Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire

A Game of Thrones

rating: **

I just could not generate enough enthusiasm for continuing. The same thing happened when I started watching the series. I may be the only person who didn't watch it.

I own the first book but have never gotten around to reading it. It's a monster of a book.

I do like the tv show but I'm not caught up currently. :) Mostly I just like the dragon lady whose name I can't spell. :P

Victoria Danann Knights of the Black Swan

My Familiar Stranger

DNF

I see ads and posts saying this is the best paranormal series ever. I tried twice to get through the first book and gave up. See my review on the book site.

Charlie Cochet THIRDs

Hell & High Water
Blood & Thunder
Rack & Ruin
Rise & Fall
Against the Grain
Catch a Tiger by the Tail
Smoke & Mirrors

overall to this point *** to ****

I was not impressed by the last chapter of "Tiger" being an obvious cliff hanger for the next book. I felt the author didn't NEED to guarantee her reading audience this way. Also she was generating other books in unrelated series, and the lapse between books kept getting longer....

There are three more books in the series. I will have to be substantially motivated to invest in them.

Elizabeth Moon The Serrano Legacy

Hunting Party
Sporting Chance
Winning Colors

overall ****

...then she changed the Main Character for the 4th book. I wasn't impressed with the character (she was in the "supporting cast" in Book 3). Looking at the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ comments, she changes MC again in Book 5. No thank you.

Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments

City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass

overall **** but...(3 more in series and various others)

I really disliked the MC Clary. She was a whiny egotistical bitch. I also got really tired of the author's indecision about Jace - was he Clary's brother? Otherwise related? Did he really love her? etc. Maybe one day I will try one of the other Shadowhunter series because I like the premise and the worldbuilding just...no more Jace and Clary please.

Dannika Dark Mageri

Sterling
Twist
Impulse
Gravity
Shine

overall***

I loved the first book. Book 2 did a nosedive and barely did a save by the end of the book. I kept going, hoping that the series would "pick up". I stopped with Book 5 which Ms. Dark said (at that point) was the end of the series. Apparently not, as she has published more. Not for me.

momokaachan wrote: "George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire

A Game of Thrones

rating: **

I just could not generate enough enthusiasm for continuing. The same thing happened when I sta..."

You are not alone! This is also going on my dropped list. Considering I'm a huge fantasy fan I'm surprised this didn't end up being my thing, but *shrugs*. Honestly speaking, I probably would have ended up reading the whole series if it hadn't gotten so big and had so many tv fans, I just had too much spoiled for me.

momokaachan wrote: "Cassandra Clare The Mortal Instruments

City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass

overall **** but...(3 more in series and various other..."

TMI is my least favourite of her series (be glad you didn't have to read books 4 and 5), but her other series are AMAZING. Each series she's written is so much better than her last - and her short stories with Sarah Rees Brennan? The best part of the entire world. It doesn't hurt that this series is some of the best LGBTQIA representation in YA fantasy, and she also has lots of other types of representation especially in her later works (race, autism, body size)

Shungiku Nakamura Junjo Romantica

Junjo Romantica, Volume 01
Junjo Romantica, Volume 02
Junjo Romantica, Volume 03
Junjo Romantica, Volume 04
Junjo Romantica, Volume 05
Junjo Romantica, Volume 06
Junjo Romantica, Volume 07
Junjo Romantica, Volume 08
Junjo Romantica, Volume 09
Junjo Romantica, Volume 10
Junjo Romantica, Volume 11
Junjo Romantica, Volume 12
Junjo Romantica, Volume 13

overall:

*sigh* Loved it. According to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ the series is up to Book 23. Can't afford it. BUT Misaki was graduating from college, so I left it at a good spot.

