Melis' 2011 Challenge!

Hello everyone,
I'm new to Librarything, but I was looking around the site and stumbled upon this group. The average number of books I read a year is 100 so meeting this challenge shouldn't be that hard, but I read that the group is more about connecting with fellow readers. I also hope to receive some recommendations based off those books I read in 2011 to add to my growing 'list of books to read'. I read a lot of fantasy, but I have begun to broaden my horizons in the last year, so there will probably be a variety. I can list my favorite authors now so you can decide if following my thread will be interesting or not. :) I enjoying reading George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb, Kate Elliott, , Terry Goodkind, Bart Yates, Elizabeth Chadwick, Melanie Rawn, Elizabeth Haydon and many many more.
Can’t wait till 2011! A new year to start fresh and, of course, to read more books!

I've seen other people condense their list in the first post, and it seems like a good idea so if someone is just passing through you can take a glance to see if they want to scroll down at all. :) So here it is. For the reviews though you'll have to scroll down!

January:
1. The Black Prism - Brent Weeks
2. The Phoenix Unchained - Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
3. Magic's Pawn - Mercedes Lackey
4. Magic's Promise - Mercedes Lackey
5. Magic's Price - Mercedes Lackey
6. Foundation - Mercedes Lackey
7. Shadow Magic - Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett
8. The Red Wolf Conspiracy - Robert V. S. Redick
9. Dark Lover - J. R. Ward
10. Glimpses - Lynn Flewelling
11. Dragon Soul - Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett
12. Charming the Prince - Teresa Medeiros
13. Scarlet and the White Wolf - Kirby Crow
14. A Kiss to Remember - Teresa Medeiros

February:
15: The Way of the Shadows - Brent Weeks
16. A Strong and Sudden Thaw - R. W. Day
17. The God Eaters - Jesse Hajicek
18. Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward
19. Shadow's Edge - Brent Weeks
20. Beyond the Shadows - Brent Weeks
21. The Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling
22. Hidden Warrior - Lynn Flewelling
23. Joust - Mercedes Lackey
24. Promises - Marie Sexton
25. Lover Awakened - J. R. Ward
26. Lover Revealed - J. R. Ward
27. Lover Unbound - J. R. Ward

March:
28. The Queen's Oracle - Lynn Flewelling
29. Lover Enshrined - J. R. Ward
30. Lover Avenged - J. R. Ward
31. Lover Mine - J. R. Ward
32. Storm Front - Jim Butcher
33. The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
34. Fool Moon - Jim Butcher
35. The Ruling Sea - Robert V. S. Redick
36. The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide - J. R. Ward
37. The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss
38. River Marked - Patricia Briggs
39. Kushiel's Dart - Jacqueline Carey

April:
40. Grave Peril - Jim Butcher
41. Summer Knight - Jim Butcher
42. Death Masks - Jim Butcher
43. Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward
44. The Desert Spear - Peter V. Brett
45. Heartsick - Chelsea Cain
46. Sweetheart - Chelsea Cain
47. Evil at Heart- Chelsea Cain
48. Blood Rites - Jim Butcher

May:
49. Through Wolf's Eyes - Jane Lindskold
50. The Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean M. Auel
51. Out of the Ashes - R. W. Day

June:
52. Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
53. Comfort and Joy - Jim Grimsley
54. Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain - Portia De Rossi

July:
55. Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind

August:
56. Room - Emma Donoghue

Welcome to LT and to the group, Melissa! If you have any questions, just ask. We are a pretty friendly bunch!

There is an introductions thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/104688
if you want to come over and meet your fellow group members!

Hi there! I look forward to sharing thoughts on some great books!

My list of favorite authors almost mimics yours! I have starred your thread to see what you have to say about your fantasy reads for 2011.

Oooh, a George R. R. Martin fan! I'm just about to finish up A Game of Thrones and I can't believe how good it is. So looking forward to reading more of him - and looking forward to finding out what *you* read this coming year!

Thanks for all the friendly welcomes! I can tell I'm going to like it here

Welcome! We've made a wiki to help keep track of useful group threads - take a look!

http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/Groups:75booksin2011

Hello! You're screen name is so similar to mine I just had to stop by :)
I see you're currently reading The Black Prism and I'm very curious about it. I loved his Night Angel trilogy and want to read this one too. But I'm waiting for a price drop, vicariously living through others' opinions makes this bearable ;P

Welcome! I like to read fantasy as well, so I'll keep an eye out here. *starred*!

>>8 katelisim:
I haven't read the Angel's trilogy yet. I checked The Black Prism in for a patron at the library I work at, read the inside flap and decided to try it. I was really confused for the first 25 pages because nothing was really explained but I'm 100 pages in now and Weeks has spent some time explaining. He's unraveling it along with the story, not just giving you a huge history lesson in the first chapter. Still I wished he'd made it just a little less confusing. Anyhow, it's starting to get pretty good. It's not the can't-put-the-book-down page-turner, although I believe it may get to that point soon. That's not to say the book starts out slow or anything, it's just that there's a lot of terms that don't get explained right away.
:) I'm glad I kept reading through those first 25 pages. It was worth it

1. The Black Prism - Brent Weeks
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 640
Rating: 5 Stars

First book completed in 2011! Wow that feels great to say. And what a book to start the year off. I mentioned earlier that the first few chapters were a bit difficult to get through because the world and it's terms weren't explained, but once I understood what this and that meant I was able to sit back and enjoy the story.
If you like fantasy, are looking for something uniquely different than other fantasy stories, and aren't daunted by 600-some pages, I'd highly recommend the book.

That is so good to hear! He does that unraveling bit with the Night Angel Trilogy too, though from what heard a bit more in Black Prism. Glad you liked it :)

Congratulations on getting your reading year off to such a good start, Melissa!

2. The Phoenix Unchained - Mercedes Lackey & James Mallory
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 400
Rating: 3 Stars

I've finished my second book this year, and where the first was exceptionally good, this one fell short of my expectations. I read its prequel trilogy, The Obsidian Trilogy, a few years ago, loved it and bought the books. So I've been meaning to read this squeal trilogy ever since it came out. I'm not sure if my reading expectations have exceeded this writing style now, years after I read the first trilogy, or if this second trilogy just isn't as good. Either way, I had to force myself to finish it and not just set it aside for something else. Luckily, it was easy to read and not very long. Maybe sometime this year I'll go back and reread The Obsidian Trilogy to see if it's me or the writer that changed.
The story itself is interesting, but I think if it had been written a bit differently, I would have liked it more. I try not to say things like "I could write that better" because I know I wouldn't want readers to say that about my book, but...alas. I think I could write this book better.
Not a total waste of time, but unless you're a big Mercedes Lackey fan I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

The Phoenix trilogy ends with the worst Lackey ever, The Phoenix Transformed. It was pure punishment to read and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. This is coming from someone who is normally a Lackey fan and has read near everything she has written.

My husband just finished the Night Angel Trilogy and liked it, but I didn't know there was another series. Is it available in paperback yet? I hope to read some of his work this year.

>>15 Morphidae:
I believe then that I won't read the second or third, if it's a dissapointment in the end.

>>16 dk_phoenix:
I've only seen Brent Week's new book as a hardcopy, but I haven't checked any bookstores, just libraries.

I honestly don't understand the unevenness of Lackey's work. She's written some of my favorite books of all time, The Fire Rose for one, and some of the worst dreck I've ever had the displeasure to read.

3. Magic's Pawn - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Gay Fantasy
Pages: 352
Rating: 5 Stars

I wasn't originally reading this book, but another of Lackey's books, when I had the strongest urge to read a few scenes from this book, and that turned into an almost all-nighter while I read the entire book instead. I remember reading it years ago and loving it to death. The wow-ness has faded , but i still enjoyed reading it this time around. It seems more of a young adult book than an adult book due to the writing style, but the story is entertaining. I'm reading the second book now and am sure I'll finish it by tomorrow and the third the day after, and then finally, once I've got my fill of this random craving, I'll go back to book I was originally reading before this started. :)

The urge probably came to get the bad taste of the Phoenix book out of your mouth! LOL.

4. Magic's Promise - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Gay Fantasy
Pages: 320
Rating: 5 Stars

On to the final book!

Such a great series!

5. Magic's Price - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Gay Fantasy
Pages: 352
Rating: 5 Stars



6. Foundation - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 432
Rating: 4 Stars

Well, I finished Magic's Price last night and moved on to finish Foundation which I had set aside when a mention of Vanyel showed up in favor of Vanyel's stories. I wasn't enthused about finishing Mag's story after reading about Vanyel but I was practically done anyways so it didn't take long to read. I'd re-read it in order to read the second book in the Collegium Chronicles, Intrigues, but it doesn't sound nearly as appealing as it did before. I think perhaps I'll take a break from Lackey before coming back. That will give time for Vanyel to fade a little.

#15: This is not good news for me. I have only read the first book in the trilogy. I guess I should give it up now rather than plunging through to a disappointing end.

7. Shadow Magic - Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 464
Rating: 5 Stars

Well, I didn't think I'd read it that fast... suffice to say it was a page turner. (It helped that I didn't work this weekend.) I was a little put off at first that the second book in the trilogy wasn't going to include Thom and Rook but once I'd pushed myself to get through the first twenty or so pages I found I enjoyed Caius, Alcibiades, Mamoru and Kouje just as much. I'm definitely interested in what Jones and Bennett have for me in the third book. Highly Recommended.

