The Amulet, Vol 1 The Stonekeeper ( The Amulet series) by Kazu Kibuishi

Usually on Friday's I volunteer at my kids school library during my kindergartners library time. Today however do to the weather I decided to stay home. As I sat down and realized I finished cleaning and everything early and now I have some extra time on my hands I decided to pick up a book that is a part of a graphic novel series my oldest ( a second grader now) loves.   I got these for him because he was showing some hesitation reading books with a lot of words and not a lot of pictures (that was awhile ago he says he's been reading them since before 1st grade. Could be true but I think it was at the beginning of first grade.) Anyway, anytime I hear someone say they can not seem to get their kid to read a book I always recommend this series because it was what got my oldest to love reading. He doesn't just read graphic novels/ comics either he enjoys a variety of books but this series is one he continues to get excited about and this author is one he actually keeps an eye on to see if there is anything new coming from.

I'm babbling trying to explain how cool this series is. At least from my oldest's point of view.

I usually flick through the books he picks out and make sure there is not anything I do not approve of him reading. I try not to discourage him from reading anything that he wants to read with in reason.  I never actually read this graphic novel until today.

Amulet, Vol 1 The Stonekeeper
Amuler series
Kazu Kibuishi 

Synopsis from Goodreads

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

My Review

4/5 Stars

First thought You killed someone in the first few pages of a kids book! Wait Disney movies kill people off too. Okay, shock over. 

I likes how the mother helped keep the kids upbeat when the moved into the old home and had to clean it and on the way there she was understanding of their feelings and was encouraging them to like their new home. Even encouraging Emily to learn more about her great grandfather. Just not be like him.  

Emily was super brave for a kid who watched her father die and her mother get snatched by a monster.  She took responsibility of her brother and the amulet and decided to help save her mother and the world that they were in.  I liked the Emily has choices not just that she has to do something because she was given the amulet but she had the choice to.  She also had the choice to seriously hurt someone but she made the choice to let him live even though he wasn't the nicest of beings.   I like that she lets her younger brother help out and notices when he might be better suited for the situation because of his past favorite past time ( like my son, most kids and some adults...its gaming) 

The story was great. A little dark but you get the whole light at the end of the tunnel feeling. That the characters will achieve what the set out to do. I also enjoyed the whole family thing.  The illustrations were wonderful. I even slowed down and went back to look at the artwork. I look forward to reading this series and being able to talk about it with my son. It was a great start to a fantastical adventure. 

Now that I think about it I'd recommend this to kids around middle grade but like I said my son has been reading the series for awhile so, maybe use caution it does have monsters and evil doers and its a little dark but not so much that I wouldn't say you shouldn't read this with a younger kid. I'm actually thinking about starting it with my youngest soon.

Great characters, Wonderful story and artwork, a quick read ( at least for me, an adult), fantastical adventure. I'll continue to recommend it to others and look forward to reading it with my youngest and continuing the series.

How To Kill Yourself in a Small Town The Redneck Apocalypse Series By eden Hudson

How To Kill Yourself in a Small Town
The Redneck Apocalypse Series
By eden Hudson

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The holy champion chosen to save the world is enslaved to a sadistic fallen angel and losing the battle for his sanity.
The guy chosen to save the holy champion is his binge-drinking redneck brother.
So, basically, the world is screwed.
Meet the Whitney boys:
Colt—a mentally unstable holy soldier with a rapidly deteriorating hold on reality. His last plan to rid the world of evil either failed horribly or went off without a hitch. With the constant torture and brainwashing, it's getting hard for him to remember.
Tough—a smart-mouthed honky tonk hero addicted to music, women, and good times. He hasn't spoken to Colt in five years—not since their disagreement over a nymphomaniac vampire turned into a drunken slugfest—but they're still brothers. Tough knows he can't leave Colt fighting for his life and his sanity alone. The question is whether Tough can fight off his personal demons long enough to save Colt from the literal ones

