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R10: SSS Team Two Hot Two Handle (2)
Just checking in with an update. I’ll be done with my book tomorrow morning.
Week 3, Roll 2
Spot: 22
Book: Midnight Jewel
Author: Richelle Mead
How it qualifies: The Glittering Court #2
Date finished: 10/04/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This "sequel" to The Glittering Court tells the same story but from Mirabel's point of view, another young lady in The Glittering Court. In book one she would disappear at night and was doing something secretive that was never fully revealed. Now in this book we get to see what Mirabel was doing all those nights: acting as a spy to uncover a conspiracy in the new colony.
Wow, Mirabel was doing A LOT! This seems like a whole different story from book 1 because that was focused on Adelaide finding a husband and this one has Mirabel having so many nighttime adventures with secret agents and pirates and thieves. I do wish that I had read this closer to the time when I read the first book because I didn't remember everything from the first book as far as weird things that Mirabel was doing that have now been explained. So if I'm going to read book 3, Tamsin's story, I need to do it asap!
Spot: 22
Book: Midnight Jewel
Author: Richelle Mead
How it qualifies: The Glittering Court #2
Date finished: 10/04/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This "sequel" to The Glittering Court tells the same story but from Mirabel's point of view, another young lady in The Glittering Court. In book one she would disappear at night and was doing something secretive that was never fully revealed. Now in this book we get to see what Mirabel was doing all those nights: acting as a spy to uncover a conspiracy in the new colony.
Wow, Mirabel was doing A LOT! This seems like a whole different story from book 1 because that was focused on Adelaide finding a husband and this one has Mirabel having so many nighttime adventures with secret agents and pirates and thieves. I do wish that I had read this closer to the time when I read the first book because I didn't remember everything from the first book as far as weird things that Mirabel was doing that have now been explained. So if I'm going to read book 3, Tamsin's story, I need to do it asap!
Katherine, can you give us an update on how your reading is coming along?
Week 3.5: Completion Book: Kiss and Spell
Qualification: Book #2 in the Ever After series.
Date Read: 4th October
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
What can a girl to do when she accidentally turns her crush into a frog? Ginger Breadhouse had a hard time growing up with the Candy Witch for a mom. Ginger hopes a magical recipe will be a showstopper -- but when the magic backfires, it turns Hopper, the son of the Frog Prince, into a small green amphibian! And the longer he remains under the spell, the more froglike he becomes. Can Ginger turn Hopper back before it's too late?
I love that Ginger likes frogs and other un-girly things. I feel for her difficulty with making friends as they are scared of her just because of who her mother is. And I like the addition of the most powerful kiss that can be given is a true loves kiss, that it can break any and all spells. I do feel for Ginger as Hopper is too thick to see her feelings for him and I find her a much stronger person for putting her feelings aside for the benefit of others. So she tells a small fib, as for now Ginger not ready to admit just how much she loves him.
Week 4, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 22
Roll: 4
New Spot: 26
Options:
#2 in a series
#6 in a series
#26 in a series
Alternate = Published 2013
Previous Spot: 22
Roll: 4
New Spot: 26
Options:
#2 in a series
#6 in a series
#26 in a series
Alternate = Published 2013
Week 4, Roll 1 - REVIEWS
Spot: 26
Alternate = Published 2013
Review Requirements:
(view spoiler)
Amanda A - #2 - A Soufflé of Suspicion - Review
Katherine - #2 - Passage - Review
Shelby - #6 - River Marked - Review
Talia - #2 - From Tours to Paris - Review
Spot: 26
Alternate = Published 2013
Review Requirements:
(view spoiler)
Amanda A - #2 - A Soufflé of Suspicion - Review
Katherine - #2 - Passage - Review
Shelby - #6 - River Marked - Review
Talia - #2 - From Tours to Paris - Review
Week 4: Roll 4Spot: 26
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
How Fits: #6 in Mercy Thompson
Finished: 10/5
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Well we definitely got a lot more information about Mercy's background in this one. I enjoyed the Indian mythology thrown in here. It was nice for Mercy to finally know a little bit more about where she came from. I love her and Adam's relationship. He struggles with allowing Mercy to be the independent woman that she is, but he also knows who she is and who he married (btw their marriage was awesome).
Mercy is of course a badass. I like that she's not invulnerable, that she fights for what's right and what she can no matter the damage to herself. This story was more about the mythology than a big mystery, but it was well woven. It kept your attention throughout.
I will be finished with my book tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the update, Amanda!
I’m 70% done with my book so I’m going to try to finish it tonight.
I’m 70% done with my book so I’m going to try to finish it tonight.
Week 4, Roll 1
Spot: 26
Book title: From Tours to Paris
Author: Linda Kovic-Skow
How it qualifies: French Illusions #2
Date finished: 10/07/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: After leaving her horrible au pair situation in book 1, Linda now finds herself free to pursue her relationship with Adam and attend school to improve her French in Tours, France, but she is constantly having money problems due to her parents inconsistently wiring her funds. She has to borrow money from friends more than once to make ends meet. She ends up in another relationship and stays with that man in Paris, visiting all the tourist sites there before eventually returning home to Seattle.
I hesitate to write anything negative about this book since it is a memoir and I don't want to criticize the author, but I was annoyed by how her life seemed to revolve around the men in it. Why not focus on learning French, the reason that you're there? You know you're not staying in France permanently, so why are you getting in these relationships? And then she kept complaining about how hard her life was because she kept having money problems and I wanted to say how about trying to get a job and providing your own money!? She wasn't working, just continually asking her parents for money and yet she kept lamenting on how easier things would be if she didn't keep being broke. Well that's what happens when you don't have a job! Ugh, that annoyed me so bad. I'm still glad I read the book and found our how her stay in France ended, but I was annoyed so much by all her decisions that I gave this book 3 stars.
Spot: 26
Book title: From Tours to Paris
Author: Linda Kovic-Skow
How it qualifies: French Illusions #2
Date finished: 10/07/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: After leaving her horrible au pair situation in book 1, Linda now finds herself free to pursue her relationship with Adam and attend school to improve her French in Tours, France, but she is constantly having money problems due to her parents inconsistently wiring her funds. She has to borrow money from friends more than once to make ends meet. She ends up in another relationship and stays with that man in Paris, visiting all the tourist sites there before eventually returning home to Seattle.
I hesitate to write anything negative about this book since it is a memoir and I don't want to criticize the author, but I was annoyed by how her life seemed to revolve around the men in it. Why not focus on learning French, the reason that you're there? You know you're not staying in France permanently, so why are you getting in these relationships? And then she kept complaining about how hard her life was because she kept having money problems and I wanted to say how about trying to get a job and providing your own money!? She wasn't working, just continually asking her parents for money and yet she kept lamenting on how easier things would be if she didn't keep being broke. Well that's what happens when you don't have a job! Ugh, that annoyed me so bad. I'm still glad I read the book and found our how her stay in France ended, but I was annoyed so much by all her decisions that I gave this book 3 stars.
Spot 26
A Soufflé of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber (A French Bistro Mystery #2)
Date Read: 10/7
Rating: ★★★★
It is Crush week in Napa Valley and Mimi decides to allow a Sweet Treats festival to be held at Maison Rousseau, organized by Chef C's sister. When the organizer is found dead, Chef C is a suspect and Mimi investigates to clear her name. There are more characters to keep track of in this installment, but it was not that confusing. I enjoyed the development of the recurring characters in the series, especially Mimi. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing until the big reveal. The author's food descriptions sound delicious and always make me hungry.
Katherine, will you be finishing tonight? We do still have the free pass that we can use
Week 4: Completion Book: Passage
Qualification: #2 in a series: Dead Highways #2.
Date Read: 7th October
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This book is more action packed and better than the first book in someways. The main character, Jimmy, is a twenty-two year old book-nerd who has no friends. He use to live with his grandma and he use to work at her used bookstore. You feel for the guy because you can imagine being in his place and so the feelings/reactions to the story progression are more real. The book ends on a cliffhanger making me desperate to read what happened next!
By his side, are a weird bunch of misfits, including a cop, a prostitute, a drug dealer, and even a newborn baby. The group are on a mission and that is to get to the cops son, who is in another country. Not realizing until later, that their new rout is in the same direction where the infected are heading to. I'm not sure why the zombie are heading west or for what reason but I want to find out!
Great! I’m going to my computer and will roll for us in a sec.
Week 4, Roll 2
Previous Spot: 26
Roll: 3
New Spot: 29
Options:
#2 in series
#9 in series
#29 in series
Alternate: Title P
Previous Spot: 26
Roll: 3
New Spot: 29
Options:
#2 in series
#9 in series
#29 in series
Alternate: Title P
Week 4, Roll 2 - REVIEWS
Spot: 29
Alternate = Title P
Review Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - Tails, You Lose - Witch City Mystery #2 - Review
Katherine - The Marvellous Land of Oz - Oz #2 - Review
Shelby - Grey Sister - Book of the Ancestor #2 - Review
Talia - Down Among the Sticks and Bones - Wayward Children #2 - Review
Spot: 29
Alternate = Title P
Review Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - Tails, You Lose - Witch City Mystery #2 - Review
Katherine - The Marvellous Land of Oz - Oz #2 - Review
Shelby - Grey Sister - Book of the Ancestor #2 - Review
Talia - Down Among the Sticks and Bones - Wayward Children #2 - Review
Ugh, darn these low rolls! I have two #3 books just begging to be read! :)
Week 4, Roll 2
Space: 29
Book: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
How it qualifies: Wayward Children #2
Date finished: 10/08/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This book focuses on Jack and Jill from book 1 and tells their story of their "adventure" in visiting another world. Jill lives with the vampires while Jack studies under a Dr. Frankenstein-esque doctor. Jill is a brat and ruins it for them both, which we know will happen from book 1, but now we get to see the details. I didn't care much for book 1, and this one was a little better but I still didn't like it much. I just didn't like Jack or Jill, so it was hard to care about what happened to them. I think that will be it for me with this series.
Space: 29
Book: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
How it qualifies: Wayward Children #2
Date finished: 10/08/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This book focuses on Jack and Jill from book 1 and tells their story of their "adventure" in visiting another world. Jill lives with the vampires while Jack studies under a Dr. Frankenstein-esque doctor. Jill is a brat and ruins it for them both, which we know will happen from book 1, but now we get to see the details. I didn't care much for book 1, and this one was a little better but I still didn't like it much. I just didn't like Jack or Jill, so it was hard to care about what happened to them. I think that will be it for me with this series.
Week 4.5 SelectionBook: The Marvellous Land of Oz
Page numbers: 192 pages
How Fits: #2 in series: Oz #2
Week 4.5: Completion Book: The Marvellous Land of Oz
Qualification: #2 in series: Oz #2
Date Read: 8th October
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
We start with the main protagonist Tip who creates a guy made of wood with a head of a pumpkin to frighten his guardian, the witch Mombi. Mombi soon figures out what he's doing and uses some magic powder on the 'scarecrow pumpkin guy' to bring it to life and promises that she'll turn Tip into a marble statue. Tip escapes and takes his 'son' Jack Pumpkinhead with him. They eventually get to the Emerald City and finds King Scarecrow who despite being a wise ruler is still a bit dumb.
Spot 29
Tails, You Lose by Carol J. Perry (Witch City Mystery #2)
Date Read: 10/8
Rating: ★★★
This one was okay for me. It seemed slower in some parts with repetitive information. The characters are fun and O'Ryan the cat even seems like his own character too. I like how Pete encourages Lee to figure out the criminology of situations on her own. The history of the Salem, Massachusetts setting is intriguing and it tied in well with the mystery in this installment.
Shelby, will you be finishing your book tonight?
I'm finished. Just typing up my review now. :)
Week 4.5: Roll 3Spot: 29
Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence
How Fits: #2 in Book of the Ancestor
Finished: 10/10
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This series is really fascinating. The characters are rich and detailed and the world building is quite incredible. And while there's a lot of political intrigue going on theirs enough action to keep it interesting as well.
Nona Grey is different and it often seems like the world has it out for her. But while her reactions may be extreme at times she would die for her friends. Once you earn it, her loyalty runs bone deep. The machinations of the ruling class have caught Nona up this time in some pretty bad business. And the tipping point is coming. Sides are about to be chosen.
I have to say I love Abbess Glass. She's awesome. Such a kick ass nun. She knows how to wield power and have it work for her. Only revealing what she knows when it's to her best advantage. She truly cares about what's best for the world and those under her care.
Ara came up big in this one as well. So cool to see her growing into herself. She has become a good friend to Nona. I really can't wait to see where this book goes in the final installment.
Week 5, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 29
Roll: 6
New Spot: 35
Options:
#3 in a series
#5 in a series
#35 in a series
Alternate: Author G
Previous Spot: 29
Roll: 6
New Spot: 35
Options:
#3 in a series
#5 in a series
#35 in a series
Alternate: Author G
Week 5, Roll 1 - REVIEWS
Spot: 35
Alternate: Author G
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - Gone - Quincy & Rainie #5 - Review
Katherine - Sourcery - Discworld #5 - Review
Shelby - Insurrection - The Interscission Project #3 - Review
Talia - Ozland - Everland #3 - Review
Spot: 35
Alternate: Author G
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - Gone - Quincy & Rainie #5 - Review
Katherine - Sourcery - Discworld #5 - Review
Shelby - Insurrection - The Interscission Project #3 - Review
Talia - Ozland - Everland #3 - Review
I plan to read
(Quincy & Rainie #5).
Spot 35
Gone by Lisa Gardner (Quincy & Rainie #5)
Date Read: 10/12
Rating: ★★★★
Rainie's car is found abandoned on a highway, running and her purse inside while Rainie is missing. Quincy and the detective on the case, Kincaid, realize she was kidnapped when the ransom notes start showing up. I liked seeing the emotional side of both Rainie and Quincy. Quincy recounts their recent marital issues and tough situations they encountered through flashbacks. The mystery included twists and turns that left me surprised at the identity of the kidnapper. I have enjoyed every Lisa Gardner thriller that I have read and plan to continue with this series.
Week 5: Roll 6Spot: 35
Insurrection by Arshad Ahsanuddin
How Fits: #3 in The Interscission Project
Finished: 10/12
Rating: ★★★★½
Review:
I was worried going into this one that I'd be a bit lost considering I know this whole series is super technical and deals with time travel and its' affect on reality. And to start things off I was definitely a little lost since it'd been awhile since I read book 2 in this series. But, it really didn't take long before I was back up to speed and following along just fine. (view spoiler)
Things are just getting more complicated with this one. Every time the loose ends start to look like they're tied up and we can move on with life some other monkey wrench gets thrown in things. This wrench throws us even further back into disaster time, which of course discombobulates everything yet again. Of course the hardest part now is going to be remembering where everything is at when the next book comes out. Still I really enjoyed this story and the science in these books. It's all really thought provoking and told in a fun story with great characters. I always enjoy Arshad's book's.
Week 5: Completion Book: Sourcery
Qualification: #5 in a series: Discworld, #5.
Date Read: 13th October
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Rincewind is back and still funny and grumpy, and the Luggage is back too (one of my favourite characters). Rincewind has to save the day yet again, of course against his will again. Pratchett populates this book with many familiar characters from the past books such as The Librarian, the daughter of Cohen the Barbarian, and of course, Death.
In this story we also have an eighth son of an eighth son who was, of course, a wizard. As if that wasn't complicated enough, said wizard then had seven sons. And then he had an eighth son; a wizard squared. Who of course, became a young sorcerer; therefore meaning a being of great power.
