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The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Lost Prince (The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2012

Genre: YA Paranormal (Fey)

Pages: 377

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; 52 Books - W8; Women Authors; Seriously Series

Don't look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase's unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he'd dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister's world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

It was refreshing to read a book set in fey that wasn't focused on Meghan.  I'll admit that I was tiring of her by the end of The Iron Fey series.  I needed a change to stay interested.  Ethan is a great change.  We get appearances by Meghan, Ash, and even Puck, but the book is really centered on Ethan and Keirran's journeys.  I liked getting to know these two new-ish characters,  The book definitely ends on a cliff-hanger, but I'm okay with it.  We get a whole new mystery to solve in thus series and I'm on board.  I can't wait to see how this all plays out.

The Iron Fey

  • #1 The Iron King
  • #1.5 Winter’s Passage
  • #2 The Iron Daughter
  • #3 The Iron Queen
  • #3.5 Summer’s Crossing
  • #4 The Iron Knight
  • #4.5 Iron’s Prophecy
  • #5 The Lost Prince
  • #6 The Iron Traitor
  • #7 The Iron Warrior
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, fey, Julie Kagawa, library, Love for Books Readathon, Seriously Series, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 02.21.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Iron Legends by Julie Kagawa

iron-legends (1920).jpeg

Title: Iron Legends (The Iron Fey #1.5, #3.5, #4.5)

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen 2010

Genre: YA Paranormal (Fey)

Pages: 287

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Women Authors; Seriously Series

While I had read the four main novels in the Iron Fey series, I thought I would pick up this compilation of the short stories.  Quick, but enjoyable reading as Kagawa helped to fill in the gaps in-between books.

Winter's Passage

Never make a promise to a faery. They always come to collect. Now Meghan Chase must fulfill her promise to Prince Ash of the Winter Court and embark upon a dangerous journey into the heart of enemy territory—while being pursued by a relentless new foe and guarding her own foolish heart.

This was my least favorite of the stories, if only because Meghan is still so young and naive.  I think I knew too much of what comes after to truly enjoy this one.

Summer's Crossing

What can turn enemies into reluctant allies? A call from the Exile Queen, Leanansidhe, ties legendary prankster Puck to his archenemy, Prince Ash, on a journey that may end in betrayal and will set them both on an irreversible path.

My favorite of the stories because it stars Puck.  Other than Grimalkin, Puck is the most interesting character in the entire series.  I loved reading about his adventures with Ash and Leanansidhe.  Great fun!

Iron's Prophecy

Before she ever knew what she might become, Iron Queen Meghan Chase was warned by the oracle that her firstborn child would bring nothing but grief. And even as Meghan and Ash celebrate their long-awaited union, the prophecy stirs.…

A nice bridge between the original Iron Fey series and the new Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten series.  This actually made me want to read the next series.  I have to see what happens to Ethan and Keirran.

The Iron Fey

  • #1 The Iron King
  • #1.5 Winter’s Passage
  • #2 The Iron Daughter
  • #3 The Iron Queen
  • #3.5 Summer’s Crossing
  • #4 The Iron Knight
  • #4.5 Iron’s Prophecy
  • #5 The Lost Prince
  • #6 The Iron Traitor
  • #7 The Iron Warrior
tags: 4 stars, fey, Julie Kagawa, library, Seriously Series, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 02.10.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Shambling with the Stars by Jesse Petersen

Shambling (1920).jpeg

Title: Shambling with the Stars (Living with the Dead #3.5)

Author: Jesse Petersen

Publisher: Orbit 2011

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 34

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W3

Avery Andrews is her name and directing celebrity telethons after tragedies is her game. But the Northwestern Zombie Outbreak isn't your average tragedy... and once the infection spreads to the studio, Avery and her crew will have to worry about staying alive, not ratings.

A cute little zombie story to add to my Living with the Dead series.  I was super excited to snap this one up on Kindle for cheap.  Unfortunately, it is so short, I just couldn't give it 5 stars.  I did really love it.  The characters were fun.  The storyline had a ton of potential.  It just wasn't enough to really make me love it.

Living with the Dead

  • #1 Married with Zombies
  • #2 Flip This Zombie
  • #3 Eat, Slay, Love
  • #3.5 Shambling with the Stars
  • #4 The Zombie Whisperer
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, Bout of Books Readathon, ebook, Jesse Petersen, Seriously Series, women authors, zombies
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 01.12.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2014 Seriously Series Reading Challenge

From Reading the Paranormal:

For this challenge, a series is defined as a collection of two or more books that belong together and where the second book is published before the end of 2014. This is a pretty broad definition of series, and it includes traditional series like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, less traditional series like Stephanie Perkins's YA contemps (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door), and shorter series, like Kendare Blake's Anna series (Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares).

A series is considered complete in one of two ways: either as finishing all the books that you own in the series or as obtaining and reading all the books that have been published in the series to date. Because we don't want this challenge to become a financial burden, how you choose to define completion is left to your discretion.

How It Works

To allow for the greatest level of flexibility, we've separated series into three categories: series started before 2014, series started in 2014, and series rereads.

  • Series started before 2014 are defined as series that you have started reading before Jan. 2014 and that you still have unread books to get current in (or finish) the series.
  • Series started in 2014 are defined as any series that you start reading between Jan. and Dec. 2014, and the second book in the series must be published before December 2014.
  • A series reread is defined as books that are part of a series that were read before Jan. 2014 and that are reread between Jan. 2014 and Dec. 2014. A series reread does NOT have to include the full series.

