Saturday, June 23, 2018

Review: The Suffering by Rin Chupeco (L)

Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Tark knows what it is to be powerless. But Okiku changed that. A restless spirit who ended life as a victim and started death as an avenger, she's groomed Tark to destroy the wicked. But when darkness pulls them deep into Aokigahara, known as Japan's suicide forest, Okiku's justice becomes blurred, and Tark is the one who will pay the price... (from the online description)

Review: Picking up about a year after The Girl From the Well, this is written from Tark’s point of view. We follow him as he settles into a life with Okiku as his ghost-companion. He is her “doll” and she is compelled to stay with him – or risk losing him to another spirit. As they work to balance their life together, Tark received word that one of the women who helped him in the previous book has gone missing. Feeling a debt, Tark embarks on a mission to save her.
But she is lost in the forest known for its darkness and death. Something old, something evil, lures people there and feeds on their suffering. To save his friend, Tark must travel into the heart of darkness. There, he will encounter not only that which might take his life, but Okiku’s existence as well.
With more action then the previous novel, this feels very much like a classic horror movie, but without the cheesy jump-scares. Seeped in Japanese lore and mystical magical arts, we learned a bit about Japanese ghost stories and what might make them come to life.
Complex characters, fast-paced action, and lots of creepy atmosphere creates a fun read, particularly for a dark and stormy night. Worth reading if you are looking for something a bit different than your regular YA. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-4926-2983-2
Year Published: 2015
Date Finished: 6-16-2018
Pages: 313

Friday, June 22, 2018

Review: The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco (L)

Synopsis: I am where dead children go. Okiku is a lonely soul. She has wandered the world for centuries, freeing the spirits of the murdered-dead. Once a victim herself, she now takes the lives of killers with the vengeance they're due. But releasing innocent ghosts from their ethereal tethers does not bring Okiku peace. Still she drifts on. Such is her existence, until she meets Tark. Evil writhes beneath the moody teen's skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. While his neighbors fear him, Okiku knows the boy is not a monster. Tark needs to be freed from the malevolence that clings to him. There's just one problem: if the demon dies, so does its host. (from the online description)

Review: A ghost story, a horror tale, told from the viewpoint of the deadly spirit. Rising from her grave, fixated on vengeance Okiku has traveled the globe to deal a swift and bloody justice to those who have wronged people like her. She is the thing that gurgles in the shadows and springs from the dark.
But over the centuries, something has changed in Okiku. She isn’t the same mindless entity as others like her. She has a conscious, of sorts.
And when she meets Tark, she sees not only him, but the much darker spirit trapped inside him. With her help, and that of Tark’s mother, they will see that spirit banished from our world before it can lay a trail of blood and death.
This story is a creepy and haunting, but not in a cheesy way. No jump-scares here. Instead, it’s like watching The Grudge or Dark Water, but through the eyes of the dead.
Fantastically done, with excellent inclusion of Japanese mythology and culture. If you like creepy (but not gory) tales infused with non-Western tones, this is the book for you!  

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-4022-9218-7
Year Published: 2014
Date Finished: 6-14-2018
Pages: 265

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Review: The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time, Book 4)

Synopsis: The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind.
In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken?
In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn.
In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland.
In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve.
Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn...  (from the online description)

Review: In the fourth installment of Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, we fine Rand still in Tear. After his triumph and his fulfillment of the prophecy by take the Stone of Tear, Rand must decide what to do next. Rumor reaches him that his home of Two Rivers is under oppression by the Whitecloaks – but going there might place all in jeopardy.  The Forsaken are looking for him and The White Tower has dubious motives. Danger and Death are at every turn. Rand, for all his youth, decides to forge his own path and does so with strength beyond his years.
With his notable and customary talent, Jordan sweeps the reader along a fast-paced journey. From Tar Valon to Tanchico, from the Two Rivers to the Aiel Wastes, we follow each of the main characters as they plunge into danger, fight against the growing darkness, and discover new friends and enemies. Jordan’s ability to weave new characters into the narrative, bring old ones back, and keep the reader invested is a testament to his talent.
An excellent continuation of the series and worth reading. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-812-51373-8
Year Published: 1993
Date Finished: 6-12-2018
Pages: 1006

