R20: Team #9 ~ Reading to the Nines

[BarbaraAnn]

I've been hoping for this category. I'm going to read:

Of Betrayal and Monsters by Alice Winters

Tagged 1X as Shapeshifters

[Tori]

Laura wrote: "Tori wrote: "I'm going to read My Lady Jane, which has been tagged 11 times as Shape Shifters."

Just double checking you, because the tag has to match the called tag exactly. You s..."

My bad! I had picked it out from the shapeshifters shelf and forgot to look at how many times it had been tagged there before closing the window, so I just skimmed the tags on the book itself until I found "Shape Shifters". Thanks for catching that, and I'm glad it still works!

[BarbaraAnn]

Shelf #4 Shapeshifter or Shapeshifters or SOS Shifter or SOS' Were shifters

Laura - Of Mice and Murder by Steffanie Holmes **** 3/25/21 Laura's Shapeshifter review
Mary C - The Wolf by Jean Johnson **** 3/22/21 Mary C's Shapeshifter review
Tori - My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand *** 3/31/21 Tori's Shapeshifter review
BarbaraAnn - Of Betrayal and Monsters by Alice Winters **** 3/20/21 BarbaraAnn's Shapeshifter review

[BarbaraAnn]

Completion post - Shelf #4

Of Betrayal and Monsters by Alice Winters

Read 3/20/21 ****

I was torn on whether to rate this 3 or 4 stars. On the one hand, I thought the plot was different than other shifter books I've read and it completely caught my attention. On the other hand, while the snarkiness of the characters was interesting, I thought they went a bit overboard.

While Ari is adorable, I really liked Emery. He was an interesting addition to the cast and I'm looking forward to seeing how Graham takes care of him. Rowan in his snowleopard form was adorable and always made me laugh.

I'm looking forward to the last book in the trilogy. Fortunately, it should be released later this year.

[Laura]

Completion Post
Call 2 - Sci Fi Romance

Book: Found
Date Read: 3/21
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 396
How it fits: Shelved Sci-Fi Romance 4 times

Review:
This one was so fun. We have aliens that are described as 'plant-like', with vines, and others that are 'aquatic plant-like' with tentacles. What's not to love? Throw in a little mystery, a little woman-trying-to-establish-her-freedom, and you've got a formula for a winner. Maybe not an award winner, but a winner in my book!

[BarbaraAnn]

Laura wrote: "Completion Post
Call 2 - Sci Fi Romance

Book: Found
Date Read: 3/21
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 396
How it fits: Shelved Sci-Fi Romance 4 times

Review:
This one was so fun. We have ali..."

Hi Laura - if you liked this, you might like Strange Love. I generally avoid sci fi romance because it's mostly sex with little plot. Strange Love had a good plot to go with the romance and it sounds like Found does as well.

[Laura]

Thanks for the rec!

[Tori]

Hey y'all, just giving you an update so I don't seem like a slacker haha. I should be finished with Gemina tonight, and A Discovery of Witches in the next day or two!! (Both very good so far!)

[BarbaraAnn]

Tori wrote: "Hey y'all, just giving you an update so I don't seem like a slacker haha. I should be finished with Gemina tonight, and A Discovery of Witches in the next day or two!! (Both very good so far!)"

Thanks Tori!

[Laura]

Those are both great books, Tori!

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone - Shelf #5 is out - AUTO BUY - There's two shelves to pick from

Auto Buy
SOS Auto Buy

Laura - Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs ****1/2 4/17/21 Laura's auto buy review
Mary C - Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews **** 4/12/21 Mary C's auto buy review
Tori - Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass ***** 4/6/21 Tori's auto buy review
BarbaraAnn - Deadly Game by Christine Feehan read 3/28/21 **** BarbaraAnn's Auto Buy Review

[Tori]

For Auto Buy I'll read Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass! It's 380 Pages and has been tagged once.

[Laura]

Argh! I just checked multiple books that ended up being tagged Auto Buy Author, but not Auto Buy.

Of course, Wild Sign works. It works for almost everything! So I might use my 1 re-read and use another book in this series.

[Laura]

Okay.

