SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
>
R9: Team #10 ~ Divas of Organized Destruction
Lol, I'm with you Julianne. Ilona and Gordon make an awesome team of writers. I don't know how they manage to make a series with rich world-building and multi-dimensional characters so fresh books after books. Off to request our Shifter Stamp!
Yellow/Orange Cover:
Date Read: June 7th
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
I'm nursing a hangover right now, so I'm gonna make this a quickie. I'm not a big fan of sci-fi. I'm not a big fan of aliens. I'm not a big fan of male main characters. "The Martian" exceeded my expectations. The MC, Mark was funny and self-deprecating without being annoying. He was ingenious and seemed like he really knew his shit. I found myself totally engrossed in his adventures and was sad when I got to the last-but amazing in it's own right-page. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more books by Andy Weir.
Ladies, the new shelf is SUPEFIED (any type of supernatural on the cover - fangs, werewolf, werecat, angel/demon wings, zombie, etc).ETA: Just as I suspected, this shelf is a SOB. Good luck, ladies.
I'm going with
for "Supefied." You can tell the chick is a "supe" because her legs are transparent *cough*she's a ghost!*cough*.These were the others books on my TBR that qualified as "Supefied" for anyone else who has difficulty with this shelf.
Yep, they all work LL, so it can't of been too hard. LOL
Not sure which I'll choose. I'll them all maybe and see which one I stick with. (already approved covers)
Ok, so since I haven't started my yellow/orange book yet, I was thinking of switching
from yellow/orange to supefied (he has wings) and using
as my yellow/orange. I just want to make sure switching is ok...like I said, I haven't started either yet.
Also, I agree LL, it's a bitch of a shelf
Yep, if you haven't started yet that's fine Julianne.
Sweet! Thanks Sandra :) So to be official:
For my yellow/orange shelf:
For my Supefied shelf:
I'm going to assume that the shifter shelf stamp is just a formality and go ahead with a recap:Current Shelves
Judithe's SOS BookShelf : Bingo R9 Stats
Week #4:SUPEFIED (any type of supernatural on the cover - fangs, werewolf, werecat, angel/demon wings, zombie, etc). (June 08-14)
Completed:4/5
Julianne: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
LethalLovely: Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire, 11/06/2014, 4★,review
Rosina: Sleeping with the Entity by Cat Devon, 14/06/2014, 2★,review
StephB: Awakening the Fire by Ally Shields, 12/06/2014, 3★,review
Valerie: Descending by Holly Kelly, 09/06/2014, 3★,review
Week #3: Yellow/Orange Cover Colour (June 1- 7)
Completed:4/5
Julianne: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
LethalLovely:The Martian by Andy Weir, 07/06/2014, 4★,review
Rosina:Changeling by Yasmine Galenorn, 09/06/2014, 4★,review
StephB:Forbidden Bond by Jessica Lee, 06/06/2014, 3.5★,review
Valerie:Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux, 07/06/2014, 4★,review
Yep, Steph is out of wifi range this weekend :) Stamps allocated when she is back.
Yellow/Orange Cover:
Date Read: June 9th
Rating: ★★★★
Review:The series continues as the sisters are asked to help a pride that's being decimated and murdered by unknown forces. Good story, Parallel fantasy earth that has portals to the Otherworld, consisting of fantasy creatures including: fairies, shape-shifters, demons, dragons, vamps, witches
Hi! Got some yet spotty wifi service and wanted to quickly check in. I'm not yet sure what I'll read for supefied. I found a couple (definitely harder than I'd thought it would be) but will wait until I'm finished with my current read for a mood check. :)Hope everyone's enjoying their books! I'll take care of stamps when I return home tomorrow.
Week 3
Yellow/Orange Cover: Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux
Date Read: 07/06/2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I read very few m/m series but Cut & Run is one of my favorite. It's light, witty comments with FBI agents partners always getting almost killed every time and still in the closet.
Ty and Zane each have a dark past and many skeletons in their closet but this time around Zane has to come back to his family ranch in Texas. Naturally appearances is everything to Zane's family and their relations were already strained before his visit. Ty tags along even if he is injured, has a huge fears of big cats (totally justified), dislike and fear of horses (which sparks many funny moments).
Roux has a way of creating warm, rich and heartfelt situations for her characters with a good helping of snark and humor. Ty and Zane are realizing how good they have it and the interaction with their family is priceless.
I rarely read any series without paranormal elements in them so for this series to hold my attention, it's really well done.
Week 4
SUPEFIED: Descending by Holly Kelly
Date Read: 09/06/2014
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I've read the first book in the series as a freebie from Amazon and liked it well enough so I decided to come back with Gretchen and Kyros's story.
