Pride & Joy

author: Garth Ennis
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/30
date added: 2016/05/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Pride & Joy' by Garth Ennis with art by John Higgins is a reprint of a miniseries from 2004. It's a story of fathers and sons and the things we choose to believe about our fathers.

Jimmy Kavanagh recently lost his wife and lives with his 10 year old daughter Rachel and his 17-year old son Patrick. His relationship with Patrick is strained, and made moreso by Jimmy's stories of the heroic exploits of his own father. Jimmy's past comes back to haunt him through a couple low life criminals and a terrible killer named Stein. Jimmy owes Stein a debt and now his children are in danger.

I liked the art by John Higgins. I mostly liked the story by Garth Ennis. He's been a hot comics writer for a while, so maybe that's why we got the reprint. In this case, I kind of found the character of John to be lacking. The mysterious killer Stein was a bit too mysterious, as I would have liked a bit more about him. But I did like the themes of the story well enough to recommend it for those looking for a decent crime comic.

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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The Rattler

author: Jason McNamara
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/30
date added: 2016/05/30
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Rattler' by Jason McNamara with art by Greg Hinkle is a dark, bloody story of crime and obsession. I thought it was pretty good, but I felt like there were times it was a bit hard to follow.

Best-selling author Stephen Thorn lost his fiancee 10 years ago. They were stranded on the side of the road when a stranger stopped to help, then took off with Stephen's fiancee and left him on the side of the road. To say he's obsessed with what happened is an understatement. When the guy responsible escapes from parole, Stephen is put in a life and death struggle. When he hears his fiancee's voice coming from the parolee, he sets out to uncover more clues about her whereabouts. Two cops find the trail Stephen is leaving and try to stop him from acting outside the law.

I liked the story and the art was okay. The story and art seemed to jump a couple times and it took me a bit to catch up. People were suddenly in a different location. This is the nature of sequential art, but it felt a bit uneven. The story is quite gruesome all the way through, but it was different enough that I liked it.

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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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New

author: Kevin B. Eastman
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.62
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/29
date added: 2016/05/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Enemies Old, Enemies New' is an origin story for the rebooted series, but it feels like I knew all this stuff before I read this one.

This is the rebooted Turtles, so their origin is a reincarnated people combined with experiments from Baxter Stockman's lab. We learn this as Old Hob is trying to track down Splinter. He has a flashback of his times in medieval Japan. We also learn about Casey and April, a bit.

Things heat up as Baxter Stockman is displeased with Old Hob's progress. General Krang is displeased with Baxter Stockman's progress. Old Hob unleashes a robot army of mice on the Turtles, and the foot clan is occupied with a French ninja.

I don't think a lot of new ground was covered, or I learned anything new, but it was a fun ride. The art was ok, but not the greatest.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from IDW Publishing, 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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String Divers

author: Chris Ryall
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.57
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/29
date added: 2016/05/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'String Divers' by Chris Ryall with art by Nelson Daniel is a microcosmic adventure. I was reminded a bit of the Micronauts when reading it, but that's probably just me.

There are problems at the subatomic level. The only way to patrol and fix them is with a special team of robots (nanobots?) called the String Divers. Each one has a different specialty and a different color to match. When a problem occurs, Red is torn in half, along with a chunk of our cosmic boundaries. A new Red is revived, but this one has all the memories and has developed a bit of PTSD about going in again. There is also a shadow diver and various other ones. There is some humor along the way, which I liked, but seemed a bit weird considering how the epic storyline was causing untold havoc in the real world. Can the String Divers stop fighting long enough to save the universe?

I liked the concept and I liked the art. It was a bit different, but suited the SF storyline well. The humor helped to keep the story from venturing into science lecture territory, and there are some nice surprises along the way.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from IDW Publishing, 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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Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential

author: John Neffinger
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/29
date added: 2016/05/29
shelves: non-fiction-business
review:
'Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make US Influential' by John Neffinger and Matthew Kohut is the kind of business book that takes a good idea and stretches it out into book length.

