SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R20: Team #6 ~ Watch Your Six - WINNING TEAM
message 101:
by
Marisa
(new)
Mar 15, 2021 10:41PM
Thank you, Steph! Thank you, Sandra!
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Victoria wrote: "Selection PostShelf 3: Series to Finish
Book: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead
Pages: 489..."
Sigh... after procrastinating all these days (I actually just read another book in the meantime), I'm giving up on this book... I can't even get started :(
That said, I'm very happy to say that my new selection was shelved 3x *happydance*!
Selection Post
Shelf 3: Series to Finish
Book: Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
Pages: 360
Shelf #4 ~ 17 March: Shapeshifter(s)DIRECT LINK(s) ~ Shapeshifter -OR- Shapeshifters (+ SOS' shifter or SOS' were-shifter)
Happy reading everyone!
Selection Post: Week 4Book: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 287
How it fits: Shelved 97x as Shapeshifter
Completion PostShelf 3: Series to Finish
Book: Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
Pages: 360
Date Read: 16/03/2021
Rating: 5 ✮
Review:
*happy sigh* that's pretty much all I can say about that book... oh, and I have a serious craving for cookies!
Worldbuilding:
Rewind the time from Demon Magic and a Martini and we see how events unfolded that led to the demon chase. We learned quite a bit of Demonica and the different demons, though much is still shrouded in mystery.
Character development:
I can honestly say, I relate soooo much with Robin (in her bookish ways that is, unfortunately, I don't have magic *sniff*). She's an introvert and painfully shy, though has a great sense of what is right and wrong. I cannot wait to read more about her and see her opening up more!
Zylas... I must admit I read his name the whole time like he told Robin how to pronounce it. Zuh-yee-las. My brain has a hard time with that for some reason, so I'm just gonna stick to Zylas thank you very much :D
He is still a delightful mystery, not only cause he's so different from his brethren but how he treats Robin. They were a pleasure to read about!
Pacing and flow:
Cookies, cookies, conversation, action and more cookies to tie it all together... mmm cookies...
*ahem*
This book started off a lot slower than we're used to, but it felt right. There were some overlapping scenes with Demon Magic and a Martini with made me so damn happy :D
I love how the series are intertwined!
The book:
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described (if that is important to you).
The book is 360 pages long, spread over 29 chapters and told from Robin's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I honestly, so freaking love these books! They have become my go-to when I need a good book, filled with action and that will entertain me and leave me with a big grin on my face. I cannot recommend this series enough... seriously, go read it! ;)
For me... The Alchemist and an Amaretto is next in line (yay)
Selection PostShelf 4: Shapeshifter(s)
Book: Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 368
How it fits: Shelved 12 times as Shapeshifters
It's nice when a book you want to read fits the theme ;)
Marisa wrote: "It's nice when a book you want to read fits the theme ;)"Ain't that the truth :D :D enjoy!!
I’m going to read Wild Sign for this week, too!! I’ll get my official selection post up as soon as I can get to a computer. I also finished my book for last week, so I’ll post my review, too.
Yay, Shapeshifter Week!!
Mercy Thompson & Alpha&Omega are such great series (I just finished Iron Kissed again earlier this week).So much shifter love here hahaha :D Enjoy!
Victoria wrote: "Mercy Thompson & Alpha&Omega are such great series (I just finished Iron Kissed again earlier this week).So much shifter love here hahaha :D Enjoy!"
Surprise in this group, eh? ;)
Completion PostShelf 4: Shapeshifter(s)
Book: Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 368
How it fits: Shelved 12 times as Shapeshifters
Read: 20/03/2021
Rating: ★★★★½
Review
I've liked this book a lot but I feel it finishes in a bit of a cliffhanger :( I think this is one of the most mythological stories in this series, and I've enjoyed it a lot (although I've felt sometimes that Anna was acting a bit TSTL), but still.... hanging from the end there (and we will have to wait for a lot for the next book, for sure)
Marisa wrote: "Completion Post Shelf 4: Shapeshifter(s)..."Thanks for the review, Marisa! I'm happy to know that by the time I get to this one, the next book will already be out :D (well, at least I hope so haha)
Victoria wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Completion Post Shelf 4: Shapeshifter(s)..."Thanks for the review, Marisa! I'm happy to know that by the time I get to this one, the next book will already be out :D (well, at least..."
I read the original short story "Alpha & Omega" when it was published... so you can guess I'm up to date with this series :(
Completion PostShelf 4: Shapeshifter(s)
Book: Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Pages: 397
Date Read: 19/03/2021
Rating: 5 ✮
Review:
Sigh... I'm both happy and sad at the moment. Happy because (of course) it was such a great book but also sad since it was the last we see of our friends.
