SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R20: Team #5 ~ Crazy Insane Flying Monkey Space Invaders
Completion Post
The Sinner by J.R. Ward
Pages: 512
Read: 3/16/2021
Rated: 5 Stars
Review:
Syn has always felt that he was different because of how he was raised. Jo has been investigating the paranormal but always seems to forget what happens when she goes in search of them. She does not know that she is a half breed and needs someone to help her. The reason Butch still lives is because he is the Destroyer and now it is time to finish what he is there for. But will be at the risk of his brothers or himself. This book is full of action and drama and a new enemy has come to Caldwell to take over.
Hi ladies, I have fallen a little bit behind due to crazy couple of weeks at work and on top of it the vaccine shot took me out for four days ... yikes . But it's done now and I promise I catch up wit couple of books this week!
Selection Post:Shelf: Shapeshifter
Book: Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews, shelved 14 times as Shapeshifter
Skandia wrote: "Hi ladies, I have fallen a little bit behind due to crazy couple of weeks at work and on top of it the vaccine shot took me out for four days ... yikes . But it's done now and I promise I catch up ..."Glad you were able to get it! I got The Moderna in Jan/Feb. Had a nice immune response from the 2nd dose. There's been a lot of demand. (I'm a registered nurse so I had the option to get it a little sooner than I normally would have been). If things go as planned, it will be open to the general public (here in Idaho) by the end of April (16 and up).
Shapeshifter(s)
Finished 3/20
3.5*
I did liked this better than Midnight's Seduction. This was Ramsey and Tara's story. Tara has been on the run for 10 years (since she turned 18). She was abused by her mother because she wouldn't do the ritual that would turn her drough (evil Druid, the mie's are the good). After she left home, she was taken in and groomed by Declan. She escaped after she overheard something she shouldn't have. Now she is hunted by Declan. Ramsey is a Warrior, but is also a Druid. His Druid heritage he has hidden, in part because of Deirdre and he feels it doesn't mix well with being a Warrior (control is an issue). Everyone learns Ramsey's background in this one.
Ramsey catches up to Tara while she is working as a castle guide. Things happen and she is welcomed to MacLeod Castle. Other things happen. A few characters die (minor ones). A major event happens with Declan. Who knows if Jason Wallace (a cousin?) will play a roll in future books. Or not.
(view spoiler)
Shelf - Sci-Fi Romance
The Protector by Elin Peer
Pages: 301
Read: 3/21/21
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
400 years in the future, men are few and women rule the world.
There is an area at the former Alaska territory where men are living free and women are rarity. It's cut from the rest of the world and considered dangerous to enter especially for women.
A female archeologist sent to excavations to Nman territory by mistake finds a very different world to her own. Masculine environment and totally different beliefs she is used to.
This sounded very unique and interesting premise for a sci-fi book but unfortunately didn't deliver. Very simple worldbuilding and naive love story were not what I was expecting.
Completion PostShelf: Shapeshifters
Shards of Frost by Suzanne Wright
Pages: 267
Read: 3/19/2021
Rated: 4 Stars
Review
Casey is busy trying to pay off her brother's debts but when she meets her mate Eli, there was no stopping them from being together. Their happiness and lives are threatened by her brother's previous mate and someone who thinks Casey belongs to him. This story is full of heat, action and drama.
Tracking post hereNagging again.
Shelf call tomorrow.
Need 1 for Free Space (Sarah)
Need 2 for Sci-Fi Romance (Sarah)
Need 2 for Series to Finish (Skandia and Sarah)
Need 2 for Shapeshifter (Skandia and Sarah)
Completion Post:
Book: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik
Shelf: Sci-Fi Romance
Read: 3.23.21
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
I don't know if this book was just too over-hyped for me, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. The Sci-Fi wasn't too intense so it was easy to follow and was interesting. The romance was good, but I wasn't swooning over it. I thought I'd feel something a little more, or I would find the book to be more exciting. The plot wasn't bad, but I found everything to always be tied up too neatly. The characters struggled, but then everything seemed to always work out in their favor versus having to deal with some kind of loss. I will probably continue the series though.
Shelf: Series to Finish
Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
Pages: 282
Read: 3/24/21
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My favorite bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is after bad guys again. Two separate cases that at first don't have anything in common develop into one big mess. Of course there is a murder involved and Stephanie gets herself in the middle of all this with much help from Lula, Ranger , Morelli, grandma Mazur, some geese, drunk widow, nutty professor and local college fraternity.
