The Challenge Factory discussion

Trea wrote: "Penni wrote: "Dont, don't, don't drink that!!!!"

*laughs* Why can't she be wearing that date rape nail polish in every book?! Would solve so many problems!"

Seriously, someone tell me this joker is dead by the end of the story....

He was a real douche canoe! And yeah, how the heck did he find out she was the Spider? Or did he just guess she was the assassin, not necessarily The Spider, until she told him? I don't remember, exactly.

And yeah, Sebastian not leaking to Mab who she was or even Mab figuring it out by association... just another hokey part to me. It was just so incredible to meet up with everyone and nobody recalling anything later. I get it, everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives and what's going on that no one is paying attention. Still...

Penni wrote: "Trea wrote: "Penni wrote: "Dont, don't, don't drink that!!!!"

*laughs* Why can't she be wearing that date rape nail polish in every book?! Would solve so many problems!"

Seriously, someone tell..."

Gin gets him, in the end.

That whole scene where Gin tells Finn that he should be going after Bria - that was too weird.

I'm trying to figure if he knew who she was from the beginning - saw her hanging outside the window somehow - and that's why he held back? But what made him think of going after her like that? Was it a plan from early on, or made up on the spot?

Nichole wrote: "He was a real douche canoe! And yeah, how the heck did he find out she was the Spider? Or did he just guess she was the assassin, not necessarily The Spider, until she told him? I don't remember, e..."

I know he figured out she was the assassin that killed his dad, but we never learned how. I don't think he said that he knew she was The Spider.

This book was just too coincidental for me, and I think it is the worst book of the series to date, and that says something since I rated By a Thread with 2 stars as well!

And really, if she had this kind of experience, when she was dealing with Salina, wouldn't it have come up, at least in her thoughts? I don't remember her comparing anything to this experience in that book.

Although, maybe JE just came up with this for this book and didn't have the idea of it before. And I am overall enjoying it. I just keep trying to put all these details together and it's not fitting all too well.

Also, I'm going to have a hard time with Gin and her killing a "totally innocent man".

Trea wrote: "Nichole wrote: "He was a real douche canoe! And yeah, how the heck did he find out she was the Spider? Or did he just guess she was the assassin, not necessarily The Spider, until she told him? I d..."

I really enjoyed By A Thread. I haven't rated any of them 2 *'s - and this - so far - will be a 3* for me I think. If it finishes out like it's been going so far.

Penni wrote: "And really, if she had this kind of experience, when she was dealing with Salina, wouldn't it have come up, at least in her thoughts? I don't remember her comparing anything to this experience in ..."

I think JE did come up with all of this just for this book, but I swear, she should have done a better job of making the pieces fit into the existing tapestry of plot and not tried so hard to force it all into this one book with it not fitting like it does.

She probably thought the Bria and Finn joke would be foreshadowing, as this is supposed to be a prequel. I thought it was creepy.

The end of the book tells you that (view spoiler)[Gin herself has a hard time dealing with the fact that she killed an innocent man. She does try to atone for it by watching over Charlotte, but Charlotte doesn't have it that great for a bit. (hide spoiler)] I don't think we've heard the last of Charlotte.

I think he said something about putting the pieces together to figure out she was the assassin. Pretty smart of him with what he had to go on.

He put in the contract
The money was exchanged
New girl shows up (Really? She was a caterer)
New girl is caught roaming outside the Library? Office?
Father gets killed
Bam! She's the assassin!

I didn't hate it either. It was my least favorite but I still enjoyed the fights!

Egads. 4 more hours. Obviously even tho she knows Sebastian betrayed her she's not going to end him anytime soon

And yes. I'm still mostly drugged so this is a good time to go confront him.

Right! I was really shaking my head at that.

Ah. He just explained how he knew to Mab. Howeveer, he's not 100% sure. And I'm still stunned that Mab wouldn't put 2 and 2 together at some point....

Just finishing up Gentle Warrior this morning and will be ready to start Poison Promise this afternoon.

Nichole wrote: "Just finishing up Gentle Warrior this morning and will be ready to start Poison Promise this afternoon."

Sounds good! I finished up all my books last night, so I'm starting today too.

How are you liking Gentle Warrior?

It's not my favorite JG novel but I'm still enjoying it. It's lacking some of the humor that I enjoy or maybe it's the narrator. It's all very serious sounding, even when there is supposed to be teasing and laughter. I'm not really buying it, lol.