Worldbuilding:
As far as I know, this is the last book about the Lakeside Courtyard (*sniff*) so it was nice that we pretty much stayed here the whole instalment.
As always, all scenes and environments were very well written, letting my mind remain fully immersed in the story.
Character development:
Meg has come such a long way from when we first met her, trying to escape the Controllers. It feels with this book, she has come full circle. She has grown and learned so so much. I love how she used her prophecy cards instead of making cuts, even though it was still very tempting. She and Meri Lee are getting really good at deciphering their meaning and I hope we will see other blood prophets use her method in later books.
Simon steps up for his people in this instalment, trying to keep the worst of some really bad influence out of the different packs living in Lakeside Courtyard, even if his hands are partially tied by the Elders. Meg and Simon are confused about their feelings for each other, which made me roll my eyes on numerous occasions, seriously :)
In this instalment, I really felt how tight the different packs are, to their own and to the other packs living in the Courtyard. They have their home, and they will defend it in any way possible.
As we have come to expect from the author, all the characters feel vibrant and alive. Very well written!
Pacing and flow:
The whole book you just know bad stuff is going to happen, and every time you're like 'is this it?' (it wasn't :p). It kept me on my toes and I had so many problems putting the book down, but I really needed some sleep (in my defence, it was 4.30 in the morning). Great balance between action and conversation.
The book:
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described (if that is important to you.
The book is 397 pages long, spread over 33 chapters and written from multiple point of views (mainly Meg and Simon and Vlad).
Final thoughts:
It seems this is the last book for Meg and Simon (so far) and that makes me freaking sad. Hope we will get to see how they are doing in the spinoff though! (I mean, that ending can't be the only thing we get, right?)
This series has been one of my favourites from book 1 onwards and I can't recommend it enough!
Marisa wrote: "I read the original short story "Alpha & Omega" when it was published... so you can guess I'm up to date with this series :("I'm rereading the Mercy series and following the authors preferred reading order, so mixing the Alpha&Omega series in between :)
Completion Post: 
Shelf: Week 3: Series to Finish
Book: Blood Heir
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Aurelia Ryder #1
How it fits: Shelved 2x
Pages: 359
Finished: 3/16/21
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I know better than to start a new book before I write a review of the last one because I usually have a hard time remembering what I wanted to say but I couldn't wait to read Wild Sign. I'll just do my best and just throw down some thoughts:
❤ Yay!! Julie!! ❤ I missed her so much!! I just knew she was going to be totally B.A. and I was 100% not disappointed! She kicked sooo much butt in this book!
❤ Derek *swoon* ❤ I just love him. I can't really say much else without being spoilery. But. Yeah. I can't wait to hear his story and see where things go with him.
The New Baddie is such a tough opponent!! I am really looking forward to all of the fast-paced action that I've grown to expect from the KD world. I mean, all of the fight scenes in this one were so cool and we know that the battles are only going to get harder from here. (view spoiler)
Old friends & new: .... well ... let's skip the old friends for now - except to say that I was glad to see them still surviving and often thriving eight years later. ❤ But, Conlan ❤ is so freaking adorable. ❤ Marten & Dougie ❤ Sophia ❤ I need to just stop before I give too much away.
For me the only things that made me cock an eyebrow were: Julie's transformation to Aurelia ... I am really hoping that there's something more to it than just *make her beautiful* ... like maybe she inherited some undiscovered powers with that eye that will play a role later on. I have faith.
And ... the New Narrator, Suzanne Elise Freeman vs. KD narrator, Renée Raudman. I wish Freeman would have taken the time to listen to her predecessor's narration. A few examples of name pronunciation that took me out of the story to figure out who she was talking about were Simon vs Sai-man; Barra-bus vs Ba-rabas. I know it's nit-picky but when I'm driving and I have to stop the book to re-read the text, it's a problem. (❤ whisper-sync)
Anyway, 5+ stars for me. Anytime spent in post-shift Atlanta is time well spent!
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post: Shelf: Week 3: Series to Finish..."Nice!!! Thanks for the review Melissa! :D
Completion Post:
Shelf: Week 4: Shapeshifter(s)
Book: Wild Sign
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #6
How it fits: Shelved 17x
Pages: 368
Finished: 3/20/21
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I know this one is on everyone's TBR, so I'll make it brief:
I can't believe that it's been 3 years since we've spent time with Charles and Anna! It feels like forever and like no time at all. As soon as I finished the book, I was ready to start again. I missed them so much.
