R5: Team #17 ~ Sultry Seventeen

[Skandia]

Starting my free space book Storm's Heart today to get it done with.
I kind of liked the first in the series - Dragon Bound, although there were some weak parts in story that didn't quite make sense. I hope the second book gets better!

[D.G.]

Jackie M wrote: "D.G. I really want to read Fair Game!"

Me too, Jackie! I heard it's one of the best she's written. :)

LOL, Sandra. Maybe you can exchange Tangle for another book in the challenge so you can start it right away?

I hope at least one fits the shelf next week because I won't be able to renew them and need to read them quickly.

[Lauren]

Really enjoyed Dragon Bound and Storm's Heart but I think I preferred Dragon Bound because Niniane in Storm's Heart kinda annoyed me.
Hope you enjoy it Skandia.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Sshhhhhhh! You'll put her off :)

[Lauren]

Lol! Sowwy! The book is very entertaining though.

[Skandia]

So far I'm not annoyed yet :P, I like Tiago :) ( and I didn't like Dragos by the way ... )

[D.G.]

Oh I need to read that series!

[Lauren]

Yes, Tiago is a great hero and gives Dragos a run for his money.

[Lauren]

The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter
Shelf: Free Space
Finished: June 22
4 Stars

Synopsis
Gideon, the Keeper of Lies, has met his match in Scarlet, the Keeper of Nightmares, for he cannot tell if her tales of their marriage are true or false. While they try to work through their questions, Scarlet and Gideon are confronted with threats from the past that may destroy the future they seek together.

Review
Surprisingly refreshing and engaging.

The "Gideon Speak" takes some getting used to but it becomes easier as the book progresses. In fact, it is the repetitious and unnecessary translation and explanation of his true meaning that almost ruins the story.

Gideon and Scarlet are a cute couple and their romance is rather sweet and poignant. Despite his language difficulties, Gideon is a wonderful hero - sweet, open and, yes, honest. Scarlet is a strong and powerful heroine, and the descriptions of her traumatic life in Tartarus are heart-wrenching. She is, in many ways, the most dangerous and fearsome of all the Lords, and she is far more likeable than Olivia.

The plot, based on the theme of truth and lies, can be difficult to follow but the compelling twists and turns are exciting. As soon as you think you have a handle on what's going on, everything is turned on its head.

Given the nature of Gideon's demon and the themes in the book, the writing is simply excellent and Showalter does an admirable job of merging everything together into a cohesive whole that mostly flows smoothly.

All in all, a good addition to the series and the next installment should be interesting to say the least.

[[deleted user]]

I've finished My YA PNR! Woo Hoo 2 books in 1 week I can't remeber the last time I've read so fast...lol!



Shelf for June 17:Young Adult Paranormal
Book Chosen:Half-Blood by Jennifer Armentrout
Date Read:June 22 2012
Rating:♥♥♥♥
Review:There is really no way to explain how much I enjoyed this book.I read many reviews before deciding to pick up this book and lets say that a lot of the reviews referenced it as being very similar to another very popular YA series, but I have to say that,that is not the case(at least for Me).

I enjoyed the interactions between that characters alot and I thought the author did a great job of trying to bulid us a world that we could fall in love with. I also found that the book flowed at a good pace and I was never bored with where the story was going, I often found myself reading late into the night just to see what was going to happen next.I even shed a tear or two at the end of this first installment of the Covenant series.

I have book 2 Pure waiting in the wings with the hope that it will fit into our next Bingo shelf to be called. All in all Half-Blood was an enjoyable read and I'm very interested to see what is going to happen with the rest of this series.

[Jackie M]

Great reviews Lauren & Kat

[Lauren]

Thanks Jackie!
I never know how much to write about secondary characters when it is not the first book in a series. So I just left my comments about them out.

Wonderful review Kat. I love books that have you reading late into the night without even realizing it.

[D.G.]

I just finished my YA - PNR book. I'll post my review when I get up in the morning ( it's 4 am here in NYC) and I need to go back to bed.:)

[D.G.]

