SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R21: Team #3 ~ Quirky Quad
Selection Post ... Shelf #7 ... Swoon Worthy
Book: Opal by Jennifer Armentrout
Series: Lux #3 | Media: Kindle/Audible
How it Fits: Tagged Swoon Worthy 36x
Read: xx/xx/xx | Pages: 452 | Rating:
Sandra wrote: "Moondance wrote: "Hmmm…I’ll have to look for one for this shelf. The next ID book I need to read has “swoonalious” but not swoon worthy."Cheryl, you could use the Hail Mary option :)
Alternativ..."
I thought about that. I’ll try the book I chose. I think I started it before and couldn’t get into it.
CONGRATULATIONS, Quirky Quad!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'urban fantasy'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Woohoo!! :D
Hope y'all are enjoying your books. Mine is a delight. I'll finish it tonight. Could've finished this AM, but wanted to stretch it out. Can't believe it's the middle of March already! Hope everyone's doing well & staying healthy.
Congratulations on the stamp Freaky Foursome!
I finished my book and I don’t know what to say. I know writing is hard and authors put everything into the craft. I don’t like writing bad reviews, so I’m letting this one simmer a bit. Lawd!
Completion PostShelf 7: Swoon-Worthy
Hush, Hush Becca Fitzpatrick
Tagged 9 times as swoon-worthy
Read 03.19.22
Rating: 2 stars
Review:
Chauncey was with a farmer's daughter on the grassy banks of the Loire River when the storm rolled in, and having let his gelding wander in the meadow, was left to his own two feet to carry him back to the chateau.
A change in seating in a high school Biology class puts Nora and Patch together and creates a series of chaotic incidents.
This would have been a DNF for me had I not been reading it for a challenge. It was so much like Twilight 2.0 with angels rather than vampires. I switched from reading to listening to the book in hopes that it would hold my interest. That didn't happen.
Nora's character irritated me from the beginning. She doesn't listen to her intuition regarding Patch or Elliott. There were so many times I just wanted to shake her for her stupidity.
Patch is dark and brooding with few redeeming qualities. I understand he has been around for hundreds of years but her could have tried to fit into the high school world a bit better.
I kept reading in hopes that the plot and storyline would get better. Unfortunately, it did not. Definitely not a series I will continue.
Moondance wrote: "Completion PostShelf 7: Swoon-Worthy
Hush, Hush Becca Fitzpatrick
Tagged 9 times as swoon-worthy
Read 03.19.22
Rating: 2 stars
Re..."
Sorry it was such a disappointing and difficult read! Sounds like you were generous with 2 stars!
I'll probably be late with my book this week. Well, not probably - I will be. But I'll get to, I promise!!
No worries, LaurLa :)Aw man, Cheryl, definitely sounds like you were generous. I can remember seeing that book all over GR back in the day and I'm sure I grabbed the audio, maybe even the book, but never read it. Now, I'm glad I didn't. 😬
Mine was adorable! I'll have my review up shortly.
Hope everyone has a great week!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Series: stand alone
Shelf #7: swoon worthy (shelved by 3 people)
Read: 19 Mar
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮ (all the stars)
My Review:
“It’s—unfortunate. We get trapped in our own little bubbles, and even though the world is a wide and mysterious place, our bubbles keep us safe from that. To our detriment.”The House in the Cerulean Sea was such a beautifully whimsical read! I could've finished it much faster, but I made myself slow down because I didn't want to leave.
Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), makes visits to orphanages for inspection. The life he leads is mundane. He's very thorough at his job, he takes pride in following DICOMY's RULES and REGULATIONS to the letter, always remaining objective, no matter what; for these reasons he's chosen by Extremely Upper Management to spend one month on the island investigating an orphanage there along with its master and the six children he oversees.
“We haven’t received word of any wrongdoing, but the orphanage you’ll be going to is … It’s special, Mr. Baker. The orphanage is nontraditional, and the six children who live there are different than anything else you’ve seen before, some more than others. They’re … problematic.”After a very long train ride, Linus reads the first of the six children's case files and what he reads causes him to faint flat out. This was the beginning of a very unexpectedly unusual adventure for Linus. One he never could've predicted, one that changed his life forever.
I LOVED these children! They were so beautifully written. They are each, in their very unique ways, perfectly yet equally powerful, innocent and wounded enough to bring Linus out of his bubble; they, along with the orphanage's master Arthur Parnassus, help him truly see his job, his life and his dreams in full living color for the first time.
This was my first read by this author and I will definitely continue to read his MG books. This story was just as heartwarming as one of Katherine Applegate's and similarly left me believing, if only for a short time, that things can be better for everyone — no matter their perceived (or preconceived) differences.
