Wednesday, July 30, 2014

The Bunker: Volume 1

The Bunker: Volume 1

author: Joshua Hale Fialkov

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.12

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/30

date added: 2014/07/30

shelves: graphic-novels, currently-reading

review:

I love comics that mess with my head (Mind MGMT, I'm looking at you), and 'The Bunker: Volume 1 by Joshua Hale Fialkov falls into that category. It's got a little SF, a little horror, and a little drama.



Five friends go into the woods to bury a time capsule. This is the only part of the story that was a bit contrived to me, but it gets the story going, so I'm willing to let it be. While they are digging a hole to bury it, they find a bunker. When they enter it, they each find a letter written to themselves from their future selves. The letters are way too personal to be the prank that they initially think this is. They describe how the world will be destroyed in the near future and what they need to do, or not do, in order to stop it. All is not as it seems as there is some plotting and scheming. The story weaves between past, future and present. If you know the future, can it be changed? Is it a set course or is it malleable?



The art by Joe Infurnari is good. It's a bit rougher than I usually like, but it serves the story well. It makes the story a bit murky, but I think that's intentional. The story is good, but the time capsule thing bugged me. Also the fact that among 5 friends more than one has a huge role to play in the future. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Glory: The Complete Saga Hc

Glory: The Complete Saga Hc

author: Joe Keatinge

name: Wayne

average rating: 2.74

book published: 2014

rating: 2

read at: 2014/07/29

date added: 2014/07/29

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Glory: The Complete Saga' feels like it starts in the middle somewhere, so the term 'complete' seems like an error. Also, while I liked some of it, most of it felt like kind of a hot mess.



Gloriana Demeter is a character created by Rob Liefeld in the 1990s that has gotten a reboot here. She's got similarities to a certain Amazonian princess from another publisher, but we'll let that go for now. In the 90s, she was more like a typical overdrawn female superhero. Here she is kind of puffy and bloated looking. Other characters include a young girl named Riley who is drawn to Glory, and her fate seems inexorably tied in with her in depressing dreams of a depressing, impending future. I liked her. Glory's sister is a foul-mouthed alien who seems to throw an f-bomb in just about every word panel. Eventually, that just wore on me, and I didn't like her. There are a couple weird alien sidekicks that are kind of interesting.



It all leads up to a big cosmic battle, but not before some weirdly gory battles where arms are wrenched off and people are torn to bits, then stitched back together. You wonder how interesting a battle can be amongst participants who appear to have died, but haven't really. It turns out it's not that interesting at all. The art is uneven, and while some of the story aspects were interesting, it was so over the top and weird looking that I just didn't care. It turns out that this is complete enough for me after all.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Monday, July 28, 2014

Surviving Home (Going Home, #2)

Surviving Home (Going Home, #2)

author: A. American

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.25

book published: 2013

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/28

date added: 2014/07/28

shelves:

review:

'Surviving Home' by A. American picks right where 'Going Home' left off. Things become more dire during this novel (with more promised in future installments), and it's still just as much a page turner as the first book.



Morgan is happy to be home with his wife and daughters. They've done okay without him due to his preparations, but things around them start to unravel. The local community is in bad shape. With no food and no social order, things have to be done differently. Morgan's neighbors suspect he might be holding out food on them, but Morgan just wants to take care of his own.



Meanwhile, Thad runs into much worse trouble with the new role that postal carriers are taking on. People are being rounded up into work camps and promised food and shelter, but Thad and his family want nothing to do with it. This eventually leads to tragic and violent consequences.



It advances the storyline, but leaves it off at about the same sort of cliffhanger as the first book. There is less of a 'gear porn' aspect to this book because it's more about the preparations that Morgan and some of his neighbors have done, and how to maintain social order when there is no structured order. I enjoyed it. Maybe not quite as much as the first book, but definitely enough to keep reading to find out what happens.



I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Group Plume and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.







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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Utrom Empire

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Utrom Empire

author: Paul Allor

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.73

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/27

date added: 2014/07/27

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Utrom Empire' mostly takes place among the bad guys. The turtles take a supporting role, which you could get from the cover. My review copy was only about 2/3 of the entire graphic novel, so this review is only for the first part of this book.



Fugitoid is back and he wants to take down Krang's Technodrome. Before Fugitoid can get too far, he is captured and finds himself face to, er, face with Baxter Stockman. Fugitoid is a little concerned because he betrayed Baxter the last time they met, but this time around Baxter doesn't seem to remember him. Baxter also has his own plans for the Technodrome, so he and Fugitoid team up. This all happens among flashbacks about Krang on his home planet Utrom. There are cool mutated dinosaurs that start a rebellion. Back on Earth, the turtles finally look at Fugitoid's notebook, and realize they have to also destroy the Technodrome.