SHELF: young-adult-paranormal



Title/Author: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Read for shelf: young-adult-paranormal
Date finished: Jun 23
Rating: ★★★½
Review: I had some problems with the PNR plot so usually I would bitched non stop in the review (fear not, it will still happen below.) However, I liked the characters so much that I really enjoyed the book and the plot issues didn't bother me as much as they probably should.

Kaylee came across a typical teenager, one that is devastated by the desertion of her father but doesn't feel sorry for herself. She's brave, caring, a bit too impulsive and willing to do much to protect those she loves. Definitely a teenager that I want to read more about.

I thought the romance was a bit rushed but enjoyed how they were constantly making out (like normal teenagers.) I also liked how the adults played an important role - YAs with no adults always seem fake to me.

Now, the issues with the plot. I really don't see the point of the whole bean sidhe business. Whatever good they do doesn't seem all that important (giving people closure! give me a break!) and it's not like they could do it for everybody. And I didn't understand how could they keep screaming while a soul says the goodbyes. Also, the whole thing is so noticeable you would think that their kind would have gone extinct during the Inquisition.

I'll definitely continue the series but I really hope we get to know more about the role of bean sidhes and we don't have more jarring plot points like Death and the lists.

See full review here.

[D.G.]

Off to request our first stamp! Great job ladies. :)


BSB5 Week 1 (Jun 17 - Jun 23): young-adult-paranormal
Completed: 5/5
✔ D.G.: My Soul to Take - Jun 23 ★★★½ review
✔ Jackie M: Personal Demons - Jun 18 ★★★★ review
✔ Kat: Half-Blood - Jun 22 ★★★★ review
✔ Lauren: Desires of the Dead - Jun 18 ★★ review
✔ Skandia: Anna Dressed in Blood - Jun 18 ★★★ review

[[deleted user]]

Woohoo! Bring on the next shelf!!! Good job team :D

[Jackie M]

Way to go team!

[Lauren]

My competitive streak is appeased, lol!

[D.G.]

I need to read so I really hope whatever shelf is announced fits this book.

[Lauren]

What shelves could you fit it into, D.G. (other that Urban Fantasy)?

[D.G.]

Woohoo! This week's shelf is: Favorite Series.

Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/f...

[D.G.]

Lauren wrote: "What shelves could you fit it into, D.G. (other that Urban Fantasy)?"

The book fits more than half the shelves in the game (yes I checked them all, LOL!) so I had a good chance.

Anyways, thankfully it fits this one so you guys know what I'm reading.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Sultry Seventeen!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'young-adult-paranormal'.

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

Good Job!! :D

[D.G.]

Woohoo!!! Yay us!

[Jackie M]

I am not home right now, but I'll be back later
with my pick.
Love the shelf that was called!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats Sultries!

[[deleted user]]

Ok, I'm going to be reading for the Favorite Series Shelf(found on pg 10)

[Jackie M]

I will be reading for the Favorite Series shelf.

[Lauren]

It is wonderful waking up to a new shelf!

My choice for the Favorite Series shelf is .

I've had this book on my TBR for ages and this is just the incentive I need to read it.

[[deleted user]]

I'm changing my mind already...lol I'm saving Daughter of Smoke and Bone for a buddy read in October and for the Favorites shelf I'll be reading A Game of Thrones instead. No More changes I promise :)

[Skandia]

I'm so indecisive today. Should I go on with series I have started already or should I start a new one ... Decisions, decisions.
Finally I chose a book for a Favorite Series shelf .
I'll read

[Lauren]

I've seen a few episodes of the TV show but haven't had the nerve to start reading such a long series. I looked and Game of Thrones is 864 pages. That is a lot of reading. I wish you luck Kat!

[D.G.]

I'm creating a spreadsheet to sort of automate the posts so please don't worry if everything looks weird, LOL!

BSB5 Week 2 (Jun 24 - Jun 30): favorite-series
Completed: 0/5
D.G.: Fair Game
Jackie M: Pleasure Unbound
Kat: A Game of Thrones
Lauren: The Darkest Hour
Skandia: Halfway to the Grave

[D.G.]

