R15: Team #14 ~ Saperlipopette Reading Xpress

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Judithe....you changed your mind about the Night Circus before or after you started reading?

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Funny but we already have a 3-in-a-row...once Debut Author shelf is stamped.

[Lis]

Yay team on the Stamp...

Finished my Debut Author book. Will try to post a review this evening.

[Lis]

Shelf #4 ~ 8/30/17: Action Packed
DIRECT LINK - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Lis]

Completion post Lis: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet], 3★s, 8/29/2017, Review



Title/Author: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Series: Kingmaker Chronicle #1
Date Read: 8/30/2017
Shelf: #3 Debut Author
Pages: 448
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Review: This book is the first in the Kingmaker Chronicles which follows "Cat" who is in hiding at a circus, avoiding her evil family and her horrible past. She is discovered by a small team of soldiers, lead by Griffin the warlord who conquered Sinta. He sees the truth in what Cat is and her magical powers and kidnaps her for his team and Sinta. Their journey crosses the lands of Sinta and battles against other realms and Cat's own lands. Good - liked the worldbuilding and characters in Griffin's family. Cats ability to snag magical powers was a neat gift along with her favor from mythological gods. The Not so Good - the Cat character seemed like a young adult heroine and the only one that could save the day, etc. She also spent several chapters of the book injured and down for all her bravo. Even thou parts of the book were ok, not sure if I'll run out and start the next one right away...

[Lis]

Happy shelf day... and lucky me since I found this little gem waiting for me...
I'm going with for action packed shelf pick.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

I'm going for for action packed since I finished the first book. Review to come later tomorrow.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

I'm reading .

Very fun choice, Lis!

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Judithe....you changed your mind about the Night Circus before or after you started reading?"

Sorry! Before. I have the physical book....somewhere! Couldn't find it, so snagged an e-book from the library. I meant to post an update...but couldn't find that either...so pretty sure I didn't, or started writing but shut the window prior to hitting the magic button. That seems to be a recent theme in my life.

(Imagine a gif of a disheveled woman pulling at her hair, muttering, "My brain, my brain...who stole my brain....or did it just melt away....")

[Stacey]

Yikes, I'm the only one left for our debut author. I'm about halfway through, and should finish this weekend.

Planning on for action packed.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Completion Post: Debut Author

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Date finished: 8/30/17
Rating: 3.5✮
420 pages

Quick review. It was an ok read but I had a lot of pet peeves.
Con.
Throwing greek gods names left and right does not make an instant worldbuilding. When you think you need a classical class on greek mythology to appreciate a story, it's annoying.
Lots of gagging when experiencing emotions. Is it still YA if there are sex scenes?
Pro.
Cat, while possessing magic and healing, gets injured a lot and does not bounce back after 15 minutes.
Griffin seems like a good potential leader but I wished I had seen more story and actions from his part.

Reading book 2 to see if it improve over time.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Ok, I've updated our master list. I'll be away for the weekend in my family celebrating my mom's birthday.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Happy birthday to Val's mom!!! Enjoy the family time.

[Stacey]

I'm changing my action packed to . Sorry, but I just finished Burn for Me and have to find out what happens next!

Oh and will finish my debut author book tonight -- will post the review tomorrow.

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Debut Author

Book: by Sarah J. Maas
Completed: 9/3/17
How It Fits: #4 on the list
Pages: 404
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I feel like I might be the last person on Goodreads to finish this one, so my review will probably not add much new. I have to admit that I've never read a book about a badass assassin where so little action took place. It was so much more court politics, and teenage angst and cute puppies than the actual "Competition" that I was a little thrown off. I'm not sure I actually believe she's actually an assassin, cause I sure didn't see any of it. I'm not sure whether I will continue the series-- I'm just not sure I care about the characters enough.

[Lis]

Completion post Lis: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews, 5★s, 9/3/2017, Review



Title/Author: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #3
Date Read: 9/3/2017
Shelf: #4 Action Packed
Pages: 391
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: This series is so stinking good... Actually anything written by the IA team is usually a guaranteed good read and this one was one of the best. Nevada has really grown into her powers and the decisions she's made recently no longer allows her to hide her or her family's gifts. Her and Mad Rogan also seem to be in sync until one of his past girlfriends shows up and inserts her needy self back into his life. So many complications and house politics including the mysterious primes that are trying to disrupt the magical order in their quest for power. Really enjoyed getting to discover more about the Baylor family and the chemistry between Nevada and Rogan was sooooo good. It's so hard waiting for the next book...

