SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R4: Team #4 ~ Four Leaf Clovers
Blueyes -- Leah -- wrote: "I'm going to read 
, it comes out on Wednesday!!!Lucky me, I had planned to read it this week anyways :)"
I love it when it works out that way! :D
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Week 3: 18-19 Feb 12
I8: Favorite Series - 1/5 - TBD
Note: This is a personal shelf
Amanda - Fate's Edge -
Christina - Shadow Touch -
✔ Heather - Go Fetch! - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Kate - Lover Avenged -
Leah - A Perfect Blood -
Kate wrote: "So hard to choose...I'll pick Lover Avenged
I love this series and somehow managed to skip this book. I've read the 6 before it and the 2 after bu..."
And you didn't go around wondering what you missed?
Welcome! WTG, Clovers!Oooo, I'd forgotten all about the new Rachel Morgan book. How'd that happen? LOL! May have to hold out for that one as well.
Happy reading, Ladies!
I am going to read
for the Favorite Series shelf.
Heather wrote: "I am going to read for the Favorite Series shelf."I love that title: "Go Fetch". You'd have to be crazy to say that to a shape-shifter. ;-)
Happy reading all! :D
I love that series, Heather! That reminds me, I had wanted to continue w/her Pride series, maybe I'll go with that one instead. Ya'll are giving me all kinda of good ideas for this week's read. :D
Steph, I'm all caught up on the Pride series, can't wait for
to come our next month. These books crack me up!
So many to pick from! I think I am going to go with Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews. LOVE the Edge series. Just wanted to clarify, do I need at add a shelf titled 'Favorite Series'?
They are a hoot, Heather. I've read her Pack series, but only #1 of her Pride series so far. Looking forward to returning to it soon. No, AmandaG, you don't have to add it to a specific shelf, just any is good. Great question though. I'll post a note on the discussion board, in case others are wondering also.
AmandaG wrote: "So many to pick from! I think I am going to go with Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews. LOVE the Edge series. Just wanted to clarify, do I need at add a shelf titled 'Favorite Series'?..."Oh, I haven't read this yet. Looking forward to seeing your review.
I finished
for the Favorite Series shelf on 2/19/12 and give it 4*'s. I love the Pack and Pride series by Shelley Laurenston. I constantly laugh when reading them. There are lead characters from time to time that bother me, but most of them are just funny. Miki and Conall were both great. Both characters didn't quite fit in, a common theme in these books. Miki was very smart, filing her final work to earn her doctorate. Conall knows from first meeting Miki that wants her, and grows to love her despite her craziness. This was a fun and quick book to read.
Heather wrote: "I finished for the Favorite Series shelf on 2/19/12 and give it 4*'s. I love the Pack and Pride series by Shelley Laurenston. I constantly laugh when reading them. ..."Yay, Heather! Someday, I'll get to this series. :)
Sandra wrote: "Congrats on the stamp Clovers!"Thanks, Sandra! :D
Finished my Free Space read:Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Read 2/19/12
4 Stars
Lothaire is a very old natural-born vampire who is hell bent on revenge. He despises humans and is thus appalled when he finds out his Bride is a human. When her body is possessed by a cursed vampire goddess, he breathes a sigh of relief (metaphorically) as he now understands why the oracle would believe a human was his Bride.
Ellie is pissed to be possessed by a murder-loving goddess and fights for consciousness at all turns. Every time she wakes after the goddess has taken over the body they both live in, she is surrounded by blood and gore. Lothaire has devised a plan in which to send Ellie's soul from her body, thus allowing Soroya the goddess complete control of the human vessel. Ellie's life is turned upside down when Soroya and Lothaire enter her life but this girl is not one to give up on figuring a way to get her own life back.
I love Kresley Cole's writing and the Immortals After Dark series is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed this book for the most part, but I did have some problems with it. I really like that Ellie was not afflicted with 'Too Stupid To Live' syndrome. I like that she kept her mind open when her eyes started showing her things that her brain couldn't really comprehend and didn't ask stupid questions as I've seen in other books when a human is introduced to a paranormal being. The writing was great and it had a good pace (except a small bit towards the end where I found it lagged a bit).
