SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
>
R14: Team #19 ~ WinterFell on the 19th
message 101:
by
Steph, Serious series addict
(new)
Jan 25, 2017 02:03PM
Welcome :)
reply
|
flag
For Shelf 2: PARANORMAL ROMANCE I will be reading Runaway Vampire by Lynsay Sands 
I found it on page 25 of the bookshelf #1244. It has 349 pages.
Completion Post: Free SpaceQualification: Group Bookshelf
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Pages:400
Date Read:25 Jan 17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I'm really beginning to think Illona Andrews can do no wrong. This was just another amazing demonstration of their expert urban-fantasy writing. There was great world building, characters, writing, plot, ect, ect.
This particular story follows Nevada Baylor, a private investigator with a magical ability to tell when someone is lying, as she is hired to track down the spoiled and dangerous Adam - who is currently wrecking havoc on the city of Houston. She is then joined by the equally dangerous Mad Rogan in her pursuit of Adam.
I love Nevada because she is smart and practical. She is strong in her own way, but is aware of her faults and does not take unnecessary risks. Too many books have characters who blindly run into dangerous situations they are not qualified to handle without a second thought. Nevada analyzes the situation and if she deems it too dangerous, turns it down. When forced to do it regardless (which happens when tasked to hunt Adam who is far stronger than her), she properly plans things out in order to minimize the risk. Like I said, she is SMART.
Mad Rogan is the novels sexy, somewhat psychotic, alpha male. He strolls into any given situation as if he is in charge and immediately assumes command. He is also not afraid to kidnap or kill when he sees fit - which is often. Despite this, he displays a certain amount of righteousness, in a way that makes it okay for him to be our heroines love interest. After all, as much as I love the whole bad boy, I'm an asshole, alpha male trope, I don't actually enjoy it when someone of no redeeming qualities, other than his sexiness, "wins" the girl.
Nevada does a great job of standing her ground against Mad Rogan. And although she has an immediate sexual attraction, she doesn't let that get in the way of what she thinks is right.
And as with all Illona Andrews novels, the world-building is superb. They do a great job incorporating magic into an urban world in a way that feels natural, and without long-winded, complicated explanations of how magic works. Lastly, I love how they seamlessly weave together magic, mystery, romance, and action into one great novel.
A rather long review... but it was so GOOD. Kate Daniels is still my fave, but this one's up there!I still haven't decided on a Paranormal Romance book to read. I actually wanted to re-read the Kate Daniels series, but the first book isn't on the list, surprisingly.
SHELF #2 ~ 1/25: Paranormal Romance STAMPED
Book Choices:
✔ Elaine: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh (Elaine's Review)
✔ Ezinwanyi: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian (Ezi's Review)
✔ Moondance: Runaway Vampire by Lynsay Sands (Moondance's Review)
✔ Victoria: The Hollow by Nora Roberts (Victoria's Review)
SELECTION POSTWEEK 2
Book: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian
Pages: 319
Qualification: Pg 45 of Paranormal Romance
Victoria wrote: "Completion Post: Free SpaceQualification: Group Bookshelf
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Pages:400
Date Read:25 Jan 17
Rating: 5 stars..."
awesome review and book2 is about to come out
I know! For some reason when I started Burn for Me I thought book two was already out. Now I wish I had waited to read it because I'm too impatient to wait for May!
Congrats on the Stamp Winterfell!Terrific review of Burn For Me Victoria. Just how I felt about it.
And Ezi, I've got that poster of Daenerys on my wall in the family room! :D
Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal Romance
Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Pages: 323
Found: p. 2 of Paranormal Romance
I was hoping this book would show up on this week's list!! (Although I was going to read it regardless--book 1 was too good to wait much longer to continue the series!)
Thank you Sandra.Team WinterFell, you guys rocked this week. We were the 2nd team to ask for a stamp. So excited to play with people who are on point!
I finished my free space but I must run errands so I'll write my review sometime tonight.
Then I'll be starting this 2nd week's book over the weekend.
Good job!!!
Elaine wrote: "Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal RomanceArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Pages: 323
Found: p. 2 of Paranormal Romance
I was ho..."