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Review: My Face to the Wind: The Diary of Sarah Jane Price, A Prairie Teacher (1881) by Jim Murphy (The Dear America Series)

Synopsis: Following her father's death from a disease that swept through her Nebraska town in 1881, teenage Sarah Jane must find work to support herself and records in her diary her experiences as a young school teacher. (from the online description)

Review: Written in the form of a diary, we follow Sarah Jane Price as she struggles to live after the sudden death of her father. Left alone in a small prairie town, Sarah Jane wonders about her future and what she will do to survive.
Despite her fear, she convinces the town to let her take over her father’s position at teaching. Although they lack belief in her ability because of age, they agree – but make it hard for her, providing her with almost no supplies and much less salary than they paid her father.
Both Sarah Jane and her story are fiction, but they are based on many small towns and small town teachers. There is an authenticity to the story – the struggles of the small town, the people, the hardship, the weather. With complex secondary characters, fast plot, and good action, this was an excellent read. I would recommend for school-age kids, particularly as part of educational program about the early settlers. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-590-43810-7
Year Published: 2001
Date Finished: 6-9-2018
Pages: 178

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Review: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (The All Souls Trilogy, Book 1)

Synopsis: Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont. (from the online description)

Review: My disappointment in this book comes as much from the book itself as my expectations.
This was recommended to me as an Urban Fantasy about a witch and a vampire who team up to protect a magical book. Sounds good, right?
I did not realize it centered on the romance between the two characters and not the mystery of the magical book. In fact, I would label this a paranormal romance and not an urban fantasy.
So much of the book was taken up by the two main characters talking (or in her case, sleeping and/or crying). It seemed to take too many of these conversations to move the story forward. The characters constantly talked about how it was forbidden for them to spend time together, but then constantly did with no consequences other than a few harsh words from their respective people groups. Brief spots of action (always followed by pages and pages of talking) helped a little, but the action often centered on the hero rescuing the heroine, and giving them more chances to talk (ugh!)
I’m also never a fan of insta-love. How are you willing to jeopardize the stability of the world, risk war among the supernatural groups, and endanger your families for someone you meet three weeks ago? Really? Shallow and unrealistic, to me. I was never able to connect with the main characters because of this, which made it difficult to finish the book.
The only redeeming quality was the history and lore and libraries – I loved reading about library built over centuries, the history of alchemy, etc. More of that and less lovey-dovey shit and the book would have been ten times better.
If you enjoy slow-paced paranormal romance, this is the book for you. But if you are looking for more adventure and fights and action – not so much. 

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-14-311968-5
Year Published: 2011
Date Finished: 6-10-2018
Pages: 577

Monday, June 18, 2018

Review: Emperor of Thorns by Mark Lawrence (The Broken Empire, Book 3)

Synopsis: King Jorg Ancrath is twenty now—and king of seven nations. His goal—revenge against his father—has not yet been realized, and the demons that haunt him have only grown stronger. Yet no matter how tortured his path, he intends to take the next step in his upward climb.
Jorg would be emperor. It is a position not to be gained by the sword but rather by vote. And never in living memory has anyone secured a majority of the vote, leaving the Broken Empire long without a leader. Jorg plans to change that. He’s uncovered the lost technology of the land, and he won’t hesitate to use it.
But he soon finds an adversary standing in his way, a necromancer unlike any he has ever faced—a figure hated and feared even more than himself: the Dead King. (from the online description)

Review: The last in the Broken Empire trilogy, we’ve followed Jorg down a dark and bloody path. Here, we see the end.
Jorg has never hidden his ambition or his desire to rule over all. In this book, he sets out to use all his cunning and ruthlessness to achieve it. But the Dead King – the Dead King is coming.
As with the previous, we see the split time – following Jorg via the present and the past. Lawrence uses a deft hand, taking the reader from the past to the present, interweaving the stories.
The ending – no spoilers – but many people didn’t like it. However, I found it perfect for the story. It ended the journey in the only way it could, with redemption. This story, ultimately, was about redemption, about taking the sorry and death and suffering of the past and making it matter.
This is a fantastic series, worth reading. It is bloody and dark, to be sure, but that is what makes it the story that it is.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-425-25654-1
Year Published: 2013
Date Finished: 6-7-2018
Pages: 399

