the underlying feelings are going to come bubbling up. These two were so cute as the sexual tension built between them. Kissing was bound to happen sooner or later. And they definitely had heat between them.
Frankly I'm loving this series because it is so sweet. They characters are great the story is well written. Really lovely.
Fighting Ruben WolfeFinished 8/20/2016
4 stars
So incredibly better than the first book in this series, by a long shot. FIGHTING RUBEN WOLFE is about two brothers discovering what being brothers is truly about. If you can suffer through the first one, this one's worth reading.
Hi all, I'm back from vacation and ready for tomorrow's roll :)
Roll: #11 (Thursday) 44, Alternate: Sequel in a series already started
Book: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Pages: 506
Read: 8.21.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Lena and Ethan have to deal with the loss of someone important from the first book. Lena starts to pull away from Ethan and he isn't sure if it's because she's still mourning or if it's because she's still stuck between the pull of being a Light Caster or a Dark Caster.
Ethan is haunted by more visions of his hometown of Gatlin. BTW this is the most intensely described setting in a world. It is hard not to read this book and become completely immersed.
The plot was slow at times, but it all had to lead to something. And boy was it really leading up to something! I didn't rate this one as high as the first book because the first book completely stole my breathe away. While this book just didn't live up to that, but it was still better than most sequels in a series.
Sunday RollI rolled a 6, puts us on spot 50.
- 50th in a series
- 5th in a series
- standalone
- Alternative: Fairy Tale Retellings
Week 6 - Sunday RollSpot: 50
Alternative: Fairy Tale Retellings
Erin - Cress (Fairy Tale Retelling) Review
Maya - Fight Club (Standalone) Review
Sarah - Lord of Misrule (Morganville Vampires #5) Review
Shelby - My Prince (Standalone) Review
Week 6 - Sunday RollSpot: 50
Alternative: Fairy Tale Retelling
by Marissa Meyer - Alternative: Fairy Tale Retelling. Pages: 560
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
finished 8/21/2016
Rating : 4 stars
How it fits : standalone
This book, from the writing style alone, gathered a 3 star rating from me. The only thing that bumped it up to a 4 was the incredibly fun afterword.
I was irked on a psychology front, because I don't think that Chuck really did his research when it came to the (view spoiler). Unless he was going for something else, I'm not sure. Either way, it caused more questions than it answered.
As always, though, Chuck Palahniuk has a solid and enjoyable writing style, and I'll continue reading books of his until there are no more to read!
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Finished: 8/22/2016
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Fairytale Retelling.
Pages: 560
I love the characters in these books. They're sci-fi light written for the YA audience, but I find they're much better than a lot of the YA out there right now. They do lack world building which leaves me with more questions at the end of each book, but I'm enjoying them.
In Cress, we're introduced to Thorne and Cress (obviously) and the retelling of Rapunzel in a sci-fi world. We also continue the stories from the previous books and I love all of the women in this. So much fun!
Erin wrote: "Cress by Marissa MeyerFinished: 8/22/2016
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Fairytale Retelling.
Pages: 560
I love the characters in these books. They're sci..."
Scarlet was my favorite! But Cress was second. They are a lot of fun!
Fairest was my favorite overall, closely followed by Cinder. :)
Roll: #12 (Sunday) 50, 5th in a series
Book: Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine
Pages: 244 pages
Read: 8.22.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I don't know how to feel about this series. So many mixed things going on. I was so excited about the beginning of this series, but the further I get into, I don't know what Caine's end game is.
Each book sort of feels like half a book. Could that be why they are put into Omnibus editions? I don't know, but they probably do need to be read together like that.
This one felt like a wild goose chase. Everyone was constantly looking for someone. Someone kept going missing. Amelie and Mr. Bishop are fighting for the claim on Morganville. Amelie has something Mr. Bishop wants, and he'll destroy everything to get it. The most action happened in the last chapter which really moved the rating from a 3 to a 4.
I'm invested now, so I'll continue with the series, but I'm really hoping it becomes what it was in the beginning.
I really liked Cinder, but Cress and Scarlet have been good too. I can't wait to read Winter.About the Morganville Vampires - I remember liking early books in the series, but I eventually gave up. I don't remember why.
Erin wrote: "I really liked Cinder, but Cress and Scarlet have been good too. I can't wait to read Winter.About the Morganville Vampires - I remember liking early books in the series, but I eventually gave up..."
I own all of them, so I really just want to read them all because I bought them.... I'm crossing my fingers for a turn around
Week 6.5My Prince by Anna Martin
How Fits: Stand Alone
Read: (8/24)
Rating: ★★★★
Sappy sweet but somehow satisfying because of it. Sometimes these oh so happy little love stories hit just the right spot and this was lovely. I liked the royalty and peasant angle here as Alex was not overly royal and George was wholesomely lovable.
Two twenty something guys figuring out their life and stepping into their future. They meet, they fall in love, and all other contingencies just don't matter. I liked watching these two guys fall deeper and deeper in love. They were adorable and even their minor blowups you knew would get worked out.
This is definitely one of those feel good stories that did just that made me feel good.
Thursday RollI rolled a 3, puts us on spot 53
- 53rd in a series
- 5th in a series
- 3rd in a series
- Alternative: Title R
Week 7 - Thursday RollSpot: 53
Alternative: Title R
Erin: Duchess By Night (Desperate Duchesses #3) Review
Maya: Zack (Cold Fury Hockey #3) Review
Sarah: Opal (Lux #3) Review
Shelby: Rag and Bone (Title R) Review
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