I loved Book 4&5 the best in this series, but most definitely book 4:
Ezinwanyi~ThatEzi wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal RomanceArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Pages: 323
Found: p. 2 of Paranormal Ro..."
Maybe I need to give this series another chance. There was something in the first book that just rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe I was not in a good frame of mind when I read it. Everyone raves over it. Perhaps I will reread the first book and go from there.
Ezinwanyi~ThatEzi wrote: "Thank you Sandra.Team WinterFell, you guys rocked this week. We were the 2nd team to ask for a stamp. So excited to play with people who are on point!
I finished my free space but I must run err..."
This is a great team! I finished my Free Space and reread it! I'll try to get my review up this evening.
I was browsing through threads seeing what other people were choosing for this week's shelf (read: I was lurking) and I have to say that Victoria's review of Burn for Me made me want to click BUY. You should sell your services to Ilona Andrews ;-)
Moondance wrote: "Ezinwanyi~ThatEzi wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal RomanceArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Pages: 323
Fo..."
I don't love Elena and Raphael together so the books i loved didn't feature them as the main character
Leah wrote: "I was browsing through threads seeing what other people were choosing for this week's shelf (read: I was lurking) and I have to say that Victoria's review of Burn for Me made me want to click BUY. ..."Lol. I agree
Sandra wrote: "Congrats on the Stamp Winterfell!Terrific review of Burn For Me Victoria. Just how I felt about it."
Leah wrote: "I was browsing through threads seeing what other people were choosing for this week's shelf (read: I was lurking) and I have to say that Victoria's review of Burn for Me made me want to click BUY. ..."
thank you! I am madly in love with everything Illona Andrews =)
I found Magic Bites on the paranormal-romance shelf, but have decided to hold off my re-read and work on finishing another series. Instead, I will be reading:
The Hollow by Nora Roberts
Pages: 318
Found: page 11 (3rd from bottom) of PNR Shelf
Elaine wrote: "Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal RomanceArchangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Pages: 323
Found: p. 2 of Paranormal Romance
I was ho..."
I seriously debated on reading the first book for this week's shelf. But, I'm really trying to finish some of my open series' before starting a new one. (watch me start a new one within the week regardless)
Ezinwanyi~ThatEzi wrote: "Moondance wrote: "Ezinwanyi~ThatEzi wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Selection Post: Week 2 Paranormal RomanceArchangel's Kiss by [author:Nalini Singh|71..."
Maybe that is what is was. I didn't like Raphael at all.
Completion Post: Paranormal RomanceBook: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
Date: 1-27-17
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it...in my review of Angels' Blood I mentioned wanting to learn more about this new world that Nalini Singh has created and boy howdy did I get more in spades! From the beautiful to the terrifying and everything in between, this book really fleshed out a lot of what was introduced in book one. I sincerely appreciate that Elena's becoming an angel gives such a wonderful outlet for the reader to learn along with her entirely avoiding any awkward info-dumps that so often happen. And the characters...oh man. This second installment shifts focus allowing some characters from book one to reside on the sidelines while allowing others to become more fully developed and newbies to be introduced. It is a true gift when an author can mention a character in a line or two and make them feel fully realized--in a book so fully populated as this one is, its brilliant. But Nalini can also give you oodles of time with other characters where you just know you have only scratched the surface and that many more layers are waiting to be discovered. And the characters themselves are so multi-faceted.
One thing nobody could accuse Ms. Singh of is going easy on Elena. She puts her through the wringer! Waking up weak and having to build her strength, being immortal but not really having immortality as she is so young and fragile, having a huge target on her back for so many reasons by so many powerful beings...it is fantastic and anxiety-producing all at once. Many times this book was rather gruesome which was not unexpected as book one was gory...however, there was a coldness, a calculation to the acts in this book that, to me, make them much more chilling and difficult to read about than those produced by madness in Angels' Blood. Elena's past becomes a thicker thread weaving through this book's plot and the twists and turns it took as it slowly revealed what really happened were heartbreaking.
