The Paradox of Getting Better is about a young person who is struggling with mental health issues. These struggles are symbolized in the comic by straThe Paradox of Getting Better is about a young person who is struggling with mental health issues. These struggles are symbolized in the comic by strangely shaped bodies and surreal art.
The artwork itself is done in pencil with words crossed out and rough edges with lines coming off of it. There's a definite style to this comic. It didn't resonate with me.
I understand this is an indie comic, but I wanted to see a little more polish to the presentation. As it is, the book felt like an art project in its early stages- more like a book proposal than a finished project.
The writing in this comic is fantastic by the end. However, at the beginning, the main character can't even speak in words. They just keep saying, "XXXX", over and over.
I get this is supposed to represent an inability to communicate in the midst of a mental health crisis, but it didn't quite work. The family members of the individual were able to understand what the sufferer was saying, but the readers weren't. It didn't feel fair. I wanted to understand that person too.
This work is very imaginative. I liked the shapes the author incorporated and I also liked the message in the final panels.
If you're going to read this one, I recommend borrowing it from your local library....more
In The Mountain Between Us Ben Payne and Ashley Knox are in a plane crash in the middle of nowhere. As they fight to survive, the reader learns about In The Mountain Between Us Ben Payne and Ashley Knox are in a plane crash in the middle of nowhere. As they fight to survive, the reader learns about their pasts and probable futures.
It is a survival story and also a romance.
"I dumped the bottle and looked around as best I could. Nothing but snow and mountains." pg 65, ebook
I picked up this book because my book club is going to be discussing it on Monday. It's not my usual type of read, which veers strongly towards science fiction and fantasy.
That being said, I expected more from this book- more adventure, more near death moments.
At first, I was reminded strongly of Hatchet by Gary Paulson, which I read in grade school. I remember enjoying that book quite a lot and learning about survival techniques along with the protagonist.
The Mountain Between Us has some of that, it's true, but it is mainly about what's going on in Ben's mind. I found the story to be repetitive after the first hundred pages or so.
The romance in this story is way over the top, which I suppose romance readers may like. As for me, an occasional romance reader if at all, I found myself cringing at some of Ben's revelations.
There's a twist at the end which I won't spoil here, but I saw it coming from the way author Charles Martin wrote some of the passages. I wish it had been sign-posted a little less.
Overall, there's quite a few things for book clubs to dissect. There's the survival aspect, relationships, the beauty of the outdoors, the disconnect between modern society and nature, and what it means to be human. I think we'll have a lively discussion.
Recommended for readers who like their romances syrupy with a wilderness aspect thrown in....more
Vicky lives with her brother, Vergil, who is a renowned e-sports player of the game "Xenith Orion." Though Vicky loves to play video games too, she isVicky lives with her brother, Vergil, who is a renowned e-sports player of the game "Xenith Orion." Though Vicky loves to play video games too, she is too shy and self deprecating to tell him.
When an opportunity arises for Vicky to join an e-sports team of her own, she takes it, and uses a mask to conceal her identity. But she knows, it is only a matter of time until her secret comes out.
What will she do then?
I very much enjoyed this coming-of-age graphic novel. Readers get to see Vicky really coming into her own in the video game scene, while handling her personal relationships, particularly the one with her brother.
This story touched on the potential sexism of e-sports. So few young women play, and when they do, they can draw all sorts of negative or toxic attention. Vicky avoids some of this with her costume, but other parts of it she can't escape- like when one of the members of her brother's team presses her for her phone number, though she doesn't want to give it.
Or the negative comments arising from spectators to the tournament which are specifically directed to a female member of another team who isn't hiding her gender behind a mask.
I experienced this type of thing first-hand in some of my gaming days. I was big into EverQuest in the early 2000's. Luckily for me, that was before head-set communication during gaming was a thing, so, even though I played female avatars, most of the people I gamed with just assumed I was a guy.
It was easy for me to hide. I never felt like I had to, like Vicky, but looking back on it all now, it saved me from negative attention for years.
News articles about e-sports have reported women comprise about half of casual gamers but only a handful of professional gamers. Here's hoping more young women find the courage to follow their dreams!
The video game portions of this book were the most difficult to follow. It cut quickly from one character to the next with little explanation of what is going on except the kill.
Other than that, I thought this book was well done.
Highly recommended for reluctant readers, fans of video games, and readers who enjoy graphic novels....more
"Here is something I learned in Empis: good people shine brighter in dark times." pg 250
Charlie is a typical teen- plays sports and helps his father o"Here is something I learned in Empis: good people shine brighter in dark times." pg 250
Charlie is a typical teen- plays sports and helps his father out around the house. But one day, after helping a neighbor after an accident, Charlie enters a world that is not our own. And discovers an adventure that he wasn't looking for.
The incomparable Stephen King has written a mammoth fairy tale (600 pages in my digital version!). I thought it was too long.
Not that I mind long books. It sort of felt like King started the book thinking it was going to be about something different than it turned into.