8. The Red Wolf Conspiracy - Robert V. S. Redick
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 544
Rating: 5 Stars

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I almost put it down when I found out there were animals that could talk and battle-hardened borrower-like-people, but I'm glad I stuck with it in the end. Five chapters in I was no longer just reader it for the main character, Pazal, but most of the characters as well, although Pazel is still my favorite. There's enough twists and turns in the story to keep you well occupied with your head swiveling back and forth. It's a little depressing with the unfairness of some things, but some of the more powerful books do seem to be that way. Regardless, I thought the end was done very well; the characters are far from being out of the mess they’re in, but somehow everything seems to be okay.
Looking forward to the second book.

9. Dark Lover - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 416
Rating: 4 Stars

I didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did. It was enjoyable and quite a page-turner. (Although, don't I always say that?) I've been meaning to read it for some time. I'm a sucker for vampires, and the romance is a nice shift in between all the fantasy I read. The romance got a little too mushy for my taste towards the second half of the book but regardless I've requested the second book already. I've heard it's a long series, but the books aren't that long, and if my schedule keeps like it is, I'm sure I'll demolish them in no time. :)

I love the Ward Brotherhood series. They are romance heavy, but I also like the interaction in-between the guys. There has only been one that I was disappointed in. I'm not finished with the series yet though.

#26: The Redick book looks like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the recommendation, Melis!

10. Glimpses - Lynn Flewelling
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 128
Rating: 3 Stars

Not quite what I was expecting. There were a ton of grammatical errors and the writing was nothing to what Flewelling usually writes. However, I appreciated the glimpses of Alec and Seregil nonetheless. Some of the artwork was great too, although my favorite was by far the cover art. Not something I would ever buy, but perhaps not a waste of time either.

I hope you enjoy your next read more!

11. Dragon Soul - Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 416
Rating: 4 Stars

I think I may have just been in a 'mood', but I had to push myself to get through the first hundred pages of this book. I say a 'mood' because once I actually got into the book I enjoyed it... well the Rook and Thom parts. I have to be a little truthful and confess that I skipped some of the parts that weren't the two men's narratives. I don't think I would have finished it if I'd had to wade through all the other stuff. Selfish of me? Perhaps if I'd read the book at some other time, I could have enjoyed the women's naratives as much. Either way, I'm glad I stuck to it. I'm even more in love with Rook and Thom than before.

12. Charming the Prince - Teresa Medeiros
Genre: Romance
Pages: 352
Rating: 4 Stars

Loved it! It's a simple read but very enjoyable. The romance wasn't too raunchy and the plot was fast paced. This is only the second book of Medeiros's that I've read but if they're all as good as this one, then I'll be making my way through all of them in the near future. :)

13. Scarlet and the White Wolf - Kirby Crow
Genre: Gay Fantasy
Pages: 244
Rating: 4 Stars

I bought this book about half a year ago and only found it again as I was going through all my books. I couldn't find it in any library so I took the chance and bought it. I'm glad I did. I'm not wowed out of my chair or anything - not original enough perhaps - but I did like it.

#34: That looks like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the mention!

I don't think I have read any of your 2011 reads so far but I have some authors to look out for now, thanks!

14. A Kiss to Remember - Teresa Medeiros
Genre: Romance
Pages: 368
Rating: 4 Stars

I went through the rest of Medeiros' books and decided this would be the only other one of hers that I'd like to read. So I did, and liked the first half of the book. Nothing phenomenal, but entertaining. However the whole time I was reading, I was cringing in anticipation for when Sterling recovers his memory, because I knew there was going to be hell to pay when he found out Laura had been lying to him about everything. That part wasn't as bad as I thought, but it seemed the book went downhill from there. And the ending... I didn't like the ending at all. Sterling seemed to be two different people throughout the book and anytime the two personalities tried to merge, it came off all wrong. Oh well. Recommended if you really like Teresa Medeiros, but otherwise you’re better off reading The Bride and the Beast or Charming the Prince and then moving on to a different author.

I think I'm gonna slide back over to fantasy again. :)

#37: I hope you enjoy your next read more!

Hi There

I'm compiling a list of birthdays of our group members. If you haven't done so already, would you mind stopping by this thread and posting yours.

Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

-------------------
congratulations on reading 14 books thus far this year.

15. The Way of the Shadows - Brent Weeks
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 650
Rating: 5 Stars

Wow. I think I like this book even more than The Black Prism And I wasn't as lost in the beginning as I was in Week's later book. He does have a flair for pulling you into the book quickly. You're not dropped right into an action scene and thus overwhelmed, but brought right to the catalyst. I also liked that I could watch Azoth the eleven year old turn into the twenty year old Kylar. (God, I'm in love with that name! And I'm not even sure why!) It adds a hundred pages to the book but it's worth it. I didn't just read a story about Kylar, I grew up with him. Granted the scenes were few before the book really got underway, but they were there, and the lack of the more 'peace of growing up and training' scenes kept the suspense level at a constant high. I've already gone and bought the box trilogy from Amazon.com so the second book should be my hands soon enough. I'm curious about what comes next. There's a chance Week's will ruin it all if some of my fears about the forewarned romance between Kylar and Elene come true, but I have faith that it will be just as good.

Favorite Line:
'The delusion is meaning, Kylar. There is no higher purpose. There are no gods. No arbiters of right and wrong. I don't ask that you like reality. I only ask you to be strong enough to face it. There is nothing beyond this. There is only the perfection we attain by becoming weapons, as strong and merciless as a sword. There is no essential good in living. Life is nothing in itself. It's a place marker that proves who's winning, and we are the winners. We are always the winners. There is nothing but winning. Even winning means nothing. We win because it’s an insult to lose. The ends don't justify he means. The means don't justify the ends. There is no one to justify to. There is no justification. There is no justice.'
-- (Pg 201)

Congrats on the 5 star read, Melis!

This series has been on my list to start once I finish catching up on the Jack Reacher books. I'm glad you liked them - just makes me want to get to 'em that much sooner!

Great to hear you liked it! We have the trilogy and my husband read them last month. I hope to get to them sometime in the near future.

I've read a couple of the Jack Reacher books and have enjoyed them.

16. A Strong and Sudden Thaw - R. W. Day
Genre: Gay Science Fiction
Pages: 331
Rating: 5 Stars

Dragons! That's got to be fantasy right? But no, the story was science fiction, just set in the future. That said this is the first science fiction story I've read that had some boys' love. I liked the combination. The story outside of the heart-warming romance flowed fast enough that I flew through the book but not so fast that I felt parts of the story were missing. There was even some mystery. I'm not partial to mystery myself but it didn't dominate the book like I feared; it pushed the story along into the action scenes nicely. And the romance was the kind I like to read about: focusing on the relationship and not just on physical pleasures. Definitely worth reading if you don't have a problem with male on male romance.

Favorite Line:
'Those old heroes were forever trying to avoid their fates, but they always seemed to get tripped up and end up bringing on the very thing they was running from.'
-- (Pg 259)

I loved the Night Angel Trilogy! They stay good the entire time, in fact I rated them all 5 stars :)

I've been looking at Brent Weeks' series for sometime. Thanks for the great review!

17. The God Eaters - Jesse Hajicek
Genre: Gay Fantasy
Pages: 442
Rating: 4 Stars

I can't decide if this is just a weird book or brilliantly unique. I think I'll go with the latter. Holy wow, but this story will stay with me for years to come. This is magic in a totally different light and the gods and goddesses were more human than most other gods/goddesses I've read about. Another plus for the book was its unpredictability; full of gasps and laughs and urges to throttle the characters. The romance between Ash and Kieran was good but it sort of popped up all sudden like. A little slower in development and it would have been just right. Lastly, towards the middle, the speed slowed down and I put it down in disinterest, but when I picked it back up it only took a few pages for me to be pulled back in. Overall, a great read, but probably not something I would read again. Not epic enough, maybe? I'm not sure. Something about it sort of puts me off. Maybe it's 'too' unique, ‘too’ weird. Again I'm not sure. Glad I read it, nonetheless.

Favorite Line:
'"I know. It's covered. Trust me. You trust me?"
"Yes."
"Shit, I was afraid you'd say that."'

18. Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 449
Rating: 4 Stars

I believe I like this second installment to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series more than I liked the first. The romance was much better in this book; not as mushy and Mary didn't totally lose all inhibitions and functions when Rhage came at her intent on sex like Bella did with Wraith. Some of the dialogue came off wrong to me, mostly when the warriors said things like "my brother" or "my Mary" but that's just me, and it was a small dislike. I kept waiting for the huge climatic fight/capture/something to happen, but it never did, which was a little disappointing, but hey there are more books, right? Can't wait to get my hands on the next book and get into Zsadist's story, which was started in this book. Very enjoyable.

Favorite Line:
'"Let's have the Chicken Alfredo. The NY strip, rare. And a cheeseburger, also rare. Double on the fries. And some nachos. Yeah, I want nachos with everything on them. Double that, too, will you?"
"I... ah, I'll just have a Caesar salad, whenever his" -- feeding trough? -- "dinner comes."'
-- (Pg 87)

19. Shadow's Edge - Brent Weeks
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 636
Rating: 4 Stars

I’m going to try and give a review that’s more than ‘I liked it but something about it…’ I don’t like to critic too much, but this book has my emotions all over the place. So here goes.

