Ghost Stories

author: Whit Taylor
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.01
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/29
date added: 2020/02/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Ghost Stories' by Whit Taylor is a series of 3 illustrated stories all dealing ghosts of a kind.

In the first story, the narrator is given the chance to meet three people who have died, including Charles Darwin and Thomas Campbell. In the second story, a young child relates a tragic story interspersed with different patterns of wallpaper. The third story is about a friendship of two girls who are makers and how that friendship drifts over time.

The stories are interesting. The art varies. Overall the three stories are well written and even have the feel of being personal.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2VB9aav

The Only Living Girl: The Island at the Edge of Infinity

author: David Gallaher
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.18
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/29
date added: 2020/02/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Only Living Girl: The Island at the Edge of Infinity' by David Gallaher with illustrations by Steve Ellis is a continuation of The Only Living Boy series.

Zandra 'Zee' Parfitt has a mad doctor for a planet, Dcotor Once. He has created a weird patchwork planet of Chimerika. Zee finds herself there with a boy named Erik Farrell and a strange mermaid creature named Morgan. The book is about their adventures and the odd creatures they encounter.

I liked the story, but felt a bit lost since I hadn't read the previous series. I still liked the characters in this interesting world. The art is colorful and busy. I think this would be a fun series for younger readers and I'd like to read more of this world.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2VCLTVN

Double 7

author: Yann
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.62
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2020/02/29
date added: 2020/02/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Double 7' by Yann with art by Andre Juillard and translation by Montana Kane is a graphic novel about pilots during the Spanish Civil War.

The Spanish Civil War had involvement from many factions. This story is about those helping the Republicans who were fighting against Franco. The story has to do with a group of Soviet Union pilots and one who has earned the lucky name of Double 7. Hemingway was also in Spain at this time and shows up as a character in this story.

It should have been more interesting, but I had a hard time staying with the story. I don't know if more backstory might have helped, but I found myself not really caring for the characters. The art is pretty good, and that's what kept me turning pages.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3cpZDtd

James Bond: Felix Leiter

author: James Robinson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.39
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/28
date added: 2020/02/28
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'James Bond: Felix Leiter' by James Robinson with art by Aaron Campbell is a graphic novel that features the American friend of James Bond.

Felix, in this series, has suffered a tragedy that has left him without a hand or leg. His friend James has helped with state of the art prosthetics, but Felix still feels like a lesser man.

This time around, he finds himself in Tokyo teaming up with another familiar Bond name, Tiger Tanaka. The plot involves a Russian spy, and Felix may find himself in over his head.

I like the character of Felix and this story was ok. The art was adequate. I just found the whole thing pretty average.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2VuZJtd

To Drink and To Eat: New Edition

author: Guillaume Long
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.62
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/26
date added: 2020/02/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'To Drink and to Eat Vol. 1' written and drawn by Guillaume Long is a series of comics and recipes about all things food. It's a unique and fun graphic novel. It's now in a new edition, which now includes a Foreword by Nguyent Tran.

This is a book written by someone who loves food and can be opinionated about food. There is a diatribe about coffee makers, tomatoes, and garlic mills. There are some simple but delicious sounding recipes. There are the trips the author takes and the food experiences for better and worse.

Initially I thought this might be a food snob, but opinionated doesn't come across that way in this book. The art is fun, and there is plenty of humor along the way. There is also an underpinning emotion of food and family memories. I really enjoyed this collection of food comics.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2vjtYZx

My Hero Academia, Vol. 1 (My Hero Academia, #1)

author: Kohei Horikoshi
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/23
date added: 2020/02/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'My Hero Academia, Vol. 1' by Kohei Horikoshi with English translation by Caleb Cook is about a school for people with superpowers and a young man who seems to have no power whatsoever.

In a world where 80 percent of people have a "Quirk," a superpower of some sort, what do you do if you are born without one but still want to be a hero? You find help. Izuki Midoriya finds help in the powerful hero All Might, who sees in Izuki a heroic spirit. Now Izuki is training his heart out and hoping not to fail the Hero Academy. Against his classmates, his efforts look pathetic, but this kid has heart.

I liked the idea of this and the translation was pretty good. I'm not familiar with the series at all, but I'm going to look in to finding more. The art is a lot of fun. I like how different All Might can look in his heroic and normal forms.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37SJIjt

Red Rising: Sons of Ares

author: Pierce Brown
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/23
date added: 2020/02/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Red Rising: Sons of Ares' by Pierce Brown and Rik Hoskin with art by Eli Powell is a graphic novel set in the world of Pierce Brown's best selling books.

