SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R5: Team #3 ~ Vamps, and shifters, and demons! Oh my!
@Heather: I'll be interested to see what you thought of Gabriel's Ghost - I've only read one book by Linnea Sinclair, Games of Command, and liked it enough to check out her other stuff.Hope the move went ok, Laura!
@Cathy: Good to know that you love the series, for some reason I never get round to starting that one :)
Josie wrote: "@Heather: I'll be interested to see what you thought of Gabriel's Ghost - I've only read one book by Linnea Sinclair, Games of Command, and liked it enough to check out her other stuff."Lol, that's the book I've read by her too. She seems to be really good at creating her worlds and revealing information naturally.
I have to say that it also made me tear up at one point - I really fell in love with Branden!
@ Josie: the move went well, but it was hard to fit your life into 3 suitcase :D
I am going to read Lord Of The Isles by Debbie Mazzuca for the New2You:Series. I am in the mood for a highlander story. Hope this one is good.
Lol! I don't know how you managed! I struggle moving back and forth to uni and seeing as at home I had all my books in my wardrobe, I had no where to put any of my clothes when I came back :P
Most of my books are still in Turkey :(
Oh no! I hope you are reunited soon :(@Cathy: I've never heard of the book or author so I'll be waiting to see what you think of it.
I've finished 'Dearly, Departed', review to follow soon
Title/Author: Dearly Departed by Lia Habel
Date finished: 2nd July
Rating: ★★★1/2
Review: I've been really looking forward to reading this book. It's essentially a young-adult that mixes dystopia, steampunk and horror, which strangely enough works.
On the whole, Lia Habel did a good job and credit where credit's due, she has guts having a zombie as the leading love interest with no need to include a love triangle. She made me root for Nora and Bram. You could tell that she'd thought about the world and the reasons behind it, plus she didn't leave the reader asking the obvious questions, such as can zombies have sex? (FYI: No, apparently they can't). There were some funny comments and I really liked the zombie crew.
There were some things, however, that took away my enjoyment of the book, namely the different POVs.
There were 5 overall and tbh, there was no need. It would've added some mystery if you didn't know who the bad guy was (he was a bit of a textbook villain, not much depth) and you're always going to have least favourite characters. Nora's best friend Pam? Yeah, I didn't really care much for her story, she was just a wannabe-Nora and it ultimately slowed the pace of the book. Time would've been better spent getting to know Nora and Bram, she went from disgust to love in a bit of a short space of time and I would've liked to have seen more of the change.
I'm not desperate to read the next one but it was an interesting change of supe. As the zombies said: vampires are dead too but they just have better PR.
Finished: The Golden Lily, Richelle MeadDate: June 30, 2012
Shelf: Favorite Series
Rating: Four stars
Review: Sydney is still protecting Jill while under cover at a private school. She knows she is not supposed to become more associated with the vampires and dhampirs more than necessary to to her job. However she just keeps on getting closer to them. In this book, we get to see Sydney get involved romantically with someone. Which was nice because we don't normally get to see that side. Drama starts when they realize that Clarence might not be so crazy afterall, and there might be vampire hunters after them.
All in all, it was a good book. I am anxious for the next one (in like a year, ugh!) To see what happens with Adrian and her friendship. :)
Oh and I'm reading
for new to you shelf :)))
SHELF : New 2 You SeriesTITLE/Author : Lord Of The Isles by Debbier Mazzuca
DATE FINISHED : July 4 ★★★★
I was in the mood for a sexy highlander fix and this book fit the bill perfectly.I love the combination of a sexy highlander and a strong female, time travel and a little magic, and an all around good story with characters who can make me laugh as well as cry. As a first time read by this author and this series I was very pleased. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.
Yay Cathy and Jennifer!Lord of the Isles sounds interesting Cathy - will have to check it out :)
Hey team! Shelf day (well, for me)! How's everyone doing with their reads?
Cathy wrote: "SHELF : New 2 You SeriesTITLE/Author : Lord Of The Isles by Debbier Mazzuca
DATE FINISHED : July 4 ★★★★
I was in the mood for a sexy highlander fix and this book fit the bill perfectly.I love ..."
hey if u like highland warriors and alot of magic and romance you should try brenda joyce master of time series its amazing
Next shelf is up!Week 4 (8th July)
Shifters → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: Dragon's Kiss by Tielle St. Clare - ★★★
Review 7/09/12
✔ Jennifer: Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - ★★★★
Review 7/10/12
✔ Josie: Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler - ★★★★★
Review 7/08/12
✔ Cathy: Alpha by Rachel Vincent - ★★★★★
Review 7/15/12
✔ Laura: How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper - ★★★★
Review 7/11/12
Finished: Gabriel's Ghost
Date: 7/4/12
Shelf: New 2 You Series
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I've waited several days hoping this review would get easier to write but it hasn't... A lot of what didn't quite work for me most likely has to do with forces outside THIS book. For example, it took me a while to read this, but at the same time I wasn't reading as much a usual. Also, the only other book I've read by the author is Games of Command. This book is shorter but took me a day longer to finish...