Steph, I thought that was a great book too!
😁 those kids are just too damn cute. I wanted more. How’s everyone now? Gimme. 😆
Steph wrote: "The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Series: stand alone
Shelf #7: swoon worthy (shelved by 3 people)
Read..."
Now I want to read this!
Moondance wrote: "Steph wrote: "The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Series: stand alone
Shelf #7: swoon worthy (shelved by ...
Now I want to read this!"
Me too. :D
Completion Post ... Shelf #7 ... Swoon Worthy
Book: Opal by Jennifer Armentrout
Series: Lux #3 | Media: Kindle/Audible
How it Fits: Tagged Swoon Worthy 36x
Read: 3/21/22 | Pages: 452 | Rating: ★★★☆☆
_______________
Review:
This book ended with a seriously crazy cliffhanger! Makes me a little nervous to read the next book. Lol!
Now that I think of it while writing this, the entire book had some crazy surprises. I don't want to give anything away, so specifics are a no go. The book and the series have been intense with a little insanity thrown in and in my opinion it has it own unique quality. Other than aliens posing as high school students, that is.
Daemon is still his overprotective, brooding self but he's grown as well and isn't denying he has feelings now. We get more insight to the characters and also get to know a new character in this installment. All in all a good read.
😊 It’s MG/tween though, so keep that in mind when deciding. But, you’re bound to enjoy it, I think. Shelf’s up …
Shelf #8 ~ 23 Mar 22: Kindle Freebie
DIRECT LINK - Kindle Freebie (+ SOS' freebie discussion thread)
I’ve got so many freebies, I don’t know where to start. I might go with a recent grab, (Semi-Charmed) assuming it’s on the shelf. I’ll have to poke around and get to ya with my book choice.
I enjoyed that one Steph, no idea if its on the shelf :)
Selection PostShelf 8- Kindle Freebie
Adventures of a Vegan Vamp Cate Lawley
Found on SOS freebie thread on March 11, 2022
😁 Thx!I'm sorry I didn't get back to y'all with my choice sooner. Not only I did go with
, but I read it in a day. I really enjoyed it. So much that I bought the other 6 books that are out. Yay! New series to follow!I'll post my review ASAP, definitely before shelf day.
I'm interested to hear how you like that one, Cheryl. I checked and I got it as a freebie back in 2017, but never read it.
Steph wrote: "😁 Thx!I'm sorry I didn't get back to y'all with my choice sooner. Not only I did go with
, but I read it in a day. I really enjoyed it. So much that I bought the ..."It has started rather campy. So far, so good.
Completion Post ➺ Week 7Shelf ➺ Swoon Worthy
Book ➺ Bloodfever
How it fits ➺ tagged 7 times
Read ➺ 03.27
Rating ➺ ★★★★
Review ➺
I want to be profound in my review but I just am not built that way... but I loved this book. I read the first in the series in one big gulp and I think it must have been way into the wee hours of the morning because when I started thinking about reading this one, I really couldn't remember the world I was getting into. I've read this one in one big gulp too, but hopefully the details will stay with me a little more. I have to say the author did a really great job of bringing people like me (or others who picked up book 2 without reading book 1) up to speed. The prologue was basically a level set but as noted, I needed that!
There were things that frustrated me, namely that Mac has no one she can trust... or that she believes she can trust. Jury is still out on Barrons, of course. Stories where the protagonist seems to have no one to trust make me anxious... I've never been drawn to books high on the angst factor and the continued tension actually wears on me rather than entertains. Which is probably why I'm a sucker for romances in the first place. Like many UF series, this one triggers my anxiousness because I just want Mac to have someone to help her deal but... Well anyway. There is some slight resolution by the end with Barrons, but heading into book 3, I don't think it's going be all pink roses and rainbows. I do still feel the frustration that Mac is out there on her own trying to figure things out. It won't keep me from book 3 because as I said, sucker for romance/HEA and well, something has to break Mac's way, yeah?
LaurLa wrote: "Completion Post ➺ Week 7Shelf ➺ Swoon Worthy
Book ➺ Bloodfever
How it fits ➺ tagged 7 times
Read ➺ 03.27
Rating ➺ ★★★★
Review ➺
I want to be profoun..."
I read the first book ages ago. Maybe I need to revisit this series.
I still haven't picked anything for the Freebie shelf!! I'm trying to wrap up books for March. I'll try to find a freebie today.