Since Lothaire was surprised by his interest and attraction to Ellie, he lashes out and says and does some pretty bad things to her and that kind of didn't work for me. There was this cycle of him being mean to her and her getting mad and then there was some smooching, then he'd say something bad and she'd get hurt and they cycle would start all over again. Not that I think that they should be all lovey all the time, but it just was a little over the top. One thing I loved was that Lothaire came to find a few parallels in the way he was treating her and was he was being treated or had been treated by others in the past.
I hope that I didn't give anything away to anybody about the book. I eagerly wait for the next book to come out, which will be in FOREVER I am sure.
AmandaG wrote: "Finished my Free Space read:Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Read 2/19/12
4 Stars
Lothaire is a very old natural-born vampire who is hell bent on revenge. He..."
Yay, Amanda! :D
===================================
So...All we need is me to review The Iron Duke and Heather to finish/review Touched by an Alien and we can get our Free Space stamp.
I've finished my Favorite Series read. I need to attend to some neglected housework, so review will be up later(?).
Below is our updated progress:
The Four Leaf Clovers
Free Space - 4/5 - TBD
✔ Amanda - Lothaire - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Christina - The Iron Duke - 12 Feb 12 - pending
Heather - Touched by an Alien
✔ Kate - Dragon Bound - 14 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - Blood Rights - 8 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
Week 1: 4-5 Feb 12
B2: Supernatural - 5/5 - stamped 8 Feb 12
✔ Amanda - Pride Mates - 7 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
✔ Christina - Paranormalcy - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - The Mage in Black - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ ½ - Review
✔ Kate - Soulless - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - Dead on the Delta - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Week 2: 11-12 Feb 12
B4: Ghosts - 5/5 - stamped 18 Feb 12
✔ Amanda - My Soul to Save - 14 Feb 12 - ★★ - Review
✔ Christina - Footsteps in the Dark - 17 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Full Moon Rising - 13 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Kate - Unholy Ghosts - 17 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - First Grave on the Right - 14 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Week 3: 18-19 Feb 12
I8: Favorite Series - 3/5 - TBD
Note: This is a personal shelf
Amanda - Fate's Edge -
✔ Christina - Shadow Touch - 20 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Go Fetch! - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Kate - Lover Avenged - 22 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Leah - A Perfect Blood -
Finished my Favourite Series book:
Book: Lover Avenged by JR Ward
Read: Feb 22, 2012
Rating: ★★★★
I sort of skipped this book in the series because the library didn't have it and I was trying to keep my book buying under control. I'm glad that I've gone back and read it now. There is a lot going on in this book - a lot of ground work for the later in the series (some things FINALLY make more sense to me) especially with the younger members - Blaylock, John Michael and Qhuinn.
So much went on in this book - there are dozens of storylines going on at once and whilst it doesn't get confusing sometimes I got so frustrated at the plot changes that left me hanging.
The humour amongst the brothers with them and their one liners was just as amusing as in the other books in the series. Tohr is starting to get his act together too. I loved the Tohr and Lassiter interactions.
Rhevenge surprised me. I wasn't a fan of his previous appearances but I found him to be somewhat endearing - not a quality I normally associate with drug lords. Ehlena held her own against him and I liked her for that.
I enjoyed this book and it's made me more anxious than ever for Tohr's book...
I won't be around for the shelf announcement this weekend. My sister rang me this morning to tell me she bought a car. The only thing is she bought it here and she lives 16 hours away. So I'll drive it down to her and won't be online. I'll be back by monday so I won't be letting the team down :)Fingers crossed the the book I choose to read on the plane on the way back will be eligible for the next shelf :P
Kate wrote: "I won't be around for the shelf announcement this weekend. My sister rang me this morning to tell me she bought a car. The only thing is she bought it here and she lives 16 hours away. So I'll driv..."Have a safe trip! :D
Kate wrote: "I won't be around for the shelf announcement this weekend. My sister rang me this morning to tell me she bought a car. The only thing is she bought it here and she lives 16 hours away. So I'll driv..."Have fun!!! Make sure you sing along really loudly with the radio on the way there :)
Favorite Series
Shadow Touch by Marjorie M. Liu - 20 Feb 12 - ★★★★★
Even though I only just started this series, once I read the first book I knew it would become a favorite. In some ways, it reminds me of Nalini Singh's Psy-Changelings. There are shifters and there are psychics. If I had to compare Artur's talent to the Psy, I would say it comes close to the Justice Psy. Elena's actually reminded me of one of Judd's side talents -- also, what saved Katya at the end of Blaze of Memory.
