R21: Team #2 ~ 2 Many Good Books

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

:D

[Amanda]

Oooh....so many good books to choose from!

I'm either going to read Renegades by Marissa Meyer, which is on page 4 of the Alternate Reality list, or Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, which is on page 5 of the Alternate Reality list.

I own both books, so now I just need to choose. And if I can't choose, I will have an impartial judge (my husband) decide. :D

[Suzanne]

Good plan Amanda! That's a tough choice - both good books!

I have a list of about 10, which I may go back to. But I was planning on reading Where the Drowned Girls Go this month, and kept thinking "it's GOT to be tagged". I found alternate-world, author-created, world, but finally on page 19 of the books tags 'alternate-reality". Thanks to the one person (whoever it is) !!

[Marisa]

Well, I have a couple of books that fit, let's see how my mood strikes and if, in the end, I read one of these:

[Suzanne]

I'm so glad you are on the team, Marisa. We get the excitement of finding out what you actually decide to read! Those are both good potential choices!

[Marisa]

😂

[Amanda]

Completion Post:
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
How it fits: On page 5 of the Alternate Reality list (shelved 6 times)
Date read: 2/10/22
Rating: ★★★★★


Review:
This was sooo good! The beginning was very shaky and I don't like that the author threw you into the story with absolutely no introduction to the characters or the prior fights they were talking about. It was a little irritating, to be honest. But with that being said, once the story got going it really got going. I couldn't put it down. Baz and Simon were just precious, and their slowly-growing trust and relationship was perfect. I adore Baz. I have a soft spot for characters like him who are slightly cruel but are sweet and protective at their center. I feel like Baz was the best character in the book. lol

[Amanda]

Every book I've read for this challenge so far has been 5 stars for me. :D

[Suzanne]

I hope that keeps up!

Have you read Fangirl? That was the first I'd heard of Simon and Baz.

So glad you loved that book!

[Amanda]

I did read Fangirl several years ago and I really loved it. I didn't remember much about Simon and Baz other than their names. I wonder if the beginning of the book would have made more sense if I had reread it prior to reading Carry On?

[Suzanne]

I doubt it would have made much difference. I just liked the connection - it was fun!

I still need to read the other two in that series.

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Free Space
Book: Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb
Pages: 352
Option: 2 (A book within a series found on within a series found on one of SOS' member-generated BEST OF lists: audiobook series)
Read: 10/02/2022
Rating: ★★★



Review

The only word I find to describe the book is "meeh". I feel it like a bland book. It's good because the books are good in general, the story is not bad and I like the characters, but this time, I don't know. Perhaps we see very few of the ambiance, the relationship with the characters but, I don't know. If I think about it now, I don't even remember what they have done in the book, I only remember them running and asking. Let's hope the next one is better.

[Suzanne]

Aw too bad it wasn't awesome. But nice job getting it done!

[Suzanne]

I finished my Alternate Reality Book - I'll get it checked in HOPEFULLY tomorrow. It's 8:30 p.m. and I've been working since 8 a.m. (Saturday) and I probably have 3-4 more hours of work to do tonight. Bleh. Thank goodness the book was audio, so at least I had that! :)

I also have read a bit of my Free Space book.

My poor husband. I am very grumpy.

[Suzanne]

NOTE - Oops! My book is too short!!
Ex-Completion Post
Shelf 2 Alternate Reality/Universe
Book: Where the Drowned Girls Go
Author: Seanan McGuire
Pages: 160
Date Read: 2/13/22
How it fits: alternate-reality p. 19 of tags Link: https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...
Rating: 4 stars

Review:
“I am not your door.' After a pause for thought, she added, 'But I might be my own.”

I used to have repeated dreams about doorways, and I sometimes still do, so of course this series is right up my alley. I liked what this book said about names, and acceptance. I did miss some of the kids from the school, but I loved seeing Cora's growth, and I loved Suni - she is currently my favorite character from this series.

