SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R21: Team #2 ~ 2 Many Good Books

You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'favorite couples'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D

Shelf #4: Magic/Magic Users



Amanda - Fallow Read 3/2/22 ★★★★ Review
Marisa- Armed & Magical Read 2/28/22 ★★★★½ Review
Suzanne- Rise of the Mages Read 3/2/2022 ★★★½Review

Shelf 4: Magic / Users
Book: Armed & Magical by Lisa Shearin
Pages: 304
How it fits: Shelved 62 times as Magic / Users
Read: 28/02/2022
Rating: ★★★★½

Review
I chose this book because I've read her other series (SPI files) and I've enjoyed it, and because I've read the last one in this series (yes, I'm a peeker, sue me).And I've thoroughly enjoyed it too. She is witty, brave without been stupid, aware that her best weapon is her brain. And there are a lot of funny situations and strange characters. I've definitely liked it and I'll read more in the series (and waiting for the next one in the SPI).

Shelf #4 Magic/Users
Book:

Rise of the Mages
Pages: 400
How it Fits: Shelved one time as magic
Read: 2March2022
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I saw this book on a twitter link (and I'm now sorry I can't say who created it!) that briefly discussed some of the most anticipated fantasy books of 2022. This one sounded interesting to me, and I was excited to get to read a review copy from netgalley!
It's obvious that a lot of planning went into this world and it's politics and magic system. I love when as a reader I can sense a world depth that isn't all explained, but is responsible for events and choices. I also thought the pacing was good - the story never dragged for me and there was always something happening - usually involving fighting :)
I liked some of the characters - especially Ban and Jaina (the weaponmaster). I did get annoyed at the main character (Emrael) a lot - he's impulsive and makes snaps decisions, and doesn't listen much to the advice of teachers. Note: this may have annoyed me more than most because I AM a teacher, and I hate when students just think their way is better. Of course, Emrael often amazed his teachers after he went and did something forbidden so, maybe he was right! But from teacher perspective - annoying! :) That said, his character was consistent throughout the story, so I can't complain.


Book: Fallow by Jordan L. Hawk
How it fits: On Page 7 of the Magic Users Shelf
Pages: 213
Read: 3/2/22
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
This was a very solid addition to the series. I loved seeing more about Griffin's hometown, even though there was a lot of pain and anger that he had to deal with. He was treated horribly by the residents of Fallow and it was heartbreaking to see.
I love that Christine and Iskander are now important characters in every book. I love stories about "found families" and each one of them is so supportive and caring of each other.
I was a little frustrated with Whyborne in this book because his "woe is me, it's all my fault and everyone should leave me" attitude was wearing very thin. He can't just unilaterally decide AGAINST ALL EVIDENCE that his husband and best friends would not choose to be exactly where they are, and then push them away. Come on, Whyborne, get it together man.

You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'magic/users'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D

Shelf #5: Shifter(s)



Amanda - Hot and Badgered Read 3/13/22 ★★★ Review
Marisa- When He's Sinful Read 3/7/22 ★★★★ Review
Suzanne- Shadow Rites Read 3/6/22 ★★★★ Review

Shelf #5: Shifter(s)

Book: Shadow Rites
Author: Faith Hunter
Pages: 384
Date Read: 3/6/22
How it fits: Shelved as Shifters 55 times (p. 1 of top shelves)
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Jane and her whole situation has changed a lot since book 1 of this series, and I've enjoyed it all the way. In book 10, a vampire/witch conclave is going to happen, and Yellowrock Security is in charge of keeping everyone safe. But Jane also has a big personal stake in it (see what I did there?) since people she loves are involved in the meeting.
Some bad magic is happening - and as she works through all the events, Jane learns a little more about herself, and also comes more to terms to those around her - vampires, witches, and humans.
I enjoyed this a lot - it was fast paced and I kept finding excuses to listen to it.

I hope you're both having a good week!

I've been enjoying my shifter book quite a bit. I should be done by tonight or tomorrow. :)


Shelf 5: Shifter(s)
Book: When He's Sinful by Suzanne Wright
Pages: 371
How it fits: Shelved 15 times as Shifter(s)
Read: 07/03/2022
Rating: ★★★★

Review
I've enjoyed this book although, perhaps, less than other books in the series because of the main characters and the trope (friends to lovers). I like that, even if a lot has happened to him, the hero doesn't brood a lot. I don't like that the heroine, although not apparently, broods a lot :D But, even with this MCs and a quite dark issue, it's not a dark book, something I like. There is a lot of fight and sex (a lot), and some twists in the way, so a good book in the end.


Urban Fantasy Woah I've read all by 3 of the books on the first page!
SOS Urban Fantasy
SOS Urban Fantasy with Romance

Book: Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston
How it fits: Page #2 of the Shifters Book List
Date read: 3/13/22
Pages: 433
Rating: ★★★

Review: There was a lot of humor and silliness in this book, which I really enjoyed! I loved the sisters and their way of interacting with each other, which is sometimes supportive and other times fighting and maiming one another. The cast of characters was fun and I loved the feeling of "found family" and community.
I think the only reason I didn't rate it higher was because I'm currently preoccupied with other things and I'm not in my usual "inhale books like air" reading mood. And with Hot and Badgered being over 400 pages long, I did get a little impatient and wished things would move along faster. Which is more a me-problem than anything to do with the book.



You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shifter(s)'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D

Books mentioned in this topic
Crowbones (other topics)Bears Behaving Badly (other topics)
Play of Passion (other topics)
Dragon Precinct (other topics)
Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Anne Bishop (other topics)MaryJanice Davidson (other topics)
Keith R.A. DeCandido (other topics)
Penny Reid (other topics)
Ilona Andrews (other topics)
More...
Shelf 3: Favorite Couples
Book: The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn
Pages: 384
How it fits: Shelved 1 times as Favorite Couples
Read: 24/02/2022
Rating: ★★★
Review
I never have been much in historical romance, but there was a time when it was almost the only type of books I could get (I only read in Spanish and contemporary books were not published then, we are not going to talk about paranormal). Bridgertons' are some of the books I remember fondly (the first ones I only read, that is), but at this moment I wasn't much in the mood. I saw this book in the list and I thought: short tales, no angst (as they are happy couples), this is my cup of tea. Yes, I've enjoyed it, and I don't mind not knowing some couples. It's a tender and sweet book, what I was looking for. I doubt I read more book in this series, but I've enjoyed this.