The authors assert that influential leadership can be attained between a balance of strength and warmth. One is respect, the other is affection. Numerous examples are given. Body language tips are given. How to dress and stand to project either, and the consequences of having too much of one or the other are shown. That is the basic premise of this 304 page book.

I'm not sure how it ties into compulsion, except people are drawn to leaders who are strong and warm. They are certainly good skills, but I think they also have to be genuine to your character. You can fake these things, but people can usually spot fake warmth. Genuine strength and warmth are compelling. Reading a 300 page book reiterating the poing over and over was less compelling.

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


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The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow

author: Mark A. Latham
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2016/05/26
shelves:
review:
I love Osprey Publications. Sometimes you get legitimate military history (I loved their books on medieval soldiers when I was younger), and sometimes you get things like 'The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow' by Mark A. Latham.

The book starts with the origins of the story by Washington Irving, then goes into how Irving ends up vanquishing the Headless Horseman. With his newfound monster hunting skills, he starts to research other headless horsemen and this leads him to Europe and beyond. He teams up with the Brothers Grimm to take on vengeful spirits. Other similar ghosts from Mexico to Asia are discussed. The book ends with a list of books and film inspired by the story.

There are tons of creepy illustrations of the various headless creatures. I like the idea of Irvingbeing a monster hunter and belonging to secret societies. it was a fun read.

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


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Octopus Pie: Volume 2

author: Meredith Gran
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/26
date added: 2016/05/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Octopus Pie, Volume 2' by Meredith Gran is a much better volume. Meredith Gran even admits to this in her forward.

Volume, the second, in which we learn what Eve is short for and meet her brother. She travels home for a crisis in more ways than one. A snow hits and the gang makes do sledding with an odd assortment of things. There is a bachelor auction, a memory of a favorite childhood game show that makes a recurrence at Eve's job. There are run ins with exes and a current boyfriend moves away. One story is about a day in the life of the friendly neighborhood weed dealer. Hannah agrees to watch Park's dog, with funny results.

The art hits a more consistent tone in this volume, and the humor doesn't necessarily rely on the setups from volume 1. I still didn't find it laugh out loud funny, but I found the characters more likable this time.

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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The Lost Kingdom

author: Matthew J. Kirby
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2016/05/26
shelves:
review:



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Radiance

author: Catherynne M. Valente
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2016/01/26
date added: 2016/05/26
shelves:
review:
'Radiance'by Catherynne M. Valente called to me with it's decopunk stylizing of old Hollywood and Golden Era SF stories. It won me over with the kind of literary brilliance that I've come to expect from this author. I'm still processing it, and still in complete awe.

It's about a father and daughter, both filmmakers, in an alternate Hollywood, with studio lots on the moon. It's about love and loss and about the lies we tell ourselves when we only know or only can see partial truth. It's nostalgic and splashy. It's cunning and biting. It's romantic and horrific. I'm gushing, aren't I?

It's chapters take place out of order. Each one a type of film journalism. There are red carpet gossip reports, and journals. Memoirs and screenplays. The ending may not be as settled as some may like, but I found the whole thing shimmering and elegant, like a star-filled party under a star-filled sky.


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On the Graphic Novel

author: Santiago García
name: Wayne
average rating: 0.0
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2016/05/25
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'On the Graphic Novel' by Santiago Garcia is a serious and scholarly look at the graphic novel. The writer is a comic artist himself. The book was written a few years back, but the information is still relevant.

There is a lot of semantic argument of what a graphic novel is and is not. This book sides with the more literate and underground definition, but doesn't mind including some works from the superhero side of things. I can agree with this definition for the purpose of this work.

The book takes a good look at the evolution of the comic book, from woodcuts to throwaway reprints of newspaper comics to Superman and beyond. The underground comix of the late 1960s have a chapter as well as the alternative movement in the 1980s. From subversive themes to famous autobiographical works. The names discussed include R. Crumb, Chris Ware, Frank Miller, Alan Moore, and many, many others.

Examples of many of the works are included in picture inserts and there is an extensive bibliography at the end of the book. As a fan of comics and graphic novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful non-fiction look at their history and place in history.

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 graphic novel.