[Suzanne]

Week 2 Team Reviews
Shelf #2: Alternate Reality/Universe



Amanda - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Read 2/10/22 5 Stars Review

Marisa - Prudence by Gail Carriger Read 3/2/22 4 stars Review

Suzanne - Manners & Mutiny Read 2/20/22 4 stars Review

[Suzanne]

Team 2 - Free Space Reviews



Amanda - The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James Read 2/5/22 5 Stars Review

Marisa - Abandoned in Death by J.D. Robb Read 2/10/22 3 stars Review

Suzanne - Time of Death by J.D. Robb Read 2/15/2022, 4 stars Review

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Suzanne wrote: "Completion Post
Shelf 2 Alternate Reality/Universe
Book: Where the Drowned Girls Go
Author: Seanan McGuire
Pages: 160
Date Read: 2/13/22
How it fits: alternate-rea..."


Suzanne, minimum page count is 200.

[Suzanne]

Oh oops! Thanks so much Sandra! I appreciate you letting me know!

[Suzanne]

Completion Post
Free Space
Book: Time of Death by J.D. Robb
Pages: 306
Option: 2 (This series is on one of SOS' member-generated BEST OF lists: audiobook series)
Read: 2/15/22
Rating: ★★★★



Review
This book is a selection of three shorter stories that take place in the "20's" of the In Death Series. They had a common theme of something potentially supernatural or just plain weird about the murders.

Eternity in Death - a woman looking for immortality is instead left dead, devoid of blood, with two puncture marks in her neck. This leads Eve to an underground vampire nightclub and a sociopath. There wasn't ever really a doubt in this book about who did it - the crime was just hard to prove.

Ritual in Death A naked, bloody man stumbles into a party attended by Eve and Roarke. They find a ritualistic killing and investigate a Satanic cult. Eve and Roarke are angrier than I'm used to seeing them, at each other and the world in this. But really, it was a nasty situation - I guess the anger was justified.

Missing in Death A woman disappears from a ferry, and there is a bloody crime scene with no body, and no good way to explain where it went. This one was my favorite of the three. I especially liked how it ended.

Another thing I enjoyed about these is how Peabody got totally into each of the supernatural explanations - buying garlic, worrying about witches, satan worshipers, and aliens. It was fun seeing that contrast to Eve and her pragmatic approach.

[Suzanne]

I requested our free space stamp. I found a book (over 200 pages this time) for Alternate Reality - but I still need to read it :)

[Suzanne]

Although I haven't finished my Alternate Reality book, I'm still super excited for the call today!

[Suzanne]

Week 3 Shelf - Favorite Couples

Here it is! Favorite Couples

[Amanda]

So many good books! I might take a day or so to settle on a boot, but so far I'm leaning toward Caraval.

[Suzanne]

I'm probably going to do End of Days - that'll finish the series for me - and I've owned it for 7 years!

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Shelf 2: Alternate Reality
Book: Prudence by Gail Carriger
Pages: 480
How it fits: Shelved 8 times as Alternate Reality
Read: 13/02/2022
Rating: ★★★★



Review

I'd forgotten how funny these books were (and how difficult to read for a Non-English person). I've enjoyed the situations they have been mixed in, the so-Brittish approach to the situations, and the parody of the real empire. Some points are a bit too stretched, and I think there are some points which were explained in "The Parasol Protectorate", that I read long time ago, but I've enjoyed a lot the book, and I think I'll keep on reading the series.

[Marisa]

I don't really know what I'm going to read :( Let's see....

[Suzanne]

Thanks Marisa. My new longer (but not super long) book for Alternate Realitiesis . I'm a bit of a way through, and will get that done. Anyway - I've "copied" your author for Alternate Realities and Free Space :)

[Amanda]

Marisa wrote: "Completion Post

Shelf 2:
Alternate Reality
Book: Prudence by Gail Carriger
Pages: 480
How it fits: Shelved 8 times as Alternate Reality
Read: 13/02/2022
Rating:..."

I need to continue this series! I read the first book years ago and I really liked it.

[Marisa]

Selection Post
Shelf 3: Favorite Couples

Book: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Pages: 384
How it fits: Shelved 1 times as Favorite Couples

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, 2 Many Books!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Suzanne]

Thanks Steph!

