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R12: SS Team 8 - Reading Eight Days A Week
Mod
It won't, precisely because it doesn't fit any of the spot 50 prompts. To count for this challenge, a book HAS to fit the spot somehow, either through series number or the alternate prompt. You can't count a book that doesn't fit.
Denise wrote: "It won't, precisely because it doesn't fit any of the spot 50 prompts. To count for this challenge, a book HAS to fit the spot somehow, either through series number or the alternate prompt. You can't count a book that doesn't fit."Got it. Thanks, Denise.
Selection Post: Week 6 - Spot 50
Book: Fallen by Mia Sheridan
Qualification: Standalone & Paranormal MPG
Pages: 532
Well crap. If the Exorcist won't work for space 50, should we just stay on 49 then? I am currently reading a series book 4 that would work for the bonus point.
Mod
Ok, we'll use a bonus point then and go to 50.
Sounds good! Spot 50 it is! I'm also planning on getting through an 8 book series (Artemis Fowl)
Week 6 (Spot 50) Selection
Pages: 385
How it fits: #5
Catching up on the conversation as I have been hiking without internet in the tropical rainforest for three days.I have #5 Alexus Verus Hidden that is MPG paranormal.
My excuse is that I was at work and then my bf's place and for some reason my email notifications weren't working..
Mod
Spot: 50
Book: On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Soulbound #5
Pages: 395
Completion Post: Week 6 - Spot 50
Fallen by Mia Sheridan
Qualification: Standalone & Paranormal MPG
Read: 11/1/20
Rating: ★★★
Review: This was fine. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t read so many other (and better) thrillers and horrors last month. The writing was gorgeous. This was my first book by Mia Sheridan but I definitely will be reading more. I thought the plot was interesting until it wasn’t. The split between the past and the present was cool. The heroine, Scarlett, was great. I really liked her character and I thought her daughter, Haddie, was absolutely adorable. Everyone else…meh. The hero, whatever his name was, was extremely boring. He jerked the heroine around a lot and I just found him to be so unlikable. The romance did absolutely nothing for me. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them at all.
This book is over 500 pages but I was able to blow through it in a day. It was quickly paced but a lot of the parts felt a bit boring, particularly the first half and the ending. The middle was really good though. Overall, it was alright. An entertaining enough read but nothing spectacular.
Completion post: Spot 50Qualification: Stand alone
Book: Hello, Darkness by Sandra Brown
Read 10/31
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Good from start to finish!! Great mystery, creepy killer, lots of suspects and a sexy hero to save the day! "Hello Darkness" has all of the ingredients needed for a page-turning who-done-it. I could have done without the side story of Paris' deceased husband, but it didn't ruin the book. I really like the side story of Gavin, who started out being very unlikable but ended up redeeming himself. Loved it!!
Week 6 (Spot 50) Selection Edit
Pages: 384
How it fits: Standalone
Week 6 (Spot 50) Completion
Pages: 384
How it fits: Standalone
Date read: 3/11/20
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: 4.5 stars
So happy that I knew absolutely nothing about this book going into it! If I'd read the blurb, this would have been a 3.5-4 star. Hence why I will never read the blurb of a book anymore.
This book was just the right amount of shocking and disgusting and horrific. Every trigger warning possible. Showcases the despicability (is that a word?) of how men can be. I was sharing these events with a friend of mine as I listened throughout the day, and she can agree with me when I say that this is effed up. I think this is a story that had to be told though. This is the only one so far that deserves to be a Goodreads Awards Nominee.
Mod
Spot: 50
Book: On the Wings of War by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Soulbound #5
Pages: 395
Finished: 05 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
To retrieve the Morrigan's staff before the Dominion Sect can get its hands on it, the boys, accompanied by Sage and Wade, are headed to London to attend a secret black market auction in an uneasy alliance with Lucien. Given that Jono was exiled from London, they also have to deal with the local god pack, which comes with a demonic surprise. And then it's on to Paris, where a necromancer in a city packed with graveyard's promises horrors almost beyond imagining.
Given that I love London and Paris, I really enjoyed the settings in this one. Spencer was an interesting addition to the team, I'd like to see him around again. Wade on the other hand is getting on my last nerve. His constant whining and food obsession is getting old. Nice twist at the end.
Bonus point earned: Complete series (Books 1-5 read, no further books in this series currently published)
Completion Post Spot: #50
Book: Hidden
Author: Benedict Jacka
Pages: 336
Spot: #50
How it fits: #5 Alex Verus
Bonus: MPG of Paranormal
Date Read: Nov 1 ★★★✰✰
Review: Alex Verus is a diviner, he can look into the future, imagine someone performing a future action and see the consequences of those actions. Two of Alex’s friends have turned away from him as a result of his actions in the previous book, however when one of them is kidnapped he gathers his resources to plan the rescue. A lot of time is spent on recriminations and justifications of his past actions, a bit of a filler, unfortunately.
