SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Just finished Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks and gave it 3 stars.

This book was nowhere near as good as the first one.
I got to meet Darcy who's hardcore feminist who can't accept her reality and lives in denial since she was murdered and turned four years ago. mhm!!
And the main male character, Adam/Austin who's kinda fun and just ok.
Some of the characters were hilarious like Otto of Düsseldorf.. he was the best secondary character I've read since Granda Mazur!!

I think I disliked the ending... sorry, big spoiler alert here... I didn't like the fact that Darcy was changed, even if she was unhappy, she was a vampire and I guess I had hoped once she met Austin and they fell in love it would all be OK.
So... now I can't stop thinking that Roman will be wanting to become mortal too because he's in love with Shanna

Shiver for the YA Bookshelf

1 Star

This book did not float my boat. Instead, my boat sank like it had concrete in it...

The story was boring, lack-luster and so were the characters. I got the feeling the author was trying to grab the "Twilight" audience. I could not engage in this story and it was a chore to read. I do not recommend it. However, it received good reviews from others here on Goodreads.

For the Demon Shelf I will read Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #14).

Diane, I'd pick Queen of Shadows. Cuz I loved it. ;) Hope you enjoyed which ever you decide to read.

{Team Stats Updated}

Aww Laurie I'm so sad that you didn't like Shiver! I loved that book (not that everyone has to like it just because I do!). Hopefully, next time you'll find a better one. :)

Crap. This demons shelf is really sucky for me. Of the 13 books I have slated to read in April for challenges, only 1 is on the demon shelf, and it's an audiobook I started this morning. Since I only work part time and to & from work is the only time I'm in the car by myself, an audiobook usually takes me 2 weeks to finish. Ugh.

I'm going to see if I can mess around with my challenges and try to make a demon shelf book fit, which is going to be a major pain in the butt, but 13 books is the most I can read in a month, so I was pushing it already. :(

Did I say UGH? Just making sure. ;)

Off to update our team status post...

Free Space - 7/8 completed


✔Laura Lulu Queen of Shadows finished March 20 ★★★
✔Laurie Shadow Game finished March 19 ★
✔Diane Pleasure Unbound finished March 6 ★★★
✔Lili Vamps and the City finished April 3 ★★★
✔Christina Queen of Shadows finished March 14 ★★★★★
Sarah Kitty and the Midnight Hour
✔Jen Shadowfever finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Thenia Magic Bleeds finished March 15 ★★★★★


Part-Of-A-Series, G1 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 5 - completed March 13***

✔Laura Lulu Unwind finished March 7 ★★★★★
✔Laurie Silver Borne finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Diane The Iron King finished March 8 ★★★
✔Lili Halfway to the Grave finished March 6 ★★★★★
✔Christina Paying the Virgin's Price finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Sarah The Dead-Tossed Waves finished March 12 ★★★★★
✔Jen Bonds of Justice finished March 8 ★★★★
✔Thenia Mockingjay finished March 6 ★★★★★


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

✔Laura Lulu Iron Crowned finished March 16 ★
✔Laurie A Certain Wolfish Charm finished March 14 ★★★
✔Diane The Demon You Know finished March 16 ★★★
✔Lili The Man Within finished March 17 ★★★
✔Christina Kitty and the Midnight Hour finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Sarah River Marked finished March 27 ★★★★
✔Jen Eat Prey Love finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Thenia Visions of Heat finished March 14 ★★★


Paranormal, G3 - 7/8 completed
***announced March 19***

✔Laura Lulu Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Laurie Dreamfever finished March 20 ★★★★
✔Diane Valley of Silence finished March 21 ★★★
Lili Guilty Pleasures
✔Christina Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★★
✔Sarah Prey finished March 30 ★★★★
✔Jen Night Star finished March 21 ★★
✔Thenia Pleasure Unbound finished March 23 ★★★★


YA-Fantasy, G2 - 6/8 completed
***announced March 26***

✔Laura Lulu Tyger Tyger finished March 29 ★★★
✔Laurie Shiver finished March 30 ★
✔Diane Temping Fate finished March 27 ★★★
Lili
Christina The Hunger Games
✔Sarah Haven finished March 31 ★★★★
✔Jen Mockingjay finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Thenia Winter's Passage finished March 27 ★★★


