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R14: SS Team 8 - Never Ending Story
message 101:
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Suzanne
(new)
Feb 24, 2023 05:25PM
Thanks for the heads up! I hope you have a WONDERFUL week Logan!
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Thank you! I'm SO excited! I just love spending time with long distance family.
Completion Post - Week 5Spot: 33
Conflict in Little Leaf Creek by Cindy Bell
Date Read: 2/26
Rating: 3*
How It Fits: #3 Little Leaf Creek
Review
This was a nice quick cozy. Cassie who has recently moved to little creek is struggling to fit in and is trying to get a Thanksgiving dinner together for her neighbours and friends. When she goes to a local orchard she comes across the body of the current owner and soon becomes involved in trying to find out who murdered him. There are some decent characters in this book and a blooming romance between Cassie and the handyman Sebastian. Although a love triangle may be in play as the local detective Oliver is also vying for Cassie’s attention. A good story and plot, it wasn’t until the last couple of chapters that I worked who had killed James and why.
Completion Post- Week 5Spot: 33
The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Earthsea Cycle #3
Review: Third story of Ged Sparrowhawk, now an old man and Archmage when he is approached by a young prince with a message of magic's end. The wizards in many lands are losing their magic, forgetting the words and their true meanings. Sparrowhawk and Prince Arren embark on a quest using Ged's old boat to find the source of the void of magic. They find communities that have given up life and the joys of life in an attempt for immortality leading to those from Sparrowhawk's past. Even the dragons are concerned and affected.
I enjoyed the quest with Sparrowhawk back to sea learning from new places and people and of course the dragons. It is a very thoughtful book looking at the necessity of death to make life more rewarding. Following strict rules and losing magic in an attempt of life after death is not really living.
@Logan, have a fantastic week with family!! My brother and his kiddos live across the country so I also always want to drop everything when I visit. I'm also traveling this week but for work. I will be on a different time zone for the month but it shouldn't disrupt my reading or posts. Digital book borrows from the library are such game changer.
I agree - I LOVE how possible it is to easily to get (most) books.
I downloaded The Maid's Diary from Kindle First Reads for this week with water on the cover and it's so good. I am 66% done and hope I can steal enough time to finish it today because I need to know how it ends!
Completion PostWeek 5
Spot 33
Alternate: Water on cover
The Maid's Diary
How it fits: water in the pool on the cover
Date read: 3/2/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
What a wild ride! I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars, but rounded down. There were lots of red herrings but I felt some of the actual answers were revealed either too early or too late. I enjoyed the large cast and different perspectives. The diary chapters both shed more light and also left us with questions too. The most fun for me was the slow unraveling to the final crime details after so much speculation. Highly recommended for domestic suspense fans!
Completion post 5 ( week 5 Friday ) ( previous spot 28 )Rolled 33
Read ( Feb 28- Mar 2 )
Rated 5 stars
Book:
( third in tne Dark Carvan series )Pages 608
Review:
It was finally amazing to be in Arjinna after being in "Exquisite captive" which took place in dark and sexy Los Angles and "Blood Passage" which took place in the stunning beauty of the Moroccan desert.i was finally happy to be swept away to the magical land of Arjinna that i'd heard so much about from the pervious book. Demertious has created an enchanting and mysterious land that allowed me to really immerse myself in the myth and legend of the world.
One point earned for reading a book with 500 pages
Team 8 - Never Ending StoryTracking Post
Week 5 - Spot 33
Alternate - Cover Item: Water
Jen K - Review
Joeera - Review
Logan - Review
Louise - Review
Suzanne - Review
**Free pass earned: 1**
New Bonus Point earned : Read a book with > 500 pagesJoeera's Long Book
(Note: Actually earned last week and I missed it in her post)
Bonus Points Earned so far: 3 (counting the one above) -
(view spoiler)
Remaining
(view spoiler)
Completion Post- Week 5Spot: 33
Book: Fugitive's Vow by Gail Z. Martin
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: Assassins of Landria #3
Review: Well...I probably wouldn't have kept reading this series (at least not all back to back) if it hadn't been for this challenge. So I guess that the challenge is good because it scratches my completionist itch. I'm glad it's only 4 books long though!
I like the idea behind the series - short books that still tell an epic fantasy. And I think that goal is basically met. However, there is a lot of repetition and repeated information, and it's annoying - especially when I'm reading them so close together.
I do like the main characters. In this book one of them is captured and tortured, and I suppose they make a little progress on the overall story arc. But it is probably my least favorite of the series so far.
