Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2012

[Steph, Serious series addict]

This one is a must, IMO, Sarah! So many great new (and new2me) series to check out. :)

[Lisa Kay]

Woohoo! I'm done! Thanks, Judithe & Sandra, for this fun challenge. Can't believe a year has gone by.

Love or Hate @ First Sight Read Challenge
Duration: July 1 2011 - June 30 2012

Completed: 12/12 - Done!

✔ July: Dragon Bound, by Thea Harrison ★★★★★ PB 7/22; my GR review
✔ August: Heartbreak Creek, by Kaki Warner ★★★★½ PB 8/11; my GR review
✔ September: The Texan's Wager, by Jodi Thomas ★★★★★ PB 9/2 "buddy read"
✔ October: Murder is Binding, by Lorna Barrett ★★★½✩ PB 10/13
✔ November: The Perfect Play, by Jaci Burton ★★★½✩ PB 11/12 my GR review
✔ December: Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh ★★★★★ PB 12/5
✔ January: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf, by Molly Harper ★★★★½ PB 1/1
✔ February: Kiss of Fire, by Deborah Cooke ★★★½✩ PB 2/20 “buddy read”
✔ March: You Slay Me, by Katie MacAlister ★★★★✩ OneClickDigital 3/6
✔ April: The Thief, by Megan Whalen Turner ★★★★✩ CDs 4/6
✔ May: Storm Front, by Jim Butcher ★★★★½ PB & ODA 5/1
✔ June: Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor ★★★★★ audible.com 6/21

Read:


Also Read:
3★ 3★ 4★ 4★ 4½★ 4★ 4★ 4★
4½★ 4½★ 4★ 4★ 4★ 3★ 4½★
3★ 4★ 5★ 4★ 3½★ 4★ 3½★ 5★ 4½★ 5★ 4★ 3½★ 4★ 4¼★ 4½★
3★ 4½★ 4★ 5★ 5★ 4★ 4★ 4★
4★ 4★ 4★ 5★ 4★ 4★ 4★ 5★
5★ 5★ 4★ 4★ 4★ 4★ 5★ 3½★
5★ 4½★ 5★ 5★ 5★ 3★½ 3★½ 4★ 4★ 3½★ 5★ 4★ 4★

[CyberAlmu]

Love or Hate @ First Read Challenge
Duration: July 1 2011 - June 30 2012
Completed: 0/12

July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:

Also Read:

[Sarah]

Steph wrote: "This one is a must, IMO, Sarah! So many great new (and new2me) series to check out. :)"

Exactly! And now I can keep track of it all in one place! :D

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Exactly! :D

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

JULY MONTHLY UPDATE

July 2011 (1/12 Done)


Title/Author: Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
Series: Sabina Kane
Read: 7/2/11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This has been languishing on my TBR for months now...why didn't I pick it up sooner? Well, Sabina kind of ticked-me-off at first, but she did redeem herself by the end. Half-breed Sabrina was raised (and brainwashed since birth) by her power-&-revenge-hungry, head-of-vampires, grandmother. Charming woman. The assignment loving Grandma gives Sabina also exposes her to other castes of paranormals, and parts of herself that Sabina had no clue about. The action and suspense were good, characters interesting, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of Mr. Sexy-hexy!

Just got some birthday gift certificates (of course for the bookstore!) and definitely adding Sabina to the birthday cart!

Also read:
Ummm...nothing yet, but give me a few more days!

[Sarah]

July Monthly Update



Title/Author: The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Series: Jenna Fox Chronicles
Read: 7.2.11(Date)
Rating:★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I wrote a full review for this but briefly, I enjoyed it very much. I think the message that the author was trying to get through was very thought provoking and it allowed me to question my own beliefs. I found the main character, Jenna, to be courageous and admirable.

Also Read:

[Cindy (eclecticfirefly)]

JULY MONTHLY UPDATE (1/12 done)



Title/Author: Banished by Sophie Littlefield
Series: Banished #1
Read: July 2
Rating: ★★★★✩
First Time Author? No, but first YA
To-Be-Continued? YES!!!
Review: The action really starts about halfway thru the book, but I didn't have any problems getting interested in the story and characters from the beginning. Surprising new characters at the end of the book....

