Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean Telt by Hisself

The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean Telt by Hisself
author: David Almond
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.11
book published: 2011
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/30
date added: 2016/03/30
shelves:
review:
'The True Tale of the Monster Billy Dean Telt by Hisself' by David Arnold is a bit of a struggle to read. It's written by a largely uneducated main character who seems to prefer spelling phonetically.

Billy Dean is born in the town of Blinkbonny sometime after the bombs have fallen. All we know is there has been some sort of war, that may still be going on. Billy Dean spends his early years locked away in a room with his mother nearby and he gets occasional visits from his father. When he gets a chance to finally see the world, he discovers that he has certain ways about him that set him off from others, but also can help them.

I'm not sure why he calls himself a monster. I also kept hoping his writing style might improve as he learned more and as the story went along, but it doesn't. You do get used to the pattern of speech and writing, but by the end, I was tired of sorting it all out. The character is interesting, and it seems to lead somewhere, then kind of fizzles. Another puzzling thing are the chapters done in third person. They don't fit with the kind of world education Billy is getting. Overall, I liked it. Maybe I wouldn't have liked it as much had it been written conventionally, but maybe I would have liked it more if it had.

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


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The Returned

The Returned
author: Jason Mott
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.28
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/30
date added: 2016/03/30
shelves:
review:
'The Returned' by Jason Mott is a story about what happens when the dead come back to life. Only, in this story, we kind of want them to.

Harold and Lucille lost their son Jacob when he was eight. That was many years ago, and now they are older. Imagine their surprise when Jacob turns up alive, but he's still the same age. It's part of a global phenomenom where the dead wake up in a different location (for Jacob, it was in China). They are confused and disoriented, as are their still living families. This confusion leads some to fear, and before you know it the government has stepped in to assess the problem. Harold finds himself stuck in the middle of it with a sympathetic government agent on one side and some angry townspeople who want these ex-dead people out of their town.

Even though it's a global event, it's a pretty small scope. The family of three and their small town are the focus. By the end of the book, there are questions left unanswered, and some of the characters seem to lack anything but the broadest sort of movie stereotypes. Harold is the exception, and his emotions are intense and complex. The reader can understand why he feels the way he does. I liked it, but I wanted a deeper reading experience when it was all said and done.

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


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Babylon Terminal

Babylon Terminal
author: Greg F. Gifune
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/30
date added: 2016/03/30
shelves:
review:
In 'Babylon Terminal' by Greg F. Gifune, we enter a strange world where it is always dark. It feels like some familiar ideas from Science Fiction movies like Dark City or Logan's Run or Blade Runner, but I don't think that's such a bad thing.

Monk is a Dreamcatcher in the city. His job is to stop people who leave the city. The main reason they leave is to find the ocean, but as far as Monk is concerned, there is no ocean. He also doesn't seem to have any memories. To make things worse, his wife has now become a runner on her way to the non-existent ocean. Monk decides to go after her to stop her and hopefully save her life from his zealous co-workers. The zealous co-workers want to stop her as well as Monk. Monk also finds himself in a strange world outside the city where the people he runs across are not too happy to have him around either.

It's set in a dark, weird future, much like the movies I mentioned above, and the plot and circumstances feel that way too, but it's an original enough story. I felt that the ending left me a bit confused and it seemed to end a bit abruptly. It's a short novel, and I felt like I kind of got dumped off at the end, but I liked the character and the weird places he found himself.

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


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Monday, March 28, 2016

Flambé in Armagnac

Flambé in Armagnac
author: Jean-Pierre Alaux
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/28
date added: 2016/03/28
shelves:
review:
'Flambé in Armagnac' is the 7th book in the Winemaker Detective series by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noel Balen. It seems to show no signs of slowing down and there is still a lot to learn about the world of French wine.

This time around, the story takes place in Gascony. A fire at one of the top distillers of Armagnac has occurred and Benjamin Cooker and his assistant Virgile are called in to estimate the value of the losses. Benjamin has friends in the region, which is good because the owner of the disillery is hostile. Along the way, Virgile meets a fellow rugby player and family secrets as well as a possible murder are uncovered.

These are quick reads, but I enjoy the series. One aspect is the wine education, one is the travel and food of the different regions of France, but the main one might be our two main characters. A quick enjoyable read. I only wish I'd had a glass of Armagnac to sip while I read it.

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


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Saturday, March 26, 2016

Spera, Volume 3

Spera, Volume 3
author: Josh Tierney
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2013
rating: 2
read at: 2013/11/30
date added: 2016/03/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
Spera is a long running online comic and this graphic novel collects one of the adventures. The adventure has a cast of adventurers on a quest, and each chapter is illustrated by a different artist. The result is a sort of mixed result.

Pira and Lono are exiled princesses. They are accompanied by Yonder, who is a fire spirit that alternates between a bearded man and a large, flaming dog, Chobo, a fierce cat, and Adel a fellow adventurer. When Yonder is put under the spell of a water spirit and shrunk, the adventurers have to find a wood spirit who will help them to restore their friend.

Along with the main adventure, there are a series of shorter adventures, all done by different artists as well. The art varies in quality, as does the lettering. Some chapters are easier to read than others. It was a coherent enough series and I liked the adventure gaming touches, like ccg cards at the end of each chapter outlining a monster or creature encountered in the chapter. Overall, it was just okay. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't feel compelled to read more in this universe.