I was really hoping for Shadow's Edge to be a 5 star, but I just can't make myself give it that extra point. I liked the book, I did, but it was nowhere near as good as the first book. Kylar is like a different man in this second book. He doesn't have to same edge he did. He doesn't even kill like he use to. He gets killed for stupid mistakes he would never have made in the first book. I'd like to be nice and say Kylar just got lax because he had the ka'kari, but it just feels like Weeks ignored the fact that Kylar would never have been shot by an arrow because he wasn't paying attention, because it would make it possible for what he wanted to happen. And Kylar sold Durzo's sword! After he explained to Elene why he wouldn't, he went and did it anyways so that he could by some marriage earrings that cost the exact (EXACT) amount he'd gotten by pawning the sword. That was the worst part of the book, right there. Maybe the second worse was Kylar bemoaning the fact that Elene wouldn't have sex with him for the first hundred pages. Come on already; you don’t have to throw a tantrum about it. Characters disappear without mention, characters that were dead aren’t dead but are not shown, the climactic death of the antagonist wasn’t even that climactic. I’m hoping that the third book is better. I’m hoping Kylar will go back to being more of a wetboy than a supernatural hero who gets himself killed ever week. So why not three stars? I gave the book four stars because I still want to follow the story and because it’s still a good story. It’s just too dissimilar from the first book. If this had been the first book of another trilogy I would have read the following book and maybe the one after that, but I wouldn’t have liked it a fifth of how much I liked the first book. Lots of trilogies have weak spots. I’ve found that usually that weak spot is the second book in three. I’m hoping that’s the case here. It’s just a weak link and it will get better. Crossing my fingers as I pick up the next book.

I hope I haven’t offended anyone. :)

Favorite Line:
'"It doesn't matter whether you're sure everything you say is true. it matters that you passionately want to believe they're true -- because then you'll be compelling. And in the end, what matters is not whether the girls believe your arguments. What matters is that they believe in you."'
-- (Pg 129)

Nice, I actually remember that passage from The way of shadow's and loved it as well. I found myself getting pulled more and more into the story as the books progressed. So yeah enjoy. :)
I'll have to check out black prism sometime in the future. Added it to my wishlist so I don't forget. :D

Edit: hmmm perhaps my reading of the third book overshadowed the second one...It helps I ran through the entire series in pretty much one sitting...o_0

>>51 RemcoH:. haha. No matter, it gives me hope that the third is better.

20. Beyond the Shadows - Brent Weeks
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 689
Rating: 5 Stars

Well now I feel bad about my review for the second book. It makes more sense after reading the third. There's still some flaws I can see, but I can overlook them if I so choose. Kylar never totally went back to the tricks he was capable of before he became supernatural, but oh well. The ending itself felt rushed and I could wish for a fourth book to clear up some things and fully develop those characters that didn't quite make it, and hell, also so I could read more about Kylar. But then I'd want a fifth book, and then a sixth. Probably good Week's stuck with three books. And he is in the middle of another series. After reading this series I can't wait for that second book. This series was epically great but I think this next one The Lightbringer series will be just as good if not better. Even so I'll miss Kylar.

It's not as epic as the first book painted it out to be, but it's still a series I would recommend to any fantasy fans.

Favorite Line:
'"Wait, you're telling me you could have chosen any face? And you chose the nasty ugly Durzo Blint face?"
"That's my real face," Durzo said, offended.
Blood rushed to Kylar's cheek. "Oh, by the God, I'm so sorry. I mean, I'm sorry I said that, not that your face is..."
"Gotcha," Durzo said.
Kylar pursed his lips. "Bastard."'
--(Pg 423)

I am glad to see that you ended up enjoying the entire trilogy, Melis!

Pfew well this does remind me that my ability to be critical of books is absent.

Great quotes, I'm really looking forward to getting to this series!

21. The Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 524
Rating: 5 Stars

Beware, this is some dark fantasy. This is also great fantasy! I've been meaning to read this book for ages, ever since I finished Flewelling's Nightrunner series, but never got to it. I saw it in my library the other day and grabbed it. A girl who grows up in a boy's body, thinking she's a boy. There's got to be a great story behind that, right? And I love Lynn Flewelling's writing. I'm happy to say I was not disappointed in the least. There were a few characters in the beginning of the book that I didn't particularly like but most grew on me as I read on. There's still one character I don't care for, but it's only because she has to make the hard decisions that seem so unfair to the other characters; the kind of person who doesn't really care how unhappy you are as long as her actions and yours are for the good of the world. Maybe that’s unfair of me, but oh well. She's not a prominent character so I didn't have to dwell on her long. Mostly I grew up with Tobin. It makes for a long book but I am totally invested in him now. Definitely worth the time to read for a fantasy reader. Even George R. R. Martin commented on it, saying it was "thoroughly engrossing". I already have the second book and am dying to get into it, but alas I have a few other library books that are due soon and need to be read. So instead I read the first chapter to help me get over the 'omigod what's going to happen' spell - you'll get it after reading the end of the first book too - and set it aside (although closely) to read in a week or two. Great book.

Favorite Line:
"Evil come from heart, not blood."
-- (Pg 323)

I have several of Flewelling's books here to read. I just need to find them!

Humm. The Bone Doll's Twin sound very interesting, but I have a slight suspicion that I've already read it. I'll have to find it in a bookstore or library and double check.

I think I've managed to add every book on your thread to my wish list so far. You are very dangerous to my book budget.

>>58 alcottacre:. They're great! Read them soon after you find them :)

>>59 Tanglewood:. Sometimes you can read the first page or two on Amazon. Maybe that will be enough to see if you've read the book or not.

>>60 jasmyn9:. Haha. My sincere apologies.

22. Hidden Warrior - Lynn Flewelling
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 551
Rating: 5 Stars

I really did set this aside and tried to read something else, but you know how it goes. I'm having a really hard time getting through this other book I'm currently reading; The Ruling Sea by Robert V. S. Redick, and it just wasn’t working so I pushed it away again and decided I was going to read this book now instead of trying to wait. Glad I did. Now I really need the third book. Which may take a few weeks. Ugh, that's going to be a long wait. This second installment was just as good as the first book in the Tamir trilogy. Lynn's writing has definitely developed for the better. I loved the characters in her Nightrunner series but I think I like the story in this series more. He does finally embrace his true form as a woman at the end of this book, but it's still the same Tobin really, just in a different body. Still there wasn't much time for Tobin to really take it all in, being a woman now, as he/she was fighting a war at the time. I'm confident though that I'll find many laughs in the next and last book. Hope it comes soon. This series is highly recommended.

Favorite Line:
'"A man can't choose his father, Ki, but he chooses his path."'
--(Pg 471)

Sorry to hear you are going to have to wait so long for the third book! I hope you find another book to occupy yourself with in the meantime :)

23. Joust - Mercedes Lackey
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 373
Rating: 4 Stars

This was one of those books I happened on while working and glanced through the summary on the front flap. I decided pretty quickly that it sounded like something I would enjoy and took it home with me. That was a few days ago. I knew it would be an easy read and entertaining which is just what I needed right now, so I started reading it sooner than expected. Lackey's writing has never been phenomenal but it's well enough that I'm not too distracted from the story. And nothing overly terrible ever happens to the main character. Quite the opposite, the character is usually going from bad to better conditions. I kept expecting something horrible to happen. Vetch was going to be caught sooner or later and then Avatre would be taken away, or when he finally escaped he'd be caught. Something was going to happen, I was sure of it. I had to keep reminding myself that 'no, this is Lackey.' It showed me that this was the perfect time to read this book. I needed something that was semi-predictable and entertaining. Joust is that. It's easy to get through and fast-paced. I started it this morning and finished it just now with a day of work somewhere in there. It doesn't necessarily suck you in but I was very curious as to the interaction between Vetch and baby Avatre when she hatched and that kept me going through the last few hours all the way through the end of the book. And I know enough of Egyptian history to see the blatant parallels; it gave the story further color and gave me some mind exercise trying to remember what I saw and felt when I was there in Egypt’s burning sun. It made the story more relatable, at least for me. Overall this is one of Lackey's better books, although Vanyel still beats Vetch any day. :) I am eagerly looking for the next book in this series.

Favorite Line:
'Then it was the same routine again, except that already she was getting the idea that biting down on the hand that was feeding her was not going to get the meat pieces to arrive any sooner, and in fact caused a delay in delivery as the owner of the hand made funny sounds and waggled the hand in the air. This was entertaining perhaps, but did nothing for a hungry belly.'
-- (Pg 258)

#64: I will have to give that one a try some time. Thanks for the recommendation, Melis!

I just did a re-read of the Joust series. I agree with you on Lackey - "no, this is Lackey." Alta is also good but Sanctuary and Aerie are less so.

24. Promises - Marie Sexton
Genre: Gay Fiction
Pages: 216
Rating: 4 Stars

This is an easy going story, with good dialogue and a engaging plot. It's short but nothing seems missing from the story and the romance is sweet and takes it's time to development. Nothing seems rushed. It's simple but it's entertaining. If you're a fan of GLBT I'd recommend it.

Favorite Line:
'"I'm just saying, just because I'm gay doesn't mean that I can't control myself. Or that I don't have standards. Do you hit on every single girl you see? Even the ones that are only fourteen? Or the ones that are dating other people?... What about Lizzy? She likes men, too, but you don't worry about her making a move on you."'
-- (Pg 20)

I've seen The Bone Doll's Twin on bookshelves before and wondered whether it was decent... you've made it sound very interesting, so I'll pick it up next time I see it! I've not read anything by that author before.

25. Lover Awakened - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 434
Rating: 4 Stars

Wow. That was an intense book. And the series just keeps getting better. I read one, and fall in love with the brother that book focuses on, only to read the next and decide I love "this" brother more. Argh. I guess that means Ward is doing something right. Still lots of hot sex - it still is Ward - but I felt like there was a much bigger plot in this novel. It could just be the fact that some of the events or ideas hinted at in the first two books are starting to come to a head. I liked how Zsadist got his life together in the end of the book but it did seem a little fake. Someone of his background can't just do a 180 that fast. But that part was only covered in the last thirty or so pages, and time was skipped, a few months skipped so the heart melting last scene could pan out, so I can pretend to myself that it wasn't all easy but that it still worked out. There were a lot of things left hanging, but it just makes me want to snatch up the next book that much more. And if I'm correct, Ward is only halfway through the series at this point so I'm in luck. Keep them coming.

