R5: Team #17 ~ Sultry Seventeen

[[deleted user]]

Great reviews ladies! I'm almost done with my demon book as well should have a review up for you tomarrow sometime :)

[Lauren]

Great reviews. This seems to have been a good shelf for us.

[[deleted user]]

I totally plowed my way through this book! Awesome!! Next shelf please :)



Shelf for July 22nd:Demons
Book Chosen:Nevermore ~ Kelly Creagh
Date Read:July 27th 2012
Rating:5♥♥♥♥♥
Review: Author Kelly Creagh has totally out done herself with this novel. I found it unputdownable, there was just so much going on that now I find I'm having a hard time finding the words to tell you all how much I loved this book

The Poe references were great and the author had a way of writing that pulled you in and wouldn't let go. I found myself transported back to my high school days of clicks and jocks and never knowing exactly where I fit in. I cried more then once reading this book, and if a book can do that to me it has totally earned it's 5 star rating.

The world Creagh has created is fantastic as it's like two worlds in one. There's the world the main characters live in and then there is the world in dreams where the really interesting stuff happens, where things are not as they seem and in order to escape you only have to realize your dreaming.

All I can say is Read it!! if you haven't already. This world of Poe, Demons, Good vs. Evil, cheerlearders and goths is waiting to pull you in with blood stained claws and never let you go.

[D.G.]

Sounds awesome, Kat! I'll add that book to my TBR.

I'm on my iPad now so I'll request the stamp once I'm back to my desktop in a few hours.

[D.G.]

Off to request the stamp for us!!

BSB5 Week 6 (Jul 22 - Jul 28): demons
Completed: 5 / 5
✔ D.G.: On the Edge - Jul 23 ★★★★½ review
✔ Jackie M: The Mage in Black - Jul 26 ★★★★ review
✔ Kat: Nevermore - Jul 27 ★★★★★ review
✔ Lauren: Skykeepers - Jul 24 ★★★★ review
✔ Skandia: Marked - Jul 25 ★★★½ review

[D.G.]

We got the week's shelf: Urban Fantasy!

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/u...

[D.G.]

I'm reading for that shelf :

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Sultry Seventeen!
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

[Skandia]

I will read for UF shelf

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Sultries!

[Lauren]

Thanks Sandra and Steph!

I will read for the UF shelf.

[[deleted user]]

I'll be reading for the UF shelf.

[Jackie M]

I will be reading for the UF shelf.

[D.G.]

Here are our reads for the week!

BSB5 Week 7 (Jul 29 - Aug 4): urban fantasy
Completed: 0 / 5
D.G.: Bonded by Blood
Jackie M: Sacrificial Magic
Kat: Die for Me
Lauren: Blood Eternal
Skandia: One Foot in the Grave

[[deleted user]]

sorry :) I'm so wishy washy when it come to UF but I think I'm going to change my book to I think It will be a much quicker read, Discovery is a large book it might take me more then a week to read it, but who knows :)

[D.G.]

SHELF: urban fantasy



Title/Author: Bonded by Blood by Laurie London
Read for shelf: urban fantasy
Date finished: Jul 30
Rating: ★★½
Review: Lately I only feel like listening to romance in audio and that's the only reason why I didn't dnf this puppy.

Bonded by Blood was a below average read. The characters were cookie cutter and nothing to talk about but the biggest problem in the book were the technical aspects, which needed a lot of work to make a cohesive book. The world building was an anemic mishmash of the usual vampire myths and some of the new themes we've seen in popular series like the BDB but with no explanation as to how these seemingly contradictory elements could work - I can get a world where vampires are born or turned but not both. The timing transitions were terrible. A few times I didn't realize that days/weeks have passed until I was several minutes into a chapter, so every time there was a transition I was left wondering if it was the next hour or the next week.

The author seemed to be inexperienced and/or uncomfortable with love scenes and didn't seem to think things through. Some scenes would start steamy and then sort of fade to black; there was a lot of rearranging of erections and hardening of the hero's cock but the were barely any details about the woman's parts. I even wondered if the hero was the only one with genitals.

The confrontation with the uber villain (which was of the mustache twirling variety) was anticlimactic and there was a conflict with the hero's brother that was so obvious that it was laughable.

Definitely not continuing this series.

[D.G.]

No worries, Kat. I already fixed in my spreadsheet. :)

[Lauren]

Thanks for the review D.G. I was thinking of reading this but after reading your review I've changed my mind.

[D.G.]

Yup, the book wasn't really very strong. I can't even say that it held any promise or the world was unique, it had just a few seemingly new elements that didn't make much sense.

[Jackie M]

D.G. I won't be reading Bound By Blood anytime soon that's for sure!
Your review was pretty awesome though. I laughed a couple of times.

[D.G.]

LOL, Jackie. I actually wrote a more thorough review but I saved that version at home. I should be re-writing it to add more details about why I didn't like the book.

I mean, it wasn't terrible, it just too weak.

