Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler

author: Mark Riebling
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2017/01/30
date added: 2017/01/30
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Church of Spies: The Pope's Secret War Against Hitler' by Mark Riebling is a fascinating read focused on recently uncovered documents from the Catholic church. The narrative is fast moving and full of thrills.

History has not been kind to Pope Pius XII. He is probably the most hated pope in modern history. The church took a lot of criticism for seeming to side with Hitler and do nothing while he tried to eradicate the Jews. This book has a different story to tell. Newly discovered documents show that the church actively worked to undermine Hitler. Working with a large group of Vatican operatives and a network that extended into the German resistance, the church actually had a hand in three attempts to assassinate Hitler.

One of the main characters is Josef Müller, nicknamed as Joey Ox, and he was sent on a series of trips to the Vatican carrying correspondence. Being caught with this would have meant his death.

Another is Wilhelm Canaris, who was a German admiral and chief of the German military intelligence service. He decided that Germany couldn't win this war, and joined the opposition to overthrow Hitler.

The Vatican had a secret radio room that was set up by Marconi. Information flowed smoothly as the church was without suspicion, but the life of resistance is not glamorized, and many who were captured were tortured and killed. It's a fascinating book, and I found the way it was told to be gripping. Even though the outcome of the war is known, Mark Riebling knows how to tell a true story very well.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Basic Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'm so very thankful for the opportunity to review this ebook.


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Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Storm Surge

author: Dean R. Koontz
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.39
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/01/29
date added: 2017/01/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Storm Surge' by Chuck Dixon and Rik Hoskin from an original story by Dean Koontz, and art by Andres Ponce is a standalone story set in a world of books I haven't read. I was able to figure things out as I went.

Victor Frankenstein is known as Victor Helios in this series. He has also made a series of women. The latest one, Erika Five, decides to explore Victor's secret lab. She finds a talking head named Karloff (nice touch), and a lot more. She finds a portal to another world where Victor is conducting his experiments on the undead. This world is the city of New Orleans at the height of an oncoming flood, not unlike Hurricane Katrina it would seem. As the city becomes choked with the undead, Erika is trying to find Victor to stop him. She finds an ally in another creature that Victor created who now goes by the name of Deucalion. Can they stop Victor? Can they save this strange convoluted story?

The art is good. The story is kind of messy. There are a lot of plot elements that are just to be taken at face value. A talking, disembodied head. Portals to the future. Victor seemingly able to survive in a horde of zombies, even after getting dealt some fatal wounds. I can take a little of this, but it feels like it piled up to a point where my disbelief snapped. I like monster stories, and especially the Frankenstein story, but I was a little disappointed in this.

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.


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Insufferable Vol. 1

author: Mark Waid
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/03/04
date added: 2017/01/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Insufferable' by Mark Waid, with art by Peter Krause tells the story of a crime-fighting sidekick who grows up and gets a big mouth, and a big head, and how the rift between these former partners is being used by villains to trap them.

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

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

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


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Glenn Gould: A Life Off Tempo (Biographies)

author: Sandrine Revel
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2017/01/29
date added: 2017/01/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Glenn Gould: A Life Off Tempo' by Sandrine Revel is a very interesting biography about a brillian Canadian pianist. I'm not sure how much you will learn about him, but I sure enjoyed the ride.

Glenn Gould is most known for his recordings of Bach. He first played in public at the age of 13. After gaining fame and acclaim, he abruptly ended his career and became a recluse. This book gives hints of a man who was driven, and germ-phobic, and very much to himself. The story here weaves back and forth through Glenn Gould's life, from a boyhood learning and performing to a stroke that left him in a coma. On a trip to Russia to play concerts, his initial show was sparsely attended because no one in Russia had heard of him. At intermission, the audience left to go tell friends to come hear this phenomenon play. The rest of the tour was sold out.

The artwork is very good. There are wordless, soundless frames where Glenn Gould is in the midst of playing. panels of hands or his face are shown. The story is told in a non-linear fashion and feels like a good indie film Facts are not spoon fed to the reader and are discovered through careful observation and reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel. I recommend reading it while you listen to some recordings by this genius musician.

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.


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The Iron Hand

author: Scott Chantler
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/01/29
date added: 2017/01/29
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'The Iron Hand' by Scott Chanter is the final volume in the Three Thieves series and it's a good finish. It got a little wordier in places as backstory was given, but it's a complete and solid series for young readers.

At this point in the story the three thieves are now only two. Dess is heading home to finally reunite with her brother and she makes some most unusual allies for the final stand. She also learns how to use a sword, which is something she hasn't had to do up to this point. There is intrigue and deception behind the throne, and an army at siege around the castle her brother is in. Dessa makes her final stand against Greyfalcon. Can she win?

I haven't read all the books in this series, but I've read the last few. What strikes me about the series is the variety of characters, the level of action, and a story that doesn't talk down to its readers. Dessa is a capable protagonist who is constantly pushed and stretched and usually lives up to what is being asked of her. Some of the flashbacks and explanations felt a bit long. They were important to explain events from a different perspective, but they drug the story down a little. Still, this is a solid story arc, and one young readers should really like.

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


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Goldie Vance Vol. 1

author: Hope Larson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/01/29
date added: 2017/01/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Goldie Vance Vol. 1' by Hope Larson with illustrations by Brittney Williams is a new detective series with a smart, thrill-seeking young detective at it's heart. It's also got a nostalgic feel all over it with the wonderful art.

Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives in the Crossed Palms Resort in Florida. Her mom lives nearby and works as a mermaid in a water show. She runs odd jobs around the hotel, and acts as an amateur detective. When we meet her, she has found a missing young boy and returned him to his parents. Things are about to get a bit darker though with the arrival of a stranger with a German accent who has lost a necklace. Goldie is on the case going against the wishes of her father and the hotel's owner. Can she crack the case?

I loved the flavor of this book. There are so many great things about it, like the setting and the characters. There are little touches, like the young woman with the crush on Alan Shepard, Goldie's "can do" attitude, and how she knows and treats the people around her. The art is a visual treat that fit the story perfectly. The colors have a soft, almost pastel color that fits the Florida sun and palms. I had a great time reading this one.

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


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The Lost Child of Lychford (Lychford, #2)

author: Paul Cornell
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2017/01/27
date added: 2017/01/27
shelves:
review:
'The Lost Child of Lychford' by Paul Cornell is a is the second book in the Lychford series. It's also a ghost story that takes place at Christmas, so it's in good company with a lot of other Christmas ghost stories.

The English village of Lychford seems like a nice little town, but lurking on the edges things are not so nice. Protecting the village are three unlikely women: Judith, the village kook, Autumn, the owner of a witchcraft store, and Lizzie, the Reverend of St. Martin's.

Lizzie is getting ready for Christmas, with the sappy music and cynical occasional churchgoers souring her mood. She sees a young boy in the church by himself, and he appears to be a ghost. Add to that the very strange couple getting married on Christmas Eve with their very odd ceremony, and things aren't what they seem. The three women band together, but are separated and attacked. Can they band together and figure out who this ghostly young boy is?

I haven't read the first book in the series, but I felt able to follow along just fine. I really liked the main characters of this book, and I loved the Christmas setting, although that does fade as the story gets going. There is some decent humor along the way. It's got a cozy mystery feel, but don't let that fool you. There is a coldness at the core of this one. I really liked this book, and Paul Cornell is a very good writer.

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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