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The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation

author: Caleb Seeling
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2015/03/21
date added: 2016/05/24
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Battle Begins: The Story of Creation' is part of the Action Bible. This is a graphic novel version of the Bible, but it's best, at least in this case, to think of it more as a loose paraphrase than an exact translation.

The story starts in the time before the events in Genesis with the start of the fall of Lucifer story. Michael and Lucifer have differing opinions about this new creation idea, and Lucifer feels like he should be more important. This is setting the stage for later. We then move to the creation story with Jesus being the one doing the creating. We see John 1:1 quoted here, and this explains his part of the Holy Trinity and why he would be present during creation. God creates Adam, and Adam comes across as a bit slow on the uptake. He runs around shouting out names for animals and seems generally clueless. We then see the fall of Lucifer and his tempation of Eve and Adam followed by their ejection from the Garden of Eden. The book finishes with a scene from the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in the New Testament.

The art by Sergio Carillo is quite good. I've liked his style in the Lone Ranger book that I read. This is my first read of the Action Bible series, and it looks like he does most of the art for this series which would give the series some nice consistency. Where I guess I might have taken issue is with some of the interpretive nature of the book. We know that Lucifer was cast out of heaven over pride issues. We know that he shows up in the Garden of Eden as a serpent, but we don't know the exact details, so what we get here is not a strict scriptural interpretation of those events, but a writer's paraphrase of events. The portrayal of Adam struck me as a bit strange. He seems clueless and a bit of an airhead. Granted, he's a newly created being, and maybe I've never given much thought to it, but it still seemed like not a very idyllic state, especially when he meets Eve and jumps up, ADD-like, to name a gazelle. Jesus is nice, but he seems not very clued in to the dissatisfaction happening with Lucifer. I wanted him to be more powerful and all-knowing. I liked it, but just not as much as some of the other reviewers.

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


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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Allies and Enemies

author: Mike Costa
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.22
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/22
date added: 2016/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Allies and Enemies' is a collection of individual stories about different supporting characters in the Turtleverse. The first three seem to tie together, but they are all mostly fun to read.

We start off with some backstory about Casey Jones. we learn about his mother and father and why he is the way he is. It turns out that his father has some gambling debts and a pack of enforcers out to collect them. The second story brings us April O'Neil on the job as a scientist at Baxter Laboratories. She learns that something fishy might be up, and that the turtles are in danger. The third story is about Krang, and seemed similar to other Krang origin stories I've read. In a nutshell, he's got daddy issues. The final story takes us back with Bebop and Rocksteady to before they were mutants. We learn the origin of their names and that they were basically always knuckleheads.

The art styles vary, but it's all pretty basic. The April story could have used more backstory about her, in keeping with how the other stories played out, and it might be my least favorite in here. The Bebop and Rocksteady story is kind of silly, but I liked it. I probably liked the Casey Jones story the best.

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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Cleo

author: Sassafras De Bruyn
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2016/05/22
date added: 2016/05/22
shelves: children-s
review:
I recently got some childrens books from Clavis Books. They are a Belgium imprint, and the books have all been outstanding so far. My favorite of the bunch is 'Cleo' by Sassafras de Bruyn.

Cleo is a sad little girl that is tired of having to hurry to the bus, or being made fun of for wearing glasses. She dreams of a day when she'll leave the humdrum behind and go on adventures with her cat, Amadeus. She will sail away and battle sea monsters. Maybe she'll meet a friend along the way so she'll realize she's not as alone as she thinks she is.

I love the darker tone of this one. Many children's books are upbeat and happy, but this one acknowledges loneliness. The pictures are incredible, whether it's a sailboat with a patchwork sail, or a lagoon full or spiny sea monsters or a ladder to the clouds for a fluffy nap, I loved their imagination. Cleo is in need of a friend, and she meets a boy, but the lesson doesn't seem to be that girls need boys, just that children need friends. I adored this book.

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


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I Will Always Be Happy to See You

author: Ellen Delange
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/21
date added: 2016/05/21
shelves: children-s
review:
'I Will Always Be Happy to See You' by Ellen Delange with illustrations by Jenny Meilihove is a comforting story to share with children about a parent's love.