As to the actual book itself, the story was very enjoyable. The plot-line was very point-A to point-B in which each portion of the book was actively taking the reader toward the conclusion (in this case it's going from prison planet to jukor-breeding space-port). This lends a bit of a "bare-bones" feeling to the writing.
The characters definitely had their place. Again, each person introduced for more than a page serves a purpose to the plot development and no two characters are the carbon copy of another.
Sully was a bit frustrating at times due to his tight-lipped-ness, but at the same time, the reader can completely understand why he is as he is. Both he and Ren (his blind alien friend) put up with so much and there are times where you question which has it worse: Ren, who is judged and feared before even a word is said, but who can then take the effort to move past prejudices; or Sully, who is liked instantly once met, but who can't be close to anyone for fear they will learn his secrets and revile him...
As for Chaz (the point from whom the story is told), she is one tough cookie and when Sully and her are together you just want to go "Awwww...". She puts such an enormous amount of faith in him, especially due to Sully's half-truth's and his need for NO personal questions. Even when frustrated with her on an emotional level, the reader can't help but to find sympathy on a more intellectual one. After all, this is a woman who has learned one thing all of her life and within a month or two everything turns out to be a lie.
So, while I couldn't bring myself to give the book more than three stars, that in no way means this is a bad (or even so-so) book. My major personal "problem" was in how long it took to read, for this author doesn't write easy books. She develop's a rich and detailed universe in which she doesn't dumb the book down by giving everything a modern-day Earth equivalent or by explaining how each and everything works. Instead, the author writes a broad appeal book suitable for almost anyone who likes SF books.
So you should definitely give this book, or even at least this author, a chance.
Hope everyone's reading's going great. I'm going with
I have read the whole series and loved it. Have you read Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series? Sexy highlanders, magic/time travel and romance.
I am going to read Alpha by Rachel Vincent for the Shifters shelf. I have been meaning to finish this series.
I loved the review Heather!Good to get a series finished off, Cathy! I still haven't finished Shifters yet. In fact it might be my choice for this week but I'm not sure still, depends what I'm feeling. It's out of:
Our board's looking good. Once we get our stamps, we'll have 2 3-in-a-row - it's always good to have options :P
Title/Author: 1st to Die/James Patterson
Date finished: 08.07.12
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: This book just blew my mind. You think its already ending, but then it throws you totally off and then again you think you know who the killer is, but it comes out you don't. I liked that this book had a ability to surpries me and keep me on edge :) It was a fun read.
So it turns out that I didn't pick any of the books above. I chose:
Title/Author: Eye of the Tempest by Nicole Peeler
Date finished: 8th July
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I am loving this series so far. I love Jane, I love Anyan, I love the gang, I love the humour, I love the plot, I love the pace. Even though the US covers show the quirkiness of the books, I love the UK ones the best (shown above). They aren't just silly books, Jane, as well as other characters have to deal with some real tough issues - attempted suicide, rape, death etc. Can't wait to read the next one!
Title/Author: A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. HamiltonDate finished: July 9,2012
Rating: three stars
Shelf: new 2 you series
Review: In this first boom of the series, Princess Meredith is hiding out in the human world from her aunt, the queen. Eventually, the queen of darkness finds her and sends people to bring her back. The queen makes some unexpected promises to her, and she is not sure what's going to happen.
This was an okay book. I am going to continue with the series and just hope it gets better :)
Title/Author: Deadlocked by Charlaine HarrisDate finished: July 10, 2012
Shelf: Shifters
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Felipe de Castro is visiting Eric to see what happened to Victor. So everyone is feeling some pressure. Also, someone is trying to get Eric caught up. There is a lot that goes on during Felipes welcoming party and most of the book is trying to figure out what happened. Ill just say this.. somebody close to Sookie is not who he seems and everybody finds out.
I thought this book was good. The ending makes it to where you cant wait for the next one.
Yay, Jennifer! Off to request a stamp :DWeek 3 (1st July)
New2You: Series → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair - ★★★
Review 7/04/12
✔ Jennifer: A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton - ★★★
Review 7/09/12
✔ Josie: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel - ★★★1/2
Review 7/02/12
✔ Cathy: Lord Of The Isles by Debbie Mazzuca - ★★★★
Review 7/04/12
✔ Laura: 1st to Die by James Patterson - ★★★★★
Review 7/08/12
Cathy wrote: "I am going to read Alpha by Rachel Vincent for the Shifters shelf. I have been meaning to finish this series.
"Is that a good series? I thought about starting it.
CONGRATULATIONS, Vamps, Shifters, and Demons! You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'New2You: series'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Finished: Dragon's Kiss
Date: 7/9/12
Shelf: Shifters
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This quickly read book features a dragon-researching heroine who is charged with looking after the king following an attempted dragon-slaying in which he was bit. Once a person has been bit in this world, they fall in to a feverish state from which they awake to a growing dragon presence within themselves. The dragon grows stronger until its consciousness overrides that of the humans and physical transformation is completed.