The complexity of the characters is another aspect of this book that really surprised me...I kept being taken off guard making me wonder if I had gotten used to a "flatter" type of character. I have read some really wonderful books this year so I couldn't reconcile that as the cause leading me to think that it might just be that I haven't read many books lately with such dark characters. Even the "good" guys are dangerous--to the point that they aren't really good guys at all. They are strong, dangerous, loyal but oh-so-lethal and I am so glad to know that several of them have their own books so I can see what makes them tick on a more personal level. Even Illium who seemed young and playful was given a sharper, darker edge in this book and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
And the "bad" guys? The utter coldness. The strategic manipulations. The cruelties both planned and careless. I rather perversely love the way Nalini has developed angels into this ruthless power structure where Elena's mortal thoughts and emotions can be used to highlight the extreme differences in how the various "others" have evolved. I love that most of the Cadre feel rather alien...that their motivations are so far removed from those that come from anything humane and yet they are so realistically rendered it is rather discomfiting.
I've already downloaded book three on my kindle...
Awesome review ElaineBluebell (Illium) is my favorite
COMPLETION POST Shelf: Free Space
Book: The Bird and the Sword by Amy Harmon
Pages: 319
Qualification: Standalone Shelf
Read: 1/24
Rating & Review:✰✰✰✰
I love Amy Harmon because she just knows how to evoke emotion that just grasps the reader heart and mind. This book seems simple on the surface but it is a lot deeper than people think. It is a look at society and the things that divide and separate class of people. It’s hard to talk about this book without giving away majority of the plot and spoilers. I love the quotes that seem so unpretentious but yet profound. “I wondered if weakness wasn’t just as dangerous. The weak allowed evil to flourish.” or “Silence was a close cousin to invisibility.” This book is sprinkled with similar sayings.
But I think of how as a mother I have “silenced” my children’s words and actions so they can fit and not be subjected to the hate of others. But in silencing them, I inadvertently rob them of their inherent power.
I am used to Amy Harmon in the contemporary romance genre and this a slight departure from that. Don’t get me wrong, the romance is still the backbone of this story despite it being in the fantasy genre. I enjoyed Lark, King Tiras, and Kjel. I did find Kjel to the most complex of them all because he had to work out his set of beliefs in a different way.
I told some friends in a Buddy read that this book was like Fantasy lite, almost the way Diet Coke is lighter version of Coke. For those lovers of fantasy, like Anne Bishop type books, this book will not meet that level and depth, but in terms of romance, I was very satisfied. I did have a number of questions unanswered at the end, so I couldn’t give it 5 stars. I am excited that the story continues on in book 2.
FREE SPACEMagic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
SOS Bookshelf
349 pages
Read: 01.20.17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
No matter how carefully I patted the chopped apples into place, the top crust of my apple pie always looked like I'd tried to bury a dismembered body under it.
Kate lost a bet with Curran and agreed to serve him dinner in nothing more than her undies. Imagine her surprise and rage when he stands her up. Determined to carry on, Kate throws herself into work at the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid and plots Curran's demise. A call to check out a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar at the edge of territory between Pack and the People, reveals that a true evil has come to Atlanta. The loser of the fight has been skewered and exhibits evidence of a contagious disease. And a demon hound is holed up in the basement. Kate rescues the pitiful poodle while PAD cleans up the murder scene. This is just the first crime scene and they all seem to be leaving messages for Kate.
This series gets better with each book. I will confess that I did not like the first book in the series when I read it years ago. I went back and read it after falling in love with the next book.
We are discovering more about Kate's family and the true evil that lives in them. She must use all of her energy to keep them from destroying the Pack and Atlanta as a whole.
The addition of the poodle made Kate more human. The fact that she can't come up with a name for him is amusing and carries on throughout most of the story.
Kate's first meeting with Curran after he stood her up is priceless. She directs all of her statements to Jim as she was instructed via a phone call to the Keep. Truly a woman scorned! A "date" with Saiman almost pushes Curran to the limit of his control. The resulting showdown between Kate and Curran is epic. I can't wait to see where this will lead.
This installment of the series is filled with blood. So much so that had I not known there were additional books I would have feared this was the last. I want to see where the politics of the shifters and the rules of the Order take Kate. I'm sure that it will be a bumpy ride.