The story is told by a little girl to her sometimes thoughtless puppy. The puppy is told it will always be welcome, even if it takes the best seat, or brings home dirty laudry, or unexpectedly invites friends for dinner. The puppy has a bunch of antics, but the pay off is the last page as the girl smiles with her arms wide open.

The drawings are very nice. The puppy is cute and mischievous. The little girl sometimes doesn't seem happy about what the puppy is doing, but the ending seals it. The lesson is clear. No matter what our children do, they are always welcome. It's a great lesson to teach children early on. Not to encourage bad behavior, but to show how love overcomes anything. I really liked this cute story and it's endearing lesson.

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


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On a Journey

author: Guido Van Genechten
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/21
date added: 2016/05/21
shelves: children-s
review:
'On A Journey' by Flemish writer and illustrator Guido Van Genechten is a wonderful book about the joys of travel and the lesson that sometimes it's the journey, not the destination.

Hedgehog invites his friend frog along on the trip. Frog doesn't know where they are going, but wants to know when they will arrive. Hedgehog patiently doesn't answer. They travel on and on and see beautiful things. Eventually, they get back to their village and Frog learns things about himself. Hedgehog gives him a present to remind him about their journey.

The art in this book is so very good. Since the artist is from Europe, the art has a special look because the buildings don't look like what a normal American child would see. This adds a whimsical touch to the story. The lessons of journeys is told in a wonderful way. I really liked this book.

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


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Sherlock Holmes: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

author: David Tipton
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.73
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/21
date added: 2016/05/21
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Sherlock Holmes: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution' by David and Scott Tipton with art by Ron Joseph is a really fine adaptation of the story by Nicholas Meyer.

This story is probably the most famous Sherlock Holmes story not by Arthur Conan Doyle. Some people accept it as canon, while others do not. I probably fall somewhere in the middle. I find it a fine story, but some elements don't ring completely true with other Holmes stories. It's a decent try though.

Watson, looking back after many years, reveals some secrets about Holmes that he's kept. One being that Moriarty might have been a fabrication of Holmes when he was high on cocaine (a drug he used to combat boredom, apparently). Watson fears for the addiction he sees in Holmes, so he sets up an elaborate ruse to get Holmes to a famous doctor in Vienna who can cure this addiction. That doctor is Sigmund Freud. While in Vienna, Holmes teams up with Freud to solve a mystery involving an American heiress.

The adaptation is solid. It's a graphic novel with lots of words, but it doesn't feel overly written. The art complements the story perfectly. I quite enjoyed this adaptation of the story.

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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Boy-1

author: H. S. Tak
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.91
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/21
date added: 2016/05/21
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Boy-1' by H. S. Tak with art by Amancay Nahuelpan is an interesting SF story that takes place in a future not too far away.

In a near future, bio-engineering has promise as well as danger. A pandemic seems to have started in Africa and Jadas is trying to figure out what is happening and realizing that it might be tied to his family. Before he can get too far in his investigation, he finds something out about himself that has long term implications. He finds himself captured by another country and given a choice that may change his life.

It's a graphic novel with some problems. The story starts with some DNA testing on primates, which is there to explain a few things, but doesn't do a good job because it feels like it's supposed to be important. It does tie in, but not the way it lead me to think. I guess it's a feint, or it could show up later. I also wasn't crazy about the art. It's not terrible, but wasn't overly striking to me. I read a lot of graphic novels. This one falls right in the middle. I've read better and worse.

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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Harvey Hippo Wants to Fly!

author: Lisa Sankar-Zhu
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/18
date added: 2016/05/18
shelves: children-s
review:
'Harvey Hippo Wants to Fly!' by Lisa Sankar-Zhu is about a cute hippo who wants to do something he wasn't born to do.

Harvey really wants to fly. He tries all kind of things like jumping in the air and flapping his arms and legs. He makes a set of wings. He is determined to fly. He gets suggestions from some animal friends (I love how the porcupine carries his snacks arouns!), but nothing that gets him airborn. When his mother asks, it spurs his creativity and with any luck, he'll find a way to soar.

