We will use this topic to discuss our challenge books. Tells us what was good and what what ones to stay away from. Happy Reading.

Alice

I finished my first book for the challenge!!! It was the Angels and Demons category. 

 It was pretty good, simple story fast read. I generally am not to wild about Demon books but ths one was good. I put the sequal on my WL.

Alice

I was going to ask you what you thought of it when I saw it in your siggy line, Alice.  Great to hear that it's good--I've got it sitting in a box in my bedroom, so I'll plan on getting it read!

Renee, It is a fun fast read. Probably not the best paranormal romance, but very readable. I do have trouble believing 4 sisters could get along that well.

Alice

I remember reading that - it seemed pretty fluffy, and some of the plot points were silly enough that I haven't read the rest of the series (I likewise quit reading her Garnet Lacey series at about #3, although I did like those better). But if I were stuck in an airport and one of her books (in either series) was all I could find to buy, I'd read it.

For my part, I just finished "Paranormalcy," by Kiersten White (which I put in the YA category, although it could go in at least one other) and I really liked it! I'm not automatically a YA fan, although I like a lot of it, and my usual beef is the plots seeming a bit thin and the teen angst parts seeming a bit too much (and/or just hokey), but this had plenty of plot and I really liked the characters and found their teenagedness believable but not annoying. 4+ stars.

I've finished my first book for the challenge--Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones.  They've created an interesting world and some interesting characters. I like idea of conduits.   BUT the constant repetition of information was extremely annoying.  Some scenes could also have used tighter editing.   The ending could also have been handled better.  I realize that this is the first of a series but it felt like the ending of a chapter rather than a conclusion to a book.   I'm hoping for improvement in the second book.

I finished my first 2 books-- I'll Be Slaying You by Cynthia Eden in the Oh So Alluring Vampires category, which I loved--a great vamp book!  and Menage A Magick by Lora Leigh--pretty good if you like Lora Leigh, it's her typical spicy storyline with wizards instead of shifters, so it's in The World of Magic category.

Starting my first book for Witch/wizard category, Waking teh Witch by Kelley Armstrong. I love the OtherWorld Series but some of the laterones have not been that good. I am afraid the series may be getting stale. Lets hope this is a good addition to the series.

Alice

 My first book was witch/demon  hmmm... where to put it

Rachel there is a magic category and  demon category (angles/demon). So just pick one if you have more books that fit or the other category let that guide you.

Not Loving Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong(:

Alice

I finished Waking the Witch while watching football last night. I was trying to think what it is I didn't like about the book. Lets start out positive. I like that Kelley Armstrong is trying to develop some of her minor characters to into major ones, Savannah and Adam. I liked having Jamie appear in this book. Jamie and Jeremy are my two favorites in this series. I liked having Eve make a brief appearance What I didn't like  was not enough supernatural and too much detective work. I love mysteries and I read a lot of them but too much in this one. If I hadn't read all the other books in this series I may be a bit confused about this world and probabaly wouldn't pick up anyore of the books. With that said has anyone else read this book?

Alice

Finished Eternal Flame, 3rd in the Night Watch series after "I'll Be Slaying You" by Cynthia Eden, and I LOVED it.  An awesome vamp book!  Also finished Velvet Haven by Sophie Renwick, which could go in one of several categories because is has shifters, witches, and demons/angels.  Loved it as well and can't wait to buy the 2nd book in the series which happens to be coming out 2/1/11. 

Next up is Black Widow by MacKenzie McKade.

Okay, question:  In the bonus category of finishing 2 series that you've already started that have at least 3 books.  Is that 3 books or more in the series or that you have at least 3 books left to read in the series?

It can be what whatever you want but my intention was at least 3 books left to read in the series.

Alice

Ooh, better change one of my entries then!

I started Feast of Fools last night by Rachel Caine. It is book 4 of the Morganville Vampire series. I think I will use it for the vampire catogory although it could go into YA or series. I am missing book 5,6,7 so I won't use the series. I like this one better than book 3. she brought in some new vamps makes for a good story line.

Alice

For those of you who have read Changeless by Gail Carriger, where would you put it?  I put it in shifters because of her husband, but I'm not quite sure where it fits.  General urban fantasy?  We don't seem to have a steampunk category....

I put it in the "Who Dunits" catagory.

Christine that is  book that can go in several categories, werewolves, vampire characters or mystery. Where ever you need to fill in for categories.

Alice

Yeah, that's what I thought.  I'm going to keep it in shapeshifters/werewolves for now, and I'm sure there will be some reorganization as the year goes on.  I'm six books in to the challenge, but now I'm re-reading Silver Borne in (early) anticipation of River Marked - I can't wait, Mercy for me is one series that is better with every book.

I'm reading Changeless right now, and I'm having a very hard time getting through it.  This is my 3rd day, and I'm only halfway through it (and I usually finish a book in 2 days tops).  Don't know what it is, but it's just not grabbing me--makes me kinda dread reading the next one, which I owe to someone, so I have to read it right away. It seems like everyone has raved about these books so I feel like there's something wrong with me!  I thought Soulless was pretty good, but I don't remember really loving it either.  Maybe steampunk just isn't my thing!

Finished anohter one for the challenge, AFterlight by Elle Jasper. I put it under nice to Meet you. She is a new auhtor. I really enjoyed the book, 2nd half realy picked up. Definately want number two in the series.

Alice

Just finished Atlantis Betrayed and decided to put it in the fae category because a lot of the main characters were fae in this one.  I held off, because although I love the Atlantis series, you have to give yourself a break in between and I had read like four in a row.  This was my fave so far.  I really like it and found myself laughing out loud quite a bit.

I'm looking forward to reading Afterlight, Alice.  Good to hear it's worth it.  I'm still trying the finish Changeless (on my 4th day now)--got about 20 pages left and then I'm going to start Black Wings by Christina Henry tonight.  She's an angel of death, so not sure yet where I'll put it--possibly under new authors. 

I'll also be working on getting the 3rd Parasol Protectorate book, Blameless, read over the weekend.  Hope I enjoy Blameless more than I have enjoyed Changeless, which I'd give about 3 out of 5 stars.  From the description and the reviews, I do think I'll enjoy Blameless more.  And in Changeless's defense, although much of the story seemed to drag on and on for me, the last 50-75 pages really picked up and piqued my interest.

Warriors of Poseidon is another series I want to start this year--don't know if I'll get it finished for this challenge, though.  I have Atlantis Rising, Unmasked and Redeemed and I'm #4 on the FIFO wishlist for Awakening and Unleashed, so as soon as I get both of those, I'll start reading the series and hopefully pick up Betrayed along the way in a swap or virtual box.  I also want to get the 2 anthologies, Wild Thing and Shifter so I don't miss anything.