SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R10: Team #3 ~ Power of Free
I have read both books for L and CH shelf. I'll write a review tomorrow.I'm off to read the book for HA shelf... :)
CONGRATULATIONS, Power of Free!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'D'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Yay for Stamp!!Sandra - I need to read #6 in Charley's series as well. That series started out slow for me but now I really like it.
I have started my CH book.
Thanks for the stamp, Steph! We are doing amazing this week, enjoy your books Ladies :)
Welcome! WTG, PoF!
Thanks Steph :)
Go team!!!!!
Shelf: L
Date: 23. Nov. 2014.
Rating: 3.5 stars
I have read already one book (The Harvesting) by Melanie Karsak and Lady Macbeth: Daughter of Ravens although completely different in genre is similar in style. Both books start as typical representatives of the genre and then unexpected paranormal elements create surprising plot twists.
Daughter of Ravens is first book in a series about a life of Lady Macbeth. This book covers her teen years. The book starts as typical historical retelling sprinkled with politics, intrigue and brutal views of abuse in medieval marriages. But then we have druids, ancient gods, fae, ... Interesting mix of different elements.
The only things that bothered me in this book were all related to romance:
- One characters cheats her husband and because he beats her, author represents as this is ok. I hate cheating. :/
- There are a mff and ff sex scenes that I did not expect. I like my romance plain.
- The whole falling in love part is happening too quick and is always explained wih destiny/past lives etc. I like it when author makes more effort to build a romance.
But if I neglect the romance part the rest of the book is refreshing and original. I will definitely read the sequel to find out what happens next.
Shelf: CH
Date: 25. Nov. 2014.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Julia Quinn is one of my favorite historical romance authors. And Smythe-Smith Quartet is my favorite series written by her. In fact it might be second best in whole hr genre for me. (The first place of course belongs to the one and only The Hathaways by Lisa Kleypas).
The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy has everything I expected from Julia Quinn's novel:
- hilarity and torture of Smythe-Smith's musical
- Harriet and Frances. I love these little girls. There will even be a recreation of one play written by Harriet. I was crying and laughing and reading those pages...
- a glance into another literally masterpiece from the same author that wrote 'Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron'. This time no one gets pecked to death by pigeons. It can happen only once after all. But someone is accidentally shot with an arrow by a dog. I really wish these fictional books were real. :)
- romance was sweet and full of banter and I loved both characters
Sorry if my review is a bit muddled, but those who have read previous books in the series will know what am I talking about. And if you have not and like historical romance, try it out.
Ok, both of my reviews are done. And I started reading
for HA shelf. Sandra, I promise no more book changing (for this shelf of course lol).And yay for another stamp. Go team go. I hope to finish this short book just in time for new shelves. :D
Shelf: L
SOURCE: Library
DATE FINISHED: Nov 24
RATING: 4 stars
REVIEW:
Lumiere is a steampunk fantasy book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The setting is complex and the story is replete with interesting steampunk inventions, magic and bizarre creatures. I loved the blend of steampunk and fantasy elements. Eyelet is an interesting heroine and Urlick too is an eccentric and unconventional hero. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I loved this book, and will definitely be continuing the series.
Also, the cover is so gorgeous.
SOURCE: Library
DATE FINISHED: Nov 24
RATING: 4 stars
REVIEW:
Lumiere is a steampunk fantasy book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The setting is complex and the story is replete with interesting steampunk inventions, magic and bizarre creatures. I loved the blend of steampunk and fantasy elements. Eyelet is an interesting heroine and Urlick too is an eccentric and unconventional hero. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. I loved this book, and will definitely be continuing the series.
Also, the cover is so gorgeous.
Shelf: Freespace
SOURCE: Kindle Freebie
DATE FINISHED: Nov 26
RATING: 3.5 stars
REVIEW:
Muse,a half-demon's attempt at a normal life vanishes when a mysterious stranger comes to her shop and askes her to read a sword in his hand. When she narrowly escapes the confrontation with her life, she turns to the one person, or in this case demon, who has been a constant friend and savior throughout her abused past-Akil, one of the seven princes of hell.
