Pirate Family - Volume 1 - The Wreckers

author: Aude Picault
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2012
rating: 3
read at: 2021/01/06
date added: 2022/05/30
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Pirate Family 1. The Wreckers' by Aude Picault and Fabrice Parme is a graphic novel about a family down on its luck that figures out how to help those less fortunate.

Victor MacLimpet's pirate ship, The Marrowbone, has been impounded. That means his family can't go pirating. In order to keep the family fed, Victor has to resort to wrecking, or shipwrecking boats. When he does, he finds a curious surprise: a cargo hold full of slaves. Victor's family sets out to give them a new life.

I like the story and the point it makes. The MacLimpet's are a likeable set of characters, and the cartoon art lends to the fun of the story.

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.


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Secrets of Camp Whatever Vol. 2: The Doors to Nowhere

author: Chris Grine
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.97
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/29
date added: 2022/05/29
shelves: graphic-novels, young-adult
review:
'Secrets of Camp Whatever Vol. 2: The Doors to Nowwhere' by Chris Grine is a graphic novel that takes place in a world of magic and magical creatures.

Willow is given a locked book of spells as a gift and told that she can't open it. This means she will find a way to open it. What she finds is something that is being sought by those who would restart an ancient war.

This is a pretty interesting world with some good characters. The story was unique enough and I enjoyed what I read.

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.


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Fever Knights: Official Fake Strategy Guide

author: Adam Ellis
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.48
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/29
date added: 2022/05/29
shelves: young-adult
review:
'Fever Knights' by Adam Ellis is a story told as a fake strategy guide for a game.

Finneus lives on Toro Island with his friends and just wants to surf, but weird things start happening and they are interested in solving things. Throughout this book, which plays like a strategy (or even RPG) guide, we learn about the heroes and enemies, the different terrain and character transformations and learn about Toro Island.

I like reading strategy guides, so this was a fun concept. I like what the author did here and had fun reading it.

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


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How to Be Married (to Melissa): A Hilarious Guide to a Happier, One-of-a-Kind Marriage

author: Dustin Nickerson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.94
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2022/05/28
date added: 2022/05/28
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'How to Be Married (to Melissa)' by Dustin Nickerson is a funny and authentic book about the author's marriage.

If you are looking for a formula for the perfect marriage this may not be the book for you. Or it could be exactly what you need to read. Through the struggles of marriage like finances, children, work-life balance, we see how Dustin and Melissa have struggled and succeeded. Told with authenticity, you won't find a perfect social media picture here, but you will find two people committed to each other and figuring out how to make life work.

Told with great humor (Dustin is, after all, a stand-up comedian) and complete honesty, this book celebrates that we are not all alike or perfect and there is not one formula that works for all marriages.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Nelson Books and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Radium Girls

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Forgotten Blade

author: Jeff Powell
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/22
date added: 2022/05/22
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Forgotten Blade' by Tze Chun is a SF epic graphic novel with unexpected heroes, gods and aliens.

In a place known as the Five Rivers, there is magic and powers to be had if you can get it from the Church of the Citadel. Ruza an mercenary and wielder of the Forgotten Blade once worked for the church but now works for a teacher who wants to save the souls of her two children who were killed by the church.

When I started reading this, I was honestly a bit lost, but by the end, I was completely hooked on this epic fantasy/science fiction story. The characters are great and the story is very cinematic. Fun stuff.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from TKO Presents and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Swim Team

author: Johnnie Christmas
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2022
rating: 5
read at: 2022/05/22
date added: 2022/05/22
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Swim Team' with story and art by Johnnie Christmas is a graphic novel about a young girl overcoming one of her greatest fears.

When Bree and her father move to Florida, it means a new school and new people to meet. Bree can't swim, but when she has to sign up for swimming as the only elective available, it opens a new world to her including a chance to learn about the history of swimming and segregation.

This was a wonderful story on so many levels. Bree overcoming her inner voices, the Swim sisters (old and young), and the thrill of competing all combine to make a heartwarming story with great art.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza

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Raowl - Volume 1 - Beauty and the Creep

author: Tébo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2021/04/09
date added: 2022/05/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Raowl 1: Beauty and the Creep' with story and art by Tebo is a graphic novel about a young woman looking for a handsome prince and the creature she is stuck with instead.

