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R9: Team "5th Element is Books" (5)
Completion post: Week #4, Spot #27Alternate: Cover orange
Book: Lärjungen by Michael Hjorth
Qualifies: #2 in the Sebastian Bergman series
Pages: 496
Date: 6/29/17
Rating: ★★★
Review: This was an interesting mystery, albeit a bit slower paced than the first book in the series (which I loved). I'm still not sure how I feel about the main character, criminal profiler Sebastian Bergman. I will still give the next book in the series a chance.
Roll #5Roll: 6
Spot: 33
Series #3, #33
Alternate: Cover Item – Building(s)
Reviews:
Donna - The Shadow War: A Dark Paranormal Fantasy (#3 In the Demon-Born Trilogy) Review
Elaine - Bull (#3 in the Brawlers series) Review
Eunice - Princess in Love (#3 in the Princess Diaries series) Review
maria helena - The Fix (#3 in the Amos Decker series) Review
Maya - The Republic of Thieves (#3 in Gentleman Bastard series) Review
Sarah – Vision in Silver (#3 in the Others series) Review
I'm going to continue with the Others series by Anne Bishop. The 3rd book is Vision in Silver, it is 400 pages.
Mod
Series #3, #33
Alternate: Cover Item – Building(s)
The Shadow War: A Dark Paranormal Fantasy by L.C. Hibbett
Qualifies: book 3 in The Demon-Born Trilogy
Pages: 274
Completed:7/7/17
Rating:3 star
Review: enjoyed this series but this last book just didn't draw me in as much. It started very slow and I had a very hard time getting into the story. It did pick up at the end but I wish it hadn't been such a slow start. This last book was ok in comparison to the first two books. Overall it was an interesting series and I enjoyed it.
I'm listening to The Fix, 3rd book in the Amos Decker series (audiobook 12 hours, default edition 432 pages)
Completion post: Week #5, Spot #33Alternate: Cover item building
Book: The Fix by David Baldacci
Qualifies: #3 in the Amos Decker series
Pages: audiobook 12 hours
Date: 7/2/17
Rating: ★★★
Review: I loved the first two books in the series, both of which where suspenseful and fast paced. This third book felt much slower, and I did not like the characters as much as in the previous books. Especially the MC, Amos Decker, felt a bit like a weak copy of his former self. The pace did pick up towards the end and I did like the conclusion to the case they were investigating, but the book overall was a bit of a disappointment.
I am still mulling over what I want to read...I'll post as soon as I decide!
Completion Post: Week 5, Spot 33
Book: Bull by J.M. Dabney
Qualifies: #3 in the Brawlers series
Pages: 199
Date: 7-4-17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love JM Dabney's writing although I will say right up front: if editing errors bother you, this book will be annoying. There are spelling/grammar errors fairly frequently...however, I can usually ignore them as I love these stories. This is the second series (both connected) that I have read by Dabney and this was one of the best entries from either. I loved both Bull and Gregory very much! Bull who is so gruff and sexy, Gregory who is overcoming an abusive ex but who is determined not to be broken. Just a beautiful story of two individuals who have very much earned any happiness that comes their way coming together.
COMPLETION POSTBook read: The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch
Date finished: 7/1/2017
Rating: 5 zillion stars
How it fits: #3 in series
So, I love the other books in this series. Full disclaimer. When I tell you that I had been putting this off for the longest time because of the length, I really want you to understand how much I hate myself for it. This book was amazing and everything I ever wanted Scott Lynch to write. He could decide that he isn't going to write in this series any more and I would be sad, but perfectly content because THIS is the book I have been wanting to read for the longest time. I'm so inexplicably happy.
I'll be traveling until Tuesday, and will only have occasional access to internet, but I'll check in and see what our roll is for next round.
I'll post my review today. I've been a bit busy this week
maria helena wrote: "I'll be traveling until Tuesday, and will only have occasional access to internet, but I'll check in and see what our roll is for next round."Safe travels!
