More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby

More Baths, Less Talking by Nick Hornby

Completion Date: December 16, 2012
Reason for Reading: New book of essays about books by Nick Hornby! Enough said.

“Read what you enjoy, not what bores you,” Nick Hornby tells us. That simple, liberating, and indispensable directive animates each installment of the celebrated critic and author’s monthly column in the Believer. In this delightful and never-musty tour of his reading life, Hornby tells us not just what to read, but how to read.

Whether tackling a dismayingly bulky biography of Dickens while his children destroy something in the next room, or getting sucked into a serious assessment of Celine Dion during an intensely fought soccer match featuring his beloved Arsenal, or devouring an entire series of children’s books while on vacation, Hornby’s reviews are rich, witty, and occasionally madcap. These essays capture the joy and ire, the despair and exhilaration of the book-lover’s life, and will appeal equally to both monocle-wearing salonnieres and people, like him, who spend a lot of time thinking about Miley Cyrus’s next role.

When I heard this was coming out, likely from Ana, I knew it was on my 'must read' list for the year. I was just slow getting a copy because I have been a slacker when it comes to the library the later part of this year. I could have bought a paper edition, I would love to own them all, but where I didn't have the other three it just wasn't a pressing addition to my collection. So, I got an e-copy... You know, because all the other books I have bought lately were for nothing. I obviously needed another book! I was just in the mood for the fourth in a series of essays that I love. My reading has been so sporadic of late that I decided to take advantage of reading a book. And, I really really am happy I did. I have come to the conclusion that so far I am not a huge fan of Hornby's fiction, but I have had great success with his non-fiction. A series of columns about books!

More Baths, Less Talking is the collected essays of Hornby that run in the Believer monthly. It was on a bit of hiatus, but thankfully the hiatus was not a permanent one and he is back being humouous, snarky, and all the things that make his columns so fun to read. Well, besides the fact that it is about books. I, of course, found new books to read. That was given. Do I need more books I want to read? Probably not... It happens, though, right? The wish list grows each much way faster than I ever could possibly read them. (Lately my buying resembles that, too!) He also talks about books I am aware of in a way that makes me want to move them up the wish list a bit. (Or makes me feel better that I never got the appeal of Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens despite enjoying other books by him.) Speaking of Dickens, I really want to read Claire Tomalin's biography of him. It is on my wish list, but it is a nice manageable size. It is worth checking out and has Hornby's recommendation.

I really hope Nick Hornby is back to stay and there will be another volume of his essays coming. I enjoy them immensely!

World War I: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley

World War I: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley

Completion Date: November 25, 2012
Reason for Reading: Review copy received through Netgalley.

History for busy people. Read a concise history of World War One in just one hour.

World War One brought with it the world’s first experience of Total War, involving all of the world’s great powers, polarized between the Triple Entente, lead by Britain, France and Russia, and the Central Powers, dominated by Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary. Around 9 million men lost their lives in a conflict that introduced the horrors of trench warfare, machine guns and toxic gas attacks.

WORLD WAR ONE: HISTORY IN AN HOUR gives you a clear overview of the road to war, the major turning points and battles, and the key leaders involved, as well as the lasting impact the Great War had on almost every country in the world. WORLD WAR ONE: HISTORY IN AN HOUR is essential reading for all history lovers.

I have been hearing about this series of historical events, places, and people told in 1-hour. When I saw this book offered on Netgalley I thought it would be a good chance to see what they are all about.   I am not sure starting with something I know was a good idea. I didn't really learn anything new from this book. I am pretty good with my WWI and WWII history. I was mostly just curious how these books were presented. And, if I knew nothing about WWI I would have learned the important facts in a short period of time. I have no doubt about that.

My biggest problem was this book is put out by the British version of Harper Collins. This means that the facts are based around the history of WWI and how it related to people from that country. This meant that other countries got less of a mention. And other countries were important, too, so it would disappoint me if this was the only book people read about WWI. I live in Canada and I read forever before they were even mentioned. I was wondering if they were just being grouped in with the British. The U.S. got a bit more mention, but they joined the war later. The thing is, I may not have noticed this is if I didn't know so much about WWI going into the book. This is why I am thinking it was a bad idea to start with a subject I know so much about.

Ultimately, this is a good introduction to the events of WWI. I am not sure such a big event is the best subject to cram into such a small space, but it was mostly done effectively. I can't imagine reading this book and being satisfied  I think I would want more details instead of the basic facts, but I love history and reading about it to begin with. At some point I would like to try one of the books on events or a person I know very little about.

Recommended for a good introduction. If you know what it is all about; nothing new will be learned here.

How To Tell If Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by Matthew Inman

How To Tell If Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You by Matthew Inman

Completion Date: December 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Fun!

TheOatmeal.com’s most popular cat jokes, including “How to Pet a Kitty” and “The Bobcats,” plus 15 new and never-before-seen catthemed comics, are presented in this hilarious collection from New York Times best-selling author Matthew Inman, a.k.a. TheOatmeal.com. Includes pull-out poster! Jesus Rollerblading Christ--another helping of TheOatmeal! Mrow, MOAR kitty comics. Mr. Oats delivers a sidesplitting serving of cat comics in his new book, How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You.

If your cat is kneading you, that's not a sign of affection. Your cat is actually checking your internal organs for weakness. If your cat brings you a dead animal, this isn't a gift. It's a warning. How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You is a hilarious, brilliant offering of cat comics, facts, and instructional guides from the creative wonderland at TheOatmeal.com.

How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You presents fan favorites, such as "Cat vs. Internet," "How to Pet a Kitty," and "The Bobcats," plus 17 brand-new, never-before-seen cat jokes. This Oatmeal collection is a must-have from Mr. Oats! A pullout poster is included at the back of the book.

Yep... I totally bought this book as a Christmas present... Then, well, I read it myself. I couldn't resist! And let me tell you, I laughed! There were a few strips that were just plain odd, but overall this was just fun. When I saw it the first time at the bookstore I had to read through and make the devastating discovery that Casey is totally trying to kill the guy. (haha). To think that she has such nefarious ideas behind her cute moments. She is sleeping right now, so I can only imagine what she is dreaming about.

I had never heard of this comic strip before. I was just drawn to the title because of the whole owning a cat thing. I probably would have been drawn to it even if I didn't have a cat. It just seemed like one of those things I had to check out. And then I decided to buy it for a fellow cat owner, but it didn't actually make it there. Instead I had to check it our for myself. I appreciated the humour and enjoyed laughing about things that Casey does all the time that apparently are the beginning plots to other destructive measures. There is more than that, though. It is basically a comic book about cats. The long-running strip in the collection imagines cats working in the corporate world. That's interesting... And then there are shorter moments that get down and dirty about the cat psyche and what it means for the owners.

