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2nd Annual Reading Challenge
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Alondra's 12+4 Catch-Up Challenge - COMPLETED
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Thanks Martha!
I'm surprised you haven't gotten on the Wagon with Joe! I think you will love him, like everyone else.
Not sure why I didn't read Lovecraft Country; but I only recently added it to my tbr and then got it for christmas. :)
I love the Joe Ledger books too, although I'm a little further behind than you. Project Hail Mary was one of my two 5* reads of 2022. I have a few of your other books on my TBR already.Happy reading!
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Happy read..."
Thanks, Anne. I need to finish out the few Joe Ledger books I have before the next comes out. The author has already hinted at it.
Alondra wrote: "I need to finish out the few Joe Ledger books I have before the next comes out. The author has already hinted at it."Really? When?
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Really? When?"
He said back in November that #13 will be done soon; called Cave 13 Cave 13: A Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International Novel.
He branched Joe Ledger off to the RTI series, starting with Rage, which I haven't gotten to yet. YET!
Alondra wrote: "He said back in November that #13 will be done soon; called Cave 13 Cave 13: A Joe Ledger and Rogue Team International Novel."On my TBR it goes, thank you!
Rage is good, and so is the next one, Relentless. Not as good as the original JL, but still good.
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Rage is good, and so is the next one, Relentless. Not as good as the original JL, but still good. .."
No problem! I still have to read those; i am so behind. Hopefully, by the end of the year I can start.
Fun list! I am looking forward to your reviews. I like a good mystery.
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Thanks, Mary. I am hoping to make some serious progress in these series!
Nice list, as always, Alondra.I loved The Rook...book 2 wasn't of the same caliber, to me anyway.
Loved Rebus. Sun Down Motel was good but not too creepy.
If you listen to audiobooks, try that format for Project Hail Mary - the voices were amazing, loved this so much more than I expected!
I've never tried the others - Body Farm looks interesting..hmmm.. clickety-click add to tbr. LOL.
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I loved The Rook...book 2 wasn't of the same caliber, to me anyway.
Loved Rebus. Sun Down Motel was good but not too creepy.
If you listen to audiobooks, try that f..."
Thanks, Linette.
Yeah, most folks say book 2 is not so good in the Rook series; but I already have it, so i will read it.
I have yet to start Audiobooks, because depending on the narrator, it affects the "reading" experience. We shall see. Thanks for the heads up on it, though.
Very interesting list Alondra. And a dangerous list as well since I haven't read a single one of these books :DI'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of them.
happy reading :)
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I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of them.
happy reading :)"
I think you would like The Rook. I haven't read book 2, but most folks thought it was okay.
I definitely recommend the Body Farm series, for the science alone. The personal "intricacies" with the doctor is just too much. I mean, it does tie in with whats going on; but its messy.
I have only read The Sun Down Motel and I enjoyed it very much, so much so that I became a fan of Simone St. James and added her previous and future books to my TBR. Good luck with your challenge.
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I hear that a lot; so, I have good expectations for it; but not excited about it. I hope that keeps me from getting disappointed, ya know?? If I get too excited, I feel let down immediately.
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5 Stars
Reread #2: Same rating and review. This book was consistently good.
What a great read. I started off this book, pretty much like the person who woke up as Myfanwy (pronounced like Tiffany) Thomas; confused, depleted of information(empty) and curious.
Just like the main character; the reader is thrust into a world unknown and strange. The saving grace, are all the letters that are written for our heroine and for the reader. We get vital clues and snippets, as to what is going on, who is who, and who is Myfanwy.
These letters also help us figure out who is trying to kill Myfanwy, why and for what end result, ultimately.
The book is like a puzzle. You get the framework completed, but you need all the middle pieces to give you the whole picture. It was a long read for me, with lots of detail; but so very good. Great format, and really a breath of fresh air. This book is quite different than most mystery, sci-fi.
Alondra wrote: "Completed: The RookMyfanwy (pronounced like Tiffany) "
Oh dear. That certainly isn't how the Welsh pronounce it!
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Myfanwy (pronounced like Tiffany) "
Oh dear. That certainly isn't how the Welsh pronounce it!"
HA! That is exactly what the book said! The MC said that she doesn't embrace the traditional welsh pronunciation. 🤣
Hmmm, good to know. I've taught Welsh for too long! I'm not sure I could bring myself to say it that way....
