Books Mentioned:
Monday, May 7, 2018
Saturday, May 5, 2018
April Wrap Up
This month has been a successful but varied reading month for me. I snuck in some middle grade as well as adult romance books. I think I'm finally back to a more normal reading pattern, for me, rather than all romance all the time. Even though I devoured and enjoyed romance books these past few months, I really want to read some of the fantasy books I've been accumulating. Let's see what May brings!
Books Mentioned:
Liselotte and the Witch's Forest (Vols 1-4)
Illegal Contact
Rebel Magisters
The Young Protectors
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
The Sumage Solution
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Review - An Unseen Attraction by KJ Charles
Genre: Historical M/M Romace
Age Group: Adult
Ebook - 247 pgs
Source: Overdrive
Published: 2017
Rating: 3/5
Rowley just wants to be left alone—at least until he meets Clem, with his odd, charming ways and his glorious eyes. Two quiet men, lodging in the same house, coming to an understanding... it could be perfect. Then the brutally murdered corpse of another lodger is dumped on their doorstep and their peaceful life is shattered.
Now Clem and Rowley find themselves caught up in a mystery, threatened on all sides by violent men, with a deadly London fog closing in on them. If they’re to see their way through, the pair must learn to share their secrets—and their hearts.
Overall, this book wasn't as strong as others I've read by KJ Charles. I've come to expect really strong stories and steamy romances. There were elements of each in this book, but they didn't work as well as I expected. The writing is still excellent and KJ Charles does an amazing job of creating good historical context. She builds up the city and characters so well within history you feel like you've stepped right into the middle of the city. I love it.
Unlike the Lord of
Magpies Series, this book focused heavily on the mystery element within the
plot. Even though I was intrigued by the mystery, I was reading for the
romance. The mystery threw our characters together more, but it was not
intriguing enough to keep my attenion. For me, it took up too much page time.
Even so, I adore
the way Charles builds in found families for her characters. As always Charles represents many different sexualties, genders, and races. This series and
the Society of Gentlemen have a support system and a group of characters we can
follow throughout the series. They are protective of each other and I love
getting to know them more. Companion series are fun to follow and I was excited
to read the next book in this series.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Top Five Wednesday - Favorite Magic Workers
For May, the topics are all throwback topics of your choice! I'm super excited about this since I usually miss at least one T5W per month that I'm interested in. This way I can cover some of the ones I wished I could do.
This week I'm covering a topic from October of last year. I actually already posted a Top Five Shifters/Werewolves video. However, this topic was technically any type of paranormal creature so I decided to cover magic workers today.
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Dewey's Readathon Vlog
This weekend I participated in my first Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon. I've planned to participate before but it never worked out. This time I got a decent amount of reading in and I even vlogged some of it!
Friday, April 27, 2018
Comic Mash Up Review - Lumberjanes/Monstress
In the
past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been
worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've
talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a
spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC
Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for
these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon!
Lumberjanes Vol. 8: Stone Cold
by Shannon Watters
Ebook Trade - 112pgs
Published: February 2018
BOOM! Box
Rating: 3.5/5
Once again with this series I love the characters, but the plot is quite weak. We still have action, adventure, diversity, and magic involved so I'm still having fun. The characters continue to grow and we learn even more about them as the series goes along. I enjoyed the return of Greek mythology for this volume and how old enemies are reexamined.
Lumberjanes 33-36:
by Shannon Watters, Carey Pietsch (Illustrator)
Ebook Issues: 24-29pgs
Published: December 2016-March 2017
BOOM! Box
Rating: 4/5
This series of issues (that will probably be volume nine eventually) is my favorite of the past few volumes. Though this one was a little sillier, I really enjoyed the competitiveness the girls displayed in this one. There was a feeling of being at camp in this arc which I've missed recently in this series.