An excellent read! So much so that I reread it two days after I finished it.
Shelf 2: PARANORMAL ROMANCERunaway Vampire by Lynsay Sands
Pages: 349
Read: 01.28.17
Rating: 2 stars
Review:
Mary stifled a yawn, and then gave her head a shake, trying to ease the sleepiness closing in around her.
Mary is a widow making a trip from Canada to Texas in the RV she and her husband shared. Her only companion is her German Shepherd, Bailey until she hits someone on the road. The victim is Dante, a vampire who stows away in the RV after she tries to find what she hit. Dante and his twin, Tomasso were kidnapped by humans that are experimenting on vampires. He was able to escape and was trying to get in touch with the Enforcer House to rescue Tomasso when he ran into the RV.
It has been a long time since I read a book in this series. I skipped several and wonder if that would have made a difference in my view of the book. I'm not sure that it would have.
I never connected with the characters. The attraction between Dante and Mary just didn't feel right. I know that previous books had an older woman that fell for the younger vamp but this one just hit me wrong. The whole cougar and hot young hunk distracted from the story so much that I had a hard time finishing the book. Lucien is one of my favorite characters in this series and even he bothered me. I think this may be my last Argeneau book.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 2
Book: Defy the Dawn by Lara Adrian
Pages: 319
Qualification: Pg 45 of Paranormal Romance
Read: Jan 29, 2017
Rating & Review: ✰✰✰✰.
This love story actually began in the last book but Daywalker Brynne Kirkland just got fired from her job at JUSTIS. She is forced to see refuge with the Order and her half-sister Tavia Chase. Atlantean warrior Ekizael just happened to see Brynne at a club and their attraction get the best of them. When Zael sees Brynne in trouble and finds out her secret, it actually bonds them together more closely. See,
Brynne is a Gen One Breedmate who is also a daywalker. The experiments conducted by Dragos had some unfortunate side effects for Brynne, and she harbored that secret form from everyone. Zael didn’t shy away from her and he actually nursed her back to physical and mental health.
Together, they set out to aid Lucan Thorne and The Order by attempting to forge an alliance between the Atlantean Queen and The Order because the Atlantean can help in the war with Opus Nostrum. After the last attack on the JUSTIS building made it obvious that The Order needed all the help they can get.
I enjoyed this book because Brynne fought her feelings for so long. The author made Zael work f or it. Not only were they hot as a pair, but the author used their love journey to advance the plot against the ancients. The audiobook was very entertaining and the narrator made the Brynne feel both strong and capable, yet vulnerable. Zael’s voice radiated strength and gentleness that was perfect to a lonely and isolated Brynne. They were two peas in a pod. There was plenty of action, suspense and foreshadowing for the next book. Certainly the same formula that we have come to expect from Lara Adrian and I can’t wait for the next book.
I've requested our stamp for Free Space, which will be our second stamp!
Moondance wrote: "Yay for stamps!"I know. we are doing well, so I am excited
CONGRATULATIONS, WinterFell!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Winterfell!
yay, another stamp! And I love everyone's reviews! I should have mine up in the morning. I'm a little behind on my pnr book...
Completion Post: Paranormal Romance
The Hollow by Nora Roberts
Pages: 318
Found: page 11 (3rd from bottom) of PNR Shelf
Rating: 3 stars
Read: 01 Feb
Review:
If I didn't already know this was the second book of a trilogy I would have been able to guess it based on context. It just felt like a "filler" book. It's not that nothing occurred that added to the overall plot, but what did occur was few and far between.
Let me back track. This was primarily a contemporary romance story involving Fox and Layla. I liked them. Layla comes off as more of a fragile, "girly" girl, but displays a lot courage and strength. Quinn, from the previous book, was a force of nature, while Layla is more cautious. I actually liked this aspect because, although she outwardly appears to be the weakest of the group, in reality she is just as strong as the rest.
Fox was great as well. He had his problems, but for the most part he was adorable and someone I want to snatch up for myself :) I also like him and Layla as a pair, as well as the overall progression of their romance.
