SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R23: Team #4 ~ 4Ever LitWits
SOS R23 Bingo ~ Team #4 ~ 4Ever LitWits Shelf #2: 4May: May Day ~ 2/23 Complete ~ Stamp Requested
Suzanne - The Will of the Many by James Islington 5/13/2023 ★★★★★ Review
Lis - Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire 5/9/2023 ★★★★☆ Review
Love it!! Sorry, been under the weather with horrible allergies. I am almost done with my first title. Should be done by tonight.Hope everyone is doing great! :)
R23: Completion Post ~ Shelf #1 ~ Detective(s)
Title/Author: Phantom Evil by Heather Graham
Series: Krewe of Hunters #1
Date Read: 5/2/2023
Shelf: Detective(s)
Pages: 363
Rating: ★★★1/2☆
Review: The detectives in this story have been pulled together into a secret government unit for paranormal investigations, because of their gifts. The team members have backgrounds in law enforcement or similar experience. The leader of the group, Jackson Crow recently lost a few members of his previous team and is going through some personal issues while building this new team of investigators. They have been called to the French Quarter when a senator's wife falls to her death from their historic mansion. The main officer and Jackson's love interest is Angela Hawkins, who has the "sees dead people" gift.
The good: Always love books set in N'awlins and this one had all the expected ingredients - voodoo priestess, ghosts, a serial killer, mystery, cult, crazy religious sect, powerful men, etc. Good storyline.
The not so good: I was excited to find a new series, then I noticed it already has almost 40 books plus another 40+ short stories, yikes! The plot twists were a little predictable at times, then it went sideways and all over so there was no real direction, just had to enjoy the ride!
Overall a good start to a series. Little Criminal Minds meets ghostbusters with a little scooby doo thrown in... I listened to this in audio and it was good for the most part except when the male narrator struggled with female voices and sounded a little drag queenish. I will probably continue with this series.
R23: Free Space ~ Selection Post 
When He's Ruthless by Suzanne Wright
How it fits: #3 Group Bookshelf
Pages: 249
Elle wrote: "I need to post my review here?"Ima just go for it :)
R23: Completion Post ~ Shelf #1 ~ Detective(s)Title/Author: Blood Truth by JR Ward
Series Black Dagger Legacy #4
Date Read: 5/2
Shelf: Detective
Pages 400
Rating: ★★★★
As the 4th book in the Black Dagger Legacy series, the war with the lessening society rages and the danger has amped up with the added difficulties faced by a new breed of Lesser. However, something else has the trainees on edge, a serial killer that is so difficult to pin down, it has the Brothers pointing fingers at one of their own. Caught smack dab in the middle are new trainee Boone who happens to be a member of the elite glymera and quiet and shy civilian member of the race Helainia who come from different parts of the vampire world. They bond through grief but discover so much more. Butch, of the Black Dagger Brotherhood heads the investigation into the brutal murders and together with Boone and Helania, they all realize family can be found in those who have your back.
What I loved about this book was the inclusion of the Black Dagger Brotherhood into the Boone and Helania's story. Adding everyone's favorite southie detective turned Black Dagger Brother as a prominent part of the story, made the book for me.
What I didn't love about this book was that I didn't get closure with one of the characters at the end.
The Black Dagger Brotherhood et all is one of my DropEverythingAndRead series. That hasn't changed
Random questions - part 2 ;)1. How do I conclude a pic of the book in my review
2. I'm still a little confused on the shelves. where can I pick my free space from. It needs to be on one of the existing shelves right?
So can I pull from one of the cozy mystery shelves?
Review is perfectAt the top left of the comments box there is a green link “add book/author”. If you click that link you can search for your book. At the bottom left of that menu you will see the add “link” or “cover “ options.
If you want to add it to your review you can always edit your post by clicking the “edit link on the bottom right.
Your free shelf rules are here:https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
1- past Book of the month list
2- best of shelves - the links are there for UF, PNR, etc
3- SOS group shelf: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
Also if you want to get a little fancy and Bold text or other formatting italics, underline, hide spoilers, etc. you can click on the html guide link “(some html is ok), also in the top right of the comments box.
R23: Free Space ~ Selection Post
American Demon by Kim Harrison
How it fits: 2- best of shelves - UF #29
Pages: 475
Lis wrote: "Review is perfectAt the top left of the comments box there is a green link “add book/author”. If you click that link you can search for your book. At the bottom left of that menu you will see the..."
appreciate all the help! ;)
Elle wrote: "appreciate all the help;)..."You got this!! Bingo pro by round 2!! 😝
Elle wrote: "R23: Free Space ~ Selection PostAmerican Demon by Kim Harrison"
That’s another good one! So happy she started writing in the Rachel world again!!
