SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R23: Team #5 ~ The Meet-Cute Readers Grim!
Nooooo! My tablet died right before I could post my free space review 😭 No low battery warning?! C'mon, Samsung - you can do better! I guess I'll rewrite it tomorrow ... womp womp🥴
Week 2 ➖ Completion PostShelf ➖ May Day
Book ➖ The Vampire's Mail Order Bride
How it fits ➖ First published May 26, 2015
Pages ➖ 372 pp
Read ➖ 05.13 ★★★★
Review ➖
I really enjoyed this. I wasn't sure what to expect, I've never read Kristen Painter and I had it in my head she wrote more horror. Not sure why but anyway... The love story was pretty much instant and I didn't love that, what I did like was that there was no drawn out angst around the secrets each was keeping from the other. I hate when those things get drawn out becauce of 'fear' the other person 'will no longer want/love me'. So I was happy to see that. I thought the little town of Nocturn Falls was fun and I think I will enjoy getting to know it. I did miss the smexy times - everything was behind closed doors, but the author did a good job with creating chemistry anyway, so I didn't miss it too much :-)
Week 3 ➖ Selection PostShelf ➖ Cozy Mystery
Book ➖ Semi-Psychic Life
How it fits ➖ mpg cozy mystery
Pages ➖ 290 pp
I may end up changing this one. We'll see!
CONGRATULATIONS, Meet-Cute Readers!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
Congratulations on the stamp Cutie Readers!
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post
Shelf: May Day
Book: Into the Drowning Deep
Author: Mira Grant
Series: Rolling in the Deep # 1
How it..."
Oh I love this review! Especially coming off having just read the first October Daye novel. I'm deffo going to check this one out!
Shelf: May DayTitle: Rosemary and Rue, by Seanan McGuire
Date finished: 15th May 2023
Series: October Daye #1
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I don't know what kept me from starting this series all these years ago, but how glad I am that I finally picked it up! I enjoyed everything about this setup:
1. Fae! Different, distinct species of fae, all weird and wonderful and different from humans and each other
2. A sensible heroine who is damaged by life, sharp-witted, a bit cheeky, but mostly sensible
3. Lovable side characters (Lily, Sylvester, Luna, I love you !!!)
4. An engaging plot and intriguing mystery
Oh I loved everything about it!
I even liked that there were a couple of times in the plot characters made decisions so dangerous and stupid (because they were desperate) that I wanted to shake them in anger. It made it a bit more realistic.
All in all, I finished this book a very satisfied reader and am looking forward to more forays into this world
For the Cozy Mystery Shelf, I will read: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Rayburn
# Pages: 339
Location: On the SOS Cozy Mystery Shelf
Completion Post: 
Shelf: Free Space
Book: Ink & Sigil
Author: Kevin Hearne
Series: Ink and Sigil # 1
How it fits: Option 3
Pages: 336
Date Finished: 5/8/23
Rating: ★★★★
Review: In my mind, Kevin Hearne's books belong in one of two categories: Oberon or Not-Oberon. Unfair? Probably, but true nonetheless. Blessedly, Ink and Sigil does contain a chance meeting with my favorite Irish wolfhound - however brief. Simply by including the most loavble hound, my review rating increases by a full star.
Aloysius MacBharrais, you can call him Al, is a Sigil Agent set in the same world as The Iron Druid series. He helps perform some of the tasks that would normally be under Atticus' jurisdiction but were left undone while Atticus was in hiding.
Al receives news that his apprentice, Gordie, is dead. The 7th of his apprentices to die, in fact. When Al makes his way to Gordie's place to retrieve the dead man's inks (in the name of keeping them safe), he discovers that Gordie has been illegally trafficking fae. Al frees a hobgoblin that goes by the name Buck Foi. (As in F*ck Boi 😒 ) Together, they decide to investigate and take down the trafficking ring, a noble endeavor.
