Superman: True Brit - The Review

Superman: True Brit by Kim "Howard" Johnson & John Cleese

I read this book on a whim. I typically look for more seriousness when I read graphic novels, and I thought for once I’d try one out that seemed a little more light-hearted. If you are a fan of intense, action packed comics, you should definitely skip this one. However, if you enjoy seeing your favorite super heroes in alternate realities, this might just be the book for you.

Batman: Year One - The Review

Batman: Year One by Frank Miller

I have a lot to say about this graphic novel. So much in fact that it depresses me to not be able to say it all. If I were to tell you all the things I love about this book, it would absolutely ruin the story, and make it completely pointless for you to read. Every word is poetry, every panel magnificent. It's dark, it's gritty, and most of all it's Batman. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Batman? Okay, I'll admit, I'm quite biased. He happens to be one of my favorite comic book characters, and I don't think that is going to change any time soon. Regardless of our history together, this book is great, and I will do my best to tell you more without spoiling the plot.

Chew Volume One: Taster's Choice - The Review

Chew Volume One: Taster's Choice by John Layman

Let me start by saying this is a book about a guy who can taste the past. Just let that swim around in your brain for a second. You may feel a bit confused, because when I first heard about this book, I was too. Then I heard the rest of the plot and spent the next week locked in my room, contemplating the meaning of life along with all the other profound questions that we associate with existence. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but this book is sweet and it makes you think. It has an original plot, and with all the books out there that don't contain original plots, I'd say that makes it worth reading all on its own.

The Walking Dead: Book Two - The Review

The Walking Dead: Book Two by Robert Kirkman

It’s been a long time since I’ve read “The Walking Dead”. After being informed of the series’ existence a few years back, I read through the first two trade paperbacks, only to be slightly disappointed by what I was seeing: a lot of dialogue, and very little zombie killing action. I don’t want to say I was turned off entirely by this, but I felt many of the characters were flat, and for all the words on the page there was very little being said. This posed a dilemma for me. Should I continue reading a series that was not captivating my attention? In this case, I'm glad I did.

own the night

Ashes by Ilsa Bick
As Alex goes on a hike to find herself, an electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, changing life as she knows it. Billions of people are dead and the survivors have been altered; some have new abilities, others are no longer even human.

Tithe by Holly Black
Kaye is used to the nomadic life but when after her mom is attacked, they are forced to move back to New Jersey. While there, Kaye finds herself drawn into a battle between two faerie kingdoms.

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 - The Review

Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 1 by Brian Bednis

Spider-Man has been a long time favorite of mine for many years now. Not because he is such a prominent character in the comic book world, but because his storyline is genuinely interesting. Here we have a guy whose life is riddled with tragedy and death. Peter Parker's parents died when he was young and then...well I won't spoil all the fun. If you've never read Spider-Man before, I've already said too much.

Hulk: Red Hulk - The Review

Hulk: Red Hulk by Jeph Loeb

Recently I did a review for Hulk: Red and Green. At the time, I was unaware that it was part of a series, and I happened to be reading the second book. Soon, I learned the error of my ways and have since read Red Hulk, the first book in this series.

Divergent - Review

Beatrice Prior is sixteen and has to make a tough choice. Years ago there was a terrible war and now society is divided into five different factions, each valuing a specific character trait. Beatrice must take an aptitude test to discover whether she belongs in Abnegation (selflessness), Amity (friendship), Candor (honesty), Dauntless (courage), or Erudite (intelligence). Choosing a faction is the least of her problems. If she fails the initiation, she will be factionless and have no hope for a future. Is she strong enough to handle the consequences of her choices?

A 2012 YALSA Teens' Top Ten nominee.

Hulk: Red and Green Review

Hulk: Red and Green by Jeph Loeb

Until i read this book, I had never read the Hulk before. So with nothing else to compare it to, it's a bit hard to rate this comic. It certainly held my attention, and i was able to finish it in around an hour. Those are both points in which I will praise this book. I will also give it points for embracing the rest of the Marvel universe. There were certainly plenty of characters that made guest appearances. Some of which, I was left wondering who in the heck they were. Maybe that just shows how little I truly know about the comic book universe.