Favorite Line:
'"Health should never be taken for granted."'
--(Pg 332)

Just skimming through all of your posts. You've read a lot so far, and most if not all of them are fantasy, which I like. Keep reading!!!!!!

Interesting thread! Starred.
I keep wondering if I'm going to pick up Ward's series; I've read some things that suggest it's both addictive and a bit ovhehr theh thop.

>>70 DragonFreak:. Welcome and thanks you! :)

>>71 Cynara:. Haha, yes, a little of both. I have my pet peeves about some of Ward's phrases and mushy scenes out of nowhere but they are addictive enough that I can get past those peeves without getting discouraged. But then I'm a sucker for vampires. If these were normal human romance novels I don't think I would have kept with them.

A problem for me with vampire books, is that a lot of them are romances. I mean, I used to like the Twilight series before I realized the were romance books and they became too popular. I mean, I haven't read pretty much any vampire books, but I hear about them, and then there's vampire movies and shows, and most of those are romances. But I have read one other vampire series that has minimal romance and very gothic, which is quite obvious looking at the cover art.

I didn't like Twilight for the same reason. I don't read that much romance, although that's not as evident this year :) but there's something are Ward's series. Maybe I'm just in the mood for it, I'm not sure. Either way, the romance is way heavy in these books, and explict, so if you're not big on romance, you'd probably want to stay away. Have you read any of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles? Those don't have much if any romance. And they are great, although the first three or four are the best.

No, i really haven't read or even heard of those books. Like I said, I've only read two series of vampire books. Maybe I might read the Vampie Chronicles, but not right now, not in the mood.

Oh yeah, what is exactly urban fantasy? I think I may know, but not that sure. I just call all fantasy a collective Fantasy in my tags.

Well, for me, urban fantasy is fantasy set in the modern world. Like vampires who go to clubs and drink scotch and smile at the humans, or a normal girl who finds out she's a spirit walker. Anything really that's set in today's world and technology but has a supernatural element to it. I'm not sure if that's the exact definition for it or not, but it works wonderfully for me.
And yea, you have to be in the mood to read about vampires. :)

I think it was Lackey who said something like, "Regular fantasy is elves in the woods. Urban fantasy is elves in the mall."

Lackey's right! Technically speaking, 'urban fantasy' is supposed to mean that the fantasy is placed in an urban setting, where the city features prominently. Otherwise, you might as well place it somewhere else. There should be a reason why the fantasy element is occurring in that place at that time, making the city feature prominently, almost as a character itself (albeit a background character, but still there for a reason). I think the definition has expanded somewhat, but all things considered, if you set a fantasy novel on a different planet but had everything happen in one particular city, by literary definitions it would be an 'urban fantasy'.

But, for ease of identification, if it looks modern I tend to figure it's urban. Hah!

Yeah, I don't agree with the "technical" description. To me, if it is in "our" world with fantastic elements, then it's urban fantasy. It could be set in the country or in a city. For instance, I read a book that was set in a small town but it had elves and werewolves and witches, oh my. Therefore, I considered it urban fantasy.

Well both of those definitions is the possiblility is what I thought urban fantasy was. Thanks!!!

26. Lover Revealed - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 455
Ratings: 4 Stars

I was worried about this one, because it was about Butch and Butch is... yea, human. How wrong of me huh? But a few pages in I was lost again, even in Marissa's scenes, who I hadn't liked before. She gets some serious back bone, which worked great for me. And Butch is great in his own way. Romance wise, I liked it a little less than in the past three books, but that's just my preference, and I'm not really reading these for the romance anyways so I'm no really the person to go for that side of things. The story itself is moving right along at a fast pace. Lose threads are wrapped up only for others to pop up, but that's fine too; just keeps me reading. There's some nice foreshadowing in this book too, I might add. Anyways, I'm already reading the next book. I was in a car for the most of the day and reading is about all I did. At this point the books are just merging together into one big story. Addictive. Back to Vishous than :)

Favorite Line:
'As he stepped forward, it dawned on her that this was a bad idea. If he wanted to talk, she should meet him downstairs. After all, he was very male. And she was very naked. And they were now... yup, shut in a bedroom together.
Good planning. Excellent work. Maybe she should jump out of the window next.'
-- (Pg 171)

I think you want to change that to "shut in a bedroom."

LOL.

*snerk*

haha, whoops! It's changed now.

27. Lover Unbound - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 502
Rating: 4 Stars

This book was darker than the past four, with less predictability. I think Ward's writing is getting progressively better through each book. Like always there were parts I didn't like about the book. In the last book, Lover Revealed, Vishous was acting like he was in love with Butch, but as soon as Mary comes along, his feelings for the man simply disappear. Granted, later on in the story, Ward explains it away as him misinterpreting the feelings because Butch was the first person he had really ever cared about. Sweet, but it sits wrong with me. Maybe because so much time was spent on V's feelings for Butch that to have them just disappear like that was enough to give me whiplash. But the rest of the book was great; very suspenseful between V and Jane's chaotic relationship, John waiting to transition from pretrans to full vampire and Phury's slide towards self-destruction. I believe the next book is going to focus on Phury and Cormia. I don't like Cormia right now, but I'm hoping that like with Marissa, she'll grow on me quickly. And that John finally figures out who he really is. I'm positive I know who, and I can't wait till he and the boys figure it out. It's slowly coming together.

Favorite Line:
'As V lit up and inhaled, he tried not to look at the cop and failed. Fucking peripheral vision. Always did him in.'
--(Pg 10)

Hi There and Happy Birthday. I hope today is a special day for you.

Happy Birthday - and many more!

Happy Birthday!!

Thank you everyone! :)

28. The Oracle's Queen - Lynn Flewelling
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 557
Rating: 5 Stars

First book of March! Now I'm sad, because this was the end of the trilogy. I liked it just as much as I liked the first two, but it did have a different air to it. Most of that is probably because Tobin the boy is now fully Tamir the woman, but also the fact that the book focused more on relationships than identity. Ki and Tamir's conversations were great to follow, since Ki knows more about females than Tamir does. Flewelling has a certain predictability if you've read her Nightrunner series, but there was still some tension laced through the story that made it hard to put the book down. Can't wait to read more from Flewelling. I'm waiting for her Casket of Souls book in 2012 to finish the second trilogy of Sergil and Alec, and then maybe she'll write more about Tamir and Ki? I hope. They're only sixteen in this trilogy and I feel like there’s so much more that could happen. I'm crossing my fingers. Even if that's not the case you can bet I'll be reading whatever else she writes.

Favorite Line:
'"Now tell me honestly, do you think I look much like a girl?"
"Well -- perhaps if you combed your hair? And didn't scowl so much?"'
--(Pg 47)

29. Lover Enshrined - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 542
Rating: 4 Stars

Another one down! This one focused on Phury but there was a lot of John too. When I first started reading I was a little worried that it wouldn't be as good as the past stories because I was introduced to the voice in Phury's head, whom he called the 'wizard'. It came out of nowhere; no mention at all in Phury's narratives in the past books, and I didn't think the 'wizard' was ever really explained in this book either. But regardless the book was good. Like some of the past females, I didn't like Cormia that much to begin with, but she grew on me. And Phury's addiction made for some suspenseful moments as well as some heated interaction between him and his twin Zsadist. I am starting to see some predictability in Ward. Their's always a happy ending. The guy always gets the girl in the end. But their getting progressively more complex to where I begin to wonder if it's still going to end happy. Makes for lots of lip biting and frantic turning of pages. I think I read this through in a five hour period. Now I'm off to read about Rehvenge.

Favorite Line:
'Standing in the alley with his nine pressed into the liver of a Brother, Mr. D was barn-cat alert. He would have much rather put the business end of his weapon to the vampire's temple, but that would have required a stepladder. Honest to heaven, the bastards were huge.'
--(Pg 60)

30. Lover Avenged - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 527
Rating: 4 Stars

You'd think that after seven books, these would be getting old, but they’re not. I'm always excited to read them, knowing I won't be disappointed. There's always that little worry during the first chapter or two but then the story picks up. Rehvenge isn't part of the Brotherhood, but I still enjoyed reading about him. And John and Xhex had a lot of page time too, setting up their plot in the next book no doubt. Wrath also had some time, and I haven't really had any of his narratives since book one, so that was a nice flip. There's humor in these books too that always has me chuckling. It's not blatant humor, just the interactions of the brothers. It's very realistic. One thing I noticed in this book was that there were a lot of references to other books. A few I've read, and the ones I haven't I now want to in the interest of getting the references. Which was maybe Ward's intention? I'm not sure but if the vibe was to make me read more, it worked. :) Anyways, I'm clearly addicted. I'm sure you can guess what I'll read next... Yup, the eighth Black Dagger Brotherhood book.

Favorite Line:
'The outcome was moral even if the method was not. And sometimes that was the best you could do.'
-- (Pg 176)

31. Lover Mine - J. R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 512
Rating: 4 Stars

What the heck! The scene that was supposed to happen towards the end of the book where John finds out he's Darrius never happened! Such a disappointment, since it's obvious at this point. Total buzz kill. But aside from that?... yea like always the books are great. Not epic, which is why I give them 4 Stars, but great entertainment. And addictive. Have I mentioned that before? Very addictive. But alas, I'm still waiting for the next book from my library. Last one Ward has written for the series at this point; about Payne, Vishous's twin, and probably the human Manny. I wouldn't mind another one after that about Quinn and Blay. But then I'd be content. After all, all the Brothers have been written about. She's got to end it somewhere. But there's still holes and loops for Quinn and Blay, enough to write a book about. I'm crossing my fingers. In the meantime, I think I'm going to take a break before I get into Payne's story. She's a bit of a mystery, and this would be a good spot to branch into something else for a little bit.

