SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R15: Team #4 ~ 4 Squared
Shelf #5 ~ 9/6/17: Vampires ☑ 4/4 Done☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
Shelf #6 ~ 9/6/17: Spin Off ☑ 4/4 Done☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
Well done team ~ we've got 2 stamps on the way and are one book away from a third one. After that we'll be all caught up but for the latest shelf books.
Hi all. I ended up sticking with Unforgiven. To be honest my library didn't have another audiobook available that fit so I just kept listening. So I apologize for the back and forth on the book selection.
Week 6 Shelf: Spin-Off
Book: Unforgiven by Lauren Kate
Date Read: 9-16-17
Rating: ★★★
Review:
FINALLY finished. I've had a love-hate relationship with this book and honestly I think the only reason I got through it this time is because I listened to the audiobook. Justine Eyre is a great narrator.
I loved Cam in the original series and I wanted something epic for him but his love story fell flat. It was nothing like Lucinda and Daniel's story. Lucinda & Daniel were mentioned a couple of times but never make an appearance.
I'm glad Cam got his HEA and it may have been better had it been a shorter story or if I had read it right after finishing Rapture. I would definitely recommend the audiobook over just reading it.
COMPLETION POSTShelf #5 - Vampires
Lost Souls
Rating: ★★★
Completed: 9/17
Final Thoughts:
It took me a while to get through this book. At first it was really hard to follow. I was lost for the first couple of hours of the audiobook. There were so many characters thrown at you all at once it was confusing. I finally figured it out and was able to get through the rest of it. I thought it was okay but I do think I would have loved it if I read it back when I 12 or 13.
CONGRATULATIONS, 4 Squared!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'debut author' and 'action packed'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamps 4 sq!
COMPLETION POSTShelf #6 - Spin Off
#Blur
Rating: ★★★★
Completed: 9/18
Final Thoughts:
Loved it! This was definitely a tear jerker. My heart broke for both MCs. I was so glad that neither one gave up on the other. I wish Arrow's father got more punishment at the end. But I'm satisfied with how it all turned out.
Hey team... just FYI, I probably won't have my spin-off book done until Friday or Saturday. Things just aren't lining up this week :-(
Hi everyone! For this week's shelf I'm going to read
. Very excited that the next book in the series I'm currently reading fits the shelf!!
COMPLETION POSTShelf #7 - Demons
Concubine
Rating: ★★★
Completed: 9/21
Final Thoughts:
Enjoyable. Definitely not the best master/slave book I've read. I wish Kael and his father had one more scene together. I would have liked to see what the King would have said to him. This is a new author for me and I enjoyed it enough to check out more by them.
Week 7 Shelf: Demons
Book: Damien by Jacquelyn Frank
Date Read: 9-23-17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Damien is the Vampire Prince that we have gotten to know in previous books. He is an ally of the Demons and fought along side of them and the Lycanthropes in the last battle against Ruth. I have always liked Damien's character and was glad to see him matched up with Syreena, Sienna's little sister.
The book moved slower than previous books and did not have as much action. The story revolved more around the Nightwalkers as a whole and how each species relate with each other.
Ruth, armed with her evil bag of tricks, continues her assault against the Demons and anyone who associates with them.
It was a good book and provided a lot of insight on the different Nightwalker species and their cultures. It ended with a slight cliffhanger regarding Jasmine - not sure if she's gone to the dark side. Looking forward to reading Noah and learning more about the larger-than-life Demon King.
Week 6 -- Completion PostShelf: Spin-off
Book: Hired Bride - Noelle Adams
How it fits: tagged 1 time
Read: 09.23
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Kind of a cute little book. Fairly predictable marriage of convenience romance but done well. I enjoyed watching the change in Mitchell as he began to have deeper feelings for Deanna and realized he was capable of much more than even he knew. I was also glad to see that Deanna decided to take a risk as well, this was evidence of her own growth. Not that the whole story was overly deep but it was enjoyable to see a predictable romance trope have a bit of depth in the characters.
Week 7 -- Completion PostShelf: Demons
Book: Biting Cold - Chloe Neill
How it fits: tagged 46 times
Read: 09.24
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Still enjoying this series. I do have to say that it was somewhat predictable with the two Tates and how they came to be one then two - it was something I had guessed early in the story and I couldn't understand why they didn't think of it before they did. Regardless of that, I liked how they wrapped up that storyline somewhat and now we just get to deal with the idiotic mayor and McKettrick... oh and the trials of defecting. I enjoyed seeing Ethan and Merit come together in a real relationship for the moment at least. It was good to see Ethan able to change and accept the vulnerability in himself that his feelings for Merit create.