There isn't really much else that can be said without giving away the plot. As this is classified as erotica it should be no surprise that there is a lot of sex within the story-line... As for how MUCH sex... think: two bunnies going at it times ten. Because of this, the majority of the book focuses on this factor and the reader knows that they are starting to care for each other solely due to mentions of off-page conversations during which we are told they laugh and enjoy themselves.
All that said... this book is hot and receives good marks for the scenes being detailed and interesting while not being so long as to make my eyes start scanning ahead for the finish line. It is the first book in a four book series and, as the other three follow the couple's children, the reader is given a rather cute epilogue as a segue into the rest of the books.
If you're looking for a quick bit of fluff and don't mind reading about just why some sacrificial virgins are eager to be "eaten" by a big scaly dragon with a nimble tongue, I highly recommend this read.
Congrats on the stamp VSDOM!
Thanks Steph and Sandra!Nice review, Heather :D
@Jennifer: Well I've only read the first three (but heard it gets better) and at the moment it's so-so. Everyone says how Faythe is annoying (it's true) but it is a staple of the UF genre so yes! I think you should go for it!
Finished:How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf
Date: 11.07.12
Shelf: Shifters
Rating: ★★★★
Review:It was quick, fun read. This book reminds me a little Molly Harper Jane Jameson series. In both series there is mothers that is a little overwhelming and the main character wants to get away. In this book she moves to Alaska and finds there werewolf, home and love :)
I just recently read that one myself, Laura and your last line "In this book she moves to Alaska and finds there werewolf, home and love" fits it perfectly. :)
Steph wrote: "I just recently read that one myself, Laura and your last line "In this book she moves to Alaska and finds there werewolf, home and love" fits it perfectly. :)"Thanx :)
Finished:Archangel's Kiss
Date: 12.07.12
Shelf: Favourite Series
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: Its a second books of Guild Hunter series. Archangel's Kiss Elena (main character) try's to make it in her new life as a angel. At the same time some one is harming people who are under Raphael's protection. As in first book there is a lot of action.Archangel's Kiss
Great going, team! We are one book away from having ALL our stamps and it's only Thursday!Week 2 (24th June)
Favorite Series → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter - ★★
Review 6/27/12
✔ Jennifer: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - ★★★★
Review 6/30/12
✔ Josie: Fair Game by Patricia Briggs - ★★★★★
Review 6/25/12
✔ Cathy: Venom by Jennifer Estep - ★★★★★
Review 7/01/12
✔ Laura: Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh - ★★★★★
Review 7/12/12
CONGRATULATIONS, Vamps, Shifters & Demons! You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'favorite-series'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp VSDOM!
New shelf!Week 5 (15th July)
Ghosts → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier - ★★★★★
Review 7/17/12
✔ Jennifer: My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent - ★★★★
Review 7/21/12
✔ Josie: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare - ★★★★1/2
Review 7/16/12
✔ Cathy: Deadly Night by Heather Graham - ★★★★
Review 7/19/12
✔ Laura: Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost - ★★★
Review 7/18/12
I've decided on reading
.I'm only a chapter in but so far its got a delightfully creepy feeling to it. I just hope that keeps up.
Laura wrote: "For ghosts self i will read "That's the book I'm up to so I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on it. I had the misfortune of deciding to listen to Once Burned instead of reading it... One word: Don't. I figure I'll read through the rest of the complete world before going back to read it.
Jennifer wrote: "Cathy wrote: "I am going to read Alpha by Rachel Vincent for the Shifters shelf. I have been meaning to finish this series.Is that a good series? I thought about starting it."
I am reading the Rachel Vincent Shifters series and
is the final book. I have really enjoyed the series.
I am trying to decide what to read for this weeks GHOSTS shelf I have narrowed it down to 3 or 4 options. UGH!
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
A Discovery of Witches (other topics)The Battle of the Labyrinth (other topics)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (other topics)
Grave Sight (other topics)
Play of Passion (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Deborah Harkness (other topics)Alexandra Adornetto (other topics)
Rachel Hawkins (other topics)
TITLE/Author : Venom
DATE FINISHED : July 1 ★★★★★
Gin Blanco a.k.a The Spider is a retired assassin who can't seem to stay retired. Gin is sassy and won't let anyone boss her around, as well as she is fiercely protective of those she cares about. Along with Gin the supporting characters in this series are a ton of fun. Finn, her charming, funny, smart and sexy foster brother. Sophia, the cook at Gin's bar-b-q restraunt, is a goth dressing dwarf who communicates in mostly grunts and has an eerie way of being able to clean up any mess an assassin can make. Then there is Owen Grayson, a man who accepts Gin for who and what she is without judging her.
The action in “Venom” was great. Sit on the edge of your seat exciting. You know there is going to be another book so you know Gin will survive it all, but it’s still really fun to see who gets out okay and who gets out dead. You really root for Gin because the villains are just not at all nice people and you want them to hurt. Yup, they are that repelling (but in a good sense).
In a nutshell I really love this series. Can't wait to read the next book.