R2 TEAM THREAD: Team #4 May the 4ce Be with You [THIRD PLACE]

[Vivian]

Finished
5.16.11 ****

I've never been an uber-fan of this series. All the elements I love in a UF are present - kick-ass heroine with a sarcastic streak, engaging action-packed story, and probably one of the my favorites in terms of world-building, but I wasn't going to jump up and down in excitement over the books. This book may have changed my mind about the series.

The story starts off with Kate being stood up by Curran, misunderstandings ensue, and they're both too stubborn to talk it out. I thought, crap, this is going to be annoying if it keeps up the entire book. I didn't need to worry, because a few chapters in, I was hooked and literally couldn't put the book down.

The story was engaging, the latest villain (who I think is the best one yet) to wreak havoc turns out to have a surprising link to Kate, there's plenty of action and bloodshed, humor and sarcasm in abundance, and it all leads up to a satisfying ending :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

WTH, Goodreads!?! Third times the charm?

I loved that one, Vivian! Glad you enjoyed it too. And, very happy it pumped up the series for ya. :)

I'm about 40% thru Killbox and enjoying it.

Hope everyone is enjoying their reads too!

[cindy]

fantasy-scifi | 4.5 stars | fin on May 16

The Thief started out as nothing special. The plot seemed mediocre, and I had trouble creating a mental image of Gen -- the main character, narrator, and thief -- in my head. But after the first few chapters, I found myself suddenly very engrossed in the novel and couldn't for the life of me put the book down to eat, sleep, or perform any of life's necessary functions...

Oh, Ms Turner, what a tangled web you weave. The Thief had the type of ending I love best. It was unexpected, tied up everything nicely, and made the reader want the next book in the series without being frustratingly cliffhanger-ish. Now I shall try to restrain myself and go to sleep instead of starting the next book in the Attolia series.

[AH]

Finished my Fantasy Sci-Fi read -

- 3 stars

This is the third book in the Hungry City Chronicles. Philip Reeve creates an imaginative, quirky world where Municipal Darwinism is the mantra of the masses. Giant cities on traction wheels traverse the Hunting Grounds and swallow up smaller cities and towns.

Our story takes place 18 years after the last novel. Tom and Hester are grown up now, with a teenage daughter Wren who is absolutely bored with her boring life in the static city of Anchorage. She wishes for the adventures her parents experienced. Her wish comes true when she is kidnapped by a Lost Boy and taken to the floating resort city of Brighton.

This is a great series for the young adult reader. It incorporates steampunk elements seamlessly and the author's quirky sense of humor is entertaining. It was, however, the weakest book of the series, as the aging of our hero and heroine didn't really work for me. I also found myself hating Hester - she was just ruthless.

[Jo]

done with You Slay Me 18/5
5 stars

This was such a great book, can’t believe I didn’t read it ages ago.
Hilarious, a laugh a minute. Love that.
Aisling Grey, damsel in distress of the 21st century, gets thrown into the supernatural world (by fate, apparently) without a clue about what’s going on. Her new job as a courier, which was supposed to be totally uncomplicated, ends up changing her entire world. And then after being a courier not even 24 hours, her first client ends up dead. Then the murder suspect, Drake the dragon-boy, shows up – all elusive and seductive – and tells her the two are destined ‘mates’, which, you know, ultimately turns her life upside-down.
Aisling is likeable and authentic, just the right amount of sarcastic with a sitcom-like sense of humour. I like how she admits how incredibly ditzy she is, that’s realistic, since the reader would have figured out the mystery and then ten pages later–lightbulb!– Aisling gets it. She has her bumbling idiot moments, but they are always followed by ‘Aha!’ moments.
It’s her demon dog sidekick that is the standout, not just for the book, but for the whole genre – all the genres :) Seriously, love that dog :) everything he says has me cracking up.
Although it’s kind of weird that Aisling refers to him as “it”, he’s a dog, not a cactus.
Anyway , a very memorable story.

[Rosina]

Finished fantasy sci-fi read May 18/11 2.5 stars

this book was just ok. I liked the idea of vampires and the lost colony of Roanoake. I know this is a YA book but I felt the writing was not developed enough. Certainly felt like a 13 year old did the writing. I was hoping for richer language and more story development. Actually glad I am done and I can move on. Probably wont continue on with the series.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

@Zina - I didn't care for that one either.

I finished my book, just need to write up my review. Will do as soon as I'm back on my computer.

Happy reading, Team! :)

[Tania]

Hi Team,

Will be posting my review either tonight or tomorrow am as my son is sick.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

No worries, Tania. Hope he's feeling better soon! Thanks for the reminder, I have to post mine too. To follow!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I finished my 'fantasy-sci' shelf read
by Ann Aguirre
Read: 19 May
Rating: 5★

Review: Since my review is quite long, I'll save you from reading the whole thing. But, if you'd like to, you can find it here.

I loved this edition to the series. As always, full of fast paced action, heartbreaking moments, as well as tender moments between Jax & March.

I went into it knowing there would be a cliffhanger and, while I don't regret starting it, I am super anxious to read Aftermath in Sept.

[Tania]

I read Fablehavenfor my Fantasy Sci-Fi pick.

Read: May 19, 2011

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Review: This was an interesting read. The storyline was intriguing and the characters were well thought out and fascinating. The existence of this secret world is fascinating. When reading about this alternate world, I was captivated and left wanting more. There were a few occasions where I found the writing to be broken up and hard to get through, but not enough to ruin the book. I’m looking forward to the second book in the series and as this is the authors first book like this, maybe the writing will improve and be more consistent in the second installment.