Shapeshifter - Of Mice and Murder, tagged 1 time

Auto Buy - Wild Sign, tagged 2 times

[BarbaraAnn]

Auto Buy - Deadly Game by Christine Feehan

368 pg - tagged 1X as auto buy

Completion post - Deadly Game by Christine Feehan read 3/28/21 ****

BarbaraAnn's Auto Buy Review

[Tori]

Completion Post! Book Boyfriends

Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
**** (4 Stars)
Read 3/24/21

I don't think I've read anything by Kaufman and Kristoff that I haven't loved. They have such a funky style that's just delightful, and this is really one of those books you need to hold in your hands and look at (though I'm tempted to check out the audiobook to see how it pulls off some of those really funky parts, like illustrations and swirling text). The only reason I gave this one 4 instead of 5 stars is that some of the story beats felt too similar to the first in the series. I had a constant feeling of deja-vu, though (view spoiler)[given the multiverse shenanigans there at the end that may be a suitable vibe haha (hide spoiler)]. I liked the characters a lot, and the way they grapple with the choices they have to make feels very realistic. There were moments that made me gasp out loud, and I'm really eager to get to the conclusion of the story and see how everyone takes down BeiTech.

[Laura]

The audios for that trilogy are incredible!

[Tori]

Laura wrote: "The audios for that trilogy are incredible!"

Ooh good to know! I listened to a little snippet of the beginning of this one, but I'm really curious how they do the whole thing!

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone - I'm requesting a stamp request for Book Boyfriend.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Mary C wrote: "Book Boyfriend Stamp Completion Post

"

Hi Mary C,
In addition to your book's cover, please include the title and author name for BSB ninja reference.
Thanks :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
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

[Steph, Serious series addict]

BarbaraAnn wrote: "Hi Everyone - I'm requesting a stamp request for Book Boyfriend."

Hi BarbaraAnn, I stamped your card, but remember to post a request on the 'stamp requests' thread as well as the Cap thread. Thanks!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Neener Neener Niners!

[Laura]

Completion Post
Call #4 - Shapeshifter

Book: Of Mice and Murder
Date Read: 3/25
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Tagged Shapeshifter 1 time

Review:
My favorite thing about these books continues to be that the Raven shifter who came to life out of a book/poem (Poe's The Raven) is called Quoth. I love that! I actually love all of the characters, and the mystery was just enough to keep me guessing, without being to heavy for me.

[Tori]

Completion Post! Series to Finish

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
**** (4 Stars)
Read 3/26/21

This would probably be more like 3.5 stars if I got half ratings. Overall I had a pretty good time with it, and I enjoyed the world building. I wondered about where the plot was going when I wasn't reading it, and I mostly enjoyed the large cast of characters. The historical touches were really interesting, and I was amused by all the descriptions of wine. I think my biggest complaint was that SO MUCH HAPPENED that it felt like things that should have been more important than they were felt glossed over, and by the time I got to the end it almost felt like I had read more than one book. I also didn't love Matthew. Like he has that charm that when I don't think about it too hard I'm like "oh yeah, this is nice" but the more I listened to the book the more his "I know best so we will do what I think." Attitude got on my nerves. Also (view spoiler)[Diana's very quick acceptance of the whole vampire marriage culture was very wtf. It felt a little squicky to me in a consent sense. Like. I would be pissed if I found out I had entered into something like that without my full knowledge of the situation, even if I loved my partner very much. (hide spoiler)]
Regardless, it was enjoyable enough that I'll probably read the next book, but I'm not like rushing to put it on hold right this second.

[Mary X]

I just realized I hadn't checked in here. I finished the Wolf. I'll post my review soon.

[Mary X]

Series to Finish Review



Blood Rites by Jim Butcher

Read 3/17/21
Rating: 5 stars
Fits: sheved series to finish 8 times

This was a reread for me. He took so long coming out with Peace Talks that I decided to reread the whole series. I enjoyed it as much this time as I did the first time. This is the book where Harry finally gets Mouse and finds out that Thomas is his half brother. Normally I prefer when a series stays with the mystery of the week type plot lines. But I didn't mind that this series diverged into Vampire and Fae politics and this is the book where it goes from Harry trying to solve a paranormal mystery for a client and stays more with the ongoing background plot lines started in previous books.

[Mary X]

Shapeshifters Shelf Review


The Wolf by Jean Johnson
Read: 3/22/21
Rating 4 stars
Fits: shelved shapeshifters 8 times

There's nothing deep happening here. Just entertaining, lite romance reading. I love the concept here of an alternate magical dimension connected to our dimension using mirrors. I'm also enjoying the 4 sets of male twins exiled to an island because of a prophecy. This book is Wolf's story and fulfilling is lines of the prophecy. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Mary X]

I'll read for Auto-buy

[BarbaraAnn]

Completion post - Auto Buy

Deadly Game by Christine Feehan **** 3/28/21

Review - Christine Feehan definitely has some tropes that she uses often. The hero is damaged but lethally strong and sweet and protective of the heroine. The heroine is usually strong but has limited experience with sex or relationships. Ken and Mari (the two MCs for this book) definitely followed this. Mary had been raised as a soldier from the time she was born. She had no choices in her life and just wanted to protect her sister soldiers. Ken was a ghostwalker (soldier with enhanced psychic abilities) Both of them were assigned to protect a senator but were not told about the other. Of course they met, fought and then fell in love. Mari was stronger than the women in previous books and I really liked her character. I also thought Ken's character was stronger than he seemed in the past and they were a good match. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone - I've requested a stamp for Call 3 - Series to Finish

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
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

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Neener Neener Niners!