Hinako Takanaga The Tyrant Falls in Love

The Tyrant Falls in Love, Volume 1
The Tyrant Falls in Love, Volume 2

overall

Funny and sweet Yaoi. According to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ it is up to Book 10. Can't afford it. :(

René Goscinny Asterix

Asterix the Gaul
Asterix and the Golden Sickle
Asterix and the Goths
Asterix the Gladiator
Asterix and the Banquet
Asterix and Cleopatra
Asterix and the Big Fight
Asterix in Britain
Asterix and the Normans
Asterix the Legionary
Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield
Asterix at the Olympic Games
Asterix and the Cauldron
Asterix in Spain
Asterix and the Roman Agent
Asterix in Switzerland
The Mansions of the Gods
Asterix and the Laurel Wreath
Asterix and the Soothsayer
Asterix in Corsica
Asterix and Caesar's Gift
skip 2 titles
Astérix chez les Belges (in Belgium)

overall ****+

I got started with Astérix chez les Belges, and I have read all the titles above in French first, and then in English with my children. What fun! More than enough good memories with these (and rereading too) and no $$ for more.

Elliott James Pax Arcana

Charming
Daring
Fearless
In Shining Armor

overall ****

He came out with a 5th edition...and a whole bunch of prequels. I thought it ended pretty well with Book 4, so that's where I stopped.

Eric R. Asher Vesik

Days Gone Bad
Wolves and the River of Stone
Winter's Demon
This Broken World

overall ****

He wrote 4 more books in the series, but $$ and I thought it ended in a good place with Book 4.

Ella Frank Temptation

Try
Take
Trust

overall ***+

She wrote 3 more in the series but these 3 were enough for me.

Ethan Day Summit City

Sno Ho
Life in Fusion
A Summit City Christmas

to be purchased: Life In Union

Overall: ****

Funny, enjoyable series. May finish it after all one of these days.

Ellen Kushner Riverside

Swordspoint

****
This series was supposed to be "the best thing since sliced bread" (my own words) in fantasy. I liked it, but not THAT much. There are two other books in the series. If you read them, let me know how things turned out,

Frank Herbert Dune

Dune
Dune Messiah DNF

Overall: ****

I gasp when I see that this "core" series has eight books in it. Let us not even mention all the fanfic. Too bad. I liked the first book, but please leave it there.

John Scalzi Old Man's War

Old Man's War

****

I liked the book. I liked the world building. I am in no hurry to go with the rest of it (4 more books)

momokaachan wrote: "George R.R. Martin A Song of Ice and Fire

A Game of Thrones

rating: **

I just could not generate enough enthusiasm for continuing. The same thing happened when I sta..."

I couldn't finish the book or the TV show either. Noped out of chapter 3 of the book, and Season 2 of the show. I'm so thrilled it's done now so that entertainment outlets can finally stop talking about it.

J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood

Dark Lover
Lover Eternal
Lover Awakened
Lover Revealed
Lover Unbound
Lover Enshrined
Lover Avenged
Lover Mine
Lover Unleashed
Lover Reborn
Lover at Last

overall: ***+ to ****

...and I have come to a screeching halt. I have The King - every time I pick it up, I get through about 1 chapter and then read something else. I was quite disappointed with "at Last" as the hype about the two guys did not live up to the actual and Ms. Ward should not write gay fiction.

Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark-Hunter

Fantasy Lover
Night Pleasures
Dragonswan (optional)
Night Embrace
A Dark-Hunter Christmas (optional)
Dance with the Devil
Kiss of the Night
Sword of Darkness (optional)
Knight of Darkness (optional)
Night Play
Seize the Night
Sins of the Night
Unleash the Night
Dark Side of the Moon
The Dream Hunter
Fear the Darkness
Devil May Cry
Upon the Midnight Clear
Dream Chaser
Acheron

overall: ****+

I have read a few more, but with all the turmoil going on in the author's life right now, I don't know when the series is going to continue. And after Acheron things start changing in the universe and not (IMHO) in a good way. Things ended in a good way with Acheron.

