SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Lauren, Lauri, and I will be reading The Dark Swan series starting with Storm Born. Anyone is welcome to join!

We are starting on January 16th.

This is an amazing series:)!

I have read the first two before, but it has been so long that I want to read them again so I can catch up.

Cool, I might reread them as well. It's one of my favorite series. Lots of twists and turns in that series.

Exactly, I remember most of the twists from the two books I've read. I love most of what Richelle Mead has done so I'm excited to get back into this.

If you liked the first two, you'll love the following ones:) Meads Storm Born and Succubus series were pretty good, can't say I enjoyed her other books though.

I read the first two of her Succubus series and loved those, but again it's been awhile and I want to catch up. Her YA series Vampire Academy is amazing! I loved it and finished all the books in five days. There's a spin-off to that series called Bloodlines that I want to get into. Her new series just released this year. It's called Gameboard of the Gods.

I really liked those as well:)! Honestly though, with the succubus series after the first few books it get's a bit repetitive and it's not as fun as the beginning of the series. I hadn't even realized she released a new series this year, I thought she was still working on her YA Vampire series. Have you read Gameboard of the Gods yet?

I haven't read it yet, but I own it. It's just been sitting on my shelf waiting for me. LOL! She is still working the Bloodlines series. I'm not sure how many books are going to be in that one.

Lol! Dontcha hate when that happens? You get all excited about a new book, buy it, and then never read it like you think you will. I've got too many books layin around. I thought she usually capped off at six per series.

I have this series. I just read some reviews and it's a real mixed bag....people either love it or hate it! I'm intrigued....
Might give it a go :)

I do hate when that happens! I'm always so excited to finally get it and then I never have the chance to get to it!

Belinda, you're more than welcome to join us! We start Storm Born on the 16th!

Right, or when you do finally get to it, your disappointed by it. I think that's the worst, or when you fizzle out in interest midway.

This series has been sitting around on my shelf for ages! I'm hope I'm not disappointed but I live Richelle Mead's other works

What kinda books are you into Belinda?

PNR and UF. I love the Dresden files, BDB, elemental assassin, iron Druid, weather wardens, dark hunter, etc

Cool, haven't read any of those myself but it sounds like Storm born is along the same lines. It's definitely got some wittiness in it and romance;)

I loved the Weather Warden series, have you read the spin-off series to that? The Outcast Series? I've read 3 of the 4, but I need to reread them. I really want to re-read the Weather Warden series.

Think I will be able to do this one. I don't normally get to read the BOM because I do so many challenges or my library doesn't have the book. Luckily for me neither is a problem this month.

I have read all the weather wardens and the spin off series. I was so sad to finish them all because the series was sooooo good.

Glad you can join us Tracy.

Yeah! I really want to read them again!! The problem is I'll have to get them from the library and this year I'm trying to focus on the books I own, hoping to buy less books and borrow a little less.

Looks like we've got a few more buddies, goody! I'm so looking forward to this :0)

I've finished my audiobook earlier than expected so I think I'm going to start this one this evening.

I think we'll just do a relaxed buddy read, post as you go type of thing. :)

I am looking for something to read so I might start early as well!

Relaxed is good for me :0)

I'm not very far in but I like the humor

Currently on chapter 9. Here are my thoughts so far:

Eugenie is an interesting character although she definitely has some ingrained prejudices against non-humans. I'm also a little skeptical about her blase view on (view spoiler)[enslaving spirits (hide spoiler)]

Speaking of them - (view spoiler)[I really liked Finn, Nandy and Volusian - they have such distinct personalities (hide spoiler)]

Can't make up my mind about Kiyo and Dorian yet. I wonder if (view spoiler)[Eugenie's meeting with Kiyo in the bar was really accidental or is he deliberately set out to find her (hide spoiler)]

The story of the (view spoiler)[Storm King (hide spoiler)] is very intriguing. Of course, I have to wonder if (view spoiler)[ he isn't Eugenie's father. (hide spoiler)] Have a feeling I'll be finding out the answer to this soon...

I finished Chapter 9 last night, so since we're around the same area I'll give my thoughts.