Shelf #6 ~ 9/6/17: Spin Off The Assassin's Blade - Sarah J. Maas ~ ★★★★ (09/22/2017)Review:
A collection of short stories introducing Celaena and revealing what happened before the events of the first book of the series.
The Assassin and the Pirate Lord:
Celaena is intolerably arrogant and vain, and I had to force myself to keep reading, hoping she'll improve as she grew. In this first part of her story, she is sent to negotiate a deal with a pirate lord on behalf of her mentor, the Master of Assassins. Her nemesis, Sam, goes with her and during their trip they discover that their mission was not what they were led to believe.
(view spoiler).
The Assassin and the Healer:
The aftermath of Celeana's adventure in the previous story. After their return home, Celeana and Sam are severely punished, and part of Celeana's punishment has her path cross that of a healer girl who is stuck working as a barmaid.
Celeana is spoiling for a fight to burn up some of her frustration, and ends up saving the girl and teaching her some valuable self-defense moves. She's still pretty arrogant, but has started being slightly more introspective, rethinking things she'd never had before, her feelings towards Sam among them.
The Assassin and the Desert:
Celeana's travels finally bring her to her destination, the desert where she is to be trained by the Mute Master Assassin and only return with his letter of approval.
There, she finds a vastly different world than the one she's used to, meets interesting people and makes her first girl friend who (view spoiler).
It will be interesting to see if Celeana will ever cross paths again with the people she encountered in those adventures of hers, the Mute Master's son, the healer and her friend, especially.
The Assassin and the Underworld:
Celeana returns home triumphant, and still not quite ready to forgive Arobynn for his past actions. (view spoiler).
Hopeful, she starts on what she hopes will be a better life, but as we see in the next story, unfortunately that's not what happens.
The Assassin and the Realm:
This story begins with Celeana in chains and thinking back on the events that brought her there.
Soon after they both got their freedom, Celeana and Sam are living together and trying to come to an agreement about their next steps. Sam wants to leave as soon as possible, but Celeana is reluctant. They need to get Arobynn's agreement to leave the guild, or they'd have to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives, but his price is steep.
Determined to get free of him, Celeana agrees to use up most of her savings, and they end up taking a contract with the very powerful and dangerous criminal lord and his right hand man as their targets.
They both want a future together, away from the danger of their current lives, so they plan and prepare for what they hope will be their last contract. (view spoiler).
The story ends with Celeana heartbroken and trying to hold on to the numbness that keeps her from feeling the pain of what's transpired.
I'd read a couple of pages of the first book a couple of years ago, and wasn't in the mood for it at the time, in big part because of Celeana's arrogance, but now that I've read what came before and can understand her a little better, I'm looking forward to giving Throne of Glass another chance.
Shelf #7 ~ 9/20/17: Demons
Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas ~ ★★★★ (09/22/2017)Review:
I'd started this book a couple of years ago, but I was less than impressed with Celaena and ended up putting it aside. Now, after reading the prequel short stories in The Assassin's Blade, I understood Celaena slightly better and could relate to her a bit more.
The story begins with Celaena being released from her imprisonment to become the crown prince's candidate in his father's competition for the role of his new champion. While she would like nothing more than killing the king instead, the promise of her freedom is incentive enough to get her to do her best in the competition, while regaining parts of herself she'd lost while imprisoned.
She becomes close to the Captain of the Guard who is helping with her training, despite his dislike of her as a matter of principle, as well as the Prince, who finds her refreshingly different, after the court women falling all over him.
Things become more complicated when her fellow candidates are discovered brutally murdered, one after the other, and (view spoiler).
Engaging story that leaves us with more questions than answers, (view spoiler).
I'm curious to see how things will progress in Crown of Midnight, now that Celeana will have to (view spoiler).
Previous book review:
✦ The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5)
Shelf #7 ~ 9/20/17: Demons ☑ 4/4 Done☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
Well done team! We're all caught up and ready for the next shelf.
CONGRATULATIONS, 4 Squared!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'vampires', 'spin-off' and 'demons'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamps 4sq!