Ok the spreadsheet is ready so I'm good to go.

Interesting how everybody (except me) chose a first in a series! Well, these challenges are great for us to dust books that have been in the TBR a long time.

I've read Pleasure Unbound, Halfway to the Grave and Daughter of Smoke and Bone and they are all very good to excellent. I enjoyed them all.

I've had the audio for A Game of Thrones on my TBR for at least a year and I haven't started it yet. I applaud you Kat for reading such a long book!

[D.G.]

Oh and I've meant to say that this was a really good shelf for us. Once we finish the Free Space, it will give us 3 in a row! Definitely a great start. :)

[Skandia]

D.G. ~Captain Hussy~ wrote: "Oh and I've meant to say that this was a really good shelf for us. Once we finish the Free Space, it will give us 3 in a row! Definitely a great start. :)"

Yep, D.G., I noticed it, too ! Looks like the Lady Luck just might be on our side!

[[deleted user]]

I've had this series sitting on my TBR ever since the show first came to TV, and just recently myself and a friend watched the first 2 seasons back to back which has peaked my interest in seeing how much the books are different from the show.

If the books are as good as the show I will have no problem zipping through the first book. I started reading it as soon as the shelf came up and I've only put it down long enough to sleep and go to work. Once I'm done here I'll be back at it again :)

[Skandia]

~♥ Kat ♥~ wrote: "I've had this series sitting on my TBR ever since the show first came to TV, and just recently myself and a friend watched the first 2 seasons back to back which has peaked my interest in seeing ho..."

Kat, this is in fact one of those TV-series that sticks very true to a book. Even the characters look like I imagined them while reading. Very well casted show in my opinion.

[[deleted user]]

I'm totally in love with this show and can't wait for the next season to start. So far from what i've read you are right it is very true to the books, My favorite character is Jon, I always have a soft spot for the characters the seem to have a rough time of it

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

D.G. ~Captain Hussy~ wrote: "Oh and I've meant to say that this was a really good shelf for us. Once we finish the Free Space, it will give us 3 in a row! Definitely a great start. :)"

Ugh, over here at team 16 we have zero...nada....zilch...lining up yet

[Lauren]

Deborah (Debbie Rice) wrote: "Ugh, over here at team 16 we have zero...nada....zilch...lining up yet "

We've just been lucky with the draw. It's early days and anything could happen.

[D.G.]

Definitely early days. In the last round a couple of teams had 4 in a row in like a month and the game went on for almost 2 months and I don't think that team won. :)

[Jackie M]

I am finished with my Free Space read.

Marked by Elizabeth Naughton
Date finished 6/25/2012
3 stars

This reminded me of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. Which is a good thing because I like that series.

The main female character Casey has recently lost her grandmother and is working hard to keep her grandmother's bookstore afloat. She is working at a strip club as waitress when in walks talk, dark, and mysterious.
Theron is the leader of the Argonauts who has entered the human realm looking for his future bride who happens to because Casey's sister.
Long story short Casey witnesses Theron being attacked and she brings her house to heal. There is a lot of sexual tension that leads to some heavy making out, that ends up going no where.
Theron leaves Cassey feeling very confused and thoughts of him always in the back of her mind.

The two of them meet up again because of an assignment Theron is on and Casey learns things about herself that she would of never dreamed were possible.

This book is full of girl wants boy ... boys wants girl, but it takes forever before something happens between them.
It may sound like I didn't like this book but for some reason I really did.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what the future holds for the other Argonauts.

[Jackie M]

Now off to start Pleasure Unbound!

[Lauren]

Thanks for the review Jackie. I have this book on my TBR but haven't gotten around to it. Maybe I'll be able to fit it into one of the Bingo shelves.

[Skandia]

Uhh, I'm the last one to finish the free space read ...
I'm almost done with Storm's Heart, but for some reason it started to drag awfully towards the end. Too much Elder Races politics ...

[[deleted user]]

Nice review Jackie, I've had this series on my To-Be-Considered list for some time.

