The Challenge Factory discussion

Nichole wrote: "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?"

I only pay attention to what's getting picked for everyone cause I help Ezi make sure everyone gets their picks! But, I totally agree, it is a great way to bust out series!

WooHoo! Awesome that Black Widow worked out for Bingo! I have started it, but my son came down with a touch of stomach flu very suddenly and I haven't been able to read much this afternoon yet. That being said, it is moving very quickly and I'm already halfway through it!

Just on Ch. 3 now

I swear, Gin cuts it close ALL the freaking time! She's just sitting in her tree when all of a sudden a couple of giants almost catch her...

But at least she was able to get a little information, even if she doesn't really know the scope. Madeline is going to give her a new challenge I think. She's just that sneaky instead of coming straight on. I enjoyed Jonah shaking in his boots though!

Nichole wrote: "But at least she was able to get a little information, even if she doesn't really know the scope. Madeline is going to give her a new challenge I think. She's just that sneaky instead of coming straight on. I enjoyed Jonah shaking in his boots though!"

That was really close, and yet stupid of her too!

I liked Jonah quaking in fear too...can he be dead yet?!

I got some reading time in finally, and am halfway through chapter 20. Madeline is very, very sneaky and Gin just doesn't think that way. It has been interesting to see Gin have to scramble to keep up.

But chapter 14! Just devastated... And things roll downhill pretty quickly from there.

Oh boy! I better get after it then!

I didn't get too far last night. We watched the last 3 episodes of Fear the Walking Dead. Then it was lights out for me, lol. I should be able to finish it today though.

I got up to the part where the Cop and crew came in to arrest Gin. The Health Inspector was about to do her walk-thru. Man! Madeline is sure making everyone's life Hell! Sounds like I have a ways to go before Gin is able to start retaliating.

Nichole wrote: "I didn't get too far last night. We watched the last 3 episodes of Fear the Walking Dead. Then it was lights out for me, lol. I should be able to finish it today though.

I got up to the part where the Cop and crew came in to arrest Gin. The Health Inspector was about to do her walk-thru. Man! Madeline is sure making everyone's life Hell! Sounds like I have a ways to go before Gin is able to start retaliating."

A long ways actually. Madeline's pretty crafty and Gin's gotta be just as crafty to beat her. It was interesting to watch her change her way of thinking just that little bit.

I finished it last night, and it was just as good as Spider’s Revenge. The one thing I hated, which is going to make it lose a star in my review, is that (view spoiler)[there's yet another Monroe that Gin and Bria have to deal with! I mean, seriously, one hidden child I can handle, and is even plausible, especially for Mab Monroe. But, Madeline having one too? Now we're into too cliché territory. (hide spoiler)]. I did like how the book ended though, was an interesting twist.

I got through Ch. 17 this morning.

Wow! What a ride so far!! This one has been pretty exciting. I loved the Bull Pen scene. They sent 5 people in there to kill her and she just whooped their asses! I liked how she only used a little of her magic to do it too. Yes, she made weapons and such but it was her assassin moves that really got them. Really exciting! And then, when she got trapped in the Pork Pit... that was a nail biter too. Exciting stuff!! Very sad about her restaurant though.

I have some running around to do but I'll be picking this back up soon.

The loss of the Pork Pit was my "Just Devastated..." comment! And you're right the Bull Pen was pretty sweet!

Well I just finished! I loved the beginning and middle but I thought the end kind of petered out. I thought the Duel idea was pretty cool. However, all the chatter before the duel just kind of droned on for me and then I was just kind of 'meh' when it actually happened. It just didn't have the same excitement as the Bull Pen. Then again, I was really tired so that might have had something to do with it. I did really enjoy this one for the most part though.

I have to say, I'm not too keen on the idea of yet another MMM coming back in the future. I actually groaned when she walked out of her room. I hope that she grows up to be a better person then her Mom and Mab. But I don't think she would have been introduced this way if she wasn't going to come back for Gin later. Ugh! 3- that's just overkill with the MMM angle. Not to mention that Emery got away...

I wonder how she's going to handle being the Queen of the Underworld, lol. Also, she's been doing some pretty public battles and people are going to learn all of her tricks! I liked it better when she was unknown, I think.