The part I was disappointed in was the paranormal aspect. There is some demon connected with their town bent on killing them, but I forgot about it half the time. They talked and researched it, but the lack of action made it a bit more boring than the first. Other than the ending, and some other minor incidents, this book's main purpose was simply to get Fox and Layla together.
I still liked it and look forward to the third. I just wish more happened in regards to the series' overall plot
Selection Post: Week 3In a move that will surprise no one, I am reading
for this week's Guilty Pleasure!Book: Archangel's Consort
Pages: 324
Found: #33 on page 17 of Guilty Pleasures
Well, I intended to finish my book this morning, but that didn't happen. But I finished so now I can hunt down a guilty pleasure book without any regrets :)And hopefully my review makes sense. I'm trying to switch back to a day shift schedule after working nights all month so I haven't slept in over 24 hours. For all I know I'm sleep typing..
SHELF #3 ~ 2/1: Guilty Pleasures STAMPED
Book Choices:
✔ Elaine: Archangel's Consort by Nalini Singh (Elaine's Review)
✔ Ezinwanyi: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt (Ezi's Review)
✔ Moondance: Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead (Moondance's Review)
✔ Victoria: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor (Victoria's Review)
For GUILTY PLEASURES I will read Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead. I found it on page 6, 7th from the bottom. The Kindle version has 283 pages.I know that some are shocked that I didn't pick an In Death book. I am too! I didn't see the next one that I need to read. 8-)
SELECTION POSTWEEK 3
Book: Twisted Palace by Erin Watt
Pages: 322
Qualification: Pg 40 of Guilty Pleasures
Moondance wrote: "For GUILTY PLEASURES I will read Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead. I found it on page 6, 7th from the bottom. The Kindle version has 283 pages.I know that some are ..."
Lol.
I'm shocked & stunned Cheryl!
Completion Post: Guilty PleasureBook: Archangel's Consort
Date: 2-3-17
Rating: 3 and 1/2 stars
Review: This third book featuring Elena and Raphael started out strong...I really enjoyed having them back in Manhattan and the combination of characters we got to know in books one and two. Raphael's past took center stage this book although Elena's still continues to plague her in the form of nightmares. With unexplained events slowly increasing the terror of citizens of New York it was the fear of the archangels that was really disconcerting.
I very much enjoyed parts of this book but unfortunately, the final showdown which should have been explosive and amazing wasn't. It was somewhere on the continuum between okay and meh...which is not what I expected or wanted. This was also, unfortunately, not an isolated event...several of the evil acts that are harbingers of Raphael's mother's awakening were somewhat lacking in immediacy. They didn't do anything to make me really concerned. Unlike book two, it was easy to shrug them off and wait for the book to get back to its real strength--the deepening relationship between Elena and Raphael.
I continued to enjoy getting to know the strong supporting cast and look forward to seeing how book four, with its different central characters, will expand my understanding of this world and the people within it. It will also be interesting to view Raphael and Elena through somebody else's perspective.
This book leaves off with several very interesting plot lines nicely set up and I am intrigued to see what happens with several of them (both the obvious: Caliane and Lijuan as well as some less obvious: Eve's becoming a Guild Hunter and Elena's ancestry). All in all, not my favorite book in the series but one I am still glad to have experienced.
Elaine, I hope you read Dimitri's book. It's my favorite. It's book 4. And Jason is book 5.Elena wasn't my cup of tea.
Sandra wrote: "I'm shocked & stunned Cheryl!"I knew you would be!! My mind is not in an Eve/Roark place right now for some reason. I like to savor those books.
Elaine wrote: "Completion Post: Guilty PleasureBook: Archangel's Consort
Date: 2-3-17
Rating: 3 and 1/2 stars
Review: This third book featuring Elena and Raphael started out strong...I really enj..."
Great review. I need to revisit this series.
Hey Victoria,Have you decided your guilty pleasure?
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Cruel Beauty (other topics)White Cat (other topics)
Shifting Shadows (other topics)
The Iron Duke (other topics)
White Cat (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rosamund Hodge (other topics)Holly Black (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Meljean Brook (other topics)
Holly Black (other topics)
More...