I don't think she's being blase, it was what she was taught to do, and instead of (view spoiler)[letting the spirits especially Volusian be a danger to others, she's keeping an eye on them. It is mostly with Volusian that she does this. Nandi wants to be put at rest, so it is sort of a business transaction. Finn is there of his free will, he isn't attached to Eugenie in any way. That's why when they're all together he can come and go as he pleases while she has to specifically send Nandi and Volusian away. I too like them. I find Volusian hilarious. (hide spoiler)]

Based on what we have read so far I'd say (view spoiler)[that there is a possibility that Kiyo was sent to find her, and that's why the scratches can be used to track her. But if his intent was to kill her, then he had the opportunity while they had sex to kill her. Unless he just wanted to sleep with her like all the other gentry. But what would he have to gain? If it's about procreation then why use condoms? I find Dorian to be interesting, and I wonder why he let Eugenie in so easily? If it came to a fight there's a possibility she could take him, but it would be a small chance that she would win. His power is just greater than hers. I like that he's trying to defend his people to her, and show her that if they were in switched situations she would feel the same way. (hide spoiler)]

I also found the story interesting, and I have the same feelings as you about it. But (view spoiler)[why hasn't Roland ever mentioned killing the Storm King to Eugenie? Why keep it a secret, especially when she asked about his time there? Or if he'd met any of the gentry? There's an interesting correlation between the Storm King's death and the beginning of Eugenie's training. (hide spoiler)]

Currently on chapter 16.

Yes, Eugenie has been raised to view things a certain way and her actions with regard to Volusion and Nandi are understandable given the circumstances but it still disturbed me because (view spoiler)[the spirits are not there by their own free will except for Finn (hide spoiler)]. I love Volusion too :0)

Regarding Dorian: (view spoiler)[Yes, he's trying to show her that the gentry and the humans are not all that different - there are good and bad on both sides. He definitely has his own agenda and reasons for getting close to Eugenie (hide spoiler)]

Regarding Roland: (view spoiler)[ the answers to all these questions are answered in this section and suffice it to say that everything he did was to protect Eugenie (hide spoiler)]

Some more thoughts for Chapters 9-16:
The set up going into (view spoiler)[Asin's keep was all a little too easy so I wasn't surprised to learn that the whole thing was a trap. I don't think that this is the last we've seen of Will and Jasmine though (hide spoiler)]

What did you think of (view spoiler)[Kiyo and Maiwenn's relationship? There is more there than meets the eye (hide spoiler)]

No worries, Lauri. We started a bit early

Above the comment box there is a link that says (some html is ok) if you click it, it will give you the html code for common functions including spoiler tags

So I finished the book just now.

I'm still wishy washy on Dorian. (view spoiler)[He wants power. We know he wants to be the father to the heir. But, as we know from Eugenie's encounter with Persephone, she fears him being the father of her child. He claims he helped her because he loves her, but they hardly know each other. There's something else driving Dorian, and idk what it is. (hide spoiler)]

For Kiyo: (view spoiler)[Wow. A lot going on there. How is he going to be able to be there for Eugenie and Maiwenn and his child. I see this as a potential problem. It was admirable of Eugenie to save him, but she did it for love. She really has no argument against Dorian's "love" for her, because she save Kiyo's life. I haven't decided yet who I like more for Eugenie, Kiyo or Dorian. They both have traits that could help Eugenie as the Thorn Queen. To answer your question I thought there had to be some kind of intimacy still going on. The pregnancy was surprising, and I understand Kiyo's want to make sure there was really something between him and Eugenie before telling her. (hide spoiler)]

As for Roland, I agree with you. I also feel for Eugenie. It's not fair to learn things from strangers when the people who love you knew all along.

The spirits: (view spoiler)[I'm sad to see Nandi go, but she finally got her rest. I was surprised that Finn turned out to be double crossing Eugenie, but it shouldn't be all that surprising because she had no hold on him. He wasn't bound to her. (hide spoiler)]

Jasmine:(view spoiler)[ Whoa! It has been a long time since I've read this so I completely forgot about Jasmine. Holy wow that threw me for a loop. I think Eugenie is really stuck between a rock and a hard place, she realizes Jasmine is too young to be responsible for a kingdom, and that she would be doing it for the wrong reasons, but she doesn't want the responsibility for herself, which is why she's so pissed at Dorian. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I'm glad I read it again, and I'm excited to see what happens next. My rating for this hasn't chanced. As for the next book, we can start next month or we can start whenever you guys want to if you want to do it before that.