Monstress Vol. 1: Awakening
by Marjorie M. Liu (Writer), Sana Takeda (Artist), Rus Wooton(Letterer, Designer), Jennifer M. Smith (Editor)
Ebook Trade - 192 pgs
Published: July 2016
Image Comics
Add it / Buy it
Rating: 4.5/5
This first volume was incredibly beautiful and incredibly gruesome. The art is stunning and the full page spreads were difficult to move past. I could stare at them for a long time and sometimes the detail of the art distracted me from the story. I did find myself rereading parts of this complex fantasy. The panels were confusing at times not just because I was distracted, but overall the story was lush and beautiful. It is full of gods, humans, and supernatural beings that fight against one another.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
T5W - Favorite Fandom Items
This week we are talking about one of my favorite things on Top Five Wednesday! Fandom items! I decided to split this Top Five into different categories rather than different specific items. Today I talked about candles, buttons, bookmarks, Pop Funkos and prints. What are your favorites?
Friday, April 20, 2018
Comic Mashup Review - Lumberjanes & Paper Girls
In the
past year or so I've made an effort to read more comics. I've always been
worried about starting in the wrong place with comics. Recently though I've
talked to a friend who is a avid comic reader. They suggested to just pick a
spot and go. So that's what I've done and they also suggested to try the DC
Rebirth Series. So I've done that too. Because my reviews are often short for
these, I've combined a few. Look out for more comic mashups soon!
Lumberjanes
Vol. 7: A Bird's-Eye View
by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh,Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrations), Ayme Sotuyo (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (With), Brooke Allen
Ebook
Trade - 112pgs
Published:
December 2017
BOOM!
Box
Rating:
4/5
Once
again the campers plan on a non-magical day at camp, but magical creatures
destroy those plans! I adore all the characters in this series as I've
mentioned before and the group is more cohesive in this volume. I'm so glad the
girls are working together again and I was glad we focused on the group rather
than individuals. The magical kitten adventures were adorable. I loved all the
kitten powers!
After
two volumes that disappointed me, I really enjoyed this one and I continue to
recommend it to everyone looking for fun female-positive comics.
Paper Girls
Vol. 2
by Brian K. Vaughan, Cliff Chiang (Illustrator), Matt Wilson (Colorist), Jared K. Fletcher (Letterer)
Ebook
Trade - 128 pgs
Published:
November 2016
Image Comics
Rating:
4/5
This
volume really packed a punch. The girls travel forward in time and they face
themselves and their futures. The concept is fascinating. I think the plot and
time travel could have been explained more. Time travel is messy and confusing
in general. Having minimal text to explain multiple plot lines in time travel
could be disastrous. Instead this is fairly coherent and a mystery is mixed in
so there is intentional confusion. Overall, I still really love the girls and
how they are both scared and badass throughout the story.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Movies I Watched This Year (Jan - Mar)
There are a few goals I set every year even though I don't anticipate completing them. My movie goal is one of those goals. I never seem to reach the goal I make for myself to watch twenty five movies. This year I am making serious progress early in the year so I decided to post a recap of the movies I've watched so far!
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Top Ten Books I Want to Read Set in the Victorian Era
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Please visit her for future topics and ways to participate.
This week we had a freebie topic. I've been obsessed with supernatural influenced books set in the Victorian Era for ages. I absolutely love Gail Carriger's books and anything with just a hint of steampunk in the description will catch my eye. These are the books I'm hoping to read someday taking place in the Victorian Era. Some of these I own. Some of them I am drooling over.
Amazingly they all have similar covers? Very very interesting.
This week we had a freebie topic. I've been obsessed with supernatural influenced books set in the Victorian Era for ages. I absolutely love Gail Carriger's books and anything with just a hint of steampunk in the description will catch my eye. These are the books I'm hoping to read someday taking place in the Victorian Era. Some of these I own. Some of them I am drooling over.
Amazingly they all have similar covers? Very very interesting.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Currently Reading - April
So far in April I am enjoying a lot of different things. My library loans are out of control, but I still want to read some of the books I have on my shelves. Right now I've finished a few books and am getting ready
Books Mentioned:
Rebel Rising by Shanna Swendson
Liselotte and the Witch's Forest by Natsuki Takaya
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce
Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery
Two Princess of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
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