SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R5: Team #6 ~ Get My Book Fix Sixes

I loved this series at first but it lost my interest by the 5th book. I found Spider's Revenge too repetitive. Vivian -- was this book full of recaps like the last one? I wasn't planning on continuing the series.

With the end of the big story arc in Spider's Revenge, I think this one is the start of moving on from all that old story rehashing. I hope.

ONLY ONE MENTION OF CHICORY COFFEE???!! Maybe they were all chicory-coffeed out from the last book.
Hmm maybe I will give it a try eventually. I am interested in seeing Donovan Caine again and resolving that storyline...


I would recommend it Leah! If you have a kindle or don't mind reading on an app, I can lend it to you :) then you don't have to spend money on something you might not enjoy.

Haha Lisa - I can't believe you made those sandwiches! They do sound good.
I started



City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Shelf: Demons
2.75 chocolate jimmie stars
So, I really ruined this book for myself. After I choose it to read, I read some reviews of the book. I don't know why I did this. Most people had some very definite opinions and I let them taint my reading. Instead of just enjoying the book, I tried to identify all the things people were complaining about.
Lots of people feel that this book is a blend of characters from recent books with a bit of rehashed plot. Listen, in an age were we are watching a remake of the dukes of hazard and I dream of jeanie.. what is the problem with telling an old story in a new way? Isn't that what happens in cinema, art and literature all the time?
The tale was old.. a naive girl finding her true identity with a crazy love triangle and big life decisions.. But, the good news is that the world was new and vividly described. The characters are likeable and leave you interested. Also, there were some pretty funny moments and quotes..
Have you fallen in love with the wrong person yet?'
Jace said, "Unfortunately, Lady of the Haven, my one true love remains myself."
..."At least," she said, "you don't have to worry about rejection, Jace Wayland."
"Not necessarily. I turn myself down occasionally, just to keep it interesting.”
This book is like a plain old vanilla cone with really good sprinkles.
I'm going to put this book in my try again pile. I'm giving it 2.75 stars for now but I leave myself room to change my mind - after I shake the peer pressure.

And I'm off to request our demons stamp ;-)

..."
I don't like a lot of kid main characters either. I think because I don't have kids, and it's been a while since I was a kid that I can't identify. For this reason I was a bit bummed to hear that Karen Moning's next books main character was going to be Dani. I liked her as a "sidekick" but not sure about a whole novel with her..

(a) super irritating,
(b) a plot device only, such as a kidnap victim, reason for the end of a relationship, etc. or
(c) they unrealistically act and are treated like adults the whole novel, so why make the character a kid?
So I usually dislike books with kids that are central to the plot. I also am worried about the Fever spinoff series... but I loved the Fever series, so I will withhold judgment until KMM releases the first chapter.

Peanut butter and pumpkin sandwiches do not sound good to me, but a lot of the foods she makes sounds mouth-watering, very much comfort foods.

I picked up City of Bones as an ebook recently though, because I had heard so much about it and it was on sale. I'll remember not to read any reviews before I try it.

LOL Leslie, have to say that this doesn't make me look forward to having little ones around one day ;)


Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
I have a couple days off to lounge around and read this phone book.

I'm having a few issues deciding on my book for this shelf. Will let you know what I decide. Leaning toward

Looking forward to these reviews. My favorite genre :) Will let you know when I decide...



Book: Summoning the Night by Jenn Bennett
Date Read: 30-Jul-12
Rating: 5 Stars!!!
Shelf: urban-fantasy
Love love love!!! I got this one out from the library (thinking, hey SAVE MONEY) but it backfired on me because now I have to run out and buy this book so I can read it again and again.
As Cady and Lon (the Earthbound demon) continue to build their relationship, they find themselves on the hunt for a serial killer targeting young Earthbound kids. This means that Lon's lovable, hilarious son Jupe could be a target. The plot is well done, but the best part of the story was how naturally the author integrated character development into the plot.
Cady is adjusting to being in a relationship and having a family, but her and Lon work through it like a real couple, being supportive and honest. My favourite part was seeing Cady adjust to Jupe, Lon's teenage son. Jupe loves Cady off the bat; Cady, meanwhile, is trying to understand what it means to be a part of Lon and Jupe's life. In particular, I loved the (view spoiler)
I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a new urban fantasy series to read!["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


If you liked the first in this series, you'll love this one too.
Leslie - I thought you got to get rid of those little monsters when they turned 18??? ;-)

Thanks Jodie!

Shelf: Urban Fantasy 7/31/12 ***** stars
I loved this story! I thought it was such a mature exploration of a relationship between two dominant people. And the mystery/suspense is getting much more complex and interesting with each installment of the series. Riley is a Lieutenant in the Wolf clan and Mercy is a Sentinel in the Leopard Clan. There is now a pact between the two clans and they are working together to solve some of the problems that have been occurring with the Psy lately. They hook up thinking they can keep it casual but of course that doesn't work. Riley has to overcome his protective impulses and Mercy has to let down her guard and become vulnerable. It's a sexy wonderful story interwoven with the hunt for the groups responsible for the attacks in and around their city. Great stuff!!

And Leah - they may not all live at home but that doesn't stop the fun! My son(22) just got engaged the other day.
Have a great reading week, ladies. I am off to New Orleans to see my son and his fiance, my mom and friends! And eat - can't forget the eating!

Did you get Red-Headed Stepchild on sale? It was .99 cents for awhile, not sure about current price. It was a decent series for me, mostly 3 stars. Very fun supporting characters.