Demons, N5 - 0/8 completed
***announced April 3***

Laura Lulu
Laurie Dream Chaser
Diane
Lili
Christina Bound by Shadow
Sarah Pleasure Unbound
Jen Angelic
Thenia The Darkest Night

So I devoured Pleasure Unbound in one day. I gave it four stars. I liked that the demons weren't just evil and that the lead male wasn't cursed. I liked the medical side of it because you don't see that in a lot of paranormal romance/urban fantasy (not that I'm the expert but at least from what I've read). The only thing I'd say I don't like about romance series is that each book ends up about a different character. For example, I know the second book is Shade's story. After awhile they all just start to feel the same. I'm a little apprehensive to start the next one because of this but I've also heard some amazing things about the series. We'll see.

Laurie, I agree with you completely about Shiver! It felt like a chore reading it to me, too!

I finished The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter and let me tell you, I am NOT happy with it at all.

2★★
Here's my review:

Even if I completely ignore the fact that the Greek mythology on which this one is looooosely based on is butchered beyond belief, and even if the completely uninspired and based-on-nothing way the two main characters fall head over heels for each other from the moment they lay eyes on each other can be tolerated, there was something that made this book a chore for me to read.
The pretentious and pompous as hell way they kept talking, throwing around words like "forever" and "always" and the like, for people they've only just met, especially the big bad demon-"infected" warrior, made my eyes almost stick to the top of my head from too much eye-rolling and at times even my gag-reflex was triggered at what I was reading...

Although it started very promising and I'd really like to know more about the warriors and their abilities and their adventures, the writing... Too much talking without saying anything. They talked and talked about their feelings and about everything really, instead of expressing it somehow. The plot was unraveling excruciatingly slow, the characters had epiphanies about new found world-changing feelings that grew to unmanaged proportions and the "kick-assery" was somehow felt forced down my throat.

Pity, it had potential. I don't know when or IF I'll read the next book, but if I do, it's not going to be in the near future.

Ok, I was in the mood for something light, so I went with for demons shelf. I finished it today (4/4) and gave it two stars. The funny thing is, I was going to give it 3 stars until I started writing the review and realized how many things bugged me.

Review:
First off, the title is mis-leading. Mention ghouls and I expect ghosts, not vampires. But vampires it is. Teenage vampires who somehow manage to attend school in Texas. Basically the characters seemed a bit too one-dimensional and stupid.

What I enjoyed:
* The friendship between Beth, Jenny and Clayton.

What could have been better:
* Really, you're over two hundred years old and you want to play high school football???
* And you expect this newly turned, teenage vampire to solve an ages old problem in just a few days/weeks?
* If you couldn't tell, the main vampire in the book was a bit lame.
* Oh yeah - Clayton that was a fairly lame attempt to stop Beth. You knew the seriousness and just did that?
* I was just turned into a vampire. Hmmm, what will my first thoughts be? My family - no, my friends - no. I know, it will be about revenge, because that will make everything better.
* Of course, I'm not surprised Beth wasn't thinking about her family. She has some pretty bad parents.
* The end. I mean really, she (view spoiler)[turns her boyfriend to save him. (hide spoiler)]

{Team Stats Updated}

I have about 120 pages of The Hunger Games to read. Should finish it tonight.

I'm sticking with my demon pick. I planned to be off on Friday -- whether or not the government is open for business -- and also Monday. Plenty of time to catch up.

Well...I didn't finish it last night. After running some errands, I finialized my tax returns. Took longer than I thought it would, so I only got less than an hour of reading done. Those familiar with the book, I'm at the part where Katniss heads out to the "feast". So. TONIGHT.

I finally picked a demon book, started last night.