Completion postSpot: 50
Book: Evan Can Wait- Rhys Bowen
Qualification: Constable Evans #5
Date read: 11/4/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Constable Evans is assigned to assist some film makers who are making a film about a downed WW2 German plane. One of the film makers is later found dead in a mine. Evan's girlfriend knows the film makers, so Evan feels that he needs to determine who killed the film maker. I do enjoy this series. Evan is such a nice guy. I wouldn't mind being his friend in real life. I knew who the killer was because there was a second storyline and the only way that it made sense was if it had something to do with the killer. Evan is getting a real reputation for solving murders, but I agree with him that he is just lucky. He tends to either stumble onto the information needed, or just run into the killer. I will be continuing the series.
We rolled a 10 this week, putting us on space 60.We can read a standalone, series #6 or series #60.
Alternate is a book set in Europe.
Perfect! For some reason my notifications weren't working so I'm a little late.
Week 8 (Spot 60) Selection
Pages: 359
Standalone
Selection Post: Week 8 - Spot 60
Book: Enslaved by the Desert Trader by Greta Gilbert
Qualification: Standalone
Pages: 288
Completion post -- Spot 60Recursion by Blake Crouch
Qualification: Standalone
Read 11/8
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Wow. Total mind f##k. Loved the concept, the creativity, the writing, the characters. What is your life without your memories? How do your memories define you? And the true question is -- if you had to do it all over again, would you? Bravo!!!
Mod
Spot: 60
Book: The Clothesline Swing by Danny Ramadan
Qualification: Standalone
Pages: 220
Completion Post: Spot 60
Enslaved by the Desert Trader by Greta Gilbert
Qualification: Standalone
Read: 11/9/20
Rating: ★★★
Review: I think this book started off really strong but as it went on, it got less interesting and more convoluted. The characters of Tahar and Kiya were just alright, not my favorites. Kiya was a bit better than Tahar but she was still so underdeveloped and one dimensional, same as him. The romance didn’t do anything for me and I don’t think the chemistry was that strong. However, where this book gets three stars from is in the writing and the setting. It’s set in Egypt and the author does a fantastic job painting a picture. I had no problem imagining everything and the way she described things was so lush and beautiful. I will definitely read more of her work because of how strong her writing is but this book just wasn’t it for me.
Week 8 (Spot 60) Selection Edit
Pages: 320
Standalone
Mod
Spot: 60
Book: The Clothesline Swing by Danny Ramadan
Qualification: Standalone
Pages: 220
Finished: 10 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
So bleak, yet so beautiful. There is so much emotion packed into this tiny, mesmerising novel, so much pain and trauma, so much love and beauty found amongst war and ruin, a palpable sense of longing and desperately trying to stave off the inevitability of death with memory after memory. Such gorgeously poetic writing that absolutely begs to be savoured slowly yet without interruptions to unfold its full effect. Deliberately disjointed and made up of story fragments weaving back and forth through decades and across countries, this haunting tale inspired by One Thousand and One Nights drew me in from its very first sentence and never let go.
Completion Post Spot: #60
Book: Parker
Author: Dale Mayer
Pages: 157
Spot: #60
How it fits: #6 The K9 files
Date Read: Nov 8 ★★✰✰✰
Review: This was the slow burn or slow burns. There was a lot of mystery, danger and betrayal in the midst of tragic circumstances. The romance was tepid and the love scene at the end felt really forced and almost out of left field. The war dog as always in this series was the star of the show. A disappointing two stars.
Completion postSpot: 60
Book: Evans to Betsy- Rhys Bowen
Qualification: Constable Evans #6
Date read: 11/12/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: A visiting graduate student convinces Betsy that she is psychic and gets her to quit her job at the local pub and join a New Age center to study under a renown psychic. Evan is sent to the center to investigate a missing college student. Soon, the renown psychic is found dead and Evan gets involved in the case. I do enjoy this series. Evan is finally living on his own and it isn't going well. He is doing this because his girlfriend feels that he needs to learn to take care of himself. I did figure out the killer before Evan did. This book ends on a high note and I can't wait to see what happens next.
We are just waiting on Maddie's book in order to roll.
8 hours to go. If Maddie doesn't get her review in, I'll use the free pass so that we can roll.
Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I totally forgot to update this challenge! :o I just had a total panic and freaked out and then calmed down when I realise I was still within the time zone.
Week 8 (Spot 60) Completion
Pages: 320
Standalone
Rating: 4 stars
Date read: 13/11/20
Review: The premise of this book was so gooood! Lots of Maze Runner vibes. I went into this blind, as I don't read the synopsis of my books, and thank gosh I did because the synopsis is, frankly, shit. If I'd read it before I started the book, I'd be giving this 2 stars. The massive reveal in the book is stated at around 60%, so it makes the whole entire book a complete waste. But I appreciate how the relationship is already established, and the family they make at the bunker, and how they all develop and work together.