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 letting me review this graphic novel.


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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The Mantle: Volume 1

The Mantle: Volume 1
author: Ed Brisson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2016/03/23
date added: 2016/03/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Mantle: Volume 1' by Ed Brisson with illustrations by Brian Level is an interesting idea that kind of gets bogged down for me with being a bit too crass.

A hero is chosen to be The Mantle. That hero is hunted down by a villain known as The Plague. The problem is there is only one Plague, and there have been many, many Mantles. The Plague has gotten so good at defeating Mantles that they barely have time to train before they are dispatched which leads to the formation of a team of heroes to try to help the new Mantles adapt and survive. When the latest Mantle is picked, then killed, his girlfriend Jen is the next one to be picked. Barely able to adapt to her grief, she now has to come to terms with probably being defeated by her new enemy in a war she didn't choose to fight.

It seems like a new approach to telling a superhero story, with a reluctant hero and an impossible villain, but we've had new approaches before, and this doesn't seem all that different. It's violent and filled with the kind of crudeness that just makes me feel like all the excess is there to give it all an edge, but it doesn't. And the twists and turns aren't all that clever. The final twist had me shaking my head. I liked the idea, but found it lacking in creativity or execution.

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


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Casanova: Acedia Vol. 1

Casanova: Acedia Vol. 1
author: Matt Fraction
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/23
date added: 2016/03/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Casanova: Acedia Vol. 1' by Matt Fraction with a backup story by Michael Chabon and art by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba is a gorgeous looking graphic novel. I was a bit lost for a good part of it, and I didn't realize that this character has been around before.

Quentin Cassaday (aka Casanova Quinn) wakes up with no memory of who he seems to be. He works for an interesting guy, and has a cool chauffers hat. That's about all he knows. He soon finds out that someone is trying to kill him, and that strange occult symbols are showing up everywhere. This leads Quentin to a street magician who may know about what is going on. Things go from weird to weirder.

The backup feature 'The Metanauts' fits in, but the whole thing left me a bit off-balance. This is probably because I haven't read the first two volumes in the series. The proposed series will have volumes named after the seven deadly sins. Acedia is Latin for sloth. Perhaps if I'd looked that up before reading it, the story might have made a bit more sense. Nonetheless, there is something good happening here, including some knockout art. Just do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.

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


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Saturday, March 19, 2016

Harry and Walter

Harry and Walter
author: Kathy Stinson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/19
date added: 2016/03/19
shelves: children-s
review:
'Harry and Walter' by Kathy Stinson tells of an unusual but wonderful friendship. The cover got me to request it and I just loved it.

Harry and Walter are neighbors and best friends. They love driving their tractors and eating garden grown tomatoes and jumping in leaves. It doesn't even matter that Harry is four and three-quarters and Walter is ninety-two and a half. They are buddies and they love being together.

Until Harry discovers a 'for sale' sign on his front lawn and he is forced to move away from Walter. What can it mean for this friendship when all the things Harry loved to do with Walter just don't seem the same anymore?

This was a wonderful picture book. The illustrations by Qin Leng are fun and full of the exuberant action of a young child. The story by Kathy Stinson is heartwarming and endearing. I loved the message that friendship has no age and I loved both Harry and Walter. The book would be a good picture book for reading aloud.

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


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Triumph of The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman's Zombie Epic on Page and Screen

Triumph of The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman's Zombie Epic on Page and Screen
author: James Lowder
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/19
date added: 2016/03/19
shelves:
review:
'Triumph of the Walking Dead' Edited by James Lowder is a series of essays that came out of few years ago. It's still a bit relevant because although it was printed after the first season of the show, events that were taking place in the comic have been in more recent episodes.

The essays are great and a lot of fun to read. Arnold T. Blumberg talks about the history of zombies in comics, and how they were once banned, but crept their way back in. Kay Steiger talks about race and gender politics in the show and how they persist even in a world gone crazy. Ned Vizzini has an essay called 'Rick and Rand: The Objectivist Hero in The Walking Dead' that speaks on Rick and his changing philosophy and how it relates to Ayn Rand. Even though the CDC and Edwin Jenner was never featured in the comics, this gets mentioned quite a few times. My favorite episode is by David Hopkins and it makes a case that Carl might be the true protagonist of the series and his role as the 1.5-Generation Immigrant in this strange new land.

In all cases the essays are intelligent well written. Most of the essayists are familiar with the comics series and all are familiar with the TV version. For fans of the show and comic, there is a lot of thought provoking material here.

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


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Chicago Challenge Activity Book

Chicago Challenge Activity Book
author: George Toufexis
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/19
date added: 2016/03/19
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Chicago Challenge Activity Book' by George Toufexis is an activity book that also tells about the city of Chicago in a fun way.

In amongst the coloring pages, mazes and word searches, there is a wealth of information. There were things I knew about, and things I learned. There are notes about famous people and parts of town. There are breakdowns of all the districts and neighborhoods of city. There are facts about the founding of the city and major engineering feats, like changing the flow of a river. There are facts about the food and beaches and things that Chicago is known for.

I was actually surprised by how much is packed into the 51 pages here. I've never been to the city, so I managed to learn quite a lot. I think this would be a fun book for school age kids going on a trip to Chicago. There is lots to do in the pages, and much to enhance the visit.