[Jackie M]

Shelf Urban Fantasy
Sacrificial Magic
Read 7/31/2012
5 stars

I just can't get enough of this series!

Chess is so insecure about her relationship with Terrible, and at times it seems like she's wrecking it on purpose.
There are some choices that she makes that makes me wish I could slap her upside her head. I feel sorry for Chess and get so pissed at her at the same time.
The flashbacks that she has from her past help me to understand why she is the way she is and why she feels not worthy of Terrible.

With how messed up Chess is emotionally she really is one tough chick who at times makes you forget that she is a junkie.

I am looking forward to the next book to see how she juggles the big change that happened at the end of the book and to see if she just lets herself be happy with Terrible and quits punishing herself.

[Lauren]

I'm a little behind this week. The Olympics are getting in the way of my reading. Will hopefully finish my book tomorrow.

[Lauren]

Stayed up late and finished my book. Will post my review when I get back from the Batman movie.

[Lauren]

Blood Eternal by Marie Treanor
Read: August 1st
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
4 Stars

Synopsis
The discord between the vampire factions continues with the awakening of Saloman's cousin Luk. While he may be the only one capable of stopping Saloman from consolidating his power over the human and vampire communities, his destructive plans may be even worse and Elizabeth and the other hunters must decide whether to trust Saloman and join forces to stop Luk and his minions.

Review
A mostly satisfying conclusion to the series although something feels a tad off.

Treanor's writing is as immersing as ever and the various plot threads come together cohesively. Nevertheless, the pacing is slow at times and the prophecy theme underdeveloped and less integrated than it could have been. The twist at the end is an unexpected yet pleasant surprise.

Saloman and Elizabeth's romance is as steamy and captivating as ever. She is still conflicted about her love for Saloman and her loyalty to the hunters but ultimately makes the necessary choices. Saloman is still one sexy vampire but must come to terms with his past if he is to have a future. Unfortunately, the elusive mystique that characterized him in books 1 and 2 seems to have mellowed.

The secondary characters continue to play central roles and there is now a spin-off series in which some of them feature prominently. In terms of the villains, Luk is not as menacing as he could have been and Dante goes from slick and smarmy politico to demented sidekick. Neither pose a significant threat, which diminishes the tension.

Overall, a good addition and I look forward to the spin-off.

[Skandia]

Shelf:Urban Fantasy
One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Date Read:08/03/2012
Rating:★★★★

This is the second book of Jeaniene Frosts Night Huntress series.
It picks up four years after the first book ends and Cat has become a part of FBI's? secret department hunting and killing vampires.
After meeting Bones in book one, I'm not surprised she still loves him and of course upon meeting again their old flame ignites and the relationship picks up again only more passionate and steamy than before. Although I must say that the character of Cat slightly irritated me in this book more so than in the first. Too bloody headstrong and just doesn't listen to anybody.
This book was slightly better than the first. More action, more interesting characters and clearly there was intrigue left in the air about Cat's father. Only thing bothered me was the confrontation at the end of the book between Ian and Bones and Bones claiming his own bloodline. That went too easy. Like, really?? Deadly territorial vamps just shake hands and let go?? I guess, I have to wait and see and read the next book in series.

[[deleted user]]

Gosh I'm so behind this week it's not even funny , work has just been nuts, and now I've added Zumba to the daily routine...I will have my book finished by Sunday, I swear :)

[Jackie M]

Our next shelf announcement is up ~ 'Series Catch-up' (personal shelf)

NOTE:
❀ 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

[Jackie M]

I will be reading

[D.G.]

I'll read

[[deleted user]]

I'll be reading for this shelf

[Skandia]

I will read for 'series catch-up' shelf

[Lauren]

I will read for the series catch up shelf.

[[deleted user]]

Finished my Urban Fantasy book , very enjoyable!



Shelf for July 29th:Urban Fantasy
Book Chosen:Die For Me ~ Amy Plum
Date Read:August 5, 2012
Rating:4♥♥♥♥
Review:Author Amy Plum has managed to bring new life into the YA genre with her fasinating take on the Undead. She has introduced so to a new kind of paranormal creature that is intriguing as well as exciting.

The story never lacked for action and was told in such a way that it never was boring nor did I have to suffer through any slow parts . The characters were fun and very easy to relate to and I will most definately be going to continue on with this great new series :)

[D.G.]

Off to request our Urban Fantasy stamp!

BSB5 Week 7 (Jul 29 - Aug 4): urban fantasy
Completed: 5 / 5
✔ D.G.: Bonded by Blood - Jul 30 ★★½ review
✔ Jackie M: Sacrificial Magic - Jul 31 ★★★★★ review
✔ Kat: Die for Me - Aug 5 ★★★★ review
✔ Lauren: Blood Eternal - Aug 1 ★★★★ review
✔ Skandia: One Foot in the Grave - Aug 3 ★★★★ review

[Skandia]

Shelf: Series catch-up
Ninth Key by Meg Cabot
Date Read:08/04/2012
Rating:★★1/2

This is the second book of Meg Cabots Mediator series.
I really don't know what happened. Compared to the first in series that I liked a lot, this book was a disappointment. No development in characters and almost no ghosts. The story didn't keep my interest and i'm glad it was quick read to get it done. I think I will abandon this series completely.