This is my comfort read series and I don't care that all stories are similar. I love the characters and good laughs are always guaranteed. I'll be picking up book number 23 soon.
CONGRATULATIONS, Space Invaders!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'sci-fi romance'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Crazy Monkeys!
Completion Post
Book: Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
Shelf: Shapeshifters
Read: 3.27.21
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I had my reservations about this book as Hugh is a huge character in the main Kate Daniels series. I won't go into too much about this book as I don't want to spoil any of the series for anyone else. But I will say that I really enjoyed this book. I always appreciate a redemption story, and Ilona Andrews did a great job on this one!
Shelf - Shapeshifters
Shifting Dreams by Elizabeth Hunter
Pages: 260
Read: 3/28/21
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Paranormal shifters book after my taste. More character driven, maybe a bit more romance than usual and a lot less bloody action that most of shifters books prefer.
Although there is a murder involved and a new sheriff in town, it really concentrates more in characters and really good group of friends supporting each other and working together to solve the crime.
Loved the small desert town setting with secrets to keep from outsiders and easy pace of the story.
Elizabeth Hunter is a master at character driven paranormal series. Can't wait to continue with Cambio Springs series.
Glad you enjoyed it Skandia, I really liked that series.
The Mane EventAuto-buy
Finished 3/28, 2.5*
2.5* rounded up
This is actually 2 stories (Christmas Pride and Shaw's Tail). Rating is the average for both.
Christmas Pride- 2*
Mace and Dez were BFFs when they were kids. Then she moved. Mace went on to the military and is now out and starting his own business with a military friend (Smitty). Dez also had a military stint and is now a detective. Fast forward 20 years and they reconnect after a Pride member's murder Dez happens to be investigating.
This one didn't work for me. I was more annoyed at both characters. I also didn't find this funny.
Mace is too pushy and obnoxious. I think Dex was supposed to come off as this strong, kick ass character, but she was just so obnoxious, IMO. I thought quite a few of the characters were in this one (Missy for example). I did like Sissy Mae and her brother Smitty. And I really didn't think the # of times Dez (or any female character) used the word slut/whore to insult or refer to a female's sexual desire(s). The men didn't get that treatment, so just stop it. Lots and lots of sex with very little attention paid to the mystery or the why of Petrov's murder.
Shaw's Tail- 3*
This one was better. Brendon was injured in the last story. Ronnie is tasked with watching over him while he recovers. Still lots of sex. I liked the characters more and didn't find them as obnoxious. I did like Mace and Dez more in this one- probably because they were more in the background and not as in your face.
Brendon used to be a "Breeding Male" of the Pride. I thought this whole idea was weird. Yes, I know they are lion shifters, but they are human too. The whole idea of having children as more of a business arrangement was just weird. (He has a boy and girl with 2 different women).
Maybe I will read more of this series?
Shapeshifter stamp requestedUpdate:
Need 1 for Free Space (Sarah)
Need 1 for Series to Finish (Sarah)
Need 3 for Auto buy
CONGRATULATIONS, Space Invaders!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shapeshifter(s)'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Crazy Monkeys!
Completion PostShelf: Auto Buy
Book:
Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley
Pages: 494
Read: 3/29/21
Rated: 4 Stars
Review:
Gwen has trust issues and Hawk is messed up in the head. Both leads them to being only bed partners for over a year until Gwen gets herself involved in her sisters drama and now has the whole bad guy population either wanting her or wanting to harm her. Hawk and Gwen must fight through their issues in order for her to survive being a target. Both are idiots but this is a book you don't want to put down.
Completion Post
Book: Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
Shelf: Auto Buy
Read: 3.31.21
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This was my first Riley Sager book, but I know it won't be my last! This was so good! I recently watched a documentary on The Cecil Hotel in LA and this book really gave me a lot of the same vibes. The notoriety of the hotel in the book is the same. If anyone is interested in thrillers and hasn't read this I highly recommend it!
Well, thanks to the 7 people who shelved this cozy mystery as urban fantasy I'm probably reading this one:Charms and Chocolate Chips
or maybe this one By Familiar Means (shelved 6 times)
Update:Requested free space and UF
Need 1 for Series to Finish (Sarah)
Need 1 for Auto buy (Skandia)
All for Magic
I will be changing my selection for Urban Fantasy as the book I chose is a spin-off of another series, and I'm not to that point in the series yet where I can start this one. I could probably read it anyway, but I want to read them in the correct order.
