Alice Cooper Vol. 1: Welcome to My Nightmare (Alice Cooper, #1-6)

author: Joe Harris
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.08
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/28
date added: 2015/11/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Alice Cooper Vol. 1: Welcome to My Nightmare' from Dynamite Comics collects issues 1-6 of the series. It gets high marks for style, but loses some of them for substance and coherence.

Alice Cooper is not just a rock icon, but he is also Lord of Nightmares, ruling his own kingdom. Or he would be ruling if he hadn't signed that strange contract with Clan Black. Also, there is a young boy who needs his help and seems to be able to call him by playing a classic album backwards. Alice can't remember the boy's name or he is confusing him with other people he's helped. Then the boy seems to not be that important and isn't mentioned again.

He seems to have powerful enemies, but he seems to only care that he is adored. Alice seems to have powers, but seems confused. I was a bit confused too. I tried to just go with it and let the story and art take me away, but the coherence kind of got to me. I like the idea, but this time not the execution. They do get bonus points for including Alice Cooper's appearance in Marvel Premiere #50 from 1979 as a full reprint at the end of the book.

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


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Junction True

author: Ray Fawkes
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.28
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/28
date added: 2015/11/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Junction True' by Ray Fawkes and Vince Locke is at first the kind of nightmarish car wreck you can't take your eyes away from, but becomes even scarier as an indictment of modern obsessive relationships.

In the not too distant future body modification has become pretty extreme. Extreme to the point where surgery alters the body so that it can't live without a symbiote. Dirk Brody has found his love and this is what she wants for them. A unification that is a puppet dependent upon a host. This is what Dirk wants with his love Teralyn. That she never reciprocates those feelings to him, except in sex and violence doesn't seem to perturb Dirk. Dirk's friend Naoko is a blogger of the future. With cameras always on, she is learning of the horrors of what Dirk is about to do to himself and she is trying to stop him.

The illustrations are a bit hazy and unformed and I think they go brilliantly with a story about a man who is blinded by love to the point of mutilating himself and potentially dying. Naoko is that friend that sees what is happening and tries desperately to intervene, and Teralyn has her own motives. Ones in which love doesn't seem to play a part. It's a severe story to read and one you want to look away from, but you just can't.

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


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Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic

author: Mark Tatulli
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/28
date added: 2015/11/28
shelves: children-s
review:
'Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic'by Mark Tatulli is a fun 'journal' style book for younger readers.

Desmond Pucket is in 6th grade and he loves scaring people with his monster magic. His older sister can't forget the time he scared everyone at her slumber party. His school disciplinary officer, Mr. Needles, is tired of his shenanigans. When Desmond seems to go too far, his chance to go on the school field trip to Crab Shell Pier and finally go on his favorite ride, The Mountain Full of Monsters, is jeopardized. Desmond's parents decide he needs more organized activities to keep him out of trouble, so Desmond finds himself joining the A/V club, the school paper and the drama club. Mr. Needles is getting close to kicking Desmond out of school and Desmond's best friend Ricky has had enough of Desmond being good.

It's a fun part book, part graphic novel. Desmond is good at what he does, but just not appreciated. The lessons he learns along the way are good ones for younger readers. Included in the book are some ways to create your own monster magic, like fake blood or ghosts or phantom knockers. If you like this book, I can recommend the sequel which I read last year.

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


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Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection

author: The Awkward Yeti
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.55
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/27
date added: 2015/11/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Heart and Brain: An Awkward Yeti Collection' by Nick Seluk is a laugh out loud collection for anyone with a working heart and brain. The comics are cerebral and silly.

Poor Lars, the Awkward Yeti. He is ruled by his heart and his brain and they constantly pull him in different directions. Brain wants to save money, and heart wants to squander it on pet food (for a pet they don't own). Heart wants to chase his dreams, and brain is too pragmatic. Just when Lars wants to go to sleep, his brain is there to keep him awake with troubling thoughts like how he did on that last job interview.