Favorite Line:
'Or, God, maybe this was just life. For everyone on the planet. Maybe the Survivors' Club wasn't something you "earned," but simply what you were born into when you came out of your mother's womb. Your heartbeat put you on the roster and hen the rest of it was just a question of vocabulary: the nouns and verbs used to describe the events that rocked your foundation and sent you flailing were not always the same as other people's, but the random cruelties of disease and accident, and the malicious focus of evil men and nasty deeds, and the heartbreak of loss with al it's stinging whips and rattling chains... at the core, it was al the same.
And there was no opt-out clause in the club's bylaws -- unless you offed yourself.
The essential truth of life, he was coming to realize, wasn't romantic and took only two words to label: Shit. Happens.'
-- (Pg 442)

32. Storm Front - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 308
Rating: 4 Stars

Thought I would give this series a try. It wasn't a bad start. The man on the cover looked a little bit intimidating, which was good news so I was a little flustered that Dresden turned out to be no more different than any normal man, who just does the best he can. But I soon realized that's what the story was about. It's not about a hard-ass with tons of power at his fingertips but a guy like you or me, who happens to know some magic, and is just trying to live to the next day. Not quite what I had pictured but then I've probably read too much High Fantasy. This was a nice change. It was also first person, which I don't read very much. Another change. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Favorite Line:
'Cujo growled at me in the rearview mirror again, and I beamed at him. Smiling alway seems to annoy people more than actually insulting them. Or maybe I just have an annoying smile.'
--(Pg 30)

I love that series; I hope you do, too. They keep getting better.

I love Dresden. You've reminded me I need to pick up the next one in the series.

ETA: There's a TV series, but of course it isn't nearly as good as the books.

The tv series was canceled after 1 season. I watched the first episode, thought it was okay. But had no idea it was based on a book til I came to LT. Been on the tbr for a while now. . . . just a question of remembering and when. So thanks for reminding me :)

33. The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 416
Rating: 4 Stars

I had a hard time rating this one, going between 4 and 5 stars. I loved the book up until the last fifty or so pages. Things became too rushed and forced. Leesha's been saving her virginity the whole book, waiting for the special time and man and whatnot, and what happens? She gets raped. Fine, that’s okay, shit happens, but after a meltdown following the incident there's nothing else at all. It's like Lessha has forgotten she's been violated. Instead she's suddenly attracted to Arlen, aka The Warded Man. Who knows, maybe it'll pop up in the next book, but it was very noticeably missing. I like Rojer but he seems under developed. And Arlen; Arlen is my favorite. Brett also spent the most time on him, so that might be why. There's lots of telling and not showing in this book, but I still liked it, a lot, until the end. And the story itself was fascinating. So, 4 stars I guess. It's something I would recommend, but with a warning added in this recommendation.

Favorite Line:
'"We are what we chose to be"'
-- (Pg 86)

It looks like she "chose to be" in denial. When I read your complaint I looked at the top of your post and, yep, it's a man. Poor excuse, but, there it is!

34. Fool Moon - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 342
Rating: 4 Stars

Second book's better than the first. Butcher doesn't just hand you everything in the beginning. He gives hints as he goes in promise of having to tie them up later. Which is good I guess because it keeps me coming back for more. The second book was better because of this, because I learned more about who Harry really is, and am getting a little closer to discovering his past. Lots of suspense in this one. There were times were I wanted to strangle Murphy but it all added to the "shit, how's he going to get out of that?" That's one thing I like about these books; they're very unpredictable. I know Dresden will come out in the end, since there's who knows how many books left in the series, but there were some points where it was hard to imagine it all working out. Anyways, good story. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Favorite Line:
'"There's been enough killing. Take him out now, and you're no different than he is."
"Wrong," Tera said. "I would be alive, and he dead."'
--(Pg 248)

35. The Ruling Sea - Robert V. S. Redick
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 613
Rating: 3 Stars

Well... This book took me two months to finish. I'd start reading it again and then put it down in frustration and start a different book. When I'd finish that book I'd come back to this one, read a chapter or two and then put it down again. The story seems too ambiguous. There's too many characters that Redrick is trying to keep track of and thus I don't care for the majority of them. Really I'm reading the series for Pazel. Anyone other perspective and I struggle not to just skip pages upon pages. But at the same time I wanted to know where the story was going, so I kept it on my shelf in the hopes that I'd eventually finish it. Now that I am done with it, all I can say is thank god. I'll probably pick up the third book when it comes out this year but I can't bring myself to really care about the outcome anymore.

36. The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide - J. R. Ward
Genre: Guide
Pages: 478
Rating: 4 Stars

This guide was great. More of the brothers in every page, tidbits not in the books and fictional interviews that give more of the humorous interactions between all the characters. Ward also talked about what was going on through her head as she was writing her books, what she does as a writer. She also had tons of advice and helpful encouragement for other writers. Being a writer myself, reading her thoughts and advice was just what I needed to get out of the writer's block I've been in for some time. And of course some interaction between all the brothers was great to see again. I was able to go through the books again without re-reading them all, and was reminded just how much I found I liked the stories. Glad I picked this one up.

Favorite Line:
'Okay. Right. Horror meets romance meets erotica meets fantasy meets hip hop. Throw in some leather and some Miami Ink shit, stir with a baseball bat and a tire iron, sprinkle on some baby powder, and serve over a hot bed of Holy-Mary-mother-of-God-thos-has-to-work-or-I'm-going-to-be-a-lawyer-for-the-rest-of-my-natural-life.'
-- (Pg 96)

>102 Kassilem: Another to add to Mount TBR. Blech. Thanks a lot! :P

>103 Morphidae:. Haha, youre very welcome

37. The Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 994
Rating: 5 Stars

I was reading a different book three days ago, but then this one arrived for me and nothing would do except to put down everything and start reading. I read Rothfuss's first book The Name of the Wind last December and have been eagerly awaiting Day Two in the Kingkiller Chronicles ever since. I guess it's been a while since the first was published. I'm glad I didn't get a chance to read it until recently; that way I only had a few months to fret. Even so, Rothfuss did a wonderful job of reminding me what all had happened in the first book without actually giving a summary. There was more of Kvothe's time in the university, but then the story takes a turn and Kvothe begins traveling again. Kvothe can only learn so much at the university, and since I'm very deeply invested in his character, watching him mature was a treat. Saying that, I wish there had been more on his maturity. It wasn't really talked about, but it's there. He learned a lot on his travels but none of it is really in evidence with the exception of his new knowledge in pleasuring women. But I'll live as long as it comes out in the third book. I sometimes have to remind myself that Kvothe is only seventeen. That could be the reason for the lack of it. 900 plus is a lot of pages to read but I didn't mind in the slightest. It just meant I could read that much more about Kvothe. Like most books, there were some ridiculous parts, and some parts that made me cringe, but even with its flaws, I loved it. The story, the writing style, the expressions, even the word choice’s themselves. Everyone can explain something to a different degree, but some of Rothfuss’s ways of expressing something will be with me for years. For example: "Hespe's mouth went firm. She didn't scowl exactly, but it looked like she was getting all the pieces of a scowl together in one place, just in case she needed them in a hurry." Anyways, it seems like there is still a lot left that needs to be in the third book. Kvothe hasn’t even been expelled yet. And what about after Kvothe has finished telling his story? I for one would like to know what happens to Kote the innkeeper. On then, I guess, to the long wait for the third book.

Favorite Quote:
'"Fault isn't the issue. A tree doesn't make a thunderstorm, but any fool knows where lightning's going to strike."'
-- (Pg 41)

You reminded me I need to get this ordered from the library so I'll have it sometime before summer!

38. River Marked - Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 326
Rating: 4 Stars

Here's another book I've been waiting eagerly for. So once again I set aside the book I'm Still reading to start this one. Now, I absolutely loved the first four books of the Mercy Thompson books but after that they've sort of lost their fire. I liked the fifth book, but not as much as the first four and I only bought it because I felt if I had to first four I should have the rest of the series as well. Same thing here. The first half of this book didn't hold my attention very well, and I didn't like that those characters besides Adam and Mercy only got slight mentions. Granted this book was about Mercy's origins - in the three pages it took to explain it - so it had to take place outside of Tri-Cities... I don't know. I felt like there was even less fire in this book than there was in her previous one. I almost gave it three stars but couldn't bring myself to do it. :( Unless you're a diehard Mercy's fan, I'd say stick to the first four. I'm gonna sleep on this and see if I wake up feeling any different.

Favorite Line:
'She slanted a thoughtful look at Bran, who was talking animatedly with my stepfather. My stepfather was a dentist. Bran ruled werewolves. I didn't want to know what they had in common to get that excited about.'
-- (Pg 38)

39. Kushiel's Dart - Jacqueline Carey
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 701
Rating: 4 Stars

Ah. Finally finished. This one has taken me a little bit to finish. There's a seriousness about the story which makes it hard to read more than a few chapters at a time. That and it's 700 pages made for a long read. The writing style is very formal, and more the story is told from Phedre's view point as if she's looking back on it years later. Politics play a heavy role in this book as well, and since I'm not partial to it, that also caused me to struggle though instead of just reading. Other than that? I liked it a lot. For a mature audience, but worth the read. I'm off to find the next book.

Favorite Line:
'It is a fine line, in all of us, between civilization and savagery.'
-- (Pg 309)

I can't wait to get to The Wise Man's Fear! Now that I've finished my re-read of The Game of Thrones before the HBO series started, I can get to it.

I really enjoyed Carey's Kushiel series. I haven't tried the related Naamah series.

I need to re-read the Martin's series again too. Did you see that the fifth book finally has a release date?! Agh finally.