Anyway, if you need a good laugh definitely check this book out. I am really glad I grabbed a copy and will have to go buy another copy for the person it was for originally. If I wasn't basically done Christmas shopping I could see me getting a copy of this for all the people I know with cats. It is a cat-lovers gift for sure. (And, then again, maybe not... You might never look at your cat the same way again!)

Recommended!

November in Review

What I Learned

Reading slumps suck. My TBR pile has gotten insanely out of control and I am not reading to help it out. This is the first monthly post I have done since July. That's mainly because I haven't really read since July. I am all out of whack. I feel unsettled when I don't read. And overwhelmed. I had to take a bunch of my TBR pile and put it in storage because a.) I needed room for the books I am getting for Christmas (don't say anything...) and b.) because my books were starting to stress me out. I got a big order of books last year for Christmas, did my annual Christmas shopping with gift cards, and then I had all kinds of credit because of my big book purge last year. This meant a lot of books. This would be fine if my reading didn't die off to almost non-existent. (Actually, it was non-existent for a bit there.) So, I am trying to get back into a groove. I mostly only read graphic novels, most of them review copies on my tablet, but at least it is reading. I have to start somewhere. And, I read 17 books! I am excited I was able to manage that.

The Books

131. Chew - Volume 1: Taster's Choice by John Layman and Rob Guillory (Completed November 6, 2012)
132. Hopeless, Maine - Volume 1: Personal Demons by Nimue and Tom Brown (Completed November 6, 2012)
133. Cursed Pirate Girl: The Collected Edition - Volume 1 by Jeremy Bastian (Completed November 6, 2012)
134. Max Overacts Volume 1 by Caanan Grall (Completed November 6, 2012)
135. Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham & Company (Completed November 6, 2012)
136. Trevor: A Novella by James Lecesne (Completed November 6, 2012)
137. Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon (Completed November 7, 2012) 138. Farthing (Small Change Trilogy, Book 1) by Jo Walton (Completed November 24, 2012)
139. Alice in Wonderland by Raven Gregory, Robert Gill, and Jason Embury (Completed November 25, 2012)
140. The Queen's Army (Lunar Chronicles, Volume 1.5) by Marissa Meyer (Completed November 25, 2012)
141. Mankind: The Story of All of Us - Volume 1 by Mary Wolfman & Company (Completed November 25, 2012)
142. Mankind: The Story of All of Us - Volume 2 by Mary Wolfman & Company (Completed November 25, 2012)
143. World War I: History in an Hour by Rupert Colley (Completed November 25, 2012)
144. Agent Gates and the Secret Adventures of Devonton Abbey by Camaren Subhiyah and Kyle Hilton (Completed November 25, 2012)
145. August Moon by Diana Thung (Completed November 25, 2012)
146. Glitter Kiss by Adrianne Ambrose (Completed November 26, 2012)
147. Iron: Or, the War After by Shane-Michael Vidaurri (Completed November 26, 2012)

The Source

Review Copy: 12

Gift: 2

Bought: 2

Read Online: 1

Postcard Project

Trish sent me a postcard from Hawaii! If everyone sends the promised cards, I just need Alabama... Can anyone help with Alabama? It is my last little card. I am at 45 out of 50 right now. I have postcards hopefully coming from Connecticut, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Delaware. 

I joined Postcrossing, so I am hoping to have some postcards to share soon! I have sent a bunch, but am still waiting for my arrivals to start...

Pictures!

I have been a bit slack on taking pictures lately. I do end up keeping up with #photoaday (Now called #FMSphotoaday), but I haven't been as creative lately as I would like. I need to do better. I am getting a new camera for Christmas and I am very excited. This lead to me signing up for some online photography courses yesterday... The first one isn't until February and is in editing. The actual first photography course that was available wasn't until April. So, I have a wait ahead of me... In the meantime there is a book about my new camera out that explains all the settings and things. That will be added to my book pile after Christmas.

Alice in Wonderland by Raven Gregory, Robert Gill, and Jason Embury

Alice in Wonderland by Raven Gregory, Robert Gill, and Jason Embury

Completion Date: November 25, 2012
Reason for Reading: Received a copy through Netgalley.

The one thing known is that her time spent in a world full of insanity left her a broken adult. However, her courageous will to survive is what ultimately saved humanity. Now the story of Alice's visit into Wonderland is fully revealed and the truth of the terror will be told in full From Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco, and Joe Brusha, the minds behind Grimm Fairy Tales and Return To Wonderland, comes the series that Zenescope fans have been waiting for Follow Zenescope back down the rabbit hole and discover a world of madness like you've never seen before.

Well... I tend to get the emails about graphic novels on Netgalley and be adventurous. I was intrigued by this retelling of Alice in Wonderland. I have to say, the art is amazing. I was floored by it throughout. The problem is that the female characters wear so little clothing. And, just the female characters. The men were mostly all covered up for the most part. I think they were trying to make this a 'riskier' Alice, but, well... I think it is one thing to be scantily clad in a book. It is another thing to see panel after panel of half naked women. I have decided I am a bit of a prude... But generally, I am not... I was really interested in this hard-ass Alice and the other compelling female characters that she interacts with. It was a different take on the Alice story for sure. Maybe the art was too well done?

As to the story itself, it wasn't terrible. I had a few confused moments, but by the end I knew what was going on. It is a very dark retelling of a classic novel. I think I might like the idea behind it much more than the innocent, yet not so innocent, version that Carroll originally released. The characters were creepy and with the excellent drawing really jumped off the page. I wonder if I hadn't spent the whole comic wondering where their clothes were if I might have enjoyed this more. I mean, there is a big battle and Alice wears less clothes than she has all along. And then in one of the plot events she has to lose all her clothing but her more intimate ones. I didn't understand why other than to have her wear less clothing.

Frankly, the artist was amazing, but you were distracted by the lack of clothing. And, the story wasn't quite good enough to make up for it. If the story was amazing, I could have dealt with the revealing clothing at every turn and by every woman. Also, don't judge this book by the cover. Alice is actually wearing more clothes in that picture than in the entire comic. So, yes, a disappointing read. It has a great idea, but the writing doesn't match its potential. I think if I wasn't amazed by the artists skill this would have been a DNF for me. I guess I also hoped it would get better.

I am basically more interested in if the artist has done other comics with more clothing than anything else.

Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon

Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon

Completion Date: November 7, 2012
Reason for Reading: Recommendation from comic store friend.

From one of America’s most critically acclaimed graphic novel writers – inspired by true events, a startlingly original look at life on the streets of Baghdad during the Iraq War.

In his award-winning work on Y THE LAST MAN and EX MACHINA (one of Entertainment Weekly’s 2005 Ten Best Fiction titles), writer Brian K. Vaughan has displayed an understanding of both the cost of survival and the political nuances of the modern world. Now, in this provocative graphic novel, Vaughan examines life on the streets of war-torn Iraq.