I really liked the characters. Artur had a hard life in Russia after his mother put him in an orphanage at the age of twelve . He did what he needed to survive. He worked for the mob until he couldn't live with himself anymore. That's when Roland found him and eventually convinced him to join Dirk and Steele. Though he's turned his life around, he still feels that someone like Elena would reject him for his past.
Elena's past isn't as burdened as Artur's. She is such a compassionate person that her first instinct is to save Artur's life mere minutes after meeting him in the hallway of their prison -- and why she can accept Artur and not hold his past against him. Her nature is the reason Artur can bear touching her -- what little darkness there is, it's nothing compared to the things Artur has seen in others. Elena isn't a meek person and she can hold her own, and a few times that gets her into trouble. During the climatic confrontation near the end of the book, it's Elena that saves the day.
The first part of the book focuses on the pair, individually, as they try to make sense of where they are and why they were kidnapped -- plus be treated like lab rats. Both have desirable skills, but the mysterious head of the organization is desperate to make use of Elena's. She's so important to them, that she's been assigned a bodyguard, Rictor. He's mysterious and he has his own agenda.
Things pick up when an emergency in the facility presents an opportunity to escape. They rescue two other prisoners before making their escape. At first, their goals are to stay ahead of the bad guys and get someplace safe, since none of them know exactly where they are. But then Artur learns what the Consortium plans to do and his goal is to stop them. I thought this part of the book was fast paced because the characters are constantly on the move.
There is a major revelation near the end that changes things for Dirk and Steele, and probably drives the overarching storyline of the series. I'm looking forward to reading more.
I'm working away on
, so far so good!! I forgot how much I enjoy the Hollows series, and this book is definitely an improvement from the last few (although Pale Demon wasn't bad).Been so busy with work, which is a terrible thing to be when you are in the middle of a good book!!
Blueyes -- Leah -- wrote: "I'm working away on , so far so good!! I forgot how much I enjoy the Hollows series, and this book is definitely an improvement from the last few (although [book..."Thanks for the update. I remembered that you had to wait for the book, so I wasn't too worried. ;-)
Still working my way through
. Hope to have it done today. Can't wait for next announcement tomorrow!
AmandaG wrote: "Still working my way through . Hope to have it done today. Can't wait for next announcement tomorrow!"Thanks for the update. I noticed that you don't have listed as "currently reading". Is it a re-read? :)
It is a re-read and I hadn't added it to currently reading until earlier today, so it should show now. I just forgot.
AmandaG wrote: "It is a re-read and I hadn't added it to currently reading until earlier today, so it should show now. I just forgot."Thanks! I looked earlier this morning when I replied to Leah.
I'm looking forward to the next shelf, too! :D
Okay ladies, I finally finished my Free Space Read, and Chrisitina, sorry for the extra work, but I changed my book. I finished
on 2/24/12 and give it 5*'s. This is a re-read for me and loved it just as much as the first two times. The new book comes out on 3/6/12 and wanted to read the first two and half books before then since it has been so long since I read them last. I love the characters that Patricia Briggs writes. Everyone in her Mercy and Alpha Omega world are so well developed. Throughout the book Anna and Charles face challenges as a new couple, trying to figure out their mating and what that means to them. Anna still has a lot of work to over come the abuse she endured with her first Alpha. This is something that I always respect about Briggs' books, her characters have real problems, emotions that can take books to deal with and overcome. I cannot wait until the next book comes out.
I love the Mercy series, but have yet to read this one. Maybe will try it soon. Was Alien book that bad?
AmandaG wrote: "I love the Mercy series, but have yet to read this one. Maybe will try it soon. Was Alien book that bad?"Not at all, I made the mistake of taking a break in a slow spot. I flew through the first 200 pages or so, it was great, just took a break to read a shelf book during the spot where they were doing a lot of back story and figuring out how to defeat the enemy and just couldn't bring my self to finish it quickly. I will still finish it probably in the next week or so, but wanted to re-read my Alpha and Omega books before 3/6. If you love Mercy then you should love these since there is lots of Bran and they mention Samuel and Mercy throughout the stories. Just be sure you read the story in
first. That storyline is the Chicago end of what happens in Mercy's first book.
Heather wrote: " Just be sure you read the story in first. That storyline is the Chicago end of what happens in Mercy's first book. "I loved this short story, seeing Charles and Anna's first meeting. Just perfect world building and totally believable characters; I reread it all the time. Can't wait for the next one to come out in March!
