RETIRED THREAD: Vagabond Treehouse Book Club Showing 351-400 of 2,932

[Soo]

Emerald Blaze - I'm down to read that. =D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I definitely thought about Recursion and Dark Matter (Blake Crouch) alot during my re-read... they're the first similar books that come to mind...

Threshold has a great thing going, but it's you gotta recommend it to people vaguely, since almost any detail spoils the fun of the first book...

[Narilka]

I'll request a thread for Emerald Blaze. I think there may be broader interest.

[Choko]

Reading Terraway #4 - Tempt

Up to Ch 16... Boy, for a virgin with only one boyfriend in her past, O sure kisses a lot of guys (θ‿θ). (view spoiler)[ The werewolf, the half vampire, and now fish boy! And during the nights she is kissing that dream dude, who is obviously the bad guy in the story and she is the only one who hasn't figured it out yet. Doesn't she find it weird he asks her all those weird questions in her "dreams"? I wish she would figure it out so she can stop giving up her position while trying to run and hide... (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

October is a little dense. Though, in her defense, I think it makes sense. Even with all of the strange, weird and crazy that has entered her life, most of her responses are normal. She grew up as a regular person with rather difficult situations with what happened with her mom and who is her father, etc.

Those answers are in the series! I was pretty happy to read all that.

I'm actually amused by how much kissing happens in this series. It's like a happy, running joke. lol

[Choko]

Soo wrote: "October is a little dense. Though, in her defense, I think it makes sense. Even with all of the strange, weird and crazy that has entered her life, most of her responses are normal. She grew up as ..."

Hahahaha! Exactly!

Just finished book 4 and I am not happy with all the cliffhangers! Don't they know I have other books to read too? I am going to do Harry Dresden #1 now and jump back into Terraway, because I need a ton of questions answered... And both V and O were acting really immature in this one. I hope they learn their lessons. Actually, V is lucky to (view spoiler)[ to get abducted, because otherwise I though he had to do a lot of graveling in order for me to forgive him for his childish tantrums... Use your words, dude! Stop acting like a total asshole every time you feel threatened or feel like you are not ready for the debt of the relationship... I understand O's behavior and I like her a lot. She just forgives those guys a whole a lot I wish she would stand her ground on... (hide spoiler)]

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Narilka wrote: "@Loriidae Hope you enjoy it! The first Dresden book is rough ;) ..."

Hmm that doesn't sound at all promising! Is it one of those series where you have to plod through several books before it improves?

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Choko, you'll fly through Dresden, it's easy reading.

[Soo]

October has a strange mix of trained and inherent characteristics. The crazy life she had as a kid warped her natural peacemaker/mother hen side. Like, she's so used to crazy behaviors and casual brutality, that it made sense for her to become a nurse at the prison. She was super young! When she's attacked verbally, she tries to hide or agree to smooth things over. She doesn't get aggressive until someone she cares about or someone weaker is attacked. Then she's super strong and goes all out.

Plus, I can get how it's scary for her to get things that she's always wanted and feel like it's not going to be a permanent part of her life because she's learned to deal with loss over and over again. A home, a man who treats her like what she dreamed a father would be like, strong men pursuing her and thinking she's desirable and etc. She always puts what others need above her own needs and dreams. So, this series was great about pulling all the emotional strings and showing off the bad with the good. =)

[Choko]

Soo, I agree. I think I get angry with her putting up with stuff because I see so much of myself in her and I hate that about myself... I wish the guys would appreciate her in deeds, not words only. It is easy to take care of her when she has already collapsed, but it is much harder to actually be there before she gets to that point. I just wanted to bash M and V's heads in for their behavior in books 3+4...

[Choko]

Loriidae, just started Harry Dresden #1 - Storm Front and it hit me immediately with the homage to private detective Marlow! The office, the hint of Noir, the tendencies to fall for ladies in distress... That murder scene was very disturbing and sure painted a picture in your mind.

I am only 15% in and I still don't really know anything about him and his abilities, but I am sure we have plenty of time to get to know him. Back to the book now (✿^‿^)

[Choko]

Harry Dresden #1 - Storm Front

About 20% in. I met the pixie and Bob the skull spirit and I can see we are going to have some levity, which gives me even more enthusiasm for the series. Making that love potion was a revaluation (✷‿✷)

[Soo]

lol Bob the raunchy Spirit. He'd be an incubus if he could. Hahah

[Narilka]

Loriidae wrote: "Hmm that doesn't sound at all promising! Is it one of those series where you have to plod through several books..."