It's a cute picture book, and I liked the use of creativity used by Harvey. Even though he doesn't have the capabilities, he finds a way around them. That's a good lesson for kids as well as adults.

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


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Harvey Hippo Invites a New Friend to Lunch

author: Lisa Sankar-Zhu
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/18
date added: 2016/05/18
shelves: children-s
review:
'Harvey Hippo Invites a New Friend to Lunch' by Lisa Sanker-Zhu is a cute picture book with more than a few surprises in it's pages.

When Harvey Hippo invites his new friend to lunch, his parents have a few questions about who is coming over. Harvey talks about all the fun things he does with his friend, but when she finally shows up at the door, they are very surprised. Will it all work out ok?

The pictures are adorable and the story is very cute. I liked the surprises in the story, and the story it teaches about befriending those who are different than we are.

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


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Broken Angels

author: Harambee K. Grey-Sun
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.16
book published: 2012
rating: 2
read at: 2016/05/18
date added: 2016/05/18
shelves:
review:
'Broken Angels' by Harambee K. Grey-Sun is part of a series called Eve of Light. While it started with an interesting premise, it lost me in some loopy things that were introduced.

A dystopian future where a virus called White Fire has broken out. Those infected either die or are given limited powers based on it. Robert Goldner is partnered with Darryl Ridley and they look for the missing. In this case, a young girl. They use their strange powers to infiltrate a house and make a rescue, but it has it's own twists. Robert seems to be stand up guy, but Darryl is a womanizer who likes to "rescue" the women he comes across.

And then it gets weird (or weirder depending on what you thought of the previous paragraph). Darryl goes missing. Robert's new partner is a strange woman who speaks of visiting another dimension called XynKroma filled with strangeness and alien beings. At this point, I felt like the book went a bit off the rails. Darryl is captured and tortured by a group of women who have names that all begin with V. They refer to a book he knows and quotes from, but they have a missing chapter he's never seen.

A few weird elements I can handle, but this was just a few too many. And the XynKroma stuff felt weirdly preachy and a bit too earnest. I might have gone along with it as an alternate dimension, but it was just too over the top. I finished it, but I almost didn't.

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


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X-Files: Season 11, Volume 1

author: Joe Harris
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.16
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/15
date added: 2016/05/15
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'X-Files: Season 11, Volume 1' by Joe Harris with art by Matthew Dow Smith is the comic book continuation of the series which started with a season 10.

When this volume open, Mulder is a fugitive from the FBI sporting a garish mustache. Scully is still with the Bureau, but is under the thumb of Gibson Praise who has strange powers. While Scully investigates the links to a company called Cantus, Mulder finds himself stumbling into a strange family from the original series. The two cases may just be linked, but first Mulder has to untangle himself from a group of people who want a strange version of revenge on him. And what does Gideon Praise want out of all of this?

The writing is good. The story is a bit confusing as is the art at times. Confusing stories work ok in an X-Files story so that can be a bit overlooked. I can even overlook the art in places, but there were a couple times it was hard to tell who a character was. I liked it, but there have been other X-Files graphic novels I've liked more.

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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Star Trek, Volume 11

author: Mike Johnson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/13
date added: 2016/05/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Star Trek Volume 11' collects issues 46-49 of the ongoing comic book series. It's kind of a mashup of things instead of one cohesive story arc, but I still enjoyed it.

The crew of the reboot Enterprise is pulled out of warp on their way home. The crew has bouts of extreme emotions, to the point where McCoy sedates himself until a cure can be found. Things go from bad to worse until the crew meets up with an old enemy. In a second story, Sulu leads his first away mission to observe a native group and avoid breaking the Prime Directive. This turns out to be tougher than it should be as the natives are being exploited by another race that has superior technology. The final story was probably my favorite. The story features all the doctors from the various Star Trek Crews. There is Bashir and Crusher and Pulaski and Voyager's hologram Doctor. There are more, but they are happy surprises along the way.