Nichole wrote: "Well I just finished! I loved the beginning and middle but I thought the end kind of petered out. I thought the Duel idea was pretty cool. However, all the chatter before the duel just kind of dron..."

Yeah, the third Monroe thing was stretching it a bit for me too, and I'm interested to see how the Emery angle plays out.

Gin has never liked playing by rules, even if they are dirty ones, so I doubt being Queen of the Underworld will sit well with her.

Do we want to go for Spider's Trap or wait until next month for it?

I would absolutely love to finish it up! I'd be dancing on clouds to have accomplished that this month :D

I should be able to start it tomorrow. The other BR received their book but I haven't heard back from her on starting yet. Even if she already started I should be able to catch up to her easily enough.

I say, let's do this! Unless, of course, you would rather wait, lol.

Nichole wrote: "I would absolutely love to finish it up! I'd be dancing on clouds to have accomplished that this month :D

I should be able to start it tomorrow. The other BR received their book but I haven't hear..."

Nah, let's knock it out! I'll start tomorrow too, as I'm in the middle of one currently.

Well, my husband roped me into playing WoW again. So I haven't even started! I'll start tomorrow though.

Of all the times I usually start my game time back up, it's usually Fall/Winter and then I reach max level and get bored again, lol. I have no desire to raid anymore, or do dailies or all that 'work'. I just like to do quests, get pets and pretty outfits, haha!

Nichole wrote: "Well, my husband roped me into playing WoW again. So I haven't even started! I'll start tomorrow though.

Of all the times I usually start my game time back up, it's usually Fall/Winter and then I ..."

Oh, my god, do I know all about that! I play on two different servers, Wyrmrest Accord and Proudmoore. I've run out of gametime, but the garrison daily grind was really getting to me!

I started it this morning, but only settled in to read it about 45 minutes ago. I'm on chapter 9 and it is very slow moving right now.

I wound up finishing it last night, and immediately railed about it to my husband as he was getting ready for work for 15 minutes!

Needless to say, it was the worst book of the series for me!

Ooh Nooo! I didn't get very far today at work but I'm about to start it back up again. Nothing has really happened yet. Just the bomb on the boat. Maybe this is one of those series that are better when they're spread out, lol. I guess I'll find out after I finish it!

Nichole wrote: "Ooh Nooo! I didn't get very far today at work but I'm about to start it back up again. Nothing has really happened yet. Just the bomb on the boat. Maybe this is one of those series that are better ..."

No, I don't think it's that...I'm seeing a pattern emerge in the books. Build up to big bad with minor baddies, bridge book with a major tie to Gin or her crew, big baddie book, then repeat. This was the bridge book, but the tie to Gin or her crew was tenuous at best. Not to mention that Gin seems to have her head in the sand a lot this book. Just wasn't that great for me.

Well, I finished this morning. I'm middle of the road on this one. I didn't hate it, nor did I love it. It was okay. I don't even really have much to say about it. I did like the metal element villain part. Well, the magic of it anyway. That was new and interesting. Oh, and I was worried about Owen for a minute there! I love that guy. I know Gin didn't really want to be the Queen of the Underworld but she irritated me with not dealing with that stuff. Sure, she doesn't want the role but she did put herself in it. Ummm, yeah that's all I've got. *shrugs*

Nichole wrote: "Well, I finished this morning. I'm middle of the road on this one. I didn't hate it, nor did I love it. It was okay. I don't even really have much to say about it. I did like the metal element vill..."

I'm in total agreement with everything you wrote here! For me, it just wasn't a good entry for the series. Hey, at least we got caught up on it though!

Yes! It feels sooo good to be caught up. Thank you!!

Nichole wrote: "Yes! It feels sooo good to be caught up. Thank you!!"

You're welcome! I saw you got Reaper's Stand for your Dusty Bookshelf pick. I've read it and really enjoyed it! I hope you do too!

Me too! I didn't care for the first book but I've liked the rest of them and I've been meaning to get that one read forever now.

Nichole wrote: "Me too! I didn't care for the first book but I've liked the rest of them and I've been meaning to get that one read forever now."

I've got the Galley of Reaper's Fall to do a promo post for on November the 5th. I'm hoping to read that next week!

Looking forward to your review!