[Tania]

Thanks for all of the awesome reviews everyone... my to read list keeps getting bigger and bigger!!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. The weather has finally come around here in Bowmanville, hope it's gorgeous everywhere!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Great game, Team!

Thanks to all of you playing! I hope you had fun. I enjoyed playing with all of you and having the chance to chat with you more.

We had a great team! Loved all the reviews, definitely added to my TBR.

I hope you'll join us for our newest team challenge (details coming soon) and/or Round 3 of BSB later in the year. :D

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Our Final Stats
** You can also access the game stats here and our team's stats here

FREE SPACE: Anytime read ~ Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #1: part-of-a-series ~ 3/5/11 ~ N12 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #2: 'shifters' ~ 3/12/11 ~ O21 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #3: '_paranormal' ~ 3/20/11 ~ B3 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #4: 'ya-fantasy' ~ 3/27/11 ~ O20 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #5: 'demons' ~ 4/3/11 ~ G15 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf 6: urban-fantasy ~ 4/10/11 ~ I6 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #7: paranormal-fiction ~ 4/17/11 ~ N13 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #8: favorite-series ~ 4/24/11 ~ B1 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #9: vampires ~ 5/1/11 ~ I9 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #10: paranormal-romance ~ 5/8/11 ~ N14 Stamp Rec'd


Shelf #11: fantasy-scifi ~ 5/15/11 (7/8)
I8 Stamp Pending

✔ Steph Killbox 5/19/11 5★ (Review)
✔ Jo You Slay Me 5/18/11 5★ (Review)
✔ Vivian Magic Bleeds 5/16/11 4★ (Review)
✔ Tania Fablehaven 5/19/11 4★ (Review)
✔ AH Infernal Devices 5/18/11 3★ (Review)
Daffodil deciding
✔ Cinnamon The Thief 5/16/11 4.5★ (Review)
✔ Zina Blue Bloods 5/18/11 2.5★ (Review)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sandra put this info together and I thought I'd share. That's a LOT of books read! WTG, BSB Players!

SOS Book Shelf Bingo Round 2
Bingo: 5 March - 21 May 2011

Books Overall: 554 books read and reviewed

[AH]

Thanks for being such a great team leader. I was kind of sad this weekend waiting for the category to read and knowing that the game was over. Everyone did a great job and I've certainly added a lot of books to my list. I'm so glad to have met such wonderful new friends as well. Sign me up for Bingo round 3 when it comes up.

[Desperado]

Congrats on being 3rd place, Team May the 4ce Be with You!

[Daffodil]

I finished my last shelf read early yesterday and I'll go ahead and post my review, even though the game is over. Sorry, I didn't get to it before now. No computer at home, so I have limited access on weekends.

Beyond the Night, Joss Ware, 5-21-11
Rating: 3 stars.
Review: For the most part this was a pretty decent first in series book. Set 50 years in the future, after massive ecological upheaval, Dr. Elliott Drake and a few friends wake up to a different world. We kind of learn the politics of this new world and what happened to cause the changes as they do. Jade's had a difficult life and because of years spent as a victim, she has a few control issues. Completely understandable. There was one scene that lowered this book to a 3 star rating, I was completely disgusted by one of the sex scenes in the book. (view spoiler)[ When Jade walks into Elliott's room, she mentions the stench of blood and death in the air. The mattress is soaked with blood. Sure, she finds the body in the bathroom and covers it with a sheet. But then she goes back into the bedroom, finds Elliott and they procede to have sex. ?!? What? They started and I kept thinking, what about the body? Things move along and I kept thinking, BUT THERE'S A BODY! IN THE NEXT ROOM! Things keep progressing and all I can think about is the body in the bathroom and the stench of blood and death that Jade could smell from the hallway door. UGH! (hide spoiler)] Not Sexy at all! The more I think about it, the more I debate. Maybe it's not even worth the 3 stars. I will give the series one more chance, but if there's another scene like this one, I won't continue.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

@AH, Yay! I'm glad you had fun! Look forward to seein' in R3. Maybe the new challenge/game too? ;) (Details coming soon)

Thanks, Lethal!

@Daffodil, No worries, hun! I've been wondering about that series. LOL @ "maybe it's not even worth 3 stars" I've had those moments too, where when writing my review I realize I may not have enjoyed a book as much as I initially thought.

WTG, Team! I had a great time playing and reading along with ya'll! :D

[Vivian]

Had fun with everyone! Looking forward to the new game :D

[cindy]

Yeah WTG :D Bingo was a lot more fun than I'd originally expected. We were an amazing team, but fate was working against us LOL...

[Vivian]

This was a really close game, so many teams had 4 in a row!

BTW, love seeing all the pretty book covers. I think we all found some great new series this round :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Glad to hear it, Cinnamon. I hope you'll join us for our next team challenge/game and/or Round 3 of BSB.

Vivian, I definitely added books to my TBR throughout the game. :D

Thanks for all the great reviews!

[Zaanodes]

Good job, good fun. See you all next round?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Absolutely! :D

[Tania]

Thanks Steph for all of your hard work, this was awesome. Definitely count me in for the next challenge!

It was great working or should I say reading with all of you, hope our paths cross again.

Here's to a great summer for everyone!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Don't mention it. It was a lot of fun for me too. :) Glad you enjoyed it!

Don't forget to check out our new upcoming game. We will have R3 of bingo sometime later this year, so I hope to see ya there! :D