Sherrilyn Kenyon Chronicles of Nick

Infinity
Invincible
Infamous
Inferno
Illusion
Instinct
Invision

overall ****

There is one more book in this series, then the author switches character to continue the storyline with another series. Unfortunately, the storyline in Invision starts to suffer the same problems I had with the Dark-Hunter series, and I think I will just let it end where I liked it.

Jeaniene Frost Night Prince

Once Burned
Twice Tempted

overall

I stopped here although there are two more books in the series. I didn't like the direction the story line was heading toward.

Jennifer Rardin Jaz Parks

Scouting Jasmine
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Another One Bites the Dust
The Golem Hunt
Bitten to Death
An Evening for Vayl and Jaz
One More Bite
Bite Marks
dnf: Bitten in Two

overall: ***+

There is one more book in the series. I stopped where I did because the story line was going along nicely and then - Vayl had amnesia. I really HATE when that gets dumped into a story line especially in this case when it seemed for no good reason.

Ugggh, amnesia for the sake of ~drama~ is so awful. The Bourne movies are the only instance I can think of where it worked.

James S.A. Corey The Expanse

Leviathan Wakes

***

...and I stopped. There was a lot of techno-babble and info-dump. I just wasn't convinced that the end was as profound as downright depressing. I know that the TV series is supposed to be quite good - haven't looked at it yet.

C.J. Cherryh Chanur

The Pride of Chanur
Chanur's Venture
The Kif Strike Back
Chanur's Homecoming

overall: ****+

There is a 5th book, Chanur's Legacy which splits off from the main story line. I really liked where Homecoming ended, so I will leave it there.

Kate Elliott Jaran

Jaran
An Earthly Crown
His Conquering Sword

overall: ****

Every time I pick up The Law of Becoming I put it back down. Book 3 ended up in a fairly good place; I guess I am not very excited about "what happened after."

Karen Marie Moning Fever

Darkfever
Bloodfever
Faefever
Dreamfever
Shadowfever

overall: ****

There are another 5 books, essentially a second series. I have them, but am reluctant to go further as I left the series in a (reasonably) good place.

Lisa Shearin Raine Benares

Magic Lost, Trouble Found
Armed & Magical
The Trouble with Demons
Bewitched & Betrayed
Con & Conjure
All Spell Breaks Loose

overall: ****+

The author has written 3 more books in this series - she published Book 7 four years after she finished the six book series. I am content with finishing at Book 6.

Lindsay Buroker The Emperor's Edge

The Emperor's Edge
Shadows Over Innocence (prequel)
Ice Cracker II
Dark Currents
The Assassin's Curse
Deadly Games
Conspiracy
Blood and Betrayal
Beneath the Surface
Forged in Blood I
Forged in Blood II
Solstice Day Gifts
Republic
tbr: Diplomats and Fugitives

overall:

I cannot say enough good things about this series. The last book is a "but what happened to" if you are interested in that character.

Linnea Sinclair Dock Five Universe

Gabriel's Ghost
Shades of Dark
Hope's Folly

overall: ***+

There is one more in the series. I am not in a hurry to buy it.

Lucy Lennox Made Marian

Borrowing Blue
Brad
Taming Teddy

overall: ****

There are various more books and shorts in the series; they come up from time as freebies. I will nibble and nosh as the worldbuilding and (sort of) storyline are nicely done.

Mary Calmes Timing

Timing
After the Sunset

overall: ****

...Then five years later she came out with a third book with a supporting character as MC. I liked the ending as it was before.

Marie Sexton Coda

Promises
A to Z
The Letter Z

overall: ****

Ended well here. I got frustrated with all the "add ons" that kept appearing linked to this series.

Mercedes Lackey SERRAted Edge

Born to Run
Wheels of Fire
When the Bough Breaks
Chrome Circle

overall: ***+

There were other titles published by other authors, some of which I have but others of which are out of print :( I loved the elves and their "convertible" cars (I mean a car that turns into a horse? What else do you need?).

