SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R14: Team #13 ~ Reading Queens
Way to go Lekeisha!! Thanks for the reviews!
Shelf- Series FinishedRead Craving Constellations by Nicole Jacquelyn
Finished 04/16/17
3.5 stars
Review:
3.5 stars. I thought this book was an ok read. I liked the writing and didn't have any problems getting into the story. I just didn't totally click with the characters. I guess I have a set of certain characteristics of bikers and old ladies based on other MC stories that I have read and Brenna and Dragon just fell short for me.
My Assassins shelf read will be Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Nice reviews ladies! I should have a review up for my series finished shelf tonight or tomorrow.My Assassins pick is Bound by Flames, one whole person shelved as assassins woohoo :)
I have a couple of reviews to post tonight. Hopefully they will help with a couple more stamps.
Shelf: Series FinishedBook: Broken by Kelley Armstrong
Date completed: April 17
Rating: 3.5 stars
The narration for this book is great and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy audiobooks. At the same time, listening to it gave my mind a chance to wander as I tried to multitask so it probably wasn't the best choice for me.
The summary mentions the same things but if you haven't gotten this far in the series and don't want any type of spoilers, you may want to stop reading now.
There are really two major events in this story: Elena's pregnancy and basically saving Toronto from killer zombies. Both storylines are interesting and the werewolves are probably my favorite characters in this series so it was nice to be go on an adventure with the Stonehaven crew. Towards the end of the book, things started getting a little ridiculous with the butt kicking Elena was still serving while full on preggers but if I can get onboard with portals and zombies...sure why not.
Sweet ending and I can't wait to see the hijinks to come as Elena and Clay face parenthood.
Shelf: AssassinsBook: Bound by Flames
Date completed: April 21
Rating: 4 stars
It's been a long time since I've been in this world and the brief appearance from Cat and Bones makes me want to revisit the Night Huntress series.
I really loved a lot of the little moments in this book but not sure I cared for the story as a whole. There were so many wonderful little snippets and scenes like the meeting with Marie Leveau or Vlad sharing his deepest secret with Leila at the end of the story but the main plot was kind of blah and drawn out.
It was a quick read and probably closer to 3 stars than 4, but gets bumped up for the nostalgic effect.
This book is literally available from my library right now. Its been on my hold list for a while, and is finally available!Week 14
Shelf : Available at Library
396 pages on page 2 of shelf
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Cheri wrote: "This book is literally available from my library right now. Its been on my hold list for a while, and is finally available!Week 14
Shelf : Available at Library
396 pages on page 2 of shelf
The ..."
How exciting!! I have had Big Little Lies on my kindle for forever now and still haven't read it. Have heard good things about Moriarty.
My pick for this week is The Truth About Alice.
Question? Can i put a book on a shelf for bingo purposes? I want to read the next book in the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs for the Available at Library shelf. It is available at my library and i have seen current shelves with variations of available at Library but not that exact wording.
I think in the spirit of the game, mods prefer that you found a book that is already currently on the shelf but I don't know that there is a specific rule banning it. Sorry, probably not too helpful :)If the book is Fair Game, why don't you just use it for today's shelf - Kickass Heroine?
Shelf: Available at LibraryBook: The Truth About Alice
Date complete: April 23
Rating: 4 stars
I think all teenagers need to read this book and talk about it. The story is told through the eyes of four characters who are far more interesting than their initial stereotypes. They are far from perfect; their faults might be uncomfortably relatable and hopefully challenges everyone to think twice about how their action or lack of action contributes to bullying.
This wasn't as much of an emotional cryfest as I expected but there is a sad realism to the way teenagers think and act in the book that is reminiscent of the bullying that went on when I was back in school.
There is not a cookie cutter ending which is nice but readers are still given a glimmer of hope that people can grow into decent human beings.
Lekeisha wrote: "Question? Can i put a book on a shelf for bingo purposes? I want to read the next book in the Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs for the Available at Library shelf. It is available at my lib..."What Vivian said Lekeisha. If you'd put the book on the shelf before the game it would be ok. To do so now just comes a bit too close to cheating.
See if it fits for today's shelf as Vivian suggested and find another book for last week :)
Ok, thanks and no problem. I just wasn't sure how it worked with the shelf thing since it had the variations (my 1st bingo) so wanted to ask for my clarity.
Kick ass heroine read will be Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
Lekeisha wrote: "Ok, thanks and no problem. I just wasn't sure how it worked with the shelf thing since it had the variations (my 1st bingo) so wanted to ask for my clarity."No worries Lekeisha, everyone starts at the beginning and learns as they go along :)
Week 15Shelf : Kickass Heroine
528 pages on page 2 of shelf
Lover Mine by JR Ward
Lekeisha, FYI it is on this week's shelf. I checked before making the suggestion :)
Shelf: Kickass HeroineBook: No Humans Involved
Date completed: April 29
Rating: 4 stars
This series is getting addicting! After the last book, I was curious to see how Jaime and Jeremy's story would finally play out and I was not disappointed. There is a bit of teasing and flirting before we get down to the main event and it's a lot of fun to read.