It's a really hilarious collection of comics and Nick Seluk manages to find the humor that we have in balancing our brain and heart. You have to let them both take the reins sometimes, and you've got to learn when that is. You might not learn when that is with this collection, but you'll nod in agreement as you run across similar situations to the ones in your life.

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


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Bryant & May and the Secret Santa (Bryant & May, #11.5)

author: Christopher Fowler
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.62
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/27
date added: 2015/11/27
shelves:
review:
'Bryant & May and the Secret Santa' by Christopher Fowler just proves that these two curmudgeonly detectives are even good in a brief story.

This time around, they are investigating a murder around a department store during the holidays. This brings back memories to both Bryant and May as they trudge through the false cheer to interrogate Santa. A young boy has apparently fled in terror after seeing Santa, but why is an interesting puzzle. Bryant and May turn Santa's helpers to uncover who's been naughty and who's been nice.

At a short 22 pages, it whips by pretty quick, but it's a really fun read. As a bonus, the book includes an excerpt from the next full length novel 'Bryant & May and the Burning Man' which is out in a couple weeks.

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


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The Shrinking Man

author: Richard Matheson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 1956
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/27
date added: 2015/11/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Shrinking Man' by Ted Adams with art by Mark Torres is a graphic novel adaptation of the original classic SF work by Richard Matheson. Matheson could always get to the heart of what scared us with the famous novel 'I Am Legend' and his screenplay for the famous Twilight Zone episode 'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.' This book proves that this story is still creepy almost 60 years later.

Scott Carey has an accident and, while it's not as noticeable at first, begins shrinking 1/7 of an inch every day. The graphic novel flips back and forth through his life as he shrinks, alternating with his survival in his basement against what seems to him now a giant black widow spider, and his deteriorating marriage. Scott gets smaller and smaller. He is mistaken for a child, and eventually as a doll. The doctors are baffled and Scott realizes eventually he may shrink away to nothing.

Matheson's character coming to grips with his diminuization in the world around him is a physical manifestation of the fear we might feel as we get older. Being unable to care for those we love, or even ourselves. Scott becomes dependent on his wife, and eventually becomes embittered towards her because of this.

This version is a well told adaptation. I felt like the art was okay, but not spectacular. If you like good classic SF or just a good story of a man whose life is out of control, check it 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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Fantasia

author: Jane Turley
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/23
date added: 2015/11/23
shelves:
review:
'Fantasia' by Jane Turley is a short story taking place in the not too distant future where Walt Disney is revived from his cryogenic suspension. He wakes to find a world changed by global warming.

In the year 2031, Walt Disney is brought back. He immediately wants to know how the Winnie The Pooh movie did at the box office (which results in jokes about poo). He also learns about how life is now on Earth. There are amazing breakthroughs in movies, but the Earth is also suffering because of climate change. During the story, he catches up on movies he hasn't seen (like Toy Story), and he makes some interesting choices.

The story is a short enough story at 23 pages. I know a bit about Walt Disney, so it was weird to have him be so grouchy, and to alse be using British slang. I thought the climate change aspect would be more heavy-handed but it wasn't too bad. It wasn't a badly written story, but overall, just kind of average.

I received a review copy of this short story from Sweet and Salty Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this short story.


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Strange Girl Omnibus

author: Rick Remender
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/23
date added: 2015/11/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Strange Girl Omnibus' collects all 18 issues of the series created by Rick Remender. At over 450 pages, it's definitely quite a collection, but it's also a labor of love by the author.

The story takes place on an Earth where the Rapture has happened. Little Bethany lives with her family until that day, but when they are taken and she is left behind. Ten years later, the world has been taken over by demons and Bethany finds herself enslaved by one. Along the way, she's found out she can read the spell book the demon owns and she decides to escape and take a page with her. Along the way she is aided by a cast of characters both good and evil, including her best friend A blue crass-mouthed demon named Bloato, a pious soldier named Mouse, her ex-neighbor Tim and others.

