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R12: SS Team 9 - Three Trilogies

Saint's Blood by Sebastien de Castell
Date Read: 10/13
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: #3 in the Greatcoats series
Review: Not as good as Book 2 but still a really solid entry. I wish some the groups in this book that showed up had been introduced a little more in the previous two this one did feel a little bloated with a ton of new info. There was also some scenes with magic in the later half of the book that were getting a little too convenient for my taste.
Still loved all the characters though. And some of the newer ones are really growing on me, some of whom I didn't expect to ever like. I loved Aline in this book and the way she really came into her own. The banter is top notch as it has been. And I think this one has the most solid ending of the three so far. Definitely looking forward to the last one



Date Read: 10/15
3 Stars
How it Fits: #2 in Series
Review:
I loved this book just as much as the first one. I loved seeing the growth in Camilla and how well she was navigating her new life. She really grew as a character and I was so interested in seeing what she would do next. This book had a few moments that pulled on my heart strings but overall it was another good read. I'm hoping we get a book 3 for the series.

Week 4 - Spot 32

Book: The Raven King by Nora Sakavic
Date Read: 15 October
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: All for the Game #2
Review: Book 2 heads into the fall season for the Palmetto State Foxes Exy team trying to recover from the loss of their most seasoned striker. Tensions are still high with the threat of the mafia at Edgar Allen who were possibly the cause of tragedy for the team. This book gets much further into the backgrounds and secrets of the team as they get closer. Neil is still freaked out but determined to stick with the team despite the scary idea of growing friendships as he is forced to rely on and support his team members. The writing really picked up in this one and I really can't wait to see how it ends in the next book.



Week 4 - Spot 32

Date Read: 15th Oct
Rating: **
How it fits: 3rd book in a series
Review:
This is the third instalment in the Calhoun Series, I have looked this series so far it has the perfect Nora Roberts mix for my tastes but I have to admit Lilah was he one sister I have not warmed up to as yet and the book seriously didn’t help. She is portrayed as a free spirit and the one sister who doesn’t have rules but I found her to be rather prudish in this book. the lead man in this time around Maxwell....came across like a child needed to be pleased on his terms. I have to say this book has really disappointed me compared to the last ones. I am hoping the next instalment saves it somewhat.


Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton
334 pages
How it fits: #3 in Series
Date: 10/11/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I thin..."
I loved this series! They get better as the books go on :)

Awesome! I'll check back in a little bit to roll for our next spot


Date read: 10/16/20
Pages: 144 on main page edition The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
How it fits: author last initial S
Rating: 3 stars
Review excerpt: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde wasn't bad, necessarily, it was just pretty nothing of a novel. While I found Utterson's investigation fascinating, there was not enough of the supposed horror and edge-of-your-seat nervousness as I expected knowing the premise of this novel. In fact, I found the novel itself to be sort of a watered-down version of Frankenstein.
Full review: Jekyll and Hyde review

Old spot: 32
Roll: 3+4=7
New spot: 39
Tasks:
- #3 or #9 in a series
- School/College/University
Completion Posts:
✔ Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Jen K - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Celia - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Jade aka MrsTosh - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Suzanne - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus Earned:
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.


This will earn the bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.


This will earn the bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series."
How is that series? I have the first one because it was a free ebook but I just haven't gotten around to picking it up?

Week 5; New Spot: 39

White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland
320 Pages
VRC: White Trash Zombie #3
10/17/2020
5 Stars
This series is really good! It's very similar to the tv show iZombie but better.


This will earn the bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more boo..."
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The characters are interesting and the story is engaging despite the sports. The first book was a bit weaker but worth continuing. Beware though if you have any triggers, they are all here.

Week 5 - Spot 39

Book: The King's Men by Nora Sakavic
Date Read: 18 October
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: All for the Game #3
Bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
Review: The third and final book of the series ends takes the Palmetto State Foxes through the championships after Neil survives his Christmas with the Ravens. The stakes are higher and the Ravens get dirtier as more ghosts from Neil's past resurface. Also new is Andrew back from his hospital stay and no longer on the prescribed happy drugs. The team needs to mend the fractures in their team and unite or they can't beat the top Exy teams in the country. It gets worse before it gets better. The ending was a bit crazy but satisfying and I really like how everyone evolved just a bit more to come together as a beautiful found family.
I enjoyed this books and series more than I expected. Its dark with mafia, trigger warnings and sports but still I was really engaged by the characters. They understanding, tolerance and loyalty between them for their challenges despite different backgrounds was great.


