TART Challenge2 - Speedy Spine Crackers (6)

[Hazel]

I’m just finishing mine. Had a zoom quiz night last night and been looking after my baby niece today so not had a minute to myself. I forgot how tiring a baby can be.

[Hazel]

Completion post - task 14

Book:
Pages: 300 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 24 October
Rating: 3⭐️
How it qualifies: tagged magic by 22 people https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Review: A new to me author chosen from Amazon first reads. Elsie is an unregistered spell breaker who was taken from the workhouse as a child by a mysterious man who seems to be part of the Cowls. She doesn’t know who they are but the Cowls give her secret missions to break spells to ‘help’ the common man. Whilst on one of these missions she is detected and faces severe punishment because she isn’t registered but Baccheus Kelsey keeps her secret and gets her to help him instead. At the same time there is someone murdering aspectors and stealing their opuses which are their spells that form once they have passed. It was an intriguing read and I would like to read the next one.

[Hazel]

Tracking completion - Task 14

Sassafrass Sassafrass book 1 - 400 pages
Sassafrass Sassafrass book 2 - 322 pages
Laura Laura 160 pages
CB CB 514 pages
Hazel Hazel 300 pages

1696 pages total

[Hazel]

Checked in

[Sassafrass]

Hazel wrote: "I’m just finishing mine. Had a zoom quiz night last night and been looking after my baby niece today so not had a minute to myself. I forgot how tiring a baby can be."

Oh yeah, mine are both teenagers now and I just can't handle the babies anymore!

[Sassafrass]

Hazel wrote: "Checked in"

Woot, great job everyone!!

[Hazel]

Sassafrass wrote: "Hazel wrote: "I’m just finishing mine. Had a zoom quiz night last night and been looking after my baby niece today so not had a minute to myself. I forgot how tiring a baby can be."

Oh yeah, mine ..."

My son is nearly 12 but my niece is nearly 5 months. She is teething plus there are fireworks going off all the time here and my sisters dog is terrified and barks waking the baby. Last weekend we took the dog and today I had the baby to try and allow my sister some time to relax. The little one is just biting on everything it’s a shame. It is tiring but I would love another one.

[Sassafrass]

Well you are still young. I'm 44 and my youngest is 14. those days are OVER! LOL, DH got a vasectomy when my youngest was 6 anyway so I knew we were finished.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 15:

91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. For example, teammates were born in 75, 83, 87 and 94 - each teammate reads a book at least 339 pages long. No pass for this task.

I think that is pretty self explanatory, at least I can't think of anything to add... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Sassafrass]

so we've got 82+76+88+74 = 320

[CB]

Sounds good! Just finishing up a book and then I will get started on this!

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

will look now.....

mine are 3&5 years..... we was on about trying for a 3rd see if we could get a girl..... but tbh the way the world is right nowadays and my own mental state..... I think we will stop here.... unless we have an accident I will stick with my 2 boys...... lol....

[Hazel]

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "will look now.....

mine are 3&5 years..... we was on about trying for a 3rd see if we could get a girl..... but tbh the way the world is right nowadays and my own mental state..... I think we will..."

Never say never that’s my attitude. Things will get better Laura xx

[Hazel]

Laura do you want to read as it meets pages and also the ptp challenge as well?

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

hey my lovely im a fair way through

will probs use that, it also works for PTP

[CB]

Completion Post - Task 15
91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. (Team Minimum is 320)


Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton
Pages: 329 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/25/2020
How it qualifies:
Rating: 1⭐️

Sigh. I’m not sure where to even start with this book - maybe it’s partially my fault, as I only care for well written YA Fantasy that doesn’t feature immature idiots for characters, such as books by Sarah J. Maas. But I thought the premise sounded good, and I like a good faerie fantasy read, so I had my hopes up. Unfortunately in my opinion this was an absolute mess, riddled with immaturity and confusion everywhere, and utterly unlikeable characters on every page. There was literally just nothing I liked about this book, except maybe the lovely cover.

