Faouzia's 2024 12+4 Fantasy and Sci-fi challenge

[Faouzia]

4 Stars
4 Stars

I think I picked this series from one of your challenges Alondra, maybe a couple of years ago. And each time I think about reading it, I hesitate and just postpone it. Now why did I do that!
So far, I'm enjoying it a lot. It has some dark elements, but it is just cute!! Kell, Lila and Holland are certainly fascinating.

I'm already halfway through the last book and I hope it won't disappoint.

[Bill, Moderator]

Faouzia wrote: " 4 Stars
4 Stars

I think I picked this series from one of your challenges Alondra, maybe a couple of years a..."

I really liked A Darker Shade. I have to read #2 now.

[Faouzia]

I can't believe I'm almost done with this list.
I think this is by far the best list I made, there seems to be no bad alternatives and I'm glad of it.

I finally started , this one definitely needs a lot of concentration. The beginning is a bit tedious but I'm determined to keep going.

[Faouzia]

Bill wrote: "Faouzia wrote: " 4 Stars
4 Stars

I think I picked this series from one of your challenges Alondra, maybe a c..."

I think you'll like it Bill, the story just gets better :)

[Lillie]

"Faouzia wrote: " 4 Stars
4 Stars”

Bill wrote: “I really liked A Darker Shade. I have to read #2 now."

The second book was my favorite of the series. Highly recommend it

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

You know I loved the DT series, and have read it too many times to count. The Waste Lands is note my favorite, but a close 2nd, in the series. Blaine the Train is a Pain. LOL

I really loved the Shades of Magic series too. The books were thick, but the pacing was fabulous. I miss that crazy world. Glad you enjoyed them.

[Faouzia]

4 Stars

A perfect ending for a wonderful series! A finished the book a while ago, but I still remember my impressions while reading it.
I really enjoyed this series, and I was also kind of sad that it was over.

[Faouzia]

DNF

Well, this was rather surprising considering that I enjoyed the hobbit and loved the LOTR.
But this book was different or maybe it was not the right time. I read the first 100 pages, took a break, tried to get back to it but it was no use.
It pains me to abandon a Tolkien but I couldn't keep going. Maybe I'll give a try again sometimes.

[Faouzia]

Alondra wrote: "You know I loved the DT series, and have read it too many times to count. The Waste Lands is note my favorite, but a close 2nd, in the series. Blaine the Train is a Pain. LOL

I really loved the Sh..."

The waste lands is so far my favourite. I'm waiting a bit before continuing the series. Stephen King could be a bit exhausting sometimes 😅

[Faouzia]

Soo, the challenge is officially finished. I'm really happy about it, this is the first list I completely (or almost) finished and it is my favourite.
But there is still time for a second list! ( Thank you Bill and Alondra for the suggestions)

So here it goes:

1. A Map of Days
2. Assassin's Apprentice 4 Stars
3. Red Rising 3 Stars
4. The Devil You Know
5. The Eyre Affair
6. The Scorpio Races
7. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
8. The Odyssey
9. Ogre Enchanted
10. Artemis Fowl
11. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
12. Cinder 4 Stars

[Patricia]

Congratulations, Faouzia! Glad to hear the Shades of Magic ended well. I've still only read the first one. I've read several on your second list (love Robin Hobb!) & hope you enjoy this list as well.
Happy Reading!

[Lea]

Faouzia, congratulations on finishing your first list. I've read Red Rising, Dr. Jerkyll and Mr. Hyde, The Odyssey, and Cinder. All earned at least 3 stars from me, I liked them all. Of those I've read Cinder was my favorite. The other books you have on your list look great. Lots of series that I want to get into. :-)

[Ioana]

Congratulations, Faouzia! I like your 2nd list; I've only read A Map of Days and Cinder, and enjoyed them both. I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the list, some are on my TBR too. Happy reading!

[Bill, Moderator]

Congrats on completing your first list. Good luck with the 2nd.

[Karol]

Congrats on list #1 . . . and good luck on list #2. Several interesting ones there for sure!

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: " DNF

Well, this was rather surprising considering that I enjoyed the hobbit and loved the LOTR.
But this book was different or maybe it was not the right time. I r..."