My favorite part was that Ridge when hiding out on a farm named all the chickens, goats, etc.
New Roll: 5 + 3 = 8New Spot: 41
#1, 4, or 41 in series
Alternate task:
41. Cover: Black
Great roll! I think I'm going to do a stand-alone since it is due back to the library next week.
Oh I just got that book - I am excited to read your review!I'm going to do my #4 in series - lol and I discovered #5 in series was just published last week /cry. Oh well - it's not bad other than being super repetitive about past events.
Oh no!! Well, at least you will be very caught up in the series.
Completion Post - Week 6Spot: 41
If She Hid by Blake Pierce
Date Read: 3/5
How It Fits: #4 Kate Wise Mysteries
Rating: 4*
Review
This was better than the previous books in the series probably down to there being less focus on Kate’s age and more focus on the mystery. Kate is called in to solve the murder of a couple and the disappearance of their 15 year old daughter. She is teamed up once again with De Marco and together they uncover secrets that eventually lead them to solving the murder and disappearance, not before Kate puts herself in danger again.
Completion Post - Week 6 Spot: 41
Book: Exile's Quest by Gail Z. Martin
Date Read: 3/6/2023
How it fits: #4 Assassins of Landria
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I liked this one better than book 3. But honestly, I was hoping this series was done then discovered there's a book 5 published last month. So looks like I'll be reading that soon!
The plot did progress this time a little bit and some important discoveries were made. But I bet at least 25% of the book (at various times) recapped what happened in the last book, which wasn't helpful when I read it last week :)
Some of the things I like: the incorporation of ghosts and the ways they help and the monastary hidden in time.
Team 8 - Never Ending StoryTracking Post
Week 6 - Spot 41
Alternate - Cover Black
Jen K - Review
Joeera - Review
Logan - Review
Louise - Review
Suzanne - Review
**Free pass earned: 1**
New Bonus Point earned : Read a book with > 500 pagesJoeera's Long Book
(Note: Actually earned last week and I missed it in her post)
Bonus Points Earned so far: 3 (counting the one above) -
(view spoiler)
Remaining
(view spoiler)
Hi team! Wow the week has gone by quickly! Just a reminder to get those books finished/reviews in. I'm sure you already know that, but now I've done my official duty :)
I'm almost done with mine and can't wait to finish! Stayed up way too late last night reading, and it's nonfiction so that's really saying something!
Sorry, I finished a few days ago but work has been mad crazy. I'll do a quickie review to get it in.
Completion Post- Week 6Spot: 41
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Rating: 4 stars
Date Read: 6 March 2023
How it fits: Stand Alone
Review: Marcellus is a giant Pacific Ocean octopus who was moved to the Sowell Bay aquarium when found injured. As the sign outside of his tank says, is a remarkably bright thing and finds the humans around him a bit less bright. After bonding with Tova who cleans the aquarium at night and turns her back on his escapades, he tries to return the favor to help her. Tova is a recent but older widow, doing her best having lost her only child decades ago and trying to deal with growing older alone.
Sowell Bay is a great community with fun characters. Your heart goes out to Tova and Marcellus. The "mystery"/ ending is fairly obvious from the start. I wonder if it is intentional to take away the anxiety and allow the reader to just sit back and enjoy a lovely story about making connections, making your own family of your community including a giant octopus.
Completion post 6 ( week 6 Friday ) previous spot 33 )Rolled 41
Read ( Mar 3-4 )
Rated 5 stars
Book:
( fourth book in the Macgreory: highland heirs series.Pages:384
Review:
I was totally spellbound from the beginning of this exciting story. The book was filled with things like: mishief, humor, diceit jealousy, death, and sacrifice. The stunning characters will have you caught up in their story and you feel as if you are living it with the
Last book i read had 602 pages
Thanks Joeera - I'll put that in for another bonus point.
I'm likely going to bed earlier than check-in tonight. I'll roll first thing in the morning - or if someone is on after check-in time and wants to roll first, that's fine (if we have Logan's review).Fingers crossed for a good roll! Although they are all good :)
Completion Post - Week 6Spot 41
Alternate: Cover Black
The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear
Date Read: 3/9/23
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Majority of cover is black
Review:
I learned SO much from this book! Elizabeth Packard was a truly admirable warrior for women and especially the mentally ill. She was way ahead of her time and fought against very powerful men to give women a chance to be more than property to their husbands.
I found the narrative really engaging and well researched. The only reason it's not a 5 star read for me is that some of the middle bits when she first is living in the asylum dragged some and felt repetitive. It picked up again once she got out and then roared on to a satisfying finish.