For each category, there are different levels of seriousness about series that you can choose. Semi-serious is reading 1 to 6 series, seriously serious is reading 7 to 12 series, super seriously serious is reading 13 to 18 series, and seriously spectacular series star is reading more than 18 series. What this ends up looking like is this:

series started before 2014series started in 2014series rereads
Semi-Serious1-6 series1-61-6
Seriously Serious7-127-127-12
Super Seriously Serious13-1813-1813-18
Seriously Spectacular Series Star18+18+18+

FYI, reading novellas and short stories from a series does count here -- if you want it to!

You choose which categories you want to attempt and which level to shoot for.

Goals and Progress

Want to sign up? Create a post or page about this challenge, what goals you would like to accomplish (mine is here, as an example--currently, it's my 2013 page, but it'll switch over to the 2014 challenge in January), and then link up your post here at Reading the Paranormal. In addition to the sign up, every three months, there will be a check-in, where you can report your progress and reassess your original goals. That schedule will look like the following:

  • April 1st: January--March
  • July 1st: April--June
  • October 1st: July--September
  • January 1st, 2015: October--December

I have a ton of partial series laying around the house.  This challenge is to get me to clean out some of those series.  I have lots of authors on my list to choose from, but I am only committing myself to finishing 5 old series and 5 new series throughout this coming year.  So I am going for the semi-serious level for two categories.

Started before 2014:

  1. Locke and Key -- #6
  2. Opal Cowan by Maria Snyder -- #2, #3
  3. Bevelstoke by Julia Quinn -- #2, #3
  4. Living with the Dead by Jesse Petersen -- #3.5, #4
  5. Ashfall by Mike Mullin -- #3

Started in 2014: Going with just author names right now.  Some of these authors have multiple series that I can start...

  1. Diana Gabaldon
  2. Mary Balogh
  3. Holly Black
  4. Gregory Maguire
  5. Cherie Priest
  6. Anne Bishop
  7. Kristen Callihan
  8. Carole Nelson Douglas
  9. Dorothy Dunnett
  10. Jeaniene Frost
  11. Diane Haeger
  12. Karen Marie Moning
  13. Deanna Raybourn
  14. Melissa Mayhue
  15. Julia Quinn
tags: Seriously Series
categories: Reading Challenges
Wednesday 01.08.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

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Look at all these finished challenges!  I did good this year...

Goal: 35/35 books   DONE!!!!!

  1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  2. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  3. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  4. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)
  5. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  6. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
  7. Gulliver’s Travel’s by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  8. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  9. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  10. Her Ladyships Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  11. The Sandman Vol. 11 (9/27/13)
  12. The Sandman Vol. 12 (9/27/13)
  13. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  14. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (9/29/13)
  15. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  16. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  17. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
  18. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
  19. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
  20. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  21. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  22. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
  23. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  24. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
  25. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  26. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  27. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  28. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  29. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  30. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)
  31. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  32. B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
  33. Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
  34. Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
  35. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!!

The Required Categories:

  1. 19th Century Classic — Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (12/18/13)
  2. 20th Century Classic — The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  3. Pre-18th or 18th Century Classic — Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  4. Classic that relates to the African-American Experience – The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  5. Classic Adventure — The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  6. Classic that prominently features an Animal - Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne(9/10/13)

Optional Categories:

  1. Re-read a Classic — Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
  2. Classic Non-Fiction title –The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  3. Classic Children’s/Young Adult title — The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
  4. Classic Short Stories – The Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)

Goal: 10/10 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
  2. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  3. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
  5. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  6. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  7. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  8. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  9. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  10. Sandition by Jane Austen (12/18/13)

 

 

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  2. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  3. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)
  4. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  5. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)

Goal: 60/60 Books   DONE!!!!!!!!

  1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
  2. Chicken with Plums by Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
  3. Ill Wind by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  4. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  5. Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
  6. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  7. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  8. Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
  9. Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
  10. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
  11. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  12. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
  13. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  14. Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
  15. One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  16. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
  17. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  18. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  19. Locke and Key Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft (1/4/13)
  20. Locke and Key Vol 2: Head Games (1/4/13)
  21. Locke and Key Vol 3: Crown of Shadows (1/5/13)
  22. Locke and Key Vol 4: Keys to the Kingdom (1/6/13)
  23. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  24. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
  25. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
  26. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  27. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
  28. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
  29. The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
  30. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  31. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  32. The Bleeding Dusk by Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
  33. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  34. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  35. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
  36. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  37. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
  39. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine (10/1/13)
  40. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  41. Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine (10/5/13)
  42. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  43. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  44. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  45. Iron’s Prophecy by Julie Kagawa (10/10/13)
  46. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  47. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  48. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  49. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  50. Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker-Smith (11/7/13)
  51. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  52. Love and Friendship by Jane Austen (11/11/13)
  53. The Watsons by Jane Austen (11/13/13)
  54. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
  55. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  56. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  57. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  58. Boneshaler by Cherie Priest (12/14/13)
  59. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  60. Vanity Fair by Thackeray (12/18/13)

Goal: 52/52 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Wanted by Mark Millar (1/2/13)
  2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  3. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  4. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  5. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  6. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  7. Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  8. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  9. The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
  10. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  11. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  13. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
  14. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  15. P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  16. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/13/14)
  17. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  18. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
  19. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  20. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  21. The Hostage by Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)
  22. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
  23. The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  24. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/13/13)
  25. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/22/13)
  26. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  27. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  28. The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  29. Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  30. The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (7/24/13)
  31. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
  32. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  33. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
  34. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  35. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
  36. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
  37. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)
  38. Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder (9/17/13)
  39. The Sandman Vol. 11: The Dream Hunters (9/27/13)
  40. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  41. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  42. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  43. Rose of Fire by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/21/13)
  44. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (10/27/13)
  45. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  46. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)
  47. Jane Austen and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron(11/20/13)
  48. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)
  49. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (12/3/13)
  50. Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  51. Tanglefoot by Cherie Priest (12/15/13)
  52. Sandition by Jane Austen  (12/18/13)
550