The in your face humor reminds me a bit of Hellboy and Tank Girl. The character takes a real journey along the way, and while I don't agree with the author's conclusion, I can appreciate his arguments. The book begins with an introduction by the author that possibly explains why he chose to tell this story. Over 18 issues, there are a variety of artists and artistic styles. I liked them all. As flawed and fallible as the characters were, I really liked them and felt an emotional attachment.

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


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Parenting Is Easy: You're Probably Just Doing It Wrong

author: Sarah Given
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves:
review:
'Parenting is Easy: You're Probably Just Doing It Wrong' by Sarah Given, is a satirical poke at the world of stock photos that show up in places like parenting magazines and ads.

Imagine a colorless (or muted pastel) world of white couches and happy children. Where children are obediently quiet and houses are clean and meals are balanced and healthy. This is the world that we see in magazines and we wonder what is wrong with us. Sarah Given decided to poke fun of it by captioning these photos on her Tumblr blog. This book is a collection of those posts.

The book is segmented into chapters based on pregnancy through the school years. The photos themselves are really surreal. The captions were amusing. I liked the ones in the last section of the book the best. That chapter is called Living the Good Life. Some of the captions seem a bit repetitive, but it is hilarious to see children and families cavorting in these pristine environments and eating on white couches.

If you know someone who is expecting or has young children, this might make a good gift book. Let them know that the realities of having and raising children is a wonderful experience, but they shouldn't expect it to look at all like these photos.

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


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Side-Kicked

author: Russell Brettholtz
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.23
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Side-Kicked' takes the premise of being a superhero sidekick and makes a story out of it. I once saw an episode of 'The Tick' that did the same thing. I think I liked that better.

The superheroes get all the glory and the sidekicks get no respect. That's the premise of this book. It shows the sidekicks doing work as good or better than the heroes, but getting overlooked or yelled at by the public. They decide to go on strike to get the recognition they think they deserve. While they are striking, the villains decide to take advantage of the situation. Will the heroes realize what they've done in time to save the city? Will the sidekicks get their much needed due?

It's an interesting premise, but I just had a problem with the sidekicks sitting by while the crime rate went up around them. The art is fine, and there are also character bios at the end of the book. I did like the concept, but just failed to be wowed by the execution.

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


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A Beautiful Blue Death (Charles Lenox Mysteries, #1)

author: Charles Finch
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves:
review:
'A Beautiful Blue Death' by Charles Finch is the first book in a series about Charles Lenox, a gentleman amateur detective living in Victorian London. It's a good introduction to some interesting characters.

When we meet Charles Lenox at the beginning of this novel, it appears that he has been at his sleuthing for a while, and he is quite good at it. When his friend Lady Jane contacts him about the death of a former servant, he is glad to lend a hand in solving the case. What he finds is baffling and compounded when a second murder takes place. Add to that a whole house full of suspects with motives, and it makes for a tricky case to solve.

There are comparisons always to be drawn between any Victorian era detective and Sherlock Holmes. Lenox is more mannered and refined, but the similarities do persist from his disdain for Scotland Yard to his doctor friend whom he calls on for assistance. What is different is the help he receives from his manservant Graham, and the delightful Lady Jane.

While I enjoyed it with passable interest, it fell into the more cozy aspect of mystery books. I wouldn't mind seeing where this series goes by reading another one at some point. It's a pleasant enough way to spend a few hours.

I received a review copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Meditations through Coloring

author: River Grove Books
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.65
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Meditations Through Coloring' is a beautiful book of pictures to be colored. It's part of the trend in books like this for adults.

The book starts with a brief introduction to meditation, along with some designs in the margins that can be colored. Most of the designs are floral and intricate. Many span two pages in amazing detail. There are animals like elephants and peacocks and hands with henna design patterns on them. The pictures are all stunning and look like engrossing ways to spend some time coloring them in.