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


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The Experience of Modern Sculpture: A Guide to Enjoying Works of the Past 100 Years

The Experience of Modern Sculpture: A Guide to Enjoying Works of the Past 100 Years
author: Philip F Palmedo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/19
date added: 2016/03/19
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Experience of Modern Sculputure: A Guide to Enjoying Works of the Past 100 Years' by Philip F. Palmedo is a good survey into understanding modern sculpture. I appreciated the author's insights.

Have you ever looked at a piece of modern sculpture and wondered what the artist was thinking? Or felt yourself challenged to even consider the work to be "art"? This book explains what we need to consider when we look at sculpture, and it may bring a new awareness to the objects you look at.

Divided into sections based on the types of forms, there are sections that include the art of the human form, music and abstraction, sculptures that have movement, and even art in functional design. Throughout each chapter are full color photos of examples given in each chapter. Obviously, viewing a photo doesn't bring the same sort of understanding as viewing in person, but the pictures were very welcome.

The author writes at a common sense level, not so erudite as to exclude or belittle those beginning an understanding of sculpture. There are even a few humorous stories along the way, like the famous art piece that got thrown away by a custodian because it didn't look like art to him. I liked the book and it's appreciation of an often misunderstood, but sometimes profound art style.

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


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Thursday, March 17, 2016

White Death

White Death
author: Robbie Morrison
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.22
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at: 2014/09/15
date added: 2016/03/17
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'White Death' is a reprint from an earlier time in Charlie Adlard's career right before he became known for his work on 'The Walking Dead' comic book series. That style is very evident here in a haunting tale from World War I.

Writer Robbie Morrison was inspired to write the story after a couple bodies were uncovered from ice in the Italian mountains. The bodies belonged to Austrian soldiers of the war fighting in the Italian Alps at high altitudes. During the 5 battles of the campaign, brutal tactics are used, including using guns to trigger avalanches, hence the title. The story follows Pietro Aquasanta, a man from Istria who started the war fighting for the Austro-Hungarian side and now fighting for the Italians. The conditions are brutal, cold and unrelentless.

The bleakness and despair of war are on full display here. The story has a few lighter moments, but these only serve to throw the reader off balance for the horrors to come. The art is a charcoal style that is really great. It serves this sort of story especially well. There is a small intro story included at the end of the book as well as some script to finished page breakdowns. I really enjoyed this story of the Great War.

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


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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Godzilla in Hell

Godzilla in Hell
author: James Stokoe
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/16
date added: 2016/03/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Godzilla in Hell' is an odd book. It's beautifully illustrated, but perhaps a bit light on content and understanding.

The book begins with Godzilla falling into what is supposedly hell. In the review copy I had, there is no explanation for what caused this. What we get next is an inexplicable series of strange things that Godzilla finds himself fighting. From old enemies, to cities to destroy, to seemingly easily defeated creatures that threaten to overwhelm him. Through it all Godzilla fights and fights.

There isn't much dialogue or explanation, so the reader just has to follow along in this surreal Godzilla nightmare. The art style varies over the books, but is all pretty good. The art is really the reason to buy this and read it. It didn't take long to read, so that might be a deciding factor in your purchase. I enjoyed this graphic novel.

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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Broken Banners (A Reaper of Stone #2)

Broken Banners (A Reaper of Stone #2)
author: Mark Gelineau
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.92
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/16
date added: 2016/03/16
shelves:
review:
'Broken Banners' by Mark Gelineau and Joe King is the second book in the Reaper of Stone novella cycle in their ambitious world. It was a good story, but this time out, it felt more like a chapter in an ongoing story than a novella. Maybe because story threads begin and end around this story.

Elinor has found herself an outcast, along with her friend, engineer Conbert, and another old friend, Aldis. They work on a daring rescue scheme to overcome a force of larger odds at Heights Ward Keep. It will take all of Elinor's will and Conbert's engineering talent to turn this around. The events fo the prior book come back to haunt them, and set their course.

It's as good as the previous books I've read, but the previous works have felt more like complete works toward a larger story. This felt less complete in this volume. Of course I'll read more in the series, and I think it's still an interesting world with interesting characters.

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


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Three Years in Wonderland: The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park

Three Years in Wonderland: The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park
author: Todd James Pierce
name: Wayne
average rating: 5.00
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/03/16
date added: 2016/03/16
shelves: favorites
review:
'Three Years in Wonderland: The Disney Brothers, C. V. Wood, and the Making of the Great American Theme Park' by Todd James Pierce is a master work, and it achieves some things that aren't easy.

The first thing it achieves is what I think is a fair viewpoint. I'm a Disney fan, and I've read a number of books on the subject. The problem is that you either get a whitewashed studio version that is so "pro" that it feels a bit like propaganda. The other type you get are the people seeking to show the evil side of the company, recent PBS Walt Disney "documentary" did. This book falls squarely in the middle. By starting with a man that the company sort of disavows knowledge of, we know we are in interesting territory, and Walt is presented as human, for better or worse.

The other amazing thing it achieves is to put us back in a world before theme parks existed. In our modern era, building a theme park doesn't seem like a difficult thing to do, but when Walt Disney conceived of Disneyland, there was really nothing like it. Convincing financial partners to invest was a challenge as well as finding the right people to construct such an immersive world.

