SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Expired Challenges
>
Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2015
date
newest »
newest »
March 2015 Update
Title/Author: Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr
Series: Grace Valley Trilogy
Read: March 5
Rating: ★★★½✩
First Time Author: No
To-Be-Continued? Yes, already finished the other two books
Review: I went into this one assuming some things that weren't true. June doesn't end up with John Stone (based on the start of the book this is what I expected, I have read the book summary, but it's been a while) and this series isn't quite the same as Carr's Virgin River series. I expected each of the three books to focus on a couple, but all three focus on June, with other members of the town also having a say. Assuming those things really messed me up when it became clear that it wasn't going to be that way. This one doesn't have that much in the way of romance, since Jim is undercover DEA cop. I already knew that Dr. John Stone was going to stay on (he shows up at least once in Carr's Virgin River series), so what June was thinking about him had to be false.
It seems I forgot to update. Good thing I read a bunch of new series books every month. It's updated like this.July:
Title/Author: Dark Lover | J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Read: 07/05/14
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
I loved the story, and the world the author created. Although the names are corny, I really love the characters in this series.
Other New series started this month:
August:
Title/Author: Naked in Death | J.D. Robb
Series: In Death
Read: 08/14/14
Rating: ★★★★.5
First time author? No (Read Nora Roberts books before starting this)
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
I love the relationship between Eve and Roarke. I like the take on what kinds of crimes are happening in the future. I love Nora Roberts/J.D. Robbs as an author.
Other series started this month:
September:
Title/Author: Poison Study | Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study
Read: 09/06/14
Rating: ★★★★★
First time authoer?: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes.
Review:
I was actually really surprised about how great I thought this book was. I'd had it on my book shelf at home for about 2-3 years, but never picked it up. I had a challenge where I had to read a book with a purple cover and could only find this one. I was so happy with the choice. I loved the world that's created in this series. The way they use magic was very interesting, and I really liked the MC.
Other series started this month
October:
Title/Author: Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha
Read: 10/19/14
Rated: ★★★★.5
First time author: Yes
To-be-continued: Yes
Review:
This was again a alternate universe series, and I liked the story and the way it was written. I was really surprised about who the villain was. I hadn't seen that coming.
Other series started this month
November:
Title/Authoer: Blue Bloods | Melissa de la Cruz
Series: Blue Bloods
Read: 11/02/14
Rated: ★★★★.5
First time author? Yes
To-be-continued: Yes
Review:
This was a nice take on the vampire genre. I liked getting to know about the history about the Blue Bloods. One of the things I didn't like, that made me not give it 5 stars was that I had to read parts of it from a girls POV that I didn't like. If I'd been without that I'd have been happy.
Also started these series this month:
December:
Title/Author: Magic Bites | Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Read: 12/24/14
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes
To-be-Continued: Yes
Review:
At first I was a little confused when reading this one, but I really liked the story. I listened to it on audio, but wasn't so fond of the narrator, so that turned the rating down a little. I do have great hopes for the future of this series.
Other series started this month:
January:
Title/Author: Moon Called | Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson
Read: 01/18/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I love the MC in this series. Mercy is such a likable hero. I have been hesitant about shifter romances, so I'm so happy that I love this series. Adam is really hot, and I think Stefan is funny.
Other series started this month:
February:
Title/Author: Spider's Bite | Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin
Read: 02/05/15
Rated: ★★★★★
First time author: Yes.
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I loved how this book was fast paced from the beginning until the end. I liked the characters and have a good feeling for the series onward.
Other series started this month:
Wow, Anita, that's a lot of new series you've started!
I know. A little too many as well, but I'm really far behind on reading so. This year I've decided to try and read mostly from series I've already started. This month I've only started 2 1st in a series :).
Good idea.
Title/Author: Dead Simple by Peter James
Series: Detective Superintendent Roy Grace
Read: 22nd March
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I liked it, very clever story with a likeable central character (which made a nice change for a crime novel). Roy Grace gets involved in a missing persons case - a young man who goes missing on his stag do.
Title/Author: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson
Read: 23rd April
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I really enjoyed it (how can you not love a book where a woman names her jubblies Danger and Will Robinson). I loved the fact that there was a sadness to the book - it had the humour, but also the infinite sadness of all that Charley had to endure. The hopelessness she felt sometimes - but also the knowledge that she was helping people.
Also working on
Book: Pines
Author: Blake Crouch
Series: Wayward Pines
Read: 04/03/15
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably, I bought the rest of the trilogy so I’m sure I’ll get to it.
Review:
It’s like someone dropped Mayberry in the Twilight Zone. It was difficult to shelve this one. Its got so many different genres mixed into it but I thought it was great overall. I let my mom borrow it after I read it. She read it in one sitting and then asked for the rest of them. If you like mystery, horror, sci-fi, or anything of that sort, you should read this.