This is a worthy addition to similar books I've seen. I haven't taken up this new trend yet, but I think this book fits right in. The drawings are detailed and pleasing and I wanted to print some out and start filling them in with color.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Greenleaf Book Group, River Grove Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allo‌wing me to review this ebook.


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The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics

author: John Danforth
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Relevance of Religion: How Faithful People Can Change Politics' by John Danforth is a reasoned call to religious people to help change the tone of modern politics. Not to try to influence it like it days past, but with the kind of perspective that faith in a higher power can bring.

John Danforth brings his years of experience service, along with his personal faith together in this well reasoned book to deliver a different call to action. We live in a time when politics has driven divisive lines to the point where neither side can have conversations. Some of this is due to how religion has tried to brute force policy in the past few decades. Mr. Danforth calls for a different approach.

The principles talked about include self-sacrifice and not making politics an idol, by blowing it out of proportion. He says when we turn "what is only approximate into what we claim is absolute, we make politics grotesque." I couldn't agree more.

We live in an age where self-sacrifice for the greater good is rare, and with the kinds of crises our county faces now and in the near future, Christians should be modeling what self-sacrifice looks like. When Christians use God to advance a viewpoint, it is potentially "destructive of the civility that holds us together."

Written with a voice of reason, this is a call to action, but a call to the action of godly servants, not righteous firebrands. I appreciated this book and the calm voice of John Danforth. I applaud his ability to see through the noise of our times, and to offer humble direction.

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.


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Teen Boat! The Race for Boatlantis

author: Dave Roman
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/21
date added: 2015/11/21
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
In 'Teen Boat! The Race for Boatlantis' we learn that it's tough to be a teen. Especially one who can turn into a boat.

This is the second book in the series, but if you haven't read the first one, you'll pick up on things pretty fast. Teen Boat (and that is the name he uses) is a strange boy who has the ability to jump in the water and become a yacht. No one seems to have a problem with this, but he feels like the odd man out. When a rival shows up in town, named Teen Bot, who is a robot teen that can transform, Teen Boat jumps into a competition on the water. The prize could lead Teen Boat to the fabled city of Boatlantis (among other surprises). There are bad guys, wacky pirates, misunderstood friendships, and load of groaner puns. The only thing missing was the teenage acne.

I loved the art by John Green and the story by Dave Roman. It's ludicrously over the top, funny and touching all at the same time. If it sounds too silly for you, then you might be right. What really sells it to me is the bright art and the upbeat story. It was just fun all around.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group, Clarion Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun graphic novel.


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The Zombie Stories of H. P. Lovecraft: Featuring Herbert West--Reanimator and More!

author: H.P. Lovecraft
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/19
date added: 2015/11/19
shelves:
review:
'The Zombie Stories of H.P. Lovecraft: Featuring Herbert West-Reanimator and More!' by H.P. Lovecraft delivers on it's title. It's a short work, at 99 cents for the Kindle version, that works out to close to a penny per page.

The featured stories are the ones featuring Herbert West. These are the stories where the great B-movie from 1985 came from. Herbert West is a student obsessed with experiments to bring the dead back to life. He's mostly unsuccessful in the early attempts and things get more and more gruesome as he gets closer to the truth. The stories are told by Herbert's friend and co-conspirator.

There are other great stories in this volume, including my favorite about a miserly undertaker who ends up locked in with some things that aren't too happy about his scrimping, and a longer one called 'The Thing on the Doorstep' about a man who is hunted and haunted by something that just won't die.

I enjoyed this book. It would be a great introduction to this author. It doesn't feature any of the more famous stories, but it's a short enough work to maybe whet the appetite for more.



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End of Discussion: How the Left's Outrage Industry Shuts Down Debate, Manipulates Voters, and Makes America Less Free (and Fun)

author: Mary Katharine Ham
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/19
date added: 2015/11/19
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'End of Discussion: How the Left's Outrage Industry Shuts Down Debate, Manipulates Voters, and Makes America Less Free {and Fun)' by Mary Katharine Ham and Guy Benson has a title that's sure to provoke, but it makes a good case for getting us back to a place where we can hold differing opinions and have civil discourse.