I love the entire Kushiel series. It is on my top 10 list.

I'm going to be starting it soon, so thanks for letting me know what to expect!

I'm about to dive into a re-read of the Kushiel series so that I can read the Naamah series.

40. Grave Peril - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 378
Rating: 4 Stars

Third one down. Like predicted they are getting better. And more intense. Enough said, I've got the next book in my lap and I can't wait a second more.

Favorite Line:
'Michael half-smiled. "The Lord will never give you a burden bigger than your shoulders can bear, Harry. All we can do is face what comes and have faith.."
I gave him a sour glance. "I need to get myself some bigger shoulders, then. Someone in accounting must have made a mistake."'
-- (Pg 50)

I've been seeing Rothfuss's name around a lot lately. Only learned of the first book while they were building up WMF for release. It definitely looked like something I would read. Glad to hear that it's good :)

Not catching up, but hopefully staying current from here on out. . .

41. Summer Knight - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 446
Rating: 4 Stars

Fourth one down. I think I liked the third one the most at this point, but this one was still good. I don't usually like mystery, but there's enough of the urban fantasy to keep me interested. On to the next one then, and then maybe a break.

Favorite Line:
'Sometimes the most remarkable things seem commonplace. I mean, when you think about it, je travel is pretty freaking remarkable. You get in a plane, it defies the gravity of an entire planet by exploiting a loophole with air pressure, and it flies across distances that would take months or years to cross by any means of travel that has been significant for more than a century or three. You hurtle above earth at enough speed to kill you instantly should you bump into something, and you can only breathe because someone built you a really good tin can that has seams tight enough to hold in a decent amount of air....
But get on any flight in the country, and I absolutely promise you that you will find someone who, in the face of all that incredible achievement, will be willing to complain about the drinks.'
-- (Pg 400)

I have one of Butcher's series here to read. One of these days I will get to them!

42. Death Masks - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 374 Pages
Rating: 4 Stars

This one took a while. Mostly because I've become addicted to a new video game of mine, but also because I couldn't seem to get into the story very well. Could just be my mood this time of year, since I can't really pinpoint why I had such a struggle. Regardless, I'm going to move on to something else for a little bit.

Favorite Line:
'"Yeah, late nights suck. Look, there's something odd going on and I thought maybe I could ask you something."
"Sure."
"Sullen monosyllabism, a sure sign of sleep deprivation."
"Eh."
"Now descending into formless vocalization."'
-- (Pg 140)

I love the favorite lines! lol

43. Lover Unleashed - J.R. Ward
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 489
Rating: 4 Stars

Book nine down. I knew I'd like the book, but I had to convince myself I would in order to pick the book up. It was about Payne and Manello, two new characters, who I wasn't invested in at all. But like my prediction the two characters grew on me. There's wasn't a lot of action in this one, which I guess was a little of a disappointment, and I wasn't interested in the romance at all in this book, but there was enough of Vishous/Butch/Jane that I was kept entertained. Blay and Quinn's story still hasn't been resolved, so that gives me hope that yet another book is on its way. Hopefully a little more like the past books and less like this one. To sum that all up I guess I'd say I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite of the series.

Favorite Line:
'"Hey. You still all right?" Butch said softly
...
Flicking up a light, he inhaled. "Yeah. I really fucking am, true." Then he glanced into the hazels of his best friend. "And... you?"
"Yeah. Me, too."
"Cool."
"Cool."
Heeeeeeeeeey, check his shit out with the relating. Any more od this and he was going to get a gold star on his chart.'
--(Pg 431)

44. The Desert Spear - Peter V. Brett
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 579
Rating: 3 Stars

I liked the first book, The Warded Man, and had hoped that this second book would be as good. One word there. Disappointment. The characterization has lost its appeal. Rojer is even less developed than before; Leesha has suddenly become good at anything and everything she does, and has become even more beautiful than before; and Arlen lacked the sophisticated and mysterious air he had in the first book. I only enjoyed reading his narratives when he was alone traveling in the forests. His interaction with fellow characters didn't seem true to his character at all. And of course Jadir whose back story took up a full 200 pages, with half of that being an overlap of events that had already happened in the first book. Also, I've thought back to the first book and remembered some of the women scenes that I didn't like and then looked at this book and realized I didn't like any of the women scenes. I simply don't like how Brett writes his women. Too much focus on sex/rape and manipulation. If I hadn't wanted to know the how the basic story played out, I wouldn't have finished the book. I hope the third book is better, and that this was just a weak link, because I would not read this book again.

45. Heartsick - Chelsea Cain
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Pages: 324
Rating 4 Stars

Summary:
This story is about a damaged cop, Archie, who's obsessed with a serial killer who let him live. When another killer begins to snatch girls off the street in Portland, Archie has to pull himself together enough to lead the new task force investigating the murders.

Thoughts:
Wow. If I had started this book any earlier last night I may have stayed up to finish it. That said, the actual present time investigation didn't hold my attention very well. It was the relationship between Archie and Gretchen, the serial killer, that had me leaning over the book demanding to know what happened. It was creepy, and horrible... and thrilling. You don't often get to read about the psychological effects something like that has on a person, how deeply it can change them. Archie is someone I wouldn't mind reading about again. If there's a squeal I'll be picking it up. I'd like to know how he handles what Gretchen told him in the last chapter. Recommended if you like murder mysteries, and don't mind a bit of gore.

Favorite Line:
'"There was this study of prisoners serving time for B and E. They asked them all the same question: "Would you rather run into a dog or a person with a gun?" You know what the majority of them said?" She spun the soda can slowly in her palm 'The person with the gun. The god won't hesitate. The dog with rip your throat out. Every time. Eight times out of ten, you can wrestle the gun right out of a person's hands or just walk away."'
-- (Pg 225)

46. Sweetheart - Chelsea Cain
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 325
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
Gretchen Lowell has escaped jail. Archie had moved back in with his family and stopped meeting Gretchen in prison each week and though he fools everyone, he's feeling worse. But with Gretchen on the loose again, he has a plan to catch her and get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Thoughts:
The first book was better, thrill-wise. There was also less gruesome and more graphic sex. More swearing too but that didn't bother me as much as it might have bothered someone else. What made this book less appealing than the first one for me was that in the first book it was a torture fest and now it's a love story. Why does Archie fantasize about his torturer? It doesn't make sense to me. Maybe there's some psychological effects to having someone have that much power over you? I don't know, it seems odd. It’s still a story that made me want to turn the pages.

Favorite Line:
'A park ranger with a ponytail walked up to the car. He wore a standard-issue brimmed ranger hat and a wet bandana tied around his nose and mouth. "You have to turn back," he said to Henry, motioning back down the mountain.
Henry pointed to the siren on the hood. "Portland PD," he said.
"Have you come to arrest the fire?" the ranger asked.’
-- (Pg 286)

47. Evil at Heart - Chelsea Cain
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 306
Rating: 5 Stars

Summary:
Gretchen is still on the loose and Archie has checked himself into a mental hospital and isn't planning on leaving anytime soon. He and Gretchen made a deal. He won't kill himself as long as she doesn't kill anyone else. But then a new body is found with Gretchen trademark heart, and Archie is forced back into action. Has Gretchen broken her promise?

Thoughts:
Better than the second book. Maybe even better than the first book. There's dark humor here as well as the thrill and gore. Gretchen's presence is less than I'd have thought but those scenes of her that are here were great. I read this book in two or three hours. I always thought that said something about the book. :) But read the first two books or you won’t understand Gretchen/Archie dance.

Favorite Line:
'She saw something move. Just a flash. She jerked the flashlight beam to the left just in time to see the back end of a rat skitter past a beer can.
She made it halfway up the stairs in two steps. Not that she was scared of rats, she told herself -- she was just suddenly in a very big hurry.'
--(Pg 52)

48. Blood Rites - Jim Butcher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 372
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
This is the sixth book in The Dresden Files series. There is something troubling about Harry's new case which he's doing as a favor for Thomas. Thomas has a personal stake that Harry can't figure out until it leads him right to Thomas's vampire family. The events that Harry goes through will change his life forever.

Thoughts:
I seem to be losing steam with these books. Not that they're getting worse. No, if anything they are getting better. But I can't seem to read one right after I've finished the previous one, with the exception of the third to fourth. I'm not positive if it's the mystery aspect which doesn't hold my attention very well or not. Oh, well. Doesn't really matter right? There were lots of interesting facts that were uncovered in this story; facts will probably play a big role in the following books. I like where this hints regarding Murphy and Harry are leading. And Harry and Thomas. On to the seventh book sometime in the near future.

Favorite Line:
'"The next morning his personal assistant, a young woman named Sheila Barks, was hit by a runaway car. Killed instantly."
I pursed my lips. "That doesn't sound so odd."
"She was waterskiing at the time."'
--(Pg 9)

49. Through Wolf's Eyes - Jane Lindskold
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 596
Rating: 3 Stars

Summary:
Firekeeper only vaguely remembers a time where she didn't live with the wolves, but when a troop of humans show up in the mountains she is urged to make herself known. The humans believe she is the lost princess, heir to the throne. Thus beginnings the infighting between the other potential heirs.

Thoughts:
I thought I would like this book, because of Firekeeper’s struggles to go from wolf to human. The idea of that is intriguing. However the book turned out less enjoyable than I had hoped for. I think it was all the politics. And the intrigue of Firekeeper having grown up thinking she was a wolf is as present after the first 100 pages. It also might be my reading level, but the story seemed too simple, with not enough ... meat to it? If that makes sense. For a younger reader, it might be a great read, but I myself had a hard time finishing it. On a side note, I've just finished packing for my move! So maybe I just too focused on everything else to really take in the whole story. Who knows. I don't so I'm just going to move on to something else.

