R9: Team "5th Element is Books" (5)

[maria helena]

OK - I thought you still had to have all the reviews done by the deadline or wait until next week to roll.

[maria helena]

I think I will read for alternative - crime

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

maria helena wrote: "OK - I thought you still had to have all the reviews done by the deadline or wait until next week to roll."

I asked over in the help section just to make sure we are ok. You have a valid question that I can't be 100% sure about the answer. I will post here when I get a reply.

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

You may be right. I am looking thru some posts from other captains and we can't roll for the week unless we use the free pass. I am waiting to hear back from Ezi to see if we can use the free pass. Someone mentioned that it was a new rule but it is a bit confusing the way it is worded.

** I did notice another team rolled after I did so color me confused**

[Sarah]

I messaged Ezi just in case she doesn't go to the thread to see the comments.

[Sarah]

I apologize for being late twice, I must not have read that part clear enough.

[maria helena]

Sarah wrote: "I apologize for being late twice, I must not have read that part clear enough."

No worry, I'm still confused by the rules too :-)

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

We all missed it. I was late last week also. We just need to know what to do going forward.

[Sarah]

I guess we will just read for the roll Donna made just in case we can use it. I don't want people to feel rushed later on if we are allowed to use it and it only gives them a few days.

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Week:7
Roll:8
Old Spot: 41
New Spot: 49

Series:#4, #9. #49
Alternate: Crime or MC is a criminal

Book:Going Postal
Pages:377
Qualification:MC is a criminal
Date:7/19/17
Rating:5 star
Review:I have never read anything by this author and I really didn't know what to expect. The MC is a criminal that is given a chance to live as a functional member of society. He is expected to run a post office that has been closed for many years. Ok, this is where I mistakenly thought the book was going to be a bit dry. What could possibly be interesting about a post office and take up 377 pages? Apparently, a lot. I loved the golums! This is the first book I have read with them and they really added to the story. I also enjoyed the bits of magic and fantasy thrown throughout the book. The technology in this world is so different than what we have. This book was totally different than what I expected and I certainly did not expect to enjoy it so much. I will be looking for more by this author.

[Eunice]

I'll be reading The Woman in Cabin 10 for the alternate

[Sarah]

I commented last night and for some reason it didn't show up. Anyway, Ezi said we can go ahead and roll. Donna will you post the roll on the Post Your Spot thread. I know it's short notice for this week.

[Sarah]

I'm going with Feversong by Karen Marie Moning, 541 pages, #9 in the Fever series.

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Sarah wrote: "I commented last night and for some reason it didn't show up. Anyway, Ezi said we can go ahead and roll. Donna will you post the roll on the Post Your Spot thread. I know it's short notice for this..."

I already posted it before Maria Helena questioned the roll.

[Sarah]

Donna wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I commented last night and for some reason it didn't show up. Anyway, Ezi said we can go ahead and roll. Donna will you post the roll on the Post Your Spot thread. I know it's short n..."

Oh ok! Thank you :)

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Moving this to our current page so it can be found easily

Week:7
Roll:8
Old Spot: 41
New Spot: 49

Series:#4, #9. #49
Alternate: Crime or MC is a criminal


Donna - Going Postal review
Elaine - Lucky (#4 in the Twirled World series) review
Eunice - The Woman in Cabin 10 review
maria helena - Fjällgraven review
Maya - Take the Monkeys and Run review
Sarah- Feversong review

[Maya]

Donna wrote: "Week:7
Roll:8
Old Spot: 41
New Spot: 49

Series:#4, #9. #49
Alternate: Crime or MC is a criminal

Book:Going Postal
Pages:377
Qualification:MC is a criminal
Date:7/19/17
Rating:5 sta..."

AHHHH A PRATCHET CONVERT!!! MY DAY IS SO MUCH BETTER NOW!!!

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

LOL I just randomly picked it up at the library because I liked the title and the MC was a criminal. I like to read new authors so I just randomly pick books by their titles or covers.

[maria helena]

Completion post: Week #7, Spot #49
Alternate: Crime or MC is a criminal


Book: Fjällgraven by Hjorth & Rosenfeldt
Qualifies: genre crime
Pages: 424
Date: 7/20/17
Rating: ★★★
Review: In the third book in this crime series, criminal profiler Sebastian Bergman and the team investigates a case of six dead bodies found by some hikers. I enjoyed the mystery, but I'm not a big fan of Bergman as the main character. His personal problems are getting a bit distracting.

[Sarah]

There's a little over one hour until the next roll. Eunice, how are you doing with your book?

[Sarah]

Book: Feversong by Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #9
Pages: 541
Read: 7.20.17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

I am a huge fan of this series. However, while I have loved the last couple books, I am disappointed that they're more heavily focused on Mac and Barrons when they were first sold as books about Dani.

I know a lot of people find Dani annoying, but I love her! Iced is one of my favorite books in the series. Plus, I love Ryodan.

