May 2022 Group Read#1 Between Two Fires

[evangelos]

Jamako wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Jamako wrote: "Finally! Have been hoping this gets picked up as a group read since a while, going to take part with my re-read of BTF. Honestly, one of the best books I have read. Per..."

This makes me even more excited to get to read this. I see the author's other book, Blacktongue Thief, seems well received too.

[L.J.]

My book just came in the mail! So excited to jump in come May 1st.
I honestly had never heard of this until I saw the poll for May's book pick. After the reading the synopsis I realized I was missing out. Why hadn't this book pop up on my radar sooner?? Thank goodness it was the winner for May. Can't wait to read about plagues, castles, and demons.

[Felina]

My overdrive had this one available off the bat. I read Those Across the River a summer or two ago (who knows anymore) and loved it. I don't know anything about this so I'm excited to be surprised.

[LTJ]

I just grabbed my copy! I can't wait to fire this up with you all in May :-D

[Felina]

Okay I just finished Part I -5 (view spoiler)[ I didn’t even read the synopsis on this books so I was thinking it was a plague story. But was extremely surprised with The Thing in the Murk. Wow, that was not what I was expecting. I’m into this. (hide spoiler)]

[Giovanni]

i Just finished part I too.
the writing is wonderful, it sends me back in time, but it makes it a slow read too (probably because English is not my mother tongue).
so far, I love it.

[Lindsay]

Ok, mine is on hold at the library. So hopefully by next week I'll be able to pick it up, which gives me time to finish the other stuff I was reading too.

[Glassaxe]

Had to drive someone to the airport today so I started the audiobook in the car and wow this book is wild. Really good so far, very intense. Almost too grotesque but I can’t stop listening to it….

[Michael]

Hello All
Just finished it sorry to say that it wasn’t for me at all. :/(

[Lawrence]

The county library system received my copy today and I picked it up. I am excited. Even though I have been with the group for a long while, this is my inaugural group read. (Thank goodness for the Gods of Time). Looks intriguing.

[Char]

Michael wrote: "Hello All
Just finished it sorry to say that it wasn’t for me at all. :/("

Sorry to hear it, Michael! It's definitely not for everyone.

[Char]

Lawrence wrote: "The county library system received my copy today and I picked it up. I am excited. Even though I have been with the group for a long while, this is my inaugural group read. (Thank goodness for the ..."

We're glad to have you join us, Lawrence!

I just finished my Don Winslow audio, so I'm starting this today, a little early.

[Felina]

Michael wrote: "Hello All
Just finished it sorry to say that it wasn’t for me at all. :/("

It’s funny cause there have been several points where I’m wondering if I like this or not but I’m still actively reading it. And I have no intention of stopping it so I think I am? I’ve read Those Across the River and it was kinda meandering but the pay off was worth it so I trust. I trust.

Also Paris spoiler (view spoiler)[ Those statues/golems were badass! The visuals in this are really great and creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Char]

The Lesser Dead is my favorite Buehlman so far. Also, his fantasy novel The Blacktongue Thief.

[Kasia]

Char wrote: "I just finished my Don Winslow audio, so I'm starting this today, a little early."

I will try to start today, I've been so behind on reading the past week or so, good luck to us :D

[Latasha]

I started this today and so far, so good.

[Felina]

Char wrote: "The Lesser Dead is my favorite Buehlman so far. Also, his fantasy novel The Blacktongue Thief."

Ooo fantasy you say? Looks like I’ve found a new fav author.

[Ginger]

I'm going to get started on this one today. I won't be reading that fast since I'm spread thin again on reading too many books at the same time. Story of my life! hahaha

[Char]

Felina wrote: "Char wrote: "The Lesser Dead is my favorite Buehlman so far. Also, his fantasy novel The Blacktongue Thief."

Ooo fantasy you say? Looks like I’ve found a new fav author."

Yep! Buehlman is awesome. :)

[Char]

Ginger wrote: "I'm going to get started on this one today. I won't be reading that fast since I'm spread thin again on reading too many books at the same time. Story of my life! hahaha"

Story of my life too, Ginger!

[Joey's deathly tomes of death]

I think this book is decent so far, this one part seriously made me laugh.
Regarding a Mule:
"Smoke the b*****d and we'll eat like kings for a week."

So far not getting much horror, mostly fantasy and I'm just over halfway.

[Latasha]

Felina wrote: "Michael wrote: "Hello All
Just finished it sorry to say that it wasn’t for me at all. :/("

It’s funny cause there have been several points where I’m wondering if I like this or not but I’m still a..."

Yeah! Paris was crazy. The horror really picks up there.

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

I ordered the book on kindle ! I can’t wait to read it ! Between two fires seems like a really good read ! I’m impatiently waiting to read it

[Emilie]

I've started it.... not a personal strong start for me personally, but I'll give it more as the writing quality is well done. Just hoping the plot picks up a bit.

