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Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2013
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Post #18 Updated. 
Title/Author: A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
Series: The Maker's Song
Read: Apr 13, 2013
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Not sure
Review: Much darker and grittier than my usual urban fantasy fare. The world building is original and compelling, the characters intense and the story engrossing. Nevertheless, I cannot say that I enjoyed the book - it was simply too strange.
Title/Author: Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
Series: Myron Bolitar
Read: 14th April
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It seems like I've read a lot of Crime novels for this challenge - but my main aim with this one is to get books out of the house. I liked this book, it was a slightly different take on the crime novel - with the central character being a sports agent. Myron was a nice guy (which you don't really expect for a sports agent). It was decent enough story, but there was one main component that put me off - his best friend Win. That man has issues.
Title/Author:Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy
Series: Covenant of Thorns
Read: 16/04/2013
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: was very surprised that I actually liked this book. I loved the witty remarks that Gwen made while she tried to mesh concepts of her own reality with her adventures.
I don't know much about fae lore but it was central to the world building of this story...problem was that it was not explained to the reader nor the heroine. It made for interesting reading because you assume things to go a certain way. A little bit of Alice in Wonderland thrown in the mix.
I think that I liked to hate the 'hero', which made the story more interesting in the end.
Title/Author: Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves
Series: Ripper
Read: 4/1/13
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yup
To-Be-Continued? Yup
Review: Awesome! Great historical fiction book with paranormal aspects. Highly recommended!
10/12May Update:
Title/Author: The Baker's Boy by J.V. Jones
Series: Book of Words
Read: 02/05
Rating: ★★
To-Be-Continued? Nope!
Review:
The author doesn't do subtle. You're hit over the head with things that are as obvious as your nose. The villains are so villainous and so horny that you're forced to hate em. The MC are both really stupid. The good people are saints.
Title/Author: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Series: Caster Chronicles
Read: 5/10/13
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: Great book. Loved reading from a guys pov!
Title/Author: Shadow of the Wolf by Mac FlynnSeries: In the Loup
Read:5/10/2013
Rating: ★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? no
Review: I really didn't like this book.It was ok but to me there was no action to catch my attention.
Title/Author: The Chief by Monica McCartySeries: Highland Guard
Read: 05-09-2013
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review:
After reading a supersweet highlander romance, I decided to give this a try and lucky me, it was exactly what I needed. Rough, bossy, and misplaced commitment-phobe, stone serious highlander. It felt like I was reading bodyguard series in an OLD world and that's a first. The heroine is too selfless for me, (I doubt if such lasses exist now), mildly annoying but didn't take me out of reading their story.
I'm already on book three and a bit hitting my highlander mark. hehe
Updated post #8
Title/Author: Reason to Breathe - Rebecca Donovan
Series: Breathing
Read: May 5, 2013
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review:
This book was absolutely heart wrenching and yet heart warming as well. I understand why Emma withstood the abuse but I hated that she kept silent. (view spoiler) I get that she loved Jack and Leyla but her reasoning was a little skewed. I really don't think Carol would intentionally hurt her own children but psychos don't need a reason to be crazy. I just couldn't figure why she hated Emma so much. I really wish that would be been explained. I get that she was forced on Carol and George but hey they could have refused. It wasn't specifically stated but I'm guessing they did it for the money. In similar situations, the unwanted relative is usually treated like Cinderella (a slave) not repeatedly beaten nearly to death.
I loved Sara. She is what a best friend should be - loyal, loving, supportive and kind. Though at some point she really should have said something if only to her own mother especially after the hospital incident. And Evan. He was interested in Emma and gently forced her outside her box and brought her to life. What a sweetie! Too bad there aren't any real guys just like him.
The cliffhanger ending was horrific and I can't wait to read Barely Breathing to see (view spoiler)
Title/Author: A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
Series: Sherlock Holmes
Read: 13th May
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No, I vaguely remember reading part of The Hound of The Baskervilles when I was a teenager
To-Be-Continued? Yes!!!
Review: Fascinating (view spoiler). Sherlock is such an enigma. I also love the fact that such a complete story can be told in under 120 pages. It's easy to see how Sherlock has become such a legend. Really enjoyed it and can't wait to read the next one.