Great book!
Previous Spot: 41New Roll: 3 + 3 = 6
New Spot: 47
#4, 7 or 47 in series
Alternate task:
47. Title has a subtitle
That sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for rolling Logan!
Great! I'm going to read Size 12 and Ready to Rock which is #4 in the Heather Wells. It will be nice to get back to the series and I need something light and fun.
I'm tackling Babel by RF Kuang this week. Spending most of today reading and so far it's pretty good!
Completion Post - Week 7Spot 47
Alternate: Title has a subtitle
Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
Date Read: 3/12/23
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: Subtitle "An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution"
Review:
This book is very hard to rate so I went for the middle ground of 3 stars.
Pros: I loved learning about linguistics, the setting was cool, and the characters are super engaging.
Cons: Way too long, no conflict or tension until the last hundred pages, meandering plot.
It's definitely more alternative history than fantasy, but the fantasy element of the silverworking and its interplay with language was a cool concept. I enjoyed the world and characters, but the story drags for the majority of the book. I switched to audio partway through to finish because I needed some way to keep my attention.
However even in the boring parts I still enjoyed the story. I just couldn't tell where it was going because there is soooo much setup to get Robin to Babel and then only after walking us through 3 years of studies do we start to unpack the colonialism and rebellion that fuels the rest of the story. Kuang needed some firmer guidance from her editor to get this where it needed to be.
I enjoyed the book and I'm glad I read it. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction, magical realism, and character-driven stories will enjoy this. The growth of Robin from naive foster child in a strange land to political activist and revolutionary is really interesting to watch unfold, but it can be a slog to actually get there.
Interesting review Logan! I've really wondered about that book, and it was neat to learn more about it.
Completion Post - Week 7Space: 47
Dirty Martini by J.A. Konrath
Date Read: 3/15
Rating: 3*
How It Fits: #4 Jack Daniels Mystery
Review
This is the 4th in the Jack Daniels mystery which sees Jack on the trail of a ruthless poisoner who is targeting the city apparently at random. This is a good series with light hearted moments amongst the graphic description and fast pace of the novel. Can’t wait to read more of Jack’s escapade and her developing relationship with her father
Completion Post- Week 7Spot: 47
Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot
Rating: 3 stars
Date Read: 15 March 2023
How it fits: Heather Wells #4
Another fluffy escape to NYC with Heather. It's the summer and the now nicknamed Death Dorm is mostly closed down for renovations until Tania, the girl who Heather's ex cheated on her with and then married, decided after some deadly threats to hold her teen reality show Rock Camp at Heather's dorm. With Heather within the danger zone of Tania, Cooper signs on to support as security.
The concept was fun with the bratty teens and some progress on the family/ relationship status front. I enjoy Heather and Cooper's interactions and look forward to the next one in the series.
Completion post 7 ( week 7 Friday ) ( previous spot 41 )Rolled 47
Read ( Mar 12-13 )
Rated 5 stars
Book:
( fourth book in the immortal Guardians series )Review:
This is a absolutely incredible and fascinating world that Duvall has created. It was filled with breathing taking action, hot and steamy romance, awesome characters and a brilliantly devised plot. The supernatural power play is a big part of this series and that is what makes this so intriguing.
Team 8 - Never Ending StoryTracking Post
Week 7 - Spot 47
Alternate - Title has a Subtitle
Jen K - Review
Joeera - Review
Logan - Review
Louise - Review
Suzanne - Review
**Free pass earned: 1**
Bonus Points Earned so far: 3 -
(view spoiler)
Remaining
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Completion Post- Week 7Spot: 47
Darkest Before the Dawn by Mike Martin
Rating: 4 stars
Date Read: 16 March 2023
How it fits: Sgt. Windflower Mysteries #7
Review: So this is the first book I've read of this series - and I really liked it - I'm sure I'll go pick up the previous ones. It felt KIND of like a cozy mystery - there are great characters and friendships, lots of good food, and nothing was too graphic. But the characters weren't nearly as silly as in some cozies, and some of the topics were more series.
The main character is Winston Windflower, a Canadian Mountie who heads up the police force in the tiny town of Grand Bank, Newfoundland. He's native American, religious, loves to cook and eat, and dotes on his wife and newborn baby. I absolutely loved him.
There are a couple of murders to solve, and there's also some trouble with depression and suicidal thoughts with the teenagers and some of the older men. I thought that the emotional issues were handled really well. I also really liked the setting with the local food and lingo well described.
I'm glad for this challenge because it encouraged me to pick up this book.