In the spring of 2003, a pride of lions escaped from the Baghdad zoo during an American bombing raid. Lost and confused, hungry but finally free, the four lions roamed the decimated streets of Baghdad in a desperate struggle for their lives. In documenting the plight of the lions, PRIDE OF BAGHDAD raises questions about the true meaning of liberation – can it be given or is it earned only through self-determination and sacrifice? And in the end, is it truly better to die free than to live life in captivity?

Based on a true story, VAUGHAN and artist NIKO HENRICHON (Barnum!) have created a unique and heartbreaking window into the nature of life during wartime, illuminating this struggle as only the graphic novel can.

Well, this was good. I am never sure what to expect when a book is told from the point-of-view of animals. It could either be a really good idea or turn out corny. I have been curious about Brian K. Vaughan for a while, though, and this was a standalone introduction. I think with being caught up most of the time in Fables and The Unwritten I am ready to start another series. I think it will be Y: The Last Man, but this was a good way to see what I was getting myself into and I thought Vaughan was worth checking out. He is! I was very impressed with this story despite having no idea what it even was when I walked out of the comic book store.

If you actually read the description, like I included above, you get a really good idea what you are getting yourself into. I just went by a recommendation and didn't read the description until after I had read the graphic novel. I was basically curious how much information they provide ahead of time. I guessed from the title and cover it was about lions in Baghdad, but I didn't know. I also didn't know it was based on a true story. I missed that bit of reporting when it happened! The comic is suggested for Mature Readers and I can tell why. It is not an easy setting to endure. It puts a different spin on the war in Iraq. I actually didn't catch on to the fact it was based on a real story until the end when it tells you. I am not sure if it made the story less impacting that I didn't know or not. I still got caught up in the story and maybe got a bit more so when I discovered I had just read something that happened.

There is not much else to tell. It is about lions. They get released by a twist of fate from the zoo. It is about their adventures and potential freedom. The youngest had never known what it was like to live outside of a zoo. The oldest had gotten use to the easiness of captivity. Then there is the mother in-between who dreams of seeing the world outside the zoo again. It leads to interesting contrasts as the story progresses. I sometimes worry about standalone graphic novels not giving you enough time to develop an attachment to the characters, but there were no worries there. And, the comic makes you think. It is not just about lions escaped from the zoo. It has wider-reaching themes that are worth checking out.

Definitely Recommended!

Trevor: A Novella by James Lecesne

Trevor: A Novella by James Lecesne

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Review Copy provided by Random House Canada.

Trevor is an exuberant, sociable, and witty thirteen year old. So how come, when he takes that nerve-wrecking turn toward his locker at school, does he feel scared and alone? Shunned by his friends, misunderstood by his parents, and harrassed at school for being different, Trevor goes from wondering what color glitter to choose for his Lady Gaga costume at Halloween, to wondering why some feelings "are so intense it makes you just want to lay down and die rather than go on feeling it," and making an attempt on his life. Trevor mixes humor and realism in an urgent look at what it is like to feel alienated from everything around you. And more importantly, what critical ties can step in at the most unlikely moment, to save you from despair, and give you reason to go on living.

Trevor is an update of the film version of the story, directed by Peggy Rajski, which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short in 1994. The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning youth. As the recent attention to youth suicides has received increased media attention, and Dan Savage's IT GETS BETTER campaign has gone viral around the world, the public is finally beginning to face hard facts. Thirty-three percent of suicides among teenagers involve LGBTQ youth, one-third of all LGBT kids report having attempted suicide, and nine out of ten report overt harassment at school. Trevor is an effort to make those kids feel loved and supported, so they will find the strength to go on living.

In my effort to stick with short reads until I can jump-start my reading, I pulled this novella down off my stacks. When I was reading about it I saw: 'A compelling young adult novella of love, lose, and Lady Gaga, for anyone who has ever been shunned for being different'. Sounds interesting, huh? I think it was my curiosity on how Lady Gaga fit into the mix that really lead to me requesting a copy. Then, the book arrived and I sort of didn't remember why I requested it. And, I am not reading anyway so it sort of sat on my shelf. The other day I was doing some rearranging and saw that this was the story that inspired the 'Trevor Project'. I didn't know what the 'Trevor Project' was. I decided that I had to find out.

Trevor is a 13-year-old boy who is not like the other kids at school. He is dramatic, loves Lady Gaga, and might be gay. That sets him apart from the other students at school. He tries to fit in despite it all and even has moments where he is truly happy, but then the bullying starts. They say above that 33 percent of teen suicides are LGBT kids. No wonder! If they are treated even slightly like the kid in this book I can imagine thinking that not returning to school would be a good idea. Of course this lead to me thinking back on my own school experiences. I remember kids being mean, but I don't really remember kids being bullied to this degree. Was I just not paying attention? Are kids meaner nowadays? I always sort of danced to my own drum so it is possible I was just not aware of it.

I really liked Trevor. Lecesne makes him fly off the page. He captures his personality so well and you really feel for him as things go from bad to worse. The book is only a novella, so there is not a lot of room for development. If Lecesne can make you care about his character in such few pages, you know he is right on track. And, Lecesne cares in general. The Trevor Project is a hotline for LGBT teens that need someone to talk to. And it isn't even always teens that fit into those categories. It is teens that are feeling down and on the verge of taking dreadful actions and need someone to talk to first. I would love to think that avenues like this have kept the suicide rate down just that much more since their creation.

I found their website if anyone is curious. It is based in the United States, but I imagine the chat programs and such could be international.  A portion of the proceeds from this book goes to support The Trevor Project - so a Christmas present twice over, right? I am all ready revising my Christmas list to buy some copies as gifts. Hopefully this post will make some of you want to, too. I know many of you have teens or pre-teens and you never know... They might need something like this at some point in their young lives.

Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham & Company

Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham & Company

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: It's Fables...

At long last! The long-awaited original FABLES: WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND graphic novel is here!  

Bigby Wolf embarks on a quest through the American Heartland to find a new location for Fabletown, a secret society of exiled fairy tale characters living among the "mundys." In his wanderings, Bigby stumbles across Story City, a small town that seems to be occupied solely by werewolves. Oddly enough, they seem to already know and revere Bigby, but at the same time they've captured and caged him.  

FABLES: WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND tells an epic tale that began well before Bigby Wolf set foot in the bucolic plains of the Midwest. It began long ago when he served in World War II and became mired in a Nazi experiment that would change nations. It's soon evident that murder in Story City is the least of their sins, and unraveling the town's many mysteries may cost Bigby, the seventh son of the North Wind, much more than his own life. 

 This new hardcover is a must-have for any longtime FABLES fan, as well as a great entry point for new readers.

This book has had a release date a couple times, so I am beyond thrilled that it finally came out this year! I have been very excited and then disappointed a couple times in the past. I get excited for anything to do with Fables, though. It is definitely one of my favourite series ever and I am so happy that I took a chance on it. I can pinpoint my history with the series without even looking it up. I read the first two volumes in January of 2009 and haven't looked back since. I love looking at them all lined up on my shelf. They are one of my prized possessions, that's for sure.