My Review
5/5 Stars

Wow.. this book was super hard to put down. I’m pretty sure my kids had to pry it from my hands in order for me to make dinner.
At first I was confused but intrigued so I pushed on and the whole wonderful dark story unfolds. Even though I say its dark and honestly gruesome at some points there was some great lighthearted funny parts that bring some light into the serious stuff.
It was told from many points of view but done so in a way that just seemed to make the story so much better. The characters were wonderfully flawed and you couldn’t help but like Tough. I couldn’t help liking Mikil for how horrible and twisted she is.
There so much into this crazy story and it all just comes together so wonderfully. Great twists and action. The setting seems like any small town except with paranormal and the paranormals don’t even stand out they’re just there ( not sure if that made sense but it does to me).
This is a book that has me kind of at a lost for words trying to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I just want to be like YES, you should read this crazy awesomeness and just read it because I found it amazing, but don’t read it if you’re looking for ‘drool worthy’ vampires or other ’swoon worthy’ paranormal characters. These vampires are cruel even when the don’t want to be,The holy warriors are damaged possibly beyond repair and the fallen angels are vile but they are just perfect for this story. This isn’t a story that leaves you with a ‘awww how sweet’ feeling at the end it left me with a “holy sh*t! what? Why did it end? I want more!”
Its a crazy page turning thrill ride. With the twists, action and characters you can’t help but keep reading and being excited for what might happen next.

# Nerd ( Hashtag #1) by Cambria Herbert

#Nerd
(Hashtag #1)
by Cambria Herbert

Goodreads Synopsis:

Two people from completely different worlds are about to be thrown together…

In more ways than one.

She wants to keep her scholarship. He wants to stay on the team. An awkward alliance doesn’t even begin to cover Rimmel and Romeo’s relationship.

But that’s about to change.

It starts with a dare. An initiation. A challenge.

Quickly, it turns into more. But when you’re a victim of your status, there is no room for anything real. The rules are clear and simple.

Stick to your circle.

And never fall in love with anyone on the outside

My Review
3/5 Stars

It was cute. Typical Nerd and Athlete fall in love story. They’re from opposite worlds could they ever really be together? Rimmel is adorable she’s going to school to be a vet and spends most of her time at an animal shelter talking to a one eyed cat. Romeo is a top notch, sought after, charming football player who needs Rimmel as his tutor to help with his grades. He sees something in her that he likes and she likes him too. She tries to fight it at least a little.


Theres more go on than just their relationship also. Roman has his own stuff with a Frat he’s pledging for and Rimmel has her own secrets.


Cute story for those days you want a quick adorable read or if you like the college nerd and jock romances. Reminds me of that movie She’s All That.

Mismatch ( #2, Omega Beginnings Miniseries) by Lizzy Ford

Mismatch
#2, Omega Beginnings Miniseries
by Lizzy Ford

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Short story #2 in the Omega Beginnings Miniseries ...




Mismatch hasn’t always been a statue standing guard over the Temple of Artemis. Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, he was a man who led a privileged life. Like the Greek monarchs before him, he fell victim to the family curse: he was turned to stone and forced to keep watch over the temple of a Greek god or goddess.




Out of the blue, five-year-old Alessandra breaks the spell. Mismatch seeks out the shy, young crown princess next in line to the family curse and warns her about her fate in the hopes of saving her from the living death.




He returns when Alessandra is in danger, but the powers behind those seeking her are prepared for anything.




Even the grotesque prince

My Review

Another great installment.

I enjoyed reading things from Mismatch’s point of view and I find it interesting how he can hear Alessandra calling for him. Also I like the mysteriousness of Ms. Nettles in the ending. Maybe there is something more to Alessandra’s cuddly protector.


I’m really enjoying these character introductory type short stories. We get a feeling for how they are and what their background is. It’s getting more excited for the series!


Wonderful flow to the story you get sucked in and keep turning the pages.


I’m looking forward to the next installment. Another great cliffhanger of an ending.

Xander's Chance by Lizzy Ford

Xander’s Chance
(Damian Eternal #1)
Lizzy Ford

Synopsis from Goodreads:

As the single-most powerful vampire on the planet, Xander is the ultimate bored predator with too much time on his hands. He manipulates the minds of immortals for fun and bullies around the Gods, while guarding the secret source of his power, a crystal that can wipe out the planet. But beneath the surface, he’s a shrewd creature who learned the brutal lesson of why there must be a balance between good and evil. An unwilling protector of the playthings known as humans, he knows when and where to use his power – and never to let anyone close enough to betray him. It’s easy to do, since he has the power to read the minds of everyone around him.




Except for one: Jessi, an innocent looking woman with an unusual talent who shows up unexpectedly in his life. Her sudden appearance is too convenient to be coincidence or chance. Xander determines quickly that she was sent by someone, but he can’t read her mind to discover why.