Favorite Line:
'Unlike wolves, however, they mostly used their mouths, a thing she found limiting. How could you tell someone to keep away from your food when your mouth was full?'
-- (Pg 83)

Oh, I know a person, who rarely reads, but will read anything that has to deal with wolves or Russians. But it's 596 pages...I wonder if he'll like it though...

The wolf parts were good. Those are the parts I liked. It's everything else that I didn't. Maybe he'd like it? You could recommend it.

I'm thinking that may be the same case with him. When I have to chance I'll mention it, but I don't know what will be the result.

The Firekeeper series gets better in the second and third books, and then tapers off again very quickly.

I am way behind on threads, Melis. Catching up though!

I really need to get to the Chelsea Cain series some time. I think I would enjoy that one.

>>131 jasmyn9:. Thanks! That's good to know.

>>132 alcottacre:. It's a great series. I liked it a lot

50. The Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean M Auel
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 495
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
Once there were two different kinds of humans; the Clan and the Others. When Ayla, the tall, blonde blue eyed child with a high forehead and chin is found by the Clan of the Cave Bear, they must decide to cast her out or accept her into their clan. So begins Ayla's story of struggle to conform to the clan ways.

Thoughts:
Well I've moved and am mostly settled down again so I was able to finally finish this book! I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this one. It seems third person at times and then in a second changes to first person. It took some time to get used to. By the end I was comfortable with it, but it did make for slow going. Also the story takes place over a range of years, which always makes for a long read. It shows you the character's growth and development. I enjoyed the story as much for the story itself as for my appreciation for evolution and history. You don't find many books that center around the Homo Sapiens and Nethanderals. Recommended if you enjoy historical fiction.

Favorite Line:
"I'm not dead Broud," she gestured defiantly. "I won't die. You can't make me die. You can make me go away, you can take my son from me, but you can't make me die!"
-- (Pg 495)

Glad to hear that you have gotten settled in! I hope the move was a smooth one.

>135 alcottacre:. Yes the move was smooth. Thanks for the concern :)

51. Out of the Ashes - R. W. Day
Genre: Gay Science Fiction
Pages: 306
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
David and Callan have survived the dragons but rebuilding their life is far from easy. But they manage until an army comes to the town of Moline to force an evacuation on the pretense of tainted groundwater and radiation. This time, instead of dragons, they have to fight a crazed religious order intent on controlling the new world.

Thoughts:
This is the second book of Day's that I've read and I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed the first book, A Strong and Sudden Thaw. There's adventure, love, betrayal, and tragedy. A little depressing depending on your mood when your reading it, but powerful with messages.

Favorite Line:
'Horses don't care if who's on them is rich or poor or well-read or unlearned, yet somehow they can see inside of people, pick up on the thoughts and feelings of their riders.'
-- (Pg 10)

52. Mistborn - Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 643
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
The Lord Ruler has reigned for a thousand years in a world where ash falls from the sky and green trees are unheard of, with absolute power and ultimate terror. Every attempted revolt by the slaved Skaa has failed. Kelsier ignores this and makes a plan to overthrow the Lord Ruler, recruiting among others, a street urchin named Vin whose about to learn she has power in her hands she never thought existed. But will her power alongside Kelsier's be enough?

Thoughts:
This book took forever to read! I'll give a little and admit that I haven't been in the mood to read that much since I moved, but even then, I found it was hard to totally immerse myself in the story until I was already halfway through it. Part of the reason I think is that I didn't like Vin all that much. She just rubbed me the wrong way. Also, the writing style itself is a little too explanatory for me. I don't like to be led through the story by the hand. It wasn't too bad; just a few spots where I became annoyed. One last complaint, I promise, is that the dialogue is a little weak when expressing emotions. I hear what the characters are saying but I don't really understand what they're feeling. There's not enough showing, maybe? It seems to me that giving a few years and rewrites, the story could have been even better. There's so much potential here. It just didn't quite make it.
Regardless, the story is enjoyable. The magic system is unlike anything else I've read about, and Vin even began to grow on my by the end. Not epic by any means, but enjoyable after I finished and thought about it. There are even some interesting concepts pointed out that I’ve never thought of before. Maybe a book I should have read first before buying, since I can't see myself re-reading it but one I'm glad to have under my belt.

Favorite Line:
'"Think about it. What is a man doing when he seeks the affection of a young lady? Why, he is trying to manipulate her to regard him favorably. What happens when two old friends sit down for a drink? They tell stories, trying to impress each other. Life as a human being is about posturing and influence. This isn't a bad thing - in fact, we depend upon it. These interactions teach us how to respond to others."'
-- (Pg 188)

53. Comfort and Joy - Jim Grimsley
Genre: Gay Fiction
Pages: 291
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
Ford McKinney has been struggling with his identity for years, while batting away his parent's insistent hints to get married. Dan Crell is a shy introverted man with secrets to hide. They've been in a relationship for years and have finally decided that it's time for each other to meet their families. But the trips will test their commitment more deeply than they feared.

Thoughts:
I didn't like the book as much as I had hoped I would. It think it's because I'm missing some of the story. Amazon says that there is a previous book about Dan, which explains why I never do figure out what Dan's big secret is. Also, I can't relate to the story currently being too young to have a significant other I'd take home to meet my parents. The story itself is warming. It showed the bad in a relationship as well as the good, making it real. It's not a complex read but it makes you feel nonetheless.

Favorite Line:
'"Maybe." For the first time, during the conversation on this subject, Ford smiled. "My dad has a gun - he might shoot you."
-- (Pg 280)

>138 Kassilem: I should add Mistborn to my list.

54. Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain – Portia De Rossi
Genre: Autobiography
Pages: 305
Rating: 4 Stars

Summary:
Portia De Rossi weighed 82 pounds when she passed out in her make-up chair on a Hollywood set. In this biography, she relates her struggle with anorexia and bulimia and how she was pulled in without realizing it, and why society played such a huge role in the whys.

Thoughts:
This book is brutally honest, with nothing held back. For someone with an eating disorder, it’s not the book to read because more time is spent on how she accomplished the weight loss than on her recovery. For someone who has a loved one with an eating disorder this is a great book, because it shows the thinking process behind the disorder and why the loved one can’t or won’t understand the worry other people have for them. De Rossi didn’t just write about being anorexic, she writes about what she was thinking while it happened and her thoughts for hiding it. Anyone who has had even a small eating disorder can relate to the mind frame De Rossi was in. It really brought to mind for me how society creates problems likes this with the way they try to portray images. Designers freak out when the model or actress isn’t smaller than a size eight, in the process making said actress or model believe they have to be smaller. And when they get praise for losing the weight, they believe they’d look even better with less weight. And so the cycle begins. This is a powerful book so prepare yourself before reading it.

Favorite Line:
‘I decided not to eat the egg whites. I didn’t need them. As they slid off the plate and into the trash, I felt a surge of adrenaline. I felt invincible, powerful. Not eating them was incredibly difficult and by not eating them I had just proven to myself that I was stronger than my basic instincts, that I could deny them.’
-- (Pg 189)

I read your review backwards. I don't know why, but I did. I liked the first three sentances in you Favorite Line part the best.

:)

55. Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 820
Rating: 5 Stars

Summary:
Richard is a man comfortable in his beliefs and life in a land separated by its neighbor by a boundary that keeps magic out. Then he meets Kahlan, come across the boundary in search of an old lost wizard and the Seeker and nothing is ever the same again. Witness the birth of a legend.

Thoughts:
I don't think I can put to words how this book makes me feel. This is my second time reading it, and nothing has changed. There are probably flaws hidden somewhere but if they are I never noticed, too engrossed in the book. Even if I had seen them, I don't think I would have cared. The story makes up for anything lacking. And the twists and turns! My God. I have never read a book, expect maybe George R R Martin's Game of Thrones series, that plays with you mind so thoroughly, urging you this way and then oops, no that way, but wait actually this way. I've read a lot so have begun to be able to predict some twists in stories. I am in always in the dark here. I get this dreadful feeling that there can't be anything Richard can do, that it's hopeless, that he can't help but fail, and then twist, he pulls through. And it doesn't seem like Goodkind shoved something there unannounced just so Richard would be victorious. It's all woven together. Reading it for a second time now, I was able to see clues five hundred pages before. Everything is connected; amazingly so. But now I'm just babbling. To summarize: I absolutely love this book. If you are a fantasy fan and have not read it yet, pick it up as soon as you have finished what you are currently reading. And maybe take a few days off of work so you can read uninterrupted. :)

Edit: Make sure you are a matrue reader, as some content may turn a weak stomach.

Favorite Line:
'"...There is no such thing as pure good or pure evil, least of all in people. In the best of us there are thoughts or deeds that are wicked, and in the worst of us, at least some virtue. An adversary is not one who does loathsome acts for their own sake. He always has a reason that to him is justification. My cat eats mice. Does that make him bad? I don't think so, and the cat doesn't think so, but I would bet the mice have a different opinion. Every murderer thinks the victim needed killing."'
-- (Pg 127)

I always see his books at HPB, I might just have to pick one up one of these days.

I know every reader enjoys different thinks in a book and so likes very different things, but despite that I urge you to pick it up. Everyone should at least read this first book. :)

Wizard's First Rule. Hmm....sounds interesting. Maybe I should put it on my Wishlist. The author sounds familiar too. I can see me pressing that Wishlist button right now.

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Somehow I managed to get 20+ messages behind here. Hopefully I can keep up better in future!

Bleach marathon? I enjoyed the 1.5 seasons I've caught on tv. Haven't made it to the mangas yet, but maybe that'll happen this upcoming semester. Good to hear that they are also good :)

>>156 Kassilem:. Not to worry. I must have put half that much up just today!

