SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

September Buddy Read planned to start Sept 3rd: Open to all Rachel Vincent fans that haven't had a chance read the second book in her Unbound series yet.

If you live in the dark long enough, you begin to forget the light...

Kori Daniels is a shadow-walker, able to travel instantly from one shadow to another. After weeks of confinement for betraying her boss, she's ready to break free of the Tower syndicate for good. But Jake Tower has one final job for Kori, one chance to secure freedom for herself and her sister, Kenley, even if it means taking it from someone else....

The job? Recruit Ian Holt-or kill him.

Ian's ability to manipulate the dark has drawn interest from every syndicate in the world, most notably an invitation from Jake Tower. Though he has no interest in organized crime, Ian accepts the invite, because he's on a mission of his own. Ian has come to kill Tower's top Binder: Kori's little sister.

Amid the tangle of lies, an unexpected thread of truth connecting Ian and Kori comes to light. But with opposing goals, they'll have to choose between love and liberty...

July buddy read was Blood Bound and if you are interested in reading to catch up for the August read, our comments can be found here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...

Thanks for the thread Lis, can't wait!

Oops I just realised I have set 2 buddy reads on the same week! Could we possibly move it back a week to 3rd September? Sorry about this! I tend to get excited with buddy reads, lol

That's fine with me Jeann. I have a huge pile of books staring me down as we speak...I could use the extra time :)

Cool, thanks Komal, so do I!!

No problem! Updated too...

Thanks Lis!

You guys ready for this next week?

Sure...

It'll be a tight squeeze, but I think I can manage.

Awesome - we'll see how Bingo goes (it's getting exciting!!)

Hey guys, there's just a book I have to review first so I'll get to this one after that, probably later in the week.

I'm about 30 pages in. It was so easy to slip into this book, like I'd just finished reading the last one. Also remember how in book one the POV would change from chapter to chapter? Well Vincent kept that the same but she puts headings on each chapter letting us know who's POV it is. Much better then before, I think.

Sorry, not making much progress yet. Never start a buddy read during a holiday week or Bingo final read off... Only book I'm picking up this weekend so I will start posting updates soon.

Me neither, it's hard with bingo, reviews and buddy reads to do! But I'll be picking it up soon :)

I'm interested to see how Kori's point of view is, though.

I was cheering for your team Jeann, when I saw you in the finals. My teams were in the finals for R4 and R5 but Mr Randomizer didn't like us much this round. Fun but the pressure is on to get your book posted. I remember staying up late thru the night to finish and review.

Awww thanks Lis! We had to get through 2 shelves and the other team was clearly in the lead but I think we all did pretty well :) Bingo was on my mind at work, during Father's Day, and when I went to bed lol. It was so exciting competing for the win but the pressure definitely was on.

Well I'm at the 15% mark and I like it so far... That Tower is a piece of work. We will definitely get more of a look into the other syndicate in this one.

I finally caught up and reached the 14% mark Lis. I am really enjoying the dual perspectives between Kori and Ian...the setup is really fascinating especially with the characters dealing with each other.

(view spoiler)[I can see a bit of spark happening there, and wouldn't be surprised if these characters got together. Although it seems to be a set up of an impossible situation so far, as Kori needs Ian to sign and Ian has a secret motive, something to do with her sister.

I find Ian's awkwardness kind of endearing actually. Was he in the first one, or is he a completely new character? (hide spoiler)]

So far I'm enjoying Kori's pov more than Liv's but perhaps that's because she's a little more spunky than most.

New I believe. Made it to 23%

I think being familiar with the world already helps the character development stay front and center. The heavy world building in UF and fantasy has often put me off of some of my favs in the beginning. Glad we are past that for the most part, now we just have to become familiar with Tower's syndicate.

Glad you guys could join me ;) I'm only about 40% in (between school and work, it's slow going).

I've gotta say, the POV change between Ian and Kori is starting to get frustrating. Just when I'm getting into Kori's world, the chapter ends and it's Ian. Granted I get why Vincent is switching back and forth but its not working for me.

(view spoiler)[ The interest between Ian and Kori happens kind of quick. Within a few pages. Again, not really my cup of tea. I like Kori better then Liv too, I like that with her, what you see is what you get.

Also the scene between Kenley and Vanessa was so sweet. I liked Vanessa in the last book and from the glimpses we get of Kenley, I like her character as well. They're a good match for each other. (hide spoiler)]

I'm at 27% at the moment. And like the first one, there's a lot of talk and barely any action. I mean they have barely done anything but talk all this time!

(view spoiler)[Yeah yeah we know you guys are falling for each other. We know that Kori feels guilty about leading Ian into the syndicate. We know that Ian feels guilty about wanting to kill Kenley. Can we just move on now? (hide spoiler)]

OK, I'm 71% at the moment. I think I'm enjoying this one more than the first one, because there was a lot of world building and stuff as Lis said. How are you guys tracking so far?

(view spoiler)[I really do think Jake is a better side to be than Ruben's. Maybe it's because he doesn't cheat on his wife, but he doesn't seem as sleazy. I know they are both as bad as the other.

Which brings me to my next point, I doubt every single person works for the mobs, I mean what about the civilians who aren't in the mob at all? How do you escape that? Do you just have to be unskilled or hide it really well? (hide spoiler)]

I was annoyed at the first one because I felt it could have been condensed a lot more, with lots of talk, descriptions, and barely any action despite the nature of the book. Now nearly finishing the 2nd one, I realise that may be Rachel Vincent's way of writing. It really does invest you into a character and you get to hear their insights and everything.