I loved that we spent more time with Tag. He definitely provided some comic relief in an otherwise somber and sometimes spine-chilling book.
I don't know if I will ever be on Team Leah, but I definitely have a different perspective on her after reading Wild Sign. She's been through some pretty horrific stuff. And even if I don't like her, I find myself not actively hating her. So that's something. Way to go, Briggs, you managed the impossible.
One last thing ... can we talk about that old folks home??? (view spoiler)
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post: Shelf: Week 4: Shapeshifter(s)..."Great stuff! Thanks Melissa :D
(I tried soooo hard only to skim the review but then I remembered I won't get to this book in the next year so yeah :D Looking forward to getting there)
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post: Shelf: Week 4: Shapeshifter(s)
Book: Wild Sign
Author: Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #6
How it fits: Shelve..."
I've not read "Storm Cursed", let's see if I can fit in any future theme ;)
Victoria wrote: "I tried soooo hard only to skim the review..."No worries, Victoria. I tried to keep my review non-spoilery. Even my spoiler is only slightly spoilery. But the book was soo good!!
Marisa wrote: "I've not read "Storm Cursed", let's see if I can fit in any future theme ;)"It's the creepiest of the Mercy books! I hope you get a chance to read it! Then let me know what you think of the nursing home!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Watch your Six!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'series to finish'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Melissa wrote: "Marisa wrote: "I've not read "Storm Cursed", let's see if I can fit in any future theme ;)"It's the creepiest of the Mercy books! I hope you get a chance to read it! Then let me know what you thi..."
OK!
Melissa wrote: "Marisa wrote: "I've not read "Storm Cursed", let's see if I can fit in any future theme ;)"It's the creepiest of the Mercy books! I hope you get a chance to read it! Then let me know what you thi..."
Worse than the nursing home in Wild Sign?
Congrats on the stamp Clock Watchers!
Completion Post: Week 4Book: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 287
Date Read: 3-23-21
How it Fits: Shelved 97x as Shapeshifters
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: Whoa. After reading the last page, I had to close the book and just sit for a while trying to process everything I was thinking and feeling. Patricia Briggs pulled no punches in this entry in the Mercy Thompson series and I appreciated the fact that not everything was wrapped up neatly by the end of the book. While parts of the storyline were rough, that is what makes it so compelling and dare I say realistic? Even with all of the paranormal happenings? Those of you who love this series will know what I mean.
Mercy is a true-blue friend...she will be there for you when you need her (whether you want her to or not). She is also smart, strong, and tenacious. There are also times she is vulnerable, impatient, and scared which only makes her positive characteristics shine more brightly...because Mercy proves that imperfections can make us better.
I have read the first two books twice but never continued with the series. I could see tensions ramping up and I didn't want an angsty read. I wasn't sure when the love triangle would wrap up (I am not a fan of them at all) and I do NOT like a series where that drags on and on and on. And after the scary vampires in Book 2 I knew that Patricia Briggs would be the type of author that pushed me out of my comfort zone but how far? Just enough or way too much? But, thanks to the Mercy Thompson read along challenge (also hosted by SOS!) I decided that I would go for it. And I am SO GRATEFUL that I did...This book was tense, but not angsty. The pages flew by. The love triangle was resolved in a way that allowed all parties to act like actual adults with complicated feelings INCLUDING dignity and respect. So refreshing. And yes, I was pushed outside of my comfort zone but just as Patricia Briggs didn't leave any of her characters hanging out on a limb, she took care of me as the reader as well.
Elaine wrote: "Completion Post: Week 4..."Great review Elaine!! Thanks :)
Selection Post: 
Shelf: Week 5: Auto Buy
Book: Black Sun
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
Series: Between Earth and Sky #1
How it fits: Shelved 1x
Pages: 454
Selection Post: Week 5Book: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 300
How it fits: Shelved 3x as Auto-Buy
Selection PostShelf 5: Auto Buy
Book: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 370
How it fits: Shelved 2 times as Auto Buy
CONGRATULATIONS, Watch Your Six!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 Clock Watchers!
Completion PostShelf 5: Auto Buy
Book: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 370
How it fits: Shelved 2 times as Auto Buy
Read: 27/03/2021
Rating: ★★★★½
Review
Books like this remind me why I like UF. You find a lot of interesting characters, action, love (not paranormal romance at this moment, but love in the book), not only for the mate but friends. It's fast-paced and you want to read more
Thanks for the review Marisa!!! Can't wait to get to this book later on this year :D
Completion PostShelf 5: Auto-Buy(s)
Book: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Pages: 392
Date Read: 31/03/2021
Rating: 3.5 ✮
Review:
Well, I really do have to say this was a pleasant surprise! :D
As this was the first book I've read by Elizabeth Lim, she is now on my list of authors I'm following.