Werewolves of the Heartland is a story solely featuring Bigby Wolf and a whole cast of new characters. I love Bigby, so I was looking forward to a good story featuring him. He has sunk into the background since stepping down as Sheriff and I wanted to see the real him back in the limelight for a bit. Fables is in the process of getting its groove back after the completion of a huge story arch anyway. It was nice to concentrate on something else for a while. (And, actually, as I was reading this book, and then writing the review, I was waiting to see how the election would turn out in the U.S.) But, Bigby is back! I love him. The gruff, brooding character. He is so well-written! And, this is why I love Fables. I love the characters. It is a combination of a familiarity of them from childhood and a new appreciation for them that I have gained over the last three years of reading this series.

This book takes a dip in the very popular werewolf-theme. It works, though. I got very caught up in the story. I love Bigby, like I said, but I always like the story-telling abilities of Bill Willingham. At the end of the book he explains where the inspiration came from because the town in the book is called Story Town and really exists. I think my only problem with this book was the insane amount of nudity. I was kind of warned about it from Heather, but I still was a bit shocked. At first I was thinking 'This isn't as bad as I was expecting'. Then I got further into the book. I am not a prude either, there is often nudity in Fables at some point, but this time they might have went a bit overboard. Otherwise, it was a good read and I am very happy I had a chance to read it.

Strongly recommended as always, but with a strong warning that like I said above... Lots of nudity.

Max Overacts Volume 1 by Canaan Grall

Max Overacts Volume 1 by Canaan Grall

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Birthday Gift.

The strip is about Max’s unbridled optimism, and his quest to be the next greatest thespian. He wears his heart on his sleeve for his self-proclaimed leading lady, Janet, and lords his ‘planned’ status over his ‘accidental’ older sister, Andromeda. His best friend is Klaus, when his ventriloquist doll, Curio, isn’t around. You may notice Curio is based on Alexander from the Middle Ages.

From occasionalcomics.com

I got this for my birthday over a month ago and I am only getting around to reading it now! It is by a local author, too, so I feel bad for missing out all this time. It was like sitting down and reading the paper in the morning. I used to do that... Then, it just got too expensive and mostly depressing. I miss those moments, though, and comics like this one. It would fit right in with some of the long-running ones that people read and enjoy. I am looking forward to reading through the collection on the website. They are in colour and there are many of them. It should be a lot of fun!

I hope, in the off-chance the author finds his way over here, that he doesn't mind I took pictures of two of my favourite strips in the collection while I was reading:

And, this one seemed fitting considering a recent announcement concerning the franchise:

I apologize for the terrible quality of the pictures, but I hope it gives you some enjoyment! Max is a fun kid and is perfect for those moments where you need a smile. I look forward to seeing more from him, his family, and his friends.

Strongly recommended!

Cursed Pirate Girl: The Collected Edition - Volume 1 by Jeremy Bastian

Cursed Pirate Girl: The Collected Edition - Volume 1 by Jeremy Bastian

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Review Copy from Archaia Entertainment through Netgalley.

An Orphan left to a world in which she does not belong undertakes a perilous journey. She sets out to find her father, a pirate captain of the Omerta Seas. The legends of those black waters tell of unimaginable monsters and terrible creatures. Yet the most dangerous of its denizens are they that sail above. These, too this lost daughter shall brave. For no obstacle is greater than the promise of finding her rightful place at her father’s side.

Another graphic novel I decided to check out finally. It is actually set to be published on November 20, so beat the release date on this one. I haven't done that in a while... I thought this sounded like a potentially good adventure story. I also like pirates. When you look at the book in the beginning it seems rather simplistic, but the detail that Jeremy Bastian puts into his artwork is impressive. He definitely doesn't leave anything out and has these huge spreads with so much going on. I imagine it takes him a while to get things done. I really enjoy the colourful images of many graphic novel series, but there is something to be sad for the older style of black and white. It is almost more impressive because you can see all the intricate detail involved in every page.

As to the story... It is just weird. I am not entirely sure what to think of it yet. I really like The Cursed Pirate Girl. There is a quote from a review comparing her to Alice in Wonderland. While I kind of agree, she reminds me more of Pippi Lockstocking. I feel she is more this generations version of her. Obviously there are many differences, but there are many similarities, too. The Cursed Pirate Girl is a very strong, capable character. She lives by herself, but is not technically an orphan. Her father is off having his own adventures and her goal is to find him herself. She makes some interesting friends along the way. That was where the book got a little weird. Then I can see the comparisons to Alice in Wonderland no problem.

Another story that is promising. I am looking forward to more adventures from The Cursed Pirate Girl. Recommended.

Weekend Cooking: Chew - Volume 1: Taster's Choice by John Layman

Chew - Volume 1: Taster's Choice by John Layman 

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Review copy from Image Comics through NetGalley.

Tony Chu is a detective with a secret. A weird secret. Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which means he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats. It also means he's a hell of a detective, as long as he doesn't mind nibbling on the corpse of a murder victim to figure out whodunit, and why. He's been brought on by the Special Crimes Division of the FDA, the most powerful law enforcement agency on the planet, to investigate their strangest, sickest, and most bizarre cases. Collects CHEW #1-5.

I finished a book! Do you know this is the first book I have successfully finished since August?? It's nuts! It's depressing! I HATE it! So, you can imagine my excitement when I reached the end. I had successfully finished a book. My reading rut might be coming to an end. I might be able to finish more books. November might be a good reading month! It is almost the end of the year, so I would like to finish it off finishing things. I do read, but so sporadically and I don't seem to finish anything. On Tuesday I posted about books I would love to be reading right now. There are many many more. I also haven't reviewed a book in forever and a day, so this might be bad.

Graphic novels are so expensive that I tend to lurk on review sites for those chances to read e-copies. Of course now I have read Volume 1 of Chew and started a big series that I want to see more from. I didn't love it in the sense I wanted to rush out and get Volume 2, but it was intriguing enough that I want to see what happens next. So, I think it is great that publishers give you a chance to read comics without having to shell out the cash because not everything works for everyone. And, if you are like me, you will wind up buying a physical copy of the comic eventually if you really enjoyed it, so it is win/win. If I carry on with Chew I will have to have all the editions. I collect comics, but I also am a bit picky about my ownership. Until my recent 'splurge' I only bought Fables and The Unwritten. I want to branch out, but series are so long and I want to know what I am getting myself into before splurging... This is a long winded way of saying I am very excited about the chances provided by online sites like NetGalley and Edelweiss to preview even series that have been out for a while.

