R16: Team #2 ~ Breakneck Bookworms

[Victoria]

Art (Posting elsewhere as Whistler Reads) wrote: "Victoria ... check out the reading order list for the Guild Hunters ... there are three n..."

Oh wow, thanks for the link Art!!!! I've bookmarked it and will go a hunting :D

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Immortals

Book: by Kevin Hearne
Completed: 3/25/18
Pages: 312
Rated: 2 stars
Review: I think I just read this book at a bad time. I enjoyed the first 2 books in this series, but this one I just found boring and disjointed. The first half of the book is full of random interactions with every character we've ever met before and then we meet a whole different cast in the second half and then (view spoiler)[ we watch most of them die (hide spoiler)] And for some reason the random pop references that I found entertaining the first 2 times around, I found out of place in battles with gods. I'll keep going with the series, but probably won't be in a hurry.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Sounds a bit like burn out Stacey :(

[Steph Ann]

Stacey wrote: "Completion Post -- Immortals

Book: by Kevin Hearne
Completed: 3/25/18
Pages: 312
Rated: 2 stars
Review: I think I just read this book at a bad time. I enjoyed the fir..."

I've slowed down on my reading of that series too, Stacey. I still enjoy it, but not as much as I remember loving those first couple books.

[Steph Ann]

I should have my book finished tonight and will post the review either tonight or tomorrow. :)

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Week 2 ... Stamp Requested

[Stacey]

Sandra wrote: "Sounds a bit like burn out Stacey :("

I reread my review and I sound a lot more annoyed than I actually was. Mostly I was disappointed since I remember really liking the first 2. Usually if I make it to the second and third book, I get pretty deep into a series, but maybe this one is the exception.

Hoping to get my book finished sometime Wednesday.

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Completion Post ... Week 3 Shelf Three ... PART OF A SERIES



A Wrinkle in Time
229 pages ... 130 on linked list
Read: 3/25
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:
I've sworn to stop exaggerating ratings, to become a little more critical, yet here I am, doing it again. I think for it's time this was a masterwork, and with all the hype of today (Movie in March, '18) the "Wrinkle" has held up quite well!

One of my favorite reviewers, Kathy Davie said:

A brilliant and very intelligent exploration of time/space travel for three children on a mission to rescue their father and save the world with a sideways observation of how losing a parent affects a child.

and I agree. There's also notice taken about the issues of skin-deep beauty and snap judgement. The narrative reminds me of C. S. Lewis' allegorical style, in it's simplicity, good vs. evil, and theoretical science references ... that sort of "concept made understandable" feeling.

The book ends suddenly, matter-of-factly, leaving one wanting more, and luckily Ms L'Engle wrote a bunch more in this and related series...

[Steph Ann]

Part of a Series


Small Favor by Jim Butcher

Read: 3/26/18
Rating: 4 stars

Review

This one had a bit of slow start for me, and I was having a hard time getting into it. Then, probably around the 20/25 percent mark, I found myself reading faster and faster, trying to see what would happen next. There were a lot of moments that made me laugh out loud, as well as some that made me tear up. Those reactions alone easily made up for the slow beginning. There were some developments that make me curious as to what's going to happen next. I'll definitely be reading the next one!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Selection Post ... Free Space ... Group Shelves-Steampunk



Her Sky Cowboyl by Beth Ciotta
352 pages ... #1 on linked page

[Stacey]

Selection Post -- Free Space

by Ilona Andrews
Pages: 260
First book in Kate Daniels series listed #2 in Best of UF list.

Sorry this took me so long to get figured out!

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Part of a Series

Book: by Jennifer Ashley
Completed: 3/28/18
Pages: 294
How It Fits: Shelved part of series 5 times -- and links to list
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is one of those series that I follow, but I don't grab up as soon as they are published. I like the world building and the series story arc took a big step forward in this one. I enjoyed Graham, cause he's just a bunch of bluster, and Misty because she stood up to his bluster like a champ. The secondary characters keep growing and we got to revisit a bunch from the previous books.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Breakneck Bookworms!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'Immortals'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Speedy Worms!

[Victoria]

Selection Post -- Week 4 -- Shelf 4 -- Detective

by Laurell K. Hamilton
This is a re-read for me... but in my defense... I've been itching for a reason to start the series again. I read the book when it first got out (2006)... feel pretty old now lol

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Stacey wrote: " Selection Post -- Free Space
...
Sorry this took me so long to get figured ..."

...No problemo ... I just got mine picked too ...

