SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Yep Josie--I don't know if/when she's going to go back to Raphael & Elena, but the next couple books are going to be PNR, Dmitri's book, and then I don't remember the next (anyone?)

Look at it as the same thing that Frost did with Night Huntress World--gave Slade & Menchares their own PNR stories. But Frost made her PNRs a branch-off series, and Singh is keeping them all in the same series.

Thanks! She should have gone with the PNR branch so it's easier to label ;)

congratulations!

I'm getting started on Afterlight and I hope to finish it tonight or tomorrow afternoon. Sorry about the hold up girls!!

No worries Sarah! I am totally lagging on my vampire book, Department 19. It is so plodding, and the characters are totally two-dimensional. I am still waiting for it to get good, but I'm on page 230, so that's not a good sign. Too bad I have 310 pages left to go. Damn. 230 pages in 4 days, so not good. I will finish this book, dammit. ;)

Ditto on the no worries. :D I don't think I pick up my vampire book since reading the first 20-30 pages. That was Monday morning.

Correction to the above comment: "first 10 pages."

Yeah. Not a good sign when I think I've read more than I actually did.

The books not working for me. I like Sookie herself -- but not enough.

I'm switching to

Halfway to the Grave is way better than Dead Until Dark!! I think you'll enjoy Cat and Bones better! :)

Vampires

finished 05.05.11 ★★

I think I'm just not the target audience for this book. I don't know who is, maybe a gawky teenage boy? What is the target audience who doesn't care about character development or an engaging story? Zombies, maybe?

This is one of those books that makes me kick myself in the ass for having a bit of the OCD. I can't not finish a book. What if it starts getting awesome in the next chapter, huh?

Yes, I have issues.

I should have known when I posted a status update at page 230, wondering when the story was going to kick it into gear. Yes, I was still wondering this at page 230, because I wasn't even at the halfway point yet. I hate when I don't like a book. But I really hate when I don't like a fatty book. That's like a double waste of my precious reading time.

So, why didn't I like it? Oh, let me count the ways...

* I didn't give a rat's ass about the main character. That's an automatic fail for me--I need to give a shit about this person I'm supposed to be rooting for.

* The characters were all two-dimensional. I need characters that have a bit more substance than a cardboard cutout. The only one with even a smidge of depth was Frankenstein. Yes, Frankenstein. No, not the doctor, the monster. Don't be silly.

* I'm not good at analyzing writing style, so don't ask me to be more specific. All I can say is this book was B-O-R-I-N-G. Yes, there was blood & guts & flying evil vampires all that good stuff. And don't get me wrong, I like blood & guts, but I also need an engaging story to fill in all the little nooks & crannies around the blood & guts. I can't tell you how many passages I had to reread because I processed absolutely nothing I had just read. The descriptive passages were especially prone to make me space out. This would have been a good time to decide to become a skimmer. Alas, the bit of OCD rears it's ugly head again.

* Badass-ery is not an inheritable trait. So you were a puss who got picked on by bullies all your life, but all of a sudden, you're a vampire killing machine? Just because your great-great grandpa was Van Helsing's ass-kicking valet? Whateva.

So if you're a gawky boy who gets picked on by bullies, you might enjoy living vicariously through this boy who learns at 16 that he comes from a long line of ass-kicking vampire hunters. And gets to hang with Frankenstein to boot. Otherwise, skip it.

And next time, someone please kick me if I buy a book based solely on the first review.

I was at work alone all day today, so they basically paid me to read my crappy book. It was the only way I could make myself finish it--I was getting paid to read it. :)

LOL! Guess I'll be skippin' over Dept 19. Least you got paid to read it. ;)

Steph wrote: "LOL! Guess I'll be skippin' over Dept 19. Least you got paid to read it. ;)"

Yep. That's what I kept telling myself as I plodded along. ;)

I hate when that happens! I was reading Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles by Margaret George which is a fatty book - I believe it's 800ish pages. I got to 635ish and I couldn't finish. It was a library book and I had renewed it too many times so I just returned it. I wrote down what page I was on so I could go back to it. The only reason I think I picked it up in the first place was because I love historical fiction and I liked her other novel Helen of Troy.

I finally finished Afterlight by Elle Jasper.