In this world, mankind has left Earth, and now exists in a caste system dicated by colors. Golds rule, while Pinks entertain, on down to the lowly Reds. This is the story of a man who makes it in to Gold by skill, not blood, and how he is treated. He then makes the error of falling for a Red and having a child. This is the story of him trying to save the woman and child by gathering a team of different colors and different skill sets.

It's a pretty violent story, but I liked it, and got really engaged with the characters. The art took a bit of getting used to, with a sort of minimal style, but I was able to tell who was who, and I kind of liked the "rushed" look. It helped keep the story feeling fast paced. I really liked the tinted word balloons which conveyed caste color.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2HSI1I0

Mad about the Trump Era

author: MAD Magazine
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/23
date added: 2020/02/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Mad about the Trump Era' by MAD Magazine takes a satirical look at President Trump's term in office. At 128 pages, it starts to grate after a while.

Trump makes himself an easy target for this sort of thing with his insane tweets, weird behavior and pompous attitude. MAD makes things even funnier by adding things like his funniest bathroom tweets and Melania paper dolls. Besides Trump, there are jabs at all other folks during this timeframe like Paul Manafort and Vladimir Putin. The book is divided into sections like Covfefe and Fake News.

These are all short gags and fake ads and a few of the famous page fold jokes. The problem is that news humor only lasts so long, and reading this in 2020 may have been my fault. I loved MAD magazine has a kid, and I still think they've got it, though.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3c1QjeJ

Naruto, Vol. 01: Uzumaki Naruto (Naruto, #1)

author: Masashi Kishimoto
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.38
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Naruto, Vol. 01: Uzumaki Naruto' by Masashi Kishimoto with translation by Katy Bridges is a collection of comics from the early days of the manga in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1999.

Naruto is a fox spirit forced to be a boy. He is mocked because he has no parents and he loves to play pranks. He wants to be a warrior and he loves ramen, especially if one of his teachers buys it. He is also failing his classes because he can't create a doppelganger. His solutions to problems are comical and unusual, and he can even surprise himself sometimes.

I have a small familiarity with this character, but I enjoyed this look at his origins. There are author notes throughout and the art does improve as the book goes along. It's a bit rough to start, but you can see the beginnings of a great story idea.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37SwyD8

Gudetama: Love for the Lazy

author: Wook-Jin Clark
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Gudetama: Love for the Lazy' by Wook-Jin Clark is a series of comics about a grouchy egg (from Sanrio) who gives love advice. It was a weird enough concept that I had to try it.

Gudetama and his acrobatic friend Nisetama are introduced in the first few pages, and meet their first lovelorn person in Carmelo, who drives people off with his overly loud speaking style. They find a novel solution which is how the rest of the book goes, sort of useless, but definitely hilarious. Can a grumpy egg give good advice? Perhaps if you're desperate enough.

The comics are pretty funny. The art is pretty cute as well. It's full of color and overdramatic expressions. I had a lot of fun reading this one.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/39VcUru

The Necromancer's Map (#1 of 4)

author: Andrea Fort
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:



via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/38VRN8k

David Attenborough (40) (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

author: Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.11
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'David Attenborough' by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Mikyo Noh is another great entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series of books for younger reader.

David Attenborough grew up in Leicester on a university campus where his father was a professor. His interest in the natural world was sparked young by seeing animals, and by collecting fossils. As he got older, he wanted to study animals in their native habitats instead of in zoos.

I overall love this series, but this one felt average. The illustrations were cute, and had the odd animal showing up, but this felt cutesy instead of natural, which I felt this particular subject warranted.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing-Frances Lincoln Childrens, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37UXl1n

The School of Numbers: Learn about Mathematics with 40 Simple Lessons

author: Emily Hawkins
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.27
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'The School of Numbers: Learn about Mathematics with 40 Simple Lessons' by Emily Hawkins with illustrations by Daniel Frost takes math concepts and makes them approachable to young learners.

Readers are invited to board the Starship Infinity and are guided by the various quirky crew members. The book is divided in to 3 terms: Getting the Knack of Numbers, All Shapes and Sizes, and Real World Maths. Each lesson takes up two pages full of examples and colorful illustrations. There is an activity bubble to practice ach new concept.