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Ok, requested stamp for Debut Author shelf.

Keep up the good work!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Saperlipopette Reading Xpress!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'debut author'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Surprised Delights!

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Completion post: Judithe ~ Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead 1-5✮ 1-5✮ 9/2/17


Midnight Jewel by Richelle Mead

Week 4: Action Packed
Date finished: 9/2/17
Rating: ★★★★☆
Thoughts:

I have a tendency to wait on Ms. Mead's series...always eager to read the next in line, and dislike waiting. (Some authors, I just can't wait, but that's another story).

The Glittering Court was available....this one coming soon, so grabbed it, and...addicted again.

The Glittering Court (not the novel, but what the novel is named for) is basically a bride-finding service. High-class education & manners, leading to the marrying off of the women to the highest bidder in the "colonies". Lots to take issue with in that, but the young ladies themselves are a cut beyond....they are managing to outsmart the strictures of society, and carve a life that they choose in the fringes.

This second installment features Mira, a woman who was a refugee from her own war-torn country, who joined the Glittering Court in an attempt to save her brother.

She is a very smart, insightful young woman...and one who thinks for herself (found myself screaming at her at times...don't do that!!!) There is overlap with book 1, so highly recommend reading in order.

I loved that even when she was on the verge of losing herself, she chose the better course. She found her version of an HEA, and I really look forward to her role in the next (as yet unpublished) book.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Completion Post for Week 4: Action Packed

Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Date finished: 9/04/17
Rating: 3 ✮
432 pages

Review: It lost the half star I gave the previous book....because I liked it less. Griffin was a complete ass and treated Cat very poorly most of the book.
The author did continue to build the lore of the gods and dug up nice monsters that I don't see very often and the Oracle was a riot to read about.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Shelf #5 ~ 9/6/17: Vampires
DIRECT LINK - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Thinking of starting for vampires (way too many books to choose from).

[Lis]

This is a tough one to decide on... I'll go with since 12 folks shelved it as "vampires" back up pick is and 2 folks shelved it

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

I'll be going with !

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

So....we are doing great. I forgot to post recap on each page but kept the master list updated.

Here is the shelf still opened:

Shelf #5 ~ 9/6/17: Vampires ~ No stamp
3/4
Judithe: Midnight Marked by Chloe Neill, 4.5✮, 09/09/2017, Review
Lis: Wicked Bite by Rebecca Zanetti
Stacey: Of Silk and Steam by Bec McMaster, 4✮, 09/13/2017, Review
Valerie: Cold Reign by Faith Hunter, 5✮, 09/12/2017, Review


Shelf #6 ~ 9/6/17: Spin Off ~ No stamp
0/4

Judithe: Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost
Lis: Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan
Stacey:
Valerie: Moonshadow by

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Action Packed

Book: by Ilona Andrews
Completed: 9/8/17
Pages: 389
How It Fits: Tagged Action packed 12 times
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is a classic Ilona Andrews book-- lots of peril, lots of laughs and fun but somehow normal characters doing crazy things. The overarching plot is growing and becoming more involved -- sometimes too involved as I think eventually I'll need a spreadsheet to keep families and all the different magic types straight! There was a nice progression in the relationship between Rogan and Nevada, and like the Kate Daniels books, the cast of characters to care about keeps growing and getting more interesting. I have the 3rd book checked out from the library, but I'm in that horrible place of not wanting to get caught up and wanting to see what happens next.

[Lis]

Stacey wrote: " Completion Post -- Action Packed

I have the 3rd book checked out from the library, but I'm in that horrible place of not wanting to get caught up and wanting to see what happens next. ..."

I know exactly what you mean... I caught myself wanting to stay up all night to finish and also slowing down to drag it out so I could savor it a little longer. IA books more than any I'm watching chapters and counting down as I read. Oh my only 5 chapters left...

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Thanks Stacey! Requested our stamp for action packed.

[Stacey]

I'm sorry, I'm really trying to decide on a Vampire book, I'm just not finding any that I really want to read...