I making my way through A Game of Thrones, I'm about 200 pages in and so far I'm really enjoying it. I try to read about 100 pages a day(more if i'm not working) so I should have it done by the time the next shelf is called. I've never tried to read such a long book before, I'll feel pretty proud of myself when I'm done :)

[Skandia]

★★★1/2
SHELF: FREE SPACE
READ: 6/26/12

This is a second book of the Elder Races series.
It's mainly about Tricks's/Niniane's road to the throne of the Dark Fae kingdom. It's not an easy task to take on and not everybody in the Dark Fae kingdom are looking forward to meet their new Queen. So of course she needs some protection from the bad guys and who else fits into this task better than a strong Wyr warlord Tiago.
I must say, that I liked the love story between Tiago and Niniane more than between Dragos and Pia in the first book of the series. It developed more logically and there was a mutual attraction between Tiago and Niniane that wasn't there for me between the characters of the Dragon Bound. Dragos left me indifferent but I certainly wasn't indifferent about Tiago!
Somewhere in the middle of the book I almost lost interest in it. There was so much Elder Races politics and all kind of meetings taking place that were just boring to follow. But when the action came at the end of the book, it was intense and kept me turning pages fast.
Although I liked Storm's Heart a little better than the first book in series, I can't make up my mind about the series in general. There are things in both of the books that bothered me. I don't want to get into details because of possible spoilers but I will continue reading Elder Races some day and I hope the books will get better and better.

[D.G.]

Woohoo! We're ready to get our Free Space stamp!

BSB5 Free Space:
Completed: 5 / 5
✔ D.G.: Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night - Jun 17 ★★★★ review
✔ Jackie M: Marked - Jun 25 ★★★ review
✔ Kat: Night Reigns - Jun 19 ★★★★ review
✔ Lauren: The Darkest Lie - Jun 22 ★★★★ review
✔ Skandia: Storm's Heart - Jun 26 ★★★½ review

[Lauren]

Yay! Stamp, Stamp!

Finished my Favorite Series book too.


The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks
Shelf: Favorite Series
Finished: June 26
3 Stars

Synopsis
On the first anniversary of his wife's death, Ethan Kelly receives proof of life and enlists his brothers' aid in mounting a rescue mission. Ethan and Rachel must deal with the trauma of her experiences and rediscover their relationship and marriage. However, just as their lives are getting back on track, an insidious threat emerges; one that will stop at nothing to remove Rachel from the equation.

Review
Great premise, poor execution.

The plot involving former military men establishing their own private mercenary service has potential as does the specific story of drug cartels and hostage rescues. Unfortunately, the romance fails miserably. Ethan and Rachel have little to no chemistry, and at times it seems as if she is closer to his brother Garrett. This, together with the fact that she was basically raised in his parents' house as a sister, lends an almost incestuous quality to their relationship.

Moreover, Rachel is not my preferred type of heroine i.e., intelligent, strong willed and self-sufficient. She comes across instead as a whiny and wimpy damsel in distress and it is only toward the end that she develops a backbone, even though this too is short lived. In addition, the men in the story use too many childish and condescending endearments for her, such as "baby" or "sweet pea". As such, it is virtually impossible to take her seriously or identify with her as a heroine.

While I appreciate a hero who is in touch with his feelings, and doesn't fear shedding a tear or two, Ethan is excessively emotional and cries at the drop of a hat – come on man, you are a Navy SEAL, suck it up! He spends most of the book either coddling his wife or worrying that she will find out about their marital problems prior to her kidnapping – the fact that someone wants her dead is almost forgotten amongst the romantic concerns.

The secondary characters are the real highlight of the book. The Kelly family dynamic is hilarious and engaging, and each brother has a distinct personality. Rusty's side story is also entertaining and I found myself identifying with the smart-mouthed teen more than the heroine.

The writing is solid and well paced with excellent descriptions of Rachel's rescue and the after effects of her kidnapping, including her drug addiction and amnesia.

Overall, the series has promise and I will give the next one a chance.