Yikes. So sorry this didn't work out, but I feel the same. I always feel like I have to be in the right frame of mind to read the earlier works or prequels.

Congratulations on completing your challenge!!! Woot!! 🥳🥳

[Faouzia]

Patricia wrote: "Congratulations, Faouzia! Glad to hear the Shades of Magic ended well. I've still only read the first one. I've read several on your second list (love Robin Hobb!) & hope you enjoy this list as wel..."

Thanks Patricia. I hope you enjoy Shades of Magic when you reads, the story really gets better with each book.

[Faouzia]

Lea wrote: "Faouzia, congratulations on finishing your first list. I've read Red Rising, Dr. Jerkyll and Mr. Hyde, The Odyssey, and Cinder. All earned at least 3 stars from me, I liked them all. Of those I've ..."

Thanks Lea. I am enjoying it so far, maybe not so wise to start many new series but my TBR is already out of control lol

[Faouzia]

Ioana wrote: "Congratulations, Faouzia! I like your 2nd list; I've only read A Map of Days and Cinder, and enjoyed them both. I can't wait to see what you think of the rest of the list, some are on my TBR too. H..."

Thanks Ioana. I just finished Cinder and I loved it. And Map of Days already arrived and is next , so I'm looking forward to it.

[Faouzia]

Bill wrote: "Congrats on completing your first list. Good luck with the 2nd."

Thank you Bill.

[Faouzia]

Karol wrote: "Congrats on list #1 . . . and good luck on list #2. Several interesting ones there for sure!"

Thank you Karol. I am enjoying list #2 so far.

[Faouzia]

Alondra wrote: "Faouzia wrote: " DNF

Well, this was rather surprising considering that I enjoyed the hobbit and loved the LOTR.
But this book was different or maybe it was not the..."

I think the main problem was that there weren't any hobbits in it, and way too many elves.
But I would probably give it another try sometime.

[Faouzia]

3 Stars

I went into this book blind. I probably read the summary when I added it to my TBR but when I started it I only knew that it was about human colonies of Mars where society is organized in colors and our main character belonged to the bottom one.
So it was fun discovering anything beyond that, and I enjoyed reading it. It reminded me a bit of the war simulation app games, which I don't really like; but it prepares the ground for the next books i guess.
The hero, was an interesting character although I didn't always like him, not really a very humble kind of person.
But I am looking forward to the next book of the series.

[Faouzia]

3,5 rounded to 4 Stars

This was a rather unexpected retelling of Cinderella and way more enjoyable than many others I read/watched. I mean not much can beat a mechanic cyborg Cinderella.
The story was enjoyable with many likeable characters with of course a charming prince.
I'm curious about the next books of the series and how the fairy tales will be retold.

[Faouzia]

4 Stars

My favorite so far of list #2. I've had it in my TBR for a long time and I think I even considered deleting it at some point. I'm so glad I didn't.
Fitz, a royal bastard, was being apprenticed to become the royal assassin. A series of events and fascinating characters are woven around that simple story.
I loved it and I think I won't wait long before getting the next book.

[Faouzia]

When I was thinking about the reviews I realized I was about to start each one with a variation of "I didn't expect to like it but I enjoyed it a lot."
I think I was missing a lot by not reading more fantasy and sci-fi stories, something that can be remidied easily. I certainly won't have trouble picking books for the next lists, I'm starting more series than I can manage lol

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: " 4 Stars

My favorite so far of list #2. I've had it in my TBR for a long time and I think I even considered deleting it at some point. I'm so glad I didn't.
..."

Ugh, I could cry!! This trilogy tore me up and spit me out at the end. I need to start the Fitz/Fool trilogy next. Hopefully, my heart can take it.

[Alondra, Moderator Schmoderator]

Faouzia wrote: " 3,5 rounded to 4 Stars

This was a rather unexpected retelling of Cinderella and way more enjoyable than many others I read/watched. I mean not much can beat a mechanic ..."

One of my favorite series. I hope you love them all.

[Patricia]

Faouzia wrote: " 4 Stars

My favorite so far of list #2. I've had it in my TBR for a long time and I think I even considered deleting it at some point. I'm so glad I didn't.
..."
Loved this series and all the series that go with it. You have a lot to look forward to!