Book: Disappearing Nightly
Author: Laura Resnick
Series: Esther Diamon
Read: 04/15/15
Rating: ★★★.5
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
This was a bit of a madcap jaunt through a paranormal mystery. Esther Diamond is a chorus girl, and understudy to Golly Gee, the main “star” of a production of Sorcerer! when havoc erupts (as it does). Golly Gee disappears as she’s supposed to during the magic musical live performance but doesn’t reappear. Getting a cryptic note about EVIL afoot, Esther is nervous about the role she’s now cast in. Not to mention the fact that Golly Gee, a charicature of female b celebrities, is not the first person, nor the last, to actually disappear during a magic act onstage.
Esther is now on the hunt to find out where Golly Gee went and how to prevent more disappearances before she finds herself as victim of the EVIL as well. She can’t just quit this job, after all the show must go on!
Book: Written in Red
Author: Anne Bishop
Series: The Others
Read: 04/17/15
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely, I’ve already read the second and third
Review:
I'd like to just do a fangirl squeal or something but that isn't fair to the author or to ya'll so, I'm gonna try for an actual review.
I loved this. LOVED. Loved everything about this. Loved the fact that the world was just slightly different from the one we actually live in. Loved that the Others were not sanitized supernatural creatures and they're animals that just look human at times. Loved the Crows and the shiny. Loved that the terra indigene called her the Meg. I loved the ponies and the courtyard and the Wolfgard and the Beargard and the dog beds and adventure buddies and the seasons and Tess and Erebus and Sam and Jake and Simon and Vlad and even the cops... Just so much win.
April 2015 Update
Title/Author: Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland
Read: April 27
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It took me a while to get into this one. I'm not sure why, but I didn't really care that much about this book until about half way though. After reading the ending, I'm really looking forward to reading Outpost, the second book in this series.
April 2015
Title/Autor: Boundary Crossed by Melissa F. Olson
Series: Boundary Magic
Read: 4/9
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Absolutely
Review: Same universe as the Scarlet Barnard books, different protagonists and location - fantastic expansion of the universe. Cannot wait for more.
Also Read:
Title/Author: Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines
Read: 13th May
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Left me feeling slightly underwhelmed. Sydney was just a bit to whiney, so was Adrian and Jill was on a different planet. Parts of it were a bit too obvious - but I will read the next one - Dimitri will make everything better....
May 2015
Title/Author: Broken Blade by Kelly McCullough
Series: Fallen Blade
Read: 5/16
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Just as soon as they come in at the library!
Review: I have been meaning to read this author for some time, and I'm kicking myself for taking so long! A flawed and struggling hero who comes to terms with the whole basis of his life being ripped away, and where that leaves him, discovering who he is at the base of it all.
Also Read:
Updating my main post, and realized that next month is the last month of this year-long challenge! I have really, truly enjoyed this one. After I've finished next month's post, I want to take a look back and see how much my reading life has been enriched by my challenge reads. Wonder what my top picks will end up being?I sure hope we have another challenge starting up for the coming year!!!!
Glad you're enjoying it ladymurmur. I'm interested to see what your top picks are as well :)This is a perpetual challenge, rolling over each July, as those that participate, always want to have another go :D
May 2015 Update
Title/Author: Night Myst by Yasmine Galenorn♦♫
Series: Indigo Court
Read: May 21
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: (view spoiler)
I was going to give next year a miss, so I can try and get through some series. However, after a wander around my bookshelves, I've found I have more than enough firsts to keep going for at least another year..... And I've had some of them for a long time....This challenge is like a carousel - once you start you don't want to stop.
Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "This challenge is like a carousel - once you start you don't want to stop."Yes! Very much so.
The nice part is that I'm only committing to one first-in-series for the month, leaving the rest of the month wide open for other reads, like ...more first-in-series? ;-)
I think I'm doing pretty good this year. Out of 55 new series started for this challenge so far, I've either continued or plan to continue 47 of them.Or maybe that's a bad thing. lol
Cristina (a book away from an episode of hoarders) wrote: "I think I'm doing pretty good this year. Out of 55 new series started for this challenge so far, I've either continued or plan to continue 47 of them.Or maybe that's a bad thing. lol"
How can that possibly be bad? :-D
I hope my count is half so successful! (trying hard to wait until the end of this month - not particularly sure why.)