Which Books Make You Say GRRRRRRRR........?

While most selections on this Blog are books that we have loved, its always interesting to also discuss books that have annoyed us for one reason or another. I would say Twilight by Stephenie Meyer was extremely annoying. While Edward had many girls swooning, I found his idea of romance completely irritating. Not all females would enjoy being watched as they sleep. What spells romance to some, spells out STALKING to others.

So I challenge you....what book frustrates you???

if you liked the hunger games...

Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende
Alexander Cold accompanies his grandmother to a remote village in the Himalayas to help locate a sacred statue.

Beyond the Western Sea (Book I): The Escape From Home by Avi
Maura and her younger brother leave their impoverished Irish village, desperately seeking ship’s passage to America.

classic tales

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
This memoir of a youth is filled with disappointment and tragedy, but leads to hard-won independence.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Fiercely independent Elizabeth engages in a battle of wits with stubborn Mr. Darcy in 19th century England.  Will she ever find love?

Recommended Reading: Deadpool & Cable - Ultimate Collection

Deadpool & Cable: Ultimate Collection by Fabian Nicieza

"Can two grown men armed to the teeth with deadly genetic weaponry live together without driving each other crazy?!" Okay, I didn't write that, I read it on the back of this book. But doesn't that sound pretty cool though?

Batman and Son: The Review

Batman and Son - Grant Morrison

I have mixed feelings about Grant Morrison's Batman. I want to like his work, I really do. There are parts of this book that I absolutely loved, and parts of it that I absolutely hated. Let's start with the things that I didn't like. If you decide those things don't bother you all that much, then its a safe bet you will like this book. Firstly, the plot is largely left unresolved. Unlike many other Batman graphic novels, this is part of a much larger story. Most of the time when you pick up a collection of this kind, you get a nice, condensed, one shot story. Morrison does not write that way, at least not when it comes to Batman. This is part of a much larger tale that involves past events in Bruce Wayne's life, which are revealed to the reader over several other books. When read in succession, the plot is fairly engaging, and is certainly worth flipping through.

The Dead - Review

Disaster hits when everyone over sixteen suddenly gets sick. At first it seems like just a cold; but over time the victims develop intense itching as well as spots all over their skin. What happens to their minds is even scarier.....It starts with a headache that is so intense it feels like your head might explode; and it continues with incessant voices that tell you to kill all those who aren't infected....

Michael Bay: Friend or Foe?

For years Michael bay has been making movies we all know and love. Armageddon, Bad Boys, and Transformers just to name a few...

He has now taken it upon himself to remake the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into a live action film, much like its predecessor, which was made in 1990.

Recommended Reading: Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

Edward and Alphonse are two brothers who have witnessed more than their fair share of tragedy. Abandoned by their father for unknown reasons, they are also burdened by the death of their terminally ill mother, leaving them to care for themselves. Determined to use alchemy to restore their mother's life, these two brothers find themselves on the receiving end of an experiment gone wrong. Edward finds himself without a leg to stand on (literally), and Alphonse looses his physical body altogether.

white cat: the review

White Cat by Holly Black

Cassel Sharpe is a bit of an outcast. Everyone in his family is a Curse Worker, someone whose very touch has power, except for him. Curse work is illegal, making his family criminals, so obviously he can't trust the kids at his school in case word got out about them. And he kind of killed his best friend, Lila.

When Cassel starts having strangely vivid dreams about a white cat, and nearly sleepwalks off his private school's roof as a result, he's suspended and forced to move back into his family's home. He soon realizes that not everything is as it seems - his brothers are keeping something from him, everyone around him seems to be suffering from memory loss, and the white cat from his dreams turns up on his doorstep.

everneath: the review

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

For a century, Nikki Beckett was asleep. Trapped in limbo as a Forfeit in the Everneath, she was used as sustenance for the immortal Cole, an Everliving who lured her to the underworld when she was at her most vulnerable. When Nikki wakes from the Feed, she has no recollection of who she is or where she came from - the only thing she has held on to is the memory of a boy's face. Wanting nothing more than to see this boy again, Nikki Returns to the surface and the life she left behind.

