Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: October

                Hello happy readers!  So there were a few changes made at work last week that changed some of my normally scheduled plans, i.e. formatting and posting from work in slow times.  No more social media access including blogs from the computer during shift so I had to do all this at the house which is taking some adjustment but I will push through.  That and I also forgot about to post this when I posted my movie corner I was focused on movies and Kingdom of Ash. So this wrap-up will focus on everything finished to the 28^th!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 52

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 7

No progress this month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 13 (almost there!!!)

What I’ve Read:

Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 18

What I've Read:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 34!!!  COMPLETE

What I've Read:

Check, Please! (#Hockey  Vol 1) by Ngozi Ukazu (review)
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
The Dark Lands (Angelbound Origins #5) by Christina Bauer (review)

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At:  30 COMPLETE!!!

What I've Listened:

Three Dark Crowns (Three Dark Crowns #1) by Kendare Blake
Wildcard (Warcross #2) by Marie Lu
Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J. Maas

                So I’ve knocked out 2 whole challenges with 2 months to spare!  I am getting close to my series ender and debut challenges which are goals now the others are not looking good but still hope to get higher on the list!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: July

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 39

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Nothing new to report yet.  But next month…

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

I’m lacking but working on it.

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 15

What I've Read:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)
By Your Side by Kasie West (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 24

What I've Read:

A Study in Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete (review)
Being Alpha (Alpha Girl #7) by Aileen Erin (review)

Cradled (Beholder #) by Christina Bauer

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 21

What I've Listened:

Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout
By Your Side by Kasie West

                I've got some serious catching up to do.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: June

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 34

So according to my bar I’m 14 books behind schedule…..yikes.  Need to get on this!

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  5

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 9

What I’ve Read:

Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson (review)
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 14

What I've Read:

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (review)
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 21

What I've Read:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
Juniper Skies (Juniper #3) by Lora Richardson
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard

Goal Keeper: A Pearson Players Novel by Sarah Nego (review)
Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 19

What I've Listened:

Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy #1) by Laura Sebastian
War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Legendary (Caraval #2) by Stephanie Garber
Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

                Still have a ways to go but I'm still proud of the progress!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: May

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At:27

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross (review)
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 6

What I’ve Read:

Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton (review)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 12

What I've Read:

King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 16

What I've Read:

The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas (review)
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton
Moonlight & Midtown (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #1.5) by Christina Bauer (review)

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 14

What I've Listened:

         
The Queen’s Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1) by Rebecca Ross
A Court of Frost & Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas
King’s Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard
Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3) by Alwyn Hamilton

                I have a few more I’m enjoying including the new War Storm which will count for several challenges so even better!  I also have some ARC’s to dive into so lots to keep me busy!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

King's Cage (Red Queen #3)

                Hello happy readers!  I previously reviewed the first two books Red Queen and Glass Sword and waited as close to the release of the final book War Storm as possible to finish book three so I wouldn’t have long to wait.  Yep any time waiting was too much.  This author really knows how to sucker punch you with a cliff hanger that’s for sure.  So here are my thoughts on King’sCage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard, spoilers for the first two books duh.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Mare, the Lightning Girl, is a prisoner to the boy king.  She gave herself over to him to save her friends and now she lives each day wondering what new horror she will face above the constant weakness of silence.  Maven has his little red pet but his grip on his country is far from firm as the Scarlet Guard continue to fight on.  It is no longer a right of Red on Silver or Newbloods.  Alliances, blood, abilities, it all forms and turns on itself as the battles grow stronger, leading to all out war!

                Okay first of all the ending of the last one was horrible.  I knew this was supposed to have a bad cliffhanger as well so I held off until close to release of the final book, still knowing didn’t prepare me.  I didn’t think anything could be worse than Shade.  Okay it probably still is the worst but this one breaks your heart in a different way.  It all continues to build upon itself as things grow and grow with the different splinters widening and spreading.  I loved seeing the slow boil inside the court as things began to happen.  Seeing from Mare as she was broken a little more each day was so very hard, because even when she wasn't my favorite and made some questionable decisions there are just some things no one should have to live through.  Okay maybe a few people but not anyone you even remotely like.    

                Speaking of liking characters.  I enjoyed in this that we got some new POV’s including that of someone I never thought I’d enjoy, Evangeline.  Yes we hear from a Silver POV in small parts though the vast majority I still Mare’s story.  This works for many different reasons the first being practicality given Mare is a prisoner and we need a way to see things she’s not privy to both in the castle and the rebellion (Cameron) and secondly it provides a deeper understanding for other character that I personally didn’t like as much.  With Cameron I didn’t want her dead like with Evangeline (seriously book one I just wanted her fried) but more that her attitude grated on me but seeing what she normally kept to herself I grew to enjoy her.  I even grew to understand if not respect in a small way Evangeline which is a miracle in and of itself.  We of course also see more of our other characters on all sides and even get to meet several new ones both on team good and evil. 

               

                All in all the final book comes out tomorrow and I can't wait to dive right in and see where these characters and this war is going to end up.  There are so many wheels spinning I can't wait to see where they end up and who is left standing at the end.  So many possibilities and to be honest I'm not 100% sure which one I want to happen more.  I'm hoping my heart will heal and I won't be broken even more but I don't have high hopes there as I think these books have always shown they can and will be ruthless just like war itself.  So now I just have to buckle up and hold on. 

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: April

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 21

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  2

I’m currently reading a couple so hope to have them finished for next month!