Review: Black Magick. Volume II by Greg Rucka (ill. by Nicole Scott)

Synopsis: The trap around Rowan Black continues to close, with the Hammer closing in on one side and the Ascension now in motion on the other. But the ultimate wound may not be wielded by magick, but instead delivered via the heart.(from the online description)

Notes: Collects Issues #6-11

Review: The second volume in the dark and exciting Black Magick comic by Greg Rucka.This volume starts with Rowan as a child. We learn of her past and its connection to her current actions – and those of her enemies. Rucka takes us more in the world were witches and demons live, into how the magic works, and what makes Rowan special. Rowan is forced to confront her fears – and when her desires are exposed, she needs to make a choice about protecting those she loves. Fast-paced plot, creepy villains, and complex characters build a story that kept me enthralled.The art is perfectly suited to the story. Mostly done in black and white, with splash of red which brings the darker tones of the story to life.My only complaint is that during one scene, a character spoke German and no translation was offered. I had to look it up using Google Translate with was a bit tedious.I’m eager for more of this story! I sincerely hope more is planned, as this ends with all parties in peril!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-5343-0483-3
Year Published: 2018
Date Finished: 6-6-2018
Pages: 81

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Review: The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman (ill. by Eddie Campbell)

Synopsis: The text of The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains was first published in the collection anthology Stories: All New Tales edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio. This gorgeous full-color illustrated book version was born of a unique collaboration between writer Neil Gaiman and artist Eddie Campbell, who brought to vivid life the characters and landscape of Gaiman's story. In August 2010, The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains was performed in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House to a sold-out crowd—Gaiman read his tale live as Campbell's magnificent artwork was presented, scene-by-scene, on large screens. Narrative and art were accompanied by live music composed and performed especially for the story by the FourPlay String Quartet. (from the online description)

Review: With is usual touch of the macabre, Gaiman takes us on a journey through the highlands of Scotland.  Along with his words, we are treated to the murky, dynamic, and stylized art of Eddie Campbell.
Set in a twisted world of dark water and fading sun, full of ghosts and danger, this tale is perfect for a dark and stormy night. It’s a strange tale. Naturally, as the product of the mind of Gaiman, known for his creepy stories.
It reads like a folktale, with the central character being a strange little man of possible other-worldly origins, with a dark purpose that brings him to the Cave of the title. From there, he will find the tools he needs to enact his revenge. The plot twists, dark deeds are done, and you aren’t sure where the tale will lead you.
The art is fantastic – part graphic novel, part sketches, with a muted tones and rough lines. It matches the story perfectly.
Worth reading if you enjoy haunting dark tales with ghoulish art. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-06-228214-9
Year Published: 2010 / 2014
Date Finished: 6-5-2018
Pages: 74

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Review: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Schulman

Synopsis: Elizabeth has just started working as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository - a lending library of objects, contemporary and historical, common and obscure. And secret, too - for in the repository's basement lies the Grimm Collection, a room of magical items straight from the Grimm Brother's fairy tales. But the magic mirrors and seven-league boots and other items are starting to disappear. And before she knows it, she and her fellow pages - handsome Marc, perfect Anjali, and brooding Aaron - are suddenly caught up in an exciting, and dangerous, magical adventure. (from the online description)

Review: As a fan of anything fairy tale related (particularly any story where fairy tales are real) and a lover of libraries, this book held much interest for me.
Sadly, it did not live up to my anticipation. The world-building, while intriguing, was a bit…off? The idea of a library full of magic items held promise, but the idea that people could “check-out” these dangerous and deadly items made little sense to me. Even more so was the idea that they let teenagers run around with these items. This seemed implausible to me and I just wasn’t able to get into the story as I’d hoped. Perhaps it could have been saved by other elements, but flat characters, trite villain, and fast-paced (albeit predictable) plot round out the narrative.
As for the romance, while a bit cliché, held nothing questionable. It was sweet, built on friendship, and had a touch of honesty and realism about it that I found refreshing. Nothing more than a bit of kissing between consenting people, and that was described using rather tame language.
Over-all, this was an average read. If you enjoy fairy tales, you may enjoy this read, but it wasn’t for me. 