This book is really great! It makes math accessible and does it in a fun way. Things are clearly explained and the scope of the book goes quite a way into mathematics. The illustrations are fun as are the characters that help the reader along the way.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing-Wide Eyed Editions, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/32oT59p

Small Hours: A Mrs. Frollein Collection:

author: Valérie Minelli
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.77
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves:
review:
'Small Hours: A Mrs. Frollein Collection' by Valerie Minelli collects some of her popular webcomic.

The strips are divided into sections by seasons and feature mostly ordinary things like morning breath, trips to Ikea, living with someone you love. There are strips about leg shaving and social media and pets.

The art and strips are cute. I didn't find them laugh out loud funny, but they were nice. There are other strip collections I've read that they remind me of, so they didn't feel wholly original in nature. If you like other cute in love strips, you should like this as well.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37PICov

The Cockroach

author: Elise Gravel
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.38
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'The Cockroach' by Elise Gravel is a hilarious non-fiction book for young readers.

Just like in 'The Bat' we are introduced to a cartoon cockroach and we learn things about her. Things like distinctive traits and diet. What baby cockroaches look like and where to find them (and where to hopefully never find them).

I don't know that I gained any new appreciation for this species, but the book did make me smile as I read it. A younger version of myself into odd animals would have probably loved this book. The illustrations are fun.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2vWka7T

Vote for Me!

author: Ben Clanton
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2012
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/22
date added: 2020/02/22
shelves: childrens
review:
'Vote for Me!' with words and pictures by Ben Clanton is truthfully hilarious book about a donkey and an elephant who want your vote.

The reader is urged, on alternating pages, to vote for either the donkey or the elephant. Their pleas get more urgent and eventually lead to name calling and mudslinging. Who will the readers vote for?

Ben Clanton writes hilarious books for young readers, and even though young readers might not get all the meanings here, it's still a fun read, and grown ups should be laughing right along with them. The drawings are cute and it's the perfect book for an election year.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2v7pLrO

Doctor Mirage (2019)

author: Magdalene Visaggio
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.63
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/20
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Doctor Mirage' by Magdalene Visaggio with art by Nick Robles is a graphic novel about the paranormal detective who can see the dead, including her dead husband.

Except now she can't. Try as she might, Doctor Mirage has lost the ability to see the dead, until a young girl named Grace comes along and offers to help. Grace tells Doctor Mirage that she has been sent to help, but that they might be dead and don't actually know it. Can Doctor Mirage find out the truth, and can she restore her connection to her husband, Hwen?

I really liked this story. The art makes it really fantastic. I especially loved the use of eye-popping colors in the Deadland. This is a good character and a nice story in the series.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/38OSmAW

Parham Itan: Tales from Beyond, Volume 1

author: Kaili Sorano
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.83
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/20
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Parham Itan: Tales From Beyond, Vol. 1' by Kali Sorano is a horror manga inspired by Lovecraftian horror and the Call of Cthulhu, so of course I was interested.

Yamagishi and Sendo are two classmates, but that's about all they have in common. Yamagishi is a short, solid boxer, and Sendo is lanky and bookish. When they run across weird dealings on campus, they are thrown together to figure out what is happening. From people who have flowers for faces to giant bee-like insects, things are just weird. A mysterious supernatural investigator shows up, but when he is slaughtered in the chapel, it seems that the boys are on their own

I liked this moody, creepy story. I'm not sure it reminded me all that much of Lovecraft, but it's definitely got weird things going on. The art works well, and I'd like to see where the story goes.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37LDwti

Curtain Call

author: Wilfrid Lupano
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.52
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/20
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Curtain Call' by Wilfrid Lupano with art by Rodolphe Guenoden is a graphic novel about a couple guys planning a heist.

Vincent left a woman he loved and their newborn child in a faraway country, but he's got a plan to get back to them. It involves an unstable friend named Gaby Rocket and the heist of an armored car. Vincent has thought it all out, and it will be a non-violent act in the style of Robin Hood. Nothing can possibly go wrong, can it?

The characters were flawed in believable and sympathetic ways. There are some twists along the way, and I did really like this story. The art is quite good too.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2PrzXm7

Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie

author: Anthony Del Col
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie' by Anthony Del Col with art by Werther Dell'edera is, according to the author, an updated, noir version of these classic detectives.

