SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R20: Team #6 ~ Watch Your Six - WINNING TEAM
Marisa wrote: "...but I'm not sure I'm going to read the books I've not read in the series. "Hey Marisa, what is it that stops you from reading the other books if I may ask? (do you mean the ones following or the previous ones?)
I'm not very fan of sad situations and, although there are usually HE, they are darker every day, from my POV, and I'm not now in a moment for that. But that's my perception, nothing else.
Ah yeah, I totally understand what you mean! I have some difficulty with that as well sometimes. Thank you for sharing :)
Just wanted to give you guys an update. I am so close to finishing my Book Boyfriend selection. I'm @ 92%. I think I can finish Addie La Rue tonight and I'll get my review up tomorrow during my lunch break. (It's fantastic, btw.) Things should calm down soon and I'll get to work on my Free Space book.
Amanda passed away over the weekend and I have been going to my in-law's after work trying to help out. (They're in their mid-sixties and it's been a long time since they've had to care for a little one.) The hospital is still trying to match some donor recipients so she isn't off life support yet but we expect that will come any day now.
If it starts to look like they are going to need some more long-term help with the baby, I'll let you guys know and well get a replacement. Hoping it won't come to that because this game is my favorite but of course, I don't want to fall too far behind because that's no fun for anyone. On a brighter note ...
Happy shelf day!
I'm so sorry for your loss Melissa :( My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
As for the game, do what you feel is best. You have a lot on your plate but remember to take care of yourself as well!
Sci-Fi is one of my least-read genres - I'll be glad to get it over with! And even better, I've found an Ilona Andrews series that I haven't read yet, so hopefully, it won't be too painful! Selection Post:
Shelf: Week 2: Sci-Fi Romance
Book: The Kinsman Universe
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #1-3
How it fits: Shelved 7x
Pages: 240
Melissa wrote: "Sci-Fi is one of my least-read genres - I'll be glad to get it over with! And even better, I've found an Ilona Andrews series that I haven't read yet, so hopefully, it won't be too painful! Selec..."
I enjoyed the Kinsman Universe stories (although I remember one feeling rather short if I remember correctly) but you can tell that the authors have really grown since they wrote this...
If only I had known this would be called today!! I just read Chaos Reigning this morning...luckily, I really enjoy Sci-Fi romance so finding a new book won't be a hardship.
Selection Post: Week 2Shelf: Week 2: Sci Fi Romance
Book: Rules of Redemption by T.A. White
How it fits: Shelved 20x
Pages: 420
Very sorry for your loss Melissa. My condolences to you and the family.
Melissa, Please know my thoughts are with you and your family...I am so sorry for your loss. She leaves a beautiful legacy in the form of her family and those she helped through organ donation. Do what you feel is best, but personally, I don’t feel you need to find a replacement just because you might take longer to read your books. If you are enjoying the game, please stay. If it becomes a stressor or you feel too stretched that is different - do what is best for your self care while you are working so hard to help care for others.
Completion Post: Week 2Book: Rules of Redemption by T.A. White
Pages: 420
Date Read: 3-3-21
How it Fits: Shelved 20x
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Wowza! This book was fantastic!! Fast-paced, strong characterizations, tension, clear world-building with lots of fun avenues still to explore, a not-quite-cliffy ending that nonetheless begs the reader to dive into book 2 ASAP...happy sigh. I was excited when Sci Fi Romance was the shelf - I really enjoy this sub-genre but haven't read it as long as some others which means that I have a lot of gems left to discover. Having this book in my stack of current library loans made it the clear contender for this week's selection. I sat down to read a chapter or two to see if I would like it - being a book by a new-to-me author made me cautious. Well, four hours and 42 minutes later (according to the time on my selection post) I closed the book having raced through the story. What a wild ride! And there are at least two more in the series that I can immediately glom, even better!!
Kira is the best kind of heroine - confident in her abilities, smart, loyal, with a complicated past that only makes her more endearing. The romance in this one is in the very beginning stages but I cannot wait to watch it develop. Grayson is a strategic thinker who absolutely gets (and loves) how talented Kira is. Due to circumstances they are often of opposite sides of important issues, and yet they are able to rely on each other when needed. It was fascinating to watch their relationship evolve throughout the book...the pacing was just perfect.
The supporting characters are numerous but clearly developed as individuals. I never struggled to keep them straight and am hoping that many of them will show up in later series installments. Particular favorites include Jin (LOVE!!), Finn, and Raider. Hoping to see more of Joule and Ziva as well. As for where the action will take us? I have a few ideas but know that the author will most likely pack in far more than I could have ever dreamed of, and I am here for all of it!