On the mystery front, Jaime and Jeremy try to find a crazy wannabe-magical children-sacrificing cult. They get a lot of help from old friends and I especially loved seeing more of Eve, surprisingly. And as much as I love the werewolves, it was cool to see Jaime in her element, embracing her powers a bit more as well as seeing her interactions with the ghosts.
Reading a couple of these books back to back, there does seem to be a pattern and formula to the storyline. While formulaic plots are common in this genre and not necessarily an issue for me, there have been a couple of repeating elements where I didn't quite buy in to what was happening and it took me out of the story briefly. Overall though, another fantastic installment in the series.
Week 14Shelf : Available at Library
Date Read : 4-23-17 through 4-25-17
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
2 Stars
How... HOW does this book get such great reviews???
This is not a happy book. Quite the opposite actually. It made me feel depressed or melancholy a lot of the time. I started out really liking it due to the inner monologue of the characters. I thought it was just to set the tone of the story. Instead the inner monologue continued throughout. Over time this book got more and more dark. By 50% I was dreading picking it up. I don't mind a heavy topic, but this book was just so sad.
The book starts out building a good mystery. Within the first few chapters there is so much foreshadowing by the time the big reveal happened it was easy to figure out what it was. Also, the author made the majority of this book a long stream of consciousness of the characters. They jumped from subject to subject sort of like someone's actual thoughts would. At first it was entertaining. By 20% it was tiresome. By 50% it was annoying.
The story isn't just about the characters of the synopsis. There are two other storylines going on. It was interesting at first to see how the characters were related. There was one story that I had no clue why it was important. It just seemed like her storyline was thrown in there.
Once I figured out what the husband's secret was I was so done with this book. The ending was so unsatisfying. I will not be reading anymore of this author's books. So many better ones out there.
Week 13Shelf : Assassins
Date read : 4/19/17 through 4/29/17
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
3.5 Stars
I have already read one of the Ilona Andrews books and I really didn't care for it. She has such great fans though, so I thought I would give this one a try. I liked this one better than Magic Bites, but I still didn't love it. I felt that her descriptions were too long winded and I started to lose interest. I found that I didn't enjoy the whole reading process. I just wanted to finish the book so I could find out what happened.
The MC is an Innkeeper. I guess you could call it similar to a witch. She runs a magical inn and she has the power to protect the inn and its residents. There are all sorts of supernatural creatures. This story is different from others I've read though because the Supernaturals are actually aliens from different planets instead of just different species like other PNR or UF books.
In her neighborhood there is something that has been killing resident dogs. She feels she needs to get involved and figure out what's going on. Sean is a werewolf who lays claim to the territory and gets himself involved in the search. They form a reluctant partnership. Once Sean becomes a larger part of the story I found it more entertaining. He brought a comedic element to it that wasn't there before.
As the story progressed I started to get more and more intrigued. My feelings of losing interest from time to time due to lengthy descriptions still happened, but I just powered through. I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either. I will probably finish this series whenever I am done with BSB.
Bummer about The Husband's Secret. When a book/author has such mixed reviews, I'm always curious where I'll fall. Will give her books a try eventually.I'm definitely in the Ilona Andrews fan camp but no author is for everyone so if it doesn't work for you, there are other books to read! The writing style is pretty consistent across the series so might not be your cuppa tea but they are short reads :)
A couple books just became available on overdrive so waiting and hoping one will land on this week's shelf...
I also PM'd Sherri yesterday to see how she's doing since it's been almost 2 weeks since her last post, hopefully she checks in here soon :)
Okay great thanks for doing that Vivian! I am really enjoying Lover Mine. Dare I say it's the best one yet ;)
Cheri wrote: "Okay great thanks for doing that Vivian! I am really enjoying Lover Mine. Dare I say it's the best one yet ;)"That one was one of my favorites in the series.
I have only read the first BDB book. Would you say the first is pretty representative of the series as a wh?ole?
I would say so. Alpha males. Lots of action scenes and danger. Good side characters. Different take on vampires. Great chemistry between the character.
Cool thanks! I love a book with good characters :) People love this series and I read the first book so many years ago when I wasn't really into PNR, have been thinking of giving it another shot.
Sorry it has been a while since I posted. We have been remodeling the kitchen and it has kept us busy. I've managed to finish a couple of my books today (and I am almost done with another) so I will take some time from stripping wallpaper to post a couple of reviews. Thank god for audiobooks; otherwise I would be even further behind.