New Roll: 6 + 4 = 10New spot: 57
#5 in series, #7 in series, #57 in series
Alternate: Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Nice roll!! Since work is still on overload. I'm picking another easy one but also one of my few #5's, Witch is When The Bubble Burst. I actually have some good options for #7 but I'll wait for the 70's.
Completion PostSpace: 57
Fuzzy Navel by J.A. Konrath
Date Read: 3/18
Rating: 5*
How It Fits: #5 Jack Daniels Mystery
Review
This is the 5th in the Jack Daniels mystery series which starts off with Jack at the scene of a sniper shooting. This quickly progresses into Jack fighting for her survival and that of her mother and fiancé when not only does a lone criminal from her past hunt her down but also the sniper group that she is tracking. Both parties want Jack dead and she has to use her wits to keep herself and those that she loves alive. This fast paced thriller is peppered with humorous scenes that adds a little light relief to the intensity of the action. However despite Jack’s efforts the the killer escapes and kills one of Jack’s loved ones but their identity is not revealed. Next in the series is queued up and ready to go.
Completion Post- Week 8Spot: 57
Witch is When The Bubble Burst by Adele Abbott
Rating: 3 stars
Date Read: 19 March 2023
How it fits: A Witch PI Mystery #5
Adopted as a child, Jill learns as an adult that her birth family is a family of powerful witches. She balances life in both human and supernatural worlds visiting between the two towns complete with a pet and somewhat boyfriend potential in both places. Jill is also a PI solving cases between sorting out issues in her personal/ family life. In this one, a young woman from a wealthy family is kidnapped triggering conflict between Jack and Jill. Winky gets online with a new smartphone and the twins face deal with a competitor moving in next door.
There is much more that happened and that is my continued complaint of the series. There are so many shallow storylines and I wish there were fewer with more thought into the actual resolving. Also while I enjoy good snark, the humor is a bit too mean spirited and petty for my taste. I always say that I'm going to stop reading the series but I do enjoy some parts and end up trying again.
Completion PostSpace: 57
Book: Outlaw's Vengeance
Author: Gail Z. Martin
Date Read: 3/23
Rating: 3.5*
How It Fits: #5 Assassins of Landria Series
Note: I have now read the entire series for this challenge (bonus point)
Review
So looks like this is never ending - there's always another witch to conquer but they never get to the primary big bad. However, it did make more progress than the two stories before.
In this one a land witch is sending vicious plants and killing all living things in various towns. The team also has to figure out how to get the monks and future king out of time.
I do like some of the magic and I really like the use of ghosts. But I won't continue the series next year when the next book is released.
Completion post 8 week 8 Friday ) ( previous spot 47 )Rolled 57
Read ( Mar 21-22 )
Reated 5 stars
Book:
( #7 immortal Guardians series)Pages 611
Review:
Blade of Darkness hit all the right notes for me i loved it. Everything was outstandingly vivid such as: characterization, dangerous dynamics, humorous banter, znd swoon worthy sexy times. This was a hot action packed paranormal urban fantasy thathad romance and a lot of twist and turns.
Team 8 - Never Ending StoryTracking Post
Week 8 - Spot 57
Alternate - Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Jen K - Review
Joeera - Review
Logan - Review
Louise - Review
Suzanne - Review
**Free pass earned: 1**
Bonus Point earned this week: Starting and Finishing a series
Earned by Suzanne for Assassins of Landria. Links to reviews:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Past Bonus Points Earned: 3 -
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Remaining
(view spoiler)
Completion Post Week 8Spot 57
Alternate: Seasonal Theme
The Day of the Duchess
Finished: 3/23/23
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Takes place over the summer as stated in the book description
Review:
I love Sarah MacLean so much. Her characters have just the right amount of sass and bawdy natures to liven up the story. Sera is a woman of many talents and I enjoyed seeing so many different sides of her. The love story was fun and unique, but I did feel it leaned too heavily on a lack of communication as the only obstacle they faced. Can't wait for more of Caleb though!
Week 9 RollPrevious Spot: 57
New Roll: 6 + 5 = 11
New Spot: 68
#6, 8 or 68 in series
Alternate task:
68. Author 'I'
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Suzanne wrote: "Completion PostSpace: 57
Book: Outlaw's Vengeance
Author: Gail Z. Martin
Date Read: 3/23
Rating: 3.5*
How It Fits: #5 Ass..."
Nice work getting the series done! Sorry it ended a bit painfully.
Suzanne, it looks like you have me and Louisa switched around in the tracking post. I saw she completed and it was just me so I went ahead and rolled. :)
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