Done my Favourite Series book!! Review below:
Book: A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
Read: February 24, 2012
Rating: ★★★★
Reading this book was like getting together with old friends. I love Rachel and her crew of friends. For some reason, I always forget how much I enjoy the Hollows books until another one comes out and I read it.
This book was great. The plot lines primarily focused on Rachel's inability to accept her demon heritage. I liked Pale Demon (the previous book), but I had issues with the few Hollows books before that (I felt like Rachel was a little unrealistic and at times too-stupid-to-live). However, this book was a great improvement! Rachel's character reacted in ways I thought real people would. She was still a little stupid at times, but at least she recognized later that she had made poor decisions.
I can't wait to see where Rachel's relationship with Trent goes. I've really warmed up to him in these last two books.
The reason this book didn't get five-stars was because the action plot line (someone's killing witches!) dragged on at the end of the book. In particular, there was too much (view spoiler).
Also, I could always use a little more face time with Al the Big Bad Demon ;) He's my fav!!
Heather wrote: "Okay ladies, I finally finished my Free Space Read, and Chrisitina, sorry for the extra work, but I changed my book..."No problem! You ladies have been easy to work with! ;-)
The pressure is on me now to finish writing The Iron Duke review so we can get our stamp.
Keep up the good work, Clovers! I think we've been doing really well. :)
Now, I'm going to get off the computer, runs some quick errands, and then get down to finishing that review. Sometimes it so hard to write about something you really, really liked. :-/
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The Four Leaf Clovers
Free Space - 5/5 - TBD
✔ Amanda - Lothaire - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Christina - The Iron Duke - 12 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Cry Wolf - ★★★★★ - 24 Feb 12 - Review
✔ Kate - Dragon Bound - 14 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - Blood Rights - 8 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
Week 1: 4-5 Feb 12
B2: Supernatural - 5/5 - stamped 8 Feb 12
✔ Amanda - Pride Mates - 7 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
✔ Christina - Paranormalcy - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - The Mage in Black - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ ½ - Review
✔ Kate - Soulless - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - Dead on the Delta - 6 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Week 2: 11-12 Feb 12
B4: Ghosts - 5/5 - stamped 18 Feb 12
✔ Amanda - My Soul to Save - 14 Feb 12 - ★★ - Review
✔ Christina - Footsteps in the Dark - 17 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Full Moon Rising - 13 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Kate - Unholy Ghosts - 17 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - First Grave on the Right - 14 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Week 3: 18-19 Feb 12
I8: Favorite Series - 4/5 - TBD
Note: This is a personal shelf
Amanda - Fate's Edge -
✔ Christina - Shadow Touch - 20 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Go Fetch! - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Kate - Lover Avenged - 22 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - A Perfect Blood - 24 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
Free Space
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook - 12 Feb 12 - ★★★★★
Skimming some of the reviews, just before I began reading this book, I was almost convinced not to even start it. Steampunk is relatively new to me. I'm pretty sure I haven't read any, and some of those reviews had me wondering whether I'd like this author's take on the genre. I've read science fiction and fantasy, so I knew I could do the "suspension of belief" bit and hopefully understand the world she created with minimal confusion. Even so, I went into the book half expecting it to be a 'did not finish'.
Turns out, I worried for nothing. I really enjoyed all aspects of this story. The steampunk parts were interesting and I had no problem following that part of her world.
As to he alternate history, I was very interested in how the author changed things. The Mongol Horde (or the Horde) controlled England for approximately 200 years before Rhys breaks their control -- so the Horde came some time in the 1600s (Cromwell/Restoration time frame). There was no Glorious Revolution and, ultimately, no Victoria. Also, no Napoleonic Wars. Why bring this up? Mostly, to so you get an idea of what's different. England has a king, who's incapacitated thanks to the Horde. He has a regent council since his son underage. It's like the Regency era got push later a bit on the timeline. So, instead of Napoleon, there's the Horde; instead of Nelson and Wellington, there's Rhys -- doing double-duty as both the naval hero (Nelson) and the Iron Duke (Wellington). Clever. A statue of Rhys stands in the square formerly known as Trafalgar I pulled out a tourist map of London to help figure out "the same, but different" parts.