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 15

Bad at Love
Pages: 402 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/26/20
Task:Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. No pass for this task. (minimum page count is 320 pages)
How it fits: 402 pages
Rating: *4 STARS*

I really enjoyed this one. I loved the development of Laz and Marina's relationship. I'm a sucker for friends to lover romances and I thought this was done well, despite the fact that the whole issue between the two of them could be seen from a million miles away!!!

I also had to ding some points for narration. The female narrator was great (she's a favorite of mine) but the male narrator didn't do the American accents well at all and it was always a huge shock because the rest of the time it was great.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

i gt 3 hurs left on my audio will be done after i finish my morning chores tommorow xxxxx

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion: Task 15

The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong
Pages: 404 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/27/20
Task:Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. No pass for this task. (minimum page count is 320 pages)
How it fits: 404 pages
Rating: *3 STARS*

It was a bit too YA for me.... still the story was interesting a group of kids in a home with disorders when really they were magical......

Chloe can see ghosts and after freaking out at her school seeing a burnt man (ghost) she is sent to a home with some other "special" kids.... finding that seeing ghosts isnt the only strange thing these kids can do.

[Hazel]

Completion Task 15

Book:
Pages:331 as per kindle edition in above link
Read:26 October
Rating:4*
How it qualifies: Greater than 320 pages
Review: This series is getting better the more books I read. I wasn't sure about continuing the series after reading the first one but one of my friends convinced me to try the second one and it was much better. I got quite involved in this story which follows one of the dark ones Ryu Takamura as he heads to Japan to investigate the scientific experiments that are trying to breed humans with vampires. The story flows between current events which sees Ryu meet scientist Ava and history in where we learn about Ryu's past and the hurt that follows him into the present. I will now definitely continue with the series.

[Hazel]

Completion 15 - Team Tracking post
91. Add up the years of the teammates' births and each teammate reads a book with that minimum number of pages. (Team Minimum is 320)

Sassafrass
CB
Laura
Hazel

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Hazel wrote: "Completion Task 15

Book:
Pages:331 as per kindle edition in above link
Read:26 October
Rating:4*
How it qualifies: Greater than 320 pages
Review: This series is ge..."

I like that series...... I have Dalairs book to read she sent me..... i just need to be in the right mind to read it......

I read Silver swan and the broken puppet... im torn as they are addictive..... i like them but want to throw my kindle across the room at the same time lol.

[Hazel]

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Hazel wrote: "Completion Task 15

Book:
Pages:331 as per kindle edition in above link
Read:26 October
Rating:4*
How it qualifies: Greater than 320 pages
Review: Thi..."

I love the silver swan series - I’m a huge Amo Jones fan! They are so twisty.

[Sassafrass]

I can't believe we've gotten to the end of challenge. Only two weeks left!!!!

[CB]

Sassafrass wrote: "I can't believe we've gotten to the end of challenge. Only two weeks left!!!!"

That’s it?! That makes me sad, this has been so much fun

[Sassafrass]

Yep, last day is November 8!

[Hazel]

Sassafrass wrote: "Yep, last day is November 8!"

I know. I love this challenge. It’s been so much fun 😃

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 16:

96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.

As a team decide whether you are choosing the sun or the moon on the cover and then read at least 1200 pages with that item on the cover. You can use any edition's cover to qualify, but remember to use the first edition Kindle page count. Please include the qualifying cover in your completion posts.

[CB]

I went back to our challenge notes, and we had decided on Moon 🌙

[CB]

Think I’ll read the next book in the Vampire for Hire series - 284 pages

[Sassafrass]

let me look to see if I had a book selected!

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

hmm i will have a mooch... i will start a book tommorow..... Kids off school today and have a book i want to finish up tonight x

[Sassafrass]

since I only have a couple of more days with audible escape I'll find something there. Will probably only be good for 1 book this time. I'm working 5-10's this week because I'm covering for two doctors so I'm doing the work of 3!

[CB]

Sassafrass wrote: "since I only have a couple of more days with audible escape I'll find something there. Will probably only be good for 1 book this time. I'm working 5-10's this week because I'm covering for two doc..."

