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Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018
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I'm in! :-)Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018
Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
July 2017-Secondborn by Amy A. Bartol
August 2017-Magician: Apprentice by Raymond E. Feist
September 2017-Rise of the Corpses by Ty Drago
October 2017 - Staying Dead by Laura Anne Gilman
November 2017 - Federal Underground by Jeff Bennington
December 2017 - Obsidian Son by Shayne Silvers
January 2018 --
February 2018 - Morgue Drawer Four by Jutta Profijt
March 2018---
April 2018 - Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
May 2018 - The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
June 2018 - Ghostly Paws by Leighann Dobbs
Read:
Also Read:
I'm in!Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018
Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
July 2017 Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison Date read 9 July 2017 ★★★★✩
August 2017 Wolf's Mate by Celia Kyle Date read 7 Aug 2017 ★★★✩✩
September 2017
October 2017
November 2017
December 2017 Eversong by Donna Grant date read 29 Dec 2017 ★★★★★
January 2018
Clean Sweep date read 11 Jan 2018 ★★★★
The Progeny date read 21 Jan 2018 ★★★★
February 2018 Dawn's Promise date read 19 Feb 2018 ★★★★
March2018 Key of Light date read 16 Mar 2018 ★★★★
April 2018 Moonshadow date read 7 Apr 2018 ★★★
May 2018 Skyborn date read 18 May 2018 ★★★★
June 2018 Water Blessed date read 27 June 2018 ★★★
July 2017
Title/Author: Secondborn by Amy A. Bartol
Series: Secondborn
Read: July 9
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was my Kindle first pick this month, and it looked interesting and light enough to start reading right away. In this world, your birth order determines your lot in life. Firstborns rule or are citizens. Secondborns are sacrificed to public service, be it as a soldier or a secretary. Thirdborns or beyond are tracked down and executed by the secret police. BUT if the firstborn of a family dies, the secondborn is automatically 'promoted' to become the heir. The MC is the secondborn of one of the ruling families, and has been a political pawn her entire life. When she 'transitions' (leaves her family and enters public service), her familial connections and experience put her in a unique position to impact the social structure. Of course, everyone wants to use her for their own ends.
Quick and engaging read. In the same vein of dystopian YA/NA as Hunger Games and Divergent, but in a solid science fiction world, and thankfully with much less angst! Looks like a promising series, but since this one doesn't officially release until next month, I suspect it will be a wait for the next installment.
Title/Author: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
Series: Elder Races
Read: 9 July 2017
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This book was in by TBR list for so long, I finally got to it this month. It's one of the sounds-good-I'll-get-to-it-soon' kind of book. Quite entertaining actually. Even though, there was a time when I got bored with him getting angry and her getting panic. Still, I enjoy reading when they bickered. The next book sounds interesting too, so I'll definitely continue.
SOS Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read Challenge1st July 2017 - 30th June 2018
Finished: 9/12
July - Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor - 22nd July
August - Netherspace by Andrew Lane and Nigel Foster - 13th August
September - Injustice: Gods Among Us Year One - The Complete Collection - by Tom Taylor - 16th September
October - Don't Point That Thing At Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli - 22nd October
November - The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner - 4th November
December - Anno Dracula by Kim Newman - 30th December
January - Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - 8th January
February - Ratcatcher by James McGee - 28th February
March - Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel - 3rd March
April -
May -
June -
SOS Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read Challenge1st July 2017 - 30th June 2018
Finished: 0/12
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -
January -
February -
March -
April -
May -
June -
Title/Author: Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor
Series: 22nd July
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? The rest of the series (up to the current release) is already purchased and on my Kindle
Review: History is just one damned thing after another - which perfectly sums this book up. I absolutely adored it, the sense of humour was a perfect fit for me. I loved the characters (Max really stands up for herself either drunk or sober), I really felt for them (as there were some pretty dark moments). It was a joy to read. I'm so glad I stumbled over this at my local bookshop. If only I had my own pod and I could go back in time and read it for the first time again.
Charlotte (Buried in Books) wrote: "."What a fantastic series! I was completely charmed by the first book, and really looking forward continuing the series.
As an added treat - there are a handful of St. Mary's short stories available on Audible - FREE! Including a prequel (The Very First Damned Thing) read by the author herself! They also have a free interview with the author that was really a fun listen.
ladymurmur wrote: "What a fantastic series! I was completely charmed by the first book, and really looking forward conti..."
