SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
Completion Post
Week 3: part-of-a-series
Book: Etched in Bone
Author: Anne Bishop
Date Read: 3/23/2018
Rating 5 stars
How it fits: tagged part-of-a-series 12 times
After jumping around all over Thasia in book four, my favorite aspect of book five is how focused it is on the Lakeside Courtyard. I love how Bishop continues to find ways to bring humor into the story: Kowalski's bike chase and Meg calling the Elders bad puppies by accident are my favorites in this one. While the plot that centers around the trouble caused by Jimmy is interesting, my favorite part of the book is seeing the growth in the relationship between Simon and Meg.
I'll read
by Kinsey.
Team 12: Of Bards and BooksWeek Four, Shelf: detective
LaurLa: Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose - ★★★★★ - March 31 - Review
Leah: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie - ★★★★ - April 4 - Review
Lisa Kay: Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith - ★★★★★ - April 5 - Review
Deanna: A Quiet Life In The Country by T E Kinsey - ★★★★ - April 1 - Review
Is anyone on here friends with Logan? She's still MIA and didn't respond to my message yet.Also, I was totally planning on reading
for this shelf but somehow it's not tagged as detective!!! Even though it's literally a Sherlock Holmes retelling.... agh.Looking through to find something else. I think my backup will be
.
Leah wrote: "Is anyone on here friends with Logan? She's still MIA and didn't respond to my message yet.Also, I was totally planning on reading
for this shelf but someh..."I'm not friends with her. I checked her posts in the A Million More Pages group, and she hasn't been on there since mid-March either. She hasn't read a book since week 1, so she is three weeks behind at this point. Don't the rules say something about being dropped at that point.
Bummer about the book. It looks interesting though, so I'm adding the first book in the series to my to-read shelf. Thanks for mentioning it.
Week 4 -- SelectionShelf: Detective
Book: Closer Than You Think - Karen Rose
How it fits: tagged 2 times
I'm friends with Logan but I haven't seen her on line in AMMP, either. Maybe try to message her one more time?
LaurLa wrote: "I'm friends with Logan but I haven't seen her on line in AMMP, either. Maybe try to message her one more time?"I sent her another message. If she doesn't respond in a couple days, I'll talk to the mods to see if there are any standby players interested in joining in :-)
I hope everything's OK with her.
Week 4 -- Completion PostShelf: Detective
Book: Closer Than You Think - Karen Rose
How it fits: tagged 2 times
Read: 03.31
Rating: ★★★★★
Review
I have to admit I was a little blown away by this book. I originally rated it 4 stars but went back and changed it because the longer it set with me after finishing, the more I appreciated how much I enjoyed it. This is the first Karen Rose I've read and now I want to know where she's been all my life! This book worked so well for me because while the thriller/suspense part of the story took precedence, the romantic relationship was given more than just a nod. It was a little intsa-y, but I could accept it because of the intensity of the circumstances. There are some authors who do RS where they seem to barely do the R part, more as a token for whatever reason and others who don't do enough of the S part to make it believable. This book was a perfect balance in my opinion. The suspense kept me pretty riveted (I tried to read it all in one setting but gave up about 3:00am). At the beginning I did get a little frustrated at the quick alternating between several POVs, but I understood it's purpose and as the book went on it seemed to smooth out some. This was the first book of a series set in Cincinnati, OH but is also part of a larger series/world. I could sense that because of the depth of some of the peripheral characters but if I didn't already know that, I wouldn't feel like I was missing anything. However, since I did like this book's characters, it made me want to go back to the other sub-series and learn about the people mentioned in this one. I can't decide if I want to do that first or read the next in this series first.
Sounds like a good one, LaurLa! I always have the read the subseries first, it bothers me too much to read anything out of order, even if it's a whole other subseries.Also, as you can tell by my delay, I'm not feeling the book I selected for immortals. Looking for a new one and hoping to read it in the next few days.
I've messaged the mods to see if there are any standby players available since I still haven't heard from Logan.
Hello, Of Bards and Books Teammates! I'm Lisa Kay. Looks like I'm a replacement. Yay for me!I've kept up with the shelf calls and I'm caught up on all, except for the last call. I should finish that one today. However, **smacks forehead** I didn't think to do book reviews on them! I should be able to whip them out pretty quick, I'll keep you posted.
**waves hi to everyone**
SOS Bingo Stats - Round 16.