We live in a time when some people with opposing views can't seem to hold a conversation without either side digging in a refusing to listen. It starts at the top and goes right on down to social media. One way this happens is when one side shuts down the conversation by pulling some sort of real or imagined outrage card. It's in the news even as recently as I write this.

The authors are definitely from one side of the political spectrum and they work for Fox news. The book does tend to skew toward examples from the left, but the right isn't safe from being targeted by the authors. It's all told in a pretty great style and makes a point about how far we've come in a short time. We used to be able to agree to disagree. Now we just want everyone to agree with us. We need to change that. Maybe this book can help.

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


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Shibainuko-san 1

author: Uzu
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.07
book published: 2012
rating: 2
read at: 2015/11/16
date added: 2015/11/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Shibainuko-san' by uzu is a series of 4-strip comics in a manga fashion. The joke runs pretty thin pretty fast.

Chako Ishibashi is an ordinary 8th grader who meets a new student in her class named Shibainuko. Shibainuko is a large dog in a girl's school uniform. The rest of the comic is basically Chako not figuring out that there is a dog going her school. That gag gets put on repeat endlessly until it wears really very thin. There are gags about paw prints, and snuggling with Shiba (mofumofu is the word I learned for snuggling). There are word plays for names for dogs, or the sound a dog makes when barking. Shiba makes lots of friends in school and would seem to be a fun, loyal friend, but the fact that no one around her knows that she is a dog was just not that funny to me after a while.

The art is pretty cute, and I liked that there were explanations of some of the cultural things and wordplay that didn't translate so well into English. The premise is pretty thin and wears on and on. This might actually work for younger children, but it's really hard to say.

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


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The Fox (Love, #2)

author: Frédéric Brrémaud
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/14
date added: 2015/11/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:



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Mickey Mouse: The Mysterious Crystal Ball

author: Giorgio Cavazzano
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/13
date added: 2015/11/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Mickey Mouse: The Mysterious Crystal Ball' is a fun Mickey Mouse story that feels like a classic one.

When Mickey goes to a carnival, he meets a strange fortune teller who seems to know a lot about the future. In reality, he's in league with criminals and trying to get Mickey to mislead the cops away from crime scenes. One step ahead of Mickey is famous detective Shamrock Bones.

Backup stories feature Goofy and his pet crow, Ellsworth. There is a story about Mickey getting involved with some missing explorers, and one featuring Mickey with his nephews. A special treat is a one page story from 1933 called The W'angler featuring Mickey getting creative in catching a fish.

I loved the art in the main story by Andrea Castellan. I liked the art in most of the rest of the material. Some feels a little uneven and out of line with the rest of the art, but it's all ok. The stories feel like the books I read as a kid, and I think today's kids might enjoy these stories.

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


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The Boy Who Could See Demons

author: Carolyn Jess-Cooke
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/13
date added: 2015/11/13
shelves:
review:
'The Boy Who Could See Demons' by Carolyn Jess-Cooke is an interesting book about the relationship between a boy and his psychologist.

10-year old Alex Connolly comes from a difficult home. His dad is gone, his mom is depressed and he's just made an unusual friend name Ruen, who claims to be a demon. Anya is the psychologist assigned to Alex's case. Anya has troubles of her own with the anniversary of some recent tragedy in her own life. The chapters alternate between Alex and Anya. With Alex getting into trouble because of Ruen and Anya struggling to help him. Ruen is imaginary, but he seems to know things about Anya. Is Ruen real or imaginary, and will Anya be able to find out the truth?

The truth is revealed by the end of the book, and I like how the author finishes the book. The character of Alex is pretty good. He's a child in real dire circumstances and Ruen is a creepy manifestation in his life. Anya seems to have problems of her own that are compounded by the case. I liked the book and it's interesting treatment of it's characters.