For the Demons slot:

Angelic by Kelley Armstrong ****/5 04.06.11

This is a novella set in the Women of the Otherworld universe, starring Eve. Although my favorites are the wolves (especially Jeremy), I do like Eve, so I was glad to see she was the focus of this story. I think this is a great little stand-alone story, and though it's hard to tell exactly when it was intended to come, I'd guess sometime after Living with the Dead. This was a nice little look at Eve and her life after the events of Haunted with several other character cameos thrown in (although not gratuitously, they each have reasons for being included). As much as I enjoyed it, I would certainly not recommend picking up this story if you haven't read any other WotO books, as there isn't a lot of backstory included, likely due to the fact this was a novella and that it was originally a limited edition for fans. I, for one, am very glad this has recently become available as an e-book for everyone who wasn't lucky enough to grab up a copy originally to enjoy.

Just finished Guilty Pleasures and gave it 3 stars.


I had such high expectations for this series and at the end this first book fell short.
I like Anita and her witty sense of humor, even though sometimes I found her annoying, I also think she's waaaaay too soft hearted to be a vampire hunter.
Nikolaos was one scary vampire and I think I would've liked if Jean-Claude had a little more scene time

I'm pretty sure I'll keep going with the series.

I'll be reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for the YA shelf and Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole for the Demon shelf.

Demons

April 6 ★★★

This was just alright. A couple funny moments, but I was expecting a lot more snark, based on what I've heard of Christopher Moore. I guess this was his first book, and based on others' reviews, his later work is much better, and more importantly, funnier.

But that's what I get trying to find a less than 300 page funny book on the demon shelf, so I could squeeze it in between my challenge books, and also use it for the Genre Juice funny book. :)

Steph, we are ready for our paranormal stamp. :)

Free Space - 7/8 completed

✔Laura Lulu Queen of Shadows finished March 20 ★★★
✔Laurie Shadow Game finished March 19 ★
✔Diane Pleasure Unbound finished March 6 ★★★
✔Lili Vamps and the City finished April 3 ★★★
✔Christina Queen of Shadows finished March 14 ★★★★★
Sarah Kitty and the Midnight Hour
✔Jen Shadowfever finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Thenia Magic Bleeds finished March 15 ★★★★★


Part-Of-A-Series, G1 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!
***announced March 5 - completed March 13***

✔Laura Lulu Unwind finished March 7 ★★★★★
✔Laurie Silver Borne finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Diane The Iron King finished March 8 ★★★
✔Lili Halfway to the Grave finished March 6 ★★★★★
✔Christina Paying the Virgin's Price finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Sarah The Dead-Tossed Waves finished March 12 ★★★★★
✔Jen Bonds of Justice finished March 8 ★★★★
✔Thenia Mockingjay finished March 6 ★★★★★


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

✔Laura Lulu Iron Crowned finished March 16 ★
✔Laurie A Certain Wolfish Charm finished March 14 ★★★
✔Diane The Demon You Know finished March 16 ★★★
✔Lili The Man Within finished March 17 ★★★
✔Christina Kitty and the Midnight Hour finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Sarah River Marked finished March 27 ★★★★
✔Jen Eat Prey Love finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Thenia Visions of Heat finished March 14 ★★★


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

✔Laura Lulu Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Laurie Dreamfever finished March 20 ★★★★
✔Diane Valley of Silence finished March 21 ★★★
✔Lili Guilty Pleasures finished April 7 ★★★
✔Christina Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★★
✔Sarah Prey finished March 30 ★★★★
✔Jen Night Star finished March 21 ★★
✔Thenia Pleasure Unbound finished March 23 ★★★★


YA-Fantasy, G2 - 6/8 completed
***announced March 26***

✔Laura Lulu Tyger Tyger finished March 29 ★★★
✔Laurie Shiver finished March 30 ★
✔Diane Temping Fate finished March 27 ★★★
Lili The Hunger Games
Christina The Hunger Games
✔Sarah Haven finished March 31 ★★★★
✔Jen Mockingjay finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Thenia Winter's Passage finished March 27 ★★★


Demons, N5 - 5/8 completed
***announced April 3***

✔Laura Lulu Practical Demonkeeping finished April 6 ★★★
Laurie Dream Chaser
✔Diane The Good Ghouls' Guide to Getting Even finished April 4 ★★
Lili Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Christina Bound by Shadow
✔Sarah Pleasure Unbound finished April 4 ★★★★
✔Jen Angelic finished April 6 ★★★★
✔Thenia The Darkest Night finished April 4 ★★

So I'm changing my free space choice to Alpha by Rachel Vincent.