I really liked the idea of sirens and the mythology that the author created. Kyros and a cast of former convict were released from prison to protect Xanthus's wife Sara. It made for a few funny moments where men from the deep try to learn how to behave on land, especially Gretchen's cooking. The villain, Aella, was an excellent antagonist with a pretty cruel streak.
The main problems I had were editing issues and uneven pacing. There was more action than in the first book but it seemed counter productive at times and detrimental to the story's progress.
Me again. Haven't gotten on my computer, so stamp still approved but pending. I'll get those done tomorrow, for sure! But, I wanted to stop in long enough to share my book for "supefied". I'm going to start
tonight.
Supefied:
Date Read: June 11th
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
I'm utterly terrified of ghosts. They're the one supe that I totally believe are real. Because of that, it takes a lot for me read books featuring them. The blurb and cover for SHR was intriguing enough for me to give it a try. I guess I like scaring myself every now and again. SHR wasn't my first book by Seanan McGuire-or under her pseudonym, Mira Grant-but it was the first one that tugged at my heartstrings. McGuire introduces the reader to Rose Marshall, who was murdered at 16 and has spent the 50+ years since hitchhiking along the roads of America, satisfied with the occasional milkshake and fries while bidding her time until she can exact revenge on Bobby Cross, the evil SOB who killed her in 1952 and is continuing to kill other unsuspecting victims who wander into his web.
SHR is told mostly in a series of stories, switching effortlessly between past and present (and sometimes future). What the general population considers ghost stories are events that our Rose has actually witnessed-and often played a part in. I adored Rose. The way she thought and her sense of humor are things I can definitely relate to. That being said, SHR is not a "feel good" novel. It's so damn sad at times that I found myself fighting back tears on more than one occasion. No tears for Rose, though. With a life cut tragically short, Rose is now trying to make the best of a shitty situation, surviving with the cards that were dealt to her. I loved SHR. I can't wait for the sequel (PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL, McGUIRE!).
I only ever read one series from Seanan McGuire and it's the October Daye series (well, I'm one book behind since I haven't read Chimes at Midnight yet). None under other pseudonyms but I should try some because I like her writing style. It's just that October is a bit depressing to read, have to be in the right frame of mind.I saw yesterday the movie The Edge of Tomorrow and I'm really interested in reading the book it came from. Let's hope
can fit the next shelf.
CONGRATULATIONS, Divas!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shifter'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
I'm 1/4th the way through my supefied book. It's not bad, but not grabbing me as much as my previous read (which is a new fave series). LL, I have that one and am thrilled to hear you enjoyed it.
Val, I wanna see that too. Saw Tom Cruise mention it was based on a Japanese book. I'll have to check that out too. Lemme know how it compares if you end up reading it.
Congrats on the stamp Divas!There are 2 novellas attached to Sparrow Hill Road, so you might want to check them out if you haven't already :)
@LL: since you read Stone Guardian a few weeks ago...there is a novella/epilogue/short out and right now it's a freebie on Amazon (well, not for me anyway).
(short)http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KVT8U4S/?...I did find it for free on the iTunes store.
Thanks, Valerie! I just bought it!@ Sandra: Thanks for the info. I'd love to read more books in the series. ^_^
Totally off topic but I'm a little starstruck today. Meljean Brook made a post at a blog I follow and I gushed about how I adored her & her books with an embarrasing amount of fervor and how I'd faint if I ever met her in real life....and she replied back! She said she's catch me if I fainted and "dance around in ecstatic glee because I still can’t believe anyone enjoys reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them." My year has just been made. I talked to Meljean Brook and she TALKED BACK TO ME! *LL swoons*
Thanks, Sandra!Thanks for the freebie, Val. I've got that one TBR and grabbed that short too. :)
That's awesome, LL!! *squeeeeee* I love it whenever I receive an unexpected reply from an author I adore. Best feeling! Bask in it! I'm sure you made her day as much as she made yours.
LL that's a lovefest right there in front of you :DDDDAs Steph said, MB was probably just as tickled pink as you were :DDDD
I saw
was free at ARE also, as it wasn't free for me on kindle either :( Pity, as I've got Stone Guardian on kindle and I like to keep them the same so they don't get lost.
Sandra wrote: "I saw was free at ARE also..."Good for you Sandra, I think I'll read it, that's what shorts are for. Can't start another book so close to another Bingo shelf being called. :-)
Thanks, Steph & Sandra! ^_^@ Sandra: Location restrictions blow donkey chunks. =(
Series: Guardian Witch #1
Shelf: Supefied
Read: 12 June
Rating: 3★
Review:
For me, Awakening the Fire was a decent start to what could be a very good urban fantasy series. The world Ally Shields has created is an interesting one. Arianna Calin is the Guardian for Olde Town, a type of supernatural cop. She's a fire witch whose job it is to keep the peace in Riverdale. Olde Town is a park that provides a sort of barrier between humans and Otherworlders. These Otherworlders consist of many different species: vampires, werewolves, werecats, nymphs, fae, and witches, among others.