[Suzanne]

Completion Post - Shelf 2 - Alternate Reality

Book: Manners & Mutiny
Author: Gail Carriger
Pages: 304
Date Read: 2/20/22
How it fits: On page 5 of Alternate Reality Shelf (link below)
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Rating: 4 stars

Review: This was a nice end of the series. Sophronia and her friends continue to investigate the Picklemen. We see Lord Alkdelma, learn lots more about the mechanicals and the school, and get to see the girls finish their training.

It's really hard to give specifics without spoilers for previous books in the series, so I won't. Things I liked: The mix of formality, humor, and deadly practices. Who knew messages could be passed with fans, pastry, flower arrangements, etc.

A favorite line: “A lady must always be prepared. Snacks are an essential part of espionage.” Maybe I could be a spy after all!

[Suzanne]

Week 3 Team Reviews
Shelf #3: Favorite Couples


Amanda - Maelstrom Read 2/23/22 4 Stars Review

Marisa - The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After Read 2/24/22 3 stars Review

Suzanne - End of Days Read 2/21/22 3.5 stars Review

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congratulations on the stamp Lots of Books!

[Marisa]

Thank you, Steph. Thank you, Sandra.

[Amanda]

I'm taking a little longer to read my book this week because I've had some work trainings to do. But I should be finished by Wed or Thurs. :)

[Suzanne]

Great Amanda - thanks!

[Suzanne]

Completion Post - Shelf 3 - Favorite Couples

Book - End of Days
Author - Susan Ee
Pages: 344
Date Completed - 2/21/22
How it fits - Shelved 10 times as favorite couples - on page 4 of linked list.
Rating: 3.5 stars

Review:
I'm glad to have finally finished this series. I bought the book in 2015, so, it's about time I read it! This isn't my favorite genre (young adult), but at least it didn't have a love triangle!

Penryn and Raffe escaped the angels in Uriel's sanctuary and are on the run. They need to get Raffe and Paige (Penryn's sister) to a doctor, need to stop the evil angels from killing all humans, and need to resist their love since it is forbidden.

I thought the take on Angels and Demons was pretty original. I thought some of the scenes/plans that Penryn came up with were...odd? And it was kind of hard for me to believe that hundreds of people would let a 17-year-old girl lead them. BUT, it was entertaining and I think the author did a good job. 3.5 stars rounded up for the talent show (which I thought was a stupid idea but ended up being really touching), and the ending.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, 2 Many Good Books!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'alternate reality'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Suzanne]

Thank you!

[Amanda]

Yay! Thank you!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congratulations on the stamp Lots of Books!

[Suzanne]

Thanks Sandra!

My fingers are crossed for Vampires as the next call, just because that'd give us 3 in a row in two directions.

[Marisa]

Thank you, Steph. Thank you, Sandra.

[Suzanne]

Shelf #4 - Magic/Magic Users/SOS Magic

Magic
Magic Users
SOS Magic

[Amanda]

Completion Post-Shelf 3-Favorite Couples
Book: Maelstrom by Jordan L. Hawk
How it fits: On page 13 of Favorite Couples list, tagged 5 times as favorite-couples
Read: 2/23/22
Rating:★★★★

Review:
It had been a little while since I had read book #6 in the series, so it took me a little bit to catch up with past events, but Maelstrom was just as good as the previous books in the series. I really enjoyed the scenes from Griffin's point of view, but I did sometimes forget which character's POV I was currently reading from, which I think has to do with the fact that they are written a little similarly.
I swear every single time Jordan L. Hawk writes one of these stories, he takes great pleasure in writing the strangest, creepiest creatures just to make us readers squirm. There's so much creativity there.
Griffin and Whyborne's relationship is solid. I loved seeing how Griffin supported Whyborne while also trying to make him understand when he was being too stubborn about things.

[Suzanne]

Nice review Amanda!

[Amanda]

For Shelf 4 I'm going to read Jack of Thorns, which is on page 3 of the SOS magic shelf. It sounds really good!

[Suzanne]

For Whelf 4 I'm going to read Rise of the Mages. I got it from Netgalley - it was released a few weeks ago - and it is tagged magic 1 time (it's not tagged much of anything yet because its so new). But yay for the right tag, which gives me another great reason to put it in my reading queue!