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-545-43652-6
Year Published: 2010
Date Finished: 6-3-2018
Pages: 325

Friday, June 15, 2018

Review: The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey

Synopsis: Helva had been born human, but only her brain had been saved—saved to be schooled, programmed, and implanted into the sleek titanium body of an intergalactic scout ship. But first she had to choose a human partner—male or female—to share her exhilirating excapades in space! Her life was to be rich and rewarding . . . resplendent with daring adventures and endless excitement, beyond the wildest dreams of mere mortals. Gifted with the voice of an angel and being virtually indestructable, Helva XH-834 antipitated a sublime immortality. Then one day she fell in love! (from the online description)

Review: This novel is actually a collection of five short stories, written between 1961 and 1969, strung together into a coherent single narrative. Although slightly choppy to read due to that, it does come together in the end, with each single episode contributing something the ending that matters.
This book also begins the series, some written by McCaffrey.
As for the story itself, it is excellent speculative fiction. What if the minds of people with severe physical disabilities could be taken from the body and put into computers, or in Helva’s case, into a space ship. How would those very real human emotions withstand a life so outside human experience?
Intriguing, with fast-paced plot, complex characters, and a balance between action and thought, this book is classic sci-fi at its best. At the center is Helva’s search for a true partner, her “Brawn” and what that means to a mind encased in a rocket ship – where walking on a planet is impossible but hurtling through the stars is the norm.
For anyone who enjoy solid sci-fi, this is a must read. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 345-24823-6-150
Year Published: 1961-1969 (See Note Above)
Date Finished: 6-3-18
Pages: 248

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Review: Witches: Wicked, Wild, & Wonderful ed by Paula Guran

Synopsis: Surrounded by the aura of magic, witches have captured our imagination for millennia and fascinate us now more than ever. No longer confined to the image of a hexing old crone, witches can be kindly healers and protectors, tough modern urban heroines, holders of forbidden knowledge, sweetly domestic spellcasters, darkly domineering, sexy enchantresses, ancient sorceresses, modern Wiccans, empowered or persecuted, possessors of supernatural abilities that can be used for good or evil — or perhaps only perceived as such. Welcome to the world of witchery in many guises: wicked, wild, and wonderful! (from the online description)

Review: A wide-ranging collection of short stories based on witches, this collection will have a story for anyone. Urban fantasy follows Fairy Tale follows Classic Horror. That isn’t to say every story is good. Some are boring, and a few are creepy and disgusting. But the overall average is good, with some rising above. I was unfamiliar with all the authors presented, although several (Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Bear, Ursula K. La Guin) are well-known.
My favorites include Walpurgis Afternoon by Delia Sherman, The Cold Blacksmith by Elizabeth Bear, Mirage and Magia by Tanith Lee (the story that made me buy the book), Lessons with Miss Gray by Theodora Goss, Ill Met in Ulthar by T. A. Pratt, The Way Wind by Andre Norton, and Skin Deep by Richard Parks (My Favorite in the Collection)
If you enjoy good stories about witches, both evil and pure, buy and read this anthology. You won’t be disappointed. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None (Although many of the authors have won awards)

ISBN: 978-1-60701-294-8
Year Published: 2012
Date Finished: 6-1-2018
Pages: 375

Friday, June 8, 2018

Review: River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life by Richard Dawkins (The Science Masters Series)

Synopsis: A 1995 popular science book by Richard Dawkins. The book is about Darwinian evolution and summarizes the topics covered in his earlier books, The Selfish Gene, The Extended Phenotype and The Blind Watchmaker. It is part of the Science Masters series and is Dawkins's shortest book. It is illustrated by Lalla Ward, Dawkins's wife. The book's name is derived from Genesis 2:10 relating to the Garden of Eden. The King James Version reads "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads."