ALSO READ:

[Joann]

SOS Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read Challenge

Duration: July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012

3/12 Read Updated 09.15.11

July: Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank, 07.24.11 ★★★★
August: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, 08.03.11 ★★★★
September: Beyond the Night by Joss Ware, 09.15.11 ★★★★
October:
November:
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:



Also Read:

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Complete!

Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read
Duration: 1 July 2011 - 30 June 2012

Read: 12/12

July: Riding the Storm by Sidney Croft 7/25/11 4*'s
August: Naked Dragon by Annette Blair 8/11/11 3*'s
September: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison 9/15/11 5*'s
October: Playing With Fire by Katie MacAlister 10/12/11 4*'s
November: Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallory 11/3/11 4*'s
December: High Country Bride (McKettrick Cowboys, #1) by Linda Lael Miller 12/22/11 4*'s
January: Hot Head by Damon Suede 1/19/12 4*'s
February: Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur 2/13/12 4*'s
March: Divergent by Veronica Roth 3/28/12 5*'s
April: Alien Mate by Eve Langlais 4/20/12 3*'s
May: Delicious by Susan Mallery 5/7/12 4*'s
June: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep 6/19/12 4*'s



Also Read:

[Kerstin]

July 2011 (1/12 Done)



Title/Author: Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Series: Matrix of Destiny
Read: 04/07/11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Deanna has a day from hell and when she finally arrives at home she finds a rather hot stranger on her couch, who turns out to be an intergalactic knight on a quest to save his world - and find his bride.
This was a quick and fun read that had me in fits of giggles throughout. Admittedly there was not too much of a plot going on, but who needs that when hilarious conversations and situations are paired with steamy romance and a hot alpha male.

Also read:

[Kristen]

Always such good ideas!


Duration: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
0/12

July:
August:
September:
October:
November:
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:

Also Read:
July:
August:
November: :
December:

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Read 1/12



Author: H.P. Mallory
Series: Jolie Wilkins
Read: 7/4/11
Rating: ★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review:
Going into this I was expecting a light, supernatural mystery, but it turned out to be more UF. The heroine was a bit annoying at times, but is also in her early twenties, which could explain some of it. There are a bunch of cliches in this book, but I'm still interested enough to read the next one and see what happens.

What I liked:
* Sinjin. He's an interesting one.
* Jolie when she wasn't being stupid, so for about half the book.
* The finding your animal part was cool.
* The interview with Rand and Sinjin at the end of the book, that was fun.

What could have been better:
* Jolie had a few TSTL moments and I was kind of rooting for her to lose a fight to teach her a lesson. (view spoiler)[Since this would have involved her death, I guess it probably wasn't meant to be. (hide spoiler)] Then she had non life-threatening stupid behavior just to drag out the tension.
* Seriously, when older, more experienced supernaturals drag you into their world, why do they insist on not telling you everything? It always ends badly.
* And then, why does every powerful supernatural male the heroine meets instantly want her? That is getting really old, really fast.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Kerstin wrote: "July 2011 (1/12 Done)



Title/Author: Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy
Series: Matrix of Destiny
Read: 04/07/11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author?..."

I've always enjoyed Dara Joy too :)

[Josie]

July Monthly Update



Title/Author: Angelfall by Susan Ee
Series: Penryn & the End of Days
Read: 5/07/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Wow. I could not put this down. Dark, gripping, unpredictable - what a start to a series! Apart from Nalini Singh's 'Guild Hunter' series, I've yet to come across an angel book I've really enjoyed. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Our heroine, Penryn, goes off in search for her sister when she is abducted by angels. Angels which descended to demolish the modern world six weeks earlier. In basic terms, she teams up with Raffe, another angel, due to their similar goals. What was refreshing is that she didn't spend the book swooning over Raffe. Or angels in general. There was a plot. A twisty one! Some parts of it were quite strange but I suppose it is the apocalypse. There are still questions unanswered as we don't know why they invaded or much about the angels in general, in particular the different "sides" and internal politics. I'm looking forward to finding all this out in the sequel. I didn't want it to end and that hasn't happened with a book since I read 'Hunt the Moon'.