The art style and writing varies. I liked the story with the doctors, but it was my least favorite of the art styles. I do like how a classic Trek enemy is brought forward to meet the reboot crew and I thought they did it quite well. The Prime Directive/Sulu story was ok, but was my least favorite of the three here.

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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Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: The Interconnectedness of All Kings (#1-5)

author: Chris Ryall
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/12
date added: 2016/05/12
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: The Interconnectedness of All Kings' by Chris Rydall is a coninuation of the series started by Douglas Adams. This time it's in graphic novel form and it was a fun ride.

What do an Egyptian king who hungers for humans, a couple who are recreating famous serial killings, and a homeless man with a golden cell phone have in common? Nothing, unless you are Dirk Gently, an odd detective who believes everything is interconnected. He lands in San Diego and appropriates a bag that is not his own. He finds a detective in training that owns a cafe and starts collecting people to help him solve the case.

This is less about the mystery and more about the humor. Dirk is an oddball and the humor here is pretty good. I haven't read the original novel in years, but it seems to ring true with what I remember. I liked the characters he pulls along with him. If this becomes an ongoing series, it could be fun. I liked the art by Ilias Kyriazis and Tony Atkins. I enjoyed it.

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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Early Poems

author: Ezra Pound
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/09
date added: 2016/05/09
shelves: classics
review:
'Early Poems' by Ezra Pound is a nice, inexpensive collection. I know he wrote and translated a lot of poetry, but I wasn't that familiar with his work. This was a good introduction.

There is a good selection of work here from Five other works. There are poems based on ballads. There are translations. I like epic poetry, but the Asian translations are what really hooked me in this collection. The style goes from heavy toned ballad to these delicate, descriptive poems about something like a river's song or a letter to a wife.

I'm sure my appreciation of this sort of work could have been improved if I'd had a more classic education. I picked it up because it was a short work filled with poems I was unfamiliar with. I enjoyed reading this short volume. It's a good introduction.

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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Great Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer

author: Albrecht Dürer
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/09
date added: 2016/05/09
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Great Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer' is an affordable intro to this artist's work. The collection is edited by Carol Belanger Grafton and includes a short introduction.

Albrecht Dürer produced over a thousand artistic pieces druing is life. Presented here are his woodcut designs. For the woodcuts, he provided the drawing and others created the cut woodblock. The collection is primarily religious in nature, but there are secular subjects as well. There is a great amount of detail in the drawings. The crumbling walls have pits. The clothing has folds. The drawings have depth.

Some of the reproductions are a bit fuzzier. I imagine the source materials to be rather old since the work dates from the 13th Century. This would also explain the plethora of drawings of martyrs and Biblical scenes. I really enjoyed looking through this collection and seeing the minute details in every single picture, even something that looks like it's just a study for a larger drawing.

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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Battlestar Galactica (Classic): Starbuck

author: Tony Lee
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/07
date added: 2016/05/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
In 'Battlestar Galactica (Classic): Starbuck,' we get an origin story of the cigar chomping, womanizing hero. It's not a bad one as origins go and includes a mystery.

Years (or yahrens) ago when Adama and Tighe were younger, they were pilots on a mission. When Adama crash lands and is trapped by a Cylon, he finds an unlikely savior in the scruffy blond kid who comes to his rescue. This turns out to be Starbuck and we see how his fate is intertwined with Adama's family going forward. We meet Starbuck's mentor. The one that taught him the personality quirks we love so much. When he wins a data disk that includes information on the attack on Umbra, he doesn't know what he's received. It leads to a mystery that will involve people he cares about before it's over.

I watched the original series when it was on, and this felt true to the characters from the show. I wasn't as crazy about the art style, but it wasn't a bad story.

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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Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Book 2: Feasts of Fury

author: Eric Colossal
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/07
date added: 2016/05/07
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Book 2: Feasts of Fury' by Eric Colossal continues the chefs search for exotic ingredients. Along with the ingredients, he usually finds trouble.

This time around, he's seeking the special ingredient for soup. This leads him to a a whole bunch of giant spiders. When his pet pot, Pot, gets stolen, he meets someone who claims to be a princess, but she might not be all that she claims to be. Finally, when gubblins capture him, he has to cook his way out of the predicament.