I gave it 3 stars. I'm still not fully sure how I feel about this book but I know it's definitely not a book I will be reading again. I loved the concept. Riley is a tattoo artist in Savannah. She lives next door to Gullah people who are into magicks and voodoo. I found Eli to be super sexy and probably the only reason I continued with the book. I liked Riley but there was too much repetition of how she had a bad childhood so she understand how bad the world was. Literally it was mentioned on every other page. I will continue with the series, I have the next book on pre-order but I might just take it off. I am disappointed because I really love the covers of the books.

(second book)

Sarah wrote: "Halfway to the Grave is way better than Dead Until Dark!! I think you'll enjoy Cat and Bones better! :)"

Now I can at least say I gave it a try. I did like Sookie, as I said, and I liked her grandmother and Sam right off. Oh well.

Maybe Everdark will be better? You know, first book syndrome? The covers are eyecatching.

Oh, and YAY!! STAMP!! :-D

Woo hoo! Steph, we are ready for our Favorite Series stamp. :)

All BINGO Cards


Free Space - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***completed April 7***

Part-Of-A-Series, G1 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 5 - completed March 12***

Shifters, I5 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 12 - completed March 27***

Paranormal, G3 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 19 - completed April 7***

YA-Fantasy, G2 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 26 - completed April 10***

Demons, N5 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced April 3 - completed April 15***

Urban Fantasy, O4 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced April 9 - completed April 18***

Paranormal Fiction, B5 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced April 16 - completed May 3***

Favorite Series, G5 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Pending!
***announced April 23 - completed May 5***
✔Laura Lulu Enclave finished April 25 ★★★★★
✔Laurie Laid Bare finished April 25 ★★★★
✔Diane Changes finished April 25 ★★★★★
✔Lili Immortal in Death finished April 30 ★★★★★
✔Christina Secret Society Girl finished May 1 ★★★★
✔Sarah Afterlightfinished May 5 ★★★
✔Jen Hungry for You finished April 28 ★★★
✔Thenia Blue Moon finished April 27 ★★★★

Vampires, B4 - 5/8 completed
***announced April 29***
✔Laura Lulu Department 19 finished May 5 ★★
✔Laurie Friday Night Bites finished May 3 ★★★★1/2
✔Diane Frostbitten finished May 2 ★★★★
✔Lili One Foot in the Grave finished May 1 ★★★★★
Christina Halfway to the Grave
Sarah Friday Night Bites
✔Jen Cross Your Heart finished May 2 ★★★★
Thenia

Check out our BINGO Card, ONEders--we now have 4-in-a-row two different ways. And once our vamp shelf is finished, we will have it three ways.

Come on random.org! We need Magic, Time Travel, or Series To Read for the next shelf and we will have BINGO!

After we finish the shelf, that is. :)

But we do not want Fantasy Scifi or Supernatural to be called--then Team 6 or Team 4 will have BINGO.

It's getting clooooooooose...

Team 5 would like the Dragons shelf to be called LOL!!!

Ooh...I didn't see that one! No Dragons either, please. ;)

I ended up reading Dead Reckoning by
Charlaine Harris for the Vampire shelf.

★★★★

Reading this book felt like catching up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. It felt familiar and cozy. Not too exciting, but exciting enough to keep you reading on.

I enjoyed it and I liked learning more about Sookie and her abilities. Her life is getting more and more complicated and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes her next.

P.S. Congratulations on our stamp ONEders! Let's hope random.org favors us with the next shelf, although it feels like it's too soon for the game to end!

So it looks like it's down to us two again, Sarah. ;-D

So much pressure! hahaha :) No worries ONEders we'll get the vampires stamp soon.

CONGRATULATIONS, The ONEders!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'favorite-series'.

[Your new BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

Laura Lulu wrote: "I was at work alone all day today, so they basically paid me to read my crappy book. It was the only way I could make myself finish it--I was getting paid to read it. :)"


Where can I get one of those jobs?
I think I'd be pretty good at it!

Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Halfway to the Grave is way better than Dead Until Dark!! I think you'll enjoy Cat and Bones better! :)"

Now I can at least say I gave it a try. I did like Sookie, as I said, and ..."