I've already demolished book 2 and loved it.
When I bought the entire series on Kindle it included the short stories, but as far as I can tell they shouldn't be read in order, because they spoil some of the main books. I saw somewhere that the prequel shouldn't be read until after you've read book 3 or 4.
I'm in!Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018
Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
July 2017 A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas 7/28/2017 ★★★
August 2017 Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning 8/7/2017 ★★★
September 2017 A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet 9/17/2017 ★★★★
October 2017 On the Edge by Ilona Andrews 10/27/2017 ★★★★
November 2017 Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch 11/29/2017 ★★
December 2017 Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames 12/22/2017 ★★★★★
January 2018 Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh 1/6/2018 ★★★
February 2018 Child of a Mad God by R.A. Salvatore 2/11/2018 ★★★
March 2018 Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison 3/3/2018 ★★★★
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
9/12 Completed
July 2017:
Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan 7/31/17 ★✩✩✩✩
August 2017:
Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis 8/13/17 ★★★✩✩
Omens by Kelley Armstrong 8/7/17 ★★★★★ (re-read)
Skinwalker by Faith Hunter 8/20/17 ★★★★★
September 2017:
Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter 9/18/17 ★★★★✩
Caraval by Stephanie Garber 9/4/17 ★★★★✩
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione 9/26/17 ★★★✩✩
October 2017:
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab 10/2/17 ★★★★✩
Level Up by Cathy Yardley 10/10/17 ★★★★✩
Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong 10/10/17 ★★★✩✩
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi 10/12/17 ★★★✩✩
Pines by Blake Crouch 10/18/17 ★★★★✩
November 2017:
A Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne 11/11/17 ★★★✩✩
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 11/1/17 ★★★★✩
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel 11/27/17 ★★★★✩
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan 11/30/17 ★★★★✩ (re-read)
December 2017:
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost 12/19/17 ★★★★✩
January 2018
Slouch Witch by Helen Harper 1/3/18 ★★★★✩
Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1 by Warren Ellis 1/5/18 ★★★★✩ (re-read)
Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley 1/10/18 ★★★★✩
Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon 1/12/18 ★★★★✩ (re-read)
Truth or Beard by Penny Reid 1/29/18 ★★★✩✩
Lion's Share by Rachel Vincent 1/29/18 ★★★★✩ (re-read)
February 2018
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison 2/16/18 ★★★★✩
Under Fire by Scarlett Cole 2/13/18 ★★★★✩
March 2018
Stillhouse Lake bry Rachel Caine 3/1/18 ★★★★✩
Real Dirty by Meghan March 3/1/18 ★★★★✩
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh 3/12/18 ★★★★✩
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick 3/14/18 ★★★★✩
April 2018
May 2018
June 2018
Title/Author: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Series: Court of Thorns and Roses
Date: 7/28/2017
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Someday
At times I both loved and hated this book. The first half was slow and seemed like a sweet, fairytale romance. Then it changed into a very dark story, but with enough action that I had trouble putting it down. I didn't like the role the hero was put into in the second half of the book, but there was an antihero who turned out to be quite interesting. On the whole, I'll probably return to the series, but I'm not rushing into it.
I'm in not sure what series yet. Will post soon
Got a question? Can read a series all the way through if like 1st one? Found Ghostwalker Series by Christine Feehan it is over 12 book series if can use can read 2 a couple months?
Vicki wrote: "Got a question? Can read a series all the way through if like 1st one? Found Ghostwalker Series by Christine Feehan it is over 12 book series if can use can read 2 a couple months?"Only the first book counts in this challenge.
That's the aim - one book each month that is the first in a series - so 12 different series (one each month). It's surprisingly addictive!! And can cause havoc with your tbr pile.
Its completely up to you if you want to continue with the series or not (that's part of the update when you've finished the book), but that's outside the challenge.
I'm in: Love or Hate at FIRST site:1July 2017: Title/Author: Alaskan Fire
(Guardians of the First Realm Series) by Sara KingRead: finished Aug. 2 I gave it 5 stars
I liked the book and will read next book. There are shifters and other creatures living in Alaska. Blaze is a 6'4" woman that has bought a lodge in the bush to live off grid. She meets Jack a wereverine and all kinds of things start happening. Exciting and intense.