There's plenty more lame crudities sprinkled throughout and I feel like either I'm no longer Kevin Hearne's target audience or he's just stopped caring about alienating his readers. I did enjoy Al's secretary, Nadia, immensely but overall this is truly a three star book for me - my lowest rating. It is only because he used the cheap trick of including the mustache appreciating Oberon (that I totally fell for) that gets this book to four stars for me.
I doubt that I will continue this series - but who knows what BINGO might bring in the future ... maybe there will be a hobgoblin category and I'll revisit. Or maybe I'll look back and decide that the bones of the story were actually quite good if I can overlook the teenage boy humor, it might be worth checking out.
Selection Post: 
Week 3: Cozy Mystery
Book: The Vampire Knitting Club
Author: Nancy Warren
Series: The Vampire Knitting Club #1
How it fits: Shelved 155x
Pages: 262
Melissa wrote: "In my mind, Kevin Hearne's books belong in one of two categories: Oberon or Not-Oberon."I agree with that, sad to hear he's descended into teenage boy humour :(
CONGRATULATIONS, Meet-Cute Readers!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'May Day'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congratulations on the stamp Cutie Readers!
Week 3 ➖ Completion PostShelf ➖ Cozy Mystery
Book ➖ Semi-Psychic Life
How it fits ➖ mpg cozy mystery
Pages ➖ 290 pp
Read ➖ 05.17 ★★★★
Review ➖
I like this newish genre of paranormal women's fiction... basically with heroine's who feel more real. Guess cause that's my age now! This is the second in the series focused on the second of a trio of friends. Romance is given a nod but isn't the main focus - the mystery and the development of the heroine are the true focus. I wasn't sure about the mystery in this one, I kept wanting to roll my eyes, but in the end, it worked. I do like how the whole situation helped Val open her mind (and her heart) to being able to live for herself a little and not just for her kids.
Completion Post:
Week 3: Cozy Mystery
Book: The Vampire Knitting Club
Author: Nancy Warren
Series: The Vampire Knitting Club #1
How it fits: Shelved 155x
Pages: 262
Date Finished: 5/17/23
Rating: ★★★★
Review: So ... I stared off this week trying out Arsenic and Adobo but after four days and no motivation to read it, I admitted that maybe it wasn't for me. So, I did a quick search and switched to The Vampire Knitting Club.
"Cozy Mystery" is a hit or miss for me. I never seek out this genre primarily because I associate it with fluff. Which I realized is 100% not cool of me but ... sorry, not sorry. Fluffy Romance? Yes!! Fluffy Mystery? No, thanks, I'm good. Why do I do this?? I guess it's because I need stuff to be happening to stay interested. I want a fast paced, action packed, edge of my seat reading experience. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I actually enjoyed this week's book though. There was a lot of setting stuff up for the rest of the series. I was close but didn't guess the killer, so points for that.
I will probably try the next book in the series to see if it is really something I might like but I imagine if you are into Cozies, this would be your jam.
Melissa wrote: "Completion Post: Week 3: Cozy Mystery
Book: The Vampire Knitting Club
Author: Nancy Warren
Series: The Vampire K..."
I like Nancy Warren's Take a Chance series. Light easy romance with just enough heat to be interesting. I may check out this pnr series - as if I don't have enough to read already!
Selection Post: 
Week 4: Fae
Book: Wickedly Dangerous
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #1
How it fits: Shelved 27x
Pages: 329
I'm working on Oracle's Moon now (my free space) and for whatever reason, not feeling my week 3 selection MacRieve... but will get to it soon-ish. I hope whatever the new call will be, I'll be more excited for it!
Happy Shelf Day!!Week 5: Beware of Bears
Character who is a bear shifter; “Beware” or "Bear" in title; author's first or last name beginning with B
LaurLa wrote: "I'm working on Oracle's Moon now (my free space) and for whatever reason, not feeling my week 3 selection MacRieve... but will get to it soon-ish. I hope whatever the new call will be, I'll be more..."I know what you mean! I have had so much going on this week that it took me a full week to finish my Fae book! I usually read 2 or 3 books a week. And, it wasn't that it was a luke warm book ... just that I wasn't feeling it. I hope this week is better for you!