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Pronounce it the way you're most comfortable. That's what I do. It's still a great book. LOL
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ReRead #2 - 1/15/23
3.5 Stars
I don't think I was very fair, stating that there wasn't much depth. Maybe, I should state, that not as much background as I would've liked, is better. I did give an extra 1/2 star for being thoroughly entertained. LOL
Original review:
3 Stars
Not too shabby; but not great either. Entertaining story about the robot uprising; but not as awesome as a Terminator or I,Robot. There is just no depth to the characters or stories, but it is entertaining in that vapid Hollywood sort of way. Steven Spielberg bought the rights already... :/
It reads like World War Z; in that it is a first-person account of what happened...how it all went down, man.
Nice in-betweener when you have time.
Laurel wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Completed: The RookMyfanwy (pronounced like Tiffany) "
Oh dear. That certainly isn't how the Welsh pronounce it!"
it's how I've been mentally pronouncing it so far- just got the book :) and I have a friend in Wales who could tell me the right way. My brain gets stuck with one way anyway though.
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3 Stars
This is not Robopocalypse 2.0. It is something different. Not all bad, but it really didn't interest me until about 1/3 of the way through. Hence the rating.
This world, after the annihilation of mankind as we know it, is much more brutal and bleak. (Of course, what would you expect of A-I?? Hence, Terminator). Humans are literally clawing their way through survival with androids and cyborgs (??). Interesting.
Alondra wrote: "Completed: The Rook5 Stars
Reread #2: Same rating and review. This book was consistently good.
What a great read. I started off this book, pretty ..."
Nice review Alondra! the story sounds really interesting and i had to add it to my TBR :)
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Thanks, Faouzia! I think you will really enjoy it. Almost finished with the 2nd book, and am enjoying it. It's not as good as the first, but I really like it.
Good luck
You're off to a great start! I may have to add The Rook to the TBR.
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Thanks, Carolien. Yeah, it is pretty good. ☺️
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4.5 Stars
Sorry, not Sorry
In this 2nd installment of the Checquy Files; we are in the throes of an uneasy alliance. The Checquy and Grafters have decided to join forces. After a centuries-long feud, what could go wrong?? Secrets and those that wish for mayhem and misinformation to stop this merging of worlds.
I really enjoyed this and giggled quite a few times at the acrimonious relationships & dialogue between the Grafters and Checquy.
Sorry, not Sorry
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4.5 Stars
Sorry, not Sorry
In this 2nd installment of the Checquy Files; we are in the throes of an uneasy alliance. The Checqu..."
Dang! I've got to read the 1st book!
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Yes; yes, you do. I do hope that you enjoy it when you do, Bill. :)
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4 Stars
Dr Brockton gets a two-fer, and it does not end well. 2 cases, both tragic; maybe it's the town? Whatever it is, everyone comes out traumatized, but with much-needed answers and "closure?" Sort of.
Great read
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4 Stars
Dr Brockton gets a two-fer, and it does not end well. 2 cases, both tragic; maybe it's the town? Whatever it is,..."
I'll have to try and catch up with this series this year. Dresden first, Grafton next, then we'll see. :)
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That sounds like a good plan, Bill. You can't go wrong with any of them.
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4.5 Stars
We're close; oh, so close. Close to Dead of Night. Close to the end of everything. You can almost sense it coming, like a thunderstorm. That tingle in the air that causes goosebumps.
This entry is less about the dogs, then about the madness behind them. Every day of your life is filled with hate. Then when the hate is thrown back in your face, you seek redemption. There is no redemption when your goal is pain and suffering. Unless, you are the devil himself.
Alondra wrote: "Completed: Dogs of War4.5 Stars
We're close; oh, so close. Close to Dead of Night. Close to the end of everything. You can almos..."
Nooooooooooo not close to the end wahhhhhhhhhhhhh
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4.5 Stars
We're close; oh, so close. Close to Dead of Night. Close to the end of everythin..."
Yes. It's the last book, sort of; then it branches off into Rogue Team Int'l, which starts with Rage. Of course, Joe is in Rot & Ruin and is a huge cult hero, with a playing card and everything. Highly recommended series. Every book is good. Rot & Ruin
There are a bunch of anthologies and stuff; but it's the end of the Joe, Top and Bunny era. Not sure what characters transfer to the new series.