[Lis]

Stacey since there is too many listed, I went to my to read next list that I wanted to read a found a couple that happened to be shelved as "vampires" so they fit... Might be easier to work from your list vs the huge list. Plus I'm not a big YA fan and it seems you have pages and pages of YA shelved books listed first.

[Stacey]

Lis wrote: "Stacey since there is too many listed, I went to my to read next list that I wanted to read a found a couple that happened to be shelved as "vampires" so they fit... Might be easier to work from yo..."

So much YA! I like YA, but I've been reading a ton of YA lately so would love to take a break from it. I'll try the reverse and go through my TBR and look for the vampire tag.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Or Stacey you could look at my Vampires shelf. I have very little YA on it :) There's over 1000 but you'd have to check the pg count of anything that takes your fancy.

Vampires

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

LOL, I sometimes get inspiration from Sandra's shelves because she's good at tagging everything...unlike me.

[Lis]

Such a bad idea... I didn't even need a vampire book and just chillin so I took a peek... and bought three more books I didn't need. Bad idea, BAD idea...

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Saperlipopette Reading Xpress!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'action packed'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Thank you Val :)

My commiserations Lis :)

Congrats on the stamp Surprised Delights!

[Lis]

Sandra you had a couple from good authors I usually buy from, but must have missed. I admit I stopped looking after the first few pages or I was going to be in more trouble... good shelf...

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

LOL. Glad to be an enabler, hehehe

[Stacey]

Sandra wrote: "Or Stacey you could look at my Vampires shelf. I have very little YA on it :) There's over 1000 but you'd have to check the pg count of anything that takes your fancy.

Vampires"

Sandra thanks! I had resigned myself to , but then looked at your shelves and remembered I still had one book to go in the London Steampunk series. So I will be reading instead.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Excellent Stacey, glad I could help even if only in a small way :)

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

I just checked out the first in the London Steampunk...looking forward to your review (though may just check out your stars to avoid any spoilers...!)

And finished with my book...really lagging on the review end! SORRY! Soon, but work project first...but thought I was overdue to pop in!

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

I've finished my vampire book. I just need to let it settle in my mind before writing a review tomorrow.

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Vampires

Book: by Bec McMaster
Completed: 9/13/17
Pages: 442
How It Fits: Tagged Vampires 52 times
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the 5th book in this series, and wraps up the first arc in this world -- a new arc in the same world has already been started. I'm not usually a huge fan of Steampunk, but I have enjoyed all of this series, and this one was no different. At the beginning of the series I wouldn't have been interested in a story about either of the MCs of this one, but by the time I got to this book, it made sense. The author does a great job of mixing a good, believable romance with a bunch of action and forward progression in the story and there is never a dull moment. She also has great strong female characters without making them unlikeable. :) I have inklings of where the next story arc is going, and I'm excited to keep up with this world.

[Stacey]

Judithe wrote: "I just checked out the first in the London Steampunk...looking forward to your review (though may just check out your stars to avoid any spoilers...!)

And finished with my book...really lagging on..."

I tried not to be spoilery in my review. :) The first book was one of my favorites -- such interesting characters. I hope you enjoy it!

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Shelf #6 ~ 9/6/17: Spin Off
DIRECT LINK -https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Completion Post: Vampires

Cold Reign by Faith Hunter
Date finished:09/12/2017
Rating: 5✮
350 pages

I really don't know what to write without spoilers. It's an amazing series with many layered characters. Jane Yellowrock has been neck deep in vampire politics and, with the Euro Vamps coming to New Orleans, backstabbing , spies and magical attacks are everywhere.

What I liked is that the Youngers are becoming even more of a family with Jane and she is appreciating them more and more. Beast is a riot and I haven't found a sidekick with as much snark, praticallity and humor in other series.

"Beast will hunt cow! In Edmund car!"

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Don't know what to read. thinking out loud with a list.

[Lis]

Think I'll go with a freebie I have and I have as a back up for spin off series.

Val, the Jane Yellowrock series is one of my top favs. The Soulwood spinoff series isn't bad either.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

I love that one (and the spin-off!) too, Val. Beast is great!

I'll go with one I had wait-listed at the library...wait was looking rather long, so I checked to see how much it would be to buy...and found out I HAD ALREADY bought it...good/bad side of pre-ordering e-books.

Anyway,