Yikes! Sounds like a rough week 😬

[CB]

Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.


American Vampire by J.R. Rain
Pages: 284 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/28/2020
How it qualifies: see moon on cover above
Rating: 3⭐️

So I am beginning to understand that this series is going to end on a cliffhanger in every book - the last book it was the cliffy as to Fang’s identity, which was answered at the beginning of the first chapter in this one (I was like - who?), and there is a much more material cliffhanger at the end of this book, that could have significant repercussions on our main heroine, Sam. The mystery in this book was just ok (we never did get the answer as to how the little girl had Sam’s phone number and knew to call her), and the weird actions from the ex-husband were also not explained - these kinds of loose ends annoy me. I did like the fact that Sam finally met another vampire and is also starting to develop and explore her strength and vampiric powers. Sam is a very likeable and sympathetic character, and she more than anything is what keeps me reading this series.

[CB]

I’m going to start a second book - 347 pages

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.


London Academy 1 - Klarissa King
Pages: 186 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/29/2020
How it qualifies: Moon on cover
Rating: 4

Piper bumps into her long lost Evil Father and has her eyes opened to another world! The paranormal kind!!!! also to find out she may be different to what she knew a halfbreed!

Choosing whether to start at London Academy Piper soon has decisions to make Can she give up her human life? her friends her mom...... soon the decision is taken out of her hands......

[Hazel]

I’m reading it’s 384 pages

[CB]

Hazel wrote: "I’m reading it’s 384 pages"

I love that one! It’s what started me on the whole Kresley Cole craze many years ago.

[CB]

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.


London Academy 1 - [auth..."

Hi Laura - don’t forget to please add your rating and qualification as well - thanks!

I realized I had forgotten to include a qualifier as well, and just added it to my post too.

[Hazel]

CB wrote: "Hazel wrote: "I’m reading it’s 384 pages"

I love that one! It’s what started me on the whole Kresley Cole craze many years ago."

For some reason I didn’t really fancy it but I’m enjoying it. Got ten minutes for lunch so going to read a wee bit now.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

CB wrote: "Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.

[bookcover:London Academy 1|48842..."

Crud sorry will add when i get on laptop tommorow xxx

[Hazel]

Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which (moon selected)

Book:
Pages: 384 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 30 October
Rating: 4⭐️
How it qualifies: Has a moon on the cover as seen above
Review: I read book 0.5 ages ago and for some reason I had a mental block on this one. I really enjoyed this story about Emma who is half Valkyrie and half vampire and the Scottish Lykae Lachlain. I enjoyed the other Valkyries characters and hope that we find out more about them later in the series. The only negative I had was that if Emma and Lachlain had only just communicated better a lot of their issues should have resolved but then there wouldn’t have been much of a story.

[Hazel]

Our page total is 854 and if you are reading a 2nd CB and Sassafrass is reading her book that will take us over the total so I won’t start a second book.

[CB]

Completion Post - Task 16
96. Read a minimum of 1200 pages with the sun or the moon on the cover, teams decide which.
2nd book


The Keeping by Nicky Charles
Pages: 347 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/30/2020
How it qualifies: see moon on cover
Rating: 1⭐️

I hated this book. Terrible sophomoric writing and bad dialogue, awful and unsympathetic characters, and bad storyline and situations. Will read nothing more by this author again.

[CB]

I only kept reading and didn’t DNF because of the challenge 😬

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

CB wrote: "I only kept reading and didn’t DNF because of the challenge 😬"

I have a Nicky charles book that has been on my kindle for forever!!!!! not going to rush to read it now lol

[Hazel]

CB wrote: "I only kept reading and didn’t DNF because of the challenge 😬"

That’s painful! I’ve been in that position before having to read something really bad for a challenge. We appreciate your dedication CB 😃

[Sassafrass]

I’ll be done mine tonight. Are we waiting on me?

[Sassafrass]

Ok, I see we are. I’ll be back in a few hours