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Sorry for the belated shelf post for the week ... DETECTIVE

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Selection Post ... Week Four ... Shelf Four ... DETECTIVE



The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
385 pages ... 157 on linked page

[Steph Ann]

Selection Post -- Week 4 -- Shelf 4 -- Detective


Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Decided to continue on right away with the Dresden Files. :)

[Victoria]

Art (Posting elsewhere as Whistler Reads) wrote: "Sorry for the belated shelf post for the week ...
DETECTIVE
"

Not to worry Art!! I couldn't sleep so I saw it around 5am ;)

Hmm.. not sure if I should read the free space one first.. or the detective... so much to read, not enough hours in the day :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Breakneck Bookworms!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'part of a series'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the Stamp Speedy Worms!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

One of the things I love about this group/game is that our wake-up times are all over the place ...it enlivens my day, which kind of goes from wake-up to sleepy-time without regard for the sun ...

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Please include the booklink as well as the cover in your "choice" posts ... although the cover looks good, somehow the text link copies directly, and I don't have to look it up for myself to place it in the tracking post...

Thanx

p.s. but just don't ask me why it works ...

p,p,s, ref.:tracking post ...template two...

[Stacey]

Selection Post -- Week 4 -- Detective

Book: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Free Space

Book: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Completed: 4/1/18
Pages: 260
How It Fits: Book 1 in the Kate Daniels Series listed #2 on Best Urban Fantasy List
Rating: 4 stars
Reivew: This is actually my one permitted re-read for the game. The first time I read this, I was sooooo lost, that I wanted to go back and try the series without all the confusion. I did not feel nearly as lost this time around, but now I'm so used to the depth of all the characters in later books, that this one actually felt somewhat superficial and very first book-ish. Still loved it, and enjoyed doing it on audible as the reader is excellent. I'm going to keep up with the re-read on audio until the next in the series comes out.

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Stacey wrote: " Completion Post -- Free Space ..."

)@ Stacey , for the free space tracking post, which choice (1, 2. 2) and/or shelf did you find "Magic Bites" on?
Art

¦-})>

[Stacey]

Oops, sorry! Its #2 on the Best Urban Fantasy series list. I'll edit my post tomorrow when I get back on the computer.

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

@Victoria: same quistion, for the free space tracking post, which choice (1, 2. 2) and/or shelf did you find "A Demon Bound" on?

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Completion Post ... Free Space ... Group Shelves-Steampunk



Her Sky Cowboyl by Beth Ciotta
352 pages ... #1 on linked page
Read: 4/1
Rated: ★★★★✩

Review:

In a parallel world where a Gentleman inventor has jumped forward 100 years in time and then a group of hippy geeks have jumped back from the '60's warning of world catastrophe in 1967, precipitating a "Peace War", our story begins thirty some years later.
Our heroine, Amelia Darcy. grew up as the steampunk equivalent of a tomboy daughter, tagging not her brothers but her distracted father, assisting with "inventions" in his "laboratory" (a converted stable) where he made, among a lot of other things, working prosthetic wings for a falcon, a two seater human-powered flying machine, and an "improved" Zeppelin ... The falcon wings were a lot more reliable than most of his other inventions, 'tho all worked.

After her Pops blows himself up in her absence, she hooks up with a renegade discredited law-man from the "Americas", and after the usual steampunky excitement the story pauses at a cliff-edge, leaving our heros headed for the colonies, and the saving of Queen Victoria for a later volume in the series.

The story seemed to me well done, moving right along with negligible editing distractions. I'll not have any trouble finding something else to read!

[Victoria]

Art (Posting elsewhere as Whistler Reads) wrote: "@Victoria: same quistion, for the free space tracking post, which choice (1, 2. 2) and/or shelf did you find "A Demon Bound" on?"

Woooop, so sorry Art!!! I went for option 2 (best of UF series) and its nr 66 on the list!

I'll edit my post at the same time. sorry for the extra work!

Have a great Monday everyone! :D

[Steph Ann]

I have my book finished, just need to find time to get on my computer to post my review. My 1 year old is sick, and then last night, my 3 year old fell and hit his head, and we spent a good chunk of time in the ER. Thankfully, he's fine and only needed two stitches, but suffice to say things have been hectic, lol.

[Stacey]

Steph Ann wrote: "I have my book finished, just need to find time to get on my computer to post my review. My 1 year old is sick, and then last night, my 3 year old fell and hit his head, and we spent a good chunk o..."

Oof, Steph Ann that sounds like a few bad days! Hope the little ones are feeling better soon!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Completion Post ... Week Four ... Shelf Four ... DETECTIVE



The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
385 pages ... 157 on linked page
Read: 3/31
Rated: ★★★★★

Review:

In an alternate universe revealed mostly in epigraphs, our MC Thursday Next fights evils ranging from counterfeiting literature to murder to altering time.

. . . There is no point in expending good money on the pursuit of an engine that can power aircraft without propellers. What is wrong with airships anyway? They have borne mankind aloft for over a hundred relatively accident-free years and I see no reason to impugn their popularity . . . Congresswoman Kelly, arguing against parliamentary
funds for the development of a new form of propulsion,
August 1972

Fforde, Jasper. The Eyre Affair:

In some stories time travel sets the stage...In the "Thursday Next" milieu, time travel is the story, with one character showing up for a few minutes at a time (some times at the same time), and another, Thursday's Uncle Mycroft, inventing a portal to other alternates in the form of a door into and out of books (such as "Jane Eyre", hence the name of this novel) allowing someone to live in the narrative....Changing a copy changes only that copy... Influencing the outcome of an original manuscript
while living there, however...