And it's also pretty thrilling. As the days dwindle down to the park opening, there is a real sense of tension, which is pretty interesting considering we know the outcome. This is something most movies that are "based on a true story" have a problem doing. How do you make a well known outcome seem fresh and compelling? It's done here.

The book was researched for 9 years, and focuses on the three years leading up to the park opening. It's primary scope is Disneyland. There are tons of notes and quotes. I thought I knew quite a bit about how the park was built, and I was so wrong. This book is a great look at how Disneyland was built, and does a good job of showing how it almost failed at quite a few turns along the way. The shaky relationship between Disney and Wood is portrayed, and I understand the contribution made by this third party in making my very favorite theme park. I can't recommend it high enough for any fans of this theme park.

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


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Pathfinder Vol. 3: City Of Secrets

Pathfinder Vol. 3: City Of Secrets
author: Jim Zub
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/06/14
date added: 2016/03/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pathfinder Volume 3: City of Secrets' continues to be a nice surprise. It's a comic book series based on an rpg system, and even though I'm not familiar with the rpg system, I like what they've done.

Our group of adventurers, led by Sorceror Seoni, finds themselves in the city of Magnimar. Wizard Ezren wants to seek out the Pathfinder Lodge to see if he can gain a seat there. Cleric Kyra wants to visit the temple of her god, in a rundown part of the city. Elf Merisiel wants to seek adventure, possibly on the other side of the law. Fighter Valeros just wants to have a good time, but before they can rest and relax, they find themselves wrapped up in a sinister mystery in the city. There are dark forces that want to take over the town. Can our party of heroes save the town of Magnimar?

Along the way, you get a flavor for places in the game with entries showing up telling you about the city or a part of town or the Pathfinder Lodge. I think it fleshes the story out as well. There are six characters in the story, but I think they keep the story mainly balanced. The book ends with a Variant Cover Gallery, which I did get to see, and the Pathfinder Chronicles RPG Appendix, which was not included in the review copy I had. Like I said, I don't play the game, but the fantasy adventure is a decent read for a fantasy fan. I like the characters and the situations they find themselves in.

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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Saturday, March 12, 2016

Adulthood is a Myth: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection

Adulthood is a Myth: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection
author: Sarah Andersen
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/12
date added: 2016/03/12
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Adulthood is a Myth: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection' by Sarah Anderson is a series of comics based on life as a millennial. Which is suppose is probably funnier if you are actually a millennial.

The comics feature a tousle-haired heroine who likes to lounge around. She likes pets, and hates when her period comes along. She'd prefer to be introverted and read, and her ideal mate likes all the things she likes. She doesn't like little kids, and doesn't really want to have any of her own. She goes around shirking responsibilities and daily grooming.

Which is all funny up to a point, but, for me, got a bit old. I'm familiar with the artist's work. I've seen a few of these comics show up around social media. Her cartooning style is good. Her subject matter is probably good if you're the right age bracket. I'm not, so the humor was kind of a miss for me.

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


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The Companions (The Sundering, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #24)

The Companions (The Sundering, #1; Legend of Drizzt, #24)
author: R.A. Salvatore
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/12
date added: 2016/03/12
shelves:
review:
'The Companions' by R.A. Salvatore led me to believe it might have been the start of a new series, but it turns out to be more of what is known in comic book timelines as a retcon.

Drizzt of many previous books is brought into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. He's remember the lives of companions he's had in the past. I believe most of these have passed on and are no more. But things are a happening, and now it seems these companions have found themselves with the choice of being reborn. They are a variety of types of companions with a variety of backgrounds. There is a battle dwarf and a halfling who is good at thieving. If they are reborn, they give up rest with loved ones for the unknown. How deep is their friendship?

Even though he's been on my "to read" list for a while, this is my first R.A. Salvatore book, and I really liked it. It's definitely a story with a lot of previous history, and there were times when I felt a little lost and I wished I were more familiar with the characters, but it's a well written book. The characters all have distinct personalities. I liked the journeys each character takes in the alternating chapters. I've read a fair amount of fantasy, and I love the worlds created here and inhabited by these characters. I realize they are also built on a D&D gaming system, but I love the way they are fleshed out.

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


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Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Ragnarok Vol. 1: Last God Standing

Ragnarok Vol. 1: Last God Standing
author: Walter Simonson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2016/03/09
date added: 2016/03/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Ragnarok Vol. 1: Last God Standing' reunites Walter Simonson with Norse mythology, and it's a welcome reunion.

Ragnarok has happened. The battle of the Nine Worlds is over and there is destruction everywhere. The gods are dead, supposedly. But one crawls from the wreckage, basically a skeleton with a missing jaw. He is an unstoppable force and he seeks answers to where his family is. When he calls forth his mighty hammer Mjolnir, we know who this is. Any who stand in his path had best beware, because this is Thor and he wants to find his way back to Asgard.

I loved the Simonson run on Thor in the 1980s. I devoured them. The Thor in this book is not the Marvel version, but the mythological one. Yet this fits for me. I also like the mythological elements like the Midgard Serpent and Fenrir. I like the decimated look of the surroundings and the conniving of the survivors. I also really like Thor's resolve. Nothing will stop him, even if he's a shell of his former self. The writing is great and the art is amazing. The work here is really that good.

