R5: Team #3 ~ Vamps, and shifters, and demons! Oh my!

[Heather]

was pretty interesting...

[Lala]

Heather wrote: "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 ..."

I had the same thing with different series.

[booklovinrn]

Alright I am going to read Deadly Night by Heather Graham for the Ghosts shelf.

[booklovinrn]

SHELF : Shifters
TITLE/Author : Alpha by Rachel Vincent
DATE FINISHED : July 15 ★★★★★


I absolutely LOVED this series. This is the final book in the Shifter's series and it was an emotional read up until the last page. I loved many things about this book but the father-daughter moments were my favorites. Alpha is an intense read. It is filled with action, violence, grief and sadness. I’m sad that the series is over. It ended well. All the right decisions were made. I wish there was more because I am really going to miss Faythe, Marc, Jace and all the other werecats of the Pride.

[Josie]

Hope you enjoy Heart's Blood, Heather, I really liked that one!

@Laura: I'll be interested in what you think of Destined for an Early Grave too - I've only read the first three and still haven't got round to that one :)

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

[Josie]

Oh and I'm reading :)

[Josie]

Title/Author: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare
Date finished: 16th July
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Review: It kind of surprised me, this book. I didn't exactly expect it to have witches, demons, necromancers, vamps, ghosts (even though it was on the shelf lol) - I thought it would be more original than that. There was nothing that we haven't seen before, speaking to the dead, vamp blood properties, vamp powers such as mind reading, seeing the future. Having said that, I still really enjoyed reading it. All the characters were interesting and unique and I would've been happy to rate it 4 stars except I had to add a bit more for the ending. It was so good! I just didn't see that coming and don't know which direction it's going to take. Because it's a bit of a cliffhanger, I'm going straight into the next one :)

[Josie]

I'm reading , right, and guess what the main character has just said:

"Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my."

Okay so we were more encompassing with shifters but still! Our team name in a book :D

[Lala]

thats cool :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Vamps, Shifters, & Demons!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shifters'.

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp VSDOM!

[Jennifer]

Hey! Sorry it's taking me so long. I got a new nephew over the weekend :) I'm going to be reading

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the family expansion. Always exciting :DDDD

[Jennifer]

Thanks :)

[Heather]

Finished: Heart's Blood
Date: 7/17/12
Shelf: Ghosts
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:
There aren't many books set in Ireland during the first part of the Norman invasion so right away this book had something above others. And while I can't guarantee historical accuracy, certain things that were presented as facts seemed rather interesting. One point in the negative though was that the historical setting was more wallpaper than character. The story could just as easily have happened in any other time or place by changing only a few small details. This doesn't particularly matter much in the story though so it's not too big of a deal.

The plot was at times predictable while at other times there were many surprises. The basic story follows the theme of Beauty and the Beast tales in that the Hero (Anluan) is handicapped in some form and quick to anger while the heroine (Caitlin) is beautiful and believes the best of everyone. Caitlin happens upon Whistling Tor in hopes of gaining a job as a scribe. Once hired, she sets about translating the writings of Anluan's great-grandfather in hopes of breaking the curse that has been on the tor for a hundred years.

The mystery of the tor is one of the major plot lines. Details about the past are revealed to the reader through passages as they are translated, "cut-aways" during which time Caitlin is looking in a magic mirror, and through bits and pieces from other characters. All of these forms were done wonderfully well and added to the gothic feeling of the whole story.

One of my favorite parts were when Caitlin would read the notes left by Anluan's father between the time of his wife's death to right before his own. There was such a tragic quality to the words that the reader can't help but feel for his loss. This is compounded by the details revealed near the end which, while suspected, still leaves a bitter taste and a need to scream at the unfairness of it all.

As for the relationship between Caitlin and Anluan it was sweet and reminded me a lot of the relationship between Hari and Corlath in The Blue Sword. Their relationship blossoms very slowly and there are several spots in which Caitlin wonders if he feels anything for her at all. The passages that Anluan writes in his own writing book were heartbreakingly sweet. It was obvious how hard he agonized over whether or not he was worthy, or even capable, of Caitlin's love.