Week 5 - Spot 39

Book: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Date Read: 19th October
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Book within a school setting
Review:
What is not to love about Harry Potter and who doesn't want to go to Hogwarts. As some of you know I was away on holiday this week and visited Alnwick Castle in Northumberland where some of the outside scenes from Hogwarts were filmed so I thought this series would be fitted. The castle and grounds was just as beautiful as you imagine. I love everything about this book, especially the magic it creates for the reader, its a world where anything is possible if you just believe. Wish they had been around when I was a child, even though I still enjoy reading them as an adult.

Book:Angel's Peak
Date Read: 10/21
How it fits: #9 in a series
Review: This was definitely my least favorite of the Virgin River books I've read up to this point. I just didn't like the main romance. It started off kind of stalkerish. And there was cheating. Which is a big no. And then even once the plot moved past those two things I felt like Carr didn't spend like anytime actually developing the romance side. It was just "oh they used to be in loved so they are again". The book also had a lot of side stories popping in during the second half of the book, which having some side stories in the VR series is pretty normal but it felt like too many this time

Week 5 Spot 39

Date Read: 10/22/2020
How it fits: #3 in Series
Review":
I just love this town of Half Moon Hollow and its fun cast of characters. In this one we get to meet grown up Gigi and she falls for a vampire. I liked him from the start and was instantly rooting for them to get happily ever after. This was such a fun quick read and I cant wait to start the next one.

Week 5; New Spot: 39

White Trash Zombie Apocalypse by Diana Rowland
320 Pages
VRC: White Trash Z..."
This is one of my favorite series.



Date read: 10/23/20
Pages: 264 Blood and Snow (most rated edition)
How it fits: set primarily in scenes at Snow's school and in her training in the Seven Magics Academy
Rating: 2 stars
Review excerpt: I see idiotic characters all the time. I also see asshole characters all the time. But it takes a special kind of talent
Disclaimer: I knew this would be terrible from the beginning. I don't read vampires or erotica, and there are very few ways the Snow White fairytale can be redeemed for me. I honestly just read this because it was short, free, and fit one of my challenges.
Full review: Blood and Snow review

Previous spot: 39
New roll: 2+4=6
New spot: 45
Task options:
- #4 or #5 in a series
- LGBTQ+
Reviews:
✔ Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Jen K - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Celia - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Erin - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Jade aka MrsTosh - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✔ Suzanne - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...




Oh I loved this series."
I'm enjoying the series as well though I might switch to their other series and read


Book: A Memory Called Empire
Date Read: 10/28
How it fits: Tagged LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This was a wonderfully written book. The prose itself was beautifully done. The world was interesting and unique. I really liked all the characters and very much enjoyed following them during this book. And I love the political intrigue. I'm thinking I need to look more into the political intrigue side of sci-fi and I'm excited for the release of the sequel to this next year.
The thing that held it back just a tad for me from being a 5 star is the political intrigue was just a tad more cerebral than my brain could grasp. I was still able to follow the story without a problem as everything was explained and revealed, but, especially towards the end, I did sometimes feel like I wasn't *quite* fully grasping all the political maneuvering

Book: A Memory Called Empire
Date Read: 10/28
How it fits: Tagged LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This was a wonderfully written book. The prose itself was beautifully ..."
I really enjoyed this book as well! It as more political intrigue set in space than I expected but look forward to the next one.

Week 6 - Spot 45

Book: Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews
Date Read: 28 October
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: #4 of Innkeeper Chronicles
Review: The fourth Innkeeper Chronicles is a slight departure from the rest of the series. Instead Dina and her amazing inn being the central focus of the books, it follows Dina's sister Maude who was more fully introduced in the last book. The book flashes back to parts of book 3 where Maude meets and starts to like Arland despite her promises to herself that she was done with vampires. She and her daughter Helen join Arland when he is called home to host a wedding by two competitive vampire clans, not exactly as a fiance but definitely a person of interest. With an enemy wedding party, adapting to a new vampire clan and meeting the potential in-laws family, there is a plenty of action and fun and Maude is able to shine when given the chance.
I was slightly hesitant on this book since it wasn't Dina or her inn but Maude's adventures were thoroughly enjoyable. It could get a bit heavy on the details of vampire warfare but was such a great mix of action with a bit of romance and family relationships. Also Helen is the absolute best. I really hope there is another book in the series especially with that ending.
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton
334 pages
How it fits: #3 in Series
Date: 10/11/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I think the author hit her stride with this book, enjoyed this book very much! It was nice to see some interaction with characters from the previous books as well!