5 stars

It has been a very long time since a book has made me cry and I don't think I've read a PNR or UF that has made me cry. This book had me laughing, crying, yelling, smiling, and crying again. It was gut wrenching. I don't want to give away spoilers because I don't know if anyone has read the series. If you haven't read it I highly, highly suggest it! I loved the climax of the story. There were so many strings that needed to be knotted up at the beginning of this book that I wasn't sure that Vincent was going to be able to tie everything up. She did a wonderful job at ending the series.

The only things I didn't like was the way the book ended seemed rushed. Also, the resolution of the triangle was very sudden and I don't know if I fully agree with the choice that Faythe made. :)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 6 Apr 2011 ★★★★★

This book's been on my radar for awhile. Had I been able to, I would have read it in one day. Before I finished reading it, I ordered the other two books in the trilogy and re-purchased HG (so all three would be in hardback).

I was a little apprehensive when I started reading. I don't mind 1st person, but I'm not a fan of present tense. But, as I read, I stopped noticing the technique -- it wasn't the distraction I thought it was going to be.

I liked Katniss right away. Her having to shoulder so much responsibility at such a young age, not one to trust others easily, or get too close to them emotionally. I saw and understood how all that colored her thinking.

As for Gale, he didn't have much page time for me to really get to know him. A reliable friend and an all-round good person is what I came away with after reading the book.

And Peeta. I really must have a thing for guys who suffer in silence while the heroine unwittingly breaking their hearts. I really felt for the poor guy.

However, I'm not a fan of love triangles. I will spoil myself by finding out how it works out, if possible, and decide whether or not to read the series. This morning, I broke down and read some spoil-y, low-rated, reviews of Mockingjay. I learned a lot more about the story than just the resolution of the triangle, and I was on the fence about reading the rest of the series. As soon as I got home from work, I read/skimmed the last chapter of the book because I HAD to read it myself in order to make a final decision.

I WILL be reading the rest of the trilogy.

Laura Lulu wrote: "Demons

April 6 ★★★

This was just alright. A couple funny moments, but I was expecting a lot more snark, based on what I've heard of Christopher Moore. I g..."

The only book of his I've ever finished was, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Irreverent, funny -- but it does sober up as events move closer to Joshua's/Jesus's death.

It's a hard book to recommend to people because one never knows if the other person might be offended by the subject. :)

YAY! FREESPACE and Paranormal!!!

Lol Christina re: Hunger Games & reading the end of Mockingjay--you're bad! :) I about jumped down my 11 year old son's throat the other day when we were at the library and he wanted to read the last page of a book to see if he wanted it. Blasphemy! LOL. :)

I'll have to add Lamb to my TBR--I am one who can pretty much guarantee I won't be offended. :)

And yes, Steph, we are ready for our paranormal stamp AND our free space stamp. We're gaining on you and Sandra... ;)

Bring it Laura!!! LOL

Shame on you jumping down Jack's throat. I nearly always read the end of the book to decide if I'm gonna read it. I horrify most of my friends though. LOL

And congrats on 2 stamps!

LOL! :D Congrats, ONEders! I'll be updating your card w/your new stamps soon.

CONGRATULATIONS, ONEders!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on '_paranormal' & 'Free Space'.

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

Good Job!! :D

LOL!

And congrats on your new stamps, ONEders!

2x1! Congrats!!

Another early announcement ... Just 'cuz!


OUR NEXT SHELF IS ..... 'urban-fantasy'
DIRECT LINK: 'urban-fantasy'

Happy Reading, Everyone!!

Well, this was an easy one. My "urban fantasy" pick:



I'd like to thank the 23 people who shelved this as an "urban fantasy". :-)

For Urban-Fantasy shelf I am reading Siren Song by Cat Adams.

Great picks, Ladies! Happy Reading!
{Team Stats Updated}

Yay! A super easy one! I needed that after the demon shelf. :)

I'm going to read . Super excited about reading more in this series--I read the first one last month and it was great.