[Charlene (Char)🍁☕️📚]

Good morning Group!
I couldn’t wait until the 1st lol I started reading the book yesterday. I must say this book is good so far the writing has a nice flow and it’s easy to follow! I’m about 30 something odd pages into the book.

[Ian (RebelGeek)]

I feel like such a dummy. I just bought the Audible yesterday for $12 when I had already borrowed it on Hoopla. I guess I can return it to Audible, but I'll see how much I like it before I decide.

[Kasia]

Thank you friends for coming to our May group read, this certainly seems like a hell of a tale, I tried to get the new HA masthead to have a feel for this creature feature winner, can't wait see what we all think of this, and thank you for being here so much, we appreciate you :)

[LTJ]

It's going to be a great May with all these awesome group reads. I LOVE THE NEW HA MASTHEAD! Excellent job :-D

[Kasia]

LTJ wrote: "It's going to be a great May with all these awesome group reads. I LOVE THE NEW HA MASTHEAD! Excellent job :-D"

Ha, that's so nice of you thanks, I woke up today pumped for this May read and went to work lol.

[LTJ]

LoL smart to get into it before the weekend is over! I'm hoping to finish Winterset Hollow between tonight/tomorrow and then get to my May group reads, probably start with this one!

[Felina]

Emilie wrote: "I've started it.... not a personal strong start for me personally, but I'll give it more as the writing quality is well done. Just hoping the plot picks up a bit."

I agree (view spoiler)[ the whole ‘end of the world rape fest’ isn’t my favorite but it picks up quickly. (hide spoiler)]

[Yolanda]

This book......so well written, I read for most of the afternoon yesterday and I don't usually like medieval stories, I'm loving how this mixes horror and fantasy. Almost done. I have yet another new (to me) author on my list.....sigh, so many books, so little time, if only I were independently wealthy!

[Char]

I HIGHLY recommend The Lesser Dead and if you like straight fantasy: , both by this author.

[Lawrence]

As one who has worked in the subway for years, The Lesser Dead is right up my alley roadbed.

[Char]

Lawrence wrote: "As one who has worked in the subway for years, The Lesser Dead is right up my alley roadbed."

Awesome! If you decide to read it, say hello to Joey Peacock for me!

[Jan]

The library only had the audio book. So I am listening to my first audio book ever. I enjoyed The Blacktongue Thief so I am hoping to enjoy this as well.

[Latasha]

So far I like this one way more than I did BlackTongue Thief. I keep picturing Thomas as Gaston with a beard lol!

[L.J.]

Latasha wrote: "So far I like this one way more than I did BlackTongue Thief. I keep picturing Thomas as Gaston with a beard lol!"
I love it! I keep picturing him like the character Rollo from Vikings :p.

[Kasia]

Latasha wrote: "So far I like this one way more than I did BlackTongue Thief. I keep picturing Thomas as Gaston with a beard lol!"

Hahah still trying to figure out if Gaston is a last name?

[Glassaxe]

Julie wrote: "This is my very first group read LOL"

Same! I'm so stoked.

[Glassaxe]

Maybe it's because the last few audiobooks I listened to just weren't so great as far as narration goes, but this one had me absolutely sucked it. I went into this with almost no idea what it was going to be about and I think that actually added to how much I have liked it. The beginning had me hanging there for a bit, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but once I got past the main intro I was obsessed. I am a little over halfway through and don't know where it's going but I'd say this is one of my favorite reads since I first read The Mist by King, which has a little bit of that element to it but is of course totally different.
It's giving me arthurian questing/ witcher/ joan of arc vibes and I'm super into all that.

[Michael]

Just received my copy today. Already 48 pages in, and thoroughly engaged. Easy to read, great descriptions and visualization. Damn those devils for creating The Plague!

[Ginger]

About 80 pages in and loving this!! I have no idea where the plot is going to go but I love the characters and the writing is fantastic.

[Felina]

I finished this one last night. I’m still not solid in my rating and may change it. This book isn’t what I expected at all and all throughout I could not peg it down which is good cause I’m one of those people who always guesses an ending and that’s annoying.

The audiobook was very well done so definitely 5 stars on that performance.

[Char]

This book is not easily categorized, that's for sure.

This is my second time listening to it, but it still captivates me.

[Char]

One other thing-I would never have survived during this time period in history.

Not knowing about germs, not being able to stay what we consider clean. People emptying their chamber pots all willy-nilly wherever they want.

[L.J.]

I am little bit before half way and have been enjoying it thus far. Definitely has The Witcher vibes, which I did not expect going into it.

[Michael]

Up to page 84 now. That last chapter with the river felt like I was reading a Conan story. Intense for sure.

[Emilie]

I made it to Chapter 11, and I just have lost all interest in the story. I think this is going to be a DNF for me.

[Char]

What was that thing in the river? LOL

Delphine is a much more interesting character than I thought at first.

Also, the jokes about her lawyer dad crack me up.