I might be a little late with my review this week, I've had a rough time. I had to put down my dog, Lily, Sunday morning.
Mod
Sarah, I am sorry you are having such a rough time. Dogs are such wonderful companions that we miss them so much when they pass away. Take the extra time that you need.
Completion PostBook Read: Princess in Love by Meg Cabot
Date Finished: 7/7/17
Qualifies: #3 in series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I don't think I have anything else different to say than what I've already said in the reviews of the first two books. Everything's going slowly, but still there are a lot of things going on. Mia's way of narrating things makes the book more interesting, even if some of her comments have no sense at all with her weird reasoning. And her obssession with nostrils and tucking in shirts. (But then teenagers usually don't make sense.)
I just noticed in this book that Grandmere is portrayed as this evil grandmother from hell throughout the book, but then when you reach the end of the book, she shows this slight bit of humanity and kindness and proves that she isn't a complete devil. It's a bit unsettling, with no smooth transition. By the next book, she goes back to her usual evil self but probably until the end of the book again.
Book: Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Series: The Others #3
Pages: 400
Read: 7.7.17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I am enjoying this series! But it isn't as great as I think the hype has made it. I understand why it is so appealing (I find it appealing myself), but there's just something missing that I can't quite put my finger on.
Meg wants to continue helping the terra indigne, especially after the events of the last book. She doesn't want to make cuts for no reason, because she doesn't want to risk shortening her life in the process. So she decides to be preventative, and thinks making a tiny cut that can help everyone for the next two weeks will prevent her from needing to do it at the end of the two weeks. Her visions are confusing and hard to decipher.
There are a lot of conflicts, and problems rising between the humans and terra indigne. If the humans aren't careful the terra indigne can make their lives very, very difficult.
I like the relationship between Meg and Simon, but I'm also running into a lot of problems with it. Their insecurity, and inexperience makes a lot of their relationship very awkward. I wish there was more to build off of for them. Also, the way all of the terra indigne in the Courtyard coddle Meg really bothers me. I understand she really doesn't know how to interact with the world to the extent she should for her age, but it feels like if she drops a pencil all of the terra indigne scramble to pick it up for her and scold the pencil for falling from her hands. That's a terrible analogy but my point still stands. LOL.
Anyways, it was enjoyable, and I'm still interested in where this series ends up.
Roll #5Roll: 8
Spot: 41
Series #1, #4, #41
Alternate: Enemies to lovers (must state how book qualifies i.e. listopia or precis)
Reviews:
Donna - Flames of Auriel (#1 in Celestial War Chronicles) Review
Elaine - Chesapeake Blue (#4 in Chesapeake Bay Saga) Review
Eunice - Falling Kingdoms (#1 in Falling Kingdoms series)
maria helena -
Maya - Shatterglass (#4 in The Circle Opens series) Review
Sarah – Marked in Flesh (#4 in The Others series) Review
I'll be reading Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes. 412 pages
Eunice wrote: "I'll be reading Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes. 412 pages"Hey, that's sitting in my car waiting for me to finish Shatterglass! Great minds think alike.
COMPLETION POSTBook read: Shatterglass by Tamora Pierce
Date finished: 7/8/2017
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: #4 in series
I'm a huge fan of Tamora Pierce, so maybe that's why I was so let down by this one. It seems like all the books in this series (The Circle Opens) have the same formula - one of the four find a person who needs a teacher, teaches them meditation, then solves a crime. I'm really ready to get back to Tortall, because if the rest of The Circle Reforged is the same thing over and over again, I may end up tearing my hair out.