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. History- US, World, European – Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  2. Autobiography, Biography, Memoir – A Long Way Gone by Ishamel Beah (1/21/13)
  3. Food – Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  4. Family, Relationships, Parenting, Dating, Love – MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  5. Music, Film, TV – Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  6. Health, Medicine – Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  7. Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy – The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  8. Anthropology, Archaeology – Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  9. How To – A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman (9/10/13)
  10. Cultural Studies – Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  11. Business, Finance, Management – The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman (10/9/13)
  12. Home – Inside the Creative Studio by Cate Coulacos Prato (12/11/13)
  13. Crafts – B is for Baby by Suzonne Stirling (12/11/13)
  14. Technology – Final Jeopardy by Stephen Baker (12/13/13)
  15. Government – Universal Rights Down to Earth by Richard Thompson Ford (12/13/13)
monthly key word challenge

Goal: 12/12 Books  DONE!!!!!

  • January (cold) – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)
  • February (family) – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  • March (valley) – Valley of Silence by Nora Roberts (3/17/13)
  • April (garden) – The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (4/30/13)
  • May (name) – Emma by Jane Austen (5/22/13)
  • June (never) – Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  • July  – Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason (7/15/13)
  • August – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/17/13)
  • September (shadow) – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  • October (witch) – Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  • November (number) – The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  • December – The Road by Cormac McCarthy (12/6/13)

Goal: 20/20 movies/books  DONE!!!!

  1. The Reader (1/24/13)
  2. Mansfield Park (2/3/13)
  3. A Game of Thrones (1/9/13)
  4. One Day (1/29/13)
  5. The Secret Garden (4/30/13)
  6. Emma (5/22/13)
  7. Never Let Me Go (6/20/13)
  8. Coraline (3/21/13)
  9. Stardust (4/11/13)
  10. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
  11. 300 (2/12/13)
  12. Warm Bodies (6/13/13)
  13. The Color Purple (6/24/13)
  14. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (6/26/13)
  15. Guns, Germs, and Steel (8/12/13)
  16. The Host (8/24/13)
  17. Pride and Prejudice (8/28/13)
  18. The Count of Monte Cristo (11/22/13)
  19. Gulliver’s Travels (10/3/13)
  20. The Road (12/6/13)

Goal: 10/10 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman (10/7/13)
  3. MWF Seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  4. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
  5. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  6. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (11/22/13)
  7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  8. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  9. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
  10. Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
graphicnovelchallenge (1920).jpg

Goal: 20/20 books   DONE!!!!

  1. 300 (2/12/13)
  2. Cowboys and Aliens (2/9/13)
  3. The Walking Dead Book 5 (5/14/13)
  4. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
  5. Wanted (1/2/13)
  6. Chicken with Plums (1/2/13)
  7. Locke and Key Vol. 1 (1/4/13)
  8. Locke and Key Vol. 2 (1/4/13)
  9. Locke and Key Vol. 3 (1/5/13)
  10. Locke and Key Vol. 4 (1/6/13)
  11. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
  12. A Game of Thrones: The Graphic Novel (3/1/13)
  13. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  14. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
  15. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
  16. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
  17. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  18. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
  19. American Vampire Vol. 1 (8/21/13)
  20. Hyperbole and Half by Allie Brosh (11/26/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

  1. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  2. Dance of the Gods by Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  3. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder (9/17/13)
  4. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  5. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry (11/16/13)
zombiechallenge (1920).jpg

Goal: 6/6 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  2. The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor by Robert Kirkman (7/27/13)
  3. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
  4. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
  5. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)
  6. 100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes (11/11/13)

Goal: 12/12 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Translated fiction – The Reader by Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  2. Historical mystery – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
  3. Romantic suspense – As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  4. Made into a movie – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  5. New Adult – Saving Wishes by G.J. Walker Smith (11/7/13)
  6. Urban Fantasy –London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  7. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  8. Memoir – Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  9. LGBT – Every Day by David Levithan (8/15/13)
  10. Action Adventure –The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  11. Humour– Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  12. Published in 2013 – And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)

Goal: 5/5 books  DONE!!!!

  1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  2. The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs (6/13/13)
  3. The Billionaire Wins the Game by Melody Anne (11/3/13)
  4. Her Ladyship’s Companion by Evangeline Collins (10/9/13)
  5. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)

Goal: 15/15 books DONE!!!!!

  1. Almost America by Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  2. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  3. Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  4. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  5. Thin Air by Rachel Caine (2/22/13)
  6. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  7. When Twilight Burns by Colleen Gleason (8/5/13)
  8. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  9. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  10. The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  11. Gulliver’s Travel by Jonathan Swift (10/3/13)
  12. Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel (9/10/13)
  13. Gale Force by Rachel Caine (9/9/13)
  14. Cotillion by Georgette Heyer (9/14/13)
  15. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (9/8/13)

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!!!

ROMANCE

  1. Contemporary – P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  2. Historical – Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  3. Paranormal – Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)

HORROR

  1. Science Fiction – London Eye by Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  2. Psychological – Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  3. Young Adult – Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)

THRILLER/SUSPENSE

  1. Historical – A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  2. Action – Heat Stroke by Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  3. Supernatural – Chill Factor by Rachel Caine (1/13/13)

SCIENCE/FANTASY

  1. Vampire – Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  2. Dystopian – Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  3. Epic Fantasy – A Game of Thrones by George Martin (1/9/13)

MYSTERY/CRIME

  1. Historical – The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (10/20/13)
  2. Romantic – Change of Fortune by Jen Turano (1/3/13)
  3. Classic Whodunit – The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King (2/26/13)

Goal: 25/25 Ebooks  DONE!!!!!