Yeah, for me Dresden took a couple books to find its groove.

[Narilka]

I just downloaded Joe Ledger #2. It's going to be my audio book for August :)

[Soo]

Woo!

[Choko]

Nerilka, I will read it with you (✷‿✷)

[Choko]

Just finished Harry Dresden#1. I enjoyed it more than I expected. I am a big fan of the genre to begin with, so I am kind of one of those who are a given that would be the right audience. I had a bit of an issue that the bad guy was very obvious from pretty much the beginning, but I don't really mind, as long as there is good storytelling. It is obvious that the author is laying the base for the series, because we still don't know that much about Harry, just that he is a wizard and we are going to figure out his limitations as we go. Obviously, a big one is that he can't use his magic to murder people, so he has to figure out ways to protect himself and get the bad guys with mostly regular means... I am excited to have finally started this series! Yay!

[Choko]

Just started Terraway #5 - Treat

(view spoiler)[ Bev took the stone and went off with Danny?!?!? What the hell are they thinking!!!??? And D didn't even tell M about it. She seems so lost without him... (hide spoiler)]

[Brian]

Just finished Dresden #1. I certainly don’t read a lot of UF but Dresden seems to be the gold standard. Overall I liked it and didn’t find myself bored. Seemed like a good starter for the series and hope it builds on itself for later. Love the Depraved Skull scenes. Looks to be a fun character.

[Choko]

Brian, yay!!! I feel the same. Soo said it very well - Bob would have been a succubus if he had a body and I can totally picture it! A pervy type of succubus (✷‿✷).
It will be interesting to see if the White Council still keeps such a close eye on his every step. I actually thought he should have used them waaaaay earlier, but I guess it was a way to keep the book going... I am interested to see what happens, because everyone says it only gets better and I choose to trust in that◉‿◉. When should we read the next book?

[Brian]

I’m ready whenever

[Soo]

Dresden Files:

Some people have issues with Harry being old fashioned but I love that about him. It's not like he is old fashioned, has asinine prejudices and tries to put people down. Old fashioned in wanting to protect women and open doors is fine. That doesn't stop him from asking females to help with cases, fight and defend those who need help.

The first few books are not as well written because Butcher was a newbie writer. The writing and plot weaving gets better with each book. There's some plot lines that are a bit of a mess and other issues but overall, I think the series is a lot of fun and has a ton of great good/gray/bad characters.

The way Butcher weaves Fairies, magic, religion and other aspects are mostly old school too. Good fun and easy to understand accents.

The other thing to note is how Harry grows in power vs as a person. His growth as a person is up and down. That's realistic. No one grows in one in fashion. The power growth is gradual upswing.

[Soo]

Terraway #5:

Bev: (view spoiler)[I know right? I was pretty surprised by that twist too but think about it this way.

Now we know why Bev was crazy and why all three siblings had odd disorders due to their exposure to the stone.

Thinking of Bev as a caring person is nuts right? She was SO HORRID! But now that she's becoming more of herself, it makes sense that she would take a crazy chance to save her daughter. The youngest child that she has tormented the most out of her three children.

Man, I forgot October's brother's name but he's the protector of the trio. So, I get why they did it. It's just DUMB that they did it. At least they didn't go without help. (hide spoiler)]

What did you think about Finn and what happened there?

[Choko]

So, I finished Terraway #5...

I wish she would hook up with Finn! I wish she would stop pining over Von and forget about him! When you are just fooling around, it is all fun and games with hot guys who laugh through life and split whenever there is a serious issue, but you just can't count on a dude like that... I cringe at the thought of the complete panic this type of irresponsibility would be putting me through. I rather be on my own than count on someone who I never know if is going to show up or not. Finn is so much more reliable, he treats her better and would do anything for her and is not going to run at every bump on the road...

(view spoiler)[ Bev! This was straight up cruel what the author did with her... We finally got to see the person she would have been if it wasn't for that stone, and she goes to do something nice and protective for her baby daughter, but while putting her life in danger, her handling the stupid stone warped her back to that viperous bitch, than she gets killed, while being that bitch! What the hell?!?!? The lady couldn't catch a break. At least if she was doing drugs or something, you could blame her for the horrendous way she treated her own kids, but this stone thing, it was really out of her control, so you can't even hate her... I like Olie, the brother, despite his own mental issues, he really is the protector of the family. I still wonder what has happened to the sister, Ally. We haven't heard a peep from her, but I have a feeling that somehow she is also involved with Terraway. I am just not sure if it is by her own will or not.