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 5

What I’ve Read:

Working on a couple…seems to be my theme

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 10

What I've Read:

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor (review)

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 11

What I've Read:

Dimension Drift (Dimension Drift Worlds #1) by Christina Bauer

A Song of Summer Lost (The Magh Meall Chronicles #1) by Sarah Negovetich (review)

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 9

What I've Listened:

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1) by Laini Taylor

                So lots happening that isn’t reading but trying to not get discouraged and just work on improving!  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: March

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal:  100

At:  18

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At:  2

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1) by Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh (debut)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 5

What I’ve Read:

Witch’s Pyre (Worldwalker #3) by Josephine Angelini (review)

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 9

What I've Read:

Witch’s Pyre (Worldwalker #3) by Josephine Angelini

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (review)

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 9

What I've Read:

Clockmaker: A Gothic Steampunk Novel by Kristen Brand

Society of Wishes (Wish Quartet #1) by Elise Kova & Lynn Larsh

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 9

What I've Listened:

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Sightwitch (The Witchlands #0.5) by Susan Dennard

                So per my counter I’m still behind but I am just reading what and where I can and enjoying it.  I’m thinking of these as goals I want to reach for myself but no stressing.  I'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5)

                Hello happy readers.  I hope you all had an amazing weekend.  I am approaching the end of this series and I have enjoyed each of the books and how they build on one another.  That said here are my thoughts on book 5 of the Georgina Kincaid series by Richelle Mead:  Succubus Shadows.  I have reviewed the previous titles:  Succubus Blues, Succubus on Top, City of Demons & Succubus Dreams, Succubus Heat.

Rating:  5 Stars

                So we left off with Georgina and Seth having been together for a brief bit while boss man was MIA and her powers were gone.  It was beautiful and painful all at once because of Maddie.  He was in a relationship and they both cared for her.  Still nothing could keep them apart.  Without her powers they thought he’d be safe but they both missed the most important part…years off his life were saved but his soul was darkened by his cheating which is even worse.  Feeling guilty over everything and after Georgina pushed him back towards Maddie Seth proposed and now Georgina is in a deeper pit of hell helping plan the wedding of the man she loves and her best friend.  Oh and a new succubus in town visiting has her eyes set on Seth as well.  But with Georgina all of that is never enough as she still has her roommate who she once kind of loved before she found out he was killing fellow immortals and a mysterious force visiting her thoughts draying her into another realm. Hell might not be the worst place one can go after all.

                Okay so I took some time between book 4 and this because I had some other books I needed to finish by deadlines and I know how all-consuming this would be.  I have been so invested and so into these books it is insane.  I feel like I am running a marathon at times my heart is racing so fast as I listen worried for people’s lives and souls and love.  Oh the emotional roller coaster.  I am all over the place.  As I type this review I am downloading the final book from the cloud onto my device so I can dive right back in and see how things end.  Because Succubus Shadows was amazing.  It was everything and more.  I don’t even know how to wrap this up in a coherent way.  But here I go.

                The whole dynamic between Georgina, Seth, and Maddie broke my heart at every page.  It was so hard because Maddie is such a good person.  I wanted her to have her happiness but I also want there to be a way for Seth and Georgina to be together but with them all being friends no matter what someone will be hurt.  It sucks.  The web woven and the despair felt was intense for me while listening.  When the dreams started both real and fake it was so emotional.  I was lost in this book for sure.  I was both fascinated with some of the past lives and stories and horrified at others.  The line between very thin.

                Of course the side characters were always there and fun to watch as they continue to develop from a crush and romance advice for fellow immortals to medical issues of mortals.  Everything was very grounded and developed for me and I can’t believe I listened to 90% of it in one sitting.  I hardly remembered to drink anything.  This series is addicting to me and I love it.  The end of this book had both hard points and happy ones.  Good and bad.  I did cry at work again because I have no control over my emotions apparently but it was worth it.  This series has really captured me and I am off now to start the final book in the series and hope that all of this emotion has a happy place in the end.

               

                Until next time…

Reading Challenge Wrap-Up: February

                Hello happy readers!  The challenges are pretty self-explanatory but for full details on the challenges themselves please visit the challenge tab.  Also please share your yearly wrap-up / challenges as well I’d love to see how everyone else did! 

Goodreads Challenge:

Goal: 100

At: 13

2018 Debut Authors (#DebutAuthorChallenge):

Goal: 12

At: 1

What I’ve Read:

Everless by Sara Holland (review)

2018 Series Ender Challenge:

Goal: 15+

At: 4

What I’ve Read:

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6) by Richelle Mead

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab (review)

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu

Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller

Mount TBR Reading Challenge 2018:

Goal: 48

At: 6

What I've Read:

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5) by Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6) by Richelle Mead

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu

2018 New Releases Challenge:

Goal: 31-60

At: 7

What I've Read:

DutyBound (Angelbound Origins # 0.5)by Christina Bauer

The Belles (The Belles #1) by Dhonielle (review)

Everless by Sara Holland

Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King #1) by Tricia Levenseller

2018 Audiobook Challenge:

Goal: 30

At: 7

What I've Listened:

Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5) by Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6) by Richelle Mead

Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

Everless by Sara Holland

                That is my month in reading.  I made some great progress in Series Ender but I am still behind where I want to be in debuts.  Still all in all some amazing reads so I’m happy!  'd love to hear how you're doing so link back to your wrap up!