Also, I really loved Oracle's Moon! I've lived in Kentucky for the last 30ish years and Louisville is a really cool city! I live about an hour and a half away in Northern KY - just outside of Cincinnati, but my best friend lives there and I've spent a zillion weekends in Louisville for volleyball tournaments! They have a really cool music scene, too!
Completion Post:
Week 4: Fae
Book: Wickedly Dangerous
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #1
How it fits: Shelved 27x
Pages: 329
Finished: 5/25/23
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Baba Yaga has come to town. I was looking for John Wick but it turns out she's a bad@ss biker babe!
What I loved:
- Chudo-Yudo - There's a dog? I'm in! That dog is actually a dragon?? Double in!!
- The Riders - Day, Sun, and Knight were the good kind of chaos that I just love! More, please!
- Nina in Dispatch - She reminded me sooo much of Lucy from Twin Peaks. I loved hearing her whisper over the radio like no one else could hear! Lol!!
- Baba's fridge - All of that pie! Also, how tempermental it was ... hilarious!
What wasn't my jam:
- The book was a little dated ... published in 2014, some of the interactions at the police station and with the board showed it's age, but nothing that was so offputting that I would avoid the next in the series.
- The romance between Baba and Liam could have been a little better developed. There was so much distrust for most of the book. Honestly, I would have preferred the romance to be more of a slow burn ... (view spoiler)
Overall, I did enjoy the book even though I had a hard time staying motivated to read this week. The epilogue has me intigued! So, I will likely continue the series.
Selection Post: 
Week 5: Beware of Bears
Book: Polar Bared
Author: Eve Langlais
Series: Kodiak Point #3
How it fits: Character who is a bear shifter
Pages: 256
Hi Melissa and Laurla. Let me apologize for being a poor team member. I will update with my reviews and choices for new shelves later this evening.
i started working in a new hospital and in a department I haven't had anything to do with since my 4th year of school, with a punishing schedule. Between trying to figure out my new commute, new routine, and getting up to date so I don't look like a dunce, I've had no time to update this group. But I have been finding time to read, I promise!
I have a little breathing space now will update as soon as I catch a nap.
Fervent apologies once again.
LJ
Lady Jaye wrote: "Hi Melissa and Laurla. Let me apologize for being a poor team member. I will update with my reviews and choices for new shelves later this evening.
i started working in a new hospital and in a de..."
No worries! Life happens, we all get it! I'm glad things are getting a little better now.
Melissa wrote: "Happy Shelf Day!!Week 5: Beware of Bears
Character who is a bear shifter; “Beware” or "Bear" in title; author's first or last name beginning with B"
I have a bear shifter to read... But it's not enough pages at 176 BOO!! 😥
Ah, but I remember that there are lots of bears in Shelly Laurenston's Honey Badger Chronicles. Yay.
Week 4 ➖ Selection PostShelf ➖ Beware of Bears
Book ➖ Badger to the Bone
How it fits ➖ several bear shifter character
Pages ➖ 416 pp
Shelf: Cozy MysteryTitle: A Curious Beginning, by Deanna Rayburn
Date finished: 23rd May 2023
Series: Veronica Speedwell, #1
Rating: ★★
Review: I didn't enjoy this one.
The writing was good, to be sure, and I wouldn't mind reading more works from Ms Rayburn, but I felt the characterization was sorely lacking; or better yet - I was unimpressed by what characterizations there was.
Veronica, the female lead, was likely written to be uncowed, spunky and adventurous, a confident woman ahead of her time, but I'd describe her as best as tiresome, and at worst, insufferable. Her speech came off as acerbic instead of witty. And the male lead, Stoker, was as empty-headed as they come. And in any case, between all the pontificating and nasty-spirited-masquerading-as-blunt-and-practical speech Veronica was wont to make, there was barely room for Stoker (or anyone else) to speak, and thus display their intellect or inner thoughts.