The mermen were so freaking scary, I thought I was going to throw up reading that scene where they tried to abduct her under water and the young man who was pulling for her while Von was recovering from blood loss and hunger, got killed... That was sad. And now October, 23 years old virgin, is pregnant! They think it has to do with her vision sexing with Von when they were kissing, but I bet you everything it is that Philip dude who she still thinks is a figment of her imagination... Come on, October! He is obviously dream walking and you keep giving him all the information he is not supposed to know!!! It drives me nuts that she is not even a little suspicious of him constantly asking her about where she is, where is the stone and what their plans are... And they had that passionate dream sex when she was abducted and wanted to feel safe... That must have been when she got pregnant, if it is possible at all...
(hide spoiler)]
And now I have no choice but to jump into the next one... It is a ton of drama, but it is very addictive｡◕‿◕｡

[Choko]

Brian, how about we do next Harry Dresden on the weekend?

[Soo]

Terraway:

The characters are great right? PLUS, lots of things happen and a quarter of them are very good twists or unexpected. Author definitely knows how to piss you off! lol

Of the 3 siblings, brother is the least influenced by the stone. I finished the series. Well, I read all the books that are currently out and I think the series is over and not everything I want to know is answered but most of the important parts have been wrapped up.

Love: I think the author is a bit confused on the idea of what love is for romantic, physical passion, etc. Or perhaps she is trying to show how the different types can be happening at the same time and be confusing? I never did make up my mind on that.

I picked up another series by her to read but I haven't gotten very far. It's not as interesting as the other 3 series I've read by her. If you want another one to read by her, I can recommend the ones I've already read. =D

[Brian]

Choko wrote: "Brian, how about we do next Harry Dresden on the weekend?"

Yeah Choko that sounds good to me!!

[Choko]

Soo, haha! She is a good writer, but darn it, she has me want to scream at the characters! What is frustrating is that the characters know all of the bad things that are happening, they know what they should be doing, they know when they are making mistakes, but despite all of that, they still go with the not good choices! Gggghhhhhrrrr! So you can't even say that the author is being dumb, because she tells you, I know I should do this, but I am going to be crazy and do that... So she is very deliberately making those choices for her characters. I am enthralled with the drama, and I am usually not a drama person. So I just jumped into
Terraway #6 - Temper

This is just insane! (view spoiler)[ She is pregnant and they think it is Von's baby, but he doesn't know yet. Mason is her only puller and his race of people want to eat babies while in the womb starting to be an issue after the second trimester. On top of that Ezra, her stepfather, is also the same race as Mason, but he can control himself better and would eat the baby only after it is born for the first couple of months... How delightful! The supposed father is running away, the dream dude who is most likely the father is feeding her some green weed, and a drunk and grieving dude is her current puller... On top of that Judge and his brother showed up to a very uncomfortable baby shower and Judge was a total asshole, but despite him being a judgemental ass, you can tell he is being like that because he cares... I am up to half way already... (hide spoiler)]

I can't believe how invested I am in this drama! I hope it finishes with some good stuff happening, because I will be pissed if we go through all of this for nothing..

[Choko]

Brian, awesome! I will be here, most probably Saturday evening.

[Soo]

Terraway:

The last two books are a bit awkward but totally worth reading to see what happens. Like, originally, I didn't think there needed to be another book after Trap #8 but Tender #9 ended up having some elements that made it totally worth reading. The main plot arc will end in #8 and a lot of unanswered stuff will be wrapped up in #9. =)

I ADORED the catty dialogue between October and Judge. Their conversations are smart and very sarcastic. It was fun to read. Well, the parts where it's not the repetitive "you know why we aren't talking/doing what you want" parts.

[Choko]

You are so right! The banter between the characters is the best part of the series. I really like Judge and his brother. I wish they had a bigger part.