CONGRATULATIONS, Quirky Quad!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'swoon worthy'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Woohoo!! :D
LaurLa wrote: "Shelf 7 stamped requested!"Yay for our new stamp! Go, team! I'll be posting my freebie review today. :)
Moondance wrote: "I read the first book ages ago. Maybe I need to revisit this series."
I was thinking the same. But, yeah, the angst is high with that one! LOL!
Angie ☯ wrote: "I still haven't picked anything for the Freebie shelf!! I'm trying to wrap up books for March. I'll try to find a freebie today."
Hope ya find something you'll enjoy!
Moondance wrote: "It has started rather campy. So far, so good."Hope it continued to be good :)
Semi-Charmed by Isabel Jordan
Series: Harper Hall Investigations #1
Shelf #8: kindle freebie (shelved by 4 people)
Read: 24 Mar
Rating: ✮✮✮✮☆
My Review:
“Lord save us from men who think they know what we need better than we do.”Semi-Charmed introduces us to Harper Hall, a snarky seer who worked for the now defunct organization Sentry. Sentry collapsed after vampires came out to the human public. Harper's currently a PI who has lost her partner but wishes to take the case of a missing boy. Unfortunately, a seer without a slayer is apparently not as useful. With Sentry, seers had the visions and slayers took care of the problem. Harper's former paired slayer (and MIA PI partner) wasn't worth much but, while she ended up being the one in their pair who took care of things, the newly formed Vampires Crimes Unit won't give her the case without a slayer.
... if I can’t use these stupid, painful, ugly premonitions for something, what’s the point?” She stopped pacing, but didn’t face him. “Why am I like this if I can’t even help people?” She’d said that last part so quietly he imagined most people wouldn’t have heard her. But he had. Probably because he felt exactly the same way.In comes Noah Riddick, a "natural" (born vs. made slayer). He can relate to Harper; they're similar in as many ways as they are different. He's constantly battling his instincts to fight and welcomes the opportunity to use it legally. Most times, he hunts privately and delivers criminals to the VCU.
What had his life been like before she was in it? He couldn’t even remember. It was almost as if he’d failed to truly exist until she found him. Now his world was only as big as the distance between them, which never seemed to be more than arms reach.And, while he won't admit it, he's drawn to Harper and her light. The budding relationship between the two is a hoot to watch. A perfect pairing to be sure.
The side characters are well-written. This was the first book I've read by Isabel Jordan, but it won't be the last. I enjoyed this introduction so much I bought all 6 books and hope there will be many more. I'm happy to have another fun series to follow and recommend it to those who enjoy a snarky heroine, broody hero with well-rounded side characters. This is definitely a UF + romance, so keep that in mind when deciding.
Congratulations on the stamp Freaky Foursome!
I finished my book Saturday but haven’t had a chance to write the review. I enjoyed it enough to download the next few to see if I want to read the entire series.
Completion Post ➺ Week 8Shelf ➺ Kindle Freebie
Book ➺ Marked
How it fits ➺ tagged 28 times
Read ➺ 03.28
Rating ➺ ★★★★
Review ➺
A little different PNR than I've read lately (a lot of vampires...). This series is similar to Lords of the Underworld in that is has basis in Greek mythology but has a little twist with being the Argonauts vs demons out of Pandora's box. This first installment was a good intro into the world although there still some things I'm not totally clear on but could be a function of reading late in the night. I like how Theron slowly came to accept his humanity and feelings - it's a fated mate, insta-lust story-line but not insta-love. The fated thing and lust thing get them together but it's the time they spend together and learning about each other (while a war is brewing and baddies attack them) that make their feelings grow. A good read and a series I'll keep reading.
Well, teamies....I'm going to have to find another book. The one I read (that I got free from Kindle) is tagged only as "Free" and the other one that I need to read is tagged "KindleFree". Lol! I can't win this week!!I'm looking to see if perhaps someone added them to the SOS Freebies thread.
Angie ☯ wrote: "Well, teamies....I'm going to have to find another book. The one I read (that I got free from Kindle) is tagged only as "Free" and the other one that I need to read is tagged "KindleFree". Lol! I c..."Oh no!! I feel for you :-)
Angie ☯ wrote: "Well, teamies....I'm going to have to find another book. The one I read (that I got free from Kindle) is tagged only as "Free" and the other one that I need to read is tagged "KindleFree". Lol! I c..."Don't forget you can use the Hail Mary alternate for KindleFree, as long as it meets all other criteria, ie at least 200 pages :)
Alternative Reader's Choice Options
(Only 2 allowed per person, per round; 1 teammate per shelf)
~ "Hail Mary" (inspired by Valerie ~Val Hall~) ~ players may read a book that should have been shelved on one of the called shelves, but wasn't found there
~ Third book in a series
~ Book by an Author with F, M or T in first or last name
Completion PostShelf 8- Kindle Freebie
Adventures of a Vegan Vamp Cate Lawley
Found on SOS freebie thread on March 11, 2022
Read: 03.26.22
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I died a little.