All very confusing... Mr. FForde has it all adequately figured out though, and the banter between characters, and their names and environs are highly amusing. If you're the type of reader who appreciates wordplay, intricate plotting, and rich descriptive language, this is the one (and the series) for you... I'm all in!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

@Steph Ann:

I remember hitting the corner of a bedside table when I was about 4 ...
after 70-some years, my left eyebrow doesn't show a scar any more ...

hope your kids get better quickly ...

[Steph Ann]

Thanks, Art and Stacy! The littlest is still sick, but my oldest is running around like normal. We have to keep reminding him to be careful so he doesn't trip and do more damage. It also doesn't help that his middle brother likes to bump heads with people as a sign of affection lol.

[Steph Ann]

Seeing as how he fell and hit the corner of a fireplace, it could have been so much worse! As it is, he's just going to potentially wind up with a scar that makes him look like Harry Potter, lol.

I can laugh about it now, but last night, I was absolutely terrified!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Glad to hear he seems back to normal Steph Ann!! Hope the one yr old is better soon, and nobody else gets what he's got!!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Art (Posting elsewhere as Whistler Reads) wrote: "Completion Post ... Week Four ... Shelf Four ... DETECTIVE .."

My thanks to D.A. for her assistance with this review. The definition was MOST helpful...

[Stacey]

Completion Post -- Detectives

Book: by Agatha Christie
Completed: 4/3/18
How It Fits: #6 on the list
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I enjoyed the story on this one quite a bit, but have to admit I was disappointed by the end. I thought the way the author handled the deaths and the mounting tension was well done, and watching them all unravel was interesting. I have to admit that I'm frustrated by still not knowing who was responsible at the end. I would have liked the exposition of how it was all done, but I guess that's probably a more modern writing style. I also thought it was a little odd that there really weren't any detectives involved in the story. :)

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Pub 1939

[Steph Ann]

And now, my other two kids and myself are sick lol. I will get on my computer and post my review at some point today though! :-)

[Victoria]

Steph Ann wrote: "And now, my other two kids and myself are sick lol. I will get on my computer and post my review at some point today though! :-)"

Oh no :( :( Hope you all get well soon! Take good care of yourselves!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Steph Ann wrote: "And now, my other two kids and myself are sick lol. I will get on my computer and post my review at some point today though! :-)"


Damn, I was afraid that would happen. Look after yourself as well as the kiddos Steph Ann!!

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

The Week Five called shelf is ....drum roll... DEMONS

[Art (aka Whistler Reads)]

Selection Post ... Week 5 ... Shelf 5 ... DEMONS



Fire & Ice by K.F. Breene
270 pages ... tagged 10 times on linked page (It worked, D.A.!
Read!:
Rated: ★★★★★✩✩✩✩

Review:

[Steph Ann]

Detectives

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Read: 3/31/18
Rating: 4 stars

Review

Another solid entry in this series! The action starts on the first page and doesn't really let up. There were some developments I wasn't thrilled with, but that's mainly because Harry just can't catch a break, not due to any flaw in the novel. Looking forward to the next one!

[Victoria]

Woohoo! Demons, if that isn't one of my favourite subjects then I don't know ;)

Art... what are the odds of you picking up the same book as I have on my list? :) :) I don't know if that's allowed, so if not I'll just pick another one from the list.

oh and I'll be posting my review for last weeks shelf later on today as well, so we got that done :D

Happy reading everyone!!

[Victoria]

Completion Post -- Week 4 -- Shelf 4 -- Detective

Book: A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K Hamilton
468 pages
Completed: 04/04/2018
Rating: *****

Review:
I loved the world the author created, so alive. I can’t actually believe its 468 pages long, I couldn’t put it down and pretty much finished it in one go.

While the story only contains happenings of a few days, the pacing is excellent and while we have a lot going on, it doesn’t feel rushed and you have plenty of time in between to catch your breath without it getting boring (and before you're off again).

Character development is good. While of course the emphasis is on Merry, the author sheds a light on all characters, even those we only see fleetingly. It makes for a very immersive read, being able to connect to the characters and have a bit of insight in who they are and why they behave as they do. Doyle’s inner conflict for example or Galen’s naiveté.

The book in itself was very well written and I found no errors.
This series does contain sex, although I must say that this book is still pretty normal contrary to the following books.

While this was a reread for me I thoroughly enjoyed it once again and will absolutely read the rest of the series when ermm.. I have some time?

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Victoria, doesn't matter how many people pick the same book, its allowed.