I can't believe that we only have one more month left in this challenge. When I look at the list of books I put together at the start, I've realised that I've hardly touched that list!
Guess I'll have to bite the bullet in June and pick something I've really been putting off!
Post #18 Updated. 
Title/Author: The Greyfriar by Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Series: Vampire Empire
Read: May 14, 2013
Rating: ★★★1/2
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably
Review: A well written story although the world building is quite dense and requires patience to wade through. The synthesis of post-apocalyptic, steampunk and vampiric elements is compelling as is the original take on vampires rising up against humanity and subjugating those who once oppressed them. The descriptions of the vampires' cruel domination are particularly gruesome and horrifying yet the authors still manage to convey that there are two sides to every conflict
The Edge of Town by Dorothy Garlock
Jazz Age Series
Date finished: 5/16/13
Rating 3 stars
First time author? Yes
Continue series? Probably not
The first hindered or so pages had me wanting to throw the bookcase not much happened except for Julie Jones, the heroine, interacting with her family. Finally, when we got some action, it was pretty good. The romance between Julie and Evan was sweet :) There was just too much downtime in action and romance for me to want to continue with the series.
May update:
Title/Author: Nightwalker bu Jocelynn Drake
Series: Dark Days
Read: 25/5/13
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
A dark and gritty novel, centering around Mira, a vampire who can control fire, which is unique amongst her people. She is drawn into the age old fight between the vampires and the Naturi, and also needs to find out how Danaus, a vampire hunter who seems more than human, fits in the puzzle.
This was a good start to a series, reminding me of the early novels of Anne Rice. The vampires are old and inhuman, everyone has their own agenda and the lines between good and evil are blurred.
11/12June Update:
Title/Author: Theodore Boone:Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Series: Theodore Boone
Read: 02/06
Rating: ★★★
To-Be-Continued? Yes!
Review:
A not overly complicated book. I liked how the author kept it light & explained the terms used in the court. The only issue I had was that Theodore was a too-good kid hehehe
With this month, I'm All done - post 39 :) 
Real by Katy Evans
Series: Real, Raw & Ripped
Date finished: 6/2/13
Rating: 3.5 stars
First time author? Yes
To be continued? Yes
Review: I'd seen a lot of hype for this book and I have to say, I was disappointed. Brooke really got on my nerves with her hormones going out of whack every time Remy was in the room with her. She even at one point refers to her "genetically induced mating instincts" ewww There was also a lot of references to muscles and their proper names and adrenal flowing and her pulled ACL, and then defining it after use that distracted me quite a bit. Thankfully, Remy was an interesting character. I wish we would have gotten more from him and about him though. Overall, not a bad way to spend a Sunday and I'll probably read this story from his pov when it comes out.
All done! Post #20June Update:
Title/Author: Shadow Kin by M.J. Scott
Series: The Half-Light City
Read: 7/6/13
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Intriguing story in a world filled with fae, humans, vampires and a few things in between. This was a slightly dark story, following Lily, a Wraith and assassin, and Simon, a human sunmage.
The story slowed down around the middle before picking up again towards the end. Good start to a series
Title/Author: Bared to You by Sylvia Day
Series: Crossfire
Read: 11th June
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Oh yes!!!!
Review: The trilogy that's not a trilogy - the series that just keeps on giving. I'm glad there are 3 books out in this series, because now I've started, I don't want to stop. I devoured this book - much like I did with FSOG - but Gideon is a very different package - he reminds me a lot of Roarke from the In Death books (although Roarke doesn't have Gideons issues of course), I could get equally obsessed with him.
Challenge finished - 12/12
Updated post #8
Title/Author: Everneath - Brodi Ashton
Series: Everneath
Read: June 18, 2013
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review:
I love mythology and this book incorporates two different but with similar themed stories: Orpheus & Eurydice and Hades & Persephone. It's not your typical young adult novel nor is it a cookie-cutter paranormal either. It's a wonderful weaving together of these two stories along with some new and ingenious additions to the paranormal genre and even a few surprises. For sure, supernaturals who feed on human emotion and energy isn't new but the way Ms. Ashton incorporates these elements are.