We rolled an 11 this week, putting us on space 71.We can read a standalone, series #1, series #7, or series #71.
Alternate is a title that starts with J.
Selection Post: Week 9 - Spot 71
Book: The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Qualification: Princes #1
Pages: 392
Mod
Hmmm, a great excuse to start a new series.... so many unfinished series!!
Completion Post: Spot 71
The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Qualification: Princes Trilogy #1
Read: 11/14/20
Rating: ★★★
Review: This one started off really strong and I was loving it. I had a feeling it was going to be at least a four star but then we get to the main plot point and I was so incredibly put off and it left a bad taste in my mouth for the rest of the book.
(view spoiler) That brought my enjoyment all the way down.
On top of that the characters, Anna and Edward, felt very inconsistent and underdeveloped to me that it was hard to connect or care about either of them or their relationship. The romance just didn’t work for me. Also some of the side plots felt forced into the story for the sake of drama and the payoff ended up not being worth it.
What I did like, again this started off great. Anna and Edward had great banter and that was the only time I felt any chemistry between them. The writing was also really good and it makes me want to read more by Hoyt. I’ll continue on with this series at some point but I think my next read by this author will be from her Maiden Lane series instead.
Week 9 (Spot 71) Selection
Pages: 359
Standalone
Let's try again with Then She Was Gone XD
Mod
Spot: 71
Book: The Red Cobra by Rob Sinclair
Qualification: James Ryker #1
Pages: 376
Mod
Spot: 71
Book: The Red Cobra by Rob Sinclair
Qualification: James Ryker #1
Pages: 376
Finished: 15 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This is the first book in a sequel series to the The Enemy trilogy, which probably should have been reason enough for me to stay away from it given how very annoyed I was by the end of that trilogy. But sometimes I just can't leave well enough alone, so here we are.
Protagonist Carl Logan, now living under a new name as James Ryker, has quit his job and is trying to settle down in civilian life when his former boss tracks him down. A woman has been brutally murdered in Spain, and her fingerprints have come back as matching those of an assassin known as the Red Cobra Logan/Ryker tangled with years before - but while her prints match, her face doesn't. Ryker is sent to find out what is really going on - who is this woman, why was she murdered, is the real Red Cobra involved? - and if the Red Cobra does turn up, take her out.
The book follows the familiar pattern of consisting of half flashbacks, half present day story. As I was a lot more interested in the Anna/Red Cobra backstory, despite its inherent clichés, than in Ryker's gun-toting, bullying macho antics, I actually liked the flashbacks for once. Still don't like the protagonist, but this one was somewhat more entertaining than the previous books. Liked the twist regarding the Red Cobra's indentity.
Completion Post Spot: #71
Book: Raintree: Inferno
Author: Linda Howard
Pages: 280
Spot: #71
How it fits: #1 Raintree
Date Read: Nov 17 ★★★✰✰
Review: This is the first of a group of novels that run concurrently by three different authors. This isn’t apparent until the first book ends on a cliffhanger. Dante Raintree a fire elemental is the king of his clan running a casino in modern day Reno. As a hero, he is overbearing and controlling and, in my mind, did not do enough to redeem himself. I felt the heroine forgave him to quickly, but it is insta-love over a couple of days so that is to be expected. The paranormal world was intriguing and the heroine’s backstory made my heart ache. 3.5 stars
Completion postSpot: 71
Book: Evan Only Knows- Rhys Bowen
Qualification: Constable Evans #7
Date read: 11/18/20
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Evan and Bronwyn go to South Wales to meet each others' parents. While visiting Evan's mom, Evan discovers that the man who killed his father has now been arrested for another murder. Evan escorts his mom to court for the bail hearing and during the hearing becomes concerned that the man is truly innocent. He decides to investigate and opens a can of worms. I really respected Evan in this book. He could have easily gone along with everyone else, but instead, he stuck to his conscious, just like he imagined that his father would have done. As he is usually a bit of a pushover, it was a nice side of him to see. It was nice to meet the families and see where they came from. I think Bronwyn and Evan make a nice couple. I look forward to continuing this series.
I will definitely be done by midnight tonight. ;)
Sam -- am I the only one you're waiting on? If so I will power through to finish by midnight. If not, I'll finish in the morning. Sorry!!
@Maddielucy: Nope waiting on me as well :) I'll be done maybe an hour after earliest deadline tonight.
Ok thanks Maddy. I will finish in the morning. Sweet dreams.
The Challenge Factory
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So even though Exorcist doesn't fit any of the prompts for space 50 it could still count because of the Halloween bonus point? Sorry, just wanna make sure I get it. LOL.