  1. The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  2. The Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson (2/26/13)
  3. Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  4. Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  5. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (2/3/13)
  6. Coraline by Neil Gaiman (3/21/13)
  7. 300 (2/12/13)
  8. Persuasion by Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  9. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (1/10/13)
  10. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (3/30/13)
  11. Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain (4/5/13)
  12. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (4/11/13)
  13. The Postman by David Brin (5/27/13)
  14. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (7/7/13)
  15. Vampire for Christmas by Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
  16. Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
  17. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini (8/8/13)
  18. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (8/28/13)
  19. Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason (9/5/13)
  20. Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (9/10/13)
  21. Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz (10/1/13)
  22. Lady Susan by Jane Austen (10/10/13)
  23. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (9/20/13)
  24. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (9/28/13)
  25. San Diego 2014 by Mira Grant (10/1/13)

Goal: 8/8 series DONE!!!!

Started in 2012

  1. Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series (6,7,8,9,10,11,12) (9/27/13)
  2. Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series (3) (7/24/13)
  3. Kendare Blake’s Anna Dressed in Blood series (2) (3/11/13)

Started in 2013

  1. Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9) (10/5/13)
  2. Jennifer Armintrout’s Lightworld/Darkworld series (1,2,3) – DNF’d
  3. Nora Robert’s Morrigan’s Cross series (1,2,3) (3/17/13)
  4. Ally Condie’s Matched series (1,2,3) (7/12/13)
  5. Susan Wiggs’ Chicago Fire series (1,2,3) (6/13/13)
  6. Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles (1,2,3,4,5) (9/5/13)
Neil-Gaiman (1920).jpg

Goal: 15/15 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Neverwhere (3/30/13)
  2. Good Omens (1/10/13)
  3. Coraline (3/21/13)
  4. Stardust (4/11/13)
  5. M is for Magic (9/1/13)
  6. Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
  7. Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
  8. Sandman Vol 8 (8/29/13)
  9. Sandman Vol 9 (8/29/13)
  10. Sandman Vol 10 (8/29/13)
  11. Sandman Vol 11 (9/27/13)
  12. Sandman Vol 12 (9/27/13)
  13. Anansi Boys (10/7/13)
  14. The Graveyard Book (9/20/13)
  15. The Ocean at the End of the Lane (9/29/13)

Goal: 30/30 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  2. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  3. The Passage by Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  4. Crossed by Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  5. A Foreign Affair by Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  6. Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  7. Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  8. Chicks Dig Time Lords by Lynne Thomas and Tara O’Shea (2/3/13)
  9. Fables Vol 17 Inherit the Wind (2/4/13)
  10. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  11. Cowboys vs. Aliens (2/9/13)
  12. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  13. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  14. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)
  15. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (6/20/13)
  16. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  17. Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  18. Wedding of the Century (8/14/13)
  19. The Sandman Vol 6 (8/19/13)
  20. The Sandman Vol 7 (8/19/13)
  21. Selected Stories of O. Henry (8/18/13)
  22. The New Deadwardians (8/19/13)
  23. The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  24. The Host by Stephenie Meyer (8/24/13)
  25. The Sandman Vol. 8 (8/29/13)
  26. The Sandman Vol. 9 (8/29/13)
  27. The Sandman Vol. 10 (8/29/13)
  28. M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (9/1/13)
  29. Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro (9/1/13)
  30. The Dragon Men by Steven Harper (9/2/13)

Goal: 6/6 Books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. Up or Down: Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  2. Kitchen Find: The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  3. Party or Celebration: The Wedding Gift by Lucy Kevin (1/24/13)
  4. Fire: Firestorm by Rachel Caine (2/16/13)
  5. Emotion: Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  6. Lost or Found: Lost by Gregory Maguire (7/12/13)
Genre Variety

Goal: 18/18 Books  DONE!!!!!!

  1. Contemporary – One Day by David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  2. Historical – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  3. Paranormal – Windfall by Rachel Caine (2/11/13)
  4. Fantasy – A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (7/26/13)
  5. Romance – The Mistress by Susan Wiggs (6/4/13)
  6. Thriller – The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason (7/13/12)
  7. Nonfiction – The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill by Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
  8. Women’s Fiction – The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  9. Chick Lit – The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen (8/1713)
  10. Dystopian – Matched by Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  11. Horror – Terror by Night by Ambrose Bierce (2/14/13)
  12. Biography – Thomas Paine by Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  13. Fairy Tales – The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (8/20/13)
  14. Classics – A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain (6/23/13)
  15. SciFi – The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein (2/7/13)
  16. Short Stories – The Complete Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales (2/26/13)
  17. Erotica – Beauty or the Bitch by Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  18. Epic Fantasy – A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (4/28/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors  DONE!!!!!

  1. Jane Austen (1/21/13)
  2. Carrie Bebris (6/6/13)
  3. Alison Bechdel (8/19/13)
  4. Rachel Bertsche (5/31/13)
  5. Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  6. Rachel Caine (1/12/13)
  7. Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  8. Ally Condie (3/1/13)
  9. Gillian Flynn (2/9/13)
  10. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  11. Colleen Gleason (8/1/13)
  12. Jasmine Haynes (1/9/13)
  13. Felicity Heaton (7/12/13)
  14. Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  15. Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
  16. Jenny Lawson (3/15/13)
  17. Paula McLain (7/7/13)
  18. Kate Morton (2/14/13)
  19. Nora Roberts (3/9/13)
  20. Marjane Satrapi (1/2/13)
  21. Lynne Thomas (2/3/13)
  22. Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  23. Alice Walker (6/24/13)
  24. Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  25. Susan Wiggs (5/22/13)

Goal: 25/25 authors   DONE!!!!!!