In the beginning I found the flashbacks disjointed and confusing. The story bounced back and forth between now (after the everneath) and before the Everneath. It was tough to comprehend but once it became clear, I decided it was an interesting way to provide the backstory while focusing on the here and now.
Oh sure our heroine, Nikki Beckett did some stupid jealous childish things that set events in motion but she also owns up to them and tries to do the right thing. I loved the interactions between her and Jack and even evil Cole had a few good moments. The ending shouldn't have been a surprise but it was and I can't wait to see how it continues in the second book Everbound though first I have to read the short story set between the first two Neverfall.
CHALLENGE COMPLETE!READ: 12/12
July: Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades) - E.L. James 7/6 ★★★★
August: Ascension - Sable Grace (Dark Breed) 8/4 ★★★★
September: Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck (The Tiger Saga) 9/3 ★★★★
October: Wages of Sin - Jenna Maclaine (Cin Craven) 10/4 ★★★★
November: Shadow Bound - Erin Kellison (Shadow) 11/1 ★★★
December: Kiss of Pride - Sandra Hill (Deadly Angels) 12/11 ★★★
January: Leviathan - Scott Westerfield (Leviathan) 1/16 ★★★★
February: Stormdancer - Jay Kristoff (The Lotus War) 2/13 ★★★★★
March: The Eyre Affair - Jasper Fforde (Thursday Next) 3/9 ★★★
April: Unearthly - Cynthia Hand (Unearthly) 4/4 ★★★★
May: Reason to Breathe - Rebecca Donovan (Breathing) 5/5 ★★★★★
June: Everneath - Brodi Ashton (Everneath) 6/18 ★★★★
Hooray, Barbara!
Well done Barbara!Oops, I seem to be missing some reviews...better late than never.
May 2013
Title/Author:Seer's Hope by Maree Anderson
Series: The Seer Trilogy #1
Read: 18/05/2013
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: While rather short (210 pages), this story was well put together. I especially liked that the heroine was blind and all the story telling was written to exploit to it's fullest what it means to be blind (granted I'm not blind so I would not know how hard it is to live without sight). I admire the author for wrapping an epic fantasy in so little pages, make it and it's people believable.
There was a few missing words and grammar errors but very little and not very distracting at all. I got it when it was a freebie on Amazon but it's worth spending money on it if you are interested.
JUne 2013Title/Author: Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
Series: The Artist Trilogy # 1
Read: 18/06/2013
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
REview: I feel worn out and weary. Both from having read the novella and this book in just one day resulting in lack of sleep and the emotional havoc the stories evoked.
Sins and needles made my heart pound and go still, catch my breath, then let me down with a huge whacked in the head. Everything flashes like a real life movie its actually scary.
He's insane. When I thought it was bad, it got worse, then it got, you-have-got-to-be-shitting-me in a matter of a few sentences. I alm0st lose my head and I thought this is it, she's dead. But my god, I was ro0ting for this tenacious but stupid, courageous girl! I wanted to help her, I wanted to lend her m0ney. hehe She has creeped on to my skin. :)
I'm keeping my eyes tightly shut in anticipati0n of the hell bo0k two must c0ntain, hoping for her redempti0n in book three, and doubt I'll rest easy until she finds her explosive JUSTIFICATI0N.
P.s. I love the n0vella. and secretly Javier too. This was 0ne star less for Im starting to hate him.
Also read:
Bared to You
Ivan
Devoured
Post #18 Updated - Challenge Finished
Title/Author: Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep
Series: Elemental Assassin
Read: June 17, 2013
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: The world building based on the concept of people with extrasensory abilities based on the four elements and their derivatives is original and intriguing. The main character and her sidekicks are the highlight of the book. Gin is a formidable heroine - flawed and complex but vulnerable and endearing at the same time. The only supporting character to dim my enthusiasm is Gin's love interest, Detective Donovan Caine. Although their chemistry is tangible, the detective is a pompous, judgmental, self-righteous prick who really needs to get over himself. He makes my palms itch to smack him.
12/12July Update:
Title/Author: Mistborn by Brabdon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn
Read: 03/07
Rating: ★★★
To-Be-Continued? Maybe-ish
Review:
* Typical epic fantasy.
* World building was good, as was the whole concept of Allomancy.
* My favorite was Kelsier, of course.