Week 8 -- Selection PostShelf: Reader's Choice ~ must be a book within a series
Book: Black Rose - Nora Roberts
How it fits: #2 in In the Garden
I'm reading
for the Reader's Choice shelf.
Shelf #8 ~ 9/27/17: Reader's Choice - ☑ 4/4 Done~ must be a book within a series
☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
SELECTION POST Shelf #8 - Reader's Choice (series)
God Save The Child by Robert B. Parker, 205 pgs
(Series: Spenser #2)
Week 8 -- Completion PostShelf: Reader's Choice ~ must be a book within a series
Book: Black Rose - Nora Roberts
How it fits: #2 in In the Garden
Read: 09.30
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is actually the second time I've read this - the first being several years ago before my GR life came into being :-) At that time I hadn't read but one or two (if any) of the the In Death series. Now that I'm 20 books into that series, I see a ton of similarities in the writing. I can't say that I've noticed that in other NR books I've been reading, but it stands out in this series to me for some reason. I also saw a lot of similarities between the protag here and Eve Dallas - physical description and thought patterns, mostly as Eve wouldn't know what to do with a plant if her life depended on it! None of this is a complaint as I like that series and I really like this mini-series as well. But it did throw me at times when I was hearing Eve's voice in my head instead of Roz's. Looking forward to Harper and Hayley next!
Week 8 Shelf: Reader's Choice
Book: Adam by Jacquelyn Frank
Date Read: 9-29-17
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Jasmine had to have someone amazing as her mate and Adam was the perfect compliment to her strong character. An enjoyable book and a good final battle between the Nightwalkers and Ruth. There was a little confusion with the time jumping and I'm still left wondering about the "demon girl" at the end.
My only complaint is the way it ends (I've said that about one or two of the other books in the series). It just stops - not a cliff-hanger but more like an ending of a Chapter rather than the end of the book.
I'm looking forward to reading the spin-off series, Shadowdwellers. Hopefully some of the Nightwalker series characters will crossover.
COMPLETION POSTShelf #8 - Reader's Choice (series)
God Save The Child
Rating: ★★★
Completed: 10/01
Final Thoughts:
The mystery aspect was meh. But Spenser is just so snarky he makes the story entertaining.
Favorite quote:
"If at first you don't succeed, to hell with it."
Shelf #8 ~ 9/27/17: Reader's Choice Winterblaze - Kristen Callihan ~ ★★★ (10/01/2017)Review:
The story of Poppy and her estranged husband Winston.
Poppy has had to keep secrets from everyone in her family and when the truth came out in the previous book, Winston did not take it very well. This story picks up a short while after the events of the previous book and shows how the couple reunites once again.
Poppy is a lot more kickass than we were led to believe, and so is Winston. The two of them work together to find a way to defeat a demon that is after them, and get to know each other again, this time without secrets in their way.
While I normally enjoy the estranged married couple trope, for some reason I just wasn't particularly invested in their story, through no fault of their own. I suppose I just wasn't in the mood for this book at the time.
I am curious to see how things progress between Jack Talent and Mary Chase however, especially since they seemed to rub each other the wrong way in this book. Their story comes after the novella Entwined about (view spoiler), in Shadowdance.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Moonglow (Darkest London #2)
✦ Firelight (Darkest London #1)
Well done team, we're all finished with our Reader's Choice books!
SELECTION POST Shelf #9 - Magical Realism
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon, 317 pgs
(found on page 14)
For Magical Realism I'm going to try reading
CONGRATULATIONS, 4 Squared!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'reader's choice'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp 4sq!
Week 9 -- Selection PostShelf: Magical Realism
Book: Red Lily - Nora Roberts
How it fits: tagged 6 times
I had a really hard time finding a book on my TBR that had this tag. I wasn't planning on reading this one this month but I guess plans change! Fair warning though, it's not fitting with other challenges so I'll probably be down to the wire reading it!
I could not finish The Night Circus - way too creepy for me. So I went with The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - something on the opposite end of the spectrum, which was tagged Magical Realism 22 times.
Week 9 Shelf: Magical Realism
Book: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Date Read: 10-9-17
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants introduces us to four girls who have known each other literally from birth - Lena, Carmen, Bridget and Tibbie. For the first time the girls will be separated for the summer. A pair of "magical" pants that passes from one girl to the next over the course of the summer provides a tangible reminder that even though they are not physically together they are never truly alone.