It was okay. I've read more interesting Turtle books lately, and I always prefer a turtle story to most with the bad guys, but Fugitoid is cool, and it's always fun to see Baxter and Krang trying to undermine each other. The Krang backstory was okay, but I tended to like the rest of it better. The art was pretty good.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan (Book 2)

Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan (Book 2)

author: Jeffrey Brown

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.76

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/27

date added: 2014/07/27

shelves: children-s

review:

'Star Wars: Jedi Academy, Return of the Padawan' by Jeffrey takes us back for Roan Novachez's second year. In the last book, we learned, humorously, about how he didn't fit in and was afraid he wouldn't make friends.



This time around Roan has lots of friends and he's excited because he's going to learn how to be a star pilot. He's also going to learn what happens when you neglect your friends and hang out with the wrong people. There is lots of humor like the first book, and there are lessons that are subtly made. All the original characters are back along with a new school chef who likes to serve up mushrooms and eyeballs from lunch. Also new, is a version of social media for the school and the lessons to be learned there. Master Yoda is along for the ride serving up wisdom and humor in equal doses.



I liked this one almost as much as the first one. It's got good lessons about being loyal to your friends and not getting in with the wrong crowd. The humor is great for kids and grown ups. I ended up getting copies of the last one for kids I know last Christmas. I'm sure I'll do the same this year. Jeffrey Brown has created another winner.



I received a review copy of this ebook from Scholastic and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun ebook.





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Saturday, July 26, 2014

Anomal

Anomal

author: Nukuharu

name: Wayne

average rating: 2.67

book published: 2014

rating: 2

read at: 2014/07/26

date added: 2014/07/26

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Anomal' is a series of seemingly disconnected stories about ghosts or spirits. Overall, it was a kind of uneven collection, and I liked some of them more than others.



The stories are read from beginning to end, Western style, but the panels are read right to left, manga style. This is explained up front, so they get kudos for that. The cover is pretty striking and it's why I picked up the book. The character in the cover image is in the first story, then no more. Which is too bad because I liked that story the best, about a woman who regains her sight only to sacrifice it again later. The stories have to do with the supernatural. Primarily ghosts, hauntings and spirits. There are people enamored with ghosts, and detectives trying to solve hauntings. There is a character who only gets good ideas when he is hit, so he tries to get a ghost to move in with him so she can hit him every day. Some of the stories seem to end abruptly.



It wasn't my favorite. The art was okay for the style and the humor wasn't too bad. I didn't like how the stories just ended and I felt like some stories were better than others.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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The Strain, Book One (The Strain, Volumes 1-2)

The Strain, Book One (The Strain, Volumes 1-2)

author: David Lapham

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.80

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/26

date added: 2014/07/26

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'The Strain Book 1' collects volume 1 and 2 of the graphic novel series. It's a good story, although the character names are all a little strange, and the art is good. I'm not familiar with the book or television series, but I believe this is the same plot and I liked it.



When a Boeing 777 lands at JFK and is dark on the runway, CDC specialist Ephraim Goodweather (see what I mean about the strange names?) is called in. The plane is dark and all shades are drawn except one. When he boards the plane, all the passengers are dead except for three, but none have any particular trauma. As he unravels this mystery, he finds he is not alone. He soon begins assembling a group of people to fight this new menace as it reveals itself, including a holocaust survivor named Professor Abraham Setrakian, a pest control specialist named Vasiliy Fet and his partner Dr. Nora Martinez. There are also different people discovering things along the way, and I think most of them will all team up against this threat.



I found it to be an engaging story. I do want to read the books at some point and they are on my reading list, so I don't know how faithful the adaptation is. I also have the advantage of not picturing what the characters should look like, and then being disappointed by the artist renditions. The art is good. The covers are terrifying. The parasites are just gross and I found this to be a good way to create a truly terrifying version of the creature. Good stuff.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Friday, July 25, 2014

Rocket Girl Volume 1: Times Squared

Rocket Girl Volume 1: Times Squared

author: Brandon Montclare

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.69

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/25

date added: 2014/07/25

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Rocket Girl Volume 1: Times Squared' is a time travel story about a young jetpack-powered cop being sent back to save the future. I loved the art, but felt like the story was a bit lacking. I loved the protagonist, but the supporting characters were left a little flat. Perhaps in future volumes this will get corrected.