  1. Cecelia Ahern (4/13/13)
  2. Sarah Addison Allen (2/18/13)
  3. Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  4. Mark Bittner (6/26/13)
  5. David Brin (5/27/13)
  6. Ally Condie (2/21/13)
  7. Justin Cronin (1/20/13)
  8. Jared Diamond (8/12/13)
  9. Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  10. Colleen Gleason (7/13/13)
  11. Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  12. Joe Hill (1/4/13)
  13. Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
  14. Laurie King (2/26/13)
  15. Tim Lebbon (3/15/13)
  16. David Levithan (8/15/13)
  17. George R.R. Martin (1/9/13)
  18. Craig Nelson (1/28/13)
  19. David Nicholls (1/29/13)
  20. Caro Peacock (1/22/13)
  21. Nora Roberts (3/3/13)
  22. Bernhard Schlink (1/24/13)
  23. Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  24. Steve Tally (1/14/13)
  25. Jen Turano (1/3/13)

Goal: 24/24 books  DONE!!!!!

  1. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake (3/11/13)
  2. Locke and Key Vol. 5 (3/1/13)
  3. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah (1/21/13)
  4. The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie King (2/26/13)
  5. A Game of Thrones: Graphic Novel Vol. 1 (3/1/13)
  6. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  7. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (3/2/13)
  8. Death: At Death’s Door by Jill Thompson (3/4/13)
  9. The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (3/6/13)
  10. Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade (3/8/13)
  11. London Eye by Time Lebbon (3/15/13)
  12. The Doomsday Vault by Steven Harper (3/20/13)
  13. Zom-B by Darren Shan (4/14/13)
  14. Birth by Tina Cassidy (4/20/13)
  15. The Impossible Cube by Steven Harper (5/4/13)
  16. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (5/11/13)
  17. Sixteen Brides by Stephanie Grace Whitson (5/12/13)
  18. The Walking Dead Book Five (5/14/13)
  19. The Walking Dead Book Six (5/14/13)
  20. The Walking Dead Book Seven (5/17/13)
  21. The Walking Dead Volume 17 (5/17/13)
  22. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion (6/113/13)
  23. Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland (6/23/13)
  24. Reached by Ally Condie (7/12/13)
tags: 52 books in 52 weeks, blogger recommendation, Books to Movies, classics, dusty bookshelf, ebook, eclectic books, fall into reading, genres, graphic novel, Jane Austen, library, monthly key word, mount tbr, Neil Gaiman, Nerdy Nonfiction, New Author, RC Check-up, romance, Seriously Series, steampunk, Sub Genre, TBR Pile, What's in a Name, witches, women authors, zombies
categories: Reading Challenges
Friday 01.03.14
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine

Title: Total Eclipse (Weather Wardens #9)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2010

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 305

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Seriously Series; Mount TBR; Fall into Reading;

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin, her husband, the djinn David, and the Earth herself have been poisoned by a substance that destroys the magic that keeps the world alive. The poison is destabilizing the entire balance of power, bestowing magic upon those who have never had it, and removing it form those who need it. It's just a matter of time before the delicate balance of nature explodes into chaos-and doom.

Holy crap!  What a way to end the series!  I sped through this volume on the edge of my seat.  I couldn't wait to see how Joanne got herself of the end-of-the-world situation she got herself into.  The volume did not disappoint.  Like most of of the books in the series, this one hits the ground running.  The action starts right away and never stops.  I loved that!  We get a whirlwind of activity and yet we still connect to the characters.  I loved seeing some of the side characters reappear, but glad that Caine focused on our main group.  I was even satisfied with the ending and epilogue.  Usually I hate epilogues, but this one was nice.  Overall, I really liked this series.  The middle books meander a bit from the main story arc, but everything gets back on track for a couple of explosive books at the end.

Weather Warden:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
tags: 4 stars, action, adventure, fall into reading, FrightFall Readathon, mount tbr, paranormal, Rachel Caine, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 10.05.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Cape Storm by Rachel Caine

Title: Cape Storm (Weather Wardens #8)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2009

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 308

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin and her new husband, the Djinn David, are running from a malevolent hurricane bent on destroying her. Joined by an army of fellow Wardens and Djinn onboard a hijacked luxury liner, Joanne has lured the storm into furious pursuit. But even their combined magic may not be enough to stop it-nor the power-mad ex-Weather Warden controlling it...

After the whirlwind that was Gale Force, I liked the slightly slower pace of this volume.  I liked getting back to being focused on the main characters of the series.  Instead of attempting to update everyone, we get more Joanne, David, and Lewis.  I really really love Lewis in this volume.  He has taken complete responsibility for the Wardens and for the Earth itself.  I also love the villain in this volume, very over the top and slightly cartoonish, but in a good way.  And I was very excited about where the whole series is going.  I'm very excited to read the last volume in the Weather Wardens series.

Weather Warden:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
tags: 4 stars, action, adventure, fall into reading, FrightFall Readathon, mount tbr, paranormal, Rachel Caine, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 09.30.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Sandman: The Dream Hunters and Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol 11: The Dream Hunters and Vol. 12: Endless Nights

Author: Neil Gaiman, Yoshitaka Amano

Publisher: Vertigo 1999, 2003

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128, 160

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; 52 Books -- Week 39; Fall into Reading; NPR SciFan

How I Got It: Library Loan

As I read these back-to-back, I thought I would review them together.  Plus, I don't have a huge amount to say about these two volumes.  Basically: they were good.

Written by Neil Gaiman; Art by Yoshitaka Amano Featuring striking painted artwork, this love story, set in ancient Japan, tells the story of a humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox who find themselves romantically drawn together. As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons to steal the monk's life. With the aid of Morpheus, the King of All Night's Dreamings, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves. This book also boasts an eight page section highlighting Yoshitaka Amano's amazing painted art.

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This is an interesting volume.  Definitely a departure from the rest of the series, but I like it.  It has an even more dream quality than the rest.  I believe this is due to the beautiful illustrations.  I almost felt like I was intruding on someone's personal dream to follow the storyline.  Very interesting...