August 2017: Rogue Hunter
Read Aug. 5 rated it 4 stars. Probably won't read anymore. It spent to much time on the life mate romance and not very much in the rogue vampire and why he was being hunted. The series is a spin off of The Argeneau Vampires. I like that series and have several in the series. Thought I'd check out the new series.Sept. 2017:
Series is Tall, Dark and Deadly=Read 9/15/17 through 9/16/17 and I rated it 5 stars= I do want to read more in the series=Royce Walker is hired to protect Lauren a DA who is being threatened. Good mystery.October 2017
Trilogy of the Cousins O'Dwyer Read 10/2/17 it was 5 stars Nora Roberts is the Author I will be reading the rest of the books. It's witches and evil warlocks trying to destroy each other from middle ages to present. Loved itNov. 2017
Read it on 11/2. Gave it 4 stars It was exciting and complicated. Werewolf drama, some different pack rules. Lot of romance and murder and how to stop a crazy witch and save pack. Will read next in series.Dec. 2017=
SEAL Team 666 by Weston Ochse 1st in SEAL Team 666 series Read 12/2/17 Gave it 5 stars Reads like X-Files written by Tom ClancyHigh action creepy monsters great read. Already have bought rest of books to read
Jan. 2018=
Read 1/3/18 Title/Author: Year One by Nora Roberts Series: Chronicles of the One Rating-5 stars First time author-No
This is a very dark first story of the post apocalyptic world for a Nora Roberts trilogy. You get sucked in and it was a wild ride. I will continue the series.
Feb. 2018=
Read 2/1/18 Title & Author: The Loneliest Alpha by T.A. Grey Series: The MacClellan Apha's Rating 5 stars First Time Author: ? I do want to read more of the series Review: It was a different telling of the Beauty and the Beast and a different kind of LycanMarch 2018
For Love of an Outlaw by T.S. Joyce, Outlaw Shifter Series read Mar. 3, 5 stars Not a first time author. I will be reading more in this series. Review: Trigger Massey is a grizzly bear shifter that doesn't have much control over his bear or his life. Colton is his best friend but Trig turned him. Ava is Colton's sister and she has returned to their hometown to help save Trig's ranch. So much is going on past and present that they have to deal with. Great read.April 2018=
Read 4/10/18 gave it 5 stars not sure if first time author.Review=Someone is trying to create a group of military vampires. Very exciting. Different take on vampires can't wait to read next in seriesMay 2018=
McKettrick Cowboys Trilogy. Read 5/18/18 5 stars not a first time author. Will read the trilogy Review: Angus McKettrick announces to his sons that the first one to marry and have a baby, he will give the ranch and lands, everything to. June 2018=
Series is Lords of the Underworld Read: 6/2/18 Rating: 5 stars This was not a first time author To-Be-Continued? Yes I love it!Review: Pandora didn't open the box, the Warriors of the Gods did because they became jealous of her when Zesus gave her the job to guard it. The guys killed Pandora and opened the box, when the demons were re-captured Zesus put one demon in each
warrior to control. Each one is tortured 24/7 because of their demons. Change is coming when Maddox find his true love and controlling his demon changes .
Title/Author: Cirque Du Freak: A Living Nightmare by Darren Shan
Series: Cirque Du Freak
Read: 7/31/2017
Rating: ★✩✩✩✩
First time author? This was my first time reading this author.
To-Be-Continued? Yes, but not for me. (12 book series)
Review: My youngest is 11. She's been asking about horror books lately, so, we decided to try this as a buddy-read based on a recommendation from her oldest brother (he's19). He loved this series when he was younger. I guess I can see the appeal for a teenage boy but it was definitely not for me. I always meant to check this series out because he really loved them but I can't help but feel like I wasn't missing anything. It took for-ev-er to get going ... at least a quarter of the book before the vampire makes his first appearance. and probably another quarter before the action really starts. Sophia lost interest long before anything really happened and I was left to finish it alone. If it weren't for this challenge, I would have definitely DNF'ed it.
Title/Author: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever
Read: 8/7/2017
Rating: ★★★
First time author? This was my first time reading this author.