>>157 alcottacre:. Haha, I guess it has turned into a marathon. I'm a little obsessive that way. I'm not sure when I'll get to bed tonight, all I want to do is just continue reading. Must be because it's manga, and so easy to read. The anime follows the manga pretty much to the tee, so if you like the anime, you should like the manga too. And you don't even have to buy them or visit the library since they're online!

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The Bleach festival continues, heh? I wish my local library had the books so I could check them out!

Uh...wow, I never say anyone on a marathon like that before. Also, do you know what the difference is between anime and manga?

Congrats on finishing 75!

Manga - print book
Anime - animation

Congratulations on reaching 75 (and beyond!)

Congrats!

>179 mamzel: Duh! That explains why I never seen a Manga TV show or a Anime book.

>>177 alcottacre:/180. Actually, I'm reading these online. You can find them on a couple of sites. I'm using mangafox.com. It's great beacuse then you don't have to wait for each book. And thanks!

>>178 DragonFreak:/182. Hehe. When I obsess, I really obsess. I'm planning on reading more tonight so I can move on to my other novel. And I didn't know the difference either until about a year ago. :)

>>179 mamzel:. Thank you!

>>181 drneutron:. And thank you as well!

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Wow, obsession indeed. 42 volumes in under 2 weeks now? I'm impressed :P

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I hate cliffhangers! I hope the new volume gets published quickly for your sake!

56. Room - Emma Donoghue
Genre: Adventure, Thriller
Pages: 321
Rating: 3 Stars

Summary:
Five year old Jack has lived in one room his entire life. He has known nothing else, and makes the most out of the games and stories his mother has invented for him. But he's beginning to get curious and Ma knows that it can't contain them for much longer before she goes insane.

Thoughts:
This is a really interesting concept. I believe it's based off the case that was recently in the news where a mother of two was found locked away for over ten years. The summary made me pick the book up, with the idea that it was going to be at least that, interesting. And it was very interesting. However, (Always seems like there's some however, right?) I found that I couldn't like the book as much as I thought I might. I can't tell if it's because the story is told from Jack's perspective and thus has a bias view on the results of a tragedy like this or not. I think that I'd like viewpoints from the mother, but then the idea of Jack's perspective is that Room is everything to Jack. He's known nothing else, and so it's the Outside that is scary for him. I guess the best would be a combination of the two perspectives, both Jack's and his Ma's. That way you could get both the innocent attitude and the more technical and mature viewpoint. The other problem with having Jack narrate is that his vocabulary goes up and down. In the first half he's like any other five year old with perhaps a better vocabulary than others his age, but in the second half, he knows lots of huge words. The style of expressions Jack uses changes and he sounds older. Me being me, too, I like science. I would have liked more on the psychology side of it all. Which is some of why I'd have liked Ma's perspective as she talked to the doctors about how Jack, and even she, would adapt. Anyways, enough on my rant. I did like the story. It was engaging, seat gripping at a few points, unsettling, enjoyable. It just had more potential to grow. Give it a shot, and see how you like it, since everything has different things they like about stories.

Favorite Line:
'"Hey, buddy." Here's Paul my Uncle, I didn't knwo he was let in the dining room. I think buudy is man talk for sweetie.'
--(Pg 240)

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My oldest daughter likes the Naruto anime series but I do not think she has read any of the manga. I look forward to your reviews of the books as you progress to see if they do indeed improve.

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Hmmm, maybe I'll check out Naruto in book form. I saw a couple episodes of the anime, but it just didn't grab me. Then a few people I really didn't like started being overly fan-girl/boy over it, which put me off. So I never really gave it a fair chance after that.

>> 217/218. The books are better than the anime in my opinion. I tried to watch the first episode after starting to read this, just to see, and I had to turn it off. I think you have to have read a few Graphic Novels and get use to these kinds of stories before it would really grab your attention. Hmmm... I'm not sure. Either way, it's worth a shot right? That was sort of my attitude when I picked them up.

Oh, I've been reading manga and watching anime for 11+yrs now. . . so, at least 5yrs when I first came across the Naruto anime. I think it might have been because it was so much 'younger' than the others I had watched, such as Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, YuYu Hakusho, InuYasha, Kenshin, etc. I had mostly watched the more serious stuff that had comic relief versus my perception of Naruto as 'silly'. . . though, people have told me the situations get more serious later in the series. Idk, I'll probably give it another shot at some point. I generally don't mind giving a shot at manga from the library--after all, it's free, and you finally know if it's worth the hype :)

>>219 katelisim:. Haha. That's right. I hate reading books when everyone else is. Only after do I pick it up to see what everyone was talking about.
I got the same feeling from Naruto at first, that it was just silly, and meant for a younger audience. I've been told too, however, that it gets better, and I can see some hints in what I've read so far.
My sister wants me to read InuYasha. How was that one?

I haven't read any of it, but I had an unhealthy addiction to the anime in high school. Okay, not really unhealthy for me--actually, probably healthy as it made me want to stay home on Saturday nights. . . away from all the parties. *eye roll at myself. Thought, it is reeeeaaaalllly long. I know some people don't like the super long stuff, while others thrive with it. I'm guessing most, if not all of it will be printed here. They took a break with the anime, so I don't know if it's all been aired here (USA) or not. . . But all 4 movies have been. Maybe watch the first couple episodes to get a feel for it? Hulu has 7 seasons worth for free online watching. It is the subbed version, not the dubbed. Not sure if that makes a difference to you or not. (Though I do love the voice actor that does the English dub for InuYasha's character) I'm also guessing you could find the manga online or at the library pretty easily.

OK, so I saw Bleach the other day on TV, so I decided to watch it after seeing that marathon of yours. I lasted maybe eight minutes before I couldn't watch it anymore. I just dont like anime. I hate it actually....well I did like Pokemon, but for entirely different reasons. I swear that show is the cause of half my antics. Curse those Japanese.

Oh, I loved Pokémon. . . still do. And Digimon :)

>223 katelisim: It kind of scares me that I still do like Pokemon. I was OK with it and got over it, and then my little sister started watching it all the time and then...

I was into Digimon too, but it's non-existant now as far as I can tell, so I can't get into that again, thank God.

The only other anime show that I could of possibly like was Yu-Gi-Oh, but there's this unwritten rule that you can't be both a Pokemon fan and a Yu-Gi-Oh fan, so nope.

Pffft, I totally liked the first season or 2 of Yu-Gi-Oh. Kind of stopped watching though, then saw a recent ep where they were on motorcycles underground. . . . not sure what happened.

I see...I think I saw the first or second season finale. Well it may have not been, but it was pretty much at a climax for the season. So, I dunno. It must be on Cartoon Network, that's where everything that's nothing is.

>>221 katelisim:. I'll have to give it a shot. I don't mind watching the subbed, but I prefer the dubbed. And, I don't mind long shows or books. It gives me something to obsess about. :)

>>222 DragonFreak:. :) Anime is definitely not for everyone. I think I need to take a break from it myself soon. I'm losing brain cells.

>>223 katelisim:-226.
I was never into Pokemon all that much, but I was a religious watcher of Yugioh until about eighth grade. I did go back, I think it was sometime last year and watched them all the way through again. There's five seasons (the fifth is the best, when they go back in time to Egypt) before it gets weird. New characters and everything. I believe the underground motorcycles are part of the new seasons. Yugioh GX or something. I couldn't stand those ones.

I love the idea of Pokemon, but I can only take so much silliness now-a-days (Which is why it's so hard for me to read these Naurto books). Anyways now I'm babbling.

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>227 Kassilem: I cannot for the life of me distinguish your username from Katie's. They're just way too similar.

I say the biggest downfall with Pokemon, and it's showing badly, is that the script writers or whatever are just running out of ideas. I mean there are these funky looking pokemon, and the whole thing with Team Rocket is really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, reeeeeeeaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyy old, which unfortunately takes up at leat 80% of the time of one episode. I definately liked the original better, although at the same time, I don't like it either. It definately has the best theme song out of all the seasons, but Black and White is a close second.

Oh, and don't even get me started on the video and card games.

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DragonFreak: hehe, gotten a little mixed up on them when I skim the threads myself :P

And Pokémon does have some epic music. I started an FB status with "I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was. . . " and other people finished the song in the comments. I was so proud of the nerdlings :D

Kassilem: I've heard a bit about Vampire Knight and was unsure about it. Maybe I'll give it a shot. Have never heard of Crimson Spell, but it does look quite intriguing.

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I wish my local library had the Vampire Knight books. They look like ones I would enjoy.

You can find it online at mangareader.net. I just put read XXX online in a search engine and a few different sites come up. It's great becasue then you dont have to wait to get the next books. You can even read the English scans before the volumes are published in the US, since most are updated monthly or weekly, depending on the artist and if it's ongoing or not. :) If you enjoy manga and vampires, I think you'll like it.

Thanks for letting me know!

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The Dengeki Daisy books look good. I cannot wait to see how the story turns out.

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Ahh. I think I was suppose to start a new thread around 250 posts right? I wasn't aware of that until I saw of other posts I've been keeping my eyes on did it, but then I went and forgot again, too caught up in all the manga I've been reading lately. Hope posts after 250 are readable. Why is that, that after 250 you start new threads?

Anyways, heres the link to my Part 2 thread. Thanks for following along! (http://www.librarything.com/topic/123163)

#277: Why is that, that after 250 you start new threads?

It is a courtesy more than anything else. Some people have computers or internet connections that get balky at around the 250 post mark.

>232 katelisim: Before I go on to your next Thread, probably with more magna, here I go:

I should try doing that FB status thing. Kind of wonder what will happen. Yeah for nerdlings!