* The ending was just all right...Vin just "knew" what she had to do?
* Why was there need of the cliffhanger, even after the bad guys were killed? That was stupid!
Hooray, Midu!
Do we have a challenge for this next year yet? *she asks hopefully*
Cristina, if you want to do it again I'll set it up ;)
Sandra wrote: "Cristina, if you want to do it again I'll set it up ;)"I do appreciate it. :D
I've been doing this challenge for a couple of years now and it was so strange not logging in my firsts as I went. lol
*ahem* not that I was overeager or anything
ROFL
I didn't do so well this year.Love or Hate @ FIRST
Duration: July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
READ: 9/12 (+ 13 also read = 22)
July: Immortal Beloved ★★★★✩ Jul 4
August: Dark Inside ★✩✩✩✩ Aug 5
September: Across the Nightingale Floor ★✩✩✩✩ Sep 9
October: The Duke And I ★✩✩✩✩ Oct 6
November: Devil's Bargain ★★✩✩✩ Nov 25
December: n/a
January: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory ★★★★✩ Jan 2
February: n/a
March: Skulduggery Pleasant ★★★✩✩ Mar 3
April: Shakespeare's Landlord ★★✩✩✩ Apr 22
May: Undead ★★✩✩✩ May 12
June: n/a
Also Read:
2★
5★
3★
2★
3★
2★
3★
4★
3★
1★
1★
2★
3★Series I'm continuing with:
Close but no cigar. Love or Hate @ FIRST
Duration: July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
Completed: 11/12
July: A Blood Seduction by Pamela Palmer, 02/07/2012 ★★★★☆ (monthly post)
August: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black, 03/08/2012 ★★★★☆ (monthly post)
September: Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth, 13/09/2012 ★★★★☆(monthly post)
October: Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning, 01/10/2012 ★★★★★(monthly post)
November: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, 09/11/2012 ★★★★★(monthly post)
December: Angel's Ink by Jocelynn Drake, 14/12/2012 ★★★★☆(monthly post)
January: Control Point by Myke Cole, 12/01/2012 ★★★★☆ (monthly post)
February:Once Bitten by Trina M. Lee, 11/02/2012 ★★☆ (monthly post)
March:Skin Game by Ava Gray, 23/03/2013 ★★★(monthly post)
April: Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy, 16/04/2013 ★★★★(monthly post)
May: Seer's Hope by Maree Anderson, 18/05/2013 ★★★★ (monthly post)
June: n/a
READ:
ALSO READ:
5★
4★
4★
4★
3★
3.5★
3★
4★
3★
3★
2★
3★
2★
4★
3★
4★
5★
5★
4★
3★
3★
3★
4★
4★
5★
4★
3★ Jan:
5★
4★Feb:
3★
3★
4.5★
5★
3★
4★
4★ March:
3★
3★
3★
3★April:
3★
4★
3★
4★
3★ May:
5★ June:
Good on you both!!
Hey! I finally managed to finish a challenge! :) haha UnbelievableJuly 2012 : The Gathering (Darkness Rising #1) 07/06/2012
August 2012 : Wicked Nights (Angels of the Dark #1) 08/19/2012
September 2012 : The Iron King (Iron Fey #1) 09/08/2012
October 2012: Defiance (Defiance#1) 10/07/2012
November 2012 : On Dublin Street 11/10/2012
December 2012: Poison Princess 12/06/2012
January 2013 : The Body Finder 01/17/2013
February 2013: Unwind 02/04/2013
March 2013: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden 03/09/2013
April 2013: Hopeless 04/08/2013
May 2013: The Chief 05/09/2013
June 2013: Sins & Needles 06/18/2013
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Stray (other topics)The Name of the Wind (other topics)
Backstage Pass (other topics)
Blood Oath (other topics)
A Blood Seduction (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jocelynn Drake (other topics)Patrick Rothfuss (other topics)
Olivia Cunning (other topics)
Karina Halle (other topics)
Sylvia Day (other topics)
More...
Title/Author:Skin Game by Ava Gray
Read: 23/03/2013
Rating: ★★★
First time author? no
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: I liked this antihero and Kyra's "gift" was unique (as well as her morals). The first half of the book was very fun to read but the last part dragged a bit.