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Like last month, this was a book that I'm up in the air about. I liked the characters and the world enough that I will continue the series but I was frustrated by the lack of any plot that resolved itself within the book. I like the to-be-continued nature of series, but the ones I like best have a major plot line within each book. I've just finished Briggs' Alpha and Omega series and I think she does a fantastic job of balancing stories that stand on their own with ongoing threads. This book, however, seemed to just leave off in mid-scene.
Title/Author: Wolf's Mate by Celia Kyle
Series: Shifter Rouges
Read: 7/8/2017
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Maybe not for me
Review: I can't really make up my mind whether I like or dislike the book. It was entertaining enough. I like the plot in terms of crime, mystery and fighting but, I didn't like the relationship and interaction between main characters that much.
Title/Author: Netherspace by Andrew Lane and Nigel Foster
Series: Netherspace
Read: 13th August
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably
Review: This book raises more questions than it answers - a common problem with first in series, it also suffers from quite a bit of world building. Having said though, it was an interesting idea - that 40 years after first contact with Aliens we still have no way of communicating with them. They show up (3 different species), and make a trade for random items - like an armchair, or a stale croissant. Sometimes these trades require payment in humans (in return we get the ability to travel through the netherspace) - but no-one knows what happens to those humans.
It was good, but I was expecting a bit more excitement - it was all a bit sedate.
Title/Author: Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis
Series: The Grey Wolves
Read: 8/13/17
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Meh, I could take or leave this one.
The story started out good. I like that Fane's wolf instinctively knew where to find his mate but I thought it was strange that other wolves didn't seem to have the same luck ... having to wait hundreds of years to find theirs. (Maybe this is explained by Fane's uber-alpha heritage???) I liked that Lilly and Jacque seemed to be something more than human but it wasn't explored further which was disappointing. I liked that Jacque, Jen, and Sally were super close and really good friends to each other but the commentary was too much. No one talks like that all the time. I really liked that the mating marks appeared on both Fane and Jacque. I totally did not get why some 22 year old guy thought he had any type of claim on a minor that he'd never met. I kept waiting for there to be some kind of connection to Trent that would reveal why Trent bailed on Jacque but it never came. And I couldn't figure out why Steele continued his claim when he saw Jacque's marks indicating that she clearly wasn't his mate. I did like how the fight played out and even though I probably should have, I didn't see it coming.
Not bad for a freebie book but I doubt that I will continue the series.
Title/Author: Injustice: Gods Among Us Year One - The Complete Collection by Tom Taylor
Series: Injustice: Gods Among Us
Read: 16th September
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Very good idea (based on a video game of the same name). This went to some dark places and raised some interesting questions. Superman was a very different character in this - due to a combination of circumstances - he is determined to protect the people of Earth. I wasn't a huge fan of Wonder Woman in this (she actually lied, yes it was lie by omission, but that's not the character I'm used to). Very interesting, only let down by some dodgy artwork in places.
Title/Author: Blood of the Earth by Faith Hunter
Series: Soulwood
Read: 9/18/2017
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes (3 book series/ Spin-off of Jane Yellowrock series)
Review: Okay, so, I have only read the first book in the Jane Yellowrock series and I was a little nervous about picking up the spin-off. I was kindly assured that there was only one thing that might be kind of spoilery that you find out right at the beginning of the story but I'm not sure when it happens in JY. (view spoiler) After reading BOTE, I don't really feel spoiled at all because I still don't know what happened in the JY books to lead to the sort-of-spoiler but I am still super excited to find out. (view spoiler)
First, I just loved Nell! I loved her no-nonsense attitude. I loved how her character develops over the course of the book ... you totally see her bloom and grow! (Lol! I crack myself up!)
... crickets ...
Anyway ... as I was reading I kept thinking of the phrase "a great & terrible beauty" - which she certainly is! (view spoiler)
I really enjoyed all of Unit 18 - especially Paka & Occam. They were just what Nell needed. I really liked Tandy & T. Laine, too. I am looking forward to hearing more about them in future books.