Joined by a dream team of artists from around the world, Neil Gaiman—the Hugo Award-winning, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of AMERICAN GODS and CORALINE—returns to the beloved characters he made famous in THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS. Alternately haunting, bittersweet, erotic and nightmarish, the seven stories in this book—one for each of the Endless siblings, each illustrated by a different artist—reveal strange secrets and surprising truths. In addition to the seven tales of the Endless, THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS includes a biography section in the spirit of the Sandman collections (designed by Dave McKean) and a summary of each volume in the Sandman Library.

This volume was a nice ending to the series.  It wrapped up a few of the leftover story lines.  It created a few new ones.  But overall, I loved seeing all the Endless siblings highlighted throughout the volume.  Very enjoyable series if you like the strangeness of Neil Gaiman.  I definitely do!

Sandman

  • 1. Preludes and Nocturnes
  • 2. The Doll's House
  • 3. Dream Country
  • 4. Season of Mists
  • 5. A Game of You
  • 6. Fables and Reflections
  • 7. The Brief Lives
  • 8. World's End
  • 9. The Kindly Ones
  • 10. The Wake
  • 11. The Dream Hunters
  • 12. Endless Nights
tags: 4 stars, 52 books in 52 weeks, fall into reading, graphic novel, Neil Gaiman, NPR SciFi/Fan, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 09.27.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Gale Force by Rachel Caine

Title: Gale Force (Weather Wardens #7)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2008

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 306

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Dusty Bookshelf

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is on vacation when her Djinn lover, David, asks Joanne to marry him. She’s thrilled to say yes, even if some others may be less than happy about it.

Unfortunately, Joanne’s pre-marital bliss is ended by a devastating earthquake in Florida. And she can’t ask David and his kind for assistance. Because the cause of the quake is unlike anything Joanne has ever encountered—and a power even the Djinn cannot perceive.

Hmmm...  I feel like the series is losing a bit of steam, but I'm determined to finish it this close to the end.  Only two more books to go.  I still love Jo and David, but their constant being in the middle of these huge catastrophes is starting to take its toll.  Maybe it's because the timeline for the entire series is so short.  Or maybe it's because each threat is crazier than the last.  For whatever reason, I just want, no need some closure to this whole idea.  I still enjoyed the book.  It had the same well drawn out action sequences.  We still got snarky comments from Jo.  The book still had all the fun side characters (Kevin, Cherise, Ashan, Venna).  I just think we need to start wrapping some of this up now.

Weather Wardens:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
tags: 4 stars, action, adventure, dusty bookshelf, mount tbr, paranormal, Rachel Caine, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 09.09.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

As Shadows Fade and Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason

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Title: As Shadows Fade (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5); Max Stops the Presses (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5.5)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2009; 2013

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 342; 30

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Angels; Monthly Key Word - Shade; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Eclectic -- Romantic Suspense; Ebook; Bingo -- 2 2013 releases

How I Got It: I own it

Demons, enemies of both mortals and the undead, have found their way to Earth. To defeat them, Victoria Gardella proposes an alliance between her slayers and Lilith’s vampires. But the vampire queen wants the former slayer Max Pesaro in return for her cooperation—a small price for the world, but a price Victoria is unwilling to pay...

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An amazing conclusion to a great paranormal romance series.  I loved seeing where the story led.  And I'm super excited to find a happy ending, albeit one with a huge twist.  I can see the need for the twist, but holy crap it was a shocker.  My only complaint was that I wanted a bit more of an ending.  Thankfully, we Gleason made a short story to give the readers a bit more of a ending.

This is a short story (about 30 pages) that takes place after the end of As Shadows Fade, the fifth book in the Victoria Gardella Vampire Chronicles series.

And this is the story that helped me find a bit of closure for the characters.  Plus, it was a cute little short story to follow up.  Love it!

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

  • #1 The Rest Falls Away
  • #1.5 Victoria Gardella
  • #2 Rises the Night
  • #3 The Bleeding Dusk
  • #4 When Twilight Burns
  • #5 As Shadows Fade
  • #5.1 Max Stops the Presses
  • #6 Roaring Midnight
  • #7 Raging Dawn
  • #8 Roaring Shadows
tags: 5 stars, book bingo, Colleen Gleason, demons, ebook, eclectic books, monthly key word, mount tbr, paranormal, Seriously Series, vampires
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 09.05.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake by Neil Gaiman

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Title: The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Vertigo 1995, 1996, 1997

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 168, 320, 192

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W35; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Reminiscent of the legendary Canterbury Tales, THE SANDMAN: WORLDS' END is a wonderful potpourri of engrossing tales and masterly storytelling. Improbably caught in a June blizzard, two wayward compatriots stumble upon a mysterious inn and learn that they are in the middle of a "reality storm." Now surrounded by a menagerie of people and creatures from different times and realities, the two stranded travelers are entertained by mesmerizing myths of infamous sea creatures, dreaming cities, ancient kings, astonishing funeral rituals and moralistic hangmen.

A new edition of the classic title reprinting issues #57-69 of THE SANDMAN and "The Castle" from VERTIGO JAM, with pivotal events that laid the groundwork for the finale of THE SANDMAN.

In the final Sandman tale, Morpheus made the ultimate decision between change and death. As one journey for the Endless ends another begins for the Lord of Dreams and his family. All the final pieces come together for the final moments of the Sandman.

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Three more wonderful Sandman volumes.  I am consistently surprised by the quality of text and illustrations. For every volume, I don't have much to say other than I seriously enjoy my time.