I am 80% in the Terraway #6
(view spoiler)[ I am wishing that the baby is really Von's at this point. He came back and has been completely dedicated to being a father and is so happy to have a daughter of his own, particularly after the first girl turned out not to be his. He will be crushed if my guess is true and the baby turns out to be bad dude's dream Philip... I have no idea how the author is going to have them handle this... (hide spoiler)]

[Soo]

Choko, you'll find out! =D

[Choko]

Terraway #6 - just finished! Well, finally! Their eyes are open to the possibility of the bad dude! And (view spoiler)[ October said Yes to Von! What is she thinking??? Once again I think he bolted at the end of the book, although I hope not. The rest of the family are being very supportive and I like that. I really like her stepsister M, and am very happy for her getting pregnant as well. I really hope nothing happens to her and her baby, that would upset me more than if anything happens to October and her baby. Maybe because M was barely alive for so long and now is given a second chance at life by the healing waters, I want her to be happy!

I am done with all the constant love-run relationship O and V have. His family is great, but he is not worth the bother. She should guard her heart and just accept he is an eye candy that shows up from time to time and is good for a bit of fun, but not long term planning. With all the boy dynamics around her, she would be better off with someone new or just by herself. (hide spoiler)] Still totally addictive and I am jumping in the next one right away.

[Soo]

Terraway - Von: (view spoiler)[

I totally yelled at Von in my head most of the times he ran off in a huff. Sometimes it's because of his own issues, sometimes it's because of his culture/upbringing and sometimes it's because he's doing something right but didn't bother to explain it to anyone. The classic "don't tell what you're doing and get everyone upset" plan.

As a reader, I want Von to not come across as so erratic and be more straight forward like Finn.

BUT! For learning, having had years of trauma and figuring how to trust others AND himself? Von had it pretty tough. I don't know how he survived years/months of sexual abuse because he was protecting his brother. It makes sense that it takes a while to figure out that he's not just a screw up. He was never a screw up. But it didn't help that he wasn't able to express his pain, terror, disgust and horror at being sexually abused and knowing that he had to INTENTIONAL enact sexual acts with someone he didn't want.

Von's family is great. I think the writer kinda goes off the deep end on trying to figure out how to have dependable + protective pullers for October. It helps that they are all so cool and lovable even when they're prickly. =)

(hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Soo, I have no idea how you were able to read Terraway without having someone to rant to and seek emotional support! This series is going to drive me crazy. This rollercoaster of drama is driving me insane! You can tell I don't usually read stuff with that much relationship mechanics, so I am not sure I am capable of handling it, but I can see how people can get addicted to it. I am on Terraway #7 - Tease. What is this author doing to O and V??? Is she a sadist? Does she enjoy torturing her already hurt, abused and damaged characters? I totally didn't expect (view spoiler)[ October to loose the baby, for poor Von to go insane with grief, and then get possessed by evil Philip! And her sister is in coma after being used and abused by that same evil Philip monster! I am just heartbroken for everyone! (hide spoiler)]
I don't know if I can survive this series...

[Soo]

Choko, you can do it! It's crazy right?!?! I figured out most of the twists around book 5/6 but I still had to read it all.

(view spoiler)[I think story wise, it was better that October lost the baby because there would have been a whole slew of other issues if she had Philip's kid.

Even if it's crazy, insane drama in how the dots are connected, you have to admit that it's rather cool in how it comes out. I don't think it was all planned out in advance but she managed to make it all work when the story took turns that may not have been planned. (hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad you're reading it! At least, I can talk about it now.

I also wanted to chat and rant about The Last Hour of Gann and Cottonwood. Except that author has even nutter ideas about pain, loss and dealing with it so I can't honestly recommend to everyone in general. Great ideas and a bit off on execution.

[Choko]

I finished Terraway#7... This was pure torture! She killed off my favorite character!!!!ಥ_ಥ How could she do that??? And I think I know where she is going with things, but that is just cruel... The book was better than the previous two, but sure pulled on the heartstrings. And I have no choice but read the next one right away. So, I am starting right now...(｡•́︿•̀｡)

[Soo]

I'm with you! HUUUUUUUUUUUUUGS!!!

I totally teared up a few times during this series.