Neil S. Plakcy Mahu

Mahu
Mahu Surfer
Mahu Fire: A Hawai'ian Mystery
Mahu Vice
Mahu Blood
Zero Break

overall: ****

Decent series about being gay...and Hawaiian...and a cop. There are a couple more in this series but I think I left it in a good place.

Neil S. Plakcy Have Body, Will Guard

Three Wrong Turns in the Desert
Dancing With The Tide
Teach Me Tonight
Olives for the Stranger

overall: ****

There are 5 more in this series - no $$ and a good place to stop.

Nicole Kimberling Bellingham Mysteries

Primal Red
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Black Cat Ink
One Man's Treasure

overall: ****

2 more in this series. No hurry.

Hiroaki Samura Blade of the Immortal

Blade of the Immortal, Volume 1: Blood of a Thousand
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 2: Cry of the Worm
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 3: Dreamsong
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 4: On Silent Wings
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 5: On Silent Wings II
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 6: Dark Shadows
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 7: Heart of Darkness
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 8: The Gathering
Blade of the Immortal, Volume 9: The Gathering II

Overall: ****+

There are 31 volumes in this series. I was still collecting them (as I could afford them) through Volume 21, but my (real) life was in turmoil and my son took over the collection. The artwork is incredibly good. Even in ebook form. I had it on automatic order at the local comic book shop. I have them in ebook form if I ever want to finish them, but it's not the same! Here's why:

This series of graphic novels, although written and inked by a Japanese mangaka very familiar with manga style, was deliberately done in "western" style (reading left to right, and pages also done in western style) so as to make the manga more enjoyable to the western reader (as the author explains in volume 1).

Nikki Jefford Aurora Sky

Aurora Sky

There are 6 books in this series. Apparently, some people find them entertaining. Book 1 was a DNF for me, and the reason I have a knee-jerk reaction to stay away from books marked "young adult." In this case, the MC was "snotty, rude, reckless, and lacking any real charm" (not my review). Why are so many authors of the opinion that young people - potential heros for pete's sake - should be like this?

Patty Jansen Ambassador

Seeing Red
The Sahara Conspiracy
Raising Hell
Changing Fate
Coming Home

overall: ****

5 more books in the series. Not enough $$ to take it further. Left at a good point, though.

Piers Anthony Incarnations of Immortality

On a Pale Horse ****
Bearing an Hourglass DNF

Loved the first book (another instance of car/horse hybrid - gotta love it!). DNF book 2. Even tried With a Tangled Skein and that was a DNF too. Too bad.

Paige Tyler X-Ops

Her Perfect Mate
Her Secret Agent (prequel)
Her Lone Wolf
Her Wild Hero
Her Special Alpha

overall ****

5 more books to the series - may come back to it when I have $$

J.L. Langley Sci-Regency

My Fair Captain
The Englor Affair
My Regelence Rake

overall: ****

...and 7 years later she did another. I don't think the series needs it, but good for her anyway. It also has numerous prequels and side stories.

This series is a bit of genius: "a creative combination of old school regency and hot sf m/m" (not my review). It actually has a plot and is hysterically funny. Highly recommended.

J.L. Langley With or Without

With Love
Without Reservations
With Caution
A Lot To Be Thankful For
A Sterling New Year
With Abandon
Christmas Dinner at Reynolds Hall
Attack of the Killer Dust Bunnies
Christmas Cookies and Garland

overall: ****

Waiting for: Without Secrets but after 9 years I am not holding my breath. I love the gentle humor she weaves through her books.

Duet in BloodJ.P. Bowie My Vampire and I

My Vampire and I
My Vampire Lover

overall ***

3 more in series. No hurry.

J.P. Bowie Nick Fallon Investigations

A Deadly Game
A Deadly Deception
Murder Above Fourth

overall: ****

2 more in series. No hurry.

James Buchanan Deputy Joe

Hard Fall
Spin Out
Light Me Up
Laying a Ghost

overall: ****

2 more in series. No hurry.