But she soon finds that nothing is what it seems, and her life continues to be in jeopardy. Not sure whom to trust and where to turn for help, Muse has to learn the truth and try to develop her powers before she turns up dead or worse.
This book left me an emotional mess- lots of heart-wrenching moments. I really felt sorry for Muse- everybody is out to get her, and she just cannot trust anyone. Stephan, Akil, Adam- all have their own personal agendas- what's a poor half-demon to do?
One thing I liked about this book is the writing- it is terse, with no unnecessary details or descriptions. Also, there are something left to the reader to decipher, which I loved. Not everything has to be clearly elucidated in a book.
I liked this one a lot. I will definitely be continuing the series. Another new Urban Fantasy series for me to follow!
SOURCE: Kindle Freebie
DATE FINISHED: Nov 26
RATING: 3.5 stars
REVIEW:
Muse,a half-demon's attempt at a normal life vanishes when a mysterious stranger comes to her shop and askes her to read a sword in his hand. When she narrowly escapes the confrontation with her life, she turns to the one person, or in this case demon, who has been a constant friend and savior throughout her abused past-Akil, one of the seven princes of hell.
But she soon finds that nothing is what it seems, and her life continues to be in jeopardy. Not sure whom to trust and where to turn for help, Muse has to learn the truth and try to develop her powers before she turns up dead or worse.
This book left me an emotional mess- lots of heart-wrenching moments. I really felt sorry for Muse- everybody is out to get her, and she just cannot trust anyone. Stephan, Akil, Adam- all have their own personal agendas- what's a poor half-demon to do?
One thing I liked about this book is the writing- it is terse, with no unnecessary details or descriptions. Also, there are something left to the reader to decipher, which I loved. Not everything has to be clearly elucidated in a book.
I liked this one a lot. I will definitely be continuing the series. Another new Urban Fantasy series for me to follow!
Now that I've posted my Freespace review, I believe that calls for one more stamp... Yaay!
I've finally started my LO book. But I doubt I'll be able to complete it within shelf call.
I've finally started my LO book. But I doubt I'll be able to complete it within shelf call.
Sandra wrote: "And Preethi, I'm looking forward to Seventh grave, I think I'm up to 6 :)"
I can't wait for you to read it:)
I can't wait for you to read it:)
Sandra wrote: "Preethi, if you're still looking for a HA book, the one I used is still free for both kindle & ebook and is the prequel so you won't be jumping in out of sequence. 
"
I just realized that I haven't responded to this. This has never been a freebie for me, Sandra. I've tried whenever y'all say it free, but it alas it has never been free for me.
The strangeness of regional Amazon sites!
"I just realized that I haven't responded to this. This has never been a freebie for me, Sandra. I've tried whenever y'all say it free, but it alas it has never been free for me.
The strangeness of regional Amazon sites!
Did you try ARe? I got Captured free a while ago from there, it was available there before Amazon.
I really want to start a new book but I am patiently waiting on the shelf before I pick one.
Shelf: A
Author name, Netgalley
Shelf: G
Author name, Netgalley
Preethi wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Preethi, if you're still looking for a HA book, the one I used is still free for both kindle & ebook and is the prequel so you won't be jumping in out of sequence. [bookcover:Captur..."Michelle wrote: "Did you try ARe? I got Captured free a while ago from there, it was available there before Amazon."
How bizarre Preethi, cause I'm on regional amazon as well, so miss out on lots of freebies, but that one has always been free for me. Plus I have it free from All Romance as well, the same as Michelle, so I have both formats.
Off to update, request stamps and decide what to read and phew, no winning shelves this week.Been a bit hectic here as yesterday was hubby's bday, one with a zero on the end, so he's taken the rest of the week off an we'll be out & about, and a few dinners etc etc.