Jessi’s secret – and Xander’s – have the power to forever change the human world. Intrigued by a new sort of challenge, Xander won’t know how much danger he’s in, until he’s placed his fate in the hands of a woman whose betrayal will cost either his heart or his life.

My Review:

4/5 Stars

This book was a fun, action filled continuation of the War of Gods saga. In the Saga we get introduced to an Original named Xander. A vampire who is born from two human parents not created. He is the strongest there is.

In this book we get Xanders background what made him what he is. From a sweet little boy who cared more than anything for his mother to a famous, cocky, self assured, kick butt, reluctant protector of humans playboy who spends his nights with a plethora of women who get kicked out in the morning by his assistent without the chance of a repeat nightime preformance ever again.

Then he meets Jessie. Jessie is a women who isn’t falling for Xanders charms, well at least she isn’t letting her self. She has become Xanders replacement assisted while his is on vacation, but….. she is faking it. She is there to get something from Xander that the Black God wants, that is her only focus. Xander enjoys manipulating people minds but when he meets Jessie he finds that he can not sense her and that intrigues him. He catches on very fast that Jessie is not suppose to be his replacement assistant and he messes with her. To the point where Jessie pretty much quits every day. Their bickering back and forth was cute Jessie even though she got flustered a lot she gave as good as Xander did.

The action scenes were great and I enjoyed the flirtatious bickering between the characters. Also reading what Jessie was going through trying to accept a world filled with vampires, oracles, gods and naturals with special abilities and trying to protect her cousins from some horrible vampires. She could have just relied on Xander for protection but she is so used to taking care of everything herself and she’s not sure she can trust Xander especially since she plans on betraying him which becomes harder for her the closer she gets to him and the more he opens up to her. I liked how we get a sense of the good inside Xander. He definitely protects what is “his”.

Also, we get more of the characters from the War of Gods saga.


What I’m trying to say is. I enjoyed this book. It was a fun action filled read with some romance and lots of flirting. I’d say read the War of Gods saga first to get a better understanding of the characters though.

Alessandra an Omega Beginning short story by Lizzy Ford

Alessandra
#1, Omega Beginnings Miniseries
by Lizzy Ford

*I received this ARC for my honest review*

Synopsis

Short story #1 in a prequel miniseries for the “Omega Series” (launching in late 2015)

Five-year-old Alessandra is obsessed with Disney movies, tea parties and just wants a real birthday party for once in her life. But normal kids don’t bring their toys to life for afternoon tea or see the colorful threads of magic and energy clinging to everything around them.

Normal kids don’t know that gargoyles feel pain, either, or invite one to live in their closet.

On her sixth birthday, Alessandra begins to learn the truth. She’s special, and the men in the black van are coming for her.

My Review

5/5 Stars
Alessandra is an adorable little girl with a big heart. She hated seeing a gargoyle suffer after he was broken by older boys so she fixed him with a magical green ribbon that she can see and manipulate. She ended up with a huge night time protector who comes in handy when the men in the black vans come to find her and take her.


This is a very cute and intriguing mini story. You get a look on how Alessandra’s day usually goes. Introduced to Mismatch and Mrs Nettles and get absorbed in a world like ours but more magical and all from a very special little girls view.

I like the idea of having a mini series to introduce us to the characters for her “Omega Series”


The ending leaves off with a great cliffhanger and I’m looking forward to the next story.

Hardcore Volume 1 by Staci Hart

Hardcore Vol1
Staci Hart

I was given this ARC from the author for my honest review.

Synopsis:

Cory James has never known a life where she wasn’t running. Running from the cops, her home, her past. Running from love. The only time she’s free is when she throws on her hood and takes to the roofs to become a part of New York, to climb to a place in the city where she doesn’t feel alone.

Stealing is nothing, lying inevitable, byproducts of survival. A way for Cory to provide for herself and for her younger sister, Jill, give her the life Cory couldn’t have, and for five years, Cory set up a long line of teetering dominos, one by one, choice by choice.


Meeting Van is the first domino to fall, and once they crash into each other, it’s only a matter of time before her whole world is in danger of falling apart. She can tell herself over and again that she doesn’t care, but it’s a lie. She knows it from the first time she says his name, but she can’t let him in, not when she has a job to do, a job that could rip her life apart at the seams. One that she’ll have to betray Van to finish.

He’ll follow however high she can climb, but she can only run for so long before she has to choose.