This book is definitely a keeper and I will be on the lookout for a copy in paperback. I will be looking in to this author's other works as well. By many accounts they seem to be even better.

[Josie]

Congrats, Jennifer!

Glad you loved 'Heart's Blood', Heather. You'll probably really like Daughter of the Forest as well, it's based on 'The Six Swans' and has a more detailed setting (Ireland again) which is more prominent and important to the plot :)

[Lala]

Title/Author: Destined for an Early Grave / Jeaniene Frost
Date finished: 18.07
Rating: ★★★
Review: Oh my, where to start. It takes relationship problems to totally new level. Bones and Cat relationship is on a roller coaster in this book. The biggest problems they have is because of Gregor (a vampire who says his married to Cat) All story is around who's wife Cat really is.

[booklovinrn]

SHELF : Ghosts
TITLE/Author : Deadly Night
DATE FINISHED : July 19 ★★★★


This series has been on my bookshelf for quite awhile and for some reason was just gathering dust. I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the rest of the series. The book was both a captivating mystery and ghost story wrapped up in one. What better setting for a ghost story than New Orleans with all its history.

[Heather]

Josie wrote: "Glad you loved 'Heart's Blood', Heather. You'll probably really like Daughter of the Forest as well, it's based on 'The Six Swans' and has a more detailed setting (Ireland agai..."

Yeah, I'll most likely try and read that soon as it did sound interesting.

[Heather]

Cathy, how'd you like the unexpected "tomb" guest at the plantation?

[Josie]

New shelf: Demons


Week 6 (22nd July)
Demons → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Jennifer: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Josie: Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Cathy: The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon - ★★★★★
Review 7/30/12
✔ Laura: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver - ★★
Review 7/29/12

[booklovinrn]

Heather wrote: "Cathy, how'd you like the unexpected "tomb" guest at the plantation?"

I didn't see it coming. I really did enjoy the book and plan to read the rest of the series.

[Lala]

im going to read for this week.

[booklovinrn]

I am going to read The Guardian this week for the Demons shelf.

[Heather]

I'll be reading

[Jennifer]

Ill be reading

[Jennifer]

Finished: My soul to keep by Rachel Vincent
Date: July 21, 2012
Rating: Four stars
Review: Kaylee is at a party when she catches a whiff of demons breath on someones breath. When she sees the symptons in another kid at her school she realizes that there is an outbreak. Someone is bringing the stuff over from the Netherworld and she is determined to find out who. She finds out people who are close to her are keeping secrets it makes it even more difficult to figure out how to save the kids at her school from becoming victims.


I thought this book was pretty good. I will continue on with the series to see what happens.

[Josie]

Yay! Stamp time!

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

[Josie]

I'm reading :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Vamps, Shifters & Demons!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'ghosts'.

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp VSDOM!

[Josie]

Thanks, Steph and Sandra!



Title/Author: Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay
Date finished: 24th July
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Even though this book is labelled a sci-fi and it takes place on a ship/in space, it reads very much like a PNR. No hard to understand, technical jargon so I think this book can be for anyone. The setting and races are unique. You can see by the end of the book who's going to be paired with who. I'm not desperate to read the next ones but I will continue the series at some point.

[Heather]

Finished: Desire Unchained
Date: 7/24/12
Shelf: Demons
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
Though I rated this book four stars, my mind is having trouble trying to figure out just why I liked it as much as I did. In fact, the more I try to analyze this book, the more my mind tells me that logically I should have rated the story only two stars. Despite that, I can still stand firm on the four star rating. There is something in the writing that draws the reader in.

I ended up listening to this book on audio and while it wasn't the best reading, it most certainly wasn't the worst either. As for the plot, there were definitely some surprises I wasn't expecting even if most of the story was rather predictable.

This installment of the Demonica series follows Shade and Rena roughly a year after the previous book took place. While there are a few mentions of events from the first book, this book could easily be read on its own. There were several plot conflicts that seemed to be slightly too easy to solve but there were others that were creative.

Overall, I really liked this book and recommend the series...

[Heather]

Josie wrote: "I'm reading , right, and guess what the main character has just said:

"Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my."