There are several mysteries to be solved in this story: four "random" attacks, a rogue, out-of-town werewolf presence, "Riverdale's unique status as the only market with the altered Fantasy" (a drug for Others).
What worked for me ...
✓ A mix of supernaturals : each brought something different to the story
✓ More to learn about Ari and her abilities, history, etc.
✓ Andreas De Luca, vampire : well-done characterization
What didn't work for me ...
✗ Sloooow start
✗ Excessive details that didn't seem to add to the story
✗ Quick resolution to certain situations without explaining how
76% of readers have rated this higher than me, so I'm definitely in the minority. I may read book 2, Fire Within, to see how things progress. I am intrigued by Andreas and the fact that Ari still has a lot to learn about her abilities.
I liked the sound of that one Steph, but it wasn't cheap so I've only wishlisted it :)LL, so, so true!!!!!
New shelf!"Shelf #5 ~ 15/6/14: 'Green/Teal Cover Colour'
The majority of the cover must be green or teal.
Remember, any cover of the book you read qualifies. "
SUPEFIED:
Date Read: 14/06/2014
Rating: ★★
Review: Not really that great a read. Was a sorta cute, fast story. Not too much character development or world building. The vamp cave, really???? Cmon now. Just wasn't in the mood for it.
Lol @ vamp caveLadies, sorry I've been so MIA, that last couple weeks have been kind of crazy. End of the school year and my son managed to fail literally every single class. We're transferring schools for him and have been trying to get things together for that in between rotating strike days. Such fun. But we're all set and scool's officially over (thank you strike action) so my riem is my own again. Not to worry, I'll be all caught up soon enough...I swear I'm not a liability lol.
@LL that's so cool that MB responded to your post...I'd be super giddy about that too. A few years ago I went to a book signing event at chapters with multiple authors and before it started I went to use the washroom and Melissa Marr was waiting outside the bathroom...I had a total fangirl moment and gushed incoherently. That was back when I only read ya.
For the green/teal shelf I'm gonna decide when I'm actually ready to start but these are what I'm considering:
(if that cover isn't green enough there's this cover:
)After reading two YA in a row I'd say it's a safe bet I won't feel like Insurgent but we'll see how it goes.
I'm not sure I'll be reading because none of the green covers I have on my TBR pile interests me at the moment. I hope I get inspired later.
Hi, Julianne. :)I'm gonna read
for this shelf. Been wanting to start this series for awhile now. Happy reading, Divas!
PS: I think that series has a lot of potential, Sandra. I also think it might've suffered because I read it right after another mix supe UF that I really, really liked.
Hmm, it was $6.25 for me, so I think I'll wait, not like I'm hurting for books. LOL.
You'd think I'd have more books with Green covers since it is my favorite cover, but I counted a total of FOUR on my TBR shelves. Ugh. I'm going with
.Good luck with DFF, Steph! Eve Langlais is one of my favorite authors and "Freakn' Shifters" is my favorite series by her.
Shelves currently in playJudithe's SOS BookShelf : Bingo R9 Stats
Week #5: 'Green/Teal Cover Colour'
The majority of the cover must be green or teal. (June 15-21)
Completed:1/5
Julianne: TBD from selection
LethalLovely: Untouched by Anna Campbell
Rosina: Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter
StephB: Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais, 15/06/2014, 4★,review
Valerie: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh
Week #4:SUPEFIED (any type of supernatural on the cover - fangs, werewolf, werecat, angel/demon wings, zombie, etc). (June 08-14)
Completed:4/5
Julianne: City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
LethalLovely: Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire, 11/06/2014, 4★,review
Rosina: Sleeping with the Entity by Cat Devon, 14/06/2014, 2★,review
StephB: Awakening the Fire by Ally Shields, 12/06/2014, 3★,review
Valerie: Descending by Holly Kelly, 09/06/2014, 3★,review
Week #3: Yellow/Orange Cover Colour (June 1- 7)
Completed:4/5
Julianne: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
LethalLovely:The Martian by Andy Weir, 07/06/2014, 4★,review
Rosina:Changeling by Yasmine Galenorn, 09/06/2014, 4★,review
StephB:Forbidden Bond by Jessica Lee, 06/06/2014, 3.5★,review
Valerie:Stars & Stripes by Abigail Roux, 07/06/2014, 4★,review
@Julianne, I don't have kids but I sympathize with you.I have 10 pounds to lose, so that I fit back into my pants and dresses, I started a diet a week ago. I did not tell my family about it because I'm sure they would not approve of the one I chose but at least my hubby is doing it with me so I have some kind of support. It's the first time I ever tried dieting and I don't know how long I can stick to it.