Dayoung Johannson is a 15 year old from the distant future of 2013. She is sent back to the New York of 1986 to stop a corporation called Quintum Mechanics from an error that will wreck her future. The story varies between the present, 1986, and the past, 2013. Dayoung is capable with her jetpack, but does tend to run into things a lot. There are the semi-helpful group of scientists. There are the NY city cops of 1986 who don't know who the heck this flying menace is, and there are a couple strange jetpackers from the future trying to stop Dayoung.



I loved the sheer joy in the story. I loved the art quite a bit. I loved Dayoung and a couple other characters, but most of the supporting characters, and there seem to be quite a few of them, are just sort of there. The story is a little confusing, and not just because it's a time travel story. I'd love to see where this story goes because I think it's got potential and an interesting main character. I'm going with 4 stars based on the things I liked because I think they worked so well.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Kings Watch Volume 1

Kings Watch Volume 1

author: Jeff Parker

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.14

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/07/24

date added: 2014/07/24

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'King's Watch Volume 1' is a sort of reworking of the 1980s cartoon Defenders of the Earth. It's got classic pulp heroes in a more modern setting. The Phantom, Flash Gordon and Mandrake the Magician all team up when Ming threatens the Earth.



On a safari tour he's leading, Lothar (Mandrake's old sidekick) is threatened by a strange dinosaur-like animal. He is saved by the Phantom. Meanwhile Flash Gordon is in the process of developing a spacecraft with Dr. Zarkov and he runs into problems on a test flight. It seems that Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo is attempting to create waypoints on planet Earth for his invading army. Our three heroes are thrown together to try to stop it or push it back onto Ming's planet.



It's an interesting concept and I'm not sure I felt like it totally worked. There have been some great retro comics lately featuring pulp heroes, but in their own element and time that have been amazing. This one felt a little anachronistic. For example, Mandrake's ability to summon magic and call anyone in the world are great, but we do have cell phones now. The only character that fares the best is The Phantom. Still, it's a valiant attempt, it was fun to read and the art wasn't bad at all. Extras include alternate covers and a script to page of the first issue.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Street Fighter IV Volume 1: Wages of Sin Hc

Street Fighter IV Volume 1: Wages of Sin Hc

author: Ken Siu-Chong

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/23

date added: 2014/07/23

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Street Fighter IV Volume 1: Wages of Sin HC' collects a bunch of issues of the comic and introduces some new characters to the the Street Fighter universe that seem to fit right in. The art is not bad. It almost seems like cels from an animated series. The panels are colored very well.



The first few issues introduce some of the new characters. The main character is Crimson Viper and she's pretty interesting, but I liked El Fuerte too, who is a Hispanic cook/Lucha Libre fan. All the character's call out the names of their move as they do them, but El Fuerte's are named things like Tostada Press. I digress. Crimson Viper is hired by the bad guys to collect the best street fighters for a nefarious project. She does this and delivers them, but is she a hero or a villain? We do find out, but I won't spoil it here.



The characters are all larger than life and over the top, just like you'd find them in the video game. There's lots of fighting, some pretty good humor and the art is pretty good. I liked it, but let's call it a guilty pleasure.



I received a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Monday, July 21, 2014

Wizards: From Merlin to Faust

Wizards: From Merlin to Faust

author: David McIntee

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.80

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/21

date added: 2014/07/21

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'Wizards: From Merlin to Faust' is another fun entry in the Myths and Legends series. These short volumes pack a lot of information into a scant 80 pages including some great illustrations.



This volume focuses on literary wizards from history. While the focus is mostly on Western civilization wizards, I enjoyed learning about Zhang Guo Lao as well as his familiar likeness in Asian art. Others in the volume include Virgil, Nicholas Flamel and Hermes. There are references to more modern wizards like Harry Potter and Gandalf, but nearly no time is devoted to them, and that's how it should be. Alchemy is discussed as well as forbidden books and the kinds of revenge that wizards will take on you if you cross them.



I've enjoyed most in the series, but this is the only one that felt like it could have been longer. That's probably in line with my preferences and it fits the page count of the rest of the series. It's a light reference series that has some great information packed in it's pages.



I received a review copy of this ebook from Osprey Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Sin City, Vol. 2: A Dame to Kill For (Sin City, #2)

Sin City, Vol. 2: A Dame to Kill For (Sin City, #2)

author: Frank Miller

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.17

book published: 1993

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/19

date added: 2014/07/19

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Sin City 2: A Dame To Kill For' features a noir crime story at just about it's best. This is a timely reprint for the movie based on this volume.