My Review

5/5 Stars

I LOVED this! I don’t read many books that are labeled erotica because to me they tend to have shoddy stories with just a bunch of sex scenes. This one caught my attention though and I have to say the story is wonderful and if you need those hot sexy scenes you still get those as well.

Cory was an excellent character. Kind of tough as nails, spit in your face, punch ya if you tick me off , say what I think type girl who also if she liked you she had your back and would do anything to help you and would stick up for you. There isn’t many people she let in through the huge walls she has built up around herself though and she has some pretty big secrets. Van is persistent, reliable, artistic, someone who challenges her and one who can possibly scale those walls Cory has built and someone who can keep up with her. Hopefully she’ll tell him the truth. I even enjoyed the evil Jade and her jerk wad brother. I loved hating them. The world building was done well and everything was easily pictured. I really liked how the scenery got described on the run. You can easily picture the walls that were climbed, the city, the fire escapes, the warehouse were the girls lived, Vans apartment building and the artwork that was beautifully described.


This books has it all Great Story, Kick butt/ smart mouthed/ mysterious female lead, Gorgeous /knows what he wants male, A evil chick you’ll love hating, Hot sex scenes, Wonderful world building , female thieves and adrenaline pumping action.


Volume 1 of Hardcore grabbed me and had me turning the pages non stop till the end and Oh what an end it was! I’m excited to grab Volume 2 and continue the story especially after what went down between Jade and Cory.

Mercenary Instinct ( Mandrake Company,#1) by Ruby Lionsdrake

Mercenary Instinct ( The Mandrake Company #1)
By Ruby Lionsdrake
3.5/5 stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Skulking around in the ruins on a planet swarming with treasure hunters, slavers, and bounty hunters isn’t good for one’s health. But Ankari Markovich needs a few archaeological samples for her latest business venture, a venture that might prove lucrative enough to move her family off the impoverished planet where she grew up. Unfortunately, she has no sooner collected her samples than she’s captured by a band of brawny mercenaries. The captain might be handsome, but he’s intent on turning her over to some finance lord who has, for reasons unknown, put a bounty on her head, a ridiculously large one at that. If she can’t figure out a way to escape before she’s delivered to the lord’s home world, she could be forced into a life of indentured servitude—or worse.



Captain Viktor Mandrake doesn’t usually take on piddling bounty hunting gigs, but when his intelligence officer informs him of a criminal on a nearby planet, he decides it wouldn’t hurt to take a shuttle down to collect the woman. But Ankari Markovich is trouble from the start, nearly eluding his elite forces, then fighting and tricking his people left and right. He finds himself admiring her spirit, but according to her warrant, she’s a criminal. The safest thing is to keep her in the brig and ignore her until she can be handed off to the man who wants her.



But the situation grows more complicated when other bounty hunters show up, wanting to claim Ankari for themselves. Thanks to this woman, Viktor’s ship is in danger, his crew members are going missing, and he’s fighting enemies he never asked for in a jungle in the middle of a hurricane. He’s either going to strangle Ankari… or fall in love. Either scenario could get him killed

My Review:

Ankari and her friends start a business which could put some money in their pockets. In order for that to happen though the need to be down on this planet that has a bunch of space pirates and other shady people collecting not your most glamours of archaeological samples. While down there a bounty has been put on Ankari’s and her two business colleagues heads. In comes Captain Viktor Mandrake. He gets news of some criminals on a planet he’s near and comes down and gets a hold of Ankari and her crew. He tries to keep them in his jail but Ankari keeps scheming and out witting his crew and escaping. Viktor starts to admire Ankari and believing the she and the other girls are not criminals. When he doesn’t rush them back for the bounty a bunch of madness ensues. His crew is placed in danger. They end up on a jungle riddled planet with crazy man eating beasts and other bounty hunters come to claim Ankari.


I liked the characters they were all well written and interesting. Ankari was funny, smart, loyal and she could handle her own and she did save herself and others in a few situations. Viktor was also loyal and he knew Ankari could hold her own and if need be possibly save herself. He respected her and her abilities. The instant lust thing is something I’m not into reading about but these two had some funny flirtatious conversations that was fun to read. There was some great action parts and some parts I actually laughed out loud at. The balance between the romance and the action was well written. As much as it kills me to say this ( especially since I’m a huge fan of this author under her other name) some parts were slow but I think they helped move the story a long or they provided background information.