Selection PostShelf 2: Sci-Fi Romance
Book: Heart of Eon by Anna Hackett
Pages: 213
How it fits: Shelved 12 times as Sci-Fi Romance
My condolences to you and your family, Melissa. I don't know anything more to say.
Elaine wrote: "Completion Post: Week 2..."Wow Elaine, you raced through that one, glad it was so good! It has been added to my tbr pile ;) Thanks for the review!
Elaine wrote: "Completion Post: Week 2Book: Rules of Redemption by T.A. White
Pages: 420
Date Read: 3-3-21
How it Fits: Shelved 20x
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Wowza! This book was..."
Thanks for the review Elaine, I've been seeing it around without checking it out. It's now mine :D
Melissa wrote: "Just wanted to give you guys an update."I'm so sorry for your loss, Melissa. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Completion Post
Shelf: Week 1: Book Boyfriends
Book: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: N/A
How it fits: Shelved 10x
Pages: 448
Finished: 3/3/21
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I love, love, love The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. V.E. Schwab has such a wonderful way of writing that just transports you into this Faustian tale.
While I was reading, I spent a lot of time wondering who people think of as the "Book Boyfriend" in this story.
First, there's Toby, a musician who writes a love song for a girl he's never met. He doesn't play a huge role outside of providing an example of how Addie acts as a muse through the ages. So, probably not the book boyfriend.
Then, there's Henry, a hopeless romantic with his own set of issues. Henry and Addie's romance is tragic, for sure. I suspect he's the book boyfriend that we're supposed to want ... I just don't. His moods are somewhat unpredictable and he's got an air of desperation about him.
And of course, there's Luc, the darkness himself. My guess is this is who most people wish for as a book boyfriend. He's dark, mysterious but also mercurial and often times cruel. He grants Addie's wish but in a way that is so lonely that it feels like a curse. I don't understand how readers can equate that to boyfriend material. Hard pass for me.
Addie is the real love of this book. I dare you not to fall head over heels for her.
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post - Week 1: Book Boyfriends..."Great review Melissa, thanks!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Watch Your Six!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'book boyfriend(s)'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Completion PostFree Space
Book: When He's an Alpha by Suzanne Wright
Pages: 318
Option: 3 (A book of the group's bookshelf)
Read: 09/03/2021
Rating: ★★★
Review
I've liked it but I think it's too long. Too many sex scenes (yes, that exists ;) ), too many fights between mamba and bearcat... and some totally formulaic situations (both ex...), but it has been an entertaining reading. I think the next book is between Camden and Aspen, let's see how the problem is solved. I think I like it more because of the background than the story itself.
Congratulations on the stamp Clock Watchers!
Marisa wrote: "Completion Post Free Space..."Thanks fo the review Marisa!! :D
Completion PostShelf 2: Sci-Fi Romance
Book: Heart of Eon by Anna Hackett
Pages: 213
How it fits: Shelved 12 times as Sci-Fi Romance
Read: 08/03/2021
Rating: ★★★☆
Fast book, with typical characters, even the sassy (pun intended) computer who binds with the geek. It has been funny, without any angst (just a bit but not too much), and a lot of adventure. Nice to see some of the previous characters. It's exactly what you expect of this author (although I like more (strangely) her adventure books).
And, with this, I'm up to date till tomorrow 💃🏻
Marisa wrote: "Completion Post Shelf 2: Sci-Fi Romance..."Thanks for the review Marisa! Quick question though, are you giving it 3 or 4 stars? as the last star isn't filled I'm not sure :)
Selection PostShelf 3: Series to Finish
Book: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Pages: 489
I started this book years ago, didnt get very far, didnt have the pull the other instalments had... let's hope I can get through it this time :D
Completion Post:
Shelf: Week 2: Sci-Fi Romance
Book: The Kinsman Universe
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #1-3
How it fits: Shelved 7x
Pages: 240
Finished: 3/10/21
Rating: ★★★★½
Review:
The Kinsman Universe is a collection of three short stories. I don't really know the context as to how these stories fit into the larger Andrews Universe but they sure seem like a precursor to the Hidden Legacy series and maybe a bit of the Innkeeper Chronicles. Overall, I enjoyed the collection. I thought it was cool to see how their ideas have evolved.
Silent Blade ★★★★★
This story follows Meli and Celino. I really enjoyed this one. It was only two chapters long but I would have loved a full novel about this pair.