This time around, the focus is on Dwight. He's down on his luck after being dumped by his wife Ava. He exists in the lower ends of Sin City, doing seedy photography jobs for a blackmailer. His life is fine until Ava calls him and wants to meet. Her appearance sets a violent chain of events in motion that involve Dwight, Marv, the corrupt cops of Sin City and the girls from Old Town. The story interweaves with events from the first graphic novel (and movie), which can be a bit confusing, but it's part of how the Sin City series works.



It falls very much in the noir tropes, but Miller knows how to tell a darn good story. Fight scenes, double crosses and all in Miller's glorious black and white. He's truly a master when it comes to stories like this.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows

author: Tim Siedell

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.32

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/19

date added: 2014/07/19

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows' Takes place between movie #3 and movie #4. It's a good story of misplaced hero worship.



After a single trooper survives the Clone Wars, he comes to hate the Jedi. He remakes himself into a man named Hock, and he finds himself a new hero he can believe in: Darth Vader. He does whatever he can to win the respect of his new leader. When a raid against rebels goes badly, he even covers for Darth Vader, but this is a story of how it all goes wrong (and that's apparent from the beginning). When Darth Vader shows his true ruthlessness and lack of mercy, Hock realizes he's been wrong.



I have a hard time liking most of the Star Wars graphic novels I've read because they are so overly epic in scale. Yes, I realize that is exactly how the movies are, but even in those stories there are characters to care about. I found that here. Hock is abandoned, remade and misguided. It's a more personal story arc than I've seen in this universe and I liked it.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Friday, July 18, 2014

Dex T-Rex: The Mischievous Little Dinosaur

Dex T-Rex: The Mischievous Little Dinosaur

author: Katya Bowser

name: Wayne

average rating: 5.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/18

date added: 2014/07/18

shelves: children-s

review:

I don't usually read a lot of picture books, but when I saw 'Dex T-Rex: The Mischievous Little Dinosaur' and that it was being published by Stan Lee's Kids Universe, I just couldn't resist. The bright cover and great dino design by Katya Bowser drew me right in.



Dex is indeed a mischievous T-Rex. He wanders around destroying things for fun. He hasn't a care in the world leaving destruction in his wake, until, one day, his destruction has a consequence. Will Dex change his ways? Can he repair the damage he's already caused?



It's a bright, simply illustrated story. Dex is a pretty adorable design. The story is fun, and teaches a lesson about actions and consequences, although subtly and gently. It's the kind of thing rambunctious and, perhaps, mischievous toddlers might want read to them over and over again. Katya Bowser has created a winsome and funny character.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Stan Lee's Kids Universe and NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook and to meet Dex.





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To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful

To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful

author: Shane Koyczan

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.79

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/18

date added: 2014/07/18

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'To This Day' was a viral poem by Shane Koyczan that was on YouTube. He went on to do a Ted Talk and perform it live. It's now made it into book form and it hasn't lost any of it's power or resonance.



It starts with an introduction by Shane Koyczan telling the history of the poem, how it was set to music and then how 80+ animators turned it into a seamless video (a fact I wasn't aware of). Now is it in book form. 30 international artists have each contributed a full page to accompany the poem. In addition, some have shared their stories of being bullied in the notes after the poem.



It's a beautiful poem and the accompanying art is also quite striking. Painful, dark, hopeful and beautiful all are words that came to mind. At first, I was concerned that the varying art might detract from the poem, but there is no reason to worry. It ends with more information, and a list of links to help for those who have been bullied. It's still moving and it may give someone hope. I'm glad it got put into this form.



I was given a copy of this ebook by Annick Press Ltd and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this powerful ebook.





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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Gate-Way: A New World

Gate-Way: A New World

author: Joe Halpin Sr

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.75

book published: 2014

rating: 3

read at: 2014/07/17

date added: 2014/07/17

shelves: graphic-novels

review:

'Gate-Way: A New World' shows a strange version of an afterlife. Certainly not hopeful and definitely filled with dangers. It's all set in a sort of surreal looking abandoned city.



Jake is an undercover cop trying to make a drug bust when things go wrong. He finds himself in an apartment shootout, and the next thing he knows, he's lying in an alley. He finds out he's been killed and is in a strange new world. He finds himself in Hope Town, a strangely rigid attempt at society. Outside the walls of the city, it's dangerous, but Jake suspects that all is not as it seems in Hope Town, so he sets out for Freedomtown, where the misfits end up. Besides these 2 groups of people, there are the strange creatures that prey on them and can kill them.



Just as it was moving along, it came to an abrupt ending. It's an interesting setup and I'm curious where it's going. There are still lots of unanswered questions. Which makes this volume perhaps a bit unsatisfying. The art is interesting, but not my favorite. I've seen worse and I've seen better. The vague city shapes intrigued me.