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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Angelarium: Book of Emanations

Angelarium: Book of Emanations
author: Magnetic Press Inc
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/09
date added: 2016/03/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Angelarium: Book of Emanations' is a gorgeous art book by Peter Mohrbacher with a strange story.

The story that accompanies the pictures is about a wanderer named Enoch. At the beginning of his travels, he is given a journal that he assumes is filled, but finds to be empty, for him to fill. He approaches his journey with the tree of life, angels and an unknowable being known as Ein Sof. Each section is based on what seems like a geometrical character. The painting is then expanded out into a an abstract shape, then a fully rendered painting. Along with it are a few paragraphs of how Enoch found this particular being.

It's only 60 pages long, so it doesn't take long to go through the content, so it may or may not be worth the $25 price tag. The text complements the art, but they are basically journal entries. The paintings are nice. I enjoyed reading this.

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


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Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Aurora: Darwin (Aurora, #1)

Aurora: Darwin (Aurora, #1)
author: Amanda Bridgeman
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/08
date added: 2016/03/08
shelves:
review:
'Aurora: Darwin' by Amanda Bridgeman is a pretty fair space opera full of decent suspense and action. That sort of tails off in an ending that seems to drag on too long.

In a not too distant future, we have conquered space flight and we are out fighting space pirates. That's what Captain Saul Harris and his crew of the Aurora do for the United National Forces. This time around, they are responding to the lack of communication from a science station. To make things more interesting, they have three female recruits aboard to test the waters of allowing females to travel into the farther reaches of space. In this future, there is still sexism though, so the women won't have to easiest time of things. Added to that, they've been ordered to stay on the ship and not board the science vessel Darwin when the Aurora docks with it. Strangest enough is what awaits them when they get to the Darwin.

I'm used to my United Federation of Space, so the idea of advanced technology and sexism was a bit jarring, but probably not unrealistic. The character interactions weren't too bad. I liked the mystery and action, but the wrap up seemed to take a long time. A lot of it is set up for future books, but I'd have preferred a quicker finish to things, especially because they seemed a bit inevitable. It's a good first outing, and I'll gladly read the next book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Pan Macmillan, Momentum and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Monday, March 7, 2016

Gold Fame Citrus

Gold Fame Citrus
author: Claire Vaye Watkins
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/07
date added: 2016/03/07
shelves:
review:
'Gold Fame Citrus' by Claire Vaye Watkins is a literary tale of a dystopian near future. The premise promised me more than I felt like I got. I've read a few critically acclaimed literary fiction books that dabble in speculative fiction, and they leave me puzzled because it seems that the authors don't really understand the genre that they are setting their stories in.

In a post-water California, most people who have been able to have left the state behind. The rest, the 'mojavs,' are not welcome anywhere. Luz and Ray live in an abandoned house in the hills overlooking the city. She reads about famous historical figures and dresses in the clothes the starlet who owned the house left behind. He does chores around the house and thinks of turning the empty pool into a skate park. Things happen and they find themselves trying to make their way East. They find themselves among different groups of people: those who want to party until it all burns out, or people on an almost religious quest to chase a dying dream, or dreamers on the edge of the ocean in the fading light.

I liked the concept, most of the characters and I liked the writing, but I found it tough to actually care about anyone in the story. Especially when one of the main characters is presented with the kind of life shaking turning point that would force anyone else to act, and then that character decides to not actually change. Maybe that's realistic, but it made me dislike the journey I was on with this book.

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


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Red Sonja: The Black Tower

Red Sonja: The Black Tower
author: Frank Tieri
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.50
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/07
date added: 2016/03/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Red Sonja: The Black Tower' is about a character that is popular in comics again, but this story feels like a bit of a set back.

In the city of Lur, a mysterious black tower has emerged, and we are told that it's existence will cause the death of Red Sonja. Before it does, she will have to deal with some idiot men who need a lesson. Unfortunately, she leaves one alive and he vows his revenge. You know that will come back to haunt her. We see the town over the years as chaos reigns and a strange religion crops up worshiping the tower. Will Sonja die at the hands of the Black Tower?

This was a gimmicky story with a gimmicky twist. Also, it brought in another genre that didn't really work for me with the story. The art is the shining light on this work. We've had some sharp, smart stories about Red Sonja lately, but, unfortunately, this wasn't one of them.

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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Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #1)

The Sword of Shannara (The Original Shannara Trilogy #1)
author: Terry Brooks
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.77
book published: 1977
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/06
date added: 2016/03/06
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
As a reader, they tell you not to reread books you cherished as a child, so I felt pretty safe when my book club picked 'The Sword of Shannara' by Terry Brooks. I remember liking the book, but not having much more impression than that. I wondered how myself as an older reader would react.

At the time the book was published I was an early teen and heavily into SF. I primarily liked science fiction, but occasionally delved into fantasy. The grandfather of epic fantasy was (and still is) Lord of the Rings, and I devoured it, along with any Robert Howard stories. I also liked the Fafhrd and the grey mouser stories by Lieber. When 'The Sword of Shannara' arrived, it promised the sort of epic storytelling that I wanted more of after reading Tolkien. Since I also picked books based on page length, I like the massive 700 page book. It also included some full page paintings by the Brothers Hildebrandt who had put out Tolkien calendars.

The problem with wishing for more of something is the need to make comparisons. The new thing can only hope to measure up, and this book felt a bit like a tarnished copy. I still remember devouring it, but while I bought the next book, I don't remember finishing it.