The plot was also barely there. I know this is fiction, where all things are possible. I also know that real life is stranger than fiction, and more improbable things have happened, but I did not for a scond believe the big reveal of the plot. At all. All in all, not a good read for me.
For the Fae shelf I am reading Book: Ink & Sigil by Kevin Hearne
Series: Ink and Sigil #1
Location: shelved 27x as Fae
Number of Pages: 336
LaurLa wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Happy Shelf Day!!Week 5: Beware of Bears
Character who is a bear shifter; “Beware” or "Bear" in title; author's first or last name beginning with B"
I have a bear shifter to read..."
If you haven't read it already, Beast Behaving Badly is one of my absolute favorite Shelly Laurenston books, and that one has bears galore. :D
Lady Jaye wrote: "LaurLa wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Happy Shelf Day!!Week 5: Beware of Bears
Character who is a bear shifter; “Beware” or "Bear" in title; author's first or last name beginning with B"
I have a bear ..."
Yea, I've read the Pride series so now on the Badgers... but there are still bears :-)
Week 0 ➖ Completion PostShelf ➖ Free Space
Book ➖ Oracle's Moon
How it fits ➖ series Elder Races; #28 BEST OF: Paranormal Romance Series
Pages ➖ 336 pp
Read ➖ 05.27 ★★★★
Review ➖
I loved this book. I loved the banter between Grace and Kahlil, I love how he went from condescension to respect to love, I love how she went from desperate to strong and owning her circumstances. Even though it's been a fairly long time between this book and the previous one and I'd kind of forgotten the overall thread of the series, once I was immersed in Grace and Kahlil, it didn't really matter. There's still big things to happen and I seriously have to stop waiting almost a year to read each book!
Completion Post:
Week 5: Beware of Bears
Book: Polar Bared
Author: Eve Langlais
Series: Kodiak Point #3
How it fits: Character who is a bear shifter
Pages: 256
Finished: 5/27/23
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I last visited Kodiak Point in 2018. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't remember enough to just pick up book three wihout a refresher but I need not have worried. Eve Langlais did a wonderful job of getting me up to speed without beating me over the head with history. I really enjoyed Vicki and Gene's story - even if her screaming his name was a little cheesey. Cheese is like my favorite food ;) I will definitely continue the series.
Lady Jaye wrote: "Hi Melissa and Laurla. Let me apologize for being a poor team member. I will update with my reviews and choices for new shelves later this evening.
i started working in a new hospital ..."
I can totally relate! I just converted from a temp trainee to a full employee at the hospital that I work for and the sheer amount of online trainings and orientation tasks I've been assigned have left me totally wiped out after work. This whole month has been crazy busy! I interviewed May 1st, so it has truly been the whole month!
Anyway, I'm glad that you are still with us and congratulations on the new job! That's so exciting!!
Lady Jaye, you need to change your last review to Cozy Mystery instead of Detective. You've already got the Detective stamp.
CONGRATULATIONS, Meet-Cute Readers!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'cozy mystery'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congratulations on the stamp Cutie Readers!
I'm going to test out 2 books this week and decide after a few chapters.
Shelf: FaeTitle: Ink and Sigil, by Kevin Hearne
Date finished: 1st June 2023
Series: Ink and Sigil, #1
Rating: ★★★
Review: The cover of this book is utterly gorgeous, and, I'm sorry to say, the best thing about the whole shebang. I liked most of the main characters, sure - I like Al, Nadia, Detective Munro, and even to my surprise, Buck the hobgoblin; I also thought the mythology was interesting, and Kevin Hearne gets an impressed nod for mentioning the Sword of Damocles in the novel, and the dialogue didn't suck. However, it was extremely childish and puerile. Much as I liked this book, I do not feel up to reading about people's "maw's" nether regions, or hearing mentions of "shite" and "bollocks" everywhere. So I most likely will not be continuing with this series. A shame, because I do not find many good male authors often.
