SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R5: Team #4 ~ Better Off Read
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Great review Breann! I am looking forward to starting that series myself soon. I've had the first book for awhile, just haven't made my way to it yet. Glad you enjoyed it (mostly). :)
Magic Shelf:
Date Finished: 8/30/2012
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
The atmosphere of The Restorer was creepy and mysterious. It made me want to read faster and faster to find out whodunit. I enjoyed the world building very much and the characters were interesting. I really want to know the full story with Devlin, what Amelia's father hasn't told her, and of course what's up with Robert Freemont. Amanda Stevens left plenty of routes open for future stories, while still making this story feel complete.
Amelia Gray is a cemetery restorer and she can also see ghosts. She's been taught all her life to ignore the spirits, but that becomes very difficult when police detective John Devlin recruits her help on a murder case involving her current cemetery project. Amelia soon finds herself involved in a mystery that spans over a decade and will change the way she thinks about ghosts and the world around her.
I liked Amelia; she was strong in a quiet way and kept her wits about her. Surprisingly, I found her job fascinating and enjoyed reading the restoration tidbits sprinkled throughout the novel. I appreciated that Ms. Stevens left some of Amelia's past hazy; it gives us more to learn about her life and her ability to see ghosts in the future books. I also liked that she did not let herself fall in instalust, even though it was very apparent how attractive she found Devlin. Amelia realized there were other forces at work and detached herself appropriately. While she might not be the funniest heroine around, I think Amelia's somberness and steady determination fit her character and are supported by the way she was raised and the rules she had to follow.
John Devlin was an enigma. He swept into Amelia's life and changed it in ways we (and Amelia!) still don't understand. It was hard to really pin his character down. He is an honorable cop, yet also a member of a shady secret society. He has his own personal pain that he carries always, but there is a definite attraction to Amelia. I hope we learn more about his wife and daughter in the future books. I also hope the way that he physically affects Amelia is further explored as well.
Ms. Stevens created a kooky but intriguing set of secondary characters. I feel like we have so much more to learn about them all, but especially Temple Lee, Rupert and Ethan Shaw, and most definitely Robert Freemont. I think the Order of Coffin and Claw has to come back in the story somehow as well. It doesn't seem like we are done learning about them and their enigmatic and powerful members.
The story clipped along at a good pace and the mystery was intriguing enough that I didn't want to put the book down. I read it mostly in one sitting. Ms. Stevens did a good job of keeping the murderer and his motivation a secret until the end. My only (mild) complaint is that the ending wrapped up too quickly; the murderer seemed to be found and dealt with a little too easily. The ending of the book wasn't super satisfying on the romantic front, but it was a responsible decision for now. I don't think Amelia will be able to stay away from Devlin for long, but at least she realizes she needs some distance from him and time to figure things out.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it more for mystery readers than urban fantasy readers. While the world building was beautiful and the plot well written, it didn't follow the traditional urban fantasy path and those looking for that might be disappointed. This book has the creepiness and detailed plot line of a Hitchcockian thriller. If you are looking for something outside of the UF norm, definitely give this book a try. It was a beautifully creepy and atmospheric mystery.
Thanks Christal! I think you would enjoy it. It has all the pieces of a good UF series. I think it'll only get better as the series continues. Creepy and mysterious, huh? Sounds good! I'm sold!
Magic Read:
Date Finished: September 1st
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Review:
My review of this book is going to be sparse because almost everything about E is a spoiler for those who haven't read Nevermore. The protagonist of E, Isobel, has reverted back into the insipid, petulant rich-bitch cheerleader at the beginning of "Nevermore". If that isn't bad enough, she's also added sulky, depressed and TSTL to her wonderful list of characteristics. Nothing happens in E until the very end & even that was a big disappointment. A favorite character of mine in "Nevermore" is nonexistent in this book. I figured that the person would play a minor role in E but I didn't think they'd be completely MIA. I could've rolled with that if SOMETHING happened in E. Anything but Isobel spending 400+ pages moping around feeling sorry for herself and making stupid fucking decisions. Questions than any semi-intelligent person would think to ask or discover the answer to never even crossed Isobel's mind until someone pointed them out to her. I understand she's going through some very sad things, but Romeo & Juliet should've taught her that being stupid in love only gets your ass deader than dead.
And that's Enshadowed. Isobel mopes. Isobel moans. Isobel cries. Isobel listens to NO ONE and runs into EVERY situation without a plan. Something happens towards the end that didn't come close to making up for 400 pages of suck. Enshadowed is the epitome of a "filler" book. I honestly think you could've skipped E and gone straight to Nevermore #3 since that's apparently when all the good shit happens.
Bummer! Especially when it cost so much $$!This could be our last week together ladies! :( I think someone mentioned that every shelf left is a winning shelf. We'll see how fast someone can call bingo.
Awww I don't want it to end! I look forward to every Sunday to see what I'm going to read... What you ladies will read...and sharing! :-(Christal- this book sounds RIGHT up my alley... I LOVE ghosty and creepy :-)
Lethal- I'm so sorry your book was a bust :-((
Breann- I'm glad you enjoyed your book! I read that one before and thought it was okay but wasn't so excited to continue.
Thanks Angi, I wasn't too excited while reading it, but the ending kind of got me and made me want to continue. I feel the same way. Sad for it to end. But I'm sure we will see each other somewhere next round!
I'm going to read
for the psychic shelf.Of course I wanted to win but... I admit I am a little relieved that I don't have to race another team to finish this one! Now I have all week :)
Awwww. No win? *tear* GOOD JOB WINNING TEAM FOR PSYCHIC!I'm not gonna even post a read. From what I've learned during past rounds of BSB, the team(s) with the winning shelf usually Triple R all of their books within 2 days which is shorter than it usually takes me to finish a book.
