Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

Yes! It's the bala..."

I don't think Mercy is weak. It's hard to compete with Kate though.

But the snark... the snark is my #1 favorite thing about this series. I love it so much.

Elinor wrote: "I'm so annoyed I took the Amazon Prime testing in order to have my books today... but I forgot I changed my credit card. Well, not exactly. I remember my banker saying to me that my new card would ..."

Clearly that guy wasn't thinking... he probably thought you mean your debit card PIN... the 3 digit CV (credit card verification) number always changes... I've had my card number for a long time now, and I struggle to remember my CV because I've had 3-4 now (I'm constantly second guessing and wanting to use the old CV number)... they gave me a new card early last year with the new chip technology that requires you to insert the card into machines instead of swiping the black strip...

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

Ye..."

It's more to do with the basic attitude - in the first book Mercy is rather easily dominated - Kate in the same situation would have stabbed and snarked her way out.

I am not entirely sure why, but when I am reading UF PNR blends, I really like protagonists who don't take shit from people.

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Magic Strikes 40% [spoilers removed]"

I remember reading people were chomping at the bit by the time book 4 rolled around...

Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

I think part of that was being new authors... they had to build up skill/confidence at writing those scenes... you probably noticed how much more prevalent those elements are in their other series...

I can think of some first-time authors that went the other way with it and included way too much sex in their early books, and not enough plot... almost made me give up on the authors, since that wasn't what I was looking for at the time...

Miche wrote: "Just passing here to confirm that sleep is indeed overrated. 😂😂😂😂

I just finished Magic Slays and I am starting Magic Rises.

I decided to stick only to the main ser..."

Magic Rises is a bit of a divisive book, I've noticed... (view spoiler)[some people really don't like the relationship drama in this book... and I can't say I'm the biggest fan of it, either, but I let it slide... the ending is EPIC tho... (hide spoiler)]

Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achieved a good balance. :)"

Yes! It's the bala..."

I like both series, altho I didn't like the one with the ex-wife butting back in as much... I find the pack dynamics of the Mercy Thompson series very interesting... and how she makes do with her strength disparity...

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achie..."

She finds alternative solutions... I take it you DNF'd?... I can't even find that first book in your shelves...

Iain wrote: "Miche wrote: "Just passing here to confirm that sleep is indeed overrated. 😂😂😂😂

I just finished Magic Slays and I am starting Magic Rises.

I decided to stick only t..."

Yeah, initially that aspect of the book put me off a bit, but on rereads, I saw that it was actually a moment of character growth for both of them.

Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. T..."

Yeah - I had just finished Kate Daniels for the first time - Magic Rises I think and was frantically searching for other books like that. Lot of random reads I never logged, lots of disappointments

Arkadeb wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of ..."

I know I keep saying this, but October Daye is really the most comparable, once you reach book 3... almost every book from 3 onwards involves (view spoiler)[a king/queen of a realm, or one of the Firstborn Children of the Oberon/Maeve/Titania (hide spoiler)], so October is really fighting above her weight class... and winning...

Yeah, you are the second large scale reader to tell me that. I am upto book 2, I will be continuing that series. Do you know anything about Seanan Mcguire's other series - Incryptid?
.

Arkadeb wrote: "Yeah, you are the second large scale reader to tell me that. I am upto book 2, I will be continuing that series. Do you know anything about Seanan Mcguire's other series - Incryptid?
."

it's more PNR... books 1-2 & 5 are about Verity and her love interest... books 3-4 are about her brother... books 6-8 are about her sister Antimony... books 9-10 will be about cousins (one is adopted) Sarah and Artie, and book 11 will be about Grandma Alice... that might be the end of the series, I dunno, but book 8 isn't out yet, so that's still 4 more years/books... and there's all the short stories available online at http://seananmcguire.com/icshorts.php

I really like InCryptid, as well... did a re-read with Choko in February, leading up to the release of book 7... lots of interesting cryptids... Tanuki, Waheela, Medusa, werewolfs, frickens (frog chickens)...

She also writes zombie horror as Mira Grant

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Miche wrote: "One thing that I am loving at this series while it has an amazing romance going on, it isn't the main focus of the series. They really achie..."

I agree. I like my heroines very bad ass.

Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Yeah, you are the second large scale reader to tell me that. I am upto book 2, I will be continuing that series. Do you know anything about Seanan Mcguire's other series - Incryptid..."

Oh I didn't know that was her. I love the Feed books

Just realized I didn't comment much on book 2... Loved how Curran and Kate's relationship evolved. From curiosity and annoyance to respect, admiration and understanding....