The story was really engaging ... I had a really hard time putting it down. I was totally intrigued by the polygamist cult and the poor kidnapped girls. My only complaint was some of the repetitiveness. I don't mind when something is repeated - it tells my brain, "Hey! This is a clue!" but hearing it more than 2x is overkill - so I admit to some skimming during those parts. I really liked how scary the idea of a sentient forest thirsting for blood was and I can't wait to see how the storyline develops.
I would totally recommend this series and I am excited to continue with the next book.
Scary forest + enigmatic MC - not trusting me to remember what you told me = ★★★★
Title/Author: A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Series: Kingmaker Chronicles
Read: 9/17/2017
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
I read this because it was this month's selection for the Vaginal Fantasy group even though many of the readers felt it had too much of a Stockholm Syndrome feel or thought it was "rapey." I guess I'm lucky not to have many triggers, though, because I wasn't bothered by the kidnapping, and didn't think there was coerced sex. I actually liked the male lead---I thought Griffin was courageous, loyal to his men and family, and had a sense of humor. Cat was such a head case to begin with, with good reason given her upbringing, that one would have to be forceful to keep up with her. I loved the world, with its Greek mythology, fanciful realms, and modern language. It just all worked for me and I had to read the next book immediately!
Title/Author: This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
Series: Monsters of Verity #1
Read: 10/2/2017
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
This book was a perfect way to start my October! Super creepy!
“Corsai, Corsai, tooth and claw,
Shadow and bone will eat you raw.
Malchai, Malchai, sharp and sly,
Smile and bite and drink you dry.”
“Sunai, Sunai, eyes like coal,
Sing you a song and steal your soul.”
*shivers!* And when Kate & August are trapped in the subway with the Corsai!?!? Holy moly! Probably going to be dreaming about that this week!
When I checked this out from the library, I had no idea what to expect. People seem to love Victoria Schwab and I can see why! I will definitely be looking out for Our Dark Duet, book 2 in this duology!
Title/Author: Don't Point That Thing At Me by Kyril Bonfiglioli
Series: Charlie Mortdecai
Read: 22nd October
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes - but only because I've already got the next one
Review: Disappointed, the story makes very little sense and Charlie isn't a very nice person - in fact there are hardly any likeable characters in the story at all (apart from maybe Jock). The ending is awful.
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge
Read: 10/27/2017
Rating: ★★★★
First time Author: Hardly
To-Be-Continued: Definitely
Review: The Ilona Andrews team does such a wonderful job on their books. The characters, both main and side, are so well drawn and you just have to like them (except for the evil villain, of course.) Rose, the heroine, is prickly, competent, and funny without being brash and annoying—thinking of you Charley and Gin. This is more of a romance than the Kate Daniels series, with the HEA occurring in one book. Declan is a hero straight out of a fairytale, a noble with a sword and a cape, but he is also very human and I loved the way he related to Rose’s adorable brothers and awesome grandmother. Actually, the book has many elements of a fairytale with its surreal world, oaths, challenges, and curses. The romance follows familiar lines, but the characters and plot are fresh enough to make it come alive. I’ve read several books lately that left me irritated or unsatisfied and it was refreshing to read one that drew me in and kept me happy from beginning to end.
Title/Author: The Perfect Husband by Lisa Gardner
Series: Quincy and Rainie
Read: 4th November
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes - because I think I already have the next one somewhere
Review: I needed something easy to read on holiday and this was the last of 3 books that I took with me (I eventually had to buy another book after demolishing all 3 books before my holiday ended). This was an easy read, but I didn't really enjoy it - there are some very dark aspects to it. I think the author was trying too hard and just took things a bit too far. Part of the ending was blindingly obvious right from the start as well, which annoyed me quite a bit.
Title/Author: A Plague of Giants by Kevin Hearne
Series: Seven Kennings
Read: 11/11/17
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Man ... I really hate that this was not love at first sight! This was one of my most highly anticipated books for 2017. Iron Druid is one of my favorite UF series and I really love Kevin Hearne. I wanted this to blow me out of the water. I think with re-reads, I could totally love this book but after one reading ... not so much.
So, the main problem with this book for me is how complex it is. It's like 3 layers of story ... You have first person accounts being re-told by a bard and then there is a narrator on top of that. Add to it that there are a ton of characters with strange names, strange locations, and strange powers. The world building is massive. The chapters are broken up by days during which you hear from multiple characters throughout the day. It was very difficult to switch - especially listening to the audio book because all the characters have their own accents and I really just couldn't keep each character's story straight. I eventually had to abandon the audio for text because I was so lost.