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Sandman

  • 1. Preludes and Nocturnes
  • 2. The Doll's House
  • 3. Dream Country
  • 4. Season of Mists
  • 5. A Game of You
  • 6. Fables and Reflections
  • 7. The Brief Lives
  • 8. World's End
  • 9. The Kindly Ones
  • 10. The Wake
  • 11. The Dream Hunters
  • 12. Endless Nights
tags: 5 stars, graphic novel, Neil Gaiman, Seriously Series, TBR Pile
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 08.29.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

The Sandman Vol 6: Fables and Reflections and Vol. 7 Brief Lives

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Title: The Sandman Vol 6: Fables and Reflections and Vol 7: Brief Lives

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Vertigo

Genre: Graphic Novel 1993

Pages: 168/168

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Written by NEIL GAIMAN Art by P. CRAIG RUSSELL, JILL THOMPSON and others Cover by DAVE McKEAN A new edition of this title collecting issues #29-31 and SANDMAN SPECIAL #1, in which Morpheus delves into the dreams of Augustus Caesar, Cain and Abel, Marco Polo, Orpheus and more.  Written by NEIL GAIMAN Art by JILL THOMPSON and VINCE LOCKE Cover by DAVE MCKEAN Dream's loopy sister, Delirium, convinces him to go on a quest for their missing brother, Destruction, in this new edition of the classic title collecting THE SANDMAN # 41-49.

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Two more Sandman volumes completed.  I thoroughly enjoy this series, but I'm always struck by how cerebral it is.  I go into each volume thinking I can dive in and polish it off quickly.  Very soon, I realize the dialogue and plot movements force me to take it slow and savor the volume.  Of course, this is the genius of Neil Gaiman and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.  I'll have to put Volumes 8 and 9 on hold at the library.

tags: 4 stars, graphic novel, Neil Gaiman, Seriously Series, TBR Pile
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 08.19.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

2013 Seriously Series Reading Challenge

From On a Book Bender:

How serious about series are you? We'll find out in 2013.

In the summer of 2012, Amanda and I hosted an informal challenge that focused on completing books in series that we owned. It was enough of a success that we decided we wanted to turn it into a year-long challenge--with a few minor changes. To start with, we have expanded on our original challenge by including both ongoing series and adding new-to-us series, as well as an option for series rereads for those that are VERY serious about their series (or for those that just like to go back and reread old favorites).

 

Definitions

For this challenge, we define a series as a collection of two or more books that belong together and where the second book is published before the end of 2013. This is a pretty broad definition of series, and it includes traditional series like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, less traditional series like Stephanie Perkins's YA contemps (Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door), and shorter series, like Kendare Blake's Anna series (Anna Dressed in Blood, Girl of Nightmares).

 

A series is considered complete in one of two ways: either as finishing all the books that you own in the series or as obtaining and reading all the books that have been published in the series to date. Because we don't want this challenge to become a financial burden, how you choose to define completion is left to your discretion.

 

How It Works

To allow for the greatest level of flexibility, we've separated series into three categories: series started before 2013, series started in 2013, and series rereads. Series started before 2013 are defined as series that you have started reading before Jan. 2013 and that you still have unread books to get current in (or finish) the series. Series started in 2013 are defined as any series that you start reading between Jan. and Dec. 2013, and the second book in the series must be published before December 2013. A series reread is defined as books that are part of a series that were read before Jan. 2013 and that are reread between Jan. 2013 and Dec. 2013. A series reread does NOT have to include the full series.

 

For each category, there are different levels of seriousness about series that you can choose. Semi-serious is reading 1 to 6 series, seriously serious is reading 7 to 12 series, super seriously serious is reading 13 to 18 series, and seriously spectacular series star is reading more than 18 series. What this ends up looking like is this:

series started before 2013series started in 2013series rereads
Semi-Serious1-6 series1-61-6
Seriously Serious7-127-127-12
Super Seriously Serious13-1813-1813-18
Seriously Spectacular Series Star18+18+18+

You choose which categories you want to attempt and which level to shoot for. Reading novellas and short storiesfrom a series does count here.

 

Goals and Progress

Want to sign up? Create a post or page about this challenge, what goals you would like to accomplish (mine is here, as an example), and then link up your post here at Reading the Paranormal. I will be hosting all of the linkies for this challenge. In addition to the sign up, every three months, we will post a check-in, where you can report your progress and reassess your original goals.

That schedule will look like the following:

  • April 1st: January--March
  • July 1st: April--June
  • October 1st: July--September
  • January 1st, 2014: October--December

I'm going for the semi-serious level of 1-6 series for series started in 2012  and seriously serious level of 7-12 for series started in 2013.  I try to keep my series in progress to a minimum at any given time.  Therefore, I don't have a ton of qualifying books, but there are few.  I imagine that I will be starting some more series during 2013.  Tentative TBR list:

Already started

  • Neil Gaiman's Sandman series
  • Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series
  • Kendare Blake's Anna Dressed in Blood series

Starting

  • Weather Wardens
  • Locke and Key
  • Victoria Gardella
  • Matched
  • Chicago Fire
  • ???
tags: book series, Seriously Series
categories: Reading Challenges
Sunday 01.13.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Ill Wind by Rachel Caine

Title: Ill Wind (Weather Wardens #1)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2003

Genre: Paranormal action adventure

Pages: 352

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- First in series; Paranormal -- Other; Women Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series

How I Got It: I own it

Joanne Baldwin is a Weather Warden. Usually, all it takes is a wave of her hand to tame the most violent weather. But now, she's trying to outrun another kind of storm: accusations of corruption and murder. So, she's resorting to the very human tactic of running for her life...

Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth. Still, she's racing hard to find him-before the bad weather closes in fast...