That speech she gave on loneliness really got to him. That, and her willingness to sacrifice herself, for him and his people in book 1, and Julie in book 2. I was surprised by how quickly she 'adopted' Julie, protecting her and snarling around 'Don't you dare touch MY kid'.

I hope we'll see more of the kid in future books (I'm not reading the blurbs 'cause spoilers, so I don't know). She's a great character with a lot of potential. I have a feeling she'll become a favorite of mine :D

Didn't get any KD last night.... :'(
I was too occupied feeling sick and moaning I was dying xD

Sushis - 1; Me - 0

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I agree. I like my heroines very bad ass."

Kate reminds me a lot of Anita Blake, but more caring.

I never made it very far with Anita Blake... rated the audiobook of the first book 1-star... I made it through 5 Cassandra Palmer books, which has been compared to Anita Blake + time travel...

Iain wrote: "Elinor wrote: "I'm so annoyed I took the Amazon Prime testing in order to have my books today... but I forgot I changed my credit card. Well, not exactly. I remember my banker saying to me that my ..."
I was surprised that my code wouldn't change, that's why I asked him to confirm me I had heard right, then he answered me like I'm stupid but it turned out he was saying BS. l'm really annoyed with my bank right now, why I had to change my card in the first place, Mr. Banker-who-don't-say-anything-true assuring me that my card would be send to my home since it was way easier for me but not actually sending it and not warning me that I had to go take it... really, really annoyed. One other problem, small or not, and I'm leaving this bank.

Heeeeh. Which bank is it, if you don't mind me asking? I've had lots of problems with my bank too (LCL) when I went to live in Sweden for 2 years.

@Elinor: Btw, I'm thrilled you decided to join us and to try to read this in English :D

I really like Mercy and don't feel like she is weak. She is not as strong physically of course, but she has her own abilities (that we are discovering waaayyy too slowly and my taste cause I want to know more !), plus she is really strong mentally and emotionally. I love this psychologic aspect in this series, and find it really well done.

A character that remind me of Kate in some ways (having to hide yourself and your magic for example) is Jade Crow from The Twenty-sided sorceress. I've read the first two short books of this series and really liking them ! (but the male interest is far from being as great as Curran unfornutatly)

It's la Caisse d'épargne. Never had a problem with it for something like 8 years and now everything is going pear-shaped xD (just learned this expression and was itching to put it somewhere ^^)

Yep I started the first book in french but since there are only 5 of them in french right now, not seeing the 6th one coming anytime soon, plus I'm not much of a re-reader so I thought I would start my english re-read now rather than I don't know when ^^ Life is too short, and so on and so on :) Should get my copies of the first 5 or 6 tomorrow !

Elinor wrote: "I really like Mercy and don't feel like she is weak. She is not as strong physically of course, but she has her own abilities (that we are discovering waaayyy too slowly and my taste cause I want t..."

Oh, also Rebecca Kean from Traquée reminds me A LOT of Kate. Unfortunately, it's a French series and hasn't been translated (yet... I can hope, right? :p)

Elinor wrote: "I really like Mercy and don't feel like she is weak. She is not as strong physically of course, but she has her own abilities (that we are discovering waaayyy too slowly and my taste cause I want t..."

I read the first 2 as well... wasn't as engaged by them tho... she DOES have that same dynamic as Kate, of being powerful, but in hiding...

Virginie wrote: "Didn't get any KD last night.... :'(
I was too occupied feeling sick and moaning I was dying xD

Sushis - 1; Me - 0"

That sucks, Virginie! I hope you are feeling better!

Midway through book 4: (view spoiler)[This one is so much fun... all the gossip... and it's funny how quickly circumstances change, after Kate/Curran negotiate (view spoiler)[(knowing what some of us do from the end of this book and future books) (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Magic Strikes, Chapter 15 (around 40%): (view spoiler)[
Finally, a kiss! After three books of waiting, that was worth it. Their conversation on the phone afterwards was hilarious. Curran was all "You know you want me, I know you want me, you know I know and it's driving you insane".

“Go play your games with Jim. I’ll find you both when I need you.”
Arrogant asshole. “I tell you what, if you find us before those three days run out, I’ll cook you a damn dinner and serve it to you naked.”
“Is that a promise?”
“Yes. Go fuck yourself.”

Uh oh.... Now, he's going to be extra motivated xD (hide spoiler)]

Virginie wrote: "Didn't get any KD last night.... :'(
I was too occupied feeling sick and moaning I was dying xD

Sushis - 1; Me - 0"

Hope you feel better today

Virginie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I agree. I like my heroines very bad ass."

Kate reminds me a lot of Anita Blake, but more caring."