Preethi wrote: "Sandra wrote: "And Preethi, I'm looking forward to Seventh grave, I think I'm up to 6 :)"I can't wait for you to read it:)"
I decided to wait to read #6, cause #7 isn't out in pb till early next yr and I didn't want the gap. Though then I'll have a big gap to #8 *sigh* But looking forward to them all, its a fascinating series.
Not sure what I'll read yet, possibiliesA
G
And yay Stamp Dancing x 2 !!!!
Just so we knew what stamps are missing -LO 1 missing
HA 1 missing
CH 1 missing
A 5 missing
G 5 missing
So that's pretty good going I think :)
Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating :)
Okay, I have kind of a weird question. I know when it's double letters, it can be anywhere in the title or author's name. But if it's a single letter does it have to start the word?
Yep, beginning letter of first or last name of author, first of title or series name.
Ok. I was just confusing myself.I will be reading
Letter A
Amazon gift card
Letter G
Library check out
LOL I'll fix it up Leslie, when I get back. About to run out the door :)
Wishing your hubby a very Happy Birthday week! Enjoy your time together celebrating :) I did the same thing with Sixth Grave, I've been holding on to it because I hate waiting so long between them.
Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate.
Things are starting to get hectic here, I have 3 kids age 9 and under and they are all at different schools/nursery. The amount of Christmas Fayres, concerts, nativity plays etc is unreal. I love it though :)
Thanks Michelle I'll pass on your good wishes :)Kids Christmas concerts are always a blast!
Happy Birthday to your husband, Sandra!And Michelle, I can totally understand the craziness. I had 4 under the age of 6 and during the school years, it was insane this time of year.
And Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate. Enjoy the day.
And of course, I am changing my book! Sorry!
Letter G
Free book on nook
Updated :)Thanks Leslie, I'll tell him.
Happy birthday to Sandra's husband and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate the holiday.I have read my HA book (review tomorrow) And started reading
(Kindle Freebie) for G shelf.
Shelf: HA
Source: Kindle Freebie
Date: 26. Nov. 2014.
Rating: 3.5 stars
The Shadow Prince pack a lot of content and character development for a prequel novella.
We get glimpses of intriguing world where elemental mages live. Some things are just mentioned in passing and left me itching to read the next book soon to find out more. Like: wings all elemental mages apparently have, relations between different royal houses, how many elements are there and what are their powers...
The story for the next (or first?) book in the series is set up nicely. We got history behind prince Rowan and halfling girl Kalin. Foundation for romance and a lot of action are there.
The only thing that put me off and lowered my rating is that the story is told in first person pov by Rowan and he sounded to me completely the same like all other teen girl narrators in other ya novels. I had to remind myself multiple times that narrator is male.
Sounds interesting Dragana, so I grabbed it.Off to do some stamp dancing ;)
Well we already concluded this bingo turned out to be bad for our freebie pile. :DIt's a nice novella. Especially for a freebie. It definitely intrigues you enough to read the next book in series. :)
And yay for another stamp. :)
Shelf: G (author: Rose Gordon)
Source: Kindle Freebie
Date: 28. Nov. 2014.
Rating: 3 stars
I downloaded Her Sudden Groom because it was free Kindle ebook and it had geeky/nerdy hero and heroine. How could I resist that combination?
Alex Banks finds out his father signed marriage contract long time ago that obligates him to marry Lady Olivia if he is single on his 30th birthday. That might not have been so bad, if lady Olivia is not the most horrid person on a planet. So Alex starts an experiment: find a wife in a month and Caroline Sinclair, lady Olivia cousin, offers to help.
Her Sudden Groom is not bad but it could have been much better and that makes me sad. Idea for a plot was nice and characterisation of main characters was not badly done. Romance developed slowly and there were a lot of sad moments to pull on your heart strings too. And Alex has a large quirky family with great dynamics.