Frank and Joe Hardy are no slouches at solving crimes, but when their father is found dead and they are accused of the murder, they may be in over their heads. Thankfully, they are friends with Nancy Drew and she has some ideas how to help, if only she can stop the Hardys from fighting each other.

I thought the characters and story were fine. I bristle when "updated" means the characters are borderline criminals. It's like being good is what dated them. They do still feel like the characters I know and the outcome feels like a familiar one, so I can't complain too badly. The art is decent too.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/37MQ5og

Animosity Vol 5

author: Marguerite Bennett
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/20
date added: 2020/02/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Animosity Vol. 5' by Marguerite Bennett with art by Rafael de Latorre and Elton Tomasi continues the saga of a world where animals now have speech and have risen up against humans.

After the fall of the Walled City, the animals and women spend time discussing their lot in life and how oppressed they each are. Then Jesse gets lured by a group of snakes to take some venom and talk to God, only to find that God isn't there. A trip to an encampment puts everyone in danger, and the animals plan a celebration for Jesse only to have things go very wrong.

Not every collection of volumes can have a complete story arc, and after the events of the last book, I suppose I should have expected this. There is an awful lot of dialogue happening and it kind of crawled along for me. The art is still good, and there are glimpses of where the story might end. Read it because you enjoy the series, but know that it feels like a middle with some set up happening.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3bRGOP3

The Sky Done Ripped

author: Joe R. Lansdale
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/19
date added: 2020/02/19
shelves:
review:
'The Sky Done Ripped' by Joe R. Lansdale with illustrations by Timothy Truman is the third book of the adventures of Ned the Seal and H.G. Wells, which I didn't know before I read this one.

With plenty of references to pulp fiction, classic fiction and time travel tropes, we find ourselves in an odd world where apes have evolved. Ned lands in a strange valley with his travel companions. They set out separately to find a magic fleece. They meet a sort of Tarzan, here named Tango. They fight a gigantic blob named She Who Must Be Obeyed and Eats Lunch Early.

It's all really bizarre and is best just gulped down without thinking too much about it. I kept thinking of SF author Philip Jose Farmer while I read it, which I guess is praise of a sort. The story is a pleasant, if weird, diversion.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SSoaxK

Rodin

author: Joël Alessandra
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.60
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/19
date added: 2020/02/19
shelves: graphic-novels, non-fiction
review:
'A. Rodin' by Joel Alessandra with art by Eddy Simon is a graphic novel biography about the artist primarily known for his sculpture.

An interesting take for this biography is that the chapters are named after the women he primarily was with for each period. Beginning with long-suffering Ruth who say the talent and put up with the nonsense. Second was Camille Claudel who was a very good artist in her own right. Then Claire came along late in life to work on getting Rodin more fame and a museum.

I've read a number of the NBM series, and some are better than others, but they are all interesting. I liked this look at Rodin's life and philandering. His major works are covered and some of his thought process. The art is good, with a hazier line style that worked well for this book.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SXm6ow

At the End of Your Tether

author: Adam Smith
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.05
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2020/02/19
date added: 2020/02/19
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'At the End of Your Tether' by Adam Smith with art by V.V. Glass is a graphic novel about a boy looking for something that maybe he's not meant to find.

Ludo Carre is in love with Arlo Quinonez. They've made mixtapes together and formed a real connection. One that got broken up with the moving around of families. Now, it's 1997 and Ludo is moving back to his home. The problem is that Arlo has gone missing. Now Ludo has gone in search of her, but he may find things about Arlo that he wished he hadn't found out.

The story and art here were just kind of mediocre. By the time the reveal hit, I was already a bit checked out of the story. I liked the characters, and the end of the story was strange.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2T0ntm5

The Boy in the Cemetery

author: Sebastian Gregory
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2014
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves:
review:
'The Boy in the Cemetery' by Sebastian Gregory is a horror novel about a girl who doesn't want to live and a boy who cannot die.

The book opens with the boy's story. He is robbing graves with his father, when his father becomes ill and dies. The boy is left to fend for himself in the graveyard.

Many years later, a young girl named Carrie Anne has tried to commit suicide because her father has sexually assaulted her and her mother covers it up. They move to a new town to make a new start, and find themselves in a house with an abandoned graveyard in the back. From the beginning, Carrie Anne is drawn, especially when she meets the undead boy who lives there.