I enjoyed reading this book. I think those who like sci/fi, space opera romance adventure type stuff might like it too. Its not overheated in the sex scene area but there are a few scenes and there is the kick butt fighting scenes for those who prefer that.


A fun space opera adventure romance. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I’ll be reading this series hoping to read more about the other characters like Mandrakes pilot and the girls that were on Ankari’s crew Lauren ( the scientist) and Jamie ( the engineer). 

Lost to You ( The Regret Series 0.5) by A.L. Jackson

So Its been a few days, I kind of started three books and got sucked into the family life with a kid being sick and all.  That being said! Heres another review for you!! 

Synopsis From Goodreads:

People come into our lives. Some stay, and many go. Some build us up, while most tear us down. They become our friends, our enemies, our lovers, our tormentors. Christian Davison came into mine, and I knew I’d never be the same.

To Elizabeth Ayers, New York City had always been a dream. She’s worked her entire young life to make it here.

Groomed to one day take over his father’s law firm, attending Columbia University was Christian Davison’s only option.

Neither wanted anything more until they sat across from each other at a café table after being paired as study partners. Christian wants her, but Elizabeth knows better than to give into their intense attraction. Yet there is little she can do to stay away

My Review:

4.5/5 Stars



This is my first book I’ve read by this author. It was a quick sweet novella about Christian and Elizabeth falling in Love in college.

Elizabeth was a hard working woman who had to do so much to get into Columbia University so she was not going to let anything to distract her from getting good grades so she can stay in and become a lawyer. Then in walks Christian for there study buddy group for a class. He was charismatic and good looking and Elizabeth knew he was trouble. But! what I liked most is she stuck to her initial idea of not letting him become too much of a distraction. He became her best friend and the flirting between them just grew and you read/watched them fall in love with each other. They had their hiccups but it has a wonderful happy ending.

It was a very cute story and was just what I was in the mood for. I liked how it was written from both points of view so you can see what each character was thinking and feeling.


This is a prequel to one of A.L Jacksons other books and you know I just might pick up the book Take This Regret soon. I usually don’t read these contemporary romance novels or novellas and there are few that can keep me wanting to read wonderfully written heartwrenching/heartwarming books but this one I’m definitely going to pick up when I’m in my uber girly mood and just need a romantic emotional book.


Wonderfully written heartwarming book. A.L Jackson has a way with pulling you in with the emotions the characters are going through. Your heartbreaks with them and you feel the hope with them.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver
by Lois Lowry
5/5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back

My Review:

This is not my typical review. This book is my all time favorite book. I've been reading and re reading this book since I picked it up back in like 7th grade. Its my go to book, my comfy place. The book when I just want to read something that reminds me of my earlier reading days. My brain palette cleanser between books or book series. I read this book at least 5 times a year. This was the first book that every made me cry.


I love Jonas and his strength that he has to do what he has to do to make people feel again. The strength and bravery he had to have not only to embrace the happy memories and feelings but to endure the painful ones as well.
I love The Giver and his old wise ways and how it kills him to bring pain to this poor boy who is next in line to be The Receiver and having to get past the worry that what happens in the past will happen again.
Every time I read this book it makes me grateful for my memories, feelings and choices. I'm pretty sure this is the book that when I read it it finally hit me what the difference between an actual home and a dwelling is. Or what an actual family is compared to a family unit. How much the words " Yes, I love you" actually means.
As a kid it was awesome to see Jonas just a young kid have such an impact on his colony. He didn't have superhuman strength or gadgets just him.


Needless to say I love this story I read it often and my I read it to my kids often. I recommend this to any one young or old.

I just recently watched the movie.

Why did it take me so long? Like I said my ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK got made into a movie. I was excited at first. I wanted to rush to the theaters to see it. To take my kids to see it ,but what if they screwed it up? What if I hated it?  Oh god I can't see this!  Why is Jonas so old?  

Well, with all that running through my mind I never saw it in theater I waited till I could get it in my hands on watch it in the comfort of my home.  I'm kind of disappointed that I waited. I wish I would have just experienced it in the theater.  They did a wonderful job. They didn't seem to move far from the story line. The kids were older than I had pictured in my head, but it worked great.  Jeff Bridges made an excellent Giver. I think the casting was super well done.  

My favorite part was when we got to see the memories that Jonas ( Brenton Thwaites) was given.  And the heartbreaking part when he found out what it meant to be released and seeing his father release a newborn. 