Nichole wrote: "It's not my favorite JG novel but I'm still enjoying it. It's lacking some of the humor that I enjoy or maybe it's the narrator. It's all very serious sounding, even when there is supposed to be te..."

I found the heroine quite annoying myself, so I didn't enjoy the book as much as other JG historicals.

Nichole wrote: "Just finishing up Gentle Warrior this morning and will be ready to start Poison Promise this afternoon."

Hope it's good!

I'm on page 163...having to read a DTB version instead of Kindle because I don't own a copy of it. Bria is driving me nuts! It will also be interesting to see how things work out.

I love the casual mention of Charlotte in the opening chapters...makes me think The Spider was written just to introduce her into Gin's world.

Getting a bit of a late start, but I'm downloading it and about to get started.

I've been in a bit of a book funk the last several days. I just have no enthusiasm towards anything. I hope this doesn't fall under the funk because I really love this series....

*snickers* She got tired of Troy and just punched him in throat, lol.

Nichole wrote: "*snickers* She got tired of Troy and just punched him in throat, lol."

*laughs*

Sorry, I haven't been able to get back to it. My sister just got divorced last week and he remarried yesterday. My phone has been blowing up. I feel so bad for her. I'll try to get back to it tonight but if that fails, I'll try to catch up (finish) tomorrow. Sorry! I feel like I've been behind on everything all month. I don't like chaos!

Nichole wrote: "Sorry, I haven't been able to get back to it. My sister just got divorced last week and he remarried yesterday. My phone has been blowing up. I feel so bad for her. I'll try to get back to it tonight but if that fails, I'll try to catch up (finish) tomorrow. Sorry! I feel like I've been behind on everything all month. I don't like chaos!"

Boy, I don't like chaos either! And your poor sister! I totally sympathize with her! Don't worry about getting the reading done...just do it when you can and I'll start putting things under spoilers. I haven't been able to get much more done on it than what I've already posted to. Besides, after this one, you fulfill the FWYS requirements! We can play the others by ear.

Ch. 4-
It seems that our little Catalina is hiding something. I wonder if she was sent to Gin to spy or something. Or is she just going to be the next person that Gin ends up protecting and pulling into her circle? Reading on!

Oh lord, I love the audios for this series but man, oh man, the voice she does for Benson is terrible! I can't even explain it. Choppy, fast but with a southern accent- or something like that.

Oh, I just noticed something. I'm on PP for the double-decker alphabet challenge in RLftCI. I was planning on reading something else and now I don't have to :) It's the small things, lol.

Anyway, So Sylvio saw them but didn't do anything and he left a pill behind? What's up with that? Is he going to be some kind of anti-villain?

Nichole wrote: "Oh, I just noticed something. I'm on PP for the double-decker alphabet challenge in RLftCI. I was planning on reading something else and now I don't have to :) It's the small things, lol.

Anyway, So Sylvio saw them but didn't do anything and he left a pill behind? What's up with that? Is he going to be some kind of anti-villain?"

Yay! I call it "double-dipping" when I can use the same book for multiple challenges and I love it when I can do that! Makes things so much easier.

Catalina is hiding something, and Sylvio is the reason. They're connected, and Gin will eventually bring them both into her circle. It's pretty cool why. *smiles*

I finished it last night, and it was a good read. Really interesting set up at the end for Black Widow. I can't wait to read it!

Oh yay! This sounds promising! I'm about to leave for work but I should still be able to listen to a bit at work today. I'll be back later! Have a good day :)

Nichole wrote: "Oh yay! This sounds promising! I'm about to leave for work but I should still be able to listen to a bit at work today. I'll be back later! Have a good day :)"

You too!

Oh my, Bria is being beyond ridiculous!! She's really pissing me off!

Nichole wrote: "Oh my, Bria is being beyond ridiculous!! She's really pissing me off!"

She did that for me the entire book!

I had to stop shortly after posting that. Anywho, I've never been a big fan of Bria to begin with, she reminded me of Caine. However, she did have Gin's back in other situations so I kind of accepted her, ya know. But this, this is ridiculous! I'm up to Ch. 14- Gin and Benson just had their meeting at Rosalind's place. Bria charges in and again turns total *Bleep* on Gin. It doesn't matter who she walks on, or the casualties of recklessness, as long as she gets her man. Ugh! I wish Gin would just punch her in the throat like she did Troy, lol. I hate what she's doing to Gin.