Silver Shark ★★★★★
This was easily my favorite of the trio. It was the longest entry in this collection so there was a lot more meat to the story. We follow Clare & Venturo. At the end of the war on Uley, Clare is deported to the planet Rada. Forced to conceal her identity, she takes a job as a secretary at Venturo's company. Though she feels an immediate connection to Venturo, she knows that if the government finds out that she has psychic abilities, she will be killed. I don't want to give anything away but Meli and Celino (from the first story) make an appearance.
A Mere Formality ★★★
This is the story that I liked the least. It is super short and follows Deidre and Lord Nagrad. Through some legal mumbo jumbo, Deidre ends up engaged to Lord Nagrad. He is looking for a wife who will participate in all of his sexual fantasies. There is a detailed marital contract that lists all of his sexual requirements and it is read aloud during negotiations - partly to wear him down by making the meeting drag on much longer than he anticipated and also to embarrass him into conceding due to the vulgarity.
I think that this was probably supposed to be a humorously raunchy story but it just fell flat for me. There was really nothing to like about Lord Nagrad and the way he manipulated the situation so I think trying to shame him was more like adding insult to injury. I mean ... porn isn't my thing but to each his own. Deidre is brilliant at managing the situation but I don't totally understand why she agreed to the arrangement.
Overall, this book was easily a four-star read. It's not as polished as some of their later work but I loved seeing the seeds of the arbitrators, family structure, and the special powers that were worked into other worlds.
Selection Post: 
Shelf: Week 3: Series to Finish
Book: Blood Heir
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Aurelia Ryder #1
How it fits: Shelved 2x
Pages: 359
Melissa, Silent Blade is about 68 pages long, a bit more than 2 chapters LOL.
Sandra wrote: "Melissa, Silent Blade is about 68 pages long, a bit more than 2 chapters LOL."lol, that’s funny. i have the kindle copy and that’s how it’s listed. I really liked it though. Meli’s power was a really cool idea.
I've got the original single kindle edition & the hardcover Universe. Love the artwork in the hardcover, not sure if its also in the kindle :D
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post: Shelf: Week 2: Sci-Fi Romance ..."Thanks for the review Melissa!! :D
Selection PostShelf 3: Series to Finish
Book: Hold Back the Dark by Kay Hooper
Pages: 352
How it fits: Shelved 1 times as Series to Finish
Completion PostShelf 2: Sci-Fi Romance(s)
Book: Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh
Pages: 352
Date Read: 10/03/2021
Rating: 4 ✮
Review:
While I'm not as invested in this series as I am the Guildhunter one, these books are always a great read!
Worldbuilding:
Set in the same world and setting as the previous books (as it is a continuation). This book brings us to the wolves, yay! We learned a lot about both sides (shifters and psy) without it feeling overwhelmed. All scenes and environments were clear and well detailed and kept me fully immersed within the story.
Character development:
The Man of Ice (Judd) vs the tortured shifter Brenna, let's see who has more willpower (and patience... so so much patience).
I liked how we have seen these characters in the previous instalments but that they now have the whole stage to really tell their story. We all know what happened to Brenna, but getting to know so much more about Judd was sooo nice! I mean... who would have known!? :) They fit very well together, I don't think Brenna could have managed the full touchy-feely caring of a shifter, at least not for matters of the heart.
As always, the author writes the books in such a way that you're right beside them during their story. They feel real and believable and you just want to know more about them (and well, everyone really).
Pacing and flow:
Were good, I pretty much only had to put the book down because of a severe headache (not because I was reading so much, heaven forbid haha). There was a great balance between what was going on (all the action) and the conversations, keeping it moving forward very smoothly.
The book:
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is sex described (if that is important to you).
The book is 352 pages long, spread over 49 chapters and written from both Judd's and Brenna's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I just pretty much love everything this author writes :D And as I've said before, I might not be as 'invested' in this series, coming back to the series and reading about all the characters again, since the big story arc encompasses all the novels, is just awesome. I'm always happy to read more about Sascha and Faith :D
Completion Post: Week 3Book: Of Secrets and Wolves by Alice Winters
Pages: 345
Date Read: 3-14-21
How it Fits: Shelved 1x as Series to Finish
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Whew!! Alice Winters really puts the pedal to the medal in this one! Action, humor, sexy banter, action, secrets, shifters...did I mention action? So much is going on by the end of this book that the last chapters flew by and I am trying to decide if I need to dive into book 2 while everything is fresh, or if I should take a moment to catch my breath before jumping into what promises to be a book that rachets everything up even more.