I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life

Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life

author: Rob Eastaway

name: Wayne

average rating: 5.00

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/17

date added: 2014/07/17

shelves: non-fiction

review:

'Why Do Buses Come in Threes?' shows how common questions can be solved with mathematics. That it does it in a very accessible and fun way is where it succeeds.



Taking questions like the book title's or others like why it's so hard to find a four-leaf clover, the book delves into all sorts of things. From fibonacci numbers to code making, a lot of ground is covered. The chapters are short and digestible. There are mathematic formulas and illustrations. It's all engaging and shows how math can help with all sorts of things in everyday life whether we realize it or not. The book finishes with a series of magic tricks you can learn that are all based on math tricks.



Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham have done a great job with this book. There is also a forward by Tim Rice, in which he shows the connection between pop charts and musical composition and math. A fun tour of an otherwise difficult subject.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Pavilion Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Doctor Who: Touched By An Angel

Doctor Who: Touched By An Angel

author: Jonathan Morris

name: Wayne

average rating: 4.15

book published: 2011

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/16

date added: 2014/07/16

shelves:

review:

'Doctor Who: Touched By An Angel' is the 46th new Doctor adventure and features the 11th Doctor along with Amy and Rory. It took a bit for me to get into it, but once I did, I had a lot of fun reading this one.



In 2003, Rebecca Whitaker died in a road accident, witnessed by a stone angel. Ten years later, her husband Mark is still grieving her loss. When he receives an envelope full of instructions on how to save her, he is thrown back in time with a chance to change his life. The problem is that this is exactly what the weeping angels want and the Doctor is out to stop it. Every time Mark tries to change his future, the Doctor, Amy and Rory show up to try to get things back in line. Hilarity ensues with a series of events around Mark's wedding to Rebecca where the doctor has to intervene to get her to the church on time, replace her wedding dress and fetch an errant bouquet. Will Mark save Rebecca this time?



The book addresses the questions we all have about living our lives over again. It was light and funny at times, and downright poignant at others. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found the characterizations of 11 and Amy and Rory to be spot on. Well done.



I received a review copy of this ebook by Rando House UK-North America, BBC Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





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Crap Taxidermy

Crap Taxidermy

author: Kat Su

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.38

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/07/16

date added: 2014/07/16

shelves: non-fiction

review:

I offer a fair warning to readers of 'Crap Taxidermy:' what has been seen can not be easily unseen. Often disturbing and darkly hilarious, it's a strange book based on what must be a stranger tumblr site.



Divided into categories based on awkward poses, or crazy eyes, the book is filled with some of the absolute worst taxidermy I've ever been witness to. I kind of wavered between laughing out loud and being kind of grossed out, but like a bad car wreck, I just couldn't stop looking and turning pages. Just in case the pictures inspire you to attempt your own crap taxidermy, there is a tutorial on how to turn a dead mouse into your own work of, um, art.



This could be THE white elephant gift of the holiday. It is certainly one of the weirder books I've read, and I hate to admit it, but I kind of liked it.



I received a review copy of this ebook from Ten Speed Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.





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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Codename: Action Volume 1

Codename: Action Volume 1

'Codename: Action Volume 1' is a cool throwback to the spy movies of the 1960s filled with some nice twists and turns along the way. Dynamite Entertainment has a nice hit on their hands with this one.

In the height of the Cold War, new spy, Agent 1001, is teamed up with old spy, Agent 5, to find out why certain world leaders are making angry posturing speeches. Along the way, they discover that masked heroes are being duplicated and these clones are being used in the plot. A shadowy organization, a mad scientist, a hidden island base and sexy French spies are only part of this graphic novel. Add in The Spider and the Green Hornet and Kato (among others), and you have a lot of plot elements, but it all falls deftly into place. Will Agent 1001 prove himself capable and defeat the strange new evil he finds?

The story by Chris Roberson is great and the art by Jonathan Lau is even better. The book concludes with a script to story section and the obligatory (but fun) alternate cover gallery. Lots of fun and I enjoyed it.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

The Heart of the Beast

The Heart of the Beast

'The Heart of the Beast' is a reprint of a Vertigo story from the 90s. The story takes place in the late 1980s, so maybe it could be forgiven for feeling a bit dated at this point.

Sandra meets handsome Victor at an art exhibition. She is an actor working as a bartender at the show and invites him to her play. He agrees and they hit it off, but there is something strange about Victor. He seems to be hiding secrets. One is that he works for a group of art forgers. Another is he works for a plastic surgeon and is always getting calls that take him away from Sandra. He seems so nice, but there is something unknown and dangerous about him.