A delightful story of love and friendship. I will definitely continue the series.
COMPLETION POSTShelf #9 - Magical Realism
The Winter People
Rating: ★★
Completed: 10/11
Final Thoughts:
This was just okay for me. It was extremely slow and I had a difficult time getting into it. I felt really bad for Martin in this. Poor schmuck.
For Science Fiction I'm going to read
tagged 1 time
Shelf #9 ~ 10/4/17: Magical Realism:
Death Masks - Jim Butcher ~ ★★★★ (10/12/2017)Review:
When it rains, it pours for Harry Dresden, who is juggling a number of situations that are likely to get him killed once again.
He is tasked with retrieving the Shroud of Turin, a mystical artifact that was recently stolen and that everyone seems to want, while assisting Murphy with a weird case and arranging a duel with a vampire master who wants him dead in order to stop the war between the Red Court and the wizards.
(view spoiler). I'm glad this wrapped up, since I wasn't a huge fan in the first place.
The main big bad this time, (view spoiler).
An enjoyable, fast paced story that makes me like Harry a little more, despite his flaws. Next in the series comes Blood Rites.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4)
✦ Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3)
✦ Fool Moon (The Dresden Files #2)
✦ Storm Front (The Dresden Files #1)
Shelf #9 ~ 10/4/17: Magical Realism - ☑ 4/4 Done☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
Shelf #10 ~ 10/11/17: Science Fiction - ☑ 4/4 Done☑ Kim:
☑ Krissy:
☑ LaurLa:
☑ Thenia:
This feels a bit like cheating but technically, it fits.... I'm a bit backed up on books this week and I need this for other challenges so I'm going to take it!Week 10 -- Selection
Shelf: Science Fiction
Book: Kiss of a Demon King - Kresley Cole
How it fits: tagged 2 times
No worries LaurLa, its always been, if its on the shelf, it fits :)
Shelf #10 ~ 10/11/17: Science Fiction The Golden Dynasty - Kristen Ashley ~ ★★★ (10/14/2017)Review:
Suspend your disbelief, prepare for some brutal scenes and enjoy this love letter to the Dothraki!
Circe wakes up in a world decidedly not her own, where she is about to take part in the "wife hunt" of a savage warrior Horde. She has no idea how she got there and no idea how to get back home, and before she can figure things out, she finds herself claimed by Lahn, the Horde King.
Lahn and the rest of the Horde believe that she is the fated Golden Queen that will start the Golden Dynasty and lead the Horde to prosperity. While being queen has its perks, it's understandably hard for Circe to adjust to a world where (view spoiler), among other things. That doesn't deter her from falling for her husband, however, and trying to make the best of her situation.
Despite its many flaws, the story includes one of my favorite tropes, (view spoiler).
The series continues with Fantastical.
Previous book review:
✦ Wildest Dreams (Fantasyland, #1)
So as long as the book is tagged with whatever the shelf is it'll work? I've always played thinking that it had to be on one of the pages provided by the link. I wish I knew that before picking would have been so much easier.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Ninja at First Sight (other topics)Adam (other topics)
The Sin Eater's Daughter (other topics)
Grant (other topics)
Adam (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Melinda Salisbury (other topics)Jennifer Ashley (other topics)
Jennifer Ashley (other topics)
Melinda Salisbury (other topics)
Heidi Belleau (other topics)
More...
Review:
The introduction to Reagan Somerset's world and its various creatures that she encounters in her everyday job as a supernatural bounty hunter.
Reagan's job does not give her a steady paycheck and when her latest mark is stolen by vampires, she is getting desperate for another one. That's what pushes her to accept the vampires' offer for a job that she would have otherwise refused, especially since it involves partnering with Darius, the vampire who stole her mark, for the duration. Darius is undeniably attractive and there's quite a bit of chemistry between them, but it takes more than a few sparks to convince Reagan to give in to him.
Reagan, who is some sort of supernatural herself, has managed to keep her true identity and abilities a secret, wanting to stay out of the supernaturals' politics and afraid of what her life will become once her secret is out. It takes a long while, but we eventually learn what she is, (view spoiler)[Lucifer's daughter and his successor if he learns of her existence, since she appears to be the only of his children to have inherited his abilities (hide spoiler)].
Engaging plot, snarky heroine and enough foreshadowing to make me curious about what will happen in the next book, Raised in Fire.