This movie was more than I expected. I loved it and I have a feeling now every time I read the book I'll be watching the movie after. ( Just hope I don't wear out my first copy of the movie like I did with my book) 

Roth (The Invasion Trilogy #2) by Jessica Frances

Roth
The Invasion Trilogy #2
by Jessica Frances

Synopsis From Goodreads

I was taken and left for dead on a planet far from Earth. My new nightmare is called Roth.
I have only Hank for an ally here and a burning rage that builds higher with each passing day.
But we have a plan.
One that will hopefully give humans back the Earth.
One that will ensure I get revenge for what was taken from me.
I will stop at nothing to get Earth back.
I am willing to die for this.


I made a mistake.
I sent Mattie away from Earth and now she is in more danger than she ever was there.
The threat to her life doesn't just come from my people, but from humans as well.
I have to find her.
She needs to know there is more at risk than just her life.
She carries a secret, one that would lead to our deaths if anyone found out.
If we want a future together, then we need to escape Roth and leave the war and everyone behind.


What happens when their plan begins to fail?
What will they do when a new threat presents itself, one more dangerous than anything they have ever faced before?
Will Mattie be able to survive the loss she is forced to endure?
Will Marduke be able to protect her from not only his people and hers, but also from herself?
Is there still a way to save Earth?
Is there even a way to save each other?
Or will humans fall?
Will Earth be lost to them forever?

My Review

Well written installment of The Invasion Trilogy. Written again from both Marduke and Matties point of view.

Roth takes place right were Earth left off. Mattie is on Roth with Hank and other humans. They plan on taking back Earth from the aliens, which they assume is the robots because the don’t realize yet that the humans they have deemed brainwashed are actually the alien race that removed them from Earth. Mattie believes Marduke and Logan are dead but they are on Mardukes home planet Oden. Marduke is actually imprisoned there. Will they be able to save Earth and the humans? Will they reunite?

Mattie still going strong in this book. No matter the complications and the unexpected news she doesn’t falter. She fights her hardest for Earth, Marduke, her friends and family.

This book was full of non stop action. I enjoyed the detail that was put into this story it made everything easy to imagine, from the nasty aliens to the planets that they were on. With all the complications and ups and down Mattie and Mardukes relationship is going stronger than ever and its nice to see them fight and disagree but work things out.

I’m excited to find out what happens next. With the new twists thrown in how are they going to handle everything. Will they save Earth? Will they survive.

Excellent book! Lots of page turning action, romance, heartbreak,drama, some humor , human like aliens and nightmare type aliens. With everything flowing and all the action it was hard to put it down!

Suicide Squad #1

Suicide Squad
by Adam Glass, Ryan Benjamin (Cover Artist), Frederico Dallocchio (Pencils/Inks), Ransom Getty (Pencils), Scott Hanna (Inks), Val Staples (Colorist)
4/5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads

They're a team of death-row super villains recruited by the government to take on missions so dangerous they're sheer suicide! Harley Quinn! Deadshot! King Shark! Defeated and imprisoned, they're being interrogated about their mission--and about who's pulling the strings behind this illegal operation.




My Review:


As I’ve said a few times before I’m new to reading graphic novels and comics, so some of these characters I’m coming in with little to no knowledge of their pasts.

I enjoyed this a lot. It’s about supervillans so its dark gritty and gory. you get a touch of their pasts and their individual personalities. I was kind of shocked how they seemed to throw away a couple super villains but bad guys are bad guys so back stabbing was going to happen. I think the storyline was wonderful and intriguing. Harley Quinn’s story is mostly covered and it was interesting to see how her and Joker came to be. I’m more interested in Deadshot though. I’d like to know what happens to him because at the end the predicament he got himself into at the beginning still sounded unresolved.

I was trying to find a nice way of saying I don’t care for oversexed way Harley Quinn looked I much prefer her older look that I saw on the cover of Harely Quinn Hot in the City or even back to the bodysuit. It has nothing to do with me thinking that all women shouldn’t be drawn scantily clad. By all means draw them how you see fit I’m here for the story. Its just when I picture her I picture her with a little more class. Thats the only thing I thought was negative.

Knowing a little about DC and super villains I came into it expecting gore ,dark story line and dark humor. I got that along with a great story.

Gritty, Gory, Dark, and Fun… I hope to get the next one soon.