Still at the annoying stage... Lots of talk, show and tell... Yadda yadda... 30%

I'm not in love with this book. I'm not even in like with it. Too much repetition. Also while Rachel Vincent could have done so much with her world she killed it with her characters. I'm glad your enjoying it Jeann, I think this one's just not for me.

Lis, for the me the book is still just talking and I'm about 80% done.

Yeah I've begun to accept that the talking and repetition is just the authors style. But yes it is very annoying. And also all this time we haven't really seen Ian use his power much except for once or twice?

I mean what is it exactly? He can manipulate the dark, wow wee.

Over halfway thru now... This one is still working better for me than the last. In the first one, there was a huge misunderstanding and miscommunication thing between the main characters that dumbed down the storyline for me. If Cam and Liv would have just talked...

With this one, Kori and Ian are both trying hard to save their siblings in what seems an impossible situation. Which makes for a much better plot. Still need some more action to spice it up. So far it's just Kori's temper flares and broken noses.

Ok, I've finished it finally! I'm just giving it three stars again. There's something about this series that doesn't seem to be doing it for me. It seems like a really interesting setting, and then a big fat load of nothing, talking and character building happens then the big finale at the end. You really could have just skipped the whole middle section of the book.

End spoiler: (view spoiler)[Is it me or was that ending very underwhelming? I mean Kori got her freedom and her revenge but it was super abrupt and felt really rushed.

There really wasn't any big reveals or anything that you didn't expect here. (hide spoiler)]

I finished too and I feel the same way Jeann. It's hard to believe that the same author who wrote the Pride series wrote this as well.

(view spoiler)[ The ending did seem abrupt to me as well. A huge chunk of the book was a waste but just when things were finally getting interesting, it was over. Also did anyone think Kori was kind of hypocritical? Like she was the only victim in the Tower's syndicate. I thought almost everyone was forced into the syndicate through threats to their family or money. It felt like she had no remorse for the men she killed at the end. I don't know...maybe I'm just reading to much into the ending. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[You're right Komal, she had no mercy in the end - which means Jake Tower did actually succeed in breaking her. Overall, I didn't find Kori very likeable at all, she's angry, cold, heartless, has temper issues. Even though she has been subject to some pain in the basement, she wasn't really likeable in the first book either.

When Ian finally was alone with Kenley, I really feared for her life there. It seemed like the whole book he was trying to get to that place, but when he finally did, things had changed.

I also have a real problem with the circumstances under him and Kori sleeping together. I mean she had just found out that he'd been lying to her, and then she just gets up and forgives just because she's attracted? Then later, she finds out that he was trying to get to her sister all along and thats easily forgiven too. Perhaps she's so broken that she doesn't want the fairy tale salvation to end. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I think we're on the same page with this book Jeann. And I completely agree with your last comment. Ian told lie after lie, yet all he had to say was "trust me" and Kori did. I didn't get it. (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, sounds like it Komal. Although I did enjoy it a bit more than some of my 2 star reads (some of those were truly terrible lol). Would you read the next book when it comes out, or not bother? I'm not sure whether I would, but we've already gone this far lol.

Lol good point. Hmm well if you and Lis read it I'll join as well.

Just at 63% but it's headed to a 3 star rating for me too.

Just posted my review here: http://happyindulgence.wordpress.com/...

Just read your review Jeann. Wow your very articulate and write great reviews! (I'm a teensy bit envious...I can barely string together a few sentences...but only a teensy bit) ;)

Naw thanks Komal, I pretty much just let all my thoughts flow out when I'm typing :) I've read your reviews too and they are pretty much to the point which is great!

I'll read it soon, at 80% and should wrap up before the bingo shelf. It's getting better for me now that the action is starting.

Maybe part of the problem with this series is that Vincent has these impossible situations for these characters, and there's no way out. Not even a hint of an escape route in the storyline unless it involves death. And when they are involved with a syndicate, it's a super "crap on toast" life. There are just NO happy moments, kinda depressing.

Yeah, you're so right about it being depressing Lis. But then it's depressing but they make do anyway.

I'm onto reading Downside Ghosts now and that's depressing too. Think I need something to pep me up after these dark reads lol!

I like darker PNR and UF series reads, but definitely need to break it up with some fluff. I use Janet Chapman and Shelley Laurenston for those kind of breaks.

Are you just starting the DG series? I really like that one but switched to audiobooks because of the slang speech style. Easier to hear than read. I hope you enjoy them, really a different world.

Another series trilogy along these lines that I liked was Carolyn Crane's Dillusionists that starts with Mind Games.

Finally finished yesterday and agree that for all the ramp up it was kind of rushed and anti-climatic in the end. I still think I enjoyed this one a little better than the previous book and I will probably even read the next one but I won't be rushing to read it the week released. The preview has it involving Kori's brother Kris and one of Tower's family.

Ohh interesting that they chose to switch the point of view again...another doomed love story anyone? The love is sort of bitter sweet isn't it, like either one they end up together but it may or may not be involving the syndicates.

I just finished the 3rd in the DG series, man it really is awesome! It's SO depressing though, especially since Chess is a heavy drug user.

I've got Mind Games on my to-read list :)

The 4th and 5th are my favorite so far. What's nice about that series is that it keeps getting better. Mind Games is only a trilogy.

Oh that's awesome, makes it all worth while reading a series :)