[Kerstin]

@Sandra: Yes, it was a very funny read! Have you read the rest of the series? I heard the next one wasn't as good :(

@Josie: That sounds like a great book! I haven't come across many angel themed books I enjoy either, so I'll certainly give this a try!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

JULY Monthly Update



Title/Author: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races
Read: 5/7/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review: I couldn't put this down either, despite losing power for 6 hours due to next door's tree falling across power lines, I kept reading by candlelight. This was such a feel good book. Pia is forced to steal something from Dragos and the chase is on. Both of them are lonely and Dragos had been bored as well. No longer. All of Dragos's friends can see the change but Pia takes a while to understand just what is happening. Lots of adventure, snarky comments and blood and gore as well as the most unromantic dragon you've ever seen.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Kerstin wrote: "@Sandra: Yes, it was a very funny read! Have you read the rest of the series? I heard the next one wasn't as good :(

@Josie: That sounds like a great book! I haven't come across many angel themed ..."

Possibly not as good in comparison, still good as compared to other books. It was a while ago that I read it.

I gave it ★★★★★

[Steph, Serious series addict]

@Josie, Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Sounds great. I am looking forward to reading it soon.

@Sandra, I really need to move that one up on my TBR. Lots of good reviews. Glad you enjoyed it.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

:D

[Josie]

I've been craving reading Dragon Bound so I'm glad you loved it Sandra! I'll splash out for it, the Kindle price is quite reasonable and seems worth it :)

@Steph, Sandra & Kerstin: Yes! Read it! Creepy but memorable, I can't stop thinking about it. I don't know when the sequel's out though :(

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Will do, Josie. Maybe Susan can give us an idea of when #2 will be coming out. ;)

I finished my first #1 for July. I'll post my info later today.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

July 2011 (1/12 Done)


Title/Author: Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle
Series: Dark Dynasties
Read: 7 July
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I really enjoyed the mythology in this one. There were shifting vampires - which we've seen before w/bats, but not all of these vamps have the ability to shift, only certain lines; some could turn into cats. :D The main characters were likable. I am very interested to read book #2, Midnight Reckoning, which is due out 1/1/12 and will tell Jaden and Lyra's story. I really liked Jaden (shape-shifting vamp) in this book and Lyra (a were) had a small bit, but seems like a bad-ass babe.

Also Read:
Nothing yet.

[Lala]

Done :)

Duration: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012

12/12


July:

Author: P.C. Cast
Series: Goddess Summoning
Read: 07/11/11
Rating: *****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: First i wasnt that into this book, maybe because CC was in military and i assumed that its going to be boring or something, but i was surprised in a good way. I liked how she became a mermaid and finds the magic and love in her life. And in the end it gets really sad and i was so suprised by the ending because again i assumed something else. I guess i should stop assuming and just read :D LOL

August:

Author: Jeff Lindsay
Series: Dexter
Read: 08/09/11
Rating: ****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: It was a great read...I was thinking maybe tv show is better, but no it isnt. I really get Dexter better now :D and i loved how it ended.

September:

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Hex Hall
Read: 09/06/11
Rating: *****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review:I didnt think i like this book that much, but i have to say it was super. From the first page i was hooked and i loved how much was going on and how it ended. Just wanna take the next book and read it :)

October:

Author: Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly
Read: 10/17/11
Rating: *****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: It is such a amazing and fun read. I liked that the book wasnt just about supernatural, but more about love then anything else.
I cant wait when to read the next book :D


November:

Author: Stephen King
Series: The Dark Tower
Read: 11/23/11
Rating: ***
First time author?: No
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: All my friends have build up this book for me, so i had high expectations. It was little slow, but im looking forward reading other books from this series. I heared its getting better :)

Decmeber:

Author: Caragh M. O'Brien
Series: Birthmarked
Read: 12/07/11
Rating: ****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: I like the world the author has created and its a story about a girl and the dangers she will face. I also like that the story in the book takes place in the future.

January:

Author: Maya Banks
Series: McCabe Trilogy
Read: 01/04/12
Rating: ****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: I didnt expect too much from this book, so it was such fun and breath taking read. Just loved it!!

February:

Author: Jessica Verday
Series: The Hollow
Read: 02/19/12
Rating: *
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Maybe
Review: This was waste of time...It was so dull and boring for me. It was like girl meets boy and 500 pages later it comes out that boy is a ghost. Its bad version of Twilight....