June 2015
Title/Author: What's a Witch to Do? by Jennifer Harlow
Series: A Midnight Magic Mystery
Read: 6/2
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Preternatural characters that act and feel like authentic, normal people results in a very readable story. All the drama, all the conflict was based in standard, real-world, every day issues - sibling rivalry, family tensions, being a single parent, trying to keep a business afloat, figuring out what is for dinner - all the supernatural could be removed and the characters & their challenges would still feel real. I enjoyed the conceit of starting each chapter with the main character's to do list, and then seeing how it developed/changed during the chapter.
Also Read:
My Year End recap:Challenge Books:
July:
To Be Continued?: No. I’m not the least bit interested in seeing where this goes.
August:
To Be Continued?: Possibly.
September:
To Be Continued?: Yes, I’ve also read the next in the series and I’ve got book 3 on hold at the library.
October:
To Be Continued?: Likely. I own the next 8 or so in the series but I’ve just not gotten to it yet
November:
To Be Continued?: Yes, I’ve read up through book 7 now.
December:
To Be Continued?: More likely than not. I enjoyed the story but I don’t have the urge to read it RIGHT NOW
January:
To Be Continued?: Yes, I’ve read the second and I’ve got the last book, number three, on Mt. TBR.
February:
To Be Continued?: Possibly. It’s cute but I’ve got to be in the mood for it.
March:
To Be Continued?: Yes, I’ve read up to book 4 already.
April:
To Be Continued?: Probably but I don’t know when.
May:
To Be Continued?: *sigh* I don’t know. I’ve got book two and I’ve tried to get into it and I wasn’t feeling it. I’ll give it another try later.
June:
To Be Continued?: Yes, I’ve already finished the series and the novella.
Also Read series started for this challenge that I have already continued, (not the ones I will continue but haven't yet though)
(** read through series to end or current book):
(1&2)
** 
(1-3)
**
**
**
**
**
**
**
(1-3)
(1-4 )
**
**
**
**
Title/Author: The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen
Series: Rizzoli and Isles
Read: 12th June
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Thoroughly enjoyed this. It was fast moving, with some great characters. Although I knew who the killer was it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book.
Another year over and done with!!!
Very interesting Cristina, I've got several of those books to read on my pile :)
My year-end wrap up post-All told, started 32 series this year, tracked as part of this challenge. WOW.
Everything I was willing to keep reading, at least at the time I finished it. Some series I have already devoured.
Some I have made no effort to continue with, and even forgot that I'd started. Some are now piled up in the TBR.
* - monthly challenge read
+ - also read
Series finished/current:
+
*
+
Series actively in progress:
+
+
+
*
+
(waiting anxiously for the next installment to release)+
+
*
(waiting anxiously for the next installment to release)Series with next books on reserve at library or purchased and in my TBR:
*
-next book purchased, in my TBR+
+
+
+
+
Series stalled, but still intend to get back to:
+
+
+
*
+
*
+
*
+
*
+
+
Series apparently abandoned, because I've made no effort to get back to them:
+
*
+
That's a hellva lot of books ladymurmur!
Sandra wrote: "That's a hellva lot of books ladymurmur!"LOL! Yeah, looking at them all in one place is a bit stunning. It doesn't FEEL like I've read so many books, or started so many new series, but look! Look at them all!
What I really think is neat, is that there were only a couple of times that I had to go searching for a "first in series" book to meet my monthly goal. Most of these were organic discoveries - someone rec'd it, and I just picked it up because it sounded good, or I'd added it to my reserve list at the library and it finally showed up, or I'd had it in the "read next" collection on my kindle for ages, and this was just the time to open it.
Just like the general Goodreads challenge is a fun way to track what I'm actually reading, this challenge was a really neat way to track the new things I'm discovering.
Looking forward to the next challenge, already!! :-)
Glad to hear it!!
Just barely finished this one on time!June 2015 Update
Title/Author: Vampire in Denial by Dale Mayer
Series: Family Blood Ties
Read: June 30
Rating: ★★★½✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Maybe, leaning toward yes but not completely sure yet
Review: Possible Spoilers - (view spoiler)
Finally got around to updating this.I got started on way too many series last year, but I don't regret anything as a lot of them were really great and definitely series I'll continue.
July: Dark Lover | J.R. Ward 07/05/14 ★★★★★
August: Naked in Death | J.D. Robb 08/14/14 ★★★★.5
September: Poison Study | Maria V. Snyder 09/06/14 ★★★★★
October: Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo 10/19/14 ★★★★.5
November: Blue Bloods | Melissa de la Cruz 11/02/14 ★★★★.5
December: Magic Bites | Ilona Andrews 12/24/14 ★★★★
January: Moon Called | Patricia Briggs 01/18/15 ★★★★
February: Spider's Bite | Jennifer Estep 02/05/15 ★★★★★
March: Beauty Dates the Beast | Jessica Sims 03/17/15 ★★★★
April: Kiss of Midnight | Lara Adrian 04/27/15 ★★★★
May: The Look of Love | Bella Andre 05/05/15 ★★★★
June: Witch Hunt | S.M. Reine 06/11/15 ★★★★
July:
Title/Author: Dark Lover | J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Read: 07/05/14
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
I loved the story, and the world the author created. Although the names are corny, I really love the characters in this series.