I'm literally a couch potato so I don't have sport wear or even a gym membership to motivate me exercising. I'm keeping track of my daily calorie intake and I find that if i don't exercise....there is not much I can eat. :(
Last year we had work done on the foundation of the house and the backyard was almost totally excavated. It's now an ocean of crouched stones without green aside the from weeds that manage to thrive on nothing. I decided to try landscaping as a mean of exercise.
I've got some backfilling to do before I can even lay tiles for a patio area. My neighbor has graciously let me borrow a section of his driveway to dump the 10 ton of 0-3/4 gravel I just received this morning.
I'm hoping I can shovel this within the week and compact it by hand. I can't use machinery because: a) I don't know how to operate it and don't have a truck to move it, b) retaining wall with heavy machinery not a good idea.
Let's hope I don't choke in the middle, that pile of dirt must go down!
Consequently I'll have less time for reading but I'll get it done.
Sandra wrote: "Hmm, it was $6.25 for me, so I think I'll wait, not like I'm hurting for books. LOL."True! ;)
LethalLovely~I'll Tell You My Sins & You Can Sharpen Your Knife wrote: "Good luck with DFF, Steph! Eve Langlais is one of my favorite authors and "Freakn' Shifters" is my favorite series by her. "
Thanks, LL. I love her books. They're always a fun read. I read DFF in one sitting and liked all but Naomi. Well, she grew on me, but her prejudices bugged me. Couldn't decide on rating - flip flopped between 3.5-4 and settled on 4 b/c (view spoiler)
Good luck with your diet/exercising, Val! I suck at dieting, but eat better now than I have in my life. Thankfully, my hubby is a great cook b/c if it can't be baked or cooked in the micro, I ruin it. Is there a black thumb saying for cooking? If so, that'd be me. I can relate to the need to drop some pounds though. Hubby has the marriage goggles on and loves the curves, but the clothes don't lie. Here's to us both droppin' a few. :D
I'll have my green/teal review up shortly.
Series: Freakn' Shifters #1
Shelf: Green/Teal Cover
Read: 15 Jun
Rating: 4★
Review:
I've been wanting to start Eve's Freakn' Shifters series for awhile and finally opened Delicate Freakn' Flower. I ended up reading it in one sitting. Eve's writing sucks me right into her stories. Her female characters are always strong and feisty. And, the men in Eve's worlds make you wish you lived there too. Delicate Freakn' Flower was no different.
"I'm a delicate, misunderstood flower, goddammit.Initially, while I liked Naomi's spunk and sass, her prejudices against jocks was frustrating. She's grown up with rough-housing brothers who always destroyed her stuff, so she's not looking for a "boneheaded, dumb" jock. Instead, she thinks she wants a "nice - very normal - human male [so she can live] a mundane and drama - AKA brawl - free life."
Why does no one see that?"
Thankfully, it doesn't take her two shifter mates (a shy, Kodiak bear and a smooth, jaguar) long to lay waste to her stereotypical view of jocks. These men are both well-spoken, college educated, polite and patient shifters who will wait as long as it takes for Naomi to admit they should be mated.
I look forward to continuing on with book 2, Jealous And Freakn'.
I can't decide between
and
(if approved). I may start both and find which one I like best.
Both work, Val :)
One down, two to go. It's 3am for me and I just finished my Supified book...review to come tomorrow. Review which will be completely written on my phone. When I was pissed at my son I changed the password for the computer (to some phrase involving multiple curse words) and now I can't remember the password. So I'm locked out of my computer. I've been trying different methods from YouTube videos but nothing has worked so far. I really don't want to have to reformat because I have a LOT of movies and shows to lose (nearly a terabyte). If anyone had computer knowledge and knows of any non-windows approved to bypass the password that would be greatly appreciated.
Poor thing! I feel badly for ya, sadly I don't know of anyway to help. Hope it eventually comes to ya or you're able to bust in.
I'm not tech savy enough for that kind of task. Hope you remember or get inspired.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Magic Breaks (other topics)Dire Straits (other topics)
The Nightmarys (other topics)
Alien Proliferation (other topics)
London Bound (other topics)
More...
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
Read: June 6
Rated:★★★★★
Review:
*Disclaimer: I thought I was capable of coherent thoughts...I'm not. But I want a stamp so you get my rambling version of a review.
I don't even know how to say anything about this book without giving away serious series spoilers. There was so much going on, it was pretty much non-stop from the get go. I want to be Kate Daniels...minus the shitty emotional stuff she has to deal with. Kate and Curran are perfect. I'm glad so glad I (unintentionally) waited until I had the next book before reading this. This is officially my favorite series (ok maybe tied for first but still). All I can do is gush about the awesome-tasticness of Ilona and Gordon and wonder how their brains even came up with this world.