Welcome Lisa Kay! And thanks for reading the shelves cause that makes it a lot easier :)
Lisa Kay wrote: "Hello, Of Bards and Books Teammates! I'm Lisa Kay. Looks like I'm a replacement. Yay for me!I've kept up with the shelf calls and I'm caught up on all, except for the last call. I should finish t..."
Welcome!
Sandra wrote: "Welcome Lisa Kay! And thanks for reading the shelves cause that makes it a lot easier :)"Well...someone told me to. Oh, yeah. That was YOU! LOL!
LOL!!!
Week 4 -- Completion PostShelf: Detective
Book: A Quiet Life in the Country by Kinsey
How it fits: tagged 4 times
Read: 4/1/2018
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This was a simple fluffy read. It seemed to me that an extremely large part of the book was taken up either arranging for tea or drinking it that could have better been used for developing the mystery. The lack of development meant too few puzzle pieces to link together, so the ending was quite obvious.
The character of Lady Hardcastle just didn't work for me. The author kept alternating between hinting that she had lived a life of intrigue one moment and making her seem flighty and unable to manage anything without her companion's help the next. The poor policemen were made to look quite incompetent, and the fact that they were willing to discuss an open investigation with a civilian that had no prior experience as a detective was ridiculous. Armstrong, the companion and narrator, was the most well developed character, quite loyal, easily likeable, and interesting.
Black Wolf, Blue EyesSOS: Serious Overload of Series BookShelf Bingo
> R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
my goodread review
Masques, by Patricia Briggs
Date Read: March 21, 2018
Shelf: It is here on the “Immortals” shelf.
Pages: 294
★★★½✩ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Nicely narrated by Katherine Kellgren. I had to get used to her, or maybe she just got better, but she was using some kind of a weird “superior” tone at the beginning. Otherwise, her pacing and the inflections are right for the situations. She is good with both male and female voices. As an extra, we get to hear Patricia Briggs’ voice & thoughts for the intro as to why she chose to change some things and not others, since this was her first book, which she has since polished up and republished.
As the book blurb says, this is a Fantasy book about Aralorn and Wolf. When Aralorn is sent to spy on the powerful sorcerer ae'Magi, she gets in over her head at times. She has magic of her own, and I love that she can’t shift into anything exotic, as she’d like, but only ordinary things, like a mouse and a goose. LOL!
This book shows the signs of a first book, even with Ms. Briggs’ polishing up, which she admits to. I wish there had been a bit more world-building. Plus, it is slow to get off the ground, but all her charm with storytelling is there and I found it fun to participate in a “buddy read” with this one. I think we all guessed some things, but were all still pleased. Looking forward to the next.
Pillow Fight!SOS: Serious Overload of Series BookShelf Bingo
> R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
my goodread review
The Escape, The Survivor’s Club #3 - by Mary Balogh
Date Read: March 23, 2018
Shelf: It is here on the “Part of a Series” shelf.
Pages: 394
★★★★✩ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Wonderfully narrated by the Queen of Historical Romance reading, Rosalyn Landor. What can I say? She’s brilliant. I wish she read all this series.
I must start out saying that Mary Balogh is an “auto-buy” author for me. Love her understated romances, where the heroes and heroines are likable, enjoyable, and believable. However, I’ve put off reading her Survivors’ Club series because I was hesitant to read anything bittersweet. I’m so glad I took the plunge this past year. Yes, these books have sadness in them; the stories are of six men and one woman, all severely wounded in one way or another during the Napoleonic Wars, before ending up convalescing together at the home of the Duke of Stanbrook. However, the sadness is mostly in the past. Here we find renewal, forgiveness, rebirth, and characters who take the risk of embracing life - and love - again.
And the pillow fight in this one is unexpected fun - not to mention swoon-worthy!
Martin Sensmeier as Charles CornickSOS: Serious Overload of Series BookShelf Bingo
> R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
my goodread review
Burn Bright, by Patricia Briggs
Date Read: March 21, 2018
Shelf: Approved by Sandra here for “Free Space” shelf.
Pages: 308
★★★★★ Patricia Briggs is a master-storyteller. I just love her books. I’m one of those people who actually love the Alpha & Omega series better than Mercy Thompson - probably because I started with A&O. Not that I didn’t quickly jump on board with Mercy. (view spoiler)
I love Charles and Anna. I can’t even tell you how much! I love that their love and mating bond is so strong. I was so excited about this one coming out. Yet, when it arrived on my doorstep, I had to go back and re-read the whole series again before I could move forward to this latest installment. LOL! I know; I’m weird.