Scattered throughout the book are journal entries and letters that will clue you in to the mystery. I caught on quite a bit before it was revealed. There are some panels that are photographs, then blend into the beautiful painted panels of the book. The graphic novel ends with a couple essays by the creators. It's okay, but it's hardly what I call a classic or maybe even worth a reprint.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Mind MGMT, Vol. 3: The Home Maker

Mind MGMT, Vol. 3: The Home Maker

'Mind MGMT, Vol. 3: The Home Maker' feels a little uneven compared to previous volumes, but it's still manages to mess with your mind. If you're not familiar with Mind MGMT, you can't start with this one. It closely follows events in the last volume and even that is a bit hard to grab onto at first.

The book starts with a series of clever recipe cards for explosives and ricin laced sweet tea, then zooms in on what seems like domestic bliss. Sort of bliss. There are some missing valuables and a kleptomaniacal housewife is accused. She has her own way of silencing her accusers.

We then move back to Henry Lyme and Meru. We learn that Meru and the Eraser both grew up loving books. We see Lyme's regret at his attempts to woo and recruit Meru. The Eraser eventually falls in love and marries an author whose name seems familiarly to be Philip K. Dick, an author that would seem to be an inspiration for this mindbending series. Teams are recruited but it seems like it's all building up to something later. Not much happened here, but it happens in typical Kindt Mind MGMT style.

I loved the suburban magazine parodies as well as the recipe cards. The tips and tricks embedded on the edges of the page are always a welcome sight in this series. There is what your eye first sees, then what it further sees, seeming to illustrate the plot line further to the reader. My favorite is still the first volume, but I look forward to future volumes of this series. The characters are complex and the story line is complex and trippy.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Mission to Paris (Night Soldiers, #12)

Mission to Paris (Night Soldiers, #12)

I hesitate to call 'Mission to Paris' a spy thriller. It's more like a spy drama with some thriller tendencies. That's not to say I didn't like it, and it may even be a bit more realistic because of it.

Frederic Stahl is an American movie actor heading to Paris to make a movie for Paramount France. The problem is that it's the Summer of 1938 and there is a strong Nazi presence in the city. Adding to that is the fact that Frederic is originally from Vienna, but he wants nothing to do with the Nazis or anything they want. When he is invited to host a film festival in Berlin, he hesitates until the American embassy entices him to perform a small errand for them in Berlin with a Russian spy. One thing leads to another and suddenly the Germans are even more interested in this American actor.

I liked it because of the movie making stuff. Stahl comes across as a real Hollywood star of the era. His womanizing perhaps got tedious, but I suppose that's par for the course. I'm new to Furst and I liked the writing style, but it seems like earlier novels might be where to start at even though the novels aren't linked. It was enjoyable enough but perhaps not as suspenseful as you might think.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Sunday, July 13, 2014

The Extinction Parade, Volume 1

The Extinction Parade, Volume 1

'The Extinction Parade, Volume 1' by Max Brooks has a big name behind it, but it never really made me care about the overly vain main characters.

When zombie outbreaks start happening, the subdead (zombies) start eating the undead's (vampires) food supply. At first this is a hoot for the vampires because the zombies completely ignore them as a food source and they can roam freely. Eventually, the humans start becoming scarcer and this becomes a problem. Or I assume it will because the promo copy I got only included the first half of the graphic novel (which collects issues 1-5 of the series), but I ran out of interest before I ran out of pages. Who am I supposed to feel empathy for? The zombies are mindless hordes of eating machines. The vampires are hyperviolent and act like spoiled rich kids. The humans are mostly background characters to be eaten or drained or whatever. Maybe the second half would make me care a bit more or future issues will.

I loved World War Z by Max Brooks because of the sympathetic and all too human characters in it. That is lacking here. The art also felt a little uneven to me. There were pages I liked, then sometimes the characters seemed overly gangly. I felt disappointed.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Complete Edition

Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Complete Edition

'Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer Complete Edition' is the kind of hilarious mashup that I really like, and it was done with just the right sort of wit and style.

We start with a recap of the Pinocchio story, for those not familiar with the original book. Cricket is a ghost, Pinocchio was found by a woodcutter, etc. Then things get strange as we find Geppetto has been killed by vampires and Pinocchio finds himself seeking revenge. He stakes them with his nose, which means while he's fighting them, he has to keep lying so his nose will grow. Of course, the vampires turn to ash, so the townspeople think he's lying about the vampires (even though his nose doesn't grow when he tells them). There is a ghost cricket, a aged fairy, a quartet of creepy rabbits and an army of puppets all to help him out.

