SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Last review for now:



Week 9: 2012 (Nov 10-Nov 17)
Book: Black Lament by Christina Henry
Read from November 10 to 13, 2012
Finished: November 13, 2012
Rating: 3.5 Stars

I can’t say that I loved Black Lament, but I can’t say that I disliked it either. It was kind of a “Eh” read for me. So much happened at the end of Black Howl that I wasn’t sure where Christina Henry would take this series. After reading Black Lament, I’m really hoping she has it figured it; because I certainly don’t. I’m not even sure I know what I would like to see for Maddy.

With everything that happened in Black Howl, Maddy is left emotionally wrung out and depressed. Since Black Lament takes up almost immediately after Black Howl, she hasn’t had the time to deal with the turmoil she went through. However, those evil forces never cease working and Maddy is thrust into another plot to kill her; the poor woman just can’t catch a break. Despite being pregnant she jumps right in with the same reckless impulse she has displayed in the other novels. What is a bit frightening in Black Lament is Maddy’s cold calculation and dismissal to brutalize and kill those that get in her way. As she heads down this path the reader can’t help wonder if that is Lucifer’s ultimate plan for her, is he shaping and molding her for his final plans.

I continue to love the supporting cast of characters; Beezle with his comic relief; Samuel the strong and silent reasonable one; Jude the werewolf who initially mistrusted her; J.B. who loves her but is not loved in return and Nathaniel her ex-fiancé who was an instrument of her father’s and sought to betray and kill Maddy in Black Howl. I wasn’t thrilled with Nathaniel’s addition to Team Maddy initially, but by the end of the book I enjoyed that element, since the dynamics between Maddy and Nathaniel almost reversed themselves with Maddy becoming more “angel” and Nathaniel becoming more “human.” It was an interesting twist on their character traits.

Overall, I continue to enjoy this series, maybe mainly because I just can’t “see” what is coming down the pipeline. There are so many new scenarios and plots that can be developed now, I am looking forward to picking up Black City, Book #5, in February 2013.

Just 2 reviews to go for our 2012 stamp and only one for the series catch up stamp. Great job ladies!

I'll be updating until around 8pm tonight. My flight leaves at 7:20am tomorrow morning so I'll have to get up 4:45am at least (I leave 15 mins. from the airport so at least that won't take long.)

my 2 reviews not ready yet but I am getting there

Nici wrote: "i finishedKiss the Dead on 11/3 for the favorite series shelf. I give it three stars. I can't let go of this series, but i stopped enjoying it long ago. I count it as a favorite series though be..."

I know what you mean Nici. I stopped buying these books long, long ago. But it's an addiction, I walk by it on the library shelf and have to pick it up. I can't resist. I need help. LOL.

I think, on my part, it's nostalgia mixed with hope. I remember how I felt reading the initial books in the series and I keep hoping the next one will be a return to those same earlier plot lines. In fact, I just picked Kiss up at the library last night. I don't know when I'll get around to it, but I picked it up.

I'm crossing my fingers for a Dragon shelf. One reason, of course, is it's a winning shelf, but I also have a book I really want to read. It's the only book left on my TBR at home on this shelf, so I've been delaying reading it. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to resist temptation. If I give in, I'll have to visit the library to have another dragon book on deck. Or go online to buy the new Thea Harrison book.

I want the shelf so that I know which book to concentrate more on, I am bouncing between my series catch up and 2012 books so that if a winning shelf is called we can make it together. 'SHELF' if it is magic I will be reading unholy ghost, if dragon I do not know.

Well bummer. The shelf called is a winning shelf for Team #10.

Shelf #10 ~ 11/18/12: 'shifters'
DIRECT LINK: shifters

I'll be reading for the shifter shelf.

I will carry on with the 2 books I am reading and chose a shifter if we need it.

i will be reading Bloodborn

I'm probably going to read

Completed: November 11th, 2012
Rating: ★ ★ 1/2
Shelf: favorite series
Review: Once again we get a fun-filled ride from Naughton! Gryphon was another exceptional character in the Eternal Guardians series but I didn't get the same level of turmoil from him that I did from others. This had some fun action throughout but the resolution at the end was too predictable and frighteningly short. Lots of action to end with a quickie just left me dissatisfied with the HEA for the characters but overall the main storyline for this series will most likely keep me coming back. Especially since there was such a BIG change in the overall plot line in this book...new baddies? Bring them on!

I'm reading Storm's Heart for the shifter shelf.

OK, not that it makes a huge amount of difference, but I changed my 2012 book to



Completed: November 16th, 2012
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Shelf: 2012
Review: This book was great! I just love Dawn Cook/Kim Harrison. :) I have only read her Hollows stuff under Kim Harrison before so this was my first foray into the writings of the actual Dawn Cook. The girl just doesn't disappoint! Fantastic characters and a rich, dense world of magic and fantasy. I only had a couple of moments where I had to *head desk* because of choices the characters made but that can be written off as issues with the 'youth' of the characters and not the writing itself. I listened to this on audio and the narrator is perfection. I am already listening to the next in the series!

Well, it looks like team #10 requested their winning stamp today. Congrats to them but bummer for us! I've had tons of fun reading with you ladies. Hope you have a great Christmas season!

See you on the other side of 2012. :)

I'm back! But I saw that the group #10 won already. Oh well... I read my last book and will be posting the review anyway. :) It was a pleasure reading and chatting with you ladies!