Malin’s CBR-III Reviews # 55-68: Too many to actually name here

So because it’s summer, I’ve been reading a whole lot. My last update here on the group blog was in early July. I’m Norwegian. I live in Oslo. Most of you know what happened here on the 22nd of July. Because of the news reports, varying from truly unbelievable and horrifying in the beginning, to just plain depressing now, in addition to reports on the English riots (my husband’s from Newcastle), I’ve not been in the mood for a lot of heavy reading over the last month or so. So there is a lot of romance here. Books that guarantee a happy ending. No unhappy rioting youth or crazy right-wing mass murderers.

55. After 11 long years, I finally know what happens to Jon Snow, Tyrion and Danaerys: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/55-dance-with-dragons-by-george-r-r.html

56. Book the fourth in Gail Carriger’s entertaining Victorian Steampunk adventure/romance series: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/56-heartless-by-gail-carriger.html

57. Victorian mystery with romantic undertones: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/57-dark-enquiry-by-deanna-raybourn.html

58. Contemporary romance with a fairly ridiculous premise. Fun, though: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/58-yours-to-keep-by-shannon-stacey.html

59. Contemporary and historical fiction, both in the same book!: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/59-winter-sea-by-susanna-kearsley.html

60-62: Trilogy about the three sons of a notorious widowed Duchess. They’re all very good in bed: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/60-62-londons-greatest-lovers-trilogy.html

63. Twelfth and rumoured to be penultimate book in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/63-spell-bound-by-kelley-armstrong.html

64. Second book in Rick Riordan’s entertaining young adult series. Even more Egyptian gods!: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/64-kane-chronicles-throne-of-fire-by.html

65. A teenage girl gets abducted and taken to the Australian Outback. A strange relationship with her abductor develops. Budding romance or Stockholm Syndrome?: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/65-stolen-letter-to-my-captor-by-lucy.html

66. Book 1 of Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/66-perils-of-pleasure-by-julie-anne.html

67. Book 2 of the Pennyroyal Green series: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/67-like-no-other-lover-by-julie-anne.html

68. Book 3 of the Pennyroyal Green series: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/08/68-since-surrender-by-julie-anne-long.html

I think I may have reached my saturation point for historical romance for a while, and will probably read something completely different next. We shall see. I will endeavour to update on the group blog a bit more often, so my link and tag lists don’t become quite so long.

 

 

 

 

 

Captain Steve’s CBR #25 and 26

#25: The Titan’s Curse: It was ok.  Fast, easy.

 

#26: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: I was surprised, given the millions of movie and tv adaptations in the world that the book was only the basic idea.

Malin’s CBR-III Reviews # 51-54: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, A Lady’s Lesson in Scandal by Meredith Duran, Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase and Naamah’s Blessing by Jacqueline Carey

So I’ve finished the first 52 books of CBR-III, and have obviously decided to try to complete a double Cannonball by the end of the year. It shouldn’t prove too difficult, although I’ve taken much longer to finish and blog 52 books this year than I did last year, probably due to a much higher workload, and teaching a graduating class of school children. I shall have to read as much as possible this summer to stay on schedule.

51. The first book in Rick Riordan’s new adventure series for kids – now with Egyptian demi-gods!: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/07/51-kane-chronicles-red-pyramid-by-rick.html

 

52. I do like my romance, this is a particularly good one (although yes, I admit the title is a rubbish one) : http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/07/52-ladys-lesson-in-scandal-by-meredith.html

53. More romance, much more light-hearted (again, it’s better than the silly title suggests): http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/07/53-silk-is-for-seduction-by-loretta.html

54. Some epic fantasy as well: http://kingmagu.blogspot.com/2011/07/54-naamahs-blessing-by-jacqueline-carey.html

I’m currently re-reading Jane Eyre, and should have finished it in time for my six-year-long wait for A Dance with Dragons to be over. I just hope it lives up to my expectations.

 

 

 

Captain Steve’s CBR Reads #19, 20, and 21.

I am inherently lazy.  I have like 6 more books half written up, but it’s like pulling teeth to sit at the computer during the summer when not at work.  Anyways, here we go:

#19: The Sea of Monsters – Rick Riordan.  Thus far, this is my favorite Percy Jackson book.  It’s faster paced than the first and more interesting, I think, than the third.  Which is only half written up, sitting in my email drafts.

#20: Dead(ish) – Naomi Kramer.  I wouldn’t bother.

#21:  The Gauntlet – Karen Chance.  Witches that should be named Mary Sue and Kit Marlow, undead.

ambern’s CBR III Review #11: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

The Red Pyramid is another of Rick Riordan’s young adult adventure stories, much like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, but with ancient Egyptian lore instead of Greek.  I enjoyed the book and plowed through it pretty quick, although I didn’t think it wasn’t as much fun as Percy Jackson.  But this is probably just because I enjoy Greek mythology more.

The book is narrated by Carter and Sadie Kane, siblings that have been kept almost completely separated since the death of their mother six years earlier.  Carter travels around the world with his famous Egyptologist dad, Julius, while Sadie lives in England with her mother’s parents after a nasty custody dispute.  While visiting Sadie on Christmas day, Julius brings the kids to the British Museum and proceeds to blow up the Rosetta Stone.  The explosion releases five Egyptian gods, one of whom, Set, is intent on destroying the world.  Their father is imprisoned by Set, so Carter and Sadie are whisked off by their uncle Amos and learn that not only are the ancient gods real, but that their family is from a long line of magicians that are supposed to keep the gods in check.  The siblings are thrust into the magical world and must use their newfound powers to stop Set and save the world.

Admittedly this book is set up almost identical to Percy Jackson, but I don’t mind a repetitive formula if it’s entertaining.  Roirdan again packs the story full of ancient mythology, so much so that I miss references until I reread the old stories.  He also alludes to Percy Jackson a bit– they can’t go to Manhattan because of other forces.  He definitely keeps things interesting and fun, so my only real problem was Sadie.  She annoyed me, but then I was always annoyed by 12 year old girls, even when I was one.  Anyways, if you enjoyed Percy Jackson or are just looking for an interesting and quick read, this book is worth checking out.

Jelinas’ CBR-III Review #11: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

While The Lost Hero was a fun read full of adventure, the lame beginning tempted me to stop reading on.

Jen K’s CBR III Reviews 13-14

Interred with their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell - DaVinci Code with Shakespeare

The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3) by Rick Riordan