But:
- Humor just didn't click with me. Lady Olivia was more caricature than real person. It was like Rose Gordon took a group of little kids and made them make a list of funny/horrible things your girlfriends could have. For example: her feet stink, her toenails are yellow, her boobs keep popping out of her cleavage, she's too fat, ....
- I also had problems with term 'science' & 'experiment' who was loosely used for almost any interest, even gardening.
Not a bad book when you need something relaxing and not too heavy. I doubt I will buy sequels to this series but if they are free for Kindle in the future I might read them.
Shelf: G
Date: 29/11/14
Rating: ★★
Didn't enjoy this at all and I love shifter books. However, I loathe and detest drug cartel books and I wasn't expecting that to be the main focus, that and the dying illegal immigrants.
I didn't really connect with any of the MCs either. Very disappointing, it felt like they were cardboard cut-outs moving around NY and the desert.
Won't be reading further in the series.
Yay!!! Two books I don't need to download!!!
Shelf: G
11/29/14 4★
Review:
I realized after I started this that I had not read #2 in the series, but I was still able to jump right back into life at the trailer park in Jackrabbit Junction, Arizona. All the regular players are back including Deborah, the mom and Ronnie the older sister. Ronnie basically takes over the book, which is fine with me. I really liked her character and loved watching her fight her way out of a terrible life. Sheriff Grady certainly helps her with this growing up! Claire and Mac are having problems finding alone time and Claire is struggling with her commitment issues along with trying to solve the mystery of the stolen objects. Great story!!
~Leslie~ wrote: "Yay!!! Two books I don't need to download!!!"LOL
The only reason I kept reading - I needed an O for another challenge.
@Sandra: I haven't tried AllRomance for that book, so I probably should have tried that. Also, happy (very belated) birthday to your hubby!
@Michelle and Leslie: I just can't imagine having 3 or 4 kids under 9 during this season... Should be hectic and fun at the same time, huh?
@Dragana: I downloaded
too, thanks to you! I also thought of reading
for G shelf, but now I think I'll go for something else. Thanks for the warning.
@Michelle and Leslie: I just can't imagine having 3 or 4 kids under 9 during this season... Should be hectic and fun at the same time, huh?
@Dragana: I downloaded
too, thanks to you! I also thought of reading
for G shelf, but now I think I'll go for something else. Thanks for the warning.
I've been totally slacking this BINGO round... Bad me:(
I'm hoping to finish my LO book and have it reviewed by tomorrow.
My choice for the A shelf:
(Library) and
(ARC from author) for the G shelf.
I'm hoping to finish my LO book and have it reviewed by tomorrow.
My choice for the A shelf:
(Library) and
(ARC from author) for the G shelf.
Thanks Preethi, I'll pass on your good wishes to hubby :)Updated to here!
Sandra - don't kill me, but I've changed my A book (ducks head in shame)I'm reading
by Victoria Alexander at the moment. It's a kindle freebie.Preethi - Christmas was pretty crazy! It still is when we are all together (which we will be this year). We are Catholic and so did a lot of Advent activities, which slowed the Christmas craziness down a lot. Didn't put up a tree until the 20th. The funny part is how the kids became so committed to certain rituals that I didn't realize at the time were that big of a deal.
No worries Leslie, I couldn't read the
myself, even though I'd bought it with the first 3 books.Updated :)
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Concealed in Death (other topics)Creation in Death (other topics)
Primal Instinct (other topics)
Creation in Death (other topics)
Creation in Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Rose Gordon (other topics)G.A. Aiken (other topics)
Victoria Alexander (other topics)
Amanda Carlson (other topics)
Alexandra Ivy (other topics)
More...
Title, Gift from Author
Read: 24/11/14
Rated: 3.5-4 Stars
My review: I do enjoy Robin's books and although this one wasn't my favourite, it did tick a lot of boxes in the list of things I love to read about. Sexy alpha male with military/special ops/security background, heroine with a back bone, action, suspense and cute kids thrown in amongst it all. It was a decent story and I will read the rest in the series.