[BarbaraAnn]

Shelf 6 is out - Urban Fantasy

Urban Fantasy
SOS UF
SOS UF with Romantic Elements

Laura - Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs ***** 4/1/21 Laura's urban fantasy review
Mary C - The Sinner by Amanda Stevens 4/7/21 **** Mary C's urban fantasy review
Tori - Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire ***** 4/4/21 Tori's urban fantasy review
BarbaraAnn - Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop **** 4/7/21 BarbaraAnn's UF review

[Tori]

Completion Post! Shapeshifter

My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand
*** (3 Stars)
Read 3/31/21

This was a fine alternate historical fantasy. A lot of it was fun, and the addition of the shapeshifters was interesting. The narrator for the audiobook had such great energy, you could almost imagine them pumping their fists and cheering at parts. There were a lot of references to things like Monty Python and The Princess Bride, which were funny but also distracting. I didn't love the trope of "big nose = evil guy" that was so overplayed and mentioned non stop oh my god. Overall would recommend to readers that like Etiquette & Espionage or The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (though I think both of those books did everything better, but hey.)

[Tori]

For Urban Fantasy I'm going to read Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire! It's been tagged 428 times.

[BarbaraAnn]

Tori wrote: "For Urban Fantasy I'm going to read Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire! It's been tagged 428 times."

I loved that book!

[BarbaraAnn]

I’m going to read Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop. It was tagged as urban fantasy 428x. Maybe I’ll be able to bring this series up to date

[Tori]

I've loved everything I've ever read by Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, so I'm really excited for this one too!

[Laura]

So I don't fall too far behind, I'm going to use my 1 re-read and go with Dead Heat for Urban Fantasy. It's been shelved over 1,000 times.

[Mary X]

UF is my favorite genre. Trouble will be narrowing it down to one book.

I'm switching my sci-fi romance book to this since I can't seem to even remember the name of the other book I picked when I go to read. Plus I don't have much sit and read time now and have only been finishing audio books.

[Mary X]

Going to Cancun at the end of the month and my goal is to be all caught up with my Bingo books before I go except for maybe the call on the 21st. We're leaving on the 24th. Only going for a week so hopefully if we get lucky and get the first chance at Bingo, it won't be that week.

[Mary X]

My UF book will be:

[Laura]

Completion Post

Call #6 - Urban Fantasy
Book: Dead Heat
Date Read: 4/1
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Tagged Urban Fantasy 1,420 times

Review:
I love this series. When I was first read the Mercy Thompson books, I remember seeing this and thinking that I wouldn't be interested in a book about Charles. He seemed boring in those books. But I was so, so, so wrong. I love Charles & Anna more than I love Mercy & Adam.

[BarbaraAnn]

Mary C wrote: "Going to Cancun at the end of the month and my goal is to be all caught up with my Bingo books before I go except for maybe the call on the 21st. We're leaving on the 24th. Only going for a week so..."

Sounds like a great vacation Mary!

[BarbaraAnn]

Laura wrote: "Completion Post

Call #6 - Urban Fantasy
Book: Dead Heat
Date Read: 4/1
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Tagged Urban Fantasy 1,420 times

Review:
I love this series. When I was first r..."

I agree. I like Mercy (plan to do a re-read this year to catch up). I like Anna and Charles more.

[Laura]

I think it’s because Mercy and Adam are so seldom together during the action of their books. Charles and Anna are always together!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Laura wrote: "I think it’s because Mercy and Adam are so seldom together during the action of their books. Charles and Anna are always together!"

That totally makes sense Laura, I agree.

It's a couple act with Charles & Anna, whereas the focus is always on Mercy in her books, and Adam is just sometimes there.

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone! I've requested a stamp for Shapeshifters

[Tori]

Completion Post! Urban Fantasy

Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire
***** (5 Stars)
Read 4/4/21

Seanan never disappoints. I love really lore rich stories, and this is definitely great for that. You learn so much about the Twilight and the Road Ghosts, and still feel like there's more to hear about, like there could be a dozen spin offs about different types of ghosts. The episodic nature of the story kept everything pretty fast paced, and it had its hooks in me from the beginning. I would definitely recommend this to lovers of hauntings and spooky places.