It's kind of a gruesome awful tale. Carrie Anne is a pretty sympathetic character, and she is treated pretty awful by those around her. The boy in the graveyard is grotesque, but hard to feel anything for.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SwCYTS

Story Boat

author: Kyo Maclear
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: childrens
review:
'Story Boat' by Kyo Maclear with illustrations by Rashin Kheiriyeh is a picture book about young refugees finding comfort and hope in the simplest of objects.

A family forced to flee to a new home includes a young girl and her little brother. They must learn to make a home as they travel. A simple object like a cup can be a boat in the imagination. A blanket becomes a sail. And hope is ever on the horizon.

This picture book is about a sad situation, but I liked the viewpoint of hope that it took. The children have imaginations that help them cope.

The illustrations are also very lovely.

I received a review copy of this ebook issue from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3bFlSL8

The Bat

author: Elise Gravel
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.32
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'The Bat' with words and illustrations by Elise Gravel is a fun nonfiction book for young readers.

On the first page, the bat is introduced. We learn facts about its fingers how many species there are. We learn what bats eat how they sleep.

The illustrations are fun. The facts are pretty cool. A young reader might need help with words like chiroptera, but that's part of the fun. It's a nicely written science book with lots of fun pictures.

I received a review copy of this ebook issue from Tundra Books, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SOjB7H

Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration

author: Samara Cole Doyon
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.39
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: childrens
review:
'Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration' by Samara Cole Doyon with art by Kaylani Juanita is a picture book glorying in how we can see ourselves in the world around us.

A young girl compares rivers and trees and honey to the color of her skin and eyelashes and eyes. She is cared for by family. She spends time in nature. She is a gloriously happy child.

The verse in this book is amazing. I was completely taken in from the first page. The art is exuberant and beautiful. Everyone should have a book where they can see themselves. It's also good to have books that show us that we have more in common than not.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2Hv3Hdg

Mama Needs a Minute

author: Nicole Sloan
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.45
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: childrens
review:
'Mama Needs a Minute' with story and art by Nicole Sloan is a picture book about a busy mom who just wants to catch a break.

In the busy world of mothering, there are many busy days with not a lot of chances for breaks. This book is written as a sort of plea to young children to let mother have a chance to breathe.

I feel like this book is mainly written for mothers, but it's a good message for kids to hear. The text has a sort of rhyme scheme and simple colorful pictures.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2vC4ypO

Quantum & Woody (2020) #1 (Quantum & Woody (2020-))

author: Christopher Hastings
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Quantum & Woody #1' by Christopher Hastings with art by Ryan Browne is the first issue in the latest reboot of the series.

Quantum and Woody are wacky superheros who must stay in proximity with each other. This time around, there is a psychotic family who has kidnapped Congress, and Quantum and Woody find themselves right in the midst of things. Coincidence?

I thought the story was fine, but found the art to be a little too heavy on the lines, and a bit dark in color. This is a fun team of characters and a good team of creators, so time will tell.

I received a review copy of this comic book issue from Valiant Entertainment. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3bIAyJk

Nils: The Tree of Life

author: Jérôme Hamon
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.05
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/16
date added: 2020/02/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Nils: The Tree of Life' by Jerome Hamon with art by Antoine Carrion is a graphic novel set in a future dystopian world. A young man named Nils may hold the secret to saving the world.

Nils wants his own falcon. His father takes him to find one, and wants to investigate why crops aren't growing. They find a distant forest with unusual beings that are being threatened by a technological kingdom known as the Cyan Nation. At the heart of it all is Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Nils is recruited, unknowingly, by supernatural beings who don't want the world to end.

The art in this book is really amazing. I loved many of the panels, as well as the cover gallery.

Unfortunately, the story is hard to follow for a couple reasons. One is the choice of font for the book. It's cramped and tiny, making the reading experience a chore. The story itself feels like it has too much going on, with too much unexplained. There are jumps in the narrative, which end up making sense, but ultimately felt like there was more story here than probably needed to be.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2HurzxF

Cat and Cat: Girl Meets Cat

author: Christophe Cazenove
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/15
date added: 2020/02/15
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Cat and Cat: Girl Meets Cat' with words and art by Christophe Cazenove is a collection of comic strips about a single dad, his daughter cat, and their cat, Sushi.

Sushi, the cat, likes tearing up the house and getting in the way. He won't eat dad's odd food creations, and he likes going outside sometimes. Cat is rambunctious and has a great imagination. Dad is longsuffering, but really likes his busy house, for the most part.