March:

Author: Larissa Ione
Series: Demonica
Read: 03/18/12
Rating: ****
First time author?: yes
To-Be-Continued?: yes!!
Review: Its fun, sexy read about a woman who finds out she is a half demon and how she handles her life after that. It turned everything up side down for her, mostly because she was a slayer and hated demons for what they done to her mom. In the end she finds love, family and learns to handle her demon half.


April:

Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study
Read: 04/08/12
Rating: *****
First time author?: No
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review:It was such a good and amazing story, that takes you to a land that has magic and adventure. There is love, action and sad parts in it as well. I like how Yelena and Valek end up being in love, but in the end its little sad how they can't be together and have to go separate ways for now. I can't wait to read the next book from this series and see what happens with Yelena and Valek :)


May:

Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Series: Shade
Read: 05/09/12
Rating: ****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: Mostly i like this book, because its so much different then other YA books that i have read. In this book Aura loses her love and then she will see him as a ghost and you can feel how hard it is for her. She can see and talk to him, but thats all they can do. Its little sad, but the end is happy :)


June:

Author: Susan Mallery
Series: Fool's Gold
Read: 06/03/12
Rating: ****
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Review: When i started reading this book i didnt think much of it. I was quite sure its going to be another too sweet romance book. It was sweet, but the story pulled me in and the characters felt real and they had real problems. I enjoyed reading about the small town and how every one knew each other and what happens in their lives. It was really, really good read and i will definitely read more books by Susan Mallery.

[Lisa Kay]

Question: Can I use an anthology? I’m looking at and .

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi, Lisa Kay. I'm thinking no for most anthologies, but those two are listed on GR as first in the series. I'm gonna wait for Judithe's final say though. Hang tight, we'll let ya know soon.

ETA: Lisa Kay, those appear to be collaborations (two authors, one story) not anthologies. Those would be acceptable for this challenge. But, anthologies (multiple authors, multiple stories) would not. Hope that helps.

[Lisa Kay]

Steph wrote: "ETA: Lisa Kay, those appear to be collaborations (two authors, one story) not anthologies. Those would be acceptable for this challenge. But, anthologies (multiple authors, multiple stories) would not. Hope that helps."

They are ?! Well, knock me over with a chicken feather then paint me with it.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I believe so. :)
Let me know if I'm wrong. I don't have the books in front of me to check.

[Lisa Kay]

Steph wrote: "I believe so. :)
Let me know if I'm wrong. I don't have the books in front of me to check."

They are both available from my library via audiobook download... so I'll have to get back to you when I get to them. But right now I can say, "Yes, I think you're right!"

Thanks!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

You're welcome. Enjoy!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Lisa Kay, I've got and it definitely isn't an anthology. Kenyon has done quite a few collaboration novels.

[Lisa Kay]

Sandra wrote: "Lisa Kay, I've got and it definitely isn't an anthology. Kenyon has done quite a few collaboration novels."

GTK!

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Oh! So many comments I want to make! Just a couple for now!

@Josie~psyched to hear you 5★ Angelfall~reading it as soon as I transfer it to my phone!

@Steph~also glad to hear aboutDark Awakening! Also looking forward to that read!

...I really should try and put at least one of these firsts until August...hmmmm....

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

@ Lisa Kay~ditto what Step said!!

[Suzanne]

I'm In!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight
Duration: July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012

Rules:
*Read 12 books that are the first novel in a new-to-you series.
*Read one book per calendar month (that means, can't read and count 3 new ones in ONE month...)

Format:
COVER (#)

Title/Author:
Series:
Read: (Date)
Rating:
First time author?
To-Be-Continued?
Review: (Just a sentence or so of what you thought about it!)

Progress: 11 out of 12

July: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
August: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
September: Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
October: Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
November: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
December: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
January: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
February: Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
March: If I Stay by Gayle Forman
April: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
May: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
June: Fallen by Lauren Kate

July 2011:

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #1
Read: 7/18/2011
Rating: *****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: This book was very good! I've been reading a lot of books about Fairies and this one seems different. Mainly because the main character doesn't have an obvious love interest, it's part mystery and she also special powers that come in handy when dealing with the Fae. I will definately be reading the next one!

