Challenge: 50 Books discussion
2010
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Spaceyplum's 50 for 2010
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by
Muriel
(new)
Jan 09, 2010 05:16PM
Hi everyone! I've been doing this challenge since 2005 and I haven't actually met the goal since that year, I'm hoping this group will help me finally pull through again this year. Good luck everyone!
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01. Faking It by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've developed a real affinity for Crusie in the last year. Faking It tweaks the usual Crusie formula slightly, quirky heroine falls for understanding
View all my reviews >>
02. A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was rather deeper than my typical read as I'm more into the fluff. This is basically a day in the life of a man still in the midst of overwhelming grief at the death of his long-time lover. I found it rather interesting and the writing was lovely at some points but it simply didn't touch my heart.
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03. Lady Megan's Masquerade by Cindy Holbrook
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
OMG, so much fun! I thoroughly enjoyed it and was rather annoyed at life for interrupting the story of Justin and Meggy. Great fluffy fun with lots of laughs, a lovely romance and fun supporting characters. Cindy Holbrook is fast becoming a fave after just two books, must dig up more of her stuff.
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Spaceyplum wrote: "03. Lady Megan's Masquerade by Cindy Holbrook
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
OMG, so much fun! I thoroughly enjoyed it and was rather annoyed at life for interrupting the story of Justin and Meggy. Gre..."
So this is another author I need to check out? :)
Yes Kelly, you definitely need to check out Cindy Holbrook! Unfortunately her books are out of print but I'd be happy to lend you my copies.
04. Street Magic by Caitlin Kittredge
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another awesome recommendation from Jennifer! This series paints a dark vivid world of magic in London that in some ways reminded me of Butcher's Dresden series. I loved that we jump right into the story as Pete is unexpectedly reunited with a pissed of Jack (who's become a junkie) after thinking he's been dead for 12 years. Their angsty story unfolds as Pete forces Jack to go straight so he can help her find some missing children.
Pete is a great female character, tough as nails with glimpses of aching vulnerability. Jack is larger-than-life and full of attitude but the bravado hides a lot of pain and you totally understand why Pete can't turn her back on him even when he's a total arse. I was happily surprised that the author held off on getting them together even if they're obviously meant to be. They're fascinating characters on their own but positively electric together. I can't wait to pick up the next in the series.
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05. Demon Bound by Caitlin Kittredge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The unfinished story of Jack and Pete stayed with me after reading Street Magic so I got the next one as soon as I could and it was bloody fantastic!
The coolest thing the author did was switching the perspective on this book. The first one was really told from Pete's POV but this one is told from Jack's which is awesome. He's a fascinating character and the flashbacks of his past really shed a lot of light on who he is. The story also solidifies the undeniable bond between Jack and Pete, one that seems to have been destined.
The actual story had me on the edge of my seat as Jack desperately attempts to avoid his fate and cheat death once more. I must say the ending hit me like a sucker punch and has left my nerves in tatters. The book answered a lot of questions while setting up a whole new story arc that I wasn't expecting, I need the next one now!
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06. Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another great entry in the Peabody series! It took me forever to finish through no fault of it's own (damn you Rock Band!) so it felt a little disjointed thanks to the major break I took in between.Once I started up again I really couldn't stop. Amelia and Emerson continue to amuse but I must admit that the precocious Ramses has become my favorite. It was also nice to have the mystery of the Master Criminal so surprisingly solved for the moment.
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07. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
First off, thanks to Salford and Eloquence for recommending this to me. It was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery set in 1930s London. The characters are real charmers from our smart and spunky heroine Georgie to her vaguely dopey brother Binky, her worldly friend Belina and the divinely sexy Darcy. Can't wait to pick up the next installment!
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08. Dark Angel/Lord Carew's Bride by Mary Balogh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed the two books in this omnibus and only wish I had the third in the series at hand to contnue. Balogh's style is more earnest than my usual regency fare (I lean towards the light and witty regency romps) but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I like the idea of following the secondary characters as the series progresses while getting glimpses of what becomes of the previous protaganists. I'm really looking forward to Francis' story in the next entry.
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09. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Yay, another series to love! I'm hooked on Kat and Bones, give me a good 'ship and I'm your slave.This reads a bit like a twisted Pygmalion with a dash of Death Wish. Our heroine is half-vampire Cat whose painful past has her seeking vengeance by killing as many vampires as she can take out until she sets her trap on the wrong vamp.Enter Bones, cocksure and sexy as hell he turns the tables on Cat and figures out her secret. Deciding that perhaps she can be of use to him he offers her a deal. She gets to live if she allows him to turn her into a lean, mean, killing machine and then tart her up to use her as bait. Needless to say they fall in love.The book isn't perfect but it's action packed, sexy and LOL funny. The characters really grab you too. Cat's tough-as-nails facade hides a vulnerable broken soul. Bones comes off as Spike in the beginning thanks to the cocky attitude (not to mention the authors description) but despite being a total badass he's a real softie when it comes to his Kitten.The ending was all angsty and I would have been totally pissed if I didn't have the next three books in the series to look forward to.
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10. The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh how I will miss the Spellman clan but mad props to Lisa Lutz for ending it so beautifully. I laughed convulsively (as usual), cheered at some points and even cried near the end.It's been lovely to keep company with this dysfuntional family for these four books. It's also nice to see the evolution of Izzy from paraonoid, obsessive, perpetual wild child into responsible grown adult (for the most part;) without losing the spark and smart-ass attitude that made me love her from the beginning.
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11. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm thouroughly enjoying this action packed series. The reunion betwen Cat and Bones did not disappoint and I just love the character development where they're concerned.
I must admit that I did find Cat's team slightly annoying at times, especially Juan and his horrendous spanish. I appreciate the author incoporating some ethnicity but I hate it when they get the slang wrong (not that it's a common term of phrase I hear any longer but you spell it Cristo not Christos!,) it just had me rolling my eyes whenever Juan opened his yap. There's a point when Bones apparently responds to Juan in Spanish and he marvels that he speaks it better than him, not that hard buddy!
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