Mod
Spot: 41
Series #1, #4, #41
Alternate: Enemies to lovers (must state how book qualifies i.e. listopia or precis)
by Erin R. Bedford**Just noticed that this book has been re-branded as Song of Blood and Fire** I actually have both versions but the original won't open so I will read the re-branded version instead****
Pages: 306
Qualifies: book 1 in the Celestial War Chronicles
Completed:7/13/17
Rating:5 star
Review:This book drew me in almost right away. I love how strong & feisty Zoe is. Asher and Zoe are like an explosion waiting to happen. I love their chemistry and how they argue so passionately about everything. This was definitely worth the read and I can't wait to read more of the series.
I am leaving Thursday (before we roll) for a short vacation. Donna would you be able to roll for us? If you can't, then we can see if someone else can. I will have unreliable internet. We will be camping and there isn't much service there. I will be home again on Sunday.
Donna wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I might be a little late with my review this week, I've had a rough time. I had to put down my dog, Lily, Sunday morning."Sarah, I am sorry you are having such a rough time. Dogs ar..."
Thank you! Dogs are the best pets! I was never much of a dog person until I actually had dogs lol.
Mod
I will be able to roll. I hope you enjoy your vacation.
Donna wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I am leaving Thursday (before we roll) for a short vacation. Donna would you be able to roll for us? If you can't, then we can see if someone else can. I will have unreliable internet..."Thank you! :)
Completion Post: Week 5, Spot 41
Book: Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
Qualifies: #4 in the Chesapeake Bay Saga
Pages: 357
Date: 7-10-17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love this series by Nora Roberts! The first three books in the series focus on three brothers who have to change their lives to keep a promise their father made to a young boy. They all do that admirably. This fourth book features that young boy, now a grown man. Seth Quinn had a terrible childhood for the first ten years of his life, but when Cam, Ethan and Phillip entered his life, he was given the chance to leave the past behind for a beautiful future. Unfortunately, the past doesn't always stay where it should, and instead leaks into Seth's present just often enough to have him leaving the home he loves. When even that doesn't work, he returns home determined to solve the problem one way or another. Of course, when the other Quinns find out what has been going on, they are DEFINITELY going to have something to say about it. Seth's return also gives him the opportunity to meet and pursue Dru who is a great heroine. While she grew up with weath and doting parents, not all was easy. She was used as the rope in her parents' tug of war games for her affection and had to deal with image being given precedence over depth. When she decides to leave that life behind, she finds a community, business and home that fulfill her. The cherry on top is the sexy Seth Quinn, although Dru does not make it easy for him to court her! All in all, I loved this book!
Book: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop
Series: The Others #4
Pages: 399
Read: 7.13.17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I am going to keep this short and sweet because I'm still packing and we are leaving in a couple hours. The series has become much broader than just revolving around Meg and her experiences with the world. Greater conflicts with the terra indigne than the ones at the Courtyard are becoming intense. There are creatures that no one has seen, and even the terra indigne don't question them. So what will the humans do if they are threatened with extinction? The stakes are high in this series and I am so excited with the way it's going. I'm glad that it's becoming broader and involving more than just the Courtyard.
maria helena and Eunice, if you need more time to read, please let Donna know before the roll. I hope ya'll are enjoying your books! :)
Completion post: Week #5, Spot #41Alternate: Enemies to lovers
Book: Killing Trail: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery by Margaret Mizushima
Qualifies: #1 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series
Pages: 320
Date: 7/13/17
Rating: ★★
Review: I was intrigued by the description for this book--Colorado small town officer Mattie Cobb and her partner, a K-9 police dog named Robo, investigate a murder with some help from the local veterinarian Cole Walker. I did enjoyed the setting, but I didn't find the murder case or the side-plot of Mattie and Cole, that interesting. I found it predictable and slow paced, and I doubt I will read the other two books in the series.
Sarah wrote: "maria helena and Eunice, if you need more time to read, please let Donna know before the roll. I hope ya'll are enjoying your books! :)"Just got back home from my trip and posted my review.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog, Sarah!
I've been busy this week. Sorry, I'll try to finish my book and post my review later
Mod
Take your time. I will check in with you later. In the meantime, I will link all the other reviews in one post to prepare for our roll.