[Lauren]

The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter
Shelf: Series Catch-Up
Read: August 5th
3.5 Stars

Synopsis
Known to her people as the Disappointment, Kaia has always been an outcast until she and her sisters are invited to participate in the Harpy Games. In order to win the grand prize, Kaia will need the help of her reluctant Consort AKA Strider, the Keeper of Defeat, who wants nothing to with her. As the stakes in the games increase so does Strider and Kaia's attraction until soon nothing matters but winning the real prize - each other.

Review
Not as good as some of the others in the series but worth reading for the Harpy Games.

Kaia and Strider's romance feels contrived even though their sex scenes are smokin' hot!
Kaia starts out as another one of those pathetic heroines I despise. Her borderline stalkerish pursuit of Strider is seriously irritating, especially considering the fact that he is a sexist and narcissistic jerk. Thankfully, he begins to redeem himself about halfway through when he stops being a selfish shmuck and begins thinking about someone other than himself. Kaia also develops a backbone round about the same time, so their story ultimately ends on a positive note.

The Harpy Games are enjoyable although they are obviously a rip off of Kresley Cole's Talisman Hie in Immortals After Dark but not nearly as developed or entertaining. The Paring Rod plot is an interesting development but seriously lacking in detail and serves to indicate that the series needs to get back to the Pandora's Box story arc pronto.

The updates to the secondary characters are promising, especially Paris, whose book I am really looking forward to as he is my favorite Lord. Lazarus is also very intriguing and I hope that we will be seeing more of him.

[[deleted user]]

Wow... you two flew through your books! I'm really enjoying my pick so far, I have to say I will read anything Jennifer Armentrout writes :)

I also have a book all picked out in case the next shelf called is male-lead or new series, it will work for either one :)

[D.G.]

WTG, ladies!

I should finishing mine and then posting my review later today.

[D.G.]

SHELF: *series catch-up



Title/Author: Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Read for shelf: *series catch up
Date finished: Aug 6
Rating: ★★★
Review: There was something missing in Bayou Moon. It was just too similar to the first book but with a million uninteresting characters that got way too much playtime.

I didn't feel Cerise or the relationship with William. She was just a watered down copy of Rose: kick-ass, poor, fighting for her family and with a past relationship that left her disillusioned. William was really different from Declan - which was a good thing - and I liked how his animal nature prevented him from understanding social cues. I could understand him falling for Cerise but besides him being hot, I didn't believe that she'd fall for him.

I think the authors used Cerise's large family to disguise how similar she was to Rose but it just made the book boring. There were too many discussions with the family, too many situations that really didn't bring anything to the story - the business of the eel was ridiculous. All the cries of - we have to fight to save the family! - got tired after the gazillion time and specially because the way it ended. Couldn't have they thought of that in the first place? There was no reason to fight Spider!

I'm not sure if I'll read the next book because I don't care for the Mar family and the hero is a Mar. But even if I do, I think I'll switch to print for the remainder of the books.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Sultry Seventeen!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'urban-fantasy'.

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

Good Job!! :D

[D.G.]

Woohoo! Thanks Steph!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Sultries!

I agree with you Captn Hussy - I nearly gave BM 3 stars, it was only the end that kicked it to a 4 for me. I don't think I'll be reading any more of them either. Such a shame cause I love the Kate series.

[Jackie M]

I just finished my book and will post my review in the morning.

[D.G.]

Ladies! I'll be leaving for Lisbon today so Jackie, you'll have to request this week's stamp. :)

I already have a few books picked that fit both the new series and male lead and other shelves that give us 4-in a row. If whatever shelf is called next week gives us the win, I'll try really hard to read it by Tuesday the latest. If it doesn't give us the win, I'll take it easier!

We're flying back to the US on Thursday the 20th so I should be able to read Week 11's shelf if we get to that.

[Skandia]

Welcome to Europe, D.G. and have fun! Lisbon is a wonderful city!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Happy Travels, DG! :D

[Lauren]

Have a wonderful time!

[Jackie M]

Have a fun and safe vacation DG.

[Jackie M]

Tempting Evil
Shelf series catch-up
Read 8/6/2012
4 stars

Riley is training to be a better fighter and to become a Guardian so that she can seek the revenge she wants so badly.
Riley goes undercover to a compound and must trust her instincts in order to stay alive and keep her brother Rhoan alive as well.

This book was fast paced and full of action, so it held my interest 99% of the time. The only time I found my self skimming were a couple of sex scenes. The scenes weren't bad, but I just wanted to get back to the meat of the story.

One word that comes to mind when I think of Riley is resilient. She always lands on her feet and has no problem doing what she needs to do to get her task completed.