Quinn. A brother. A friend. An alpha. A complex character who is much deeper than he at first appears. The head of a pack in a world where shifters have few, if any, rights - and where one misstep can mean severe consequences with far-reaching implications. Pulled into looking for missing convicts from a local prison, there is no way for Quinn to predict what mess he and his pack are about to find themselves mired in. The future is looking bleak...
Rowan. A tracker. A loner. A conundrum. Asked to give his expertise to a small town sheriff's department, he has no way of knowing that every part of his life is about to unravel. Secrets and lies will come leaking out and his view of the world will be turned inside-out and upside-down. Rowan finds himself in the middle of a tangled web with no clear way out. The future is looking grim...
While I don't want to go into too much detail, this is a book you don't want to know much about before you read, I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone wanting refreshingly imperfect MCs, lots of humor, and enough action to make 345 pages fly by.
Week 3:
Series to FinishBook: Hold Back the Dark by Kay Hooper
Pages: 352
Read: 14/03/2021
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review
This is one of those books that are hidden in the shelves because, although you like the series, when it's published you're not in the mood and, later, there is always one in front of it. As soon as I began to read it, I remembered why I liked the series. There are gore details, but they are not too gore, dark moments but still hope, evil but kindness too. I've loved the book and I'm going to read just now the next one in the series, that was hidden too.
Hey guys. Just a quick reminder to refresh yourself with the rules, as needed, to ensure all your book choices fit the requirements. ❉ Bingo Rules
❉ Free Space Rules
Happy Reading!
Thanks for the reviews Elaine and Marisa! I now have some more books on my list to try out :D :D
Steph wrote: "Hey guys. Just a quick reminder to refresh yourself with the rules, as needed, to ensure all your book choices fit the requirements.Thanks for the refresh Steph! :) :)
CONGRATULATIONS, Watch Your Six!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
Welcome, Victoria :)
Congrats on the stamp Clock Watchers!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Blood Bound (other topics)Saint's Passage (other topics)
Halfway to the Grave (other topics)
How to Vex a Vampire (other topics)
Halfway to the Grave (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jeaniene Frost (other topics)Elizabeth Hunter (other topics)
Patricia Briggs (other topics)
Alice Winters (other topics)
Jeaniene Frost (other topics)
More...
Shelf 1: Book Boyfriend(s)
Book: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews
Pages: 342
Date Read: 02/03/2021
Rating: 5 ✮
Review:
For some reason, this series is always my backup plan, I never actively go out of my way to read it. And every single time I finish a book I'm totally baffled why the hell not...
This time though, the series is in my reading plan for the year 2021, so I AM FINISHING THIS SERIES! (well.. the books that are out at least).
Worldbuilding:
We're no longer in the Keep! But let me tell you that suburban lifestyle really isn't for Kate and Curran lol.
Set in the urban fantasy world we know and love, more exactly, the city of post-Shift Atlanta, we followed Kate all over the place (because of course, she is not the type that sits around quietly when there is someone's life to be saved). It was no issue though as all scenes and environments were really well described and detailed enough.
Character development:
I have to say right off the bat that I really like how Julie is getting a more 'prominent' part, actively helping out and such. She's cool (even though still being a teenager), but then again, she had to grow up really fast in the last few instalments and with people like Kate, Curran and Derek around, it's hard not to be awesome :)
Kate and Curran (as I've already mentioned) are out of the Keep and trying to fit in with the neighbours. It's not easy, though it gives us readers a lot of entertaining scenes :D It's good that they've new and interesting challenges going on at the Guild but of course, this wouldn't be a true Kate Daniels book without some fierce and ancient enemy!
I did miss Derek in this instalment, I mean, I know he was there, but he only came to the front a few times. I hope to see more of him in the next instalment! That said, this series has so many interesting and colourful characters whom I want to see more of! :D They all feel so alive!
Pacing and flow:
Such smooth writing, it's always a pleasure to read books by this author.
You just know when you pick up the book that it's going to be near non-stop action, still, very well balanced with all the conversations to keep the story moving forward.
Oh and when you get at that part (you'll know when you do), remember to just keep on breathing ;)
The book:
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There was no sex described (if that is important to you). The book is 342 pages long, spread over 23 chapters and told from Kate's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I just love this series and truly recommend it to everyone who loves shapeshifter urban fantasy. There is some romance in it, but really, more as an undertone. Love, love, love it! So the big question now is ... when will I read the next instalment? Well, depends a bit on the Bookshelf Bingo game I'm in atm (hello SOS: Serious Overload of Series people!) but in any case... this year!