So this Benson guy got me thinking again, he's a vampire with magic... so why aren't there Giant Vamps? Or are there and I've just forgotten?

Back to it!

Nichole wrote: "So this Benson guy got me thinking again, he's a vampire with magic... so why aren't there Giant Vamps? Or are there and I've just forgotten?"

I think there was, back in Venom, maybe? Said vamp gave two women in outdoor café his card, said he was talent scout? Gin bought it off the women, it was a clue for her "mission".

How do you feel now, Bria? Gin just got taken by your enemy, not because her assassination attempt went wrong, but because she was saving your dumb ass! Oh, even better, it looks like he wants to experiment on her. That should make you feel real good about now. Ugh!

Nichole wrote: "How do you feel now, Bria? Gin just got taken by your enemy, not because her assassination attempt went wrong, but because she was saving your dumb ass! Oh, even better, it looks like he wants to e..."

*laughs* The experimentation is a doozy, trust me!

Whew! I just finished the escape part. I wonder what kind of after effects Gin is going to go through now. I guess I'll find out. Also, it was good to see the gang come for her, including Bria. I hope this means that Bria understands what a complete B**** she has been. I'm still curious about the 2 ladies that came into the diner though...

I'm stopping for the night though. I want to hang out with the hubby :)

The two ladies are the next big baddies, but I won't say more than that. Bria eventually clues in too.

That's kind of what I was thinking. I just woke up and need a few sips before I start back up.

I finished today at work. I think I'm giving this one 3-3.5 stars. Some things I really liked. Like Gin using her Ice magic for more than picks. I always like to see her use it. I wish she would get more comfortable with it because she only seems to pull it out for last minute survival and it ends up being the big powerhouse. Even though there wasn't a ton of Owen, I'm glad to see them back together again. I like him, a lot. I also really liked Sylvio in the end. I was just lukewarm with him until he appointed himself her assistant. That made me laugh!

There were also things that I didn't like -ahem- Bria. She just really made me mad. I know she pulled it together in the end and said she wouldn't do that again, but it was too little too late for me. Especially after everything that she said to Gin. Then again, I've never really been a fan of hers. That being said though, I like her more when she bends the law to support Gin. Gin is an assassin, yes, but she's a reluctant assassin like Benson said. She may kill easily but only when her friends, family or someone weak is being targeted. Another thing that kind of got on my nerves was the final battle between Gin and Benson. Gin is arrogant, we know this, but sometimes it's ridiculous. Her arrogance almost gets her killed all the freaking time! It just annoyed me.

I'm not sure how I feel about the new MM either. Yes, I knew she was coming and figured she was probably one of the women from the beginning. But acid magic? what? Also, not only do we get a regurgitated MM but also Emery Slater and Jonah McAllister. Really? I was prepared for MM but not the whole shebang. And then Madeline is Slater's daughter. However, I'm hoping things will get back to the magic of Venom era. I loved books 3-5. I think Gin will have to be extra badass now that she is known and Madeline seems to be pretty crafty.

Still, I liked this a whole lot better than the last book! Gin's circle is getting bigger and I find that I like that. She might be the one who ultimately dispatches the bad guys but she needs people to help bail her out.

Nichole wrote: "I finished today at work. I think I'm giving this one 3-3.5 stars. Some things I really liked. Like Gin using her Ice magic for more than picks. I always like to see her use it. I wish she would ge..."

I agree with everything you've said here!

The acid magic seems pretty nifty to me, I wasn't expecting THAT to be Fire's offshoot. I can't wait to see where that whole line goes.

I am hoping the same thing, that it goes back to the Venom era of things. Some of these more recent books have just been duds!

Are you up for continuing the series this month, or do you want/need a break?

Yeah, what kind of damage is the acid magic going to do! I like the unconventional elementals. Elektra LaFleur is my favorite villain to date and it's all because of her magic. I just found it interesting.

I would like to read at least the next book this month. Maybe even both. I might not be able to start the next one until Monday/Tuesday though. I have a BR for the weekend and I need to catch up on some of my team challenge books. Does that sound okay?

Nichole wrote: "I would like to read at least the next book this month. Maybe even both. I might not be able to start the next one until Monday/Tuesday though. I have a BR for the weekend and I need to catch up on some of my team challenge books. Does that sound okay?"