It's a first book, and has it's flaws. For it's time, it feels right, but by today's standards, it doesn't have the sarcasm or violence that we've come to expect. Also, in the entire 700 pages, there is only one female character, and she is there simply to be rescued. My younger self didn't seem to have a problem with this, but my older self does.

So, do we judge a book based on it's time, or how it holds up? Do we unfairly compare it to ideals it can't hope to attain or the feelings it gave us a younger and first time reader?

It's a long book, and the word 'valeman' appears much too often (also the word 'stocky'), but for it's time it gave me more of what I wanted. I enjoyed my reread, and judging by the number of books in the series at this time, someone out there must really like it. I've read later works by Terry Brooks, and, thankfully, his writing improved. I've met him and he's a nice man, and gets trashed way too much by fandom for simply giving us more of what we wanted.

Be careful what you wish for, dear reader. You just might get it.


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Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg

Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg
author: Kate Evans
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/06
date added: 2016/03/06
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
I don't read a lot of books about feminist socialists, but when I was given a chance to read and review 'Red Rosa' by Kate Evans, I was intrigued and approached the work with an open mind.

Rosa Luxemburg was a radical socialist at the beginning of the last century. At the age of 15 she was exiled from her homeland of Poland for her part in a general strike. She eventually made her way to Germany where she tried desperately to intervene, as best she could with no vote, in a society bent on war. She was a teacher and writer and eventual martyr to her cause.

The art is at times a bit garish and uneven, but that only makes this feel like a more personal work. It takes a while for the story to get moving, and there are kind of unexplained gaps in the narrative. An odd thing happens when the author/illustrator jumps into the middle of a scene. It's jarring and I felt a bit unnecessary. Still, the story of Rosa turns out to be a moving one, and the book shows her passion for her ideals. The end of the book has an extensive collection of notes to go along with the story. I appreciated the chance to learn more about this outspoken passionate woman.

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


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Grumpy Cat, Volume 1

Grumpy Cat, Volume 1
author: Ben McCool
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/06
date added: 2016/03/06
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Grumpy Cat, Volume 1' by Ben McCool, Royal McGraw, Elliott Serrano and Ben Fisher (among others) is a collection of comics about the internet's grumpiest cat. It's aimed at kids, but some of humor, I think, is a bit dark for a kids comic.

Grumpy Cat lives with her younger more exuberant brother Pokey Cat. In the eleven stories featured here, we see Pokey trying to get Grumpy enthused about life, and we see Grumpy trying to get Pokey and the occasional dog in trouble. They investigate a haunted house, dress up like superheroes, and act like detectives when their outdoor food stash gets eaten, among other things. As hard as Grumpy Cat tries, Pokey Cat is the eternal optimistic balance in this duo.

My problems occur when Pokey Cat is on a roof, and Grumpy Cat is encouraging him to jump off and probably die. It doesn't happen, but it seems a little over dark for something that seems aimed at kids. Also, it does remind me quite a bit of Garfield, with Pokey playing the part of Nermel and the dog seeming a lot like Odie. The adventures are likeable enough, and I do like Pokey Cat's indominatable spirit.

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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Tabatha

Tabatha
author: Neil Gibson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/06
date added: 2016/03/06
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Tabatha' by Neil Gibson, with art by Caspar Wijngaard is another trippy, super dark journey that fits well with Gibson's other work. There is plenty of humor, which at times feels strange in such a dark tale.

Luke works as a mailman in Los Angeles. This gives him plenty of time to figure out which houses are empty so he and his friends can go back and burglarize them. When they find the house of a Hollywood special effects man, things spiral in a strange direction. They discover real body parts, and a lifesized doll, known by the owner as Tabatha. He is using his guile and craft to try to bring her to life, and Luke and his friends have stumbled into his dark life. Ignoring the rules of horror films, Luke and his friends find themselves caught in a horror show with a crafty killer who will stop at nothing to bring his creation to life.

The cover is bright and doesn't depict the darkness in the story, but if you are familiar with TPub and the Twisted Dark series, you know the kind of thing you are in for. It's hard to feel sympathetic for Luke, his friends, or the deranged killer who views the world through his rose-tinted glasses. The humor is the book is odd and oddly placed. Luke is in peril and chooses to sarcastically taunt his captor, who is wielding an axe, so the consequences seem predetermined. The book also pokes fun at the strange types that live in L.A. I did like it though.

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


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Friday, March 4, 2016

Insufferable Vol. 1

Insufferable Vol. 1
author: Mark Waid
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/04
date added: 2016/03/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Insufferable' by Mark Waid, with art by Peter Krause tells the story of a crime-fighting sidekick who grows up and gets a big mouth, and a big head, and how the rift between these former partners is being used by villains to trap them.

Nocturnus and Galahad were once a crimefighting team, and they were good. That was until Galahad's mother died and so did Nocturnus' wife. It was made worse by the fact that the wife and mother were the same person. Now this father and son rift is further complicated by villains who plant a nasty rumor about Nocturnus. Add in Galahad's brash, bragging ways, and you have a family squabble of large and public proportions. Nocturnus wants to live in peace and fight crime. Galahad wants to tweet about everything he does. Can these two come together to fight a group of villains who may be out to get rid of both of them?