Laura Lulu wrote: "Lol Christina re: Hunger Games & reading the end of Mockingjay--you're bad! :) I about jumped down my 11 year old son's throat the other day when we were at the library and he wanted to read the la..."

I HAD to. It would have driven me NUTS. I wouldn't have been able to concentrate. :-)

So I finished Siren Song. I'm giving it 3 stars.



I did find it way more interesting than the first book in the series, Blood Song (2 stars) but I still feel like there's something missing overall. I think there needs to be more romance. I enjoy the premise and I find Celia to be unique but also generic. I will continue with the next book since I already have it. Hopefully it gets better if not I don't know if I'll be continuing with the series if there are more books after Demon Song.

I finished Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter, #14) for the demon shelf.

4 stars

This book was very much in line with Kenyon's exciting writing where she weaves a very sexy, exhilarating tale. Xypher and Simone were perfect for each other. She was forgiving, caring, and loving juxtaposed with his cold existence. Their was a surprising revelation in the story that made their pairing even more prefect. I loved this story.

Oh my God!
I have 60 pages left of The Hunger Games and I had to take a break 'cause I'm about to fall off my chair!
4 guys left and I know Katniss'll win, I mean... she has to, right?... but still, it's been nerve wracking to keep reading and impossible to stop.

Lili wrote: "Oh my God!
I have 60 pages left of The Hunger Games and I had to take a break 'cause I'm about to fall off my chair!
4 guys left and I know Katniss'll win, I mean... she has to, ri..."

I know the feeling...;-) You'll probably want to snatch Catching Fire right up. I do. If it wasn't for Bingo, I probably would have plowed through the other two books!

Edited to add: Oh! I just realized, once you finish it, we'll be eligible for another stamp! YAY!

Well ladies, Catching Fire is on the Urban Fantasy shelf, so you could read it if you want to change your picks.

Sandra wrote: "Well ladies, Catching Fire is on the Urban Fantasy shelf, so you could read it if you want to change your picks."

I figured. But is the BOM, so I'm sticking with that. :)

I've got about 100 pages left in Bound by Shadow. I should be finished with that tonight -- tomorrow for sure.

Changed my mind.....

No, not Catching Fire, Sandra. ;-)

I was looking over my challenges and remembered I needed one more book to finish the Toy Stories Challenge. I don't know if Cinna will qualify, since he's not the main character, but I have a book picked out already for "Barbie" (fashion-related). I didn't bother checking to see if it was on the UF shelf.

I REALLY want to complete this challenge by Friday (my deadline). :D

So...I'm changing my "urban fantasy" pick to:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 04/10*****

I'm not really a fan of YA books, sometimes I enjoy them but mostly I find all the drama very very annoying.
This one's been sitting on my TBR shelf for a while, I've even gotten it as a rec on the Pick it for me Challenge a couple of times but just had't been able to read it.

It started a little slow, it was depressing to learn about Katniss and her life at Panem but then I couldn't put it down.
The plot was just amazing and it made me like the characters so much more, the twists and turns of the game kept me interested and I wasn't really sure what was going to happen.

I already ordered the rest of the books... I can't wait to read the next one!

No worries Christina, I'll be interested to read your review of Hot Mama. I've been deciding if I should chase that series down, cause I really like the Elemental Assassin series by JE.

And Lili, I know exactly what you mean, I've had Hunger Games sitting on my tbr for about 2 yrs and haven't been able to pick it up. Glad you really liked it.

Sandra wrote: "No worries Christina, I'll be interested to read your review of Hot Mama. I've been deciding if I should chase that series down, cause I really like the Elemental Assassin series by JE.

And Lili,..."

I'd say it's lighter in tone. It's a homage to all those comic superheros -- I reviewed the first book back in 2009.

That's a great review Christina, I will have to add them to the list. Thanks :)

Stupid question... did they take away the ability to see "shelves" for any particular book? If I have a book in mind for a certain shelf, that's usually how I'm able to verify it's on the shelf quickly. It seems like they replaced it with the "genre" info. Not thrilled about that.

Jen, click on more genres and it will take you to the shelves.