TART Challenge - Round 5 - Easier Said Than Run (3)

[Emeli]

Task 8 completion
Stephen
225 pages
Finished 29/4
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How it fits
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "AnneMarie, great review. I have a theory about the secret Rune is keeping from Brand. I really really want to be wrong 😭"

You can message or put in a post behind spoiler tags if you like :)

[Starstruck]

Ok...

(view spoiler)[ I think Rune's secret is so important to him because he is trying to protect Brand. Remember how Rune acted when he found the folder with information about Brand family. That struck me as deliberate foreshadowing. It showed that Rune can't cope with hurting Brand. Brand for all his pragmatism would be equally devastated if he found out that he had ever hurt Rune. Even if it wasn't his fault. (hide spoiler)]

[AnnMarie]

(view spoiler)[ That is why I want Rune and Brand together, Addam is not his soulmate or whatever he called it. I think Rune is scared of losing Brand so anything that puts their relationship in jeopardy he will work to avoid at any cost. I have seen mentions of them becoming a throuple, not entirely sure how I feel about that but I am in to see how this all plays out. (hide spoiler)]

[Gustaf]

Completion Post - Task 8
17. Read 4 5 books written by a male author


Stood Up by Sean Ashcroft
Pages: 312 pages / GR first kindle edition
How it fits: The author is male as per the authors Home page
Date read: April 29th
Rating: 3 stars

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 9 - 63. Read a minimum of 1200 1350 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical’.

Books selected for this task need to be tagged 'magic' or 'magical'. Qualification can come from tags/shelves only. Variations of the words and combo tags will be allowed in context. Please include a link to the top shelves page with your qualifying tag along with how many tags and the top shelves page number in your completion posts. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count.

[AnnMarie]

MountainKat wrote: "Here is your next task!

Task 9 - 63. Read a minimum of 1200 1350 pages in books tagged 'magic' or 'magical’.

Books selected for this task need to be tagged 'magic' or 'magical'. Qualification can..."

It's like you KNEW what book I wanted to ready next!!!

[Liz (Hiatus)]

selection post

Grantham by Taylor Rylan

228 pages

[Liz (Hiatus)]

I can read a second book if we need to just let me know

[Starstruck]

Really glad I hadn't started my bingo book Embers 414p

[Emeli]

Selection

192 pages

[Gustaf]

Tracking Post - Task 9
63. Read a minimum of 1200 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical

Liz:
228 pages Completion Post

Gustaf:
248 pages Completion Post

AnnMarie:
386 pages Completion Post

Starstruck:
414 pages Completion Post

Emeli:
192 pages Completion Post

Total: 228 + 248 + 386 + 414 + 192 = 1468

[AnnMarie]

Sorry was so excited about getting to read the book I wanted to I glossed over the part about pages.

The Hanged Man, 386 pages

[Gustaf]

Selection Post

Witchbane 248 pages

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Starstruck did you find the series in Two Truths & A Lie Challenge?

[Starstruck]

Liz wrote: "Starstruck did you find the series in Two Truths & A Lie Challenge?"

Yes thanks, I got in the end. It was tagged both YA and NA so I thought it didn't count 🤦

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Starstruck wrote: "Liz wrote: "Starstruck did you find the series in Two Truths & A Lie Challenge?"

Yes thanks, I got in the end. It was tagged both YA and NA so I thought it didn't count 🤦"

yes the YA/Na got me confused as well

[Liz (Hiatus)]

completion Post


Grantham by Taylor Rylan
Read: 1 May 2022
228 pages/GR
How it fits tagges Fanatsy/Magic on MPG https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Rating: 4⭐

[Gustaf]

Completion Post - Task 9
Read a minimum of 1200 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical


Witchbane by Morgan Brice
Pages: 248 / GR first kindle edition
How it fits: MGP Tags Fantasy > Magic Witchbane
Date read: May 1st
Rating: 3 stars

[AnnMarie]

Task #9 : Read a minimum of 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical

The Hanged Man by K.D. Edwards
386 pages (GR)
Tagged 57 times on main page Fantasy > Magic
Date Completed: 5/1
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I loved book 1 in this series and I loved book 2 even more. Rune's story continues, he grows so much in this book and it's still just the beginning for him. One of my favorite tropes is found family and Rune's "family" grows here, the secondary characters add so much and I am here for it. Rune goes to the mat to protect Max along with the newest additions to his inner circle and the story reflects this, the action starts right at the beginning and pretty much doesn't let up until the end. We get a better picture of being an Arcana which was fun and interesting.

I cannot wait for book 3, I think (hope?) that this will resolve the mystery of Rune's attack the night his court fell. Very much looking forward to the Tower sharing stories/info about Rune's father as well.

Although I didn't listen this time around I have previously and the narration is again top notch.

[Starstruck]

Task 9 - #63 Read a minimum of 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical

Embers by A.J. Sherwood
414p GR
How it qualifies: MPG Fantasy > Magic x21
Read 01/05/22 4*
A satisfying end to the story arc. Gunter and Nikki worked well as a couple. I'll continue reading the spin off series.

[Gustaf]

Starstruck wrote: "Task 9 - #63 Read a minimum of 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical

Embers by A.J. Sherwood
414p GR
How it qualifies: MPG Fantasy > Magic x21
Read 01/05/22..."

I've read almost everything by this author except this, might have to give it a go.

[Starstruck]

I think you'd enjoy it. There's dragons + mages + overarching story arc fighting against bad guys.

[AnnMarie]

Gustaf wrote: "Completion Post - Task 9
Read a minimum of 1200 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical


Witchbane by Morgan Brice
Pages: 248..."