For the Magical Realism shelf, I will read Kindred, by Octavia Butler
Shelved 147x as magical realism
# of pages: 288
For the Bear shelf, I am reading Beguilement
How it Fits: Author's last name begins with B
# of pages: 361
For full disclosure - this is a reread. I first read it in 2019, according to my goodreads reviews. However, I do not remember much of it beyond the main characters and that they had a May-December romance. I was going to read the second in series for the shelf call, as rereads are not encouraged, but I truly couldn't remember much of the first novel. Steph or Sandra please can you clarify if this choice is valid? I am happy to change it as I haven't gotten too far along .
Week 6 ➖ Selection PostShelf ➖ Magical Realism
Book ➖ The Choice
How it fits ➖ tagged magical realism 5 times
Pages ➖ 438 pp
I am getting woefully behind! I'm so sorry. I will have at least one of my books done by the end of the weekend. Can't say I will catch up by next week's call, but I'm going to try!!
Lady Jaye wrote: "For the Magical Realism shelf, I will read Kindred, by Octavia Butler
Shelved 147x as magical realism
# of pages: 288
For the Bear shelf, I am reading Beguilement
How ..."
Lady Jaye, you allowed 1 re-read per round of bingo :)
Sandra wrote: "Lady Jaye wrote: "For the Magical Realism shelf, I will read Kindred, by Octavia Butler
Shelved 147x as magical realism
# of pages: 288
For the Bear shelf, I am reading [book:Begui..."
Thank you !
Week 4 ➖ Selection/Completion PostShelf ➖ Fae
Book ➖ MacRieve
How it fits ➖ tagged fae 24 times
Pages ➖ 481 pp
Read ➖ 06.03 ★★★★
Review ➖
I don't know what was holding me back from being excite about reading this book. I think it was the cover - the model looks so intense that I think I feared the book would be too much so. It was intense but in a different way than I expected - not sure I can fully explain why. Anyway, MacRieve had some truly horrifying things to overcome and heal from his childhood (no trigger warning given which is disappointing) before he could be the mate Chloe needed. That's where the intensity came from - growth and progression beyond that which defined him for so long was really kind of awesome to watch. I guess I expected the intensity to be about the warring with the Pravas, or more of the Order, but those things were in the background. The was really about MacRieve and Chloe as a couple.
Looks like Team 2 won Bingo!This round seemed to go by so quick! I feel bad that I got behind, but looking at our card, I don't think it would have mattered if I was all caught up because thus far the calls haven't created a bingo for us - so I feel better about that at least.
We can finish our outstanding books/reviews and still request stamps for the next week or so to earn a badge. I can go either way with that - I like to finish things I start and I'll be reading the books anyway, but if no one else feels the same, I'm fine not posting a review for them.
Thanks for being a great team! Hope to see you around other challenges!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
We Ride Upon Sticks (other topics)Kindred (other topics)
The Choice (other topics)
Beguilement (other topics)
MacRieve (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)Nora Roberts (other topics)
Quan Barry (other topics)
Lois McMaster Bujold (other topics)
Eve Langlais (other topics)
More...
Shelf: May Day
Book: Into the Drowning Deep
Author: Mira Grant
Series: Rolling in the Deep # 1
How it fits: Author first or last name begins with M or D
Pages: 448
Date Finished: 5/9/23
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: Oh, man! Killer mermaids! Watch out!
This book was so good that I devoured the prequel, Rolling in the Deep in addition to this, the main event, for a total of 576 pages in two days!! I could not put it down! Seanan McGuire has a lovely way of passing the time by making you feel as if no time has passed at all.
This book is part fantasy, part sci-fi, part reality TV, equal parts horror and suspense. There's even a smidge of romance thrown in. I love a book that defies being categorized! Lots of representation in this one, too.
I don't want to give anything away, but as a fan of the October Daye series, I couln't help but think of The Luidaeg watching the happeninings at the Mariana Trench and imagining her smile her razor smile as she exalted in her kin's feasting. What a delight!