[Choko]

Terraway #8 - Trap

Girl, I am telling you, MT has decided to torture all of us! (view spoiler)[ I understand the grief! It is overwhelming. I also understand having other responsibilities that do not give you time to grieve. I am about 30% in and I feel the worst for the father - he lost his first wife, he lost his fiance, his daughter was sick for the last 10 years, then she gets better, gets pregnant and dies during childbirth. His one stepdaughter is in coma, his other daughter is mentally ill, his nature makes him wanting to eat his granddaughter, he is financially responsible for a whole mass of people, and on top of that he is one of the leaders of his world, trying to keep his people alive and in war with evil Philip, who has an army of zombies! I am sure I am missing something... Are you kidding me?! And now his dead daughter's husband called her back as a ghost bride? And she is evil? What is going on??? Are they trying to kill Ezra? Why is Danny being so stupid??? He knows he can't resurrect her, why is he giving in to the most destructive side of grieving? And I can't even hate him for it, because I understand... But colluding with evil Philip? This is so out of character! And now October went to try and convince Finn to go and kill the big bad on his turf! I understand that killing the dude is the only way to be free of the constant threat, but this is rash, something is bound to go wrong... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Soo, thanks for the hugs!!! I need them! I don't think I will sleep until I finish book 8...

[Choko]

Yep, I finished not only book #8, but Terraway#9 too... Boy, was this an emotional rollercoaster! Book 8 was kind of brutal. (view spoiler)[ I was not happy when Finn died, but I guess it was almost inevitable, since it would have been hard to make him play nice with the other guys in the harem. Von has been awesome, after his breakdown, and I love that the author has him with some serious PTSD residue, mostly normal, but some things trigger him big time! Danny, yeah, if there is one thing I had some issues with, it was that after 7 books of M being my favorite character and being an awesome person, she ruined our memory of her by making her that horrible shrewish White Woman zombie chick... This was painful.

I thought the scene with evil Philip and Levi was very touching, but just after, the Finn thing, maaaan, it was not easy to take. But I was very happy at Levi's introduction. I was worried for a bit that it will be weird with Ezra, but I thought she handled it very well! And if we had ended the series at this point, with Alley just awoken, but damaged, it would have been perfectly fine, definitely more realistic. But having book 9, I think it was the fairy tale ending most possible for the story. I felt bad for Judge and his brothers, but I liked they were brought back in the fold. And the closure everyone got in the Forest, as well as the magical flower, it felt very good, but it was extremely implausible... It kind of felt like she decided to give it that Happily Ever After we all want for our stories, but we all know are not the best way to close things up. Emotionally though, it was a fictional equivalent of hot chocolate with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. I loved it as a combination!!! (hide spoiler)]

I thoroughly enjoyed my self and yes, I want you to give me a recommendation for her other work, Soo(✿^‿^)

[Choko]

Harry Dresden #2 - Fool Moon

Just started, up to Ch. 3. I love that Murphy is back, but I don't like the hard feelings between her and Harry at the moment...

[Soo]

Choko, my intro to MT was Vemreaux trilogy. It's good but not as crazy as Terraway. lol

My Advice: Kindle Unlimited & Audible

1) Borrow the Kindle Unlimited bundle for the ebook: Free with KU
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LXD70FG

2) Then buy the Audible bundle if you want to listen: 45 hrs for $7.49 (Gotta borrow KU first.)
https://www.audible.com/pd/Volumes-of...

The second series I read was her mafia romance story. It's more like romance + drama. She has another author name and has both of her two names on the series.

The O'Keefe Family Collection - Books 1-3: Exploding, Escaping, Exhaling
This series is not as long. I recommend just borrowing the books on KU and reading them.

I like that all of her books are available on KU. That makes my life easier. =)

I'm looking at starting one of the following series by MT:
- Undraland #1 (9 Books)
- Ugly Girl #1 (14 Books)
- Vengeful Prince #1 (6 Books)

[Soo]

I'm down to BR another series by MT! Just let me know. =D

[Choko]

Soo, I made the mistake of reading the introduction chapter in the end of the last book, of Ugly Girl, and now I think I would like to try it. We could try the first one these days, if you want? I wouldn't even know which thread that would fit in...

[Soo]

Ugly Girl is Fantasy & PNR. We can just post here. I can read that one. When do you want to start?

[Choko]

How about on Monday or Tuesday?

[Brian]

Choko wrote: "Harry Dresden #2 - Fool Moon

Just started, up to Ch. 3. I love that Murphy is back, but I don't like the hard feelings between her and Harry at the moment..."

Up to Chapter 23. Overall I am liking it so far. Little slow at some parts but a decent storyline. I was told that the books get better as they go so I am willing to be patient. Good story and memorable characters so I can't complain so far.

[Soo]

Choko, okay! Let's start Monday/Tuesday. =)

Brian, Karrin is awesome! In Dresden Files, I pretty much like ALL the characters and most of the "bad" guys. They're an interesting mix.