Bérézina, Vol. 1: The Fire

author: Frédéric Richaud
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/08
date added: 2018/12/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Berezina, Vol. 1: The Fire' by Frederic Richaud with art by Ivan Gil is a historical fiction graphic novel about Napoleon in Moscow.

In 1812, Napoleon decided to try to invade Russia. Three months in to the campaign is where our story starts. The troops haven't met much resistance because the Russians have been fleeing and destroying crops along the way. This means by the time Napoleon's army gets to Moscow, they are tired and starving. What they find in Moscow is an empty city, but it's not really. It's really a carefully laid trap by an enemy willing to sacrifice their own city to defeat Napoleon.

This was a boondoggle of a campaign with an opponent who used their vast land to exhaust troops. I liked this story of what happened in Moscow. The writing is good as well as the art.

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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The Snow Queen

author: Hans Christian Andersen
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.78
book published: 1844
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/10
date added: 2018/12/05
shelves: childrens, classics
review:
'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Anderson, translated by Misha Hoekstra, with art by Lucie Arnoux is similar to another translation I very recently reviewed, but while that one was more of an art piece, this is the one I'd want to read to a child.

The book is comprised of seven short chapters or stories. They are all linked, so I prefer chapters. The Devil has made a special mirror. It breaks and scatters aroudn the world. If the shards get in you, you don't see beautiful things, you see dark things. Little Kai and Gerda are very good friends and nothing can separate them until Kai gets a splinter of mirror in his eye. From then on, he isn't a very nice boy and sees ugliness in the world around him. He is taken away by the Snow Queen, and Gerda goes looking for him. She has adventures talking to crows and with a bandit girl. Will she ever find Kai and can they be reunited?

Each chapter has one pen and ink illustration. They are good illustrations. The story is a really readable translation. It reads like a good fairytale and this was missing in the other version I recently read. Translation can make all the difference. It may be that the other translation is more authentic, but, for me, this is more readable.

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


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Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)

author: Gail Carriger
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2009
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/04
date added: 2018/12/04
shelves:
review:
'Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)' by Gail Carriger is a book that was an alternate pick for my book club a few months back. I'd heard good things about the series, so I thought I'd read it.

Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster, but that's not all. Due to an unusual condition, she is able to defang werewolves and vampires with her touch. When she accidentally kills a vampire, she sets in motion a whole series of events that includes secret societies and romance.

It's all fun, and I loved how proper everything kind of felt. I've read a few novels set in this era that just feel off, but the author does a great job with the dress and manners of the time. The romance was perhaps a bit over the top for my taste, but it was a grand adventure, and I'm glad I gave it a shot.


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A Hundred Kisses Before Bedtime

author: Mack van Gageldonk
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.65
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: childrens
review:
'A Hundred Kisses Before Bedtime' by Mack van Gageldonk is a bedtime storybook about a little chick who helps put animals to bed.

Little chick goes around settling all the animals by giving them a goodnight kiss. There is horse, rooster, and cat. There is also giraffe, crocodile and lion. This little chick lives in a very populated place. Little chick finally runs out of animals to kiss goodnight and gets its own kiss goodnight.

This was a cute book and a quick read, but it seemed to go on a bit too long. The illustrations are pretty cute, but chick seems to be out of proportion with some animals. It's a cute enough read, but perhaps a shorter book would be better for busy toddlers. Perhaps I should have taken the title a bit more literally.

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


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The Acadia Files: Summer Investigations

author: Katie Coppens
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'The Acadia Files: Summer Investigations' by Katie Coppens with illustrations by Holly Hatam is about a young girl who is curious about the world around her, and some parents who set her on the path of the scientific method to help her find answers.

Part storybook, part investigative journal, there are 5 chapters that teach different science principals. From missing blueberries, and where sand comes from, to tides and gravity. Each chapter has a story where Acadia tries to figure things out. The chapter ends with experiments to try, new words and concepts that are introduced, and additional questions that Acadia comes up with.

The world of S.T.E.M. has produced a whole plethora of science books for young readers. I've read some really bad ones and some really good ones. This falls in to the really good category. Rather than just beat the reader over the head with "SCIENCE," the author, who is an educator, has created an interesting narrative framework for why science matters.

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


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Zeroes (Zer0es, #1)

author: Chuck Wendig
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Zeroes' by Chuck Wendig was my book club's pick for November. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't anyone's favorite either.

A group of disparate hacker-types are captured by the government and made to hack for good in a place called The Lodge. Along the way, they uncover bigger things and inadvertently set something loose they shouldn't have. Now this group of misfits must band together and work to stop bad things from being worse.

It's a techno-thriller that moves along fairly quickly. It's hard to like the characters because some of them are pretty unlikeable, and also because there isn't much time for character development at all. There is a lot of action, then, suddenly, it's over. The ending felt abrupt to me, so while I liked parts of it, overall, I wasn't a big fan.


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Blissful Land, Volume 1

author: Ichimon Izumi
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves:
review:
'Blissful Land #1' by with story and art by Ichimon Izumi is a story that takes place in 18th century Tibet and tells a sweet story of two people in the beginning of their relationship.

Khang Zhipa is a doctor's apprentice. He does his job by findin herbs and turning them in to medicines and teas to help people. One day a bride-to-be named Moshi Rati and her wedding party stays at the home he lives in. He learns that she is to be his bride. The stories are of the early adventures they have picking herbs, learning to trust each other, and Zhipa's constant amazement at how capable and smart Rati is.

I really liked the stories in this manga. There isn't a ton of conflict besides Zhipa's insecurities, but the stories won me over with their earnestness and how nice they were. The art is good as well. It's a black and white story, and their is a lot of detail in the scenery and especially the clothing.

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


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