The reason I feel that way is because the first quarter of the book takes so long to establish Charlie's character and real world connections.
I wanted to just get on with it. Then, when we finally made it to Empis, events went too quickly!
King uses quite a lot of foreshadowing which was ok at first, but then it started to become too much. I realize he was trying to build tension- it was just over-used.
"Remember when I said at the outset that no one would believe my story?" pg 494, ebook
I enjoyed any part of the story that had Radar the dog in it. She was my favorite character. King really took his time developing her and her reactions to the world around her, which was fun.
King is at his best when he's describing the eerie atmosphere of the other world and its unfortunate denizens. Like I said, those parts went too quickly.
Other than my small gripes, this was a well-written story and worthy of its Good Reads nomination. Readers who like Stephen King for his horror should read a different book. This is definitely more fantasy than horror....more
Jennifer Saint writes the mythological story of Ariadne from her and her sister Phaedra's points-of-view.
"I took that story with me in the coming daysJennifer Saint writes the mythological story of Ariadne from her and her sister Phaedra's points-of-view.
"I took that story with me in the coming days and turned it over, like the stone in a ripe peach: the sudden, unexpected hard shock in the center of everything." pg 14
Like Circe, Ariadne gives the female figures in the classic tale a voice, something they have never had in the original telling.
"The cold green of his eyes. Like the shock of the chill waters when the seafloor drops away unexpectedly beneath your feet and you realize that you have swum out far beyond your depth." pg 34
For those not familiar with the myths, Ariadne was in charge of the Minotaur's labyrinth on Crete. Theseus relied on her for help when he confronted the monster, who was also Ariadne's half-brother.
What happens next is the main part of this story. The labyrinth encounter is finished in the first 100 pages, which surprised me. I expected it to be longer.
Saint touches on the unfair nature of many of the classic myths towards women, which includes the story of Medusa and any number of Zeus's mortal lovers. Zeus took lovers again and again, and his wife visited all sorts of nasty revenges upon them. But that didn't stop Zeus's prowling.
Ariadne is somewhat empowered in this story- she realizes the unfair treatment- but at the same time she isn't able to do much to change her own fate, or the fate of her beloved sister Phaedra.
The gods and goddesses are bound by fate as well. This is most easily seen in some of the stories Dionysus tells about his time among mortals. I could see book clubs having a great time discussing the roles of fate and free will in this story.
I think Saint could have gone a little further in her interpretation of the myths, she stays pretty close to the original telling. It still makes for a beautiful story, but it could have been even better.
Recommended for readers interested in Greek and Roman mythology....more
Three friends from the sea go on a magical adventure on the land- and can't recall the magic to return to the sea.
Thirsty Mermaids is a fun tale for tThree friends from the sea go on a magical adventure on the land- and can't recall the magic to return to the sea.
Thirsty Mermaids is a fun tale for teens or the young at heart that explores the themes of friendship, self sufficiency and belonging.
At first, the merfolk and sea witch believe they don't have any skills that could translate to jobs on land. But after exploring what they are already inclined to do, they find their way into situations that fit them quite well.
The sea witch's task, to find a way to break the spell, is more difficult. She has to go on a soul-searching mission which, as we all know, is one of the hardest tasks of all.
The artwork of Thirsty Mermaids is quite similar to Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy, another graphic novel which I love. The reason for this is because Kat Leyh is a co-author of Lumberjanes.
Both works share messages of acceptance and body positivity, the kind of messages which always deserve reminders.
I enjoyed this graphic novel very much. Highly recommended....more
BRZRKR #2 continues the quest to examine the ancient warrior's past in order to reproduce his incredible powers for modern warfare.
The collected issueBRZRKR #2 continues the quest to examine the ancient warrior's past in order to reproduce his incredible powers for modern warfare.
The collected issues didn't advance the story very far, but the art was good.
There was much less violence in this book. Perhaps they've already established what an astounding warrior our main character is and don't feel the need to show that as much. Whatever the reason, I felt this book was much easier to read than the last.
The authors are introducing more side characters and Diana, one of the lead scientists who are examining our titular character, gets an interesting twist in her storyline.
The artwork and lettering is as good as the last book. There are some very talented artists bringing this series to life.
Recommended for adults because of the content. ...more
An absolute blood-fest of a book, BRZRKR introduces readers to an ancient warrior who can't die and who is driven to kill by an internal impulse he's An absolute blood-fest of a book, BRZRKR introduces readers to an ancient warrior who can't die and who is driven to kill by an internal impulse he's had since birth.
Honestly, for a first book from actor Keanu Reeves, this wasn't too bad.
If you can get past the gratuitous violence, it has some great themes- the hero's birth and crossing the threshold of manhood, the death of the parents or guardians, the eternal war of the uncivilized portion of the psyche and the civilized part.
As a first book in a series, it introduces the main character very well. The method it uses is war and the panels are drenched in red. After a couple pages, I just started skimming for the words because the art was starting to gross me out.