Alondra wrote: "Completed: Stiletto4.5 Stars
Sorry, not Sorry
In this 2nd installment of the Checquy Files; we are in the throes of an uneasy alliance. The Checqu..."
No idea how I missed both your reread of The Rook and then Stiletto. Yay! I'm glad you loved them both. Now I'm dying to see what you think of Blitz
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I really want to read it. I loved the 2nd book, and getting to know a different side of the same coin (basically), with the grafters. LOL
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5 Shoggoth Stars
I love when there are tales within a main story. A little magical realism, secrets, portals to places unknown, and good old every-day racism.
1954 and a black Korean war vet is just helping his uncle George find safe traveling for "negroes." The fact that science fiction, dark fantasy and magical realism are the "norm" for our black antagonists, is a breath of fresh air.
The pacing is consistent and each story is a just thread woven into the larger fabric of time, space and yes, the continuum. 😩😩🤦🏾. Anywho, you know what I mean. 😂
Highly recommended
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4 Stars
*sigh*
Reading this, knowing what will happen in the Joe Ledger series (RTI series); is melancholy at best. Even with all of the action; you know its the end. Of course, with Joe Ledger, it is never really the end. His presence is so steadying in all of the novels; even when you think he's been bested. He rises again. Sometimes its with a new team, new dog; but the same old Joe.
Of course, in this particular series, we have Dez Fox as the main antagonist. No matter how far we get into the books, I do not like her. At some point, yeah, I guess she means well; but she is a wreck of a human being. At her best, she is no Joe Ledger.
This is an in-betweener, and I need more from this series. Regardless of not liking the MC; this story fills in the gaps between Joe and the Rot & Ruin series. It gives us info as to what happened the night it all ended.
Highly recommended
p.s. This is a dual novella. The work of another author w/no association to Dead of Night series is on the backside, and that work was not a part of this review.
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5 Shoggoth Stars
I love when there are tales within a main story. A little magical realism, secrets, portals t..."
Glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading it too.
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You will definitely enjoy it, Bill. Though, not much Cthulhu, but mostly the dastardly deeds associated with it.
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4.5 Stars
This was a perfect ghost story and I loved every inch of this book.... except for the end. Viv deserved much better. She deserved justice. No one listened or cared enough; not even her own niece. That end had me livid. That was not okay.
Whatever. Just my opinion. Highly recommended.
Alondra wrote: "Completed: The Sun Down Motel4.5 Stars
This was a perfect ghost story and I loved every inch of this book.... except for the end. Viv des..."
I enjoyed The Book of Cold Cases bySimone St. James. Your review makes me think it is time to try this author again.
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That is my next one from her that I must read!! I was engaged the entire time I read this.
It just might be time for you to visit her again. LOL
You've read some good books lately.Joe Ledger never disappoints, and I'm waiting for #3 in the Rogue Team International series, supposedly due to come out in Aug.
I have to try Rot & Ruin
Glad you liked The Sun Down Motel. It's the only book by Simone St. James I've read so far, but hope to read more.
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Joe Ledger never disappoints, and I'm waiting for #3 in the Rogue Team International series, supposedly due to come out in Aug.
I have to try Rot & Ruin. It's on my list of books to find.
You will definitely need to read Rot & Ruin; but you can wait until after RTI; then start reading Dead of Night series. Joe is in everything; and you will see how it all ties in together.
Not sure how me and Veronica got hooked on this series; but we were hooked from book 1. I think Ghost Road Blues started the madness
Alondra wrote: "Completed: The Sun Down Motel4.5 Stars
This was a perfect ghost story and I loved every inch of this book.... except for the end. Viv des..."
Wasn’t it such a great read? Read it last year, fell for her storytelling and promptly added several of her books to my tbr list. Enjoyed The Book of Cold Cases earlier this year. Next one I’d like to pick up is The Broken Girls
Michelle wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Completed: The Sun Down Motel4.5 Stars
This was a perfect ghost story and I loved every inch of this book.... except for ..."
I have enjoyed most of St. James's books. Loved The Broken Girls & earlier ones that are more historical (well, not more historical; just earlier in time), were great on audio. (I know you don't do audio, but so many people read your posts, thought I'd throw that out there).
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Terror (other topics)Lovecraft Country (other topics)
Stiletto (other topics)
The Sun Down Motel (other topics)
Stiletto (other topics)
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I think I may read an alternate for every series I complete or make progress in; like a treat. I am rereading The Rook now.