River Out of Eden has five chapters. The first chapter lays down the framework on which the rest of the book is built, that life is like a river of genes flowing through geological time where organisms are mere temporary bodies. The second chapter shows how human ancestry can be traced via many gene pathways to different most recent common ancestors, with special emphasis on the African Eve. The third chapter describes how gradual enhancement via natural selection is the only mechanism which can create the observed complexity of nature. The fourth chapter describes the indifference of genes towards organisms they build and discard, as they maximise their own utility functions. The last chapter summarises milestones during the evolution of life on Earth and speculates on how similar processes may work in alien planetary systems. (from the wikipedia page)

Review: This is my first book by Richard Dawkins. After reading the comments, it would appear I lucked-out at reading this first is a good idea, as an introduction to his ideas. I am familiar with some of his ideas, mostly in relation to Atheism, Religion, and Evolution, mostly from watching or listening to his debates.
I was not impressed with this book. I acknowledge part of that was a mis-understanding of what it was about. I expected fewer tangents into honeybees and caterpillars, and more….logic?
He often states “People believe this and it is wrong” but the reasons he gave held no more strength or persuasive power that the arguments he was debating!
Perhaps reading his other works, which are reported to be a more in-depth look at these ideas, will change my opinion. I would hope he has more to offer in the way of logic-based proof for these ideas than what is written in these pages.
As for this book, it is as others say, an excellent introduction to Dr. Dawkin’s ideology and gives a good starting place from which to explore his ideas about the world.

Bookmarks: 2 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-465-01606-5
Year Published: 1995
Date Finished: 5-29-18
Pages: 172

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Review: Valiant Zeroes and Origins by Multiple (Valiant Comics)

Synopsis:  Gathering one-shot opening stories for some of the greatest Valiant Heros - Harbinger, Shadowman, Archer and Armstrong, Bloodshot, Quantum and Woody, X-O Manowar, Unity, and Punk Mambo.

Review: This is an excellent introduction to the main characters in the Valiant Universe. Some of these are taken from the first issue of those hero's stories and some are preludes to the first issue. If you are a long-time fan of these characters, there will be nothing new in these collection for you. However, if you are interested in exploring a Universe NOT DC or Marvel, and what to learn about these characters, READ THIS.

Valiant characters have a wide range - from off-beat (Quantum and Woody) to Anti-Hero (Shadowman and Bloodshot) to hilarious and heroic (Archer and Armstrong). Punk Mambo is particular unique and I surprised I have not heard about her before reading this.

Be sure to pick this up if you can - you will not regret reading these stories!

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 9781939346582
Year Published: 2015
Date Finished: 5-23-2018
Pages" 155

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Review: X-O Manowar Volumes 3-6 by Multiple (Valiant Comics)

 Synopsis: Encompassing the following Volumes:

X-O Manowar Vol. 6: Prelude to Armor Hunters (collects X-O Manowar #23–25)
X-O Manowar Vol. 5: At War With Unity (collects X-O Manowar #19–22)
X-O Manowar Vol. 4: Homecoming (collects X-O Manowar #15–18)
X-O Manowar Vol. 3: Planet Death (collects X-O Manowar #9–14)

Review: As with the earlier volumes, we follow Aric of Dacia as he struggles to find a home for his people. His first action is to take back the land of his birth - despite that fact it currently occupied by modern Italy. The resulting violence causes death for Aric's people - and his own pride leads to even more. The end is not what Aric wants but it is the only one left for him because of his own arrogance. In exchange for land in North Dakota, he works for the US Government, his own people held hostage. The story ends there, but I think we will see that come back to haunt those who threaten his people.