On to the comic. I told you I was out-of-practice. Not that I ever wrote all that exciting reviews before... Chew is actually on a Weekend Cooking post because it is a comic that talks about food throughout. The very first scene is from a cooking show. Now, it is not exactly gourmet. There are some very disturbing images and is not actually recommended if you plan to eat soon after reading it. As the description above says the comic centres around Tony Chu. He has the ability to eat something and pick up on all the history. This makes him a key detective in a huge organization. It is also a comic about conspiracies. This is because a large part of the population died from what was called the Bird Flu. This means that you can only get poultry from the Black Market. It is a crime to serve or sell chicken. The chicken ban plays a big part in this book.

And, there is just food everywhere. I did mention it was not the most appetizing of moments necessarily. There is one character that has the ability to describe the meals she eats in such detail that you can experience it with her as she explains it. She does not always eat at 5 star establishments. Then there is of course the fact that Tony has cannibalistic moments in the attempt to catch his killers. You might be surprised to learn that I was actually more grossed out by a couple other scenes than the fact that he was eating people. I am not sure what that says about me.

Overall, it was a fun read. I am so happy to finally read something!

Weekend Cooking is hosted at Beth Fish Reads.

Book in the Series:

Chew, Volume 1: Taster's Choice
Chew, Volume 2: International Flavor
Chew, Volume 3: Just Desserts
Chew, Volume 4: Flambé
Chew, Volume 5: Major League Chew

Hopeless, Maine - Volume 1: Personal Demons by Tom and Nimue Brown

Hopeless, Maine - Volume 1: Personal Demons by Tom and Nimue Brown

Completion Date: November 6, 2012
Reason for Reading: Review Copy from Archaia Entertainment through NetGalley.

The small island of Hopeless, off the coast of Maine, is a breeding ground for demons, freaks, vampires, and other creatures of the night. Our story follows Salamandra, a young girl with one foot in our world and one foot in the otherworld, as she navigates a life on the edge of reality.

I am on a roll with the graphic novels. I have decided I need to work back up to reading novels. I have just done so badly with them the last couple months. I have been browsing the few e-copies I have and this one sounded intriguing. I basically failed miserably at reading 'dark' books in October, so I guess I will make up for it in November. And, this is a dark tale with a young girl who appears to be a witch, demons, ghosts, and a brooding atmosphere. It is the first book in the series and I think the talent is still relatively new, so I wasn't floored. But, I loved the art! I almost want to run to the store and get a copy just so I can have my own physical copy of the amazing pictures. I think that Tom Brown captures the atmosphere of this book so well. I definitely want to see more from him.

It was the story itself that I went back and forth on. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't blown away by it either. It seemed a bit forced at times. I think it was partly trying to balance between the younger and older readers that tend to read graphic novels. The author was trying to make the characters the age they were supposed to be, but also trying to age them as their circumstances dictated. I couldn't get wrapped up in them like I would have liked to. And, so much seemed to happen in a relatively short period of time. I would have liked more opportunities to get to know the characters. I can't get invested if I don't really care about them sufficiently.

I am intrigued, though. I think the series has potential. I loved the artwork. I think I can see myself reading the next volume. I have high hopes that the authors will slow down a bit and create a world that we can feel more emotional attachment to. It is a tricky thing starting a graphic novel series and it definitely takes a while to get invested in the stories. To sum it up, I strongly recommend the artwork. I am more hesitant about the story. I think it needs more time to grow.

Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Blood Eye by Giles Kristian (Raven Trilogy, Book 1)

Completion Date: September 5, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour

A Viking adventure, packed with battles, blood and gore, Raven is historical fiction at its very best, and marks the debut of an outstanding new talent.

For two years Osric has lived a simple life, apprenticed to the mute old carpenter who took him in when others spurned him. But when Norsemen from across the sea burn his village, Osric is taken prisoner by these warriors. Their chief, Sigurd the Lucky, believes the Norns have woven this strange boy’s fate together with his own, and Osric begins to sense glorious purpose among this fellowship of warriors.

Immersed in the Norsemen’s world and driven by their lust for adventure, Osric proves a natural warrior and forges a blood bond with Sigurd, who renames him Raven. But the Norsemen’s world is a savage one, where loyalty is often repaid in blood and where a young man must become a killer in order to survive. When the Fellowship faces annihilation from ealdorman Ealdred of Wessex, Raven chooses a bloody and dangerous path, accepting the mission of raiding deep into hostile lands to steal a holy book from Coenwolf, King of Mercia.

There he will find much more than the Holy Gospels of St Jerome. He will find Cynethryth, an English girl with a soul to match his own. And he will find betrayal at the hands of cruel men, some of whom he regards as friends.

I am a tad bit annoyed with myself as I write this review. Blood Eye appeared in my mailbox and I was immediately excited. It sounded like a perfect read for me and I enjoyed the look of the book. There was just something inviting about it all. So, I put everything aside and jumped into the book. So, why am I annoyed? I made it to page 200 and something and just put the book aside. I like this book, but yet I was struggling to read it. I hate when that happens. The book sat there for a while before I picked it up again to finish it. And then I struggled to do even that. And, it isn't the book! I thought it was written well, had an interesting cast of characters, and a compelling overall story. This is not the book for my friends that do not like a lot of battles in books, but otherwise I have no real complaint. It is just me.

So, go read other posts from the tour or try out the book for yourself before making any decisions about whether it is for you or not. I really hope this wonky mood leaves me soon. I would like to get some reading done between now and the end of the year that doesn't seem like a chore...

Diving Belles by Lucy Wood

Diving Belles by Lucy Wood

Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.
Completion Date: August 26, 2012

In the tradition of Angela Carter, this luminous, spellbinding debut reinvents the stuff of myth.

Straying husbands lured into the sea by mermaids can be fetched back, for a fee. Trees can make wishes come true. Houses creak and keep a fretful watch on their inhabitants, straightening shower curtains and worrying about frayed carpets. A mother, who seems alone and lonely, may be rubbing sore muscles or holding the hands of her invisible lover as he touches her neck. Phantom hounds roam the moors and, on a windy beach, a boy and his grandmother beat back despair with an old white door.

In these stories, the line between the real and the imagined is blurred as Lucy Wood takes us to Cornwall’s ancient coast, building on its rich storytelling history and recasting its myths in thoroughly contemporary ways. Calling forth the fantastic and fantastical, she mines these legends for that bit of magic remaining in all our lives—if only we can let ourselves see it.

I was intrigued by the mention of Angela Carter in the blurb. I have read one collection by her, The Bloody Chamber, and really liked it. I keep meaning to read more, but never seem to get around to it. When I saw the tour for this Lucy Wood book, though, I decided it was meant to be. Anyone that knows me knows that I am really not a big fan of short story collections. I only read a couple a year and generally by Charles de Lint. I am so happy that I took a chance on this collection because I really enjoyed it. I can't believe it is the authors debut novel. The stories are so wonderfully crafted that they were a treat from beginning to end. That doesn't mean I necessarily loved all the stories, but more that I could appreciate each of them.