It seems like everything has come together, and huge problems have been solved. I don't know where the rest of the series is heading, since the Mac and Barrons narrative seems complete. This may not be the case. There's supposed to be more books, and the next one is supposed to be a Dani centered novel. I really hope so. I'm a little bit annoyed with Mac and Barrons's story. Not that I don't like them as characters, I was just hoping for more Dani and Ryodan.

[Eunice]

Completion Post

The Woman in Cabin 10
Qualifies: Genre is crime
Date: 7/21/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The unreliable narrator that we have in the book adds to the mystery of the book as I didn't completely know if the things that were happening were all real. I didn't know or understand what was going to happen in the book and even what was happening at that moment where I'm reading. The author added some news articles dated later than the present time, confusing me even more. For the most part, all I could do was just go along with the ride to see where things will go, but the first parts of the book were better than the last part in my opinion.

[Eunice]

I'm sorry for being late in posting reviews these past few weeks. School is starting to get busy with the projects and quizzes coming in.

[Sarah]

Roll #8

Roll: 5

Spot: 54

Series #4, #5, #54
Alternate: Cover item – 2 or more people

Reviews:
Donna - A Tale Dark & Grimm (Alternate) Review
Elaine - Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim (#4 in the Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman series) Review
Eunice - Princess in Waiting (#4 in the Princess Diaries series) Review
maria helena - Something Like Summer (Alternate) Review
Maya - Off Sides (Alternate) Review
Sarah – Archangel's Storm (#5 in the Guild Hunter series) Review

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Roll #8

Roll: 5

Spot: 54

Series #4, #5, #54
Alternate: Cover item – 2 or more people


book:A Tale Dark & Grimm
Pages:256
Qualification: two people on cover
Date:7/24/17
Rating:5 star
Review:This book is certainly interesting. It starts before Hansel & Gretel are born and continues thru their lives. Of course their lives are a bit crazy. Be prepared for be-headings, some crazy parents, a trip somewhere you don't want to visit and more. Oh and despite there being several fairy tales in this book, none of them really end. There is always more to the story. In fact, the reader is reminded continuously to make their children leave the room before continuing the stories. Did I enjoy the stories? Of course I did. They are twisted but they make you want to know what happens next. I didn't care much for the King (who is shallow) and the Queen (who is a gold-digger) or some of the other characters in the stories. I liked how the stories were linked and how they kept the reader enthralled. I loved how cunning Hansel & Gretel are. Some of my favorite parts are how Hansel got the golden hairs and of course the drunk dragon (that part made me smile). Overall, I loved the book and was rooting for Hansel & Gretel to find their HEA.

[Sarah]

I was going to read Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop, but it's checked out in multiple forms from the Libraries I have access to. So now I need to find something else LOL.

[Maya]

Off Sides
2 or more people on cover

[Sarah]

I will be going with Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh, 5th in the Guild Hunter series, and 352 pages.

[Eunice]

I'll be reading Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot. 4th in the Princess Diaries

[Elaine]

I will **probably** read Eleanor and Park (two people on the cover) but may change my mind at some point...So helpful, aren't I?

[maria helena]

I will read Sov du lilla videung, #4 in Rönning & Stilton series

[maria helena]

Completion post: Week #8, Spot #54
Alternate: cover item - 2 or more people


Book: Something Like Summer by Jay Bell
Qualifies: 2 people on cover
Pages: 279
Date: 7/22/17
Rating: ★★★★
Review: This is one of those rare books that I couldn't not put away. It's not perfect, but somehow all the pieces (the characters, the plot, the angst, the love) all come together to a beautiful, mesmerizing story spanning 12 years.

[maria helena]

I switched book. Released that the book I read last night worked for the alternative option.

[Sarah]

maria helena wrote: "I switched book. Released that the book I read last night worked for the alternative option."

No problem :)

[Maya]

Off Sides
7.21.2017
4 stars
#1 in series

I vehemently hated the last book I read of Sawyer Bennett's, so I was really hesitant to pick this one up (but it was free and I always need a sports genre for SOME challenge). However, I really liked it, especially compared to the other one I read. The main characters were much more likable and I can see myself reading more of this series.

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

I updated my earlier post with my review.

[Elaine]

Completion Post: Week 8, Spot #54

Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim

Book: Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim by Lisa Scottoline
Qualifies: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman #4
Pages: 272
Date: 7-25-27
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I have been very much enjoying these books by Lisa Scottoline and her daughter Francesca. I read my first book in the series on Sunday and by today, I have read three and am halfway through a fourth. Unlike most series, I am not making myself read these in order. Many of the essays are funny, some are serious (and a couple are seriously sad) but most of all, they underscore that the more different people are, the more they are the same.

[Eunice]

Completion Post
Book: Princess in Waiting by Meg Cabot
Qualifies: 4th in series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I liked this book better than the previous one in series. Mia has grown somewhat more mature than she was in the first book and she's on her first visit to Genovia as the heir to the throne. And of course, Grandmére is the same as always, trying to make her life miserable and hooking her up with someone she doesn't like. Plus the romance is kinda cute.