I had a lot of fun reading this collection. The humor is great and so is the art. I like the fluid motion that Christophe Cazenove uses for these characters. Everything seems to be drawn with a curve. It's bright and colorful and a great collection for all ages.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2UW2Iea

Hubert Reeves Explains Biodiversity

author: Hubert Reeves
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.48
book published: 2019
rating: 2
read at: 2019/08/24
date added: 2020/02/14
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Hubert Reeves Explains Biodiversity' by Hubert Reeves and Boutinot Nelly with art by Daniel Casanave is a lecture on biodiversity for younger readers told in a graphic novel format.

Hubert Reeves takes a family on a field trip and teaches the kids the important of biodiversity. Along the way things like the importance of earthworms and how invasive species are introduced are discussed. The importance of maintaining food chains is illustrated with imbalances seen recently.

The illustrations make it more fun, but it still reads kind of like a one sided lecture. Other characters speak, but they are just saying what the main character is saying. I suppose it would be a way to learn about the subject, but there was at least one glaring science error I ran across (iron oxide does not actually contain water).

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/33WvPQv

Punk Mambo

author: Cullen Bunn
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2019/11/05
date added: 2020/02/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Punk Mambo' by Cullen Bunn with art by Adam Gorham and covers by Dan Brereton is a reboot of sorts of the Valiant magic using malcontent.

Punk Mambo is a mambo living in New Orleans and dealing with taking out supernatural monsters. When the spirit, or loa, she uses gets kidnapped, she decides to take it personal. The loa would help in her quest, but it turns out all the loas are being kidnapped, so she reluctantly accepts an offer of help and heads to Haiti to crack skulls and sort things out.

Also included is a one shot by Peter Milligan and Robert Gill giving a sort of origin story of the character.

I like edgy, cranky characters and Punk Mambo is just that. With her punch first, then talk style and willingness to take a beating, she's pretty cool. The internal art by Adam Gorham works great, but those painted covers by Dan Brereton really show you what this character is all about.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/36ElvOe

The Power Of Darkness

author: Leo Tolstoy
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.48
book published: 1886
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/13
date added: 2020/02/13
shelves: classics
review:
'The Power of Darkness' is a play by Leo Tolstoy. It was written in 1886 and forbidden to be produced until 1902, but like a lot of other banned things, it found a way to be seen and read.

The play centers around a well-off peasant in poor health. Questions about what happens to his farm and family when he is gone are discussed. There is also family to marry off, and many dark secrets.

The characters are well rounded and the whole thing feels like a real discussion. I found it interesting, but still a bit dry. That could be because it is a play manuscript and not a narrative.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SqTYLb

Hellraiser: The Toll

author: Mark Alan Miller
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.22
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/13
date added: 2020/02/13
shelves:
review:
'Hellraiser: The Toll' by Mark Alan Miller continues the stories of Clive Barker featuring Pinhead and Kristy Cotton.

This story takes place between The Hellbound Heart and The Scarlet Gospels. Kristy Cotton has seen things and survived things. She is on the run, moving around and assuming new names to stay ahead of the nameless fear. One day she gets an odd letter. She responds and ends up confronting the very thing she fears most.

It's been ages since I read the Hellbound Heart or saw the movies, but this story put me right back in that odd world. When Pinhead showed up, I felt all the chills.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2UPN6sA

Faith and Moonlight: Part 2

author: Mark Gelineau
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.32
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/13
date added: 2020/02/13
shelves:
review:
'Faith and Moonlight: Part 2' by Mark Gelineau and Joe King is a continuation of a story featuring Ronan and Kay who were new students at a school.

Now Kay and Roan have kind of gone separate ways and found different friends. They are now both Razors, but Kay is more adept and Roan has to rely on more untraditional methods. Both make new friends and are influenced by them. Choices are made which lead to a confrontation and consequences.

I have enjoyed this world, these characters and these writers. They have a good style and do world building really well.

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.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/38rP868

London: Dirt (The Change #4)

author: Guy Adams
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.64
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/10
date added: 2020/02/10
shelves: young-adult
review:
'London:Dirt' by Guy Adams is part 4 of The Change. You should read the other short books before starting here.

We are back in London for this globe spanning series, and Howard and Hubcap have escaped. They find themselves with a military organization, but all is not as it seems. This group is growing monsters to try to fight the change, and Hubcap may be their newest experiment.