On to the stories themselves... There are mermaids, ghosts, and other strange experiences throughout the collection. The 'strange' is almost understated, though. In the sense that it is perfectly reasonable for a grown woman to go down in a submarine-type boat to find her husband. It just happens, so why question it is basically what Lucy Wood is saying. She doesn't really push the envelope because she weaves things together so well. I enjoyed that. The book is really a collection of myths and they are pulled off really well. I mentioned 'Diving Belles', the title story, earlier in this paragraph. The next story, 'Countless Stones', is basically about a connection to a structure you assume is Stonehenge or something else like it. It is told in an interesting way, though. The best part is how Wood weaves other things in. On the one hand, there are the things happening to the main character. On the other hand, though, it is about her relationship with her ex and their connection.

The third story, 'Of Mothers and Little People', is about the relationship between mother's and daughters. But, it is also a connection to nature and what you find there. Nature plays a role in most, if not all, of the stories in this collection. 'Lights in Other People's Homes' is about the strong connection to the pull of the sea. I know that if I moved away from the sea I would miss it. It has been a part of my entire life so far. 'Magpies' is quite simply, and yet not so simply, about a man and a magpie. 'The Giant's Boneyard' is about a relationship as well, but there is more to it than that. The ending of this one was a bit strange. Then, there is 'Beachcombing'. This is the story of a grandmother and her grandson and their connection. I liked the ending of this one. It seemed a fitting moment for the overall story.

'Notes from the House Spirits' number one has a title that I love!  It is quite literally a story that is a collection of notes from the House Spirits. I really liked this story because it actually makes you think a bit about your own house and the whole idea of things maybe watching you... Then, we have 'The Wishing Tree'. This story is a bit heart-breaking. There is this one moment that really caught me up. Another story of the relationship between mother and daughter. It is also a story about wishes. The story 'Blue Moon' kind of starts with a bang and you are not entirely sure what to think, but then the story plays out and you get how everything comes together. There are a couple connections in this story and it is also not entirely happy. 'Wisht' is about the relationship between a father and a daughter. A quiet story that has a lot more going on than meets the eye.

The last story, 'Some Drolls are Like This and Some are Like This', was an interesting note to end things on. It was a sad tale. It is also about the loss of stories. I thought it was a fitting ending to the collection. So, there is a brief summary to the collection. As you can see most of the stories are about nature. They are also about relationships. Then they include something mythological. That is where the real similarities end. I strongly recommend this short story collection. I can't wait to see what Lucy Wood does next!

Wake of the Bloody Angel Tour (With Give-away)

Wake of the Bloody Angel by Alex Bledsoe (Eddie Larosse Series, Book 4)

Completion Date: August 24, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.

Twenty years ago, a barmaid in a harbor town fell for a young sailor who turned pirate to make his fortune. But what truly became of Black Edward Tew remains a mystery—one that has just fallen into the lap of wise-cracking, freelance sword jockey Eddie Lacrosse.

For years, Eddie has kept his office above Angelina’s tavern, so when Angelina asks him to find out what happened to the dashing pirate who stole her heart, he can hardly say no—even though the trail is two decades old. Some say Black Edward and his ship, The Bloody Angel, went to the bottom of the sea, taking with it a king’s fortune in treasure. Others say he rules a wealthy, secret pirate kingdom. And a few believe he still sails under a ghostly flag with a crew of the damned.

To find the truth and earn his gold, Eddie must take to sea in the company of a former pirate queen in search of the infamous Black Edward Tew and solve the mystery of the ghost ships.

Bledsoe’s readership continues to grow with each standalone installment in this fantastic series. Fans of mystery and fantasy alike won’t want to miss WAKE OF THE BLOODY ANGEL.

So, I heard this was a fantasy book involving pirates. This means that I didn't really pay attention to the rest of the description and that I was almost finished the book before I discovered it was book 4 in a series. Oops! There were a couple things that were mentioned that if you have read the rest of the books you would probably know, but I didn't feel like I was missing much by not having read the other three books. I do know that I want to get my hands on them and backtrack. I mean.. A fantasy series about pirates! It is original and fun.

The series follows Edward LaCrosse. He is a sword jockey who has a colourful past. Events have happened, though, to make him change his ways and do as much good as possible. This means he is for hire. At the very beginning of the book he gets a new client in his friend Angelina. She fell in love with a man (pirate..) and hasn't seen him in 20 years. She is ready to know what happened to him. The trail is cold, but Eddie is up to the challenge. It is ironic that he is looking for someone else named Edward who was the captain of The Bloody Angel. There is a lot of stories and theories about what the fate of that ship was. It is up to Eddie to find out the truth.

This book includes mystery, fantasy, pirates, and even sea monsters. I found myself quite caught up in the adventures and read this book relatively quickly. It is a fast read with lots of action. And, there is a story. I assume there is even more to the story if you have read the previous books, but I really didn't feel I lacked. I read the description now and it says they can be read as standalone books and, based on my reading of this one, I agree. In case you are wondering this is not steampunk. It is basically adventures on the high seas, in this book, with some fantasy thrown in. I got the impression that events in other books in the series involved a lot more fantasy than this one did. But, you could appreciate this book because it was believable. I like that.

Recommended! (Even if you haven't read the other books in the series.)

Eddie LaCrosse Series:
The Sword-Edged Blonde
Burn Me Deadly
Dark Jenny
Wake of the Bloody Angel

I mentioned in my post for The Shoemaker's Wife that I had a couple more give-aways in the future. This is one of the other ones. The publisher has graciously agreed to give one of my readers a copy of Wake of the Bloody Angel. You have to live in the U.S. or Canada, though. The contest will end on September 5. A suggestion for comments are talking about your experience with pirates, but other comments will be eligible as well.

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy, Book 1) by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy, Book 1) by Leigh Bardugo

Completion Date: July 16, 2012
Reason for Reading: Heard good things.

Alina Starkov doesn’t expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, the one thing she could rely on was her best friend and fellow refugee, Mal. And lately not even that seems certain. Drafted into the army of their war-torn homeland, they’re sent on a dangerous mission into the Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh.

When their convoy is attacked, all seems lost until Alina reveals a dormant power that not even she knew existed. Ripped from everything she knows, she is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. He believes she is the answer the people have been waiting for: the one person with the power to destroy the Fold.

Swept up in a world of luxury and illusion, envied as the Darkling’s favorite, Alina struggles to fit into her new life without Mal by her side. But as the threat to the kingdom mounts, Alina uncovers a secret that sets her on a collision course with the most powerful forces in the kingdom. Now only her past can save her . . . and only she can save the future.

I had been hearing a lot of good things about this book recently. Plus, it has an awesome cover. I knew I was going to have to give it a read. Normally buying a few books here and there also helps when my reading is depressing, but sadly that doesn't seem to be helping either. I am hoping things will get better in that department... I did read this pretty much as soon as I got it, though. That is one accomplishment. And, I really liked it, so that helped, too. After I ordered it I started seeing some mixed reactions and I wanted to read it before the hype ruined the experience for me. I just heard enough to think I wanted to read it sooner rather than later.