Congrats Leslie. Have a great time. Enjoy the food and spirits (both kinds that New Orleans is famous for!).
I wouldn't have called Shadow of Night Urban Fantasy either but I kept checking until I got a shelf!
So far so good. Really love this story. I'm reading into the night until my eyes are dry.

I haven't read A Discovery of Witches yet but it's on my to-read-eventually list. Good to know that the second one is also a good read.



You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'demons'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D

Series Catch-up
Here's the rules:
❀ Members are allowed to choose a book from any series that they have already started - no genre restrictions
❀ Book must be 200+ pages, part of a series, but not the first in a series
❀ Re-reads are not allowed - must be a book in a series you need to catch-up
This doesn't give anyone five in a row, so this bingo round continues!
I will be reading the next in the October Daye series!

Week 8: Series Catch-up
Lisa - Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews - Review (August 11) - ★★★ and three quarters
Leslie - Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione - Review (August 7) - ★★★★★
Vivian - Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead - Review (August 29) - ★★★★
Jodie - Biting Cold by Chloe Neill - Review (August 9) - ★★★★
Leah - An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire - Review (August 7) - ★★★ and a half





Date Stamp Requested: Sept 1
--------------------------------------------------




So read that one if you want to. It is listed as #5.5 on GR afterall.


So read that one if you want to. It is listed as #5.5 on GR afterall."
Woo hoo!





Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells
Bookshelf: Urban Fantasy
Date Read: 30th July 2012
Rating: 4 Stars
I haven’t been in a good reading space for the past week or so, but once I got into Red-Headed Stepchild I found my groove.
Here’s what you need to know about Sabina. She is half vamp/ half mage, an assassin for the Dominae the Vampire Council, and her only family - her Grandmother - is an outright bitch. She is tough on the outside but not on the in. Her newest mission is to infiltrate the enemy camp and kill their leader, work out how to get a summoned demon cat home to Irkella and keep herself alive. None are easy when you’re Sabina. Oh, and when everyone is out to use you for something.
Lots happened throughout. We had some magic go wrong, a hottie mage Adam trying to teach Sabina her birthright, Giguhl (aka Mr Giggles) a demon turned cat turned hairless (so funny) a sweet nymph Vinca, and a few crazy ass groups I’d go as far to call cults.
I definitely laughed out loud a few times.
I wasn’t sure what freaked me out more, the ease with which he changed himself into a cat or the fact I was having a conversation with a talking pussy.
I enjoyed the book and really came to care for Sabina and her ‘I’d have to rely on my fists and my wits’ and ‘They expect me to follow their rules, and I try to break them whenever I can’ moments. I loved Adam and can not wait to find out more about him. I hope we will get to see more of Giguhl too.
He blew out a breath, making the towel sag a little. I held my own breath hoping to get a glimpse of the Promised Land. He cleared his throat, bringing my gaze north. His right eyebrow arched. “See anything you like?” - Oh, yes. Yes please :)
So much changed for Sabina by the end. But, nothing more than the way she saw herself and the way she saw others. I found myself drawn in and really feeling emotional for the way things went down.
Am very much looking forward to going onto the second of the series The Mage in Black and finding out how Sabina will handle the upheaval of, well, everything…

I'm going to be reading

Have a great week.


Another terrific review Jodie! Glad you enjoyed it. All the books in this series are as good as the first, so I think you'll like them :)


I'll be back on Tuesday with my Shadow of Night review.


Week 8: Series Catch-Up 8/7/12 ***** stars
Wow, this series is amazing and this may be the best one, other than the first. This story picks up right where the last one left off. Regan had sex with Thanatos and was impregnated. The child will be his seal. He is in an induced coma until the child is born, but at the start of the story, he wakes up and kidnaps Regan. He originally means to kill her but after finding out she is pregnant, things begin to change. The relationship between Thanatos and Regan is wonderful. They are both such wounded, loving people. But while they are trying to figure things out, the Aegis has it's own agenda for stopping the Apocalypse, Pestilence is fanning the flames of a vampire revolution, while planning on kidnapping the child and killing it. There is always so much going on in these books that your head starts spinning and you get dizzy. But it's a good dizzy! Like the best kind of carnival ride. All the characters are interesting, the action is fast-paced and non-stop, the world building is so intricate and multi-layered. This is not light and fluffy fantasy, but it is an amazing, dark, rich fantasy that is so much fun to read.


Book: An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire
Shelf: Series Catch-up
Date Read: 7-Aug-12
Rating: Three and a half stars
A nice continuation of this series. I like Toby, even though she's a little dense sometimes. I do enjoy how the books play it straight - they frequently talk about how passively suicidal Toby is, and how she insists on playing the hero even though it's clear that she is ridiculously outmatched.
In the third installment of this series, Toby is attempting to save a number of fae, human, and changeling children from the evil Blind Michael, who intends to turn them into his 'riders'. This was an excellent, very creepy plotline that I loved. I really did want Toby to save them before they mutated into weird horse-fae things.
I wish this series had a bit more romance, and I am getting frustrated with Tybalt's cryptic teasing lines. Every time they have a scene together I just want one of them to admit the attraction! It seems like Toby is as frustrated with Tybalt's disappearing act as I am, so hopefully this is cleared up in the next couple books.
A solid urban fantasy series, as long as you don't mind the lack of romance. Three and a half stars!
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Yay, I hope you like the book!
I keep telling myself I need to continue the psy-changeling books, I really enjoyed the first one. So many series, so little time ;)