Mallory ends her Tuesday with drinks at a local bar with several coworkers. (She is invited because she picks up the tab.) Three days later she wakes up in her apartment with an unquenchable thirst and twenty five pounds lighter. A visit to a local clinic with alternative practitioners reveals that Mallory is now a vampire.
This was a cute, campy book that I enjoyed reading. Mallory could be a bit snarky and her interactions with Alex from "the Society" were often humorous. Mallory discovers that she can't tolerate blood so turns to nutrient rich vegan shakes for her meals.
The characters are well written and fun. We learn a bit more about the Society and a recent cluster of deaths which puts Mallory into sleuth mode. Her goal is to find the vamp that illegally turned her and extract vengeneance.
I enjoyed this first book in the series enough to order the next few. I have the next one on audio and look forward to listening to it.
I suppose I should give this a 4 star rating. It is more of a 3.5, but we all know GR doesn't do halfies.
Thanks, Sandra! One I read this weekend fits the shelf, so crisis averted! Lol!
Selection Post ... Shelf #8 ... Kindle Freebie
Book: As You Wish by Helen Harper
Series: How to Be the Best Damn Faery Godmother in the World (or Die Trying) #3 | Media: Kindle/Audible
How it Fits: Tagged Kindle Freebie 1x (First page/First column)
Read: x/xx/xx | Pages: x | Rating:
Completion Post ... Shelf #8 ... Kindle Freebie
Book: As You Wish by Helen Harper
Series: How to Be the Best Damn Faery Godmother in the World (or Die Trying) #3 | Media: Kindle/Audible
How it Fits: Tagged Kindle Freebie 1x
Read: 3/26/22 | Pages: 217 | Rating: ★★★☆☆
_______________
Review:
It’s a dirty job when you’re a faery godmother … but someone’s got to do it.
Saffron Sawyer’s world is spinning out of control in more ways than one. Her newly acquired pooch, Pumpkin, hates her guts and it’s highly possible that the trolls are reneging on their promise of temporary peace. Saffron is also on her way to setting the world record for the number of magical wands lost in one month while the continued proximity of Jasper, the emerald eyed Devil’s Advocate, is turning her into a near helpless lust puddle.
Unfortunately, life is never simple in the Office of Faery Godmother … especially when your past mistakes are preparing to come back and haunt you.
This is a fun series and I will admit I picked up the first book because it was free and the series name is just too fun not to want to read it! I liked Saffron from the start! This installment was just as fun as the previous, but there was a section with all the politics of the office that bogged me down a bit. Other than that, another fun book!
Saffron isn't the best faery godmother by far! She does have the drive and really wants to be. I'm still cheering for her to get there. Her catch phrase or exclamation makes me laugh every time she says it - it's colorful and not a faery godmother phrase at all! She is always getting in trouble.....she's in the big leagues of trouble now. Did I mention Pumpkin (her dog) hates her?
Looking forward to the last book in the series and finding out if Saffron finally gets everything she's ever wanted (and the boy)!
Hey guys. Sorry for the late shelf posting. Had a meeting to sign mom up for hospice 🥺 Shelf #9 ~ 30 Mar 22: Paranormal Romance
DIRECT LINK - Paranormal Romance (+ SOS' pnr)
I’ll pop back with my book choice.
Hugs, Steph! Lots of prayers and positive energy!
Shelf 9: Paranormal RomanceGolden in Death J.D. Robb
I was really reaching for this but one lonely person tagged it as paranormal romance. Thank you, wherever you are.
Moondance wrote: "Hugs, Steph! Lots of prayers and positive energy!"Make that a double helping!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
The Dirt on Ninth Grave (other topics)The Dirt on Ninth Grave (other topics)
Semi-Broken (other topics)
Golden in Death (other topics)
The Renegade Hunter (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.D. Robb (other topics)Isabel Jordan (other topics)
J.D. Robb (other topics)
Cate Lawley (other topics)
Isabel Jordan (other topics)
More...
Cheryl, you could use the Hail Mary option :)
Alternative Reader's Choice Options
(Only 2 allowed per person, per round; 1 teammate per shelf)
~ "Hail Mary" (inspired by Valerie ~Val Hall~) ~ players may read a book that should have been shelved on one of the called shelves, but wasn't found there
~ Third book in a series
~ Book by an Author with F, M or T in first or last name