The novel centres around a young girl named Alina. Life has not been easy for her following the Border Wars when she was left an orphan. The only positive in her life was her friend Mal. With age, though, he has started acting differently around her and she has started thinking differently about him. I think you can catch my drift. When the book opens they are part of a group that is headed into the very dangerous Fold where strange creatures that will feast on your flesh are found. It is basically a doomed mission. The thing is they never counted on Alina. She has been hiding amazing powers that will mean big things for her world as a whole. She quickly comes to the attention Grisha and their leader the Darkling. Life is about to change drastically for her. But, again, everything is not entirely as it seems and life is not about to get miraculously better for Alina. Despite what she might be lead to believe.

I found that I really liked Alina. Her up-bringing has made her a no-nonsense type that at times acts her age and then at other times acts the age that experiences has thrust upon her. She is a smart kid, but she is still just a kid. I believe that she was written believably. I also liked Mal. He is also been brought up to a life not ideal for a young person. He is really good at what he does, though, and isn't easily caught up on the glamour that exists. Bardugo has written a very enjoyable young adult fantasy. There were a few nit-picky things and I wasn't keen on what looked like a love triangle, but I still enjoyed how things played out and look forward to seeing what the next book brings. There is a lot more of Alina's story to be told and I want to be part of that.

Recommended.

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar

The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar

Completion Date: July 25, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.

Poignant, evocative, and unforgettable, The Space Between Us is an intimate portrait of a distant yet familiar world. Set in modern-day India, it is the story of two compelling and achingly real women: Sera Dubash, an upper-middle-class Parsi housewife whose opulent surroundings hide the shame and disappointment of her abusive marriage, and Bhima, a stoic illiterate hardened by a life of despair and loss, who has worked in the Dubash household for more than twenty years. A powerful and perceptive literary masterwork, author Thrity Umrigar’s extraordinary novel demonstrates how the lives of the rich and poor are intrinsically connected yet vastly removed from each other, and how the strong bonds of womanhood are eternally opposed by the divisions of class and culture.

I sure had a moment with this book. It was August 7th and I was apologizing for missing my date. I had it in my head that I was supposed to post on the 6th. It turned out it was the 7th and I could have posted on time after all. It's a nice thing that Trish and Lisa are easy-going when you have moments. And, now, here I am finally posting about a book I finished almost exactly a month ago. Hopefully I can remember what I am talking about.

I had heard a lot about Thrity Umrigar, but this is the first time I have ever picked up one of her books to read. I haven't read a lot of books set in India and thought it was about time I read one of the voices of that culture. This tour seemed like the perfect way to do so. I am thinking that I am glad that I read this book, she is a good writer, but I don't think she is for me. I can appreciate what people like about her and still recommend her, but I don't think I personally would rush out and read her again. I enjoyed the glimpse of the India culture, but I have never been big on family dramas set in the modern period. I just thought the different culture would make up for what typically disinterests me, but sadly it did not. Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't hate this book. I just didn't find it was for me.

Moving on. This is the story about a grandmother who works for a prosperous family in India. Her daughter and son-in-law have died of AIDs, so she is raising her granddaughter on her own. After a run of bad luck her husband has left her and taken their son with him. So, it is just the two of them. She lived for a time in better circumstances, but is now forced to live in the slums. The graphic descriptions of her living situation are appalling. Her granddaughter was supposed to go to university, get a good job, and move up in the world. Unfortunately the world has a different idea in mind for her. The book is an exploration of the class system and how those from the 'upper classes' have the upper-hand on those from the lower classes. This becomes even more apparent as the novel progresses.

It was a very illuminating glimpse into India culture. And, despite saying it wasn't for me I didn't mind reading it. I haven't read very many books that deal with the situation in India so I learned things I didn't know before. It was interesting to see the situation for women versus men, too. The main character is a woman so you see everything through her viewpoint. But the book also switches to her employer and how things are for her. She may have more money and a better situation, but things are not perfect for her. She had lived a rocky road and it was also interesting to learn more about what life was like for her.

This is not a light read. I found that I had to step away from it from time to time instead of just reading straight through. There are some truly heart-breaking situations and overwhelming circumstances. I felt bad for both Sera, the upper-class woman, and Bhima, the lower-class woman. They both had their problems that were sad to see. It was an illuminating read.

Recommended.

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani (With a Give-away)

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani

Completion Date: August 20, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.

The fateful first meeting of Enza and Ciro takes place amid the haunting majesty of the Italian Alps at the turn of the last century. Still teenagers, they are separated when Ciro is banished from his village and sent to hide in New York’s Little Italy, apprenticed to a shoemaker, leaving a bereft Enza behind. But when her own family faces disaster, she, too, is forced to emigrate to America. Though destiny will reunite the star-crossed lovers, it will, just as abruptly, separate them once again—sending Ciro off to serve in World War I, while Enza is drawn into the glamorous world of the opera . . . and into the life of the international singing sensation Enrico Caruso. Still, Enza and Ciro have been touched by fate—and, ultimately, the power of their love will change their lives forever.

A riveting historical epic of love and family, war and loss, risk and destiny, inspired by the author’s own family history, The Shoemaker’s Wife is the novel Adriana Trigiani was born to write.

I had this book out from the library once before, but just wasn't in the right frame of mind for it at the time. Then, I saw a copy at the store and decided I had a better chance of reading my own copy. The TLC Book Tour was added inspiration after all the positive reviews I have seen circulating around the blogosphere. I have always wanted to read Trigiani and this was my first attempt. Thankfully, when I sat down with the book for the second time everything clicked and I was quickly pulled away into the world she has created.

I love nothing better than to read a historical fiction novel that is so believable I feel like I am there. The Shoemaker's Wife was one such book. There was nothing happening that seemed far-fetched or impossible. I read the book feeling like everything that was happening made entire sense. It was the story of a young man and a young woman who are born on the mountains of Italy. The financial situation is poor and they each have to do what they can to get by. The young man, Ciro, has lost his father and his mother cannot afford to raise him and his brother. They go and live in a convent. The young girl, Enza, comes from a large family that just can't seem to make ends meet. The situation plays out that they both end up in America to start new lives for themselves. They start from the bottom and work themselves up. They experience the real struggles for their times.

The book follows them from the early part of the 20th century, through WWI, and then ends just after WWII. During this time they get older and the cast of characters fluctuates, but it is ultimately their story. I don't think I have read many books where Italians and Italy itself play a major role. I found this refreshing in the midst of all the 'fads' in historical fiction. The wars were just a background to the overall story. They may have influenced the lives of the characters, but the book was more about the people. You really felt like you knew them and could see where they were coming from. When things were good you cheered long with them. And, in the bad times you could experience their heartache. Trigiani doesn't hold anything back.