These are short novellas, and while they are fast-paced and have a lot of action, they can fall a bit short at any kind of depth. It hasn't bothered me as much in previous volumes, perhaps because they were introducing new characters. I did still enjoy this book and I will finish the last two books in the series.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2UDMK8h

40 Inspiring Icons: Greek Gods and Heroes: Meet 40 mythical immortals

author: Sylvie Baussier
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.83
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/10
date added: 2020/02/10
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'40 Inspiring Icons: Greek Gods and Heroes: Meet 40 mythical immortals' by Sylvie Baussier with illustrations by Almasty is an infographic type look at famous Greek gods.

From Gaia to Odysseus, the mythological characters are featured in a somewhat chronological manner. Each character gets a data sheet with a brief synopsis of their story and stats like who they are related to or how they died. The facing page includes a simplified (icon style) drawing of the character including any artifacts or animals associated with them.

There are a good range of types of characters represented here. The character bios are good summaries, and I liked the art used in the book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2ShZXlm

Null Faeries, Volume 1: Dust Pilot Down

author: Chad Cicconi
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.42
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2019/08/04
date added: 2020/02/10
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Null Faeries, Volume 1: Dust Pilot Down' with story and art by Chad Cicconi is a graphic novel about faeries and what can happen when they lose their magic.

Ionantha Hesperis is a great soldier of the Faerie Queen until her powers are stripped away and she is almost killed. Now years later, she is still around and trying to solve a mystery. What she finds is an adult who can actually see faerie and may be a threat.

I think this graphic novel exists just to have scantily clad figures because the story was just not very good. At first, it was about faeries taking children's teeth, so I mistook as possibly being for children, but then I found the hinted scenes of faeries sharing magic by basically having sex. The art is not bad, but just not my thing. The story is just not all that interesting and it was easy to figure out some of the twists.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2MBLXk5

Sera and the Royal Stars, Vol. 1

author: Jon Tsuei
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2020/02/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Sera and the Royal Stars, Vol. 1' by Jon Tsuei with art by Audrey Mok is a graphic novel I found original and captivating.

Sera is a princess and warrior in the Empire of Parsa. Her father is fighting her uncle and her mother has been dead for years. She receives a vision with an urgent quest. Leaving her family at this time is bad, but not fulfilling the quest is worse. She must find embodiments of the constellations and restore them to the heavens.

I loved this story and the concept at it's heart. Sera is a very capable protagonist and I loved the embodiments of the constellations. Audrey Mok does great art here and I loved her character designs.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/3bo12je

Arson Plus and Other Stories: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Early Years, Volume 1

author: Dashiell Hammett
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2017/01/12
date added: 2020/02/07
shelves:
review:
'Arson Plus and Other Stories: Collected Case Files of the Continental Op: The Early Years, Volume 1' by Dashiell Hammett is a book with three stories featuring the Continental Op.

Hammett was known for Sam Spade, but he started with these stories of a nameless detective and he wrote a bunch of them. His style of writing is economical and cinematic. The stories evoke a mood of someone trying to hide a crime and a relentless detective in pursuit of the answer. In 'Arson Plus', the first story featuring the Continental Op, a house has gone up in a fire, but what was the cause? There are plenty of suspects, to be sure.

'Crooked Souls' deals with a kidnapped heiress and 'Slippery Fingers' deals with a man found dead in his library. The money paid out of his account points to blackmail, but why?

I've been a Hammett fan for a long time, and it's great to see his work still in print. The Foreword and Introduction are interesting pieces on where these early work came from, and Hammett's inspiration for them (he worked for Pinkerton's National Detective Service for a while). There are only three stories here, but there are many other collections in the series. Check one out and enjoy a good mystery or three.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Mysterious Press.com, Open Road, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2utk07u

Classics Reimagined, The Time Machine

author: H.G. Wells
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1895
rating: 4
read at: 2019/08/10
date added: 2020/02/06
shelves: classics
review:
'Classics Reimagined, The Time Machine' with original text by H.G. Wells and illustrations by Ale + Ale (Alessandro Lecis and Alessandra Panzeri) is part of a series of classics reissues with exciting graphic artists doing the art.

A character only known as the Traveler invents a machine to travel in time. The machine mainly goes into the future from where he lives, and what he finds is a future where mankind is greatly changed. The bulk of the story is his dealings with the light-dwelling Eloi and the dark-dwelling Morlocks. Is this the future we are headed towards?