This series has been sitting on my shelf for at least two years.  I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.  Ill Wind was a great introduction to Joanne and the world of the Weather Wardens.  Right away, I knew I would like Joanne's no nonsense outlook and fierce determination.  It was refreshing from the damsels in distress women I have read in the past few months.  I needed a fierce warrior.  Sure she has her vulnerable side, but that's only shown to people she thinks she can trust.  (Of course, that doesn't always work out so well).  And the world of the Djinns and Weather Warden is just too fun.  I love the idea of people helping to control Mother Nature from wiping out us humans.  It's a great idea.  The side characters are all great, but I especially loved David.  I thought something was odd the minute he popped into her life.  I didn't realize how odd until much later.  I can't wait to read more in the next volume.

Weather Warden:

  1. Ill Wind
  2. Heat Stroke
  3. Chill Factor
  4. Windfall
  5. Fire Storm
  6. Thin Air
  7. Gale Force
  8. Cape Storm
  9. Total Eclipse
tags: 4 stars, book series, mount tbr, paranormal, Rachel Caine, Seriously Series, t4mc, women authors
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 01.12.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 6
 

Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; T4MC -- Cult Classic (20 points); Book Bingo -- 2 from series

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's Locke & Key unwinds into its fourth volume in Keys to the Kingdom! With more keys making themselves known, and the depths of the Locke's family's mystery ever-expanding, Dodge's desperation to end his shadowy quest drives the habitants of Keyhouse evercloser to a revealing conclusion.

I had a few issues with this volume.  Overall, I am still in love with this series.  I love the illustrations.  I love the characters.  I love the general storyline.  My issues came with the pacing of the story and the style.  There are many jump cuts in this volume.  We get snippets of the action as instead of a complete follow through.  The entire first chapter, I was a bit confused by the new style.  And we get a ton of new keys with not much explanation of what they do.  I would have liked a little less stuffed into this one volume.  I like the slower pacing of the first three volumes.  Even with my issues, I still love this story and can't wait to read the conclusion.  But I'll have to until April since I don't have the next volume...  Darn!

Locke and Key:

  1. Welcome to Lovecraft
  2. Head Games
  3. Crown of Shadows
  4. Keys to the Kingdom
  5. Clockworks
  6. Alpha and Omega
tags: 4 stars, book series, Gabriel Rodriguez, graphic novel, horror, Joe Hill, mount tbr, Seriously Series, t4mc
categories: Book Reviews
Sunday 01.06.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; T4MC -- Christmas Present (20 points); Book Bingo -- 2 from series

The dead plot against the living, the darkness closes in on Keyhouse, and a woman is shattered beyond repair, in the third storyline of the Eisner-nominated series. Dodge continues his relentless quest to find the key to the black door, and raises an army of shadows to wipe out anyone who might get in his way. Surrounded and outnumbered, the Locke children find themselves fighting a desperate battle, all alone, in a world where the night itself has become their enemy.

Intrigue, mystery, and suspense.  Oh my!  The storyline just keeps getting darker and darker as this series goes on.  I am in awe of how good this series is.  I imagined a flaky plot with flaky characters.  Thankfully I was mistaken.  I love Hill's penchant for complex, but realistic characters.  Even Dodge is realistic as a malevolent being possibly a puppet for another more malevolent entity.  I loved the introduction of Scott and Jamal in this volume.  They filled out the story even more.  I can't wait to read Volume 4!

Locke and Key:

  1. Welcome to Lovecraft
  2. Head Games
  3. Crown of Shadows
  4. Keys to the Kingdom
  5. Clockworks
  6. Alpha and Omega
tags: 5 stars, Gabriel Rodriguez, graphic novel, horror, Joe Hill, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 01.05.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 2: Head Games

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 162

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Book Bingo -- 3 from TBR; T4MC -- New Author (5 points)

Following a shocking death that dredges up memories of their father's murder, Kinsey and Tyler Locke are thrown into choppy emotional waters, and turn to their new friend, Zack Wells, for support, little suspecting Zack's dark secret. Meanwhile, six-year-old Bode Locke tries to puzzle out the secret of the head key, and Uncle Duncan is jarred into the past by a disturbingly familiar face. Open your mind - the head games are just getting started!

Another stunning volume.  I am really into this series now.  I love the colors, the drawings, the characters, and above all the storyline.  This volume deepened the mystery surround the house and the creature from the well.  Plus we get the appearance of another mysterious key.  At the very end, we get a page from an old journal detailing the known keys.  I can't wait to see the others in action.

Locke and Key:

  1. Welcome to Lovecraft
  2. Head Games
  3. Crown of Shadows
  4. Keys to the Kingdom
  5. Clockworks
  6. Alpha and Omega
tags: 5 stars, Gabriel Rodriguez, graphic novel, horror, Joe Hill, mount tbr, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 01.04.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 1
 

Locke and Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Title: Locke and Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; New Authors; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Book Bingo -- 3 from TBR

Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them, and home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all! Acclaimed suspense novelist and New York Times best-selling author Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) creates an all-new story of dark fantasy and wonder, with astounding artwork from Gabriel Rodriguez.

I grabbed this volume because it has appeared on many other book bloggers' lists.  And I was definitely not disappointed.  This story starts off with a bang and doesn't stop.  We follow a damaged family through their pain and eventual opening of new horrors.  I loved the style of writing.  Hill conveys such emotion through short dialogue bubbles.  The story itself is intense and horrifying.  I sped through the volume on pins and needles.  And was left wanting more... Thank goodness I have Volumes 2-4 just waiting to be read.

Locke and Key:

  1. Welcome to Lovecraft
  2. Head Games
  3. Crown of Shadows
  4. Keys to the Kingdom
  5. Clockworks
  6. Alpha and Omega
tags: 5 stars, Gabriel Rodriguez, graphic novel, horror, Joe Hill, mount tbr, new authors, Seriously Series
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 01.04.13
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
Comments: 2
 
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