I received a copy of this ebook from Random House Publising Group - Bantam Dell, Delacourte Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 12: Vengeance, Part 1

author: Tom Waltz
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/09
date added: 2015/11/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 12: Vengeance, Part 1' follows in the wake of events of previous issues. I plan on not spoiling things, but that might make some things sound vague.

The Turtles are back from their trip to Burnow Island and the aftermath of their attack on the Technodrome. Big things have happened. The Turtles may never be the same. There is a power void among the bad guys that the Purple Dragons are seeking to fill. Casey is out for a final (?) showdown with Hun. Even the Mutanimals make an appearance. There are a lot of pieces in play. So many that I was sure it wouldn't wrap up in this volume. That's why it's a part 1.

I haven't been keeping up with the Turtles, but I remember the news about the events that led up to this one. I like what I read here. It's got a good feel and the Turtles and their friends are as gritty or grittier than I remember. The family has grown, but so have the enemies. You're better off reading prior issues before this, but this was a pretty satisfying read in my opinion.

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


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Malice in Ovenland: #3 (Malice in Ovenland, #3)

author: Micheline Hess
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/07
date added: 2015/11/07
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
'Malice in Ovenland #3'by Micheline Hess is my introduction to the series. There have been two previous issues, but my review copy started here.

Lily Brown is continuing her adventures in the greasy kingdom she has found herself in. This all began a couple issues ago when Lily's mother just wanted her to clean the oven, and it's got overtones of Alice's adventures in Wonderland. Sort of. Anyway, back to the story. Lily starts this issue by falling, then landing in a strange vehicle. The queen (I assume that's what she is) decides to send out the Royal Rangers, a trio of musclebound trackers, to find her.

Around here, I ran out of pages to read since it's only 22 pages and I don't want to spoil much more. The art is friendly enough and I like the characters. The monsters are a bit reminiscent of some of the work of Gahan Wilson, which means I liked the art quite a bit. I'd love to read more of the adventures of Lily in her new, strange surroundings.

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


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Recorder and Randsell Volume1

author: Meme Higashiya
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.82
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2015/11/07
date added: 2015/11/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Recorder and Randsell Volume 1' by Meme Higashiya sets up one strange and slightly hilarious idea, then kind of proceeds to run it into the ground. Maybe it's due to the format of the comic.

Atsumi is a sophomore and she is really tiny for her age. Her younger brother Atsushi is in 5th grade and is mistaken for an adult. Hilarity ensues when Atsushi is taken in by the police as a pedophile while he is walking his sister home. He also can't find clothes he likes in his size, but, luckily, the neighbor next door is always giving away clothing after breakups. We never see his face, so he's kind of like the neighbor on the old sitcom 'Home Improvement.' Atsushi has a lot of girls that find him attractive, but he's just usually looking for something to eat and to play video games or do silly things with his friends.

The book has a series of chapters and the comics are presented in four strip panels. The Western reader needs to read them top to bottom, right to left. This wasn't explained in my review copy, but it was pretty easy to figure out. The book has 17 chapters and the stories seem to be something that was periodically published because every chapter begins by explaining the gag. After a while, I just got tired of Atsushi being misunderstood, and arrested, and accidentally groping his teacher. I might have liked it in a much shorter dose, but likely not.

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


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Out on the Wire: Uncovering the Secrets of Radio's New Masters of Story with Ira Glass

author: Jessica Abel
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/07
date added: 2015/11/07
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'Out on the Wire: Uncovering the Secrets of Radio's New Masters of Story with Ira Glass' by Jessica Abel is a graphic novel that ably illustrates (no pun intended) how the great radio stories I listen to are produced.

I've been a fan of "This American Life" for years. They can tell some engaging stories, and I am in awe of their ability. Along with TAL, this other NPR type story shows. Some are on air, some began life as podcasts. During the course of the book Jessica Abel acts as our guide along with Ira Glass as different subjects regarding story are discussed. The first thing you should know is that creating an engaging "driveway moment" story is not as simple or as quick as just grabbing a microphone and setting up a meeting with someone. A lot of though goes into what the story should say, or what the meaning of the story is. There are nods to music and sound used, and edits, which are basically meetings where the story is questioned and dissected by everyone involved. It's a crazy process, but brilliantly creative.