I've read 3... or was it 2... 2 or 3 of Sookie's books and I'm not picking up the next one any time soon.. if ever!
I know some people think of this series as the next best thing to chocolate but since I can't stand Sookie then I guess we were doom from the beginning.

Hope you like Cat and Bones...

Bones....... *sighs*

Our next shelf is here!  Happy Reading, Everyone!
Not a winning shelf, but it does bring more teams a(nother) 4-in-a-row!

Our Next Shelf is: 'paranormal-romance'
DIRECT LINK: 'paranormal-romance'

Ooohhhh! Lots of 4-in-a-rows now! Things are getting tight. We have to make sure we really start cranking them out from here on out, because 5-in-a-row is only Bingo if the team has all their stamps in that row. Ooooh, the pressure. ;)

I got nervous when I saw this shelf, because I'm not much of a PNR reader. But I forgot that everyone doesn't see the divisive lines of book genre and solidly as I do. So I am very thankful to the 31 people who shelved as Paranormal Romance, when to me, it is very firmly a Urban Fantasy. :)

Things are getting interesting!
I'll be reading Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs for this shelf.

I'm going to read Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen for the paranormal romance shelf. Hopefully it's good. The synopsis sounds unique so we'll see.

I'll be reading Tempest's Legacy by Nicole Peeler for the Paranormal Romance shelf.

@Lily ~ Great book! Love that series!

@Sarah ~ Hope you enjoy it. It is an interesting series. I've only read a few, but really enjoy them. Need to get back into it, actually. Thanks for the reminder. :)

@Jen ~ I'll be lookin' forward to your review. I really enjoyed #1 and can't wait to continue w/that series.

{Team Stats Updated}

I will be reading for the Paranormal Romance Shelf.

I'm reading Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill for Paranormal Romance shelf, too.

Liking it so far! ^^

Finished for Paranormal Romance shelf on 5/8/11 and gave it 3 stars. FYI, don't expect something light and humorous.

Review:
Based on the back cover blurb, I was expecting something on the light side, but that isn't the case. Abby is a touchstone for the Protectorate, who has been missing. She agrees to help an Incubus, who is searching for his missing sister. This leads Abby into finding new talents and lots of danger.

What I enjoyed:
* The world was new and interesting. The idea of Angels and Daemons on the light and dark paths with Fae in the middle is something new.
* Phineas was pretty cool, for the most part.
* Abby's sense of honor.
* Melanie. I want to know more about her back story.

What could have been better:
* I was confused by the ending. I'm not sure why Brystion choose as he did.
* The book seemed to drag in places. Also, I'm not sure why they didn't just hunt down the person they wanted to talk to.
* (view spoiler)[I'm not sure Brystion deserved forgiveness. But, I also don't understand why he didn't just hand Abby over the first time they met. (hide spoiler)]

Diane, that's a good point (view spoiler)["I also don't understand why he didn't just hand Abby over the first time they met." I think it's because he liked her and, even though he "had" to do what he did he didn't want to? Dunno. (hide spoiler)]

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs 05/08***

Not the best book in the series.
I usually like Mercy but I got tired of her constant rambling.
And I also felt like this book tried to make her look super special and strong and caring, like Briggs wanted me to understand why Adam and Samuel and pretty much every person who meets Mercy adores and admires her so much but I ended up agreeing with Mary Jo, what's so special about Mercy?

I am happy that Samuel found his lost love and I hope we get to see him happy and whole.

I finally finished Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill



I gave it 4 stars. I liked it more than Some Girls Bite. I wanted to see more action between Merit and Ethan but I also like Morgan but I don't know how I feel about him after the way the book ended. I'm a little over the whole vampire train but there are still a few series that are keeping me interested and this is one of them. I really want to start the next book but I have other books I need to fulfill challenges. Something I love about Merit is that she was an English Grad student, I find that awesome!! Especially, because I am an English undergrad (hopefully going to get into Grad school).

I have about 100 pages left of . Should be done tonight.

Because I baled (bailed?) on Sookie, I've got to relook at some of my challenges and see what I should do next, in regards to my PNR pick. I threw my whole game plan for the Seasonal Reading Challenge out the window when I put aside Dead Until Dark (that book, paired with Hunger Games, was worth 25 30 points in Delicious Dee's Birthday task). I know I won't come any where near the 910 points, but I would like to end the challenge with 200 points, at least.