Reading the Olympus pride series and the shifter species are cracking me up…. Being a visual person, I needed to see what the heck a tough and sassy Bush Dog (11-18 lbs and 22-30 inches long) looked like along with the big bad Pallas cat alpha (6-10 lbs and 18-26 inches long)… They are supposedly so bad a$$, kind of cracks me up…
Sorry… it only took me almost 1/2 hour to get the pics to work… I’m so image challenged 😩
Lis wrote: "Reading the Olympus pride series and the shifter species are cracking me up…. Being a visual person, I needed to see what the heck a tough and sassy Bush Dog (11-18 lbs and 22-30 inches long) looke..."lolol. Was it everything you hoped for?
I LOVE the pictures - that puts everything into perspective.I will finish my book tomorrow morning- I've been staying with my dad since Monday - I listened to 65% on the drive down, but he's been sick and I needed to stay a day longer, so...tomorrow I'll finish (I can't really listen while I'm here).
Free Space Selection Post
Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock # 13
How it fits: #47 on the SOS UF series shelf
R23: Completion Post ~ Shelf #1 ~ Detective(s)
Title/Author: Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
Series: Rivers of London #4
Date Read: 5/4/2023
Shelf: Detective(s)
Pages: 357
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I think this one was my favorite book in the series so far. I enjoyed the previous ones but kind of lost interest in each before I reached the last part. I was fully invested in this one all the way through the finale! I don't think it was as funny as some of the previous books, but that's ok.
In this one, Peter is trying to track down the Faceless Man and when clues lead to a strange housing development, Peter and Leslie move in undercover to investigate. Nightingale wasn't a huge part of the book, but it was absolutely fun to watch him finally unleash his magical skill. The elementals weren't a huge part of this book, but they were still important, mysterious, and I loved seeing them. Hopefully I won't wait as long before I get to book #5 in the series (which I almost accidentally read for this prompt, and that would have been bad)!
Shelf Announcement ~ #2 ~ 4 May: May DayDIRECT LINK(s) ~ book released in May of any year; character, title or series name contains "May"; author first or last name begins with M or D
May the 4th
Yay LitWits!! Our Detective shelf stamp has been requested!!
Lis, can you please add your team number/name to your Captain's Log :)
Sandra wrote: "Lis, can you please add your team number/name to your Captain's Log :)"Updated. Sorry, I received a crazy pink screen error with my first attempt Didn’t realize I missed details on try 2.
Suzanne wrote: "Oh I hate those pink error screens"Same, I haven't really seen too many. Problem is I'm entering information by phone. I just need to move to the desktop...
I don't attempt GR & the phone unless I'm looking up a book.The pink screen of death happens to me a lot when I leave tabs open & sometimes when I just open them as well.
R23: Shelf #2: May Day ~ Selection Post
Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire
How it fits? "Day"e in the series title & Author last name that begins with "M"
R23: Shelf #2: May Day ~ Selection Post
The Will of the Many by James Islington
How it fits: Published May 23, 2023 (I have a copy from Netgalley & confirmed the date on Amazon)
Note 1: If that doesn't work because of future publication date, let me know and I'll choose another option.
Note 2: It is almost 700 pages, and I'm travelling and will be w/o internet Wednesday - Saturday so I won't check it in until after the next call. If that's not ok, let me know and I'll find a shorter book.
Suzanne, generally, we prefer books that are available for everyone to read, however, as the book is to be published in just over 2 weeks time, I'm comfortable with that.
R23: Shelf #2: May Day ~ Selection Post
How it fits? Author first name that begins with "M".
Also, I should finish my free space choice by tomorrow. It's chunkier than I thought :\
CONGRATULATIONS, 4Ever Litwits!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'detective'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Steph wrote: "CONGRATULATIONS, 4Ever Litwits!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'detective'."
Thanks!! Love the stamp!! :)
Welcome :) Thanks!
Congratulations on the stamp Wits!
Hooray for the stamp! My free space book was on audio, same as the detective book. So I started it a bit late. I'm more than half done now though, and should finish Sunday (at a guess).
R23: Shelf ~Free Space ~ Completion Post
Title/Author: When He's Ruthless by Suzanne Wright
Series: The Olympus Pride #4
Date Read: 5/6/2023
Shelf: FREE SPACE
Pages: 247
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review: This book involves the pack’s Alpha, Luke Deveraux a Pallas cat shifter that discovered his mate when she was 12 years old. He has been patiently waiting for Blair to reach a mature age to mate her despite Blair’s bush dog parent’s protests over the years. There is conflict with a member of Luke’s pack that feels she should be beta, conflict with Blair’s mom who has tried to derail this mating for years, and conflict with an unknown shifter who has also laid claim to Blair and is willing to leave a murder on her doorstep to show her his devotion.
The good: I like snark, I like snarky shifters, and I like a variety of shifters besides the usual wolves and big cats. This was written in the usual style of SW books in these cross related series.