It was a pleasure playing with you, Better Off Read. Until next game.
I'm sure we'll be done pretty quick! We will miss you for our last shelf, Lethal. It's been fun! See you next round!
Ah man - so sad! BUT I am with you Breann, I'm sure glad we aren't racing two other teams for the win lol. Talk about stressful! :)I have to say though - this is my toughest shelf! NONE of my booksfree books fit this shelf. I have Red-headed Stepchild (I think thats the name) on it's way here... perhaps I will get it on Tuesday in the mail? Until then I'm going to go try to find something off my TBR pile.
LOVE that book Breann..But the further I got into the series the more interest I lost. HOWEVER I know lots of people that love the series :)
I'll be back with my choice of book.
Lethal - Great playing with you again! :)
Shelf: Magic
Date Finished: September 2nd
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Another great entry into the world of Chess Putnam! I still hate seeing her tear herself down all the time... and I was so about over it when she let Lex kiss her. How many times can Terrible forgive you for the same stupid BS Chess??? But glad she stopped it before it went further.
I think the main story behind this one was great. Loved the mystery but I felt the "bad guy" at the end was rather anti-climactic. I just didn't care when I found out who was behind it. The two rival gangs after that part going at it? Pretty good stuff... but scary. I was worried sick about Terrible. I love that Terrible and Chess are getting closer... he's so good for her.
Great book... I hope in the next one to see the Chess who was talking about being better than she is now come out.
Okay since I'm really not far at all into Supernaturally .... I'll restart and read it since I really wanted to read it anyways :)
Glad you liked Chasing Magic Angi! I loved that book. My favorite in the series so far. Hopefully Chess will gain some self love soon. I don't think you need to restart Supernaturally. It won't count against us at this point! :)
Lol ok well thanks! Just wanted to make sure I was playing by the rules lol Yes I agree... I have to say Chasing Magic was my favorite... Except for maybe the first, Unholy Ghosts was pretty great too :-)
Hope you enjoy this weeks book! :-)
Shelf: Psychic:
Date Finished: September 3rd
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I can't believe I finished this as quick as I did. I guess that's what happens when it's an easy/quick read AND I have a day off from work with children in school :)
Supernaturally was a quick, easy read. It held my interest so I was able to pour through it. It was rather predictable in the sense I knew who was behind the crazy that was happening to Evelyn (Love this name as it's my youngest daughter's name ;-) However, there is still a lot to figure out about who's stealing the other sups, what's up with all the new sups coming to town and watching Evelyn, who is the gnome magically speaking with? Who is Evelyn's mother? So, while I'm confident that the gnome is good and watching out for Evelyn I have no idea who she could be working with... Perhaps Evelyn's mother? Great edition as we find out more about Evelyn's past and who her father is... but there is SO much more to find out. Can't wait!
It was a pleasure playing BSB with you ladies. :)Thanks to the one person that shelved it as psychic, my read will be Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning. I actually read it yesterday, but still need to triple R it. Will do it soon!
Bloodfever? Hmm... I wonder why? Wow! You were fast Angi! I don't know when I will actually finish my book. I will definitely before the month is over! :) It fits a couple other challenges. But I'm in no rush.
Round 6 BSB is officially over! It's been fun girls. I will see you around GR!!
Hmmm, Round 5 you mean ;)
Yeah nice reading with you all :) until next time
So much fun!! You were a great team to be with! Thank you for your dedication and discussions!! See you next round' ;-)
Awwww. *tear/sob/snot bubble* I will miss you ladies & this game!
Don't worry Lethal, you won't miss the game for long, its coming back quickly this time, keep an eye out :D
We've got three in a row :)
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Bloodfever (other topics)Blaze of Memory (other topics)
Supernaturally (other topics)
Supernaturally (other topics)
Chasing Magic (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Douglas Hulick (other topics)Kelley Armstrong (other topics)
Philippa Ballantine (other topics)
Susan Elia MacNeal (other topics)
E.L. James (other topics)
Date Finished: 8/29/12
Rating:★★★☆☆
Review:
Elementals are people who can use magic to control the Earth’s elements. Gin is a stone elemental. She is also an assassin. An unapologetic, ruthless assassin. Her handler, Fletcher, who she has known and been a sort of father figure for over 15 years, was brutally murdered by an air elemental. Being the badass killer that she is, Gin is determined to take care of the killer. In comes Detective Donovan Caine, who was at the wrong place at the wrong time and is now a part of the mess. Donovan believes in the law 100% and would like nothing more than to get Gin off the streets, or better yet to kill her himself. He and Gin call a temporary truce. They both need something from each other but once the problem of the killer(s) is solved all bets are off between them.
I liked Gin and her voice in the story. She was funny and there was witty dialogue between the characters. I especially enjoyed her relationship with Fletcher’s son, Fin. They really cared about and had each other’s backs, without there being any sexual tension. Gin was brutal and ruthless to the very end. I lost count of how many people she killed in this book. It was a lot. What really brought down the rating for me was her relationship with Donovan. It was insta lust. Super insta. She saw him and there was clinching of loins all over the place. I couldn’t seem to figure out why. There are times when I buy the instant arousal but not here. There wasn’t enough chemistry between Gin and Donovan to make it believable.
I liked Gin’s story and am curious to find out more about her. There were questions left unanswered that I would like to know the answer to. This is a series I would like to continue, hopefully I will be able to buy into the romance further on in the series.