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

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

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

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

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

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