This book started life as an NPR premium comic book back in 1999 called 'Radio: An Illustratd Guide.' Parts of that book are reprinted here, but there is plenty of new material as bunches of these shows have cropped up since then.

Actually, a graphic novel is probably a perfect way to tell this story, because the book can do with pictures what the radio shows do with sound, and if the subject matter interests you like it does me, you should really enjoy it.

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


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The Weight of Feathers

author: Anna-Marie McLemore
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/11/07
date added: 2015/11/07
shelves: young-adult
review:
'The Weight of Feathers'by Anna-Marie McLemore proves that I can be sucked in by any story if it's told well, even a romance.

This book features two star-crossed lovers, Lace Paloma and Luc "Cluck" Corbeau. Their families are locked in a revenge fest because of something that happened years ago. Lace's family have a mermaid act that they perform on water. Luc's family has an act in trees that they perform with wings.

Once a year, the two warring families find themselves in the same California town competing for local dollars, and avoiding each other with enmity until an accident forces Lace into Luc's life. She hides among his family, afraid that she'll be discovered as a Paloma. The tragedies of the present collide with those of the past, and Luc and Lace have to decide what their path will be.

I love any book that is well written, and this book is very well written. I love the hints of magical realism that creep into the story around the edges. Does Luc really have red feathers sprouting from his body, and does Lace really have scales on hers? It's such a light touch that it keeps the story grounded in reality, but adds an ethereal, magical touch to the story. The story has some true sorrow as well, which is handled deftly and not heavy handed. The unintended choices of others lead to the sorrows of the present, but neither of the main characters feel like moping victims. I picked up this book because the description intrigued me, and I was surprised by how much I ended up liking it.

I received a review copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press, Thomas Dunne Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this well written ebook.


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Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole: A Renowned Neurologist Explains the Mystery and Drama of Brain Disease

author: Allan Ropper
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2015/11/05
date added: 2015/11/05
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Reaching Down the Rabbit Hole: A Renowned Neurologist Explains the Mystery and Drama of Brain Disease' by Dr. Allan H. Ropper and Brian David Burrell takes the readers on a strange journey through the mysteries of brain disease at Harvard Medical School. It's a wild ride.

The book is told in a series of cases that illustrate the career of this neurologist and some of the unusual cases he's run across in that time. We meet a college quarterback who keep calling the same play, and a figure skater whose body is experiencing multiple strokes, possibly as a result of chiropractic treatments. We meet an aphasic man named Gordon who has a confused brain. We meet a man pronounced dead whose brain is still possibly alive.

It's a fascinating and somewhat terrifying look at the human brain. Fascinating because brilliant doctors don't give up on strange behaviors. Terrifying because we all fear being trapped in our own bodies, unable to tell others what is wrong or if we are feeling pain. The book takes on the medical as well as the moral issues with treatment of brain diseases and it does it in a very approachable way. I enjoyed this book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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The Traitor Baru Cormorant

author: Seth Dickinson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2015/11/01
date added: 2015/11/01
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
I didn't really like 'The Traitor Baru Cormorant' by Seth Dickinson until the final few chapters. At 400 pages, that's kind of a long time to wait. There's an engaging enough premise here, and a sympathetic main character, but there were times the book just felt like a slog to me.

After a lifetime of reading SF, I'm good with strange place names and strange character names, but there were a few in here I got confused with. Add in the murky shifting motives of some of the characters, and a way of telling the story that made it feel like some action was happening offstage, and I just kind of felt lost and disinterested.

But those final few chapters really pull it together. It's a heartbreaking character study, and the main character appears to go through the wringer. I can only guess based on the ending that there will be a book two. I'll have to decide then if I'm in for more.


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