It's funny you say that. I actually started reading Kate after Anita. The Anita books started going downhill and I needed another kick ass heroine. Kate is def more caring. And more kick ass. It would be fun to watch them in a necromancer show down.

Finished Magic Strikes last night and I am itching, like drug addiction withdrawal itching, to start book 4. I told myself I have to pace myself and finish Naamah's Curse first, but I'm betting on me losing this one. The ending! I mean, I already read this but it in no way diminishes how much I want to continue right now...

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes last night and I am itching, like drug addiction withdrawal itching, to start book 4. I told myself I have to pace myself and finish Naamah's Curse first, but I'm betting on ..."

That was exactly how I felt! :)

Virginie wrote: "Magic Strikes, Chapter 15 (around 40%):..."

Take your $10 back... that was worth it...

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes last night and I am itching, like drug addiction withdrawal itching, to start book 4. I told myself I have to pace myself and finish Naamah's Curse first, but I'm betting on ..."

We should just keep trailing after Miche... it's a long way from August 10th, still... plenty of time to keep busting out KD books... I say Magic Breaks is a good place to stop :) >:)

Finish the "first story arc"... I didn't like #8 as much as 7 or 9, anyway... then we can wait for the 20th with Virginie and bust out the rest of the series, including the new release on the 27th :D

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes last night and I am itching, like drug addiction withdrawal itching, to start book 4. I told myself I have to pace myself and finish Naamah's Curse..."

I'm about to start Magic Mourns. I'm going to see if the novella can quench my deep need for more Kate and Curran.

Virginie wrote: "Elinor wrote: "I really like Mercy and don't feel like she is weak. She is not as strong physically of course, but she has her own abilities (that we are discovering waaayyy too slowly and my taste..."
Oh really ? I don't think I felt that way about Rebecca (but it's been a long time since I read the first 3) (well in fact it's been a long time since I read the first 4 of Kate too). I had some problem with this series (ok one major problem : every damn male character being attracted to Rebecca...) but there were things I really liked as well, like her daughter !

Just started book 4. (view spoiler)[Men are assholes. Even fuzzy ones. (hide spoiler)]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Just started book 4. [spoilers removed]"

Oh boy. Just wait till this really blows up. And definitely read the Curran PoV collection.

This is my reread so I vaguely remember. But I'm trying to stay in the current book and at the moment I'm mad with Kate.

Iain wrote: "We should just keep trailing after Miche... it's a long way from August 10th, still... plenty of time to keep busting out KD books... I say Magic Breaks is a good place to stop :) >:)

Finish the "first story arc"... I didn't like #8 as much as 7 or 9, anyway... then we can wait for the 20th with Virginie and bust out the rest of the series, including the new release on the 27th :D"

Oh, I am IN! I'll try my best to keep up ;)
Most case scenario, I'll read KD alongside my BRs (and finish said BRs in September, after our KD madness)

Elinor wrote: "Oh really ? I don't think I felt that way about Rebecca (but it's been a long time since I read the first 3) (well in fact it's been a long time since I read the first 4 of Kate too). I had some problem with this series (ok one major problem : every damn male character being attracted to Rebecca...) but there were things I really liked as well, like her daughter !"

Mmmh. It's been a long time since I read those books as well. If I remember right, Rebecca was trained as a kid to be a ruthless killer, ran away from her family, and has magic powers she needs to keep hidden at all costs. Also, she's snarky. And her relationship with Raphael reminds me of Kate/Curran.
I'll probably binge that series once it's finished :D

I finished book 4... doing some side-reads now while I wait for you guys to catch up... this is probably the book I remember most vividly... (view spoiler)[from the scenes at the Merc Guild, to thebig battle and post-battle scenes... generally, from this point on I feel likethe series has 2 big books followed by a lighter/slower book... 3-4, 5, 6-7, 8, 9-10... (hide spoiler)]

I finished Magic Rises (book 6) and started Magic Breaks (book 7) yesterday.

I am still loving the main series! :)

That one is great... read crescendo of events...

Got my set of the first 5 ! (that would really kill them at Amazon to protect books inside packages...)

Iain wrote: "That one is great... read crescendo of events..."

I am loving it! I will finish it tonight.

P.S.: I will be reading Magic Triumphs on release day. I already pre-ordered mine! :D

I forgot how much I love Grendel. (view spoiler)[ I wonder which would be more effective, an attack poodle or a spoiled pit bull?



(hide spoiler)]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I forgot how much I love Grendel. "

awwwwwwwww

Iain wrote: "I finished book 4... doing some side-reads now while I wait for you guys to catch up... this is probably the book I remember most vividly... [spoilers removed]"

Probably my favourite book of the series