Raowl is looking for a princess, but he is certainly not the princess type. He is rough and violent and does not really have the right look. He doesn't know when to quit, so when his first attempt fails, he keeps trying. He also has an issue that when he sneezes, he transforms into a handsome prince, but this usually happens at the worst possible time.

This was a cute, if violent, story. I liked the characters and had fun reading it. The art is pretty comical as well.

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.


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Agents of SLAM

author: Dave Scheidt
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.19
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2022/05/07
date added: 2022/05/07
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Agents of SLAM' by Dave Scheidt with art by Scoot McMahon is a graphic novel about a group of pro wrestlers who work for the president.

Katie Jones is a young wrestlingfan with a video podcast. When she gets invited to the White House to meet her hero Bruno Bravado, she finds a secret organization run by the President to fight crime. When an evil group of wrestlers threatens the country, Katie and her new friends have to stop them.

I liked this story for younger readers, even if some of the plot seemed a bit obvious to me. The wrestlers are all pretty silly and the art is fun.

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


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Seven Places Without You

author: Juan Berrio
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.91
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2022/05/07
date added: 2022/05/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Seven Places Without You' with story and art by Juan Berrio is a graphic novel about a young woman's life after a bad breakup and the places she goes.

Elena loses her boyfriend Jorge for an unknown reason. She moves out of the place they shared and in to a friend's house so she can regroup and start over.

The days after a breakup can be full of sadness and emptiness and this story captures that well. The problem is whether that is compelling enough to read. I thought it was but I don't think it's for everyone.

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


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A Master of Djinn (Dead Djinn Universe, #1)

author: P. Djèlí Clark
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/06
date added: 2022/05/06
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'A Master of Djinn' by P. Djeli Clark is an urban fantasy set in an alternate Cairo where magic creatures exist.

Fatma el-Sha'arawi is a young but seasoned investigator in Cairo's Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities. She dresses sharp and really doesn't want a partner, but when a mysterious man in a gold mask shows up and seemingly commands the cities many Djinn, she just might need the help.

While I found the mystery a bit easy to unravel, the motivation and method as well as the lush world-building made it a fun journey. The varied characters are interesting and well rounded also.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Decorative Sketches: Architecture and Design Influenced by Nature in Early 20th-Century Paris

author: René Binet
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2022/05/01
date added: 2022/05/01
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Decorative Sketches: Architecture and Design Influenced by Nature in Early 20th-Century Paris' by Rene Binet with a preface by Gustave Geffroy is an ebook of detailed sketches.

The preface shows various details of natural objects and patterns that evoke the designs to follow. The book then goes in to full page plates of items like tiles, gazebos, and electric switches.

These drawings from another era are great to still have. They show an attention to detail in the design of objects. The preface helped me see the nature details in these objects.

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


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The Fairy Garden

author: Georgia Buckthorn
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.18
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/01
date added: 2022/05/01
shelves: childrens
review:
'The Fairy Garden' by Georgia Buckthorn with illustrations by Isa Bancewicz is a picture book about a young girl trying to attract fairies to her yard.

Mimi seems to have everything, but what she really wants is to have a fairy in her garden. She tends and weeds and makes pathways with stones, but no fairies visit. One day they do and they teach Mimi how to make a properly welcoming garden.

It's a sweet story with a gentle lesson about making assumptions. The artwork is equally sweet. Included at the end of the book are activities so young readers can make their own fairy garden (fairies not included).

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Ivy Kids, and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Light from Uncommon Stars

author: Ryka Aoki
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2022/02/15
date added: 2022/05/01
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Light From Uncommon Stars' by Ryka Aoki is a book about an unusual donut shop and an even more unusual violin teacher.

Katrina Nguyen a transgender violin player finds a new teacher in a park, but has no idea how strange her new teacher is. It turns out that her teacher, Shizuka Satomi, has a deal with hell and is looking for her last student to complete her contract. Add in a donut-shaped donut shop full of refugee space aliens, and you have an idea of the story. Maybe.

It's a pretty disjointed read with too many disparate story elements for me. It does all come together in the end, but I wanted most story and less trope gimmicks.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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