I love that they rooted it in the old novel. There is even a pretty hilarious puppet version of Hamlet. It's got it's funny moments, but it's also got some serious ones. My review copy was generous, but only included about half of the 500+ page book. Based on the half I read, it's totally worth it, even if the second half were to be a bomb (and I suspect this is definitely not the case). Brilliant writing by Van Jensen and equally brilliant art by Dusty Higgins.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this great graphic novel.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Wonton Soup Collection

Wonton Soup Collection

'Wonton Soup Collection' is a wacky, strange galactic adventure, and I have to confess I kind of liked how over the top it was. It reminded me of SF things I like such as the tv show Red Dwarf and the movie Dark Star.

Johnny Boyo and Deacon are space-faring dudes with their own ship. What they are doing with a ship is never made clear, but just go with it. The first episode has Johnny in search of a great bowl of won ton soup on a space station, and prime, exotic ingredients for something he is cooking up. Exotic being the key word here as the ingredients are an alien species that actually likes to be consumed, but only if prepared properly. We move from there to an extreme cooking competition at Johnny's old school ala Iron Chef, but much stranger. Also strange are the drugs that Johnny and Deacon take in a further adventure. An adventure that leaves their ship stranded and needing a fuel cell, but not to worry, the boys are up for the adventure.

It's all so crazy and good natured that I couldn't help but like it. Art and story by James Stokes feels like the best underground comics. I confess that I liked the first half better than the second half. The story of Deacon's origins might have been a bit over the top for me, but I still liked it overall.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Liquid City, Vol. 3 (Liquid City, #3)

Liquid City, Vol. 3 (Liquid City, #3)

'Liquid City, Vol. 3' is another volume in the graphic novel series featuring artists from SouthEast Asia. The work varies and the stories are short. While I still think volume 2 was better, there is some interesting art and storytelling going on here.

The theme this time is the end of the world. While some of the stories are grand apocalypses, most are personal stories about childhood fears or the ends of relationships. The art varies pretty wildly, from rougher all the way to handpainted panels. My personal favorite was 'Light' by Dominique Fam, a beautifully executed fable in story and art, but I also liked the small, personal stories that had a sense of vulnerability to them.

The book finishes with each creator having a few words to say about the story they've included. From the loss of loved ones, to the imagined end of everything, to playful gods toying with men, there is something here for everyone.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Indestructible Volume 1

Indestructible Volume 1

'Indestructible Volume 1' tells the story of a guy in a world full of superheroes who is accidentally mistaken for one. It's a comedy of mistaken identity and hero fantasy that isn't too bad.

Greg Pincus is a loser in just about everyone's eyes. His family seems to ignore him. When he leaves dinner for a date with a mysterious and sexy woman, the night ends with her having his car keys and Greg getting shut out. He goes home only to find out his roommate has an errand for him. During the errand, he finds himself in the middle of a crime in progress and emerging as a new superhero. The problem is he's not. Everyone around him looks at him differently. He tries to come clean but no one will let him. Meanwhile, a gang of criminals is planning a heist. Will Greg's new fame get him killed?

It plays like the kind of comedies that appeal to much younger folks than I am. I found it funny, but not as funny as it could have been. Greg's roommate was truly annoying, and I really have no idea why or how he got the date with Stingray. It's not bad, and I'd like to see how long they can string it along with everyone thinking Greg is a hero. The art by Javi Garron is a bit caricatured, but that fits the sort of loopy story going on. I liked it, but I didn't really love it.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Dragon Age Library Edition Volume 1

Dragon Age Library Edition Volume 1

'Dragon Age Library Edition' collects three sets of stories in the King Maric storyline. The main characters are a young king named Alistair, a cynical dwarf named Varric and a resourceful, beautiful pirate named Isabela. The art is quite good and this edition features artist commentary in the margins of some of the pages.

Alistair is in search of his father and he enlists Varric and Isabela to help him. They go in search of a swamp witch who controls dragons to find answers. This leads them to the Qunari, where Isabela is captured and attempted to be converted. The final showdown for this book is a big fight with Titus, where we learn the fate of Alistair's father, enter an odd dreamscape, and learn a bit more about some of the characters.