I am most likely not the intended audience for this book, but that didn't stop me from jumping into it. I've never let a little thing like not being the intended audience hold me back.
Recommended for adults only. In fact, the library I borrowed this book from has a Rated-R sticker on the spine to warn readers of its contents. They nailed that. Way to go, librarians!...more
The reader joins Sasha Samokhina as she begins her magical training at a school where no one tells her what they are teaching.
Later that evening she wThe reader joins Sasha Samokhina as she begins her magical training at a school where no one tells her what they are teaching.
Later that evening she was supposed to attend prep courses at the university. Sasha did not go. She lay on her bed, textbooks thrown aside, and thought, What's the point? Because clearly the world did not work the way she imagined before." pg 29, ebook
Through pain and suffering, Sasha slowly finds her way in this new world. If she fails, real world consequences follow, so she doesn't dare to fail.
But what is it, exactly, that she's learning? Discovering that is one of the joys of this book.
"Attention, students," continued Portnov just as softly. "You are at the beginning of a journey, during which all of your strength will be required. Physical and mental. What we will be studying is not for everyone." pg 70, ebook
A friend pointed out to me that this book has quite an eastern European feel to it. I knew as I was reading it that the tone was dark, but as soon as he said that I had to agree.
This is not your typical magic school. It isn't kind, gentle, or forgiving.
"What will happen if we don't learn it?" Sasha asked. All three girls fell silent. The question that had tortured them all day was now out in the open." pg 76, ebook
That being said, the magic system itself is one of the most unique I have ever read. The reveal is very slow, but I thought it was definitely worth the wait.
Recommended for older teens or adults because of some disturbing content....more
Beautiful panels tell the story of Animal Castle, a farm where the humans have disappeared and the animals have taken to governing themselves.
At the tBeautiful panels tell the story of Animal Castle, a farm where the humans have disappeared and the animals have taken to governing themselves.
At the top of the food chain, we have a bull and his enforcers, a militia of dogs.
Everyone else farms or builds in order to, unbeknownst to them, feed their leader's champagne tastes.
The story follows a cat with two kittens, whose mate died prior to the beginning of this story, and a male bunny whose night job includes servicing the female bunnies at the farm.
With the help of a traveling rat, the animals will organize in order to take their power back.
I very much enjoyed this story, except that it ended on a cliffhanger. Other than that, I couldn't get enough of the artwork. The colors are deep and beautiful.
At times, the lettering is a little small, but only in one or two panels.
There are definite nods to Animal Farm in this tale, but I think this story does well on its own.
Because of some depictions of violence and its aftermath, I'd recommend this book for adults or older teens only....more
Gorgeous artwork is not enough to elevate Always Never, a love story told backwards.
Readers are introduced to Zeno and Ana in the winter of their liveGorgeous artwork is not enough to elevate Always Never, a love story told backwards.
Readers are introduced to Zeno and Ana in the winter of their lives as Zeno closes his bookstore and Ana retires from public service.
They hint at lives well-lived. Then, from chapter 20 back through chapter 1, readers learn about their romance in reverse. Details are dropped here and there in order to build interest. It just didn't work for me.
It did at first. I thought, what a cool idea. But around chapter 12 and 11, the story began to lose me.
Ana was busy with a construction project and Zeno always seemed to be on a boat. They communicate through phone calls and letters. It didn't make a very good story.
I wanted to enjoy this book. As I mentioned earlier, the artwork is beautiful and the muted colors are lovely.
Props to the author, Jordi Lafebre, for trying something different....more
In Dark Age, author Pierce Brown has created an incredibly dark fantasy novel, a continuation of his Red Rising series.
For readers who haven't picked In Dark Age, author Pierce Brown has created an incredibly dark fantasy novel, a continuation of his Red Rising series.
For readers who haven't picked up his excellent books yet, and you really should, this series is about a futuristic world in which humanity has divided itself into "colors" based on genetically engineered changes to our DNA. The Golds, the top of the color pyramid, were created as war machines, and they dominate all other colors.
At the bottom of the pyramid, the Reds mine and complete menial duties, basically as slaves to the rest of the colors. Other groups don't have it much better.
Enter Darrow, a former Red whose DNA was manipulated to change him into a Gold. This entry in the series has him and his allies fighting against the remains of the Society, a group that believed in the divisions of humanity.
Darrow's faction believes all humanity is created equal.
This is not a series for young adults. The action contains graphic sequences and includes various forms of torture, so much so, that I had trouble getting through some of the chapters.
And so many people die. I was starting to think author Pierce Brown killed off everybody I cared about... then he killed more! Silly me.
I didn't enjoy this entry in the series as much as previous ones because of this gratuitous violence. But still, this is an epic work of fantasy and I have to give the author props for all his hard work.
Looking forward to the final book in the series which is set to publish next year. Highly recommended for adult fantasy readers....more
In Ansel's