~By the way did anyone else out there read this? What did you think?  If I liked this what should I read next? If you have a suggestion toss it in the comments below. ~



 

Barely Bewitched Southern Witch #2 by Kimberly Frost

Barely Bewitched
Southern Witch #2
by Kimberly Frost

4/5 Stars

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Welcome to Duvall, Texas, where Tammy Jo Trask has just unleashed an accidental Armageddon.

When Tammy Jo's misfiring magic attracts the attention of the World Association of Magic, a wand-wielding wizard and a menacing fire warlock show up to train her for a dangerous—and mandatory—challenge. But is there more to their arrival than they claim?

The town comes unglued when a curse leads to a toxic spill of pixie dust and the doors between the human and faery worlds begin to open. To rescue the town and to face the challenge, Tammy needs help from the incredibly handsome Bryn Lyons, but the association known as WAM has declared him totally off-limits…

My Review

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway

. Tammy Jo is back and this time a lot funnier.She wants to go back to working for Cookie and leave her the idea of being a witch in the past, but The World Association of Magic have other ideas for her. They send in some people to train her for a mandatory challenge. One is a flame throwing scary man who has anger issues and the other a posh British gentleman who only wants to help Tammy Jo. A curse leads to a problem with pixie dust ,fey and the humans in the town of Duvall going crazy. One person she could get help from is declared off limits by the World Association of Magic and the other wants to send her to a psychologist for her problems.

There was actually parts that I laughed out loud at. Some of the situations she gets tangled up in are pretty funny. The story was wonderful, well written and easy to follow. I’m not a fan of love triangles but the one with Tammy Jo, Bryn and Zach is still going strong in this book. What I really like about this book is Tammy Jo. I’m not a fan of her southern sayings sometimes but it kind of makes her adorable. She’s also super sweet and willing to help out everybody she can even if she doesn’t like the person. In this book she actually becomes pretty bad a** and in my opinion she seems to make smarter choices.

I again do not like Zach and I do not care what happens in the next book I’ve decided I don’t like him forever, but what he does at the end is pretty cool and I can not wait to read more about what happens with him.

I like what we find out about Bryn it makes him more interesting to me and I hope we get more backstory on it.

Oh and we also get a little bit more of Mercutio’s past. Such and interesting cat.


A great second installment of the Southern Witch series tons of humor, sarcasm and a fun mystery. A quick page turning read.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Uprooted
by Naomi Novik

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Naomi Novik, author of the bestselling and critically acclaimed Temeraire novels, introduces a bold new world rooted in folk stories and legends, as elemental as a Grimm fairy tale.

“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

My Review:

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway ( I am so happy I got that lucky)

I really enjoyed this book. Its got the old school Grimm tale feel to it. There was pain, suffering, consequences,blood, battles, heartbreak and some dark magic. Along with loyalty to family and community, working together, love and sympathy. It also sparked my interest in Baba Yaga and I plan on reading more about this mythological well loved being.

Agnieszka grows from this ever dirty sweet girl who is expecting her best friend to be taken from her by The Dragon to a young woman who at first seems to pity herself and her predicament but we get to read how through many trials she grows up to be accepting and understanding of who she is and those who are around her, including the emotionally cold Dragon.

The Dragon, even for as mean and gruff as he was, he was great character. He has a dark past but he does what he has to to save the villages from the corrupt woods. Some of the mean things he says are actually funny and I think come out more towards his disbelief in the things Agnieszka does. She’s pretty much his opposite but the work together well.

Kasia was brave and even accepted what happened to her and consequences for the things that happened. She was completely loyal and always believed in Agnieszka. I’d love to read more about her character.


What I am trying to say is this story is one of those ones that you read and think WOW that was a wonderfully written book. The characters were well written and all had their trials to get over. There were points were it was dark and gloomy with lots of heartbreak but other points were it was silly and fun. There was great world building nothing was overdone or underdone. Its a story that at some point ,if not at every point, you’ll find yourself surprised by how things turn out and why things happened the way they did. It pointed out how the love for somethings can turn us dark when we are only trying to protect what we love so much. At the end it leaves you with hope for the world that they fight to protect.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes the darker type fairy tales, which everything may not be happily ever after for everyone. It has some sexual situations not detailed but definitely a older Young Adult book in my opinion.

A beautifully written, wonderful tale. I’m hoping it becomes a series because although the ending was in my opinion perfect I want more of these characters and this world.

This book grabbed a place in this booknerds heart.