Other New series started this month:
August:
Title/Author: Naked in Death | J.D. Robb
Series: In Death
Read: 08/14/14
Rating: ★★★★.5
First time author? No (Read Nora Roberts books before starting this)
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
I love the relationship between Eve and Roarke. I like the take on what kinds of crimes are happening in the future. I love Nora Roberts/J.D. Robbs as an author.
Other series started this month:
September:
Title/Author: Poison Study | Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study
Read: 09/06/14
Rating: ★★★★★
First time authoer?: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes.
Review:
I was actually really surprised about how great I thought this book was. I'd had it on my book shelf at home for about 2-3 years, but never picked it up. I had a challenge where I had to read a book with a purple cover and could only find this one. I was so happy with the choice. I loved the world that's created in this series. The way they use magic was very interesting, and I really liked the MC.
Other series started this month
October:
Title/Author: Shadow and Bone | Leigh Bardugo
Series: The Grisha
Read: 10/19/14
Rated: ★★★★.5
First time author: Yes
To-be-continued: Yes
Review:
This was again a alternate universe series, and I liked the story and the way it was written. I was really surprised about who the villain was. I hadn't seen that coming.
Other series started this month
November:
Title/Authoer: Blue Bloods | Melissa de la Cruz
Series: Blue Bloods
Read: 11/02/14
Rated: ★★★★.5
First time author? Yes
To-be-continued: Yes
Review:
This was a nice take on the vampire genre. I liked getting to know about the history about the Blue Bloods. One of the things I didn't like, that made me not give it 5 stars was that I had to read parts of it from a girls POV that I didn't like. If I'd been without that I'd have been happy.
Also started these series this month:
December:
Title/Author: Magic Bites | Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Read: 12/24/14
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes
To-be-Continued: Yes
Review:
At first I was a little confused when reading this one, but I really liked the story. I listened to it on audio, but wasn't so fond of the narrator, so that turned the rating down a little. I do have great hopes for the future of this series.
Other series started this month:
January:
Title/Author: Moon Called | Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson
Read: 01/18/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I love the MC in this series. Mercy is such a likable hero. I have been hesitant about shifter romances, so I'm so happy that I love this series. Adam is really hot, and I think Stefan is funny.
Other series started this month:
February:
Title/Author: Spider's Bite | Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin
Read: 02/05/15
Rated: ★★★★★
First time author: Yes.
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I loved how this book was fast paced from the beginning until the end. I liked the characters and have a good feeling for the series onward.
Other series started this month:
March
Title/Author: Beauty Dates the Beast | Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liasons
Read: 03/17/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes.
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I had fun reading this. It was a light and quick read, which was what I needed at the time.
Other series started this month:
April:
Title/Author: Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
Series: Midnight Breed
Read: 04/27/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes.
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I really liked this story, it reminded me a little of Black Dagger Brotherhood, but so far i think BDB is a little better.
Other Series Started this month:
May
Book title/Author: The Look of Love by Bella Andre
Series: Sullivans
Read: 05/05/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: No
To be continued: Yes
Review:
This was a quick and fun read, and a great start of a series. Definitely a series I'll be coming back to. This is the kind of contemporary romance that I like.
Other first in a series read this month:
June
Book Title/Author: Witch Hunt | S.M. Reine
Series: Preternatural Affairs
Read: 06/11/15
Rated: ★★★★
First time author: Yes
To be continued: Yes
Review:
This was such a fast paced read. I enjoyed it, and was actually really surprised by it. Good thing I have book 2 and 3 at the ready.
Other 1st in series July:
Glad you found some good ones Anita!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Wallbanger (other topics)Heist Society (other topics)
Graceling (other topics)
Artemis Fowl (other topics)
The Teacher's Billionaire (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Maria V. Snyder (other topics)Melissa de la Cruz (other topics)
J.D. Robb (other topics)
Leigh Bardugo (other topics)
J.R. Ward (other topics)
More...
Title/Author: A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin
Series: Matthew Swift
Read: 3/1/2015
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes.
Review:
The second book in the series caught my eye, so I figured I'd be best off starting at the beginning. Luscious urban fantasy, filled with true urban magic, and a unique cast of characters. Discovery happens right up to the last, multi-layered few pages - no early exposition here. A very complex and satisfying read.
Also read: