SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R18: Team #15 ~ Better Read than Dead
Selection Post
Shelf: Next in Series
Book: Storm Cursed
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #11
Pages: 384
How it fits: shelved 33x
I’m going straight into book 4
(after I read the novella since I have to read things in order lol) shelved 9x
Yay, team! I'll be stamping cards soon. Woohoo! I'll be reading
, too! 😁
For next in series I will be reading
even though I wish it was Storm Cursed
If I read the stats right, we are the only team who has completed every shelf called so far excluding today’s call.
I am so relieved that our team has been on top of it all round. Last round was super stressful in an "on the edge of your seat" kind of way. During the very last week of R17, I think there were 10 out of 18 teams that were waiting for a winning shelf call. When the final shelf was called it was a race between two teams to see who could finish first. It was nuts! I've never seen it so close. My team and the other team were both behind several stamps and it was crazy trying to get my teammates pumped up enough to get to the finish line. I think a few of them were overcommitted with other challenges and also, so many teams had the possibility of winning, I think that they didn't really think it would be us in the end. We just barely scraped by for the win. I was totally surprised. I think when it gets to be this close, you've really got to keep to that "finishing a book every week" schedule if you're going to have a chance. IDK, this bingo is my favorite thing about Goodreads in general. I totally do not care about winning. It is just so much fun. It's like book club. Or at least the book club I would have if I had a real-life book club. I look forward to it. I plan for it. I tell people to join. One of my librarians is on team 2 this time ♥ It's a thing for me. Anyway, thanks for being such great teammates and being on the ball. You guys are the best.
Rocki, I wish you were reading Storm Cursed with us, too! As much as I love the convenience of e-books, the bummer is that they aren't easy to lend out! I hope you get your hands on a copy soon! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Clockwork Princess! It's my baby sister's favorite out of all the Shadowhunter books!
Jothany, I started #4 yesterday while I was waiting for the shelf call. Then, I remembered there was a 3.5! Had to back up for a sec! Lol! If you get a chance, go look for the Curran POV file ... this time around I'm reading Curran's scenes in order with the books instead of all at once at the end of the series and that's been really cool. That hot tub scene from his POV!! Yowza!!
The downside of not reading for years is missing out on all the great series that I’m just finding out about. I’m on Kate’s 4th book (after these two novellas I’m reading), book 3 in the Shadowhunters world, book 3 in the Iron Druid Chronicles, and I will be starting Moon Called when it comes off hold at my library. Plus all the other series I keep hearing about. It’s enough to keep me busy lol
Melissa wrote: "Jothany, I started #4 yesterday while I was waiting for the shelf call. Then, I remembered there was a 3.5! Had to back up for a sec! Lol! If you get a chance, go look for the Curran POV file ... t..."I'm almost done with the prequel and then moving on the 3.5. I just added both 3.5 and the POV collection to my kindle last night. I see one is title Naked Dinner and I cant wait to see both sides of that scene lol I should be able to start #4 either later today or tomorrow
Same. All those years after high school/college not reading, I spent a lot of time reading only YA b/c I had a terrible misconception about what romance was. Boy, was I missing out. And I was totally unfulfilled. YA has a lot to offer and those stories can be so complex but I needed to see some grown-ups and if I had to read about one more love triangle I might have given up reading forever. I stumbled on Stray by Rachel Vincent by accident (New Adult), then I found Anita Blake and her magical vagina - which was waaaaaaay on the other end of the spectrum for me - although I did read like 20 of those books hoping she'd find some way to keep her cooch from turning into the Hellmouth. IDK, I gave up. Eventually, I figured out I'm happiest with Urban Fantasy. Sex doesn't bother me at all, but I want it to make sense to the story. Like with Jane Yellowrock ... some people don't like that it took 8 books for her to get the guy. BUT. The entire series is crisis after crisis. It is so action-packed and totally life or death, I would like to know exactly when she is supposed to find time for her love life. It just doesn't make sense to the story, so I am perfectly fine with a super slow burn romance - fade to black or not - when it makes sense. Kresley Cole, JR Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon - those gals are writing PNR and the whole point is for soulmates to find each other, so yeah, glorious sex-fests commence - and it makes sense. Also, I love that you are reading Iron Druid! It's one of my favorites! Oberon is the best!!
oooooooo ... and if you hear about UF/PNR series that I haven't read, please share! I'm still making up for lost time. I know that there are tons of "favorites" that I haven't even started!
Me too, Oh I will get to Storm Cursed and soon even if it kills me! The only reason I needed to choose something else at the moment is I needed an audio book that I could borrow from my library. Since I am reading a ginormous book of The priory of the orange tree and that is my main focus to get through since I need to return it to the library and won't be able to renew since everyone is on a list waiting for it. The infernal devices series is not my favorite I preferred the city of bones series and even that it didn't wow me it's that third book it bothers me, but after that one it gets a bit better.
I feel like that all the time with books especially with all the series that I have started. There is never enough time to get to them all.
Of course, the best way to find new series either pnr or uf is to check out the Best of Lists, towards the bottom of the Group threads. All sourced from your fellow members. First book only listed so each number is a new series :) Enjoy!
Thanks for saying all of that, Melissa! You’ve been a great captain and we appreciate all you’re doing. It is always nice when your BSB team meshes and everyone can manage a book a week. My hubby loves Iron Druid. I listened to a few books but then got sidetracked and lost track of it. I’ll probably return to it eventually.
GMTA, Miss Sandra! I was gonna say the same. Thanks for promoting the BEST OF threads. They’re a fantastic resource that continue to help me find new series.
Completion Post
Shelf: Next in Series
Book: Storm Cursed
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #11
Finished: 5/11/19
Rating: ★★★★★
How it fits: shelved 33x; 384 pgs
Review: Holy moly! Storm Cursed rocked my socks!! So much so that I immediately read it a second time as soon as I finished it, but I have to admit, I was a little anxious to get started.
It's been a while since we've heard from Mercy. When a lot of time has passed in between readings, I often wonder if my idea of a character matches up to the character on the page or if I've built her up into a thing of myth and awe in my head. Mercy is both as I remember her and a thing of awe. She is as resourceful as ever. I love that she knows her strengths and weaknesses, that she has learned from her past experiences and puts it to practical use. She's one clever coyote! ♡
I was also anxious because Briggs tried to pull some BS in the form of "rumors" in Burn Bright. I was afraid that it would taint my reading experience of Storm Cursed. Surprisingly, it didn't. It's as if it never happened, which only reinforces my belief that it was a misjudgment made out of grief and was totally unsubstantiated. And for me, it was a total relief.
The baddies in this book were seriously creepy. When the epigraph gave me goosebumps, I knew it was going to be a good one. I loved seeing all of the gang. Zee is probably my favorite of Mercy's allies so I especially loved time spent with him.
And as a die-hard Bowie fan, I gotta add this as one of my favorite parts:
He gave her a look. “I am going to ignore—just for a minute—how much my geek side is loving that apparently there is a goblin king in the world. And that he is—again apparently—here in the Tri-Cities. Even knowing that David Bowie is gone, I am giddy about this.” He said all that in a very dry, professional tone. I was starting to really like this guy.
Also, can we take a second to appreciate that the goblin king's name is not in fact Jareth, but Larry. Yep. That's right. Larry. 🤷♀️
A few quick things b/c I am super tired and too rambley:
• Mercy and Adam are total relationship goals - they are what the other needs when they need it. ♡ nudge ♡
• I know he's a trickster, but I love Coyote. (view spoiler)
• Mini goat zombies!! Literally everyone reviewing this book is talking about these undead cuties, so not counting this as a spoiler.
• Zee and Tad are freaking amazing and seeing them through Mercy's eyes with the "threads" made me afraid for them ... I really hope that the Gray Lords weren't watching!! Maybe the "passion fruit" barrier shielded them from view ... I can't imagine that we could be so lucky.
• Elizaveta - I don't even know where to begin with her. (view spoiler)
• Wulf!! I think Mercy broke him! Marsilia isn't going to be happy!!
Changing my book to
. Tagged by 3 people. It came off hold before Magic Bleeds so I will start this one instead but I will continue with Kate and Curran when the time comes
The Sight by Chloe Neill
Series: Devil's Isle
Shelf: Next In Series
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Date finished: 5/13/19
Review: I missed this series. I thought the first book was good, but this was better in my opinion. Claire and company had to deal with a group of "protesters" with a leader named Ezekiel whom I wanted to fight.
Poor Claire can't catch a break. Pretty much everything she thought she knew growing up was wrong. Plus, I thought the push and pull between her and Liam would drive me insane, but it's actually done really well.
The ending though, makes me want to jump right into the next book, as well as curse Liam out royally lol
Looking ahead to this week's shelf call ... it looks like we are one of nine teams that could possibly BINGO. If
Paranormal Erotica
happens to be called, we will be racing against Team #5 to finish. If you have no idea what you are going to read for that shelf you can start browsing now, place your holds, queue it up, do what you need to do - but, remember, you can't start reading until it's actually called. Teams/shelves up for possible bingo this week:
Team 5: Paranormal Erotica
Team 7: Urban Fantasy
Team 11: Soulmates
Team 12: Auto Buy
Team 13: 2018 Reads
Team 14: Strong Female
Team 15: Paranormal Erotica
Team 16: Urban Fantasy
Team 17: Paranormal Detectives
Here's hoping that none of these actually gets called and we'll get to play an extra week!
CONGRATULATIONS, Better Read than Dead!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'series'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Yay!! :D
Great review, Melissa. I enjoyed it too! And, thanks for the possible bingo breakdown. :)I'm enjoying that series also, Jothany. I'm caught up and waiting for #4 due out in June.
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #11
Shelf: Next in Series (shelved by all these people)
Read: 13 May
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
Review:
“That which doesn’t destroy us . . .”The beginning of the story felt rather "normal" in the world of Mercy since claiming the Tri-Cities under the pack's protection. She's called out to a farm where a goblin, who is a suspect in a murder, has been spotted. Then Larry (yep, a Goblin King named Larry) is called for support and things start to get really interesting.
“Leaves us scratching our heads and saying, ‘What’s next?’”
“Coincidences sometimes happen,” Sherwood said heavily. “But when they happen around witches, they aren’t usually coincidences.”When Mercy tries to contact their witch on retainer, Elizaveta Arkadyevna, she's told by a stranger, is "all tied up..." and ya know that's not in the 'she's in the middle of a book and she'll get back to ya soon' kinda way.
“But I am a coyote and apparently stupid lucky.”While I'll agree that Mercy does get lucky at times, she's learned from her past and makes smart decisions. She has friends that continue to offer support when needed. I especially enjoyed more of Zee and his son Tad. Fans of a Stefan will be pleased when these two reconnect as well. In this installment, Mercy's not only dealing with a murderous goblin but also miniature goat zombies and twisted black witches. All while Adam and his security company are trying to help facilitate meetings between the government and the Gray Lords.
It'd been about 26 months since reading Silence Fallen, which I'm guessing is why it took me a beat to reconnect with these beloved characters. I'm thrilled that we've learned more about Sherwood and Wulfe, who've both been intriguing from the start. Both series - Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega - seem even more interconnected, which is why I'm highly recommended those who haven't read one or the other make a point to do so.
Great review Steph!Congrats on the stamp Peaceful Activists!
Great review, Steph. I didn't realize it had been 26 months since the last Mercy book ... I knew it felt like forever but geez, that's a long time!
I just started book 1 for both Mercy and Jane, and hoping Kate fills the requirement for today’s shelf!! Spending the day with the ladies!
I think for Kindle Freebie I will read
Week 10: Kindle Freebie Previous Bingo Rounds - 5 star reads for inspiration, please check the book to make sure it is still listed as Kindle Freebie, if you wish to use it.
I will be reading
. It’s been sitting in my Kindle forever lol tagged 4 times
Thanks, Melissa. Yeah, it felt soooo long. Jonathy, those are great series! Enjoy!
I really like that series, Rocki. Hope you like that one. It was a bit slow initially but good, I thought.
For this shelf I’m gonna read
. New author, new series for me.
I'm going to try
. Shelved 6x; 246 pgs. I am out of town this week. I will try to get our master list updated tonight. I have already verified all of our books, so we're good to go. Happy reading everyone!
Enjoy, Melissa - the book (which I loved!) and your time out of town. Hope it's for fun. :)
The Bewitching Hour by Mallory Crowe
Series: The Bewitching Hour #1
Shelf: Kindle Freebie (shelved by one person)
Read: 16 May
Rating: ✮✮✮½
Review:
“This is my job. I’m not afraid to do my job.”In The Bewitching Hour, witches and warlocks belong to families. These families appear to be organized and hierarchy is similar to that of the mob. Samantha "Sam" Harris' grandmother, Claudia, is the head of the families and the most powerful witch. Despite belonging to one of the most powerful families, when we meet Sam she's self-medicating because of magic withdrawal. Seems she's not using magic any longer. We're never really told why, but when she sees her neighbor, Detective Derek Pierce, being interviewed about the recent murders and associated with "psychic" twins she knows she must intervene. She approaches Derek and offers her help, insisting the brothers are not who they claim to be. During the course of the investigation, they begin to develop feelings for one another. This is a problem though because Derek will always choose the law and Sam's family - all of the families - regularly break the law.
“You don’t get it, man. You need to be afraid. If you’re not scared, you’re the fool.”
This was the first book I'd read by this author. I liked the story and characters, as well as the mob-style magical family organization and the fact that the series is complete (as of book 5 Raise Hell), so I'll continue on a bit more with the series. At times, however, the author's writing felt odd though I don't have any hard examples; it was more an odd wording here and there, maybe. Hence my ✮✮✮½-starred rating.
Jothany - I am excited that you are reading Mercy and Jane!! The first time I read Skinwalker, I had to restart a few times because Faith Hunter's writing style is different than others I've read. She was a mystery writer before writing UF and has a science/lab background in real life. Her stories are so layered and even though each book has it's own conclusion there are always unanswered questions and a bigger picture going on. Things that happen in book 1 continue to have ripple effects throughout the series. I loved that I never knew what was going to happen next. I hope you enjoy it!
Steph - have you read White Cat? Your review reminds me of that trilogy. The mob families, the magic system is mostly curses passed by skin contact, and Cassel's family are a bunch of grifters in it up to their necks. It's YA but it's also Holly Black, so she doesn't always do what you expect. It's probably been 10 years since I read it but I still think about it pretty often.
I think I tried to listen to that audiobook years ago, but stopped it for some reason. I'd loved a bunch of Holly Black's other series though so maybe I'll give it another go at some point.
Shelf: Next in Series
Rating: ★★
Finished: 5/19/19
Review:
This series had it's ups and downs for me. I wasn't as enthralled with it as everyone else seemed to be. It did have it's good points though just not enough to keep me interested at all times. I have had this book on my bookshelf for quiet a while though so I am glad I got through it. It definitely had that young adult troupe of a love triangle and unfortunately it didn't work for me, worked for the characters but not for me really. I wanted it to be more about Tess and her kicking ass and taking names, but it just sort of fell flat there. Yes she did do that once and a while but that wasn't what the main story was about. I know this series is done but there are spinoffs that she has made I am not sure at this time if I will continue on, right now I am kind of done with this world for right now. I of course want to read more about Magnus Bane but that is probably about it.
Completion Post
Shelf: Kindle Freebie
Book: Bloodfire
Author: Helen Harper
Series: Blood Destiny #1
Date Finished: 5/20/19
Rating: ★★★★
How it fits: Shelved 6x; 246 pgs
Review: I thought that this was an interesting start for a series and was pretty good quality for a kindle freebie. There were few things that bothered me about the story: Mack is totally petulant and it started to grate on my nerves after a bit. I really don't like "misunderstandings" so, to me, the stuff with Nick was 100% unnecessary and cruel. Some things that needed explaining were super vague. The final battle/ending was pretty abrupt and that left me feeling a little like "That's it?" Anyway, the thing I wanted to see happen, didn't happen at all and I'm not even sure it will happen eventually. I think this was Helen Harper's 1st book and it's a little rough in places but you can tell that there is a lot of potential for the series. I definitely plan to continue reading. I've already checked out book 2 from the library because I gotta know if she meets back up with her mage buddy, Alex (dude!) and I gotta know if Corrigan, the alpha of all the packs, catches up to her and what's going to happen once he figures out what she is.
CONGRATULATIONS, Better Read than Dead!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'next in series'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Yay!! :D
I haven't read that spinoff, Rocki. Actually, I think I only read the first three books in the "first" series, thinking it'd be a trilogy then a fourth book came out. LOL!I really liked that series, Melissa. Glad you liked the beginning and are planning to continue. :)
Congrats on the stamp Peaceful Activists!
Happy shelf day!Over at the group discussion board, Sam mentioned that the stats for this week might be a little late today so I hopped onto the SOS BookShelf Bingo R18 Stats spreadsheet and checked out captain's log entries since Sandra's last ✓ and I think I have a pretty accurate list for this week's standings (as of 3 pm EST). It's getting so exciting!!
Teams/winning shelves this week:
Team 1: Series to Finish (3 stamps needed)
Team 3: Series to Finish or Urban Fantasy (1 stamp needed)
> Team 5: Paranormal Erotica (2 stamps needed)
Team 6: Shifters (3 stamps needed)
Team 7: Urban Fantasy (2 stamps needed)
> Team 9: Paranormal Erotica (4 stamps needed)
Team 11: Soulmates (1 stamp needed)
Team 12: Auto Buy or Urban Fantasy (3 stamps needed)
Team 13: 2018 Reads (2 stamps needed)
> Team 14: Strong Female or Paranormal Erotica (3 stamps needed)
>> Team 15: Paranormal Erotica (1 stamp needed)
Team 16: Urban Fantasy or Vampires (1 stamp needed)
Team 17: Paranormal Detectives (1 stamp needed)
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Series: Artemis Fowl #1
Shelf: Kindle Freebie
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Date Finished: 5/22/19
Review: I've always wanted to get into this series, but always felt I was too old for it. After reading it, however, I no longer feel that way. I realized this year that I like middle grade.
Artemis and Butler are two people I would not want to cross (Arty is smart and Butler is big and strong). Juliet is a girl after my own heart with her sass and love of wrestling lol my heart goes out to Mama Fowl.
On the non-human side, Holly is my favorite. Well her and Foaly. Commander Root is the literal reason the phrase "take a chill pill" exists lol some of my favorite scenes came from the scenes with the creatures. I am definitely continuing on (as if I needed another series lol)
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
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Happy shelf day!! Almost time to start reading Storm Cursed!!