Mod
Spot: 41
Series #1, #4, #41
Alternate: Enemies to lovers (must state how book qualifies i.e. listopia or precis)
Reviews:
Donna - Flames of Auriel (#1 in Celestial War Chronicles) review
Elaine - Chesapeake Blue (#4 in Chesapeake Bay Saga) review
Eunice - Falling Kingdoms (#1 in Falling Kingdoms series) review
maria helena - Killing Trail (#1 in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series) review
Maya - Shatterglass (#4 in The Circle Opens series) review
Sarah – Marked in Flesh (#4 in The Others series) review
Mod
Just finished the book. I'm sorry guys! I'll be posting my review real soon
Completion Post: Week 5, Spot 41
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Qualifies: #1 in the Falling Kingdoms series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The book wasn't really one that I liked the most, but it was ok, plotwise. But I liked the characters, so I gave the book 4 stars instead of 3. I felt that the plot was a bit all over the place since there are so many characters, but since this is only the first book, it's understandable. There were some characters that I felt were pretty stupid or annoying (*coughs* the chief), but I like most of them. You could see that the main characters have grown or changed significantly by the end of the book, though not all of them changed for the better. I hope to continue on with the series, but probably not now as the series isn't done yet, and I don't want to be left hanging when things start to really pick up.
Mod
Roll:8
Old Spot: 41
New Spot: 49
Series:#4, #9. #49
Alternate: Crime or MC is a criminal
Donna - Going Postal
Elaine - Lucky (#4 in the Twirled World series) review
Eunice -
maria helena -
Maya - Take the Monkeys and Run review
Sarah-
Since we rolled late, are we allowed to use something that we started and finished today?
Mod
Sorry, I just checked the rules and you can't use that one unless you started it after the roll.
✸Must wait until roll to start a book.
That's fine :) I just started and finished another one that works so I'll post it up tonight.
NOTE : This was started after the roll! :)COMPLETION POST
Book read: Take the Monkeys and Run by Karen Cantwell
Date finished: 7/15/2017
Rating: 2 stars
How it fits: Crime : From description : "becomes a major player in a treacherous and potentially deadly FBI undercover operation" (view spoiler)
I don't know how many times I can smash my head against a window after reading this one. I've read some great mob fiction and this was just not one of them. Barb, the MC, was annoying at all points of the book and it was all it took to not try to pull her out of the book and strangle her.
Completion Post: Week 6, Spot 49
Book: Lucky by J.M. Dabney
Qualifies: #4 in the Twirled World series
Pages: 152 pages
Date: 7-15-17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love the Twirled World and Brawlers series and am excited to see a third related series will be releasing soon! I decided to reread Lucky this week as I was in the mood for something funny and emotional and this book hits on both levels. Dabney's writing works for me in every book that she does, but this book features a particularly favorite character in Priest. Priest has been a bit mysterious in previous books--you know something has happened but you don't know what. Learning about his past is heart breaking and watching him heal is beautiful. Lucky is also developed much further in this book and the additional depth is both necessary and beautiful. I recommend this series, but do yourself a favor and start with book one: Berzerker.
I thought we had to wait until next week to roll since we missed the deadline?Edit: Or did we still have a free pass to use?
Mod
The Challenge Factory
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Please note, I ended up reading a different book than what I noted in my selection post!
Book: Seduced by the Tide by Sean Michael
Series: Dragon Soul #2
Pages: 229
Read: 6-27-17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I loved this second entry in Sean Michael's Dragon Souls series! I loved how the first couple had plenty of page time without ever detracting from this books MC's...it helps that one member of each couple were brothers while the other two were best friends--plenty of authentic reasons for them to all get together. I love Sean's writing and this book was a great example of it...I am also looking forward to the remaining Beterforce brothers meeting their mates! If you like a hot story about soul mates with plenty of sexy times (more like a LOT of sexy times), I highly recommend this series to you.