I liked the story of these two. In a short number of pages, I got pretty engaged in the story. Galahad comes across as a jerk with his publicist and his Twitter followers. Nocturnus seems a bit disengaged, but cares about keeping his son safe. I also liked the art. It's an interesting take on a superhero team and I liked where it went.

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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Take It As A Compliment

Take It As A Compliment
author: Maria Stoian
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/04
date added: 2016/03/04
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'Take It As A Compliment' by Maria Stoian is not a very fun book to read. These types of stories brought to light might actually help someone who is going through something similar.

The twenty illustrated stories in this book don't include names. The people telling them are both men and women. They tell stories of how they were harassed and humiliated. By strangers, by family members, by loved ones, while travelling, and by trusted friends. Besides the shame the victim feels, there is also the shame heaped on them by their perpetrators.

No one should have stories like this to tell. Often times, the shame of the incident keeps the victim silent. They've done nothing wrong, but they feel embarassed or responsible. Telling these stories brings them to light in order to hopefully shed light and stop this sort of behaviour. There are some simple guidelines in the back telling people to stop this sort of thing if they see it, I would've liked to see an appendix of resources for victims or something a bit more thoughtful. This was still a powerful and very hard to read graphic novel.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Jessica Kingsley Publisher, Singing Dragon, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Oddly Normal, Vol. 2

Oddly Normal, Vol. 2
author: Otis Frampton
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2016/03/04
date added: 2016/03/04
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:
'Oddly Normal, Vol. 2' by Otis Frampton continues Oddly's journey of discovery in Fignation. I liked it, but didn't feel like there was a ton of story advancement this time.

Oddly is living with her strange great aunt, and she is shown a room full of memories that her mother left behind. Oddly gets to see what happens before she was born, and then is whisked off to school, where she meets some new friends. I like Oddly because she does always make those around her feel better, even if it's just to make them a sandwich.

But we don't learn much more about where her parents are, or even advance Oddly's search for them. I felt more of a sense of wonder with the first issue, and that was lacking a bit this time, maybe because I was already familiar with the world. I did like the new characters that were introduced, and they could develop into interesting story points further down the road. I still think it's a fun graphic novel for younger readers.

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


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Thursday, March 3, 2016

To Be Black in America Is to Walk with Fury

To Be Black in America Is to Walk with Fury
author: Nathan McCall
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/03
date added: 2016/03/03
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'To Be Black in America is to Walk with Fury' by Nathan McCall is a short essay that acts more as a follow up to his 1994 book 'Makes Me Wanna Holler.' I'm only passingly familiar with that work, so my impressions of this probably suffer a bit.

In short, while Nathan McCall has probably mellowed some with age, there is still much to be discontent with in a country that has white privilege. He talks about friends from the first work, and why they took the paths they took. He talks about teaching on a college campus in Atlanta and interesting experiences in South Africa, where, because he was American, he was treated differently than native born South Africans with the same skin color.

I come at this essay from a different place than Nathan McCall. I am white. I appreciate his intelligence and coherence in making his point. I can understand the rage he feels in a system that is inequal and seems to be stacked against him. This work made me think hard about things in a way that screaming rhetoric on 24 hour news channels did not. This felt more intimate. I appreciate what he has written.

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


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Edward Scissorhands Volume 2: Whole Again (Edward Scissorhands, #2)

Edward Scissorhands Volume 2: Whole Again (Edward Scissorhands, #2)
author: Kate Leth
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/03
date added: 2016/03/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Edward Scissorhands Volume 2: Whole Again' by Kate Leth and art by Drew Rausch continues the adventure of Megs and Edward. Megs is the grandaughter of Kim from the movie.

After the events of the last volume, the townspeople have come together to help spruce up Edward's castle. New light fixtures and furniture and a new tv with a kevlar plated remote. Edward doesn't know what to think of tv, but he is intrigued by a reality tv show called Get Wells, where a tv host helps people transform their lives. Edward sees it as a chance to have normal hands, but Megs has misgivings. Perhaps Megs is right to have misgivings.

Edward is just as good a character as he ever is, with his lost look and his memories of the past. Megs mother finds her mother Kim's diary. That has repercussions for her relationship with Edward. The theme of being okay with yourself are strong here. The art by Drew Rausch is detailed, and he throws little easter eggs into his drawings for the discerning viewer. I think I liked the first volume a bit better, but this one isn't bad at all.

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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Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Best Left in the Shadows (Best Left in the Shadows, #1)

Best Left in the Shadows (Best Left in the Shadows, #1)
author: Mark Gelineau
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves:
review:
'Best Left in the Shadows' by Mark Gelineau and Joe King is another cracking novella in their fantasy series. This time, a sort of police proecdural.

When a Highside girl if found beaten and murdered near a Lowside dock, a lawman, named Daxton, from the good side of the tracks shows up to find out what happened. He forms an alliance with a woman, named Alys, who is adept at fighting and familiar with the Lowside. She will help guide him in his investigation and provide introductions where necessary, like the madam who runs the local brothel. She also provides warning about local danger, like the street gang known as the Leather Aprons. The clues lead them around the Lowside and eventually to an answer that seemed a bit obvious to me.

But, I loved the characters. This is really tight writing, and I'm enjoying the heck out of the world these two authors are building. I'd like to see more investigative team ups with Daxton and Alys. They have a beguiling chemistry, which is interesting, considering the novella is only 80 pages long. This might be my favorite of the three I've read so far.