The not so good: Too many darn characters to keep up with especially when a period of time has passed since the last reading round. It gets so confusing… a few are memorable and crossovers which helps.
Overall, I enjoy these related series, they are good listens in audio format. If you are squeamish with nonchalant murder of shifters and humans that oppose shifters, and the wolverine uncle’s that are the cleanup crew. Ewww! This is probably not a good series. If you like the snarky, shifter violence with a dose of inappropriate humor, then you should also take Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series for a spin.
R23: Shelf ~Free Space ~ Completion Post
Title/Author: Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock #13
Date Read: 5/6/2023
Shelf: FREE SPACE
Pages: 384
How it fits: #47 on the SOS UF shelf
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
It's hard to review book 13 in a series without spoilers, but I'll do my best! After the events of the last book, Jane has left New Orleans with her best friends, and living in a place that is at least a bit safer for her to recover. But, of course, horrible things start happening.
What I've liked the most about this series is that the characters have really progressed - some have formed strong bonds, some have betrayed and broken oaths, and some are pretty broken. I think the series is coming to an and in another two books, and at this rate, it is going out VERY strong!
Suzanne nice summary - I have been doing the SOS Jane Yellowrock re-read and it definitely shines the second time too. The perspective is completely different when you know what is going to play out... I am really going to miss this series and so happy that FH has an Angie Baby spinoff planned...
Oh neat - I didn't know that - but I LOVE Angie so that is very happy news.
R23: Shelf #2 ~ May Day ~ Completion Post
Title/Author: Ashes of Honor by Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #6
Date Read: 5/9/2023
Shelf: #2 May Day
Pages: 363
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: This happens a year after she suffered a very special loss. October "Toby" Daye is living with Quentin, her squire and May, her fetch turned twin in a new house. She is hired by Etienne to locate a missing changeling teenager, and surprise! his daughter... She is a teleporter with super strength and no control, creating a threat to their worlds.
The good: I like being back in October's Bay/Fae world. Get a glimpse of most of the cast throughout the book. Funniest moment was her surprise visit to Luidaeg's home. I found it hilarious...
And Tybalt, always love time spent with the King of Cats! and the drama that unfolds with him...
The not so good: There really wasn't anything I didn't care for with this one. If I had to pick something, it would have been a little more Luidaeg added to the story, and maybe a little less bodily damage to Toby.
Overall another nice edition to the October Daye series. My oops, somehow I jumped over this book and have already read the next two, not quite sure how I managed that, but I am happy that I got to see Toby and Tybalt together. Listened in audio and this is a good series for audiobooking!
R23: Announcement ~ Shelf #3 ~ 11 May: Cozy Mystery ~ DIRECT LINK(s): Cozy Mystery: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
SOS' Mystery & Suspense: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...
R23: Shelf #2: May Day ~ Completion Post
The Will of the Many by James Islington
How it fits: Published May 23, 2023
Date Read: 5/13/2023
Pages 688
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This is my favorite book of the year so far. I absolutely loved this book - it has been a long time since I've read a fantasy book that is involving on so many levels! The issues presented are complex, with no clear "correct" choice. The characters are multi-dimensional and involving - and the issues of trust, loyalty, friendship and ambition are all portrayed so well. The magic system (at least so far) is interesting, especially given the moral dilemmas it presents. I'm extremely sad to be done.
I'm going to read Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust for the cozy mystery shelf. cosy-mystery is on page one of tags (and is a mpg).
Moved to 100
SOS R23 Bingo ~ Shelf #3: Cozy Mystery ~ Selection Post
I am going to read: Hungry Like the Wolf by Paige Tyler
How it fits? Found it on the SOS' Mystery & Suspense shelf
316 pages
Had some difficulties finding a book for this shelf... I never had this happen, but there was not one single book on the first 10 pages, and only 2 on the first 20 pages. Neither were ones I owned in audio, so I just grabbed one off of the SOS shelf. So I did buy one, instead of using my own this shelf. So far so good.
Shelf #3: Cozy Mystery - Completion Post 
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley
How it fits: MPG Cozy Mystery
320 Pages
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Sadly I'd JUST read a couple of cozies before this one, and I hated having so many in a row. But happily, I have a lot of cozy mysteries.
Delilah is a perfectionist chef who started a deep-dish pizza restaurant at a resort town in Wisconsin. She is working on an entry for a "taste of Wisconsin" contest, and also (of course) comes across a murder. I feel like with most cozies you kind of know what to expect, and this fit the formula. But the characters were good and there were some surprises.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
V. Castro (other topics)Jayne Ann Krentz (other topics)
V. Castro (other topics)
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Shelf: FREE SPACE ~ 2/2 Complete ~ Stamp Requested
Suzanne - Shattered Bonds by Faith Hunter 5/6/2023 ★★★★1/2 Review
Lis - When He's Ruthless by Suzanne Wright 5/7/2023 ★★★☆☆ Review