I recently got the books for this universe, written as Gail Z. Martin & Morgan Brice and plan on reading from the start. I enjoyed this series quite a bit so looking forward to reading through all of them in order so I will know when there are cameos :)

[Starstruck]

AnnMarie wrote: "I cannot wait for book 3, I think (hope?) that this will resolve the mystery of Rune's attack the night his court fell. Very much looking forward to the Tower sharing stories/info about Rune's father as well...."

Have you read The Great Atlantean Battle Royalchemy? I think there's some subtle and not so subtle foreshadowing.

[Emeli]

Completion
Task 9 - #63 Read a minimum of 1350 pages in books tagged magic or magical

192 pages
Finished 2/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐
How it fits Fantasy > Magic
16 users

[Starstruck]

Completion posted.

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "AnnMarie wrote: "I cannot wait for book 3, I think (hope?) that this will resolve the mystery of Rune's attack the night his court fell. Very much looking forward to the Tower sharing stories/info ..."

I am aware that was being released a bit at a time but I wanted to wait until it was finished to read. Perhaps I will hit that up this week :)

[AnnMarie]

Starstruck wrote: "Completion posted."

Thanks, checked before heading to bed, I hope to fit something that works with Pass the Parcel this week!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 10 - 69. Read 6 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Books selected for this task need to have won or been nominated for an award that is listed under 'Literary Awards' in the book details on the main book page. Please include the award/nomination in your completion posts, if there are multiple awards you only need to list the first one.

[Gustaf]

Tracking Post - Task 10
69. Read 6 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Liz:
Completion Post

Gustaf:
Completion Post
Completion Post

AnnMarie:
Completion Post

Starstruck:
Completion Post
Completion Post

Emeli:
Completion Post

[Gustaf]

I have two books that I can read for this.

[Starstruck]

I'm so tempted to use this as an excuse to reread/listen to Network Effect.

[Gustaf]

I'm reading Crashing Upwards, it's been on my TBR forever and rereading Blueberry Boys for this one.

[Starstruck]

I've started Network Effect and whatever works for this and bingo.

[Emeli]

Selection
Peter Darling
207 pages

[Starstruck]

Task 10 - #69 Read 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Network Effect by Martha Wells
346p GR
How it qualifies: Hugo Award for Best Novel 2021
Read 03/05/22 5*
I love everything about this novel. At heart it's a story about friendship and found family - with SecUnit and its teammates trying to survive an encounter with weird, possibly alien, kidnappers. The audio is fabulous, each character is distinct and Murderbot's sarcastic inner monologue is pitch perfect.

[Starstruck]

I'll start The Subs Club in the morning.

[AnnMarie]

Task #10 : Read 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

Femme by Marshall Thornton
222 pages (GR)
Lambda Literary Award Nominee for Gay Romance (2017)
Date Completed: 5/2
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I really enjoyed this book and it is completely because of Lionel, I adore that character. Dog is definitely stupid at best and a complete ass at worst for a decent part of the book but he ends up deserving Lionel. One of the main themes is showing how ridiculous stereotypes are so there is a lesson there among all the glorious snark!!!

Solid audio performance by Joel Leslie, these characters are right in his wheelhouse.

[AnnMarie]

Looks like Gustaf & Starstruck have the extra books needed covered so I am diving in The Prince's Poisoned Vow. Wish me luck, it's been a while since I read a book this long, I would have gone with the audio if it was available but it's going to be another month or so for that :)

[Starstruck]

AnnMarie wrote: "Looks like Gustaf & Starstruck have the extra books needed covered so I am diving in The Prince's Poisoned Vow. Wish me luck, it's been a while since I read a book this long, I woul..."

I'd be interested to see your review. I'm looking forward to the series and trying to decide if I want to read it now or wait until the 2nd books out.

[Starstruck]

Task 10 - #69 Read 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

The Subs Club by J.A. Rock
258p GR
How it qualifies: Pauline Reage Award (2016)
Read 03/05/22 1.5*
The concept, a group of subs trying to make the local scene safer, was interesting and I wanted to like this book. The execution fell flat. David was deeply affected by the death of his friend Hal. He didn't have healthy coping mechanisms and was using BDSM as a crutch when he'd have been better off with grief counseling.

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Completion Post
Task 10 - #69 Read 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.


Breathe by Sloan Parker
254 pages/GR 1st kindle edition
How it fits: Literary Awards ->Rainbow Award for Best Gay Novel, Best Gay Contemporary Romance, Best Plot Development, and Best Character Development (2011)
read: 3 May 2022
Rating: 4⭐

[Gustaf]

Completion Post - Task 10
69. Read 6 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award


Crashing Upwards by S.C. Wynne
Pages: 284 / GR first kindle edition
How it fits: Won the 2019 Lambda Literary Award for best gay romance as can be seen on the books main page Crashing Upwards
Date read: May 3rd
Rating: 3 stars

Completion Post - Task 10
69. Read 6 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award


Blueberry Boys by Vanessa North
Pages: 165 pages / GR first kindle edition
How it fits: Nominated for the 2016 Lambda Literary Award for best gay romance as can be seen at the books main page Blueberry Boys
Date: May 2nd
Rating: 5 stars

[Gustaf]

I can't believe we already have 6/7 books done. That's crazy.

[Emeli]

Completion Post - Task 10
69. Read 6 7 books that have won/been nominated for an award.

207 pages
Finished 2/5
⭐⭐⭐
Rainbow Award for Best Transgender - Sci-Fi / Futuristic, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy & Fantasy Romance (2nd Place) & for Best Transgender Debut (2nd Place) (2017)

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Looks like we have all 7 books completed

[AnnMarie]

I posted the completion :)

[Starstruck]

Thanks AnneMarie 😊

[Liz (Hiatus)]

Thanks I'm on the phone and pretty sure I can not link anything with the app