Worldbuilding:
Set in a fantasy world steeped with magic and Azian vibes, I could just forget all my worries and fully immerse myself in the story thanks to clear and detailed writing. I got information about the world gradually, so there wasn't any information dump, and it helped that Maia was sometimes as clueless as I was :)
Character development:
Maia Tamarin, daughter of a renowned tailor has pretty much run their shop for years. Unfortunately, she lives in a world where women can only hope to get a good marriage, but never to amount to something like... a tailor with her own shop. We walk alongside her as she goes to the imperial court, as she battles the other master tailors for the position of imperial tailor and as she goes on her adventure to find the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of the stars.
She grows so much during her journey, yet for some parts stays maybe a bit too naive. She is a heroine you cannot root for, as she is the underdog in a court that would pretty much eat her alive. But still, you hope (and get a tad emotionally invested) that she succeeds.
Edan, the man I think we all want to meet (or at least I do!). An enchanter who has noticed our Maia and who finds her intriguing and a worthy cause to help. When he accompanies her on her journey he will find a whole other side of himself, the question is... is that a good thing? (of course, it is!!)
All other characters were well fleshed out and were real and believable. I think Ammi brought a sense of normality with her that was much needed and appreciated.
Pacing and flow:
The book starts off nice and slow, we get to know the characters and the lay of the land. As soon as the second part starts though, a lot more action and suspense is added. It didn't feel boring or too rushed, though... I really do think that each part could have been fleshed out a bit more (maybe even made into separate books as each part had more than enough to tell). I read the book over several days, enjoying my time reading but not like 'omg I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to know what comes next' :)
The book:
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described (if that is important to you).
The book is 392 pages long, spread over 37 chapters and written from Maia's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I started this book not really knowing what I was getting in to even after reading the sample chapters.
The blurb stated it was a mix of Project Runway meets Mulan, but I got a lot of Aladin vibes instead.
The first part had me all over the moon and smiling the sweet smile of someone watching young love. The second had me curious and clutching my Kindle and the last... well I'm not spoiling that for you ;)
Shelf #6 ~ 31 March: Urban FantasyDIRECT LINK(s) ~ Urban Fantasy (+ SOS' UF & SOS' UF w/romantic elements)
Selection PostShelf 6: Urban Fantasy
Book: The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie
Pages: 296
So many awesome books in the list... and then I find a good excuse to buy one more :D
Happy reading everyone!
Selection Post:
Shelf: Week 6: Urban Fantasy
Book: The Russian Cage
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Gunnie Rose #3
How it fits: Shelved 29x
Pages: 304
Victoria wrote: "Selection PostShelf 6: Urban Fantasy
Book: The Alchemist and an Amaretto by Annette Marie
Pages: 296
So many awesome books in the list... and then I find a good excuse to buy one more :D"
:D
Book: Unjust Cause by Tate Hallaway
Pages: 232
How it fits: Shelved 1 times as Urban Fantasy (Thank you!)
Selection Post: Week 6Book: The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings by Lily Morton
Pages: 279
How it fits: Shelved 14x as Urban Fantasy
Selection Post (Changed)Shelf 6: Urban Fantasy
Book: The Myth Manifestation by Lisa Shearin
Pages: 274
How it fits: Shelved 77 times as Urban Fantasy
Completion Post: Week 5Book: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 300
Date Read: 4-2-21
How it Fits: Shelved 3x as Auto Buy
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Whew! Another whirlwind ride of a book! This book starts exactly where book 3 left off and right from the get-go, the author puts the pedal to the metal and doesn't let up. I was worried going in because this was going to be another "vampire" book and this author's vamps are scary! But. It wasn't too much for me - in fact, I think my favorite aspect of this book was the different avenues used to make the vampires so terrifying...they all have their "gifts" and the way some of those "gifts" are nurtured is horrifying. But at the same time, it is so complexly plotted and clever that I can only marvel at the ingenuity behind it all.
The relationships in this book are also a true masterpiece. I am now deep enough into the series to see how various choices are changing the connections between various characters and it is fascinating to watch the evolution take place. Friends, lovers, enemies, reluctant allies, family. All are represented in various ways - some healthy, some not so much. I look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve through the series.
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...