The actual story was really interesting. Each Kingdom has their own "kenning" (like an elemental affinity or type of magic) and the kingdoms are at war. At the opening of the book only 5 kennings are known. Broadly, the story is about the Bone Giants with their fire magic attacking other countries looking for new resources, how people react and what happens when the 6th kenning is discovered. This description does not do justice to this book ... like at all ... so I found another review from somebody who really loved this book and does a much better job at describing it: You can read it here.
To be fair, Epic Fantasy is rarely my thing. Also, this really isn't Iron Druid ... or even close to Iron Druid. It's not written in the same style or with the same sense humor. It is totally different and that was unexpected. So, when volleyball season starts back up, I will probably re-read - slower and with notes.
Title/Author: Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch
Series: Kitty Katt
Date: 11/29/2017
Rating: ★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? No
Apologies to fans of this series, but I just couldn’t suspend disbelief this far. Kitty did everything. She almost single-handedly defeated all the monsters, translated alien texts, intuited gaps in the aliens history, and more. The experienced commanders of her allies just stood around looking hunky or got themselves captured so she could rescue them. Just too much for me! Combine this with plot holes you could drive a grey SUV through and uninspired writing and I’ve no desire to continue the series.
SOS: Serious Overload of SeriesLove or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2018
Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
Progress: 9 out of 12
Did it suck you in and leave you breathless for more? Or leave a hole in the wall after you chucked the sucker across the room? Join us as we check out and share our favorite, and not-so-favorite, new series!
*Read 12 books that are the first novel in a new-to-you series.
*Read one book per calendar month (that means, can't read and count 3 new ones in ONE month...)
*Make a MAIN post. This is for your full year list. Please UPDATE this list, not re-post it! Thanks!
*Post monthly updates (new posts, please!) on your great/not-so-great "first" read.
*Prequels, "half numbers" (i.e. 0.5 by GR numbering) and anthologies are not allowed; they're just appetizers, not the "first course"!
For MONTHLY updates, include the following:
**Blatantly stole borrowed Steph's & Lethal Lovely's new series write-ups~THANKS!....If you haven't peeked, pop on over to the members' threads to check them out! **Warning, do not read when consuming liquids~LL's especially~unless your PC is insured...**
COVER (#)
Title/Author:
Series:
Read: (Date)
Rating: ★★★★★ / ★★★★✩ / ★★★✩✩ / ★★✩✩✩
First time author?
To-Be-Continued?
Review: (Just a sentence or so of what you thought about it!)
Also Read: (feel free to add other firsts you enjoyed each month with ratings, etc. optional)
July: The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley - *** - 7/7/2017 - 320 Pages
August: Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones - *** - 8/4/2017 - 336 Pages
September: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer - **** - 9/21/2017 - 316 Pages
October: Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling - ** - 10/10/2017 - 573 Pages
November: Hard as It Gets by Laura Kaye - **** - 11/3/2017 - 368 Pages
December: Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs - ***** - 12/4/2017 - 411 Pages
January: Big Rock by Lauren Blakely - ***** - 1/4/2017
February: Marked by Elisabeth Naughton - *** - 2/23/2018 - 321 Pages
March: A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray - ***** - 3/6/2018
April:
May:
June:
Title/Author: Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
Series: Temperance Brennan #1
Read: 12/4/2017
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Great start to a new series! I've never seen the TV show before but I like that the series main character is not young and has her own demons to fight.
Title/Author: Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames
Series: The Band #1
Read: 12/22/2017
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This book is different than my usual fare and maybe that’s why I loved it so much, I might need to shake things up a bit. Also, the main characters aren’t twenty-somethings and that’s refreshing. It’s about a band of five mercenaries who get back together after a nineteen year hiatus to rescue one of their daughters. It’s funny, touching, full of action, and has something to say. It’s also remarkably well written especially since it’s the first book Eames has published. Warning, though, it’s epic fantasy and without a romance.