This one starts out with Bran off to Africa. And he is not answering his phone. (What?!) [If you only read the Mercy books, do yourself a favor and start reading the A & O series; there are a lot of insights into Bran buried throughout it.] Therefore, Charles and Anna are left to deal with a situation involving the “Wildlings” - another separate pack from Aspen Creek where Bran has kept the really crazy wolves. We get a lot time with Asil, too. And it is quite a mystery, with PB’s compelling and layered characters.
* I haven’t listened to the audio, yet. Holter Graham does a great job bringing Patricia Briggs’ world to life, and I am sure he will here too; however, when a new PB book comes out, I just have to crawl into bed and hide myself away with the hardcover.
I might or might not finish my “Detective” book tonight. It is
and is here on the “Detective” shelf.
Woo hoo Lisa Kay!!! Thank you for hopping aboard :-) I think we've played together in the past.I'm working on updating all our threads now, and will submit any completed stamps later tonight.
But (more importantly), it's SHELF DAY!! Nothing yet but I'm sure there will be a new one soon...
Completion post: detective
The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
Date Read: April 4, 2018
Rating: 4 stars
My first Agatha Christie novel! I usually don't stray from fantasy or romance, so this was something new to me and I loved it!! I've been wanting to read something from the Hercule Poirot series since me and the hubby went and saw Murder on the Orient Express in theatres. This was the first one in the series and I wasn't disappointed. There was lots of twists and turns, but what impressed me most was there were some clues that came to light where I thought AGH I should have caught that!, despite the fact that this book was published originally in 1920.
A great book to broaden my reading horizons :-)
For week 5 Demons, I'm going to read:
Witches of Bourbon Street by Deanna ChaseIt is shelved as demons 5 times.
Leah wrote: "Woo hoo Lisa Kay!!! Thank you for hopping aboard :-) I think we've played together in the past..."**waves hi**
I'm not exactly sure which book I'll go with. Either
or
or
. I'll keep you posted; I should decide by tomorrow.Also, I'm running behind on my "detective" book. Real Life getting in the way. I should finish tomorrow.
Team 12: Of Bards and BooksWeek Five, Shelf: demons
LaurLa: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★ - April 8 - Review
Leah: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris - ★★★★ - April 16 - Review
Lisa Kay: Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - ★★★★½ - April 7 - Review
Deanna: Witches of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase - ★★★★ - April 6 - Review
I've requested two of our stamps.For immortals, I'm changing my book to
- I'm the hold-up on getting our stamp for this shelf, so hopefully this book will catch my interest better than my first choice.For the demons shelf, I'll be reading
.And Lisa Kay, don't worry that you're still reading your detective book - I can't believe how caught up we are already!!
Venetian Blue by tillieke on DeviantArt - Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) & Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger) from BBC’s “Strike.” It will be known as “C.B. Strike” in the U.S. & will come to Cinemax in June, 2018.SOS: Serious Overload of Series BookShelf Bingo
> R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
my goodread review
Career of Evil, by Robert Galbraith
Date Read: April 5, 2018
Shelf: May be found here on the “Detective” shelf.
Pages: 492
★★★★★ I can’t believe I can give such a dark, grisly, drown-right grim book five stars. However, this book is so well written and held me captivated though-out. I couldn’t get over the different levels of intensity and fright I felt. Sometimes it was just mild edginess, other times I was on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat. All the times were just the right ambiance for the situation. Eek!
Galbraith – AKA Rowling – is such a wonderful writer. She picks just the right word with tender-loving care, conveys just the correct depths of pathos - or even sense of humor - for the characters’ dialogue. She gathers words and constructs a scene that you can see easily in your mind’s eye.
Nevertheless, this installment is much, much darker than the previous two in the series, which I knew beforehand, and therefore put off reading it. I thought for sure I’d skim over the killer’s POV chapters, as I usually do in where they are presented, but Galbraith is such a skilled writer; she pulls it all off, never letting us off the hook from man’s inhumanity to man. Or in alternating chapters, never letting us forget our sense of humanity surrounding a crime, or murder victim and their family or loved ones.
Although the murder mystery is excellent, we learn a lot more about Robin and Strike and their relationship. They are two likable, wonderful characters I want to read more about.
And that ending! Oh boy. I want the next one NOW.
Week 5 -- Selection PostShelf: Demons
Book: Magic Slays - Ilona Andrews
How it fits: tagged 20+ times
I got scared at first because I searched for demon instead of demons and there weren't any tags! Glad I double checked myself.