Sarah wrote: "I'm going to read Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen for the paranormal romance shelf. Hopefully it's good. The synopsis sounds unique so we'll see.

"

It's pretty heavy on world building, especially in the first book, but it's such a diffrent type of paranormal (no vamps, no shapeshif-- oh, wait, there is ONE but that's book two), so the author has to explain everything. Lots of characters, too. I like the series a lot, but I know that many don't for these reasons.

Good luck!! :D

I don't mind world building, I actually enjoy it. I'm so glad it's something other than vamps haha. I'm starting it today so we'll see if I can get into it. I read the first three pages before the Prologue that kind of explain some background and it was very interesting.

Halfway to the Grave - 9 May 11 ★★★★

Definitely another series I will be continuing. I liked the author's writing style and I enjoyed the story.

I really couldn't stand Cat's family, especially her mother.

Oh, and that should get us our VAMPIRES stamp! Yay!


And I will be reading, for PNR:

CONGRATULATIONS, The ONEders!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'vampires'.

[Your new BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

I finished Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill!

★★★★★

That book is one I will remember for a long time! After reading it, I kept having scenes of it pop into my mind out of the blue... There was something completely unexpected in there that left me wide-eyed with shock. O.o

Apart from that feeling, I enjoyed this one, just like the rest books of the series. I enjoy Chloe Neill's writing and Merit's world and I also like seeing Merit's point of view.

I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, but I can undoubtedly say that it left me wanting for more.

At least the next book is coming out later this year so I won't have too long to wait to see what happens next!

congratulations on the stamp!

Thanks CyberAlmu!

by Anya Bast

3.5 Stars

Read for the Paranormal Romance Shelf

The novel starts off with Charlotte Bennett being manipulated through her dreams and compulsion by Kieran to cajole her into making a journey to Piefferburg, a Fae stronghold created to keep the Fae separated from the human population. The manipulation of Charlotte is integral in aiding the Fae in obtaining the third and final piece of the bosca fadbh because she possess memories that hold the clues on how to procure the third charm. Once all three pieces have been acquired, the fae will be able to obtain a spell from the Book of Bindings to bring down the magical wall that separates the fae from the human world. Along the way there are many obstacles that must be overcome to achieve the Fae's end goal.

Anya Bast has a gift for weaving passion and action into her stories that always fulfill the romance lover's need for a "fix" with her original style of entertainment. Her novels never fail to entertain me and deliver a wonderful HEA. In addition, the author's story-telling ability can always be counted on to assimilate her reader into her ingenious world building and plots.

Babbling AKA Christina wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Halfway to the Grave is way better than Dead Until Dark!! I think you'll enjoy Cat and Bones better! :)"

Now I can at least say I gave it a try. I did like Sookie, as I said, and ..."

Yeah some series don't always start off strong. I hope Everdark is better because the premise is great. Yet, I could just be tired of Vampires. So we'll see! All I remember of Dead Until Dark was that it reminded me of Twilight, and that it was super quick read! But I do think the other books get better especially book 3 or 4 which features Eric (who is my favorite!).

Congrats on the last couple of stamps ONEders!

Sarah wrote: "Yeah some series don't always start off strong. I hope Everdark is better because the premise is great. Yet, I could just be tired of Vampires...."

Since vampires aren't my favorite type of paranormal creature, getting into a book/series is a challenge in itself. It does have to grab me early on. I never read Twilight, but I read enough well-written reviews (both positive and negative) to know I probably never will. Same with the BDB. I tried, at least, with reading that one. For me to give a vampire book a 4-5 stars is a big deal. :D

At least with shifters, if you get tired of wolves, there are other types to chose from!

Speaking of which, I'm really enjoying Visions of Heat. I read Slave to Sensation just over two years ago and it was just Ok for me. I wasn't really that taken with Sascha and Lucas, but I liked the premise. Vaughn and Faith, on the other hand, I like a lot so far. I also read the excerpt for the third book -- and I want to read that one after I finish book 2.

And on a slightly related note... there's new NCO in the office with the last name CURRAN...I so want to steal his name tape (it's only velcroed to his uniform).