[Sarah]

Book: Archangel's Storm by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #5
Pages: 337
Read: 7.27.17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

I was very excited for this book! I have been interested in knowing more about Jason since he was first introduced. However, there was something left to be desired. I didn't immediately feel the spark between Jason and Mahiya, even after they had sex. It was more of a slow burn than their actions were allowing for.

I really liked the other elements in this though. Venom. Neha and the court intrigue, she's very twisted. Archangels in general are fascinating to me, they are not the benevolent creatures that they're assumed to be. I like the vampire twist.

I like that there's always a mystery element. It isn't just about the main characters coming together and finally finding whatever they've been looking for in someone else. There's more structure to the world, and it all plays an important part. I did not enjoy Singh's Psy-Changeling series as much as I had hoped, but this series has been far superior in my mind. I'm very excited to see where the rest of this series goes.

[Sarah]

Roll #9

Roll: 7
Spot: 61

Standalone
Series: #1, #6, #61
Alternative: Author L

Reviews:
Donna - Lichgates (#1 in the Grimoire Saga)
Elaine - Burn for Me (#1 in the Hidden Legacy series) Review
Eunice - The Time Hunters (#1 in the Time Hunters series) Review
maria helena -
Maya - Newt's Emerald (Standalone) Review
Sarah - Archangel's Legion (#6 in the Guild Hunter series)

[Sarah]

I will be continuing the Guild Hunter series with #6, Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh, 374 pages.

[Elaine]

Completion Post: Week 9, Spot #61



Book: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Qualifies: #1 in the Hidden Legacy series
Pages: 400
Date: 7-28-27
Rating: 5 stars
Review: My friend Laura texted me insisting that I get my rear in gear and read these books as she had just finished book three and was desperate to discuss it with someone. I hemmed and hawed for a day or so (I really resist being told what to do, even when it something I actually want to do...) but then gave in and cracked open book one (metaphorically as it was on my kindle and real cracking would be bad). Several hours later, I finished it utterly besotted with Nevada and Mad Rogan. Sigh...I have book two and really want to dive right in, but I think I will let myself drift for a bit longer in the lovely feelings leftover from book one. I give myself an hour tops before I give in to the lure of book 2!

[Sarah]

Elaine wrote: "Completion Post: Week 9, Spot #61



Book: Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
Qualifies: #1 in the Hidden Legacy series
Pages: 400
Date: 7-2..."

I really enjoyed this one! I have yet to continue the series (and I got to read this one before it was released) so I want to reread it before I continue because so much of it has been lost in my brain!

[maria helena]

Hi team,

my work/travel schedule for the next month has changed. I'll be abroad (should have occasional internet on my phone) for a little over 2 weeks, and when I get back I will do fieldwork (not sure exact dates) and will be without computer/internet.

I will definitely have this week's book finished on time, and I'm bringing all the e-books I have with me on the trip, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get the books read/check in on time for the next two (maybe three) weeks' rolls. It might be best that I step down and you can request a replacement player?

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Maria Helena,

Did you talk to Ezi? I have heard of people requesting vacation waivers for this challenge. It would allow you to continue to play and our team can roll on time. It wouldn't hurt to ask at least.

[Donna, Chief Inspector]

Roll #9

Roll: 7
Spot: 61

Series: #1, #6, #61
Alternative: Author L

Book:Lichgates
Pages:402
Qualification: book 1 in The Grimoire Saga
Date:8/4/17
Rating:4 star
Review:This book is interesting. I love learning about Ourea and its inhabitants. I love how Kara doesn't let anyone or anything drag her down. I am looking forward to what happens next.

[Sarah]

maria helena wrote: "Hi team,

my work/travel schedule for the next month has changed. I'll be abroad (should have occasional internet on my phone) for a little over 2 weeks, and when I get back I will do fieldwork (no..."

I agree with what Donna suggested, and message Ezi. If you can get the time covered as a vacation waive, and we can still roll, then you won't have to leave the team. However, if it won't work out and you'd still like to step down just let us know. I'll be sad to see you go, but I understand work can be unpredictable. Have a safe trip!

[Sarah]

Eunice, maria helena, and Maya, have you guys picked books for this roll? Or already reading a book for it? If so, can you please let me know. :)

Thank you and I hope everyone is enjoying their books :)

[Maya]

Oh crap! Did I not post this already? I'm so sorry!

[Maya]

Chose one I finished yesterday instead because I liked it better.

Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix
8/2/2017
4 stars
(Rules say 1 can work as standalone)

This book was exactly the opposite of what I've come to expect from Garth Nix, but that's part of why I love his writing so much. He's unpredictable. Newt's Emerald is a wonderful mix of action, romance, and adventure that I didn't see coming at all. As much as I didn't truly love Truthful, I love the world and wish desperately that this was a series.