Title/Author: Anno Dracula by Kim Newman
Series: Anno Dracula
Read: 30th December
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I love alternate histories and I love things set in the Victorian Era. The premise of this book is that Van Helsing and his happy band of Vampire Hunters were unsuccessful in their attempt to kill Dracula, who has since gone on to marry Queen Victoria. So this is a study of Victorian England under Vampire rule entwined with the hunt to find Jack The Ripper (who's killing Vampires). I really enjoyed it.
Title/Author: Slouch Witch by Helen Harper
Series: The Lazy Girl's Guide to Magic
Read: 1/3/2018
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Meh ... maybe if I'm bored
Review: I didn't love it or hate it. It was enjoyable enough to finish but for the most part, it was a pretty mindless read for me. I alternated between reading the e-book and listening to the audio but I found myself tuning out at what should have been ah-ha! moments. The mystery was only okay. The tension between Winter & Ivy was only okay. (view spoiler)
One of the reviews I read after I finished called it "PNR/UF Light - heavy on the light". I couldn't have said it better.
Title/Author: Big Rock by Lauren Blakely
Series: Big Rock
Read: 1/4/2017
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This was a super cute read! The MC was a permanent bachelor (or so he thought) but not a dickhead so it made him super likeable. I loved the storyline and will definitely pick up the next book in the series.
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter
Read: 1/5/2018
Rating: ★★★
First time Author: No
To-be-continued: Definitely
It’s a world much like our own but angels Make vampires in order to release a toxin and then the vampires are indentured to the angels for 100 years. Vampires are pretty much like vampires, but the angels are far from angelic. Guild Hunters, like Elena Devereux, hunt down vampires who break their contracts. Elena is engaged on a hunt by the Archangel Raphael when all hell breaks loose. Well not literally hell, there are no demons involved, but one hell of a good bit of action. As in her Psy/Changeling series, there are kickass heroines, alpha males, strong characterizations, an intriguing world, steamy romance, and a fast-paced plot. I gave it three rather than four stars because, for much of the book, Raphael treads a little too close to the abusive side of alpha for my taste.
Title/Author: Eversong by Donna Grant
Series: Kindred
Read: 29 Dec 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Female heroine hunting evil witch sounded fun. I always like strong female character especially with bad-ass leather outfit and sword hahaha. So, there was not wonder I picked this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. Yes, she is very skillful deadly hunter but, she also struggles physically and emotionally.
Title/Author: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Read: 8th January
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I've had this book for a while but couldn't get the motivation to read it - I think because it included shifters I was worried it would turn out to be like Mercy Thompson (I really struggled with the first 2 books). But the New year encouraged me to give it a try and OMG I think I found a Shifter I could seriously fancy. COME ON CURRAN!!!!
Title/Author: Child of a Mad God by R.A. Salvatore
Series: Coven
Read: 2/11/2018
Rating: ★★★
First time Author?: Yes
To-be-continued?: Maybe
I needed a book published in February for another challenge and the pickings are pretty slim but I’d never read any Salvatore so I opted for this new series. It’s set in the same world as a previous series and I could tell I was missing some historical context, but it stands by itself quite well. The characters are probably the strongest part of the book and Salvatore spends much time developing the young witch Aoelyn and the frontiersman Talmadge. As a result, the first two-thirds of the book are fairly slow paced. The action picks up towards the end of the book although the resolution seems more a setup for the rest of the series than a satisfying conclusion in itself. Since it is a new series, I have at least a year to decide if I’ll continue. Perhaps I will if I’m in need of some dark fantasy next February.
Title/Author: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles
Read: 11 Jan 2018
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: At first, I got little confused because I was expecting a novel about supernatural earth creatures and not aliens and space creatures. However, once I got over that, it was fun-reading. I like that each characters have their own story & background which shape their behavior, not everything is about the main character. I actually finished all 3 books and am waiting for the next one.
Title/Author: The Progeny by Tosca Lee
Series: Descendants of the House of Bathory
Read: 21 Jan 2018
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It's a very fast moving story. When I read it, I expected something horrible to happen anytime. It's fun but, some times, it's tiring. I will surely continue with the second book but, probably a bit later.
Title/Author: Ratcatcher by James McGee
Series: Matthew Hawkwood
Read: 28th February
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I bloody loved this, so much so, that when I started reading it I went out and got the next 3 books in the series. These books are set in the 1800's London. Matthew Hawkwood is a Bow Street Runner (early police force), previously he was a sharp shooter in the military. He's very good at his job. There is murder, intrigue, sex and a bit of humour.
