Sunday, May 26, 2013

robgirlbooks' Flash Review Marathon (Part 1) The Hollows book 1, Bloodlines 2 & 3

My reviews tend to go on and on with fangirl love. I thought I'd try something different. This week I plan to share speedy blogger love that spans books, movies, and even a zoo.

BOOKS!!
The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead: 4.5 STARS. Jill is dating a human boy. Awesome Eddie and what the hell Angeline continue to act as guards and high schoolers, which just gets weird sometimes. Sad Adrian is even sadder because his ex-girlfriend's lover (yeah, I said lover) is in town to figure out this whole Strigoi turned back into Moroi business. And you have Sydney who has magic in her just dying to turn her into the worst alchemist of all time! I love the faster pace and funnier banter in the second installment of the Bloodlines series. I laughed out lout and maybe got a bit teary. In the midst of revelations and a setback or two, I discovered I actually like Sydney. Finally!

The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead: 4 STARS. I know, everyone LOVES this installment of the Bloodlines series, but there were a couple things that made me talk back to the book and not in a "hey, how you doin" kind of way. The Marcus storyline and the Angeline storyline both fell flat for me. Mead seemed to let both build up and then peter out. There were times Sydney acted completely out of character or at the very least made me step out of the story to rationalize her actions in order to keep the peace. It also wasn't as funny as book 2. And yet I give it 4 STARS because Adrian and Sydney and their back and forth are just so awesome. They couldn't carry the whole book for me, not when Mead designed this series as an ensemble type deal, but still they were the entire show, that and the magic use.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison: 4 STARS. I never thought I was the type to fall in love with a pixie, but holy goodness, Jenks is the most entertaining character I've come across in a long time. He's four inches of hostility and hotness. I know, weird. Rachel is a witch with chip on her shoulder and I respect that. Her world of friends is limited to Jenks and a vampire named Ivy. Ivy keeps tossing her thrall around. Rachel keeps alternating between terror and rapture. The world Harrison created was so elaborate and complete I had no idea what was coming and I couldn't wait to find out. The reason for the 4 STAR rating instead of top billing is the lack of romance. There's a wish-washy bit of batting eyelashes and eyeing of physiques, but that's it.


10 comments:

  1. Great flash reviews, Robyn. And what a lovely concept. I like the cover for The Golden Lily. I haven't read any Richelle Mead novel, although I have Vampire Academy sitting on my TBR. The series is too long, and I hope I can keep up with reading all of the books in it.

    Great post. I look forward to your movie flash reviews. BTW, I hope you and your boys enjoyed the latest Star Trek!

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    1. Hi Kaykay! My TBR list grows with each blog I visit. I know the feeling. I just started Kim Harrison's The Hollows series and it's 11 books long. The first Vampire Academy had me hooked. I'm so curious about Richelle Mead's upcoming book Gameboard of the Gods because long time fans are struggling to read the arc.

      Tomorrow is the movie flash review post, but I haven't watched Star Trek. I'll hit that one with my sis. The boys aren't ready for it just yet, but they know the "Live long and prosper" gesture. Of course they do. hehe

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  2. Love these reviews! Great job. I haven't read Bloodlines yet so I can't comment on that one but I agree with what you said about Golden Lily. Also, Jenks is the best :D The romance is something Harrison didn't include much into the books until she realized her fans were ravenous for it. You'll see a bit more ups and downs in her love life to come! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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    1. I laughed out loud with the ravenous romance fans bit. Perfect word. Even though I'm one of those people for sure, I'm still in love with the world Harrison built. I know you'll love Indigo Spell when you get the chance to read it. It will wipe out the Gameboard of the Gods experience. You did a great job on the review.

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  3. This is an awesome review format, Robyn! ;) I totally agree with you about The Golden Lily and The Indigo Spell. I wasn't certain I was going to continue the series after Bloodlines because I wasn't a huge Sydney fan - although I adore Adrian! But The Golden Lily sold me on Sydney and I love the banter between Sydney and Adrian. I think that's something Richelle Mead writes well. And as for Dead Witch Walking...oh I could just gush and gush about Kim Harrison. And I too have a pixie crush! ;) Jenks is awesome! I went to her signing here in Denver in February where she gave an update on the tv show that was supposed to be in the making. The WB (or whatever it's called) wanted to do the show without Jenks!!! They passed on the show and Kim got her rights to it back. The Hollows wouldn't be the same without that little man! ;)

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    1. Oh my gosh! I knew there was a TV series in the works because I saw her (online) at a book signing with Patricia Briggs. I hadn't read any of her books yet, but I loved her on the spot. Doing a show without Jenks?! Insanity. I'm so glad she passed. That's an author who cares about her characters and readers.

      I'm glad to hear another person talk about not being impressed with Bloodlines. Sydney's prejudice and dry personality made it hard for me to like her. And then bam, some magic and some Adrian and Sydney's not bad.

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  4. I LOVE Bloodlines. I like the growth in Sydney. She has come a VERY long way from VA.Melody @ JC's Book Haven.

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    1. I know! I can still picture Sydney when she made her first appearance in VA. She wasn't at the top of my list to headline a spinoff series, but Richelle Mead has made it work.

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  5. I love the Bloodlines series! Adrian and Sydney are characters that have developed so well in this series so far and Richelle makes them so quirky! I didn't like Marcus and thought he was not a great character, but I can't wait for the next in the series.
    So glad you decided to read the Kim Harrison series! Jenks is awesome, I love Ivy and Rachel. Seriously it's on book 10 or something and I still love this series!
    Great flash reviews :)
    Tilly @ Hardore Heroines

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    1. Richelle Mead is one of my favorite authors. I fell in love VA from page one and I can't get enough Adrian and Sydney and their banter.

      I'm only on book 2 in the Hollows series, but I'm already sold. Good to hear at book 10 you're still loving it!
      Happy reading!

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