Hi all - just wanted to drop in and apologize for going missing. Real life went haywire and I haven’t been on GR or read anything in a long time. Ugh! Anyway, I’m okay and taking a break until things calm down. My apologies again for missing messages and leaving you hanging. Glad you have lovely Lisa Kay to fill in - yay LK!!
xoxo
Glad you're all right, Logan.
I'm also glad you're ok Logan.
CONGRATULATIONS, Of Bards and Books!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space' and 'part of a series'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamps Singing Tale Bearers!
Week 5 -- Completion PostShelf: Demons
Book: Witches of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase
How it fits: tagged 5 times
Read: 4/6/2018
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This book focuses more on Jade, the events in her past that made her so anti-magic, and their correlation to the newest set of troubles she faces. Her relationship with Kane is her anchor, which keeps pulling her back from trouble. I found her resistance to learning more about magic a bit frustrating even with the new background.
The intuitive way she would throw her magic around with no real idea what she was doing or what the consequences of her actions might be was quite foolhardy and dangerous for her and those around her. Still the story overall was engaging enough for me to overlook that she was far too lucky to be realistic, and Kane was awesome again.
Exploding AppleSOS: Serious Overload of Series BookShelf Bingo
> R16: Team #12 ~ Of Bards and Books
my goodread review
Date Read: April 7, 2018
Shelf: May be found here on the “Demons” shelf.
Pages: 298
Midnight Riot, by Ben Aaronovitch
★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Excellent narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. His delivery definitely kicked this book up a notch. He pacing is perfect, as are his various accents: modern working class London, 18th century London gentleman, German, Indian, African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, or Japanese. Stupendous! All those, and his young, breezy - with just the right amount of snark - voice for the likable probationary constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant brings this book wonderfully to life.
This is a well written police procedural. And, despite the magic, ghosts, gods & goddesses, vampires, expressions of London life, pop culture, and snark, it is a police procedural. An excellent one. Good mystery, too. Aaronovitch gives us characters with depth, a detailed setting, gruesome crime scenes, and spooky ambiance.
Love this quote:
“I’ve already told the police what happened, they didn’t believe me. Why should you?” he said.Highly recommend. Believe me.
“Because we’re the people that believe people that other people don’t believe,” I said.
“How can I know that?” he asked.
“You’re just going to have to believe me,” I said.
LOL I'd forgotten that quote, so long since I read it I guess. I'm sitting here chuckling!! Thanks Lisa Kay!
Steph wrote: "CONGRATULATIONS, Of Bards and Books!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space' and 'Immortals'. "
Steph!!! This isn't right!!! We requested free space and part of a series, not immortals! I'm woefully still working on my book for the immortals shelf...
If I don't see you respond on here in a day or two, I'll send you message. Our card is wrong and I don't want anyone thinkin' we're trying to 'pull' something ;-)
Although I am almost done my immortals book and then we will be requesting the stamp, sooooooooooooo... you could just leave it stamped on there heh heh heh
Damn, just checked my list & I've put Immortals instead of Part of a Series. Though I've added the correct shelf to the spreadsheet. LOL. Just checked all my stats and they're correct also :) So totally not sure what went wrong there ??
Hurry up & read that book Leah!!!!
Week 5 -- Completion PostShelf: Demons
Book: Magic Slays - Ilona Andrews
How it fits: tagged 20+ times
Read: 04.08
Rating: ★★★★
Review
I just finished this and now I feel a bit like I've been put through an emotional ringer! There was a lot 'stuff' going on in Kate's head with this book. And while I feel gratified that her relationship with Curran is solid and getting stronger, I can feel bad things coming on the horizon with Roland. I'm also nervous about what will happen with Julie because it's never good to keep secrets, especially one of this magnitude. Guess I better strap in for the roller coaster ride that is Kate's life!
CONGRATULATIONS, Of Bards and Books!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'detective'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Singing Tale Bearers!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Secrets Collide (other topics)Irresistibly Yours (other topics)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two (other topics)
Secrets Collide (other topics)
The Burning Maze (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Janet Evanovich (other topics)Gail Carriger (other topics)
Deanna Chase (other topics)
Anne Bishop (other topics)
Anne Bishop (other topics)
More...
Week Three: part-of-a-series
The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston
Rating: 2 stars
Date Read: March 25, 2018
As you can tell by my rating, I was not a fan. There was just nothing special here to me. I didn't particularly like the main characters, and I felt their dialogue was often forced--they had conversations that normal people wouldn't have.
This was also not really a paranormal romance, more of an urban fantasy? There was no significant conflict in the relationship. I guess I thought it would be a bit more of a romance.