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


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Little One

Little One
author: Jo Weaver
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves: children-s
review:
'Little One' by Jo Weaver is apparently her first picture book, and it's a quiet delight.

The story is of a mother bear and cub as they travel through the seasons. The story is short and the pictures are breathtaking. The story is effused with maternal love and little ones reading it will realize that little bear is cared for and loved.

Each page of story is a double page, and the art needs that room to spread out and envelop the reader. The pictures are all in black and white, but I hesitate to tell you that because they have the kind of detail and shading that probably only works best in black and white. From the suffuse light of early Spring in the woods to flying and jumping salmon, to snow and hibernation, the story is a quiet wonder. This is not a loud, busy book. This is a book to read at quiet times and savored.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, Peachtree Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Mystery of the Map (Poptropica #1)

Mystery of the Map (Poptropica #1)
author: Jack Chabert
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.39
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Poptropica #1: Mystery of the Map' by Jack Chabert art by Kory Merritt started life as a concept by Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney. It's a cute adventure concept and I think young readers will find it funny and engaging.

The story starts with Oliver, Mya, and Jorge taking a ride in a hot air balloon. What they don't know is that their pilot has an agenda. When the balloon lands on a strange island, the kids find themselves surrounded by extinct animals, like dodos, and a group of cranky Vikings. They are in possession of a strange map that seems to also act as a sort of e-ink device. With balloon operator Octavian chasing them for the map, and the Vikings chasing them because they are Vikings, can the kids escape and find their way home?

The story is cute with the kind of potty humor you find in kid's books these days, but it seems like harmless fun. The illustrations by Kory Merritt are bright and cartoony. The characters all support giant heads that can't possibly be supported by their (mostly) spindly bodies. The character design reminds me a bit of a classic Nickolodeon cartoon. There is a map of the island at the beginning of the book, and I'm a sucker for maps in books. The story is goofy and kid friendly. My only complaint might be the way the story starts. We don't know who the kids in the other balloon are or why everyone is going on a balloon trip. The story just starts here for no explained reason.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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CIA: Operation Ajax

CIA: Operation Ajax
author: Mike de Seve
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.62
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves:
review:
'Operation Ajax' by Mike De Seve and art by Daniel Burwen is a fascinating read. It's also an app for the iPad, and I bet that it's a good one.

If you want to know why Iran has a hatred of the West, this book will clear it up for you. It tells the story of Iran, from the discovery of oil, up to the end of 'Operation Ajax' where Prime Minister Mossaddegh is ousted in 1953. We see first the UK, then the US playing politics with Iran with the hopes of securing oil. British Petroleum was founded based on this. We see the frustration on both sides, but we see the Iranian people being used as pawns to foment revolution and eventually a coup. The story would be a fascinating fictional thriller, but it's all true.

What a compelling way to tell the story. Using a graphic novel this way brings in non-historians and students and presents a story that comes alive. I knew about some of this, but I appreciated the chance to learn more. It's no wonder our relations with Iran and it's people are so shaky even to this day.

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


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Vhs: Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s

Vhs: Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s
author: Thomas Hodge
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves:
review:
'VHS: Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s' by Thomas Hodge is a collection of covers from schlocky VHS releases, many of them pretty obscure. I found it to be a fun trip down memory lane.

Starting in the late 1980s and for about 13 years, I worked in the video field. First as a salesperson for a distributor. This was the heyday of the video store, and I was working out of Los Angeles. Along with big films like Top Gun and Cobra, I got to sell such gems as Banzai Runner! and Red Heat (not the Schwarzenegger film, although I sold that one too). For independent B film studios, the only way to compete was through outrageous art. In some cases, the art was better than the movie. This book is a gallery of covers from that era. The focus is on lesser known films, but I recognized quite a few. With each full cover, the release year, studio and artist is given, where the artist is known.

This is certainly niche art. There are lots of bulging biceps, explosions, big hair bikini girls and mirrored sunglasses. This is likely the kind of thing you'd find being sold as art at a gas station, but it served it's purpose. In a world of so many choices, sometimes you could only sell something based on cover art that had some appeal. This book brought back lots of memories of late nights watching a lot of really bad movies. It made me smile.

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


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Miami Vice: Remix

Miami Vice: Remix
author: Joe Casey
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2016/03/02
date added: 2016/03/02
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Miami Vice: Remix' brings Crockett and Tubbs back to the streets of Miami at the height of the 1980s again (I think). The art and story are chaotic and messy. I couldn't decide whether I liked it or not, but it's definitely a full on action story.

There is a new drug on the streets of Miami, and it's side effects are unreal. Crockett and Tubbs find themselves fighting something they've never seen before. Meanwhile, their boss Castillo has problems of his own: his daughter Cara has gone missing and he wants Crockett and Tubbs to find her. Can they keep themselves from getting beat up and landing in the hospital? Can they solve both cases and still keep their undercover identities secret? Can Elvis forgive Crockett for not spending quality time with him?

It's a full charge story, and the art is chaotic to match. Unfortunately, this includes the lettering, so it was difficult to read at times, much less follow the action. But, at the same time, the art is charged with a sort of frenetic pace that matches the breakneck story. I'm calling it a two star for an interesting attempt that failed to completely win me over.

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


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