Not all the nobility stayed in England. Those who fled to the New World took their money, culture, and their traditions with them. They are called "bounders" by those who stayed. The bounders are returning to England to reclaim their lands and their seats in Parliament. Some feel that the "buggers" -- those infested with the nanoagents -- shouldn't be allowed to hold positions of power, just in case the Horde finds away to regain control. This is one source of conflict that will probably be central to the books in the series. One interesting aspect of the society in England is the acceptance of women positions that they wouldn't have held until the late 20th century. Mina is a cop -- a detective inspector.
Besides being a cop, she's also the recognized daughter of an earl. "Recognized" because she was conceived during a "frenzy" and her mother was raped by a member of the Horde. Her parents could have chosen to turn her over to a crèche, but instead, they raised her. They are loving and supportive, and at times I actually had to remind myself of her history. Not everyone is accepting of her. Mina favors her paternal side in looks, so she has had to deal with prejudice -- from name calling to outright violence. Her partner, Constable Newberry, is there as much for her protection as he is to help her solve crimes. The hatred for the Horde is so strong, even her status as a cop doesn't protect her from harm. I really like Mina.
I also liked Rhys. He's a man used to getting his way. He takes care of what's his and he doesn't care for the social aspect of being a duke. He good friend Scarsdale usually has to help him navigate the world of polite society (which is funny, because he was the navigator on the Terror). Rhys meets Mina and falls hard. He doesn't realize, though, that he's falling in love. The more time he spends with her, and gets to know her, the more he begins to realize that he wants her in his life permanently. For the first time, he sees a future with a wife and family. What I liked about him most was the fact that Mina's heritage didn't matter to him in the slightest and he doesn't expect her to give up being a cop just to be his duchess.
I also liked the secondary characters: Newberry, Scarsdale, Yasmeen. I loved the adventure they have and it makes me wish that this series was about Mina solving crimes. Sort of the steampunk version of Eve and Roake. Or maybe the A-Team -- where Face is the one afraid of flying and Murdoch is a female with BA's attitude. Even so, I'm still looking forward to reading the next book.
Off to request our FREE SPACE Stamp!Free Space - 5/5 - TBD
✔ Amanda - Lothaire - 19 Feb 12 - ★★★★ - Review
✔ Christina - The Iron Duke - 12 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Heather - Cry Wolf - ★★★★★ - 24 Feb 12 - Review
✔ Kate - Dragon Bound - 14 Feb 12 - ★★★★★ - Review
✔ Leah - Blood Rights - 8 Feb 12 - ★★★ - Review
Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Off to request our FREE SPACE Stamp!"Woooo hoooo!!! Good work Clovers!!! :)
Woo hoo!!!!! :) I already have
out from the library, I will read it for the demons shelf. This is just my luck too, because I'm about halfway through
, which would have been a perfect demon book, but too late as I started it a while ago. Oh well!
Okay, I am headed to the movies and dinner with a friend, but when I get back I will decide between
hmmmm, choices, choices....
Heather wrote: "Okay, I am headed to the movies and dinner with a friend, but when I get back I will decide between"What movie?????
CONGRATULATIONS, Four Leaf Clovers! You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Clovers!
This was a tough shelf, even with the "pre-screening" I did before the game. There was A LOT to choose from.I've decided to go with
Thanks Steph and Sandra :D
Clovers, Steph posted a Public Service announcement over in the Question thread. Just passing it on...I know y'all are pretty good about making sure all the required information is in your reviews, so keep up the good work.
The Four Leaf CloversWeek 4: 25-26 Feb 12
O22: Demons - 0/5 - TBD
Amanda -
Christina - Seduced By Shadows -
Heather -
Kate - ROAD TRIP!
Leah - Shadowfae -
Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Thanks Steph and Sandra :D"Oh, I went from Sandy back to Sandra :) LOL
I answer to both :DDD
LOL! :D You know, I switched back because of Sandy on team 2. And because, quiet frankly, I'm a bit flaky. ;-)
I figured as much, on both counts :)))
I've finished reading
but will post review tomorrow (and pick a Demon book) as I've just gotten home from a wedding and am dead tired.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Catching Fire (other topics)Serpent's Kiss (other topics)
Divergent (other topics)
Serpent's Kiss (other topics)
Divergent (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Nalini Singh (other topics)Lisa Shearin (other topics)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
Seanan McGuire (other topics)
Jessica Andersen (other topics)
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Lucky me, I had planned to read it this week anyways :)