Are you guys remodeling yourselves? Either way, remodels are chaotic. Thanks for checking in, looking forward to your reviews :)
Week 16Shelf : Owned, Not Read Yet
400 pages on page 3 of shelf
Wicked Abyss by Kresley Cole
Shelf #10 (3/22) - Next in Series Book: A Scot in the Dark by Sarah Maclean
Dates Read: 3/26 - 4/5
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did since I needed a good romantic story, but I just never really connected with this storyline. The main hero was a highlander, who was never inline to inherit an English title but does when sixteen or seventeen successors die in a very short time. Along with the title he inherits a ward; but because he is a highlander he wants nothing to do with the estate and basically tells the attorney to do with it whatever.
A couple of years later his ward poses for a nude painting and causes a scandal. Of course, the hero is summoned to straighten things out and he eventually falls for the ward; while along the way trying to deny his feelings and pawn Lilly off on another gentleman.
I did enjoy the entrance of the Talbot sisters and their interaction with Lilly, but not enough for me to redeem this book.
Shelf #11 (3/29) - 5 StarsDirect Link: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Book: The Sight
Dates Read: 4/5 - 4/25
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The Sight continues right where The Veil left off. Claire Connelly is a Sensitive who was exposed to magic when a veil opened up between worlds and led to a Paranormal war that ended Seven years ago. Those with paranormal abilities like Claire's are sequestered in a walled community known as Devil's Isle. In The Sight, Devil's Isle is being attacked by zealots bent on destroying all Paranormal. Claire and Liam (and the rest of the crew) are back and ready to take them on.
While The Veil was full of action, The Sight started out a bit slow for me. The political storylines were a bit much, but Liam and Claire's relationship along with Claire's discovery of her father's mysterious past were my favorite plots.
The last couple of chapters are fast-paced and action packed and left me breathless at the ending. The next installment, The Hunt, is due out in September 2017. Sigh, so long to wait after that ending.
The Veil is on the long TBR list, maybe I'll give it a go after 3 is out. Which reminds me I need to finish Chicagoland Vampires! Gonna see if it's on this week's shelf :)
Vivian wrote: "The Veil is on the long TBR list, maybe I'll give it a go after 3 is out. Which reminds me I need to finish Chicagoland Vampires! Gonna see if it's on this week's shelf :)"I just finished Blade Bound for the Available at Library shelf. Awesome!! But I love that series so much. I really am going to miss it.
Shelf #14 (4/19) - Available at LibraryDirect Link: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Book: Blade Bound by Chloe Neill
Dates Read: 4/25 - 5/4
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Can this really be the end of the Chicagoland Vampire series? Sadly it is and it still remains one of my favorite series up to the bitter end. Ethan and Merit (and Mallory and Catcher) are back to save Chicago (once again).
Merit's destiny was prophesied by Cain, a werewolf, a couple of books ago and it is in this book that it is time to pay the piper. I'm not going to give any spoilers, but needless to say this was a must read for me and even though it was the last book there was both joy and sadness at watching these characters grow and evolve in their lives and powers.
Sherri wrote: "I just finished Blade Bound..."I still have Midnight Marked before I get to the last one. As much as I love the series, I am ready for it to end and let everyone retire from having to save Chicago yet again lol.
Assassins shelfRead Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
04/18-04/23
4 stars
review:
I enjoyed this book better than the 1st in the series. I loved seeing Anna grow in her
self confidence and be a little badass. Both Anna and Charles also seemed to be settling into their roles as mates and growing closer. Great romance and storytelling. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Kickass heroine shelfRead Fair Game by Patricia Briggs
04/26 to 04/29
4 stars
Review:
I am loving this series. Great story, characters and writing. Mystery, suspense, action and romance. With each book I get pulled further in to their world and i can't wait to see what happens next. I love that Anna and Charles continue to grow as characters and with each other. Definitely will be continuing this series.
For the Available at Library shelf i will read The Chosen by JR WardFor the Owned, not yet read shelf i will read I like Big Dragons and I cannot lie by Lani Lynn Vale
I love the Alpha and Omega series too! In general, love the Mercy-verse, one of the few series of books I re-read :)
With the reviews posted did we manage to complete any shelves?
Sorry been out of town. I will get on there tonight after I get off work and update everything.
Cheri wrote: "Sorry been out of town. I will get on there tonight after I get off work and update everything."No problem, I was just curious. Hope you had a good time while you were away.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (other topics)Storm Front (other topics)
God Save the Queen (other topics)
Storm Front (other topics)
Dragon Bound (other topics)
More...
Read: Blood Vow by J.R. Ward
Finished 04/08/17
4 stars
I love the world that J.R. Ward created with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I am loving this spin-off series as well.
I love that with this spin-off we still get to stay connected to the main brothers and family while learning more about the trainees and what's going on in their lives. Ms. Ward is such a great character and world builder. She is able to give you so many storylines within one book.
Loved Axe and Elise. Both were strong characters. Axe wanted to be worthy of Elise and Elise wanted to be more than just a sheltered member of the glymera. Can't wait for more with the trainees.
Also loved the Rhage, Mary and Bitty storyline.