August 2011:

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling #1
Read: 8/21/2011
Rating: ****
First Time Author: No
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: This book was very good! Once I got about half way through I started getting attached the storyline and the world. It reminded me a lot of the movie Equilibrium with Christian Bale. Making that reference helped me get more interested in the story. I'll definately pick up the next book in the series.

September 2011:

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #1
Read: 9/10/2011
Rating: *****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: This book was awesome! It was very funny and well written. I loved the cliffhanger at the end it made me want to read the second one right away!

October 2011:

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane
Series: Night Huntress #1
Read: 10/2/2011
Rating: *****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: I love flawed heroines. The more issues the better and this chick takes the cake. She's got a lot of personal demons but she's a fighter. I'm definately keeping up with this series!

November 2011:

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Series: The Seven Kingdoms #1
Read: 11/14/2011
Rating: ***
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: The story was ok, but I didn't care for the writing style. I'll go ahead and give the next one a try.

December 2011:

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1
Read: 12/05/2011
Rating: ***
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: If you were on team Jacob while reading Twilight, you'll like this book. I was really impressed with it, I just kept thinking that it was too similar to Twilight.

January 2012:

In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
Series: McCabe Trilogy #1
Read: 1/22/2012
Rating: *****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: I loved this book! It kept me up way past my bedtime, I was very engaging! I loved the relationship that the two main characters have and it was cute how much she vexed him. I look forward to reading the 2nd book in this series!

February 2012:

Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
Series: Dead Beautful #1
Read: 2/21/2012
Rating: ****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: This book was better than I expected to be, but it still felt a lot like Twilight. It was still enjoyable though.

March 2012:

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Series: If I Stay #1
Read: 3/1/2012
Rating: *****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: This book was really good! So heart breaking! A young girl is stuck in a coma and must decide whether she wants to die or stay and deal with the aftermath of the accident that killed her entire family and left her body a mangled mess. Very well written!

April 2012:

The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Series: Discworld #1
Read: 4/3/2012
Rating: ****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: I was pleasantly surprised how good this was was! I thought Good Omens was ok when I read it awhile ago, but I enjoyed this book immensely! Lots of british humor, it was a short funny read! I would recommend it to people who like Douglas Adam's and Neil Gaiman.

May 2012:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Series: All Souls Trilogy #1
Read: 5/1/2012
Rating: ****
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: A combination of the Paranormal and the Davinci Code. Awesome read!

June 2012:

Fallen by Lauren Kate
Series: Fallen #1
Read: 6/29/2012
Rating: **
First Time Author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Possibly
Review: This book was not good. The intro of the book revealed the plot of the whole story, so when the main character got to the big "Revelation" the reader already knew it. Dumb.

[Wan]

July 2011: 1/12 Completed

Title/Author: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy Changeling # 1
Read: 7/8
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author: Yes
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Review: Love it. A passive ice-cold Psy and a passionate Alpha Panther-shifter, can't they be any different? I always love the opposite attracts story. The possessiveness and the protectiveness Lucus over Sascha jumped of the page. I could totally feel it. And ..ahh..the dreaming rendezvous were---wait for it--- HOT! The book’s just become one of my favorite series. I can’t wait to read the next book.

[Angie]

My Main List

July: Angel - L.A. Weatherly
August: Forsaken - Jana Oliver
September: Raziel - Kristina Douglas
October: Eternal Rider - Larissa Ione
November:
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:


Also read:
July:
August:
September:
October:

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Huge round of WELCOME to everyone! Lovin' the reviews!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Questions, Sensei. Are we to post our data and review bits for each #1 book we read or only the first for each month?

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Good question! You must post a review for the #1 you count to fulfill the challenge requirement. Others are not required, but VERY welcome!

RL is keeping me on my toes (and off GR!) at the moment, but I have started a spreadsheet with books/post #'s to the reviews here. It's a fun way to get the inside scoop, especially from those of us who are *cough* a little too laid-back on getting reviews "officially" posted on GR (now have a rapidly "review-needed" shelf on My Books...yikes!) Look for the spreadsheet to pop up around the time summer vacation finally rolls around ....