Along with the exotic, weird recipes, there are some that are more kid friendly and fun. You'll learn out to make monster sandwiches and "poison" pot pie. There are also some recipes included at the end for no bake cookies and other fun things.

I like the series. It's fun to read and I like the humor and predicaments that come along. There are enough surprises to keep me entertained, but I'm sure it's perfect for younger readers as well.

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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TET

author: Paul Allor
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.20
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/05
date added: 2016/05/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Tet' by Paul Allor tells a story spanning two time periods: the Vietnam War and a disabled veteran looking back on the events.

Marine Eugene Smith falls in love with a woman from Vietnam named Quang Ha. Ha sees Eugene as her way out of a war torn country. When Eugene's fellow Marine is murdered, he's teamed up a local policeman to solve the murder. Before the investigation gets too far underway, the city explodes. Eugene is injured on his way to find Ha and is sent out of the country. Years later, he returns to the country to tie up loose ends, if such a thing is possible.

The tone is dark as stories of this era are. What struck me is how a kind of noir tone informs the story. Lost love, unsolved murder and broken dreams. The art by Paul Tucker shows a vibrant countryside, while still showing the darker side of the human soul. I liked this story of how the past can haunt us and what can possibly happen if we try for closure.

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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A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

author: V.E. Schwab
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/05
date added: 2016/05/05
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
I read 'A Darker Shade of Magic' by V.E. Schwab for my book club. The premise, about a man with a many sided coat, who can travel between alternative Londons hooked me in.

Kell is an Antari, and a rare thing at that. This allows him to travel through versions of London. He's not supposed to carry anything between worlds, but the royals use him as a courier, and he makes a few coins selling oddities. When he's handed something that doesn't belong in the Londons that he visits, he finds himself of the run and in need of help from an unlikely source.

Delilah Bard just wants to captain her own ship. The problem is that goal seems like a long way away. To get by, she picks pockets and disguises herself to fool the law. When she helps Kell, it sets her on an adventure she probably never dreamed of.

At first, it felt like it might be a YA novel with it's light tone and interesting gimicks, but it quickly turned into something a bit more serious as the blood flowed and the bodies dropped. It's the first book in a series, but it stands alone fine on it's own (something I've heard the second book does not do). I liked it quite a bit.


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The Toothless Fairy

author: Timothy Jordan
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2016/05/01
date added: 2016/05/01
shelves: children-s
review:
'The Toothless Fairy' by Timothy Jordan with illustrations by Matt Lafleur tells the story of friendship. The lessons is that there is someone out there for everyone to be friends with.

The Toothless Fairy watches children play and wants to be a part of their world, but she knows she's a bit different looking. She finds a way to fit in on one special night of the year when all the kids get dressed up and go trick or treating. She hides among the group. Will she find a friend among the children? More important, will she find someone who doesn't mind how she looks?

The illustrations are nice. The story is ok, but there's not a lot of it there. The fairy is a little scary looking, and I'm not sure what she offers in friendship except a chance to eat all of someone's candy. There doesn't have to be a reason for friendship, but this one seems to be a bit one-sided.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Night River 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: Amazing Adventures, Volume 1

author: Landry Q. Walker
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/05/01
date added: 2016/05/01
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Amazing Adventures, Volume 1' is based on the Nickelodeon version of the Turtles, so it's good for younger readers.

There is a larger story, and some shorter works. The larger story deals with a villain who is collecting animals from the Chinese zodiac, and he's missing a rat. Splinter is in danger and the boys have to maybe team up with Shredder to save him. There is a story with the Mutanimals, specifically Slash and his birdbrain friend, Pete. There's a pretty funny story about Michaelangelo wanting to make pizza over a volcano, which is handy since they find one in the sewers of New York.

It's more of a digest type volume with different stories and art styles. Some work better than others. I like this version of the Turtles, even though they exist in a older more serious form elsewhere. It's a perfectly fine collection for your little TMNT fans to read.

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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Warbound (Grimnoir Chronicles, #3)

author: Larry Correia
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2016/05/01
date added: 2016/05/01
shelves:
review:



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