R27 Team #9 ~ Reading to the Nines

[Marisa]

Chanting for N tomorrow. If we get N, after that, W, Y and C give us a win.

[Laura]

Marisa wrote: "Chanting for N tomorrow. If we get N, after that, W, Y and C give us a win."

Crossing my fingers and hoping!

[Laura]

Marisa wrote: "Chanting for N tomorrow. If we get N, after that, W, Y and C give us a win."

We don't need the N before the C. C would give us a Bingo and put is in a race with Team 4.

[Marisa]

Yes, you're right. Let's see what happens. I go on a long weekend tomorrow early, I'll try to set the posts before going away, and I'll carry books for N and C, but I won't be able to do reviews or update the posts till Sunday. Let's hope C is not called and we need to do things in a hurry.

[Marisa]

Shelf #12 ~ 14 May: Relationship / romance/PNR, SFR, Romantasy
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

*For Relationship, read a book written by more than one author, featuring two people on the cover, any PNR book

* For romance, read a book from either shelf: GR PNR/GR SFR/GR SFR2/GR romantasy/SOS PNR/SOS SFR/SOS UF+R

[Marisa]

Shelf 12: R - Relationship / romance/PNR-SFR-Romantasy

Laura: Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (17/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚) Review
Marisa: Marriage and Murder by Stephanie Laurens (21/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚½) Review

Sarah: The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin (19/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚) Review



Summary Post

[Sarah]

Completion Post



Book: Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
Shelf: I - Infatuation
Pages: 451 pgs
Date Read: 5.13.25
Rating: 5 stars
How it Fits: cover I love
Review:

I am so over the moon glad that I read this! After a few books that just felt okay, this was outstanding. 5 stars! It hooked me so fast, I pre-ordered the next book before I was 50 pages into this one. While I thought this was going to be more romantasy heavy it really doesn't feel that way. If I had to compare I would say it's like a spicier Throne of Glass. It gives similar vibes to me and I love Sarah J. Maas. It's more focused on the plot and character development and less about the romance even though that's included. Kenna is a great main character! I'm also intrigued by the magic system and the love interests. I don't believe the one that has been portrayed as her main love interest is actually going to stay that way. The ending had me gasping out loud and I can't wait for the next book. Highly recommend if you're a fan of romantasy, or fantasy with romance, but not about romance.

[Marisa]

Well, I think we have claimed all the stamps, so we are in the good way :D

[Sarah]

I think for R I will be going with The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin, tagged 42 times as Romantasy.

[Laura]

I just tonight started , with 2 people on the cover.

But I'm also reading . I have the whole trilogy checked out in KU. So I'll probably finish the first one and go right into the second one. I started the first one this morning, but if I finish the second one before I finish Oathboad, I'll use with 2 authors.

[Laura]

Very complicated way to say that I'll post whichever book I finish first that works. :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp H/I Shelf has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you, Sandra! I’ll do it on Monday, after being back.

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf: R
Book: Oathbound
Date Read: 5/17
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: 2 people on cover

Review: I started this book and was having a hard time getting into it. I listened for an hour and then was surprised to her "Part 1". The first hour of the 25 hour audiobook was prologue, sort of. The "Prologue" was 6 chapters long! So the structure was a bit weird at first. But I came out of this book and yelled at my kid for not warning me. Meanwhile they were laughing maniacally. It's not a bad book. And it is set near-ish to me, so that was fun. But I don't read a lot of YA anymore. I have gotten very picky about my YA in the last few years. I think I really burned out on a bunch of the same stuff on repeat. And this has some of those elements. There is a love triangle of sorts. And a totally normal, suddenly magical, girl on a quest to save society. Overall I enjoyed it, just not as much as I would have a few years ago.

[Laura]

Laura wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Chanting for N tomorrow. If we get N, after that, W, Y and C give us a win."

We don't need the N before the C. C would give us a Bingo and put is in a race with Team 4."

With the R called, Y is now a winning a call for us as well. Y would put us in a 3-way race.

[Sarah]

Completion Post



Book: The Shadow Bride by Shelby Mahurin
Shelf: R - Romantasy
Pages: 624 pgs
Date Read: 5.19.25
Rating: 4 stars
How it Fits: tagged 42 times as Romantasy
Review:

I don't want to give a lot away as this is a finale to a spin-off series. If you're a romantasy fan at all read this series and the original series Serpent & Dove. I was immediately obsessed and I've read the first book multiple times. I didn't give this book 5 stars as I feel like the final conflict was a little anti-climactic. I will give the romance a 5/5. I loved Michal and I enjoyed Celie as a main character.

[Marisa]

Laura wrote: "Laura wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Chanting for N tomorrow. If we get N, after that, W, Y and C give us a win."

We don't need the N before the C. C would give us a Bingo and put is in a race with Team 4..."

So, if Y is called on tomorrow... race...

[Marisa]

Selection Post
Shelf 12: R - Relationship / romance/PNR - SFR - Romantasy
Book: Marriage and Murder by Stephanie Laurens
Pages: 316
How it fits: Relationship: Two people in the cover

[Marisa]

Well, ready for race if it is in place? I hope to finish my book today or tomorrow as of late... and let's see...

[Marisa]

Shelf #13 ~ 21 May: Lovers / LGBTQ
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

*For Lovers, read a PNR book featuring a couple on the cover, 'love' in the title or series name, or a couple you think make a good couple

* For LGBTQ, read a book from either shelf: GR LGBTQ/SOS LGBTQ

[Marisa]

Shelf 13: L - Lovers / LGBTQ

Laura:
Marisa:
Sarah: Brothersong by T.J. Klune

Summary Post

[Laura]

If we get a C call, I'll read Wishful Thinking, book 2 in a trilogy.

If we get an N call, I'll read Most of All You, which has been shelved new 2024 by two people.

[Marisa]

That's planning ahead....

[Sarah]

This call is a winning call for Team #6, but they also need to get their R stamp.

[Sarah]

Selection Post Shelf L

I will be reading Brothersong by T.J. Klune shelved 289 times as LGBTQ

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Shelf 12: R - Relationship / romance/PNR - SFR - Romantasy
Book: Marriage and Murder by Stephanie Laurens
Pages: 316
How it fits: Relationship: Two people in the cover
Read: 21/05/2025
Rating: ★★★★½



Review

Reading this book has been a bit as reading a Miss Marple's book. Those villages with undercurrents below that quiet surface, and the not so idyllic life. Again, a couple which meets due to the crime (Agatha Christie...) and a couple who solves the mystery while play matchmaker... I've always like this series, and this book is not an exception. Thank you to the bingo I've remembered it (there was a big gap and it disappeared in my pile).

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp R shelf has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you! Card and captain's log updated.

[Marisa]

Well, let's see how this week goes. I hope to finish my book tomorrow, Friday the last.

[Laura]

Wait? There’s going to be a call this week? Are we going for a second line?

[Marisa]

Laura wrote: "Wait? There’s going to be a call this week? Are we going for a second line?"

Has anybody won? I have seen nothing, hectic week.

[Marisa]

Yes, team 6 has won (I've just seen her bingo card), but I hadn's seen any announcement (I must have lost it)

[Laura]

There is a separate thread.

[Marisa]

Thank you, Laura! I'm worse than I thought...

[Marisa]

It has been a pleasure to play with both of you! Enjoy your readings!

[Sarah]

It's been so much fun playing with you both and I hope we team up again in the future!