I've got both Black Widow and Spider's Trap out from my library. I can renew Black Widow, but I have Spider's Trap on an interlibrary loan that is due back on the 22nd.

However, my "What's in YOUR book?" challenge is starting up on the 19th too, so I may not get to Spider's Trap until after that is done next month. I was going to try to fit both of them in next week, but I can always just push Spider's Trap off to next month too and re-request it for an interlibrary loan.

I'm going to make it your call. I don't mind renewing and re-requesting. Interlibrary loans come in fairly quickly for my library system.

Were you wanting to finish both of them before the 19th?

Nichole wrote: "Were you wanting to finish both of them before the 19th?"

I was aiming to read Black Widow by the 19th and then hurry up and read Spider's Trap by the 22nd, but I didn't figure my team challenge into the planning for it. Monday/Tuesday will be fine for Black Widow, and I'll just get Spider's Trap back out to read for later.

Would you be able to start Black Widow in the next day or 2? I'm finishing up the last of my team challenge books tonight or by morning for sure. I have one BR that is waiting on her book to arrive (It's shipped) and another for the weekend. I can put my new TC books off for a few days or hopefully they work with what I have coming up. Neither of them are winning weeks, so it's okay. Then I can probably squeeze in Spider's trap early next week. If you start before me, I shouldn't be too far behind... (famous last words, lol)

Or we can do that with Black Widow and then just pick up the last book whenever you're ready. Do you like how I put that back on you? LOL! I didn't really mean to but I have these through audible so I can read them whenever- except the weekend.

Nichole wrote: "Would you be able to start Black Widow in the next day or 2? I'm finishing up the last of my team challenge books tonight or by morning for sure. I have one BR that is waiting on her book to arrive(It's shipped) and another for the weekend. I can put my new TC books off for a few days or hopefully they work with what I have coming up. Neither of them are winning weeks, so it's okay. Then I can probably squeeze in Spider's trap early next week. If you start before me, I shouldn't be too far behind... (famous last words, lol)

Or we can do that with Black Widow and then just pick up the last book whenever you're ready. Do you like how I put that back on you? LOL! I didn't really mean to but I have these through audible so I can read them whenever- except the weekend."

*laughs* Yeah, I found it funny, I'm sitting here grinning on it!

I can start Black Widow tomorrow. I'm finishing up one book tonight, but this is the only BR I have going right now, as I've read the other books for my ongoing BRs already this month, so whenever we can agree on for this is when I'll read them.

If I start Spider's Trap on Sunday, it shouldn't interfere with the TC I'm helming, as I seem to plow through these in a day, despite the 350-400 page count on them.

I'll put comments under spoilers though, when I read these, just so I don't ruin the parts for you yet. Course, if you want them spoiled, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax and I can probably oblige!

That sounds good! I'll plan on starting Black Widow tomorrow then. I'm going to wait for the afternoon to start it though. Tomorrow is truck day at work and I doubt I'll get much listening time in anyways and the new Bingo shelf is called at 1pm PST. I should be getting home right before that and will start it after the call. Hopefully it works for Bingo but if not, no biggie.

I just want to say how much I appreciate you reading this with me! It's always better with a Buddy! And you're helping me knock out a series, which is awesome! I probably would have gotten distracted and only finished 1 or 2. So, a big giant THANK YOU!

Nichole wrote: "I just want to say how much I appreciate you reading this with me! It's always better with a Buddy! And you're helping me knock out a series, which is awesome! I probably would have gotten distracted and only finished 1 or 2. So, a big giant THANK YOU!"

It's not a problem and my pleasure both! I've been meaning to read these for a while now, and I try to get to them one a month, but I keep pushing them aside. I figured running it for an FWYS month might work, but when I saw that you got it for your FWYS, I knew I had to ask you if you wanted to do a BR on it! BRs plus FWYS equals major motivation to finish it out!

So, for me, it is just as much a big, giant THANK YOU to YOU for agreeing to BR it with me!

That's a good strategy! I'll have to pay more attention to what others are getting picked and try this system out again :)

I need to write up the 2 quick reviews for the Team Challenges and then I'll be starting Black Widow. It worked out perfectly for Bingo this week! I'll come back and post some stuff after I get started. Have you started yet?