I really enjoyed reading the story of Enza and Ciro. I also loved many of the secondary characters and felt they came alive for the readers, too. A real story is not just about the main characters but about the people that they meet who influence and give shape to their story. I think that Trigiani had a good mix of their story and the other characters story, too. Ciro and Enza wouldn't have became the people they were at the end of the story without the people they met along the way. It gives more depth to things.  If you haven't had a chance to enjoy this book you really should.

And, if you live in the United States or Canada you might get your own copy from this blog. I have one to give-away. I very rarely do give-aways on here; but I really should from time to time, right? (There are couple more in the future.) So, if you interested leave a comment. It would be nice if you actually said something in the comment, too.... Not just "Thanks for the give-away" or whatever. That's just me, though. The give-away will close on August 29, 2012. 

White Raven: The Sword of Northern Ancestors by Irina Lopatina

White Raven: The Sword of Northern Ancestors by Irina Lopatina

Completion Date: August 15, 2012
Reason for Reading: TLC Book Tour.

In the kingdom of Areya, humans, animals, and the magical creatures that inhabit the Eternal Forest have long coexisted peacefully, but now something is horribly wrong. A terrifying stream of monstrous creatures has begun to emerge from the secret depths of the earth, terrorizing all of Areya’s native inhabitants. From the tiny, wise drevalyankas to the bellicose cave-dwelling gnomes to the devious kikimoras who gather roots and herbs in the marsh, everyone is in danger. 

With the aid of Urart, the magical sword that has been passed down from the time of the ancient northern ancestors, Grand Duke Vlady can offer temporary protection to his people. But Prince Vraigo, Vlady’s nephew, who is endowed with magical power himself, understands that the source of the evil monsters must be found if there’s any hope of survival. Along with a motley crew of his forest-dwelling friends, Vraigo sets off on a perilous quest in search of the koschei, the powerful, corrupt Archmagus whose mission is the destruction not just of Areya, but of the entire world. 

When Urart disappears from the duke’s stronghold, Areya is doomed, and only Vraigo, the White Raven, can possibly retrieve the sword. This journey requires Vraigo to use all of his keen wits and magical abilities, as well as to ally himself to dangerous creatures like yagas and werewolves, natural enemies of man, and precipitates the young prince into the most bewildering, complex challenge he has faced yet: life in the twenty-first century.

When TLC Book Tours do fantasy novels lately for tours I usually jump at the chance to read them. I don't read nearly enough fantasy anymore and sometimes need an excuse to remedy that situation. It just gets lost in the shuffle of everything else that is going on. Needless to say White Raven sounded interesting and I was eager to see what the reading experience would be like. I was a bit worried in the beginning. I kept picking it up and not getting caught up in the story. You have to work at it a bit, but in the end I read most of the book in one sitting. I even stayed up late with it both because I had to write this review and because I wanted to know what happened.

The author takes many aspects of popular fantasy and weaves it together to make a story that seems backed in mythology. She got her inspiration from Siberia and it was almost like visiting there even though it is a fictional world she has created. It is still Earth, though. The book is basically a sword and sorcery story and I like a good fantasy novel of that type. It also includes paranormal elements and science-fiction elements. There is time travel. I was a bit leery of the time travel, but it was actually handled rather well. It is covered in the second half of the book. The first half is set in Areya exclusively. I knew that the time travel was coming, it says so on the back of the book, and I wasn't exactly sure how the story was going to lead in that direction. The transition wasn't perfect, it was almost too set-up, but it didn't distract me too much from my overall enjoyment.

The book follows the White Raven for the most part, especially in the first part of the book, but there are many secondary characters. In the second half of the book there is also Nik. He represents the 'modern' world. It is interesting watching him try to interact with someone who has lived a very different life. I also liked how the amazing ability to understand each other was developed enough that it doesn't seem strange. The authors brother did the translation and I think this was a great way to keep the book as close to the original as possible. Overall, I enjoyed my reading.

A recommended read! You can find some interesting promotions associated with this book below. Check out the tour page to visit other sites reviewing this book.

The book also includes a map of Areya and a list of characters. These are both very helpful additions.

There's a special promotion going on that was extended especially for this blog tour! Orders placed through the Light Messages site will be $12.00 per book instead of $16.95 (that's about a 30% savings), and folks will also receive a PERSONALIZED, signed post card from author Irina Lopatina. Postcards feature landscapes from Altai, Siberia––the inspiration for White Raven's Kingdom of Areya. The promotion goes for 14 days after your individual tour stop. You can find all the information at www.lightmessages.com/whiteravenpromo.

If readers submit photos of themselves with their copies (or e-copies) of the books, then Irina will send them a personalized, signed book plate for the front of their book. Go here and use the Contact link to submit the photo.

I apologize this is a bit late posting... I had a blog problem earlier and now I am racing to get this done in case the thunder I hear off in the distance gets closer.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Completion Date: June 29, 2012
Reason for Reading: Received a Review Copy.

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

I had heard some positive buzz about this book prior to its release, so when I was offered the chance to read it I knew it was a must. I have been slack with my fantasy reading the last few years and am always determined that I will remedy that. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to sneak a fantasy novel in with everything else I have been reading lately. And, I am so happy that I did. This book is easily one of my top reads of the year. If you haven't read it yet, you should!

I have always enjoyed books about dragons. I was told that the dragons in this book were a very creative idea and that people were enjoying her imagination. This intrigued me right from the start. And, I have to agree. Hartman approached what could be a bit of a tired subject with a totally different eye and created a very original world. I was impressed. I love the dragons and all the background information that she provides along the way. It seems very believable and brought the whole species to life. I cannot wait to see what is store for them in book two.

One of the things I most loved about this book is the use of 'girl power'. There are, of course, male characters but the spotlight is often on the girls. Seraphina is the main character and is often at the forefront of the action. Sometimes authors try too hard to make strong female characters and it comes across as being forced. Seraphina has had an interesting up-bringing that makes it easy to see how she became the girl she is in the novel. I never had a hard time believing her story. And, like the dragons, I cannot wait to see what becomes of her in book two. She is a very special girl and has a very interesting future ahead of her. Plus, she brings an element of music to the novel that is always fun.

The novel centres around court politics. Seraphina has decided to audition to be the assistant to the music director (maestro?) for the royal family. Her father is not happy with this decision, but Seraphina is talented and cannot remain locked up in her family forever. Her mother died when she was born and she has never been entirely accepted by her step-mother and half-siblings. She has always been a bit different. Her music teacher is a dragon after all. It is unusual for someone to have such a close relationship with a dragon, but it works well for her. She has the patience, most of the time, to understand him. It opens up many different elements to the novel and adds to the action that builds as the story progresses. The anniversary of the treaty between dragons and humans is near and this means revisiting the distrust that existed between them for generations. There were wars and humans are a bit divided on how they feel about dragons even now.

Ultimately, I think I have said enough because anything else would be a spoiler. I just think you should read the book for yourself and become a big fan like me.

My thanks to Random House Canada for my copy of the book.