Okay so we were more encompassing with shifte..."


I was looking at my book recommendations and saw that this book has the saying right in its summary "warning".

[Jennifer]

Finished: City of Bones by Classandra Clare
Date: July 24, 2012
Shelf: Demons
Rating: four stars
Review: In City of Bones, Clary is living innocently in the beginning and has no idea who she really is. Then all of a sudden her mom is kidnapped and she is forced to realize who she really is. She finds out a lot about who her family really is, and a lot of information about the world in general. She is confused a lot about who she can trust, but in the end it all works out.

I thought this book was great. It kept me interested the whole time. I will definitely keep up with the series. It's different from other series, but I liked it.

[Josie]

Yay, Heather and Jennifer!

It's turning up everywhere, isn't it lol. Have you read Bound by Blood? I think I have it on Kindle but haven't got round to it yet.

[Heather]

Josie wrote: "Have you read Bound by Blood? I think I have it on Kindle but haven't got round to it yet."

Nope, haven't read it, only saw it on the rec page.



...........Shelf Day............ ^_^

[Josie]

Yay! Urban fantasy gives us 4-in-a-row! :D

[Lala]

Date: 29.07.12
Shelf: Demons
Rating: ★★
Review: I had a hard time getting into this book for some reason. Its not that the story was bad or it was boring. I found the story actually interesting in the end, but still there was someting a mis. Most of the time i was wondering where will it end up. In the end i got my answer its all about Riley Blackthorne and how she is destined to keep the world from ending

[Lala]

i will be reading

[Josie]

Lol that's what I thought about the book too, Laura. I'll be interested in your review for Magic to the Bone - I just got that book.
Update everything and decide on a UF book soon. Seeing as I have an urban-fantasy shelf (I think the only one of the game I actually have) I can just look at my own bookshelf :)

[Josie]

Week 7 (29th July)
Urban Fantasy → 5/5 completed

✔ Heather: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - ★★★
Review 7/30/12
✔ Jennifer: Micah by Laurell K. Hamilton - ★★★★
Review 7/30/12
✔ Josie: Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole - ★★★★★
Review 7/30/12
✔ Cathy: Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep - ★★★★★
Review 7/31/12
✔ Laura: Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk - ★★★★
Review 8/02/12

[Heather]

I've started

[booklovinrn]

SHELF : Demons
TITLE/Author : The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon
DATE FINISHED : July 30 ★★★★★

Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of my all time fav authors and The Guardian is proof as to why I like her books so much.

I LOVE Seth, and I love the fact that he's a tortured hero who has actually done some torturing himself. Poor guy actually believed the crap the evil dudes have been spewing, believing he is stupid and pathetic. He could have been unoriginal, and I can't say exactly why, but for some reason he seemed to stand out to me. I guess it has something to do with his vulnerability. It was more...obvious than it usually is and it made him seem more real to me. I enjoyed Lydia and Seth's relantionship I especially liked watching him very slowly learn to trust her. Another great book in the Dark Hunter/Dream Hunter series.

[booklovinrn]

I am going to read Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep this week for the Urban Fantasy shelf.

[Josie]

I'll go get us another stamp!

Week 6 (22nd July)
Demons → 5/5 completed
✔ Heather: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Jennifer: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Josie: Demon Possession by Kiersten Fay - ★★★★
Review 7/24/12
✔ Cathy: The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon - ★★★★★
Review 7/30/12
✔ Laura: The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver - ★★
Review 7/29/12

[Josie]

I started yesterday and finished it this morning, review to come.

[Heather]

Cathy..... Only 8 days until Time Untime comes out ^.^

[Jennifer]

I'm going to read

[Jennifer]

Finished: Micah by Laurell K. Hamilton
Date: July 30, 2012
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Rating: Four Stars
Review: First of all, let me say that I was skeptical of this one because the one before it was NOT my favorite but I was pleasantly surprised with this one.

Anita has to fly to Philadelphia to raise a zombie for FBI, but on the way Micah brings up that it is their first time in their six month relationship that they will be alone. So now she gets all nervous. Add to that her powers are growing so of course this zombie raising will NOT be a typical one!