For six months, on the surface, Nikki Beckett was missing - her family, friends, and boyfriend, Jack, had nearly given up on ever seeing her again when she turns up, malnourished and confused, on the floor of a convenience store. Slowly, Nikki tries to readjust to life on the surface despite knowing her time is running out - she has six months to find redemption before the Tunnels of Everneath claim her forever - that is, if Cole doesn't get to her first.

All-Star Superman Vol. 1: The Review

All-Star Superman Vol. 1 - Grant Morrison

I never used to be a Superman fan. To be honest, I always thought he was a whiny, lame-o superhero with too many super powers for his own good. How do you create a good story when the protagonist is more or less invincible? Batman was always the go-to guy in my book. He doesn't even have powers, and he manages to have some pretty decent adventures with just his fists and a few gadgets for defense.That being said, this is not your typical Superman comic. All-Star Superman shines.

beyond twilight - alternate worlds/sci-fi

Alternate World Fantasy

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
On the cusp of manhood, Finnikin reluctantly joins forces with an enigmatic young novice and fellow-exile, who claims that her dark dreams will lead them to a surviving royal child and a way to regain the throne of Lumatere.
Why we love it: Complex characters, world building, good old-fashioned young-man-on-a-quest fantasy, surprises.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Accompanied by her shape-shifting daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North.
Why we love it: Allegory, the importance of truth, friendship, talking polar bears, witches, parallel worlds, adventure and suspense, physical manifestation of the soul.

beyond twilight - miscellaneous paranormal romance

Beastly by Alex Flinn
A modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" from the point of view of a vain Manhattan private school student who is turned into a monster and must find true love before he can return to his human form.
Why we love it: Old story reborn, showcases the importance of morality and the power of love, excellent characterization (with both physical and emotional metamorphosis).

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
In a small South Carolina town, 16-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday.
Why we love it: Poetry, Southern Gothic atmosphere, Civil War history, complex mythology, boy’s point of view, strong descriptions, cool librarian, small town feel.

beyond twilight - paranormal romance standards

Vampires

Evernight by Claudia Gray
Sixteen-year-old Bianca, a new girl at the sinister Evernight boarding school, finds herself drawn to another outsider, Lucas, but dark forces threaten to tear them apart and destroy Bianca's entire world.
Why we love it: Not just one but two huge plot twists, quick read, fresh take on the themes of “coming of age” and dealing with the undead,” exciting, Bianca’s sexy friend Balthazar.

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird is Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night where she will train to become an adult vampyre.
Why we love it: New twists, great characters (friends, family, and enemies), clique drama, Native American element, realistically fun and witty dialogue, cool tattoos, vampyres have their own religion (worship of the goddess Nyx), Zoey’s one-of-a-kind kitty Nala.

tales of adventure

Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende
Alexander accompanies his grandmother to a remote village in the Himalayas to help locate a sacred statue.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Alden Carter
Mark is not looking forward to the family tradition of spending a week alone in the wilderness.

books the guys are talking about

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer
Eighth grade is tough for Vladimir. Bullies harass him, the principal is hounding him, and he struggles with bloodlust and elongated fangs. To top it all off, a vampire hunter is now stalking him!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Drought, fire, famine and war have caused the collapse of the US. In the new country of Panem, each district must send two children to fight in a televised, "survival of the fittest" game. When Katniss takes her younger sister's place in the games, she must discover how far she will go to survive.

amazing sports stories

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker
Mick, who wants to be one of the best players on the football team, starts taking more than vitamin supplements to improve his game.

Second Stringer by Thomas Dygard
When Kevin replaces the quarterback and football hero who suffers a knee injury, he needs to prove to the team that he's not just a poor substitute.

 

if you liked percy jackson & the olympians...

Iris, Messenger by Sarah Deming
Iris is astonished to discover the Greek gods are all living nearby.  She is even more surprised to learn they need her help!

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L Lafevers
Theodosia's dad runs an antiquities museum, her mom is an archaeologist, and Theo is the only one who can detect and remove the curses from the ancient Egyptian artifacts around them.