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Kiss of Vengeance by S.Young
Pages: 400
Read: 4/3/21
Rated: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great installment in True Immortality series. Fae are probably my favorite kind of paranormals. Fae magic is just so cool. Especially at the beginning when Rose suddenly discovered her powers and had every single supernatural creature chasing after her.
Loved how Rose embraced her new powers and was ultimate kick-ass badass from the beginning. Of course it helped that she was running with and mentored by the oldest living fae on Earth. He was of course very hot too and had his own agenda with Rose.
I enjoyed reading Rose's and Fionn's story and their adventures to overcome centuries old curse.
Samantha Young is a very good romance writer and great with paranormal romance.
Urban FantasyCharms and Chocolate Chips
Finished 4/2, 4*
I liked this better than the last one. Katie has really settled in Savannah. She's made her home hers, is very comfortable and settled at her job, and has great friendships with her coven. She and Declan are dating. He wants her to meet his parents (I think in MA? Was it Boston?) and she has found reasons to put it off. Katie is volunteering too at a conservation group.
This starts off when the founder of the conservation group, Georgia Wild, is found murdered. Things escalate when Wren and than Katie are targeted. Something happens with Declan and he steps back from the relationship. By the time the book ends, I think Declan has a new understanding of what Katie is and can do. Katie's mom also comes into town to see her and they begin to repair their relationship. All in all, there was a nice mix of mystery, magic, and relationships in this one. Look forward to the next.
New Selection Post for Urban Fantasy:This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, shelved 519 times as Urban Fantasy.
Completion Post
Book: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Read: 4.7.21
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
I really enjoy Victoria Schwab's writing style. This isn't the first book I've read by her, but I really liked it. I don't think I liked it quite as much as A Darker Shade of Magic. I think the world is unique, and I like that it is a duology and not a large series. I liked Kate and August. I am interested to see where the next book goes, as this book seems to be wrapped up pretty well.
Completion PostShelf: Urban Fantasy
The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton
Pages: 422
Read: 4/7/2021
Rated: 3 Stars
Review:
At this point I am still reading this series because I am hoping it will change. Anita complains about everything and makes you want to smack her. She realizes that she has the most power of the group but will only use it if someone is dying or in battle. The vamp and wolf are in the series as background characters and the book was about plenty of sex and a little battle thrown in.
Completion Post
Book: Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Shelf: Free Space
Read: 4.9.21
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
I don't know what I was expecting exactly, I wanted to go into this one a little blind. I am a big fan of Rebecca Roanhorse, and this book feels like a great beginning to an epic fantasy. I really don't know where the series will go or what the plans are, but I'm here for it. I love that it's so different from everything else. I like that there is a lot of diversity, but not so much that it feels like it's been thrown in there to be there. It feels intentional. I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Rebecca Roanhorse and anyone who likes epic fantasy that is unique.
Update:Requested free space and UF
Need 1 for Series to Finish (Sarah)
Need 1 for Auto buy (Skandia)
All for Magic
Will be done with Magic later today/tomorrow. I think.
CONGRATULATIONS, Monkey Space Invaders!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'urban fantasy' and 'free space'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
MagicThe Impostor Queen
Finished 4/11, 4*
Ellie is next in line for the Valtia (Queen) of Kupari. The Valtia is a strong magic wielder, having a perfect balance of fire and ice. Ellie has the right hair and eye color and she has a birthmark on her leg, so was judged to be the next Valtia. When the current Valtia dies only then will the heir apparent gain magical powers. When this happens, Ellie gets no magic. Ellie then undergoes some tests (torture) to "waken" the magic within her. She is able to escape when her handmaiden, Mim, overhears something she shouldn't have.
Ellie was likeable, but very sheltered and naïve because of her upbringing (she was found and brought to the palace at the age of 4). She does grow as a character learning more about herself and what her ability is (she has no magic herself, but is immune to magic and can amplify it in others). While on the run, she becomes part of a "found" family. She also learns things about the elders/priests. When a group of people are only men (no women permitted) you have to wonder! (The Elders, priest, apprentices were all men, the acolytes were both, but when a certain age was reached, the acolytes were cloistered. And the current Valtia kept very sheltered and interactions with others minimized)
This ends with (view spoiler)
Congrats on the stamps Crazy Monkeys!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bridge Kingdom (other topics)Sweep of the Blade (other topics)
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires (other topics)
Sweep of the Blade (other topics)
Awakened (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Brenda K. Davies (other topics)Grady Hendrix (other topics)
Kendra Leigh Castle (other topics)
Brenda K. Davies (other topics)
Ilona Andrews (other topics)
More...
I'm using this for one for Shapeshifter