Now I'm the one whose behind - should finish it in the next couple of days. Darn flu has put a dent in my reading/listening :0(

Lauren, no worries! I hope you feel better soon. Take all the time you need. There's no hurry.

Finished last night and I'm a bit on the fence about it.

(view spoiler)[The insta-love the Kiyo and Eugenie have for each other and Dorian has for Eugenie doesn't feel realistic. They say the words but the emotions behind it are not there. (hide spoiler)]

Kiyo - (view spoiler)[was all for him until his big secret came out and it makes him untrustworthy. Having a baby with another woman really ruins his hero potential (hide spoiler)]

Dorian - (view spoiler)[He's growing on me. Reminded me a bit of V'lane in the Fever series at first but he isn't nearly as smarmy and at least he is up front and honest about his ambitions and feelings. I wish he were a bit more Alpha though (hide spoiler)]

Spirits - (view spoiler)[Finn - now that was a surprise but as you say Sarah, Eugenie had no hold on him and he was serving his own interests.

Nandi - I'll kind of miss her morose and dire predictions.

Volusion - I know he has it in for Eugenie but I like him. He has personality (hide spoiler)]

Jasmine: (view spoiler)[Did NOT see that one coming ... little cow! (hide spoiler)]

Will read the next book - how's March for you ladies?

I agree (view spoiler)[about the insta-love in both cases. But I kind of feel like Dorian might be slightly more genuine. We know his feelings up front, he's straight forward. He might see it as an opportunity to get Eugenie under his influence with all of her potential to be the Queen. Why mention he loves her? I don't believe he did it with the idea that Eugenie would love him back. He knew of her feelings for Kiyo, and she's repeatedly picked Kiyo over Dorian. She freaking died for him basically. What does he gain from telling her? Nothing really. He can still influence her just by being a mentor to her, and gaining her trust. He doesn't need to profess feelings to her, besides she's not that kind of woman to swoon over a man. (hide spoiler)] Those are just my thoughts on it.

I really hope Dorian doesn't become like V'lane. Although, Moning did a great job of putting that twist in there! Holy moly!

March is good for me. :)

Are we still reading together in March?

Great :0) How does March 11th sound?

Yup I still want to. March 11th sounds good to me :)

Started today - anyone else?

I will be starting today for some reason I thought we started later lol sorry!

No worries. I also started later than arranged :0)

I changed the thread, I'll probably do that for each book. As soon as I get some free time I'm starting the book!

Good idea, Sarah. Thanks

On chapter 13

Kiyo - Why do I get such a smarmy vibe from him? (view spoiler)[Does he really need to rub Eugenie's face in Maiwen's pregnancy? Why doesn't he want Eugenie to become more involved with her magic and her people? (hide spoiler)]

Dorian - (view spoiler)[He is really manipulative but at least he's honest about his intentions unlike Kiyo. (hide spoiler)]

The Gentry males (view spoiler)[are all still trying to get into Eugenie's pants. This is getting really old. Shouldn't they be out looking for Jasmine - at least she wants to get pregnant! (hide spoiler)]

Is it only me or is there (view spoiler)[too much sex in this one or maybe it is because I dislike Kiyo so much that these scenes are getting on my nerves (hide spoiler)]

Hmmm...(view spoiler)[I wonder who is taking the Gentry girls. Maybe it is someone human... I'm suspicious of Art for some reason (hide spoiler)]

Isabel - (view spoiler)[what an obnoxious b*tch! So glad Eugenie put her in her place although suffocating her might have been a bit extreme, lol! (hide spoiler)]

I finished yesterday.
I agree Lauri - it was really slow going for a long time. It does pick up toward the end though and there are some exciting scenes. Won't say anymore so as not to spoil anything.

Re the sex scenes (view spoiler)[way too may, especially since I really don't like Kiyo and don't get what Eugenie sees in him. Yes, he's a stud but he's also a liar and not very supportive of her (hide spoiler)]

Sorry I'm really slow this time, I haven't had a lot of free time for reading.

I don't remember this book at all, so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

I'm sorry ya'll aren't enjoying it as much.

Are we continuing to buddy read? It's really helping me get through the books :0)

I am so sorry I'm being so slow with this buddy read. I've had a lot of other things biting into my reading time. I would love to continue the buddy read.

Don't worry about it Sarah - we are doing it slow and easy.
How is May for continuing with Iron Crowned or would June be better? Either is fine with me

May is good for me :)

Fantastic!