Additionally, there are people hunting the armor - both on Earth and in the Galaxy at large. In Vol. 6 we are introduced to the Armor Hunters - a group with one purpose - to hunt and destroy all the Armors. And they are coming for Aric.
Aric is a flawed, proud, powerful, character. His mistakes cost him. He makes bad choices. He loses. He is not an anti-hero, the shining-white hero, or the dark and evil villain. He is human, with both good and bad. This gives the stories a reality often missing in super-hero tales.
Worth reading, particularly if you are a bit tired of the DC or Marvel Universe.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5 / 3.5 of 5 / 4 of 5 / 4 of 5

Awards: NONE

ISBN: 9781939346087 / 9781939346179 / 9781939346247 / 9781939346407
Year Published: 2013 / 2013 / 2014 / 2014
Date Finished:  5-23-2018
Pages: 132 / 137 / 122 / 125

Review: Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina (L)

Synopsis: Nora Lopez is seventeen during the infamous New York summer of 1977, when the city is besieged by arson, a massive blackout, and a serial killer named Son of Sam who shoots young women on the streets. Nora’s family life isn’t going so well either: her bullying brother, Hector, is growing more threatening by the day, her mother is helpless and falling behind on the rent, and her father calls only on holidays. All Nora wants is to turn eighteen and be on her own. And while there is a cute new guy who started working with her at the deli, is dating even worth the risk when the killer likes picking off couples who stay out too late? Award-winning author Meg Medina transports us to a time when New York seemed balanced on a knife-edge, with tempers and temperatures running high, to share the story of a young woman who discovers that the greatest dangers are often closer than we like to admit—and the hardest to accept. (from the online description)

Review: I picked this up from the library after reading Medina’s newest work, Merci Suarez Changes Gear. Having loved that one, I was rather disappointed in this work.
Set during the record-breaking and historic New York City Summer of 1977, we follow Nora as she struggles to settle the many broken pieces of her life. An absent father, abusive brother, and uncertainty about her future combine with the fear of Son of Sam and the record-breaking oppressive heat.
I failed to connect with Nora, although I am not certain that is due to a failing on the author. Her brother, the main antagonist for the story, seems almost like a trope of the violent drug-addled boy of the era. I wish Medina has explored more about why he made the choices that he did, to give him depth and prevent him from just being The Bad Guy in the story. Several of the side characters felt like two-dimensional arc-types – The Friendly Grocery, the Sleazy Janitor, the Angry Feminist. More attention to the complexity of the background characters would have improved the story.
Brisk plot, realistic dialogue, and action, mixed with actual historical events, salvaged the story and made it worth reading. Not a bad story, just not as good as it could be.  There are people who will greatly profit from the story.
Note: This book deals heavily with domestic abuse and violence. It also mentions sex (just in passing). Be advised when reading. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-7636-7467-0
Year Published: 2016
Date Finished:  5-21-2018
Pages: 310

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Review: Harbinger: Omega Rising (Volume One) by Joshua Dysart, Khari Evens, Lewis Larosa, Ian Hannin

Synopsis: Super-powered teenager Peter Stanchek is on a dangerous path. Skipping across the country in a desperate attempt to stay one step ahead of the authorities, Peter is quickly realizing that he's a psionically-charged "harbinger" with the potential to reshape the course of human history. But Peter's plight has not gone unnoticed. Respected philanthropist and fellow harbinger, Toyo Harada, is about to offer Peter the chance at the things for which the boy has always longed — family, inner peace, self-control — and induct him into the sprawling, secret network of conspiracy and subversion known as the Harbinger Foundation. Now, Peter begins his long road towards a destiny that will shake the very foundations of the Valiant Universe. His first lesson? All power comes with a price! (from the online description)

Review:  Dark and bloody, this story follows Peter, a lost boy with an ability so powerful it might remake the World. Tricked and abused by Harada, Peter eventually lashes out, with violent consequences.
Using the same dark illustrations, shadowed panels, and dynamic lines as the Bloodshot graphic novels, we explore with Peter the dangerous would of those who wise to control everything. Shifting alliances and deadly foes create a world where Peter has no one to trust. For the reader, this creates excellent tension in the story, moving the plot long briskly. There are plenty of gruesome fights and gut-wrenching moments.
If you are a fan of grittier comics (like DC) but want to explore something new, this is the place for you. I would not recommend starting here, however. The story presumes some knowledge of the universe. I would start instead with X-O Manowar or Bloodshot.
Worth reading for anyone looking for a new unique superhero universe. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 9780979640957
Year Published: 2012
Date Finished: 5-20-18
Pages: 137