I enjoyed this book but the only reason its rated lower for me is because of how great the previous three books are, its not as perfect as them (which isn't a bad thing). It is common knowledge on Discworld that wizards don't have sexual relations with others, but until now it wasn’t explained why. In this edition to the series, Pratchett tells the story of a wizard who went against the Lore and had lots of children and because of the family line keeps increasing until a sorcerer is born - a being that shouldn't exist.
Checking in with an update. I’ve been out of town this weekend and will get home around 4pm EST. I should have my book read and be ready to roll then.
Still on the road but will post as soon as I get home! Should be about an hour.
Week 5, Roll 1
Spot: 35
Book title: Ozland
Author: Wendy Spinale
How it qualifies: Everland #3
Date finished: 10/14/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This finale to the Everland trilogy has Gail (i.e. Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz) teaming up with Ginger to locate the true king while Pete and Doc try to escape their imprisonment in the Bloodred Queen's castle, make a cure for the Horologia virus, and thwart Katt's plans to overthrow everyone. There was even more killing in this book, and I was surprised by how many main characters died pointlessly. It was getting depressing, like is anyone going to survive this? It reminded me of The Walking Dead, just a few survivors left. But I'm glad that I read it to see how everything ended. It was just a bit darker than I was expecting from a fairy tale retelling.
Spot: 35
Book title: Ozland
Author: Wendy Spinale
How it qualifies: Everland #3
Date finished: 10/14/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: This finale to the Everland trilogy has Gail (i.e. Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz) teaming up with Ginger to locate the true king while Pete and Doc try to escape their imprisonment in the Bloodred Queen's castle, make a cure for the Horologia virus, and thwart Katt's plans to overthrow everyone. There was even more killing in this book, and I was surprised by how many main characters died pointlessly. It was getting depressing, like is anyone going to survive this? It reminded me of The Walking Dead, just a few survivors left. But I'm glad that I read it to see how everything ended. It was just a bit darker than I was expecting from a fairy tale retelling.
Week 5, Roll 2
Previous Spot: 35
Roll: 4
New Spot: 39
Options:
#3 in a series
#9 in a series
#39 in a series
Alternate - 39. Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
Previous Spot: 35
Roll: 4
New Spot: 39
Options:
#3 in a series
#9 in a series
#39 in a series
Alternate - 39. Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
Week 5, Roll 2 - REVIEWS
Spot: 39
Alternate - Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - A Date at the Altar - Marrying the Duke #3 - Review
Katherine - Sanctum - Slow Burn #9 - Review
Shelby - The Mystery of the Moving Image - Snow & Winter #3 - Review
Talia - When Breaks the Dawn - Canadian West #3 - Review
Spot: 39
Alternate - Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda A - A Date at the Altar - Marrying the Duke #3 - Review
Katherine - Sanctum - Slow Burn #9 - Review
Shelby - The Mystery of the Moving Image - Snow & Winter #3 - Review
Talia - When Breaks the Dawn - Canadian West #3 - Review
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Spot: 22
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
How Fits: #2 in The Edge
Finished: 9/30
Rating: ★★★★½
Review:
This was another great installment in this series. I like the idea of the world between magic and reality. These swamps felt very Florida-ish in an eerie and twisted way. I loved how strong Cerise is and how determined she is to protect her family and fight for what's right. She's terrified of the decisions she has to make but she understands why she needs to make them.
William was great as he learned to interact with someone he was actually interested in and battle back his instincts. He's had a hard life and he's come out all the stronger because of it. I liked watching him deal with all of Cerise's extended family, especially little Sophie. He's a monster, but one set to protect you.
I enjoyed the story as a whole for the most part, but the ending seemed a little forced. I guess because I didn't like seeing everyone (view spoiler)[leave the Mire (hide spoiler)]. But altogether I really enjoyed this story and the Hand's villains were pretty dang nasty!