[A book away from an episode of hoarders]

July 2011: 1/12 Completed



Title/Author: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Read: July 13, 2011
Rating: *** stars
First time author? Yes, this was the first book I'd read of hers
To-Be-Continued? No Maybe
Review: I really wanted to like this book. Its got zombies and a dystopian element to it and normally I love zombies and I love dystopian fiction. I think the big problem is that I HATED Mary, the main character. I spent the first half of the book questioning her sanity and whether or not some of the events were really happening at all. She was selfish and whiny and I'd say 80% of the book was her internal monologue. Did I mention that I didn't care for her?

However, that being said, I did find myself interested enough in the plot to finish it... to find out where the author was taking us. I might read another of her books but not in this series.
*edit* I might read the next one since I did like the writing and the story. And Mary isn't the main character.

Also Read:
****
A good book but it felt very heavy and left me emotionally drained. Not a lot of levity in the 835 pages. I looked forward to each scene with Tyrion because you could always rely on him to be humorous and snarky. I probably will read the rest of these but I need a good, long break between books.

****
I really enjoyed this one. I read the first chapter or so in a disinterested fashion. Somewhere along the line, I realized that she had me hooked on the story and I ended up finishing it in one sitting. This series I definitely will continue with.

[Laura Lulu]

Cristina, for what it's worth, the next book in the series has a different main character--Mary's daughter, and she's a much more likeable character. Mary was a butt--I loved the dark, bleakness of the book, but wasn't a big fan of Mary. Ocean, ocean, ocean. Blah blah blah. ;)

[A book away from an episode of hoarders]

Laura Lulu wrote: "Cristina, for what it's worth, the next book in the series has a different main character--Mary's daughter, and she's a much more likeable character. Mary was a butt--I loved the dark, bleakness of..."

Exactly. I was so tired of hearing about the ocean. *sigh*
I might check out the next one then. Thanks. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Judithe wrote: "Good question! You must post a review for the #1 you count to fulfill the challenge requirement. Others are not required, but VERY welcome!

RL is keeping me on my toes (and off GR!) at the momen..."

Thanks. I don't have time right now, my "review needed" shelf is up to 44! Yikes! But, maybe I will in the future.

Looking forward to the spreadsheet, very cool. Love reading the reviews.

[Laura Lulu]

July 2011
Yearly Update Post



Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield
Series: Aftertime
Read: July 17th
Rating: ★★★1/2
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I liked it, I loved the world building, I like Cass, I feel her pain, but I think I might have liked her more, and felt her pain a bit more personally if it had been written in 1st person, rather than third.

But what really kept me from giving it 4 stars was Smoke. I wanted to like him, I'm always a sucker for the stoic martyr hero, but he just felt so one-dimensional--I'm hoping he gets waaaaay more fleshed out in the second book. Which I'm starting now. So I did like it, but I didn't love it.

[Cindy (eclecticfirefly)]

Just finished this one. I really enjoyed it! Loved the relationship between Shea and Torin. I was very pleased that they didn't just fall all over each other as soon as they met. He had to earn her trust and a place in her heart.

[Angie]

July Update
Title/Author: Angel by L.A. Weatherly

Series Angel Trilogy
Read July 15
Rating ****
First Time Author? Yes
To Be Continued? Yes
Review: Surprised by how much I enjoyed this, especially considering that at the beginning I kept getting frustrated at the switch between first and third person narrative. But after a while I didn't notice that as much and just got into the story. I really like the new twist on angels and loved the two main characters. Would have given this five stars if it wasn't for the annoying narrative.

Also read:

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That's GTK, Angie. I want to start both of those series.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

That's one I mean to pick up soon...and still haven't...how many stars would you give it?

[Lisa Kay]

Review for SOS Love or Hate at FIRST Sight Read Challenge:

Title/Author: Dragon Bound, by Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races
Read: 07/22/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: my full GR review
One of the best paranormal/fantasy books I’ve read this year! For those of you who want more insights into their heroes, this is the book for you. Almost half the book is spent inside the hero’s, Dragos’, head. He is scary, arrogant, stalker-ific, possessive, and perplexed about his burgeoning feelings toward Pia. He is a delightful, swoon-worthy "hero-in-pursuit" to read about.

Pia is no slouch herself, even if she is a thief. She is dismayed at the ruination of her life – and she’s scared of Dragos. Despite her “nightmarish week” and one furiously pissed-off dragon on her tail, she is also funny, clever, generous, and a radiant mystery that is a wonder to uncover. She stole her way into my heart in no time flat.