It's all based on a series of video games which are artistically beautiful. The comic is also. The commentary at times was a bit too congratulatory, but the comments about style choices or how a character were portrayed were interesting insights. My best advice is to read them after you've read either the whole thing as a graphic novel, or just the page, since some of the notes do include spoilers for the current page.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

The Asylum for Fairy Tale Creatures

The Asylum for Fairy Tale Creatures

'The Asylum for Fairy Tale Creatures' is a creepy asylum in the woods for woe-begotten folks and creatures that are the products of fairy tales. Taking the darkness of the Brothers Grimm and taking it even darker, this was an interesting look at known fairy tales.

Blood Red Riding Hood sees a wolf where her grandmother should be. Thumbeana is a doll and it's not her fault, but she should still be locked away because of the way she was made. Thread Bear is a stuffed toy that has seen sadness. There are others. All locked away so their madness can't infect the world. There are snapshot looks at Rapunzel, Beauty and Cinderella.

I wasn't sure what I was going to be reading when I requested this, but I hoped for something creepy and gothic. Sebastian Gregory's style in writing this is spot on. It's horrific, but still has the feel of classic fairy tales. I really enjoyed it.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Carina UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this delightfully creepy ebook.

Sick

Sick

'Sick' has a tagline of "Breakfast Club meets The Walking Dead" and it's not too far off the mark, but that might be an exaggeration. It's a pretty decent YA zombie book, but it has a pretty abrupt ending.

Brian, Chad and friends are good at ditching school and getting over the high fence. Brian's ex has gotten up the courage to go to the school assembly (she freaks out in crowds), but Brian is ditching her too. Outside of school, they see their friend Hollis who has gotten sick. Something is not right. They head back to school and their drama class when all hell breaks loose. It's gory and tempers are short. Racist comments find their way out, unfortunately. Brian's mom works for a hospital and that's how we get our news about how widespread this seems to be and what it might be. Brian wants to rescue his kid sister and his ex-girlfriend and get out. He's stuck with a cheerleader, a drama student, his gung-ho friend Chad, who is joining the military, and other kids who just don't normally get along. Will they survive without killing each other first?

I liked it, but I didn't love it. The zombie bits were good, but the standing around in a hallway and figuring things out parts got tedious. Maybe that was the point. The final scene happens, then it just suddenly ends. There is at least one plot point left wide open. Perhaps for a sequel?

I was given a review copy of this ebook by ABRAMS, Amulet Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Bohemians: A Graphic History

Bohemians: A Graphic History

'Bohemians' sets out to give a history of primarily American Bohemians from around 1840 to the early 1960s. Using a variety of different artists to tell the stories of a variety of different artists and personalities. It works fairly well.

It covers a lot of ground over it's 240 pages. From early utopias centered around free love to Walt Whitman. Along the way there Jewish branches of Bohemianism and Oscar Wilde are covered. Modern art in America with Stieglitz and the Harlem Renaissance. Josephine Baker and Bebop jazz. My favorite was a 55 panel story of Woody Guthrie which featured one panel for every year of his life. It finishes with a look back by Harvey Pekar and Robert Crumb that seems to fit perfectly.

There are a variety of art styles and I liked some more than others. Most seemed suited for the stories they were telling. Some of the art in my review copy looked photocopied, and was hard to read, so I hope that got corrected in the final version. All in all a great way to tell the story of an interesting movement.

I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Verso Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Evil Dark (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation, #2)

Evil Dark (Occult Crimes Unit Investigation, #2)

'Evil Dark' works as a good cross between police procedural and urban fantasy. I found it to be a good story and I liked the characters I ran across while reading it.

Stan Markowski is a cop assigned to the supernatural unit in Scranton, Pennsylvania. When a series of corpses show up bearing strange symbols and they all turn out to be vampires. This is a problem because Stan's daughter might be next. Another problem is that one of Stan's consultant's is being hunted by witch hunters who want to burn her, and he's got a strange helper on the case who shows up at odd times and Stan really doesn't like.

I liked the setting and the way the world works. There was some decent humor and references to other horror films and novels. I'll definitely read more in the series.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Sous Chef

Sous Chef

'Sous Chef' is written in the second person and puts you in the heat of the kitchen for 24 hours. I found it hard to put down and I thought it was good insight into a stressful career.

The book starts with the sous chef arriving for shift on a Friday morning. The job at this point involves making sure things are put away, food is not spoiling, people are doing the prep work, and this is the quiet part of the day. When chef arrives, it begins and only builds into the evening service. Along the way, the various personalities of kitchen staff are brought into play. Explanations of the kitchen and hierarchy is explained as well as the depth of knowledge needed to perform the job. When a necessary cook isn't performing and you need to fill in their station, can you?

It's an interesting look at a life that is probably for a young person with a peculiar sort of dedication to the craft. It's a job filled with adrenaline, and I found it interesting.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.