Along with the classic text, there are quite a few illustrations. Ale + Ale has a collage plus digital style that has vivid color, yet feels pretty classic and fits well with the story. This is a nice version of this book.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2ZRcGNx

Eternity

author: Matt Kindt
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.10
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/05
date added: 2020/02/05
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Eternity' by Matt Kindt with art by Trevor Hairsine is a graphic novel follow up to the Divinity series by Valiant, which I didn't read. I still thought this was ok, but I probably should have started this story elsewhere.

A pair of intergalactic parents, in cool space costumes, is looking for their lost child. They search and ask questions of all kinds of cosmic beings. When they ultimately find the child, they learn that the child has a higher calling.

It's kind of a cosmic mess of a story. I had a hard time following it or caring, but that could be because I didn't read the previous series. On the plus side, the art by Trevor Hairsine is pretty amazing. I ended up finishing the volume just to keep seeing what art was around the next page turn.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2Oy4gXL

Martin Luther King, Jr.

author: Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.05
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/05
date added: 2020/02/05
shelves: non-fiction, childrens
review:
'Martin Luther King, Jr.' by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Mai Ly Degnan is the 33rd entry in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series of books for little readers.

Little Martin was surrounded by a family of preachers, so perhaps it was inevitable he would become one as well. An early childhood incident made him aware of racism when a childhood friend invited him to play, and the child's mother wouldn't let Martin in the house. Martin went on to great things.

This is such a great series that I instantly request review copies every time I see them. The range of artists in the series makes them interesting.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2unjF6g

In the Company of Others

author: Julie E. Czerneda
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/03
date added: 2020/02/03
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'In the Company of Others' by Julie E. Czerneda was the January pick for my online book club. I thought the book was pretty good.

In the future, we travel to other planets and terraform, but something goes wrong. A species called the Quill is found and they are deadly to most humans. When a baby is rescued from the planet, years later, it is determined that he may be the key to solving the conflict with the aliens, either through destruction or understanding.

I liked the complex motives of the many characters. There is a love story that develops along the way, and I was less crazy about that, but your mileage may vary.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SfEloF

What's Up, Maloo?

author: Geneviève Godbout
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2020/02/01
date added: 2020/02/01
shelves: childrens
review:
'What's Up, Maloo?' with words and pictures by Genevieve Godbout is a picture book for younger readers about a sad kangaroo.

Maloo is a young kangaroo who used to like to hop, but something is bothering him. His friends look for ways to help him. Can they make their friend hop again?

I'm a fan of the illustration style of Genevieve Godbout, and it's on full display here. Unfortunately, the story has good intentions, but seems to miss the mark. The story is meant to be about sadness and how to help someone cope with it, but that is a tough message to get out of this story.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2Ugclny

Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence

author: Joel Christian Gill
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.26
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2020/02/01
date added: 2020/02/01
shelves: non-fiction, graphic-novels
review:
'Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence' with story and art by Joel Christian Gill is a graphic memoir about the author. Very graphic.

In a moving memoir, the author tells about his childhood. His father was distant, and died when the Joel was quite young. He grew up being abused and beaten by those around him, and had no one to fend for him. He learned to fight back, but he also, eventually, learned how to avoid fights.

The story is brutal in nature, but has some moments of humor. This is balanced incredibly well. This is a book for a young person in your life that may not see a way out of their circumstances. It is an amazing story of endurance and transformation.

I've been fortunate enough to read a few graphic novels that Joel Christian Gill has written. It's safe to say I'm a pretty big fan of what he does.

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


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2GPGphG

Mezo Vol 1: Rise of the Tzalekuhl

author: Tyler Chin-Tanner
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/02/01
date added: 2020/02/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Mezo Vol. 1: Rise of the Tzalekuhl' with story by Tyler Chin Tanner with art by Josh Zingerman and Val Rodrigues is a graphic novel set in Mesoamerica, which made it an unusual and interesting setting.

The story is about two tribes fighting each other, and the back story that led to this. On one side is a young girl who witnesses the death of her father. She grows up knowing she must unite the tribes or worse things will happen.

The story is interesting, but I got a bit confused along the way. The art throughout is pretty fantastic. I really liked the setting, and I appreciated being able to tell the tribes apart while I was reading. It's obvious that some thought went in to the look and presentation. The book ends with some history and further reading.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from A Wave Blue World in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2GL22jh