I think I have a new book boyfriend.....
Title/Author: Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Series: Themis Files
Read: 3rd March
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I've picked some corkers over the last few months. This was great, scary and horrifying all in one. It reminded me of Pacific Rim, but with a very different context. It's told through interviews, journal entries etc. and leaves things perfectly placed for the next in the trilogy.
by Thea HarrisonSeries: The Elder Races
Read: 3/3/2018
Rating: ★★★★
First-time author?: Yes
To-be-continued?: Yes
Dragos may be the most un-PC alpha male possible but he also says things like this:
I never stop thinking about you. You’re with me everywhere I go but I miss you when we’re apart. I’ve already shown that I will kill for you. I would also die for you. You make me laugh. You make me happy. You’re my miracle and my home. If you as much as twitch, I get a hardon. I will always come for you, always want you, and always need you.Since I don’t insist on political correctness in my romance heros, I’ll readily admit that I loved him. Pia is an engaging heroine who regularly calls Dragos on his excesses. Overall, it’s the best romance between mythological creatures that I’ve ever read. Oh, maybe it’s the only one I’ve ever read.
April: Love or Hate@First ReadApril 2018:
Series; Author didn't name a series just more books to come
Read: 4-10-18
Rating: 5 stars
First time author: No
To-Be-Continued: Yes
Vampires are in Afghanistan and they are old and Russian. The head vampire created a group of Russian soldiers for WWII, they also fought when Soviet Union was in Afghanistan they got trapped in a cave in and forgotten about. Now Delta is there and have uncovered the cave and what looks like dead bodies. They are not dead and they come back with a hunger. Fun read. Different kind of vampires. Will read more.
Title/Author: Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeerSeries: Southern Reaches
Read: 15 Apr
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: Meh. There's been a lot of buzz about this one, and apparently a movie, so when a coworker wanted someone to discuss it with, I got it from the library. That's the only reason I finished it. Feels like the author is trying to evoke a sense of Lovecraftian horror, and it just fell flat. Apparently it was popular enough to have multiple sequels... guess this just wasn't the series for me.
I was doing so well until April. Then everything went wrong. A reading funk set in with zero books finished in April. May and June were a little better, but no first in series. #frustrated.
Charlotte, whenever I hit a reading slump or sometimes even with a reading hangover, I read something I know I liked or loved, sometimes more than 1 and that seems to pull me out of it.Hope you're over the worst of it!!
Are we doing this one again this year?? Didn’t seem to be many of us last year.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Skyborn (other topics)Water Blessed (other topics)
Aunty Lee's Delights (other topics)
Ghostly Paws (other topics)
A Natural History of Dragons (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Leighann Dobbs (other topics)Rick Riordan (other topics)
Jeff VanderMeer (other topics)
Jeff VanderMeer (other topics)
Nalini Singh (other topics)
More...
SightRead 2018Duration: July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018
Did it suck you in and leave you breathless for more? Or leave a hole in the wall after you chucked the sucker across the room? Join us as we check out and share our favorite, and not-so-favorite, new series!
*Read 12 books that are the first novel in a new-to-you series.
*Read one book per calendar month (that means, can't read and count 3 new ones in ONE month...)
*Make a MAIN post. This is for your full year list. Please UPDATE this list, not re-post it! Thanks!
*Post monthly updates (new posts, please!) on your great/not-so-great "first" read.
*Prequels, "half numbers" (i.e. 0.5 by GR numbering) and anthologies are not allowed; they're just appetizers, not the "first course"!
For MONTHLY updates, include the following:
**Blatantly
stoleborrowed Steph's & Lethal Lovely's new series write-ups~THANKS!....If you haven't peeked, pop on over to the members' threads to check them out! **Warning, do not read when consuming liquids~LL's especially~unless your PC is insured...**COVER (#)
Title/Author:
Series:
Read: (Date)
Rating: ★★★★★ / ★★★★✩ / ★★★✩✩ / ★★✩✩✩
First time author?
To-Be-Continued?
Review: (Just a sentence or so of what you thought about it!)
Also Read: (feel free to add other firsts you enjoyed each month with ratings, etc. optional)