Monday, June 4, 2018

Review: Bloodshot: The Glitch and Other Stories by Peter Milligan, Duan Swierczynski, Howard Chaykin, Lewis Larosa

Synopsis: Short vignettes of Bloodshot writes and illustrated by different authors. Includes the stories Sleepers, Training Day, The Glitch, Protocol, Heart of the Matter, In This You?, The Gang's All Here, Bloodshot's Guide to Home Safety, and Take Your Best "Shot".

Review: Each story is told in just a few pages (some only one) and explore side-stories along the main story line of Bloodshot. From background on side-characters, to missions the Bloodshot undertakes, to oddly funny parodies, there is a story here for everyone. The Glitch and The Gang's All Here are my favorite. The Glitch because we get to see one of the “lives” the Bloodshot lives. His memories trick him into believing he must return to his wife – but he carries the memories of a man who died. The results are bloody and heartbreaking. In the Gang’s All Here, we travel with him to a mission and see how clever and dangerous he really is.
If you are a Bloodshot fan (and we all should be!) this is a must read. I would not recommend this as a place to start reading about him. These stories do presume a certain previous knowledge of the character and his story. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 9781939346711
Year Published: 2015
Date Finished: 5-20-18
Pages: 101

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Review: Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery by Kevin O'Malley and ill. by Patrick O'Brien

Synopsis: A strange bright object streaks across the sky of Jurasica, the home planet of Captain Raptor. The Captain and his brave crew set out to study the object and defend their home.

Review: If Star Trek (the Original Series) and Buck Rogers had a Baby, and that Baby had a kid with the Old School Batman series, this would be it - but with Dinosaurs.

Hilarious and cheesy, with bold bright art and detailed illustrations, the reader follows the intrepid Captain Raptor and his crew to the stars. There, they face dangerous animals and intriguing mysteries.

Children will adore the fun adventures and catch-phrases tossing Dinos and parents might actually not hate reading this one more than a few times. As an adult (and sci-fi lover) I found this laugh-out-loud funny and will be purchasing the rest of the series. Onward to the Stars!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 0-8027-8935-8
Year Published: 2005
Date Finished: 5-20-18
Pages: 45

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Review: A Chorus for Peace: A Global Anthology of Poetry by Women ed. by Marilyn Arnold, Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, and Kristen Tracy

Synopsis: Women poets from around the world are gathered here to raise their voices together, to speak out against violence and its calamitous effect upon the human soul. Yet there is also a thread of resilience here, an undercurrent of hope that points to the human ability to move on, to build a new life out of a shattered past.
Each poem addresses difficult issues concerning conflict and the lives of women. Some are spirited statements that demonstrate courage even in brutal circumstances; others rage at the perpetrators of war or simply mourn their losses. Together, these works reveal a deep consciousness of both the effects of violence and the human ability to move forward. 
The women whose poems appear in this collection stand for peace. Many of them have seen war and strife on fronts both national and domestic; and they write graphically and poignantly, and sometimes ironically, about conflicts external and internal that tear up their lives and the lives of their families and neighbors. They write about the victims of war and oppression: bewildered and brutalized children, bereft wives and mothers, raped and mutilated women, tormented prisoners and soldiers. And they write about victims of a seemingly failed society and victims of struggling or failed human relationships. 
At the same time, these writers are also crying for peace, searching for peace, and occasionally finding peace. In their search, they point the way for the rest of us. (from the online description)

Review:

This book is broken into the following chapters:

Running from the Smoke (Children in War)
On the Sidewalks of Love and Fire (Women Surviving War)
War and So Forth (The Bitter Waste)
Now That I Am Helpless (Mothers in Ambiguity)
Who Stopped the Dance (Domestic Battlefields)
It Is The Time of Awakening (Reaching and ReBuilding)
Listen for Life (Nature Speaks)
The Heart has Found Home (Peace to the Spirit)

Most of my favorite poems fell unto the first few chapters. They include the following:

"For My Torturer, Lieutenant D" by Leila Djabali
In the Casbah by Salma Al-Khedra Al-Jayyusi
The Century's Decline by Wislawa Szymborska
I Had a Strange Dream by Irina Ratushinskaya
Every Day by Ingeborg Bachmann
Judgement by Meiling Jin
The End and the Beginning by Wislawa Szymborska

Over all, this is a fine collection of poems. They are truly gathered from poets across the world, with not preference given to any one country or conflict. Not all these poems make sense in how they connect to the theme, but that might be my own perception. I'm not skilled at finding the hidden meaning. Worth reading, particular if you are looking to find new poets to read.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-87745-812-X
Year Published: 2002
Date Finished: 5-16-2018
Pages: 202

Friday, June 1, 2018

Review: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan (The Wheel of Time, Book Three)

Synopsis: The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
 Winter has stopped the war—almost—yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he? In the Heart of the Stone lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn. (from the online description)

Review: In the third book, we follow our characters in the aftermath of the Battle at Falma. Rand, unhinged by dark dreams, follows the call to Tear, to the Stone and the Sword protected there. Following him, Moraine, Lan, Perrin, and Loial encounter the dangers of the road and the strange twists of the Wheel left by Rand. Along the way, they pick up Faile. Also journeying there, for other reasons, are the three women of the Tower – Nyneave, Egwene, and Elyane. We also travel with Thom and Mat, the latter learning about his strange gift of Luck. Danger lurks in the form of Black Ajah, Darkfriends, Forsaken and the zealous Whitecloaks. Will our intrepid heroes survive?
As with the other book, this is simply the continuation of the story. Jordan’s works don’t have the same feel as many series, where you get a distinct story each book. Instead, his books each feel like just another chapter in the story. Adventure and Danger, Magic and Darkness, Evil Doings and Brave Deeds abound.
High fantasy at its best!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-812-51371-1
Year Published: 191
Date Finished: 05-15-2018
Pages: 699

Review: Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

Synopsis: Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They don’t have a big house or a fancy boat, and they have to do extra community service to make up for their free tuition. So when bossy Edna Santos sets her sights on the new boy who happens to be Merci’s school-assigned Sunshine Buddy, Merci becomes the target of Edna’s jealousy. Things aren’t going well at home, either: Merci’s grandfather and most trusted ally, Lolo, has been acting strangely lately — forgetting important things, falling from his bike, and getting angry over nothing. No one in her family will tell Merci what’s going on, so she’s left to her own worries, while also feeling all on her own at school. In a coming-of-age tale full of humor and wisdom, award-winning author Meg Medina gets to the heart of the confusion and constant change that defines middle school — and the steadfast connection that defines family. (from the online description)

Review: With a deft hand, author Meg Medina brings us into Merci’s world. Starting her second year at a private school, Mercy struggles to navigate a world of privilege and expectations at odds with her personality. Normally, she would confide in her beloved grandfather, Lolo, about her struggles. But Lolo is not himself and no one tells her why. The magic of this book is how Medina takes small events, an assignment at school, a new person in class, riding a bike, a holiday – and builds them into a narrative that wonderfully explores growing up. Medina creates real people, complex, unique, flawed, and complete. Her handling of Lolo and his illness was superb, and in particular, Merci’s anger and reaction nearly made me cry. Merci, brave and stumbling and unsure, is a wonderful character. Watching her discover the truth about herself encouraged me.
I highly recommend this book for any young reader. But in particular, for children facing losing a grandparent to Alzheimer’s, this book would be particularly helpful.

Note: I received this book free via LibraryThing's Early Review Program in exchange for my fair and honest opinion

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: None (Yet)

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9049-6
Year Published: September 2018
Date Finished: 5-16-2018
Pages: 355