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R15: SSS Team 3 - The LIP Readers
Mod
Spot: 72
Book: Clean Sweep
Pages: I read the ebook; it has 235 pages
Read: 4/23/24
Rating: ****
Task: Read a romance book.
How it fits: The book has 'Romance' on its main page.
Review: Ilona Andrews is such a good author. The world building is exceptional. The characters are well thought out and plausible. The details truly make the story. And the humor is spot on! I always look forward to the next book that is published.
Lanelle wrote: "Maddielucy(Patti) wrote: "Ugh. Bad roll. Sorry!"We were due for a low roll. I'm just glad it happened this roll and not the last one. The low 70s is much easier to find a book for than the high 60s."
That is true.
I am reading The Study of Magic by Maria V. Snyder. It just became available on my audible yesterday, so I started imediately. On audible it says it is #2 in the adventures of Valek series, but on Goodreads it says it is #2,5 in the Chronicles of Ixia series.
Completion Week: 10 - Sunday Roll / Spot: 72
The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley
Read 4/25
Pages 805
Qualification: 7th in series
4 stars
Review
This one got some iffy reviews, but I liked it. The Ireland part was really depressing, but I enjoyed the part where all of the sisters were working together to find the “missing sister”. It was the first time I had a sense of “family” with these books, which I felt was kind of missing (like the sister 😛). These books are long — really long. Sometimes it felt like a chore. I’m happy there’s only one more left.
Ira wrote: "I am reading The Study of Magic by Maria V. Snyder. It just became available on my audible yesterday, so I started imediately. On audible it says it is #2 in the ad..."You’re good either way, Ira. From the rules:
Half books: ½ or .5 count only if they meet the page requirement AND will be judged by preceding whole number numeral on Goodreads.
Example: Spot 8: A MacKenzie Clan Gathering (MacKenzies & McBrides, #8.5) would count for spot 8 because it meets the page limit.
Completion PostWeek: 10 - Sunday Roll / Spot: 72
Book: The Study of Magic
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Pages: 340
Date read: 25/4/24
How it fits: The Chronicles of Ixia #2.5; The Study Chronicles: Valek's Adventures #2
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I really loved the Study Series and every book that takes place in the universe. When I heard that the study series was beeing rewritten from Valeks point of view I did not know if I would like it, but I was willing to give it a chance. What works for this book is that Valek and Yelena are not together or in the same place for most of the book, so Maria V. Snyder is kind of filling in the gaps. Vakek is an interesting character to follow, because he gets into so many difficult situations. This book had much more Ari and Janco which is always a plus, because those two are my favorite characters. We also learn more about their past and how they met. This book delivered everything it promised me, and I really enjoyed the journey.
Team 3 / The LIP Readers / Completion PostsWeek 10/ Sunday Roll / Spot 72
✅✅ Ira https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Lanelle https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Patti https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Team 3 ~ The LIP ReadersWeek: 11 - Thursday
Previous Space: 72
Roll: 4
New Space: 76
Link to reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I feel like it’s not worth it to use bonus points right now. So unless I hear back right away — I’ll stick with this roll. Not the best, but not the worst.
Spot 7676th in series
7th in series
6th in series
76. Title 'T'
Mod
Spot: 76
Book: A Tall Dark Stranger
Pages: I read the ebook; it has 240 pages
Read: 4/27/24
Rating: ***
Task: Read a book with a title that begins with "T".
How it fits: The title begins with a "T".
Review: I enjoyed this book. It's a light, fluffy romance with some intrigue thrown in. What was interesting is that there were no true villains. Yes, there were some unsavory characters, but no true bad guys. Everyone had quirks, but no vices.
Hi team. I will finfish my book but it won't be until later tonight. I will definitely make the deadline tho.
Mod
Completion PostWeek: 11 - Thursday Roll
Spot: 76
Book: Burned
Author: Benedict Jacka
Pages: 326
Date read: 28/4/24
How it fits: #7 in the Alex Verus series
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This book continues to be as good as the rest of the series and delivers what it promises. In this the light council has given Alex a death sentence and he has to find a way to overturn it by finding allies inside the council. On top of that everyone seems to be talking about what Richard is up to. He agrees to go on a mission to try and find out what is going on in exange of support. I really like the magic system and the politics of the white council and the fact that every mage black or white are really after power. The difference is the way they go about it. I also really like the characters. This book is action packed from start to finish, and the ending is explosive. I am glad I don't have to wait a year for the next book...
Completion PostWeek: 11 - Thursday Roll
Spot: 76
Sixth Grave on the Edge by Darynda Jones
Read 4/28
Pages: 326
Qualification: 6th in Charley Davidson series
4 stars
Review:
I love Charley. Having a series based on the Grim Reaper who is screwed up, funny and just an average gal was brilliant. Charley is one of the great female series leads. I don’t love the dark parts — the violence and torture that gets thrown in, and sometimes I think it’s over the top. But I felt that way about Anita Blake too, so maybe it’s me. This was another fun, fast installment (even though I read out of order, which I don’t recommend).
Team 3 / The LIP Readers / Completion PostsWeek 11/ Thursday Roll / Spot 76
✅✅ Ira https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Lanelle https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Patti https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Team 3 ~ The LIP ReadersWeek: 11 - Sunday
Previous Space: 76
Roll: 6
New Space: 82
Link to reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Spot 8282nd in series
8th in series
2nd in series
82. Author 'S'
Books due Thursday, May 2
Mod
Awesome roll, Patti!
Mod
Spot: 82
Book: No Place for a Lady
Pages: I read the ebook; it has 244 pages
Read: 4/28/24
Rating: ***
Task: Read a book written by an author is an initial of "S"
How it fits: The author has an initial of "S" (Joan Smith)
Review: I usually enjoy books written by this author, but this one felt a little off. So many instances of incorrect behavior for those times. The female MC went out with a chaperone with a total stranger. She decided to live in an unsafe place. She didn't ever react to dangerous circumstances appropriately. There's more, but I don't really want to make a whole list.
But the dialogue was good. I guess.
Completion PostWeek: 11 - Sunday Roll
Spot: 82
Book: The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Author: Douglas Adams
Pages: 307
Date read: 02/05/24
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This series is not as good as The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy but it is a fun ride. In this book there is actually a plot (shocker, I know), but it is as wacky as one can imagine. It involves Norse Gods Odin and Thor plus Dirk Gently and a couple other chacters. I really like Dougls Adams' humor and all the ridiculous situations that happens in this book.The book starts with a rant about airports of all things.
Completion PostWeek: 11 - Sunday Roll / Spot: 82
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
Pages: 322
Qualification: 8th in Rizzoli & Isles series
Rating 4 stars
Review
Again, I love this series. Gerritsen’s writing is top notch in the thriller category. The only thing I will say about this one is that— I like Jane better than Maura, and I think the author favors Maura. So while the book was great (and I do like the Maura character) I don’t LOVE the books that feature mostly her. Just my preference, but I still love the book.
Team 3 / The LIP Readers / Completion PostsWeek 11/ Sunday Roll / Spot 82
✅✅ Ira https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Lanelle https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Patti https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Team 3 ~ The LIP ReadersWeek: 12 - Thursday
Previous Space: 82
Roll: 6
New Space: 88
Link to reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Whoa. So I rolled a 6 again which takes us to 88. Under normal circumstances I would suggest using the bonuses. But I need to read the 8th book in the series I’m using for the bonus. So I think we should stay where we are or go to 89. Ira and Lanelle — what do you think?
Alternates are:
88. Published the year you were born
89. MC is older than 60
Mod
I'm okay with staying as well. I have a #8 in a series...
Spot 888th in series
88. Published the year you were born
Books due Sunday, May 5th
Mod
Spot: 88
Book: Rascal
Pages: I listened to the audio book; the default edition has 189 pages
Read: 5/4/24
Rating: ****
Task: Read a book published the year you were born
How it fits: The book was published the year I was born (view spoiler)
Review: What an awesome story. It is an autobiographical book. The author tells about a raccoon kit that he took as a pet and all the escapades of their time together. Very nostalgic! Times were much simpler in those days, even during WWI. I can see why it was a Newbery nominee, and why Disney made a movie of it.
FYI — I will be using our earned bonuses to move us to the highest spot. Hope that’s ok with you all
Week: 12 - Thursday RollSpot: 88
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley
Read 5/5
Pages:
Qualification: 8th in series
4.5 stars
Review
While this series, due to its length, was at times a chore to get through — it was worth it. The books were great and this one was no exception. I liked learning about Pa Salt and the mysteries behind everything. I didn’t realize the author had passed away while writing this final installment and her son finished it for her. That made it all the more special. This series was about love and family, and having Lucinda Riley’s son finish what she couldn’t was truly a beautiful ending. Sigh…..
This earns the bonus for reading a full series. I read each book in the Seven Sisters series during this challenge. Whew!
Team 3 / The LIP Readers / Completion PostsWeek 12 / Thursday Roll / Spot 88
✅✅ Ira https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Lanelle https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
✅✅ Patti https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
CompletionPostWeek: 12 - Thursday Roll
Spot: 88
Book: Bound
Author: Benedict Jacka
Pages: 336
Date read: 06/05/24
How it fits: #8 in the Alex Verus series
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
After the events of the last book Alex and Anne are stuck serving Richard. Alex is just trying to save his friends but his enemies are getting in the way. As I expected there is a lot of politics going on and Alex's divination is not much help when it comes to Richard's long game. This book is really good and I am really interested in where it is going. I like the the character development of Alex and his friends, and I like the politics. I like the fact that there are bad people on both sides. I look forward to the next book.
Mod
I'm okay with that, but can I ask what your strategy is? Usually teams wait until they're in the 90s to use the bonus points. I'm not being critical. Just curious.
Lanelle wrote: "Maddielucy(Patti) wrote: "FYI — I will be using our earned bonuses to move us to the highest spot. Hope that’s ok with you all"I'm okay with that, but can I ask what your strategy is? Usually tea..."
Well we have all of the bonuses and I don't want to waste any.
Ok so I rolled a 4. That takes us to 92. So being past 90 we can also use the bonus for reading from alternate list and never reading from the alternate list. That is 6 bonus points, which will take us to 98. Is that ok with everyone? I'm not sure the benefit of waiting to use them, but I'm happy to do whatever you guys want.
Team 3 ~ The LIP ReadersWeek: 12 - Sunday
Previous Space: 88
Roll: 4
New Space after roll: 92 -- but using bonuses to move forward
Using 6 bonuses --
3 were previously earned and 3 were earned during this roll:
* Start and finish a series -- earned by Patti for reading all books in Seven Sister series
* Never reading from alternate list -- earned by Patti
* Only reading from Alternate list -- earned by Lanelle
New space after bonuses: 98
Link to reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Spot 988th in series
9th in series
98. Three Word Title (excludes articles like A, An, The) Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone
Books due Thursday, May 9th
I’m going to read 9th in Rizzoli & Isles series or Maisie Dobbs series. Will decide tomorrow 😊
Mod
Spot: 98
Book: Don't Look Back
Pages: I read the ebook; it has 416 pages
Read: 5/7/24
Rating: ****
Task: Read a book with a three-word title.
How it fits: The book has a three-word title.
Review: This book is a typical Amanda Quick story. Lots of good dialogue. The heroine is feisty. The guy is domineering, ruthless, and unconcerned with society. The author does a good job with the instances of danger. I had hoped that one person survived, and they did. So I gave the book 4 stars.
I’ve got about 100 pages left and I’ll definitely finish by the deadline. FYI ;)
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Butcher & Blackbird (other topics)The Silent Girl (other topics)
Marked (other topics)
Don't Look Back (other topics)
Don't Look Back (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Brynne Weaver (other topics)Tess Gerritsen (other topics)
Benedict Jacka (other topics)
Benedict Jacka (other topics)
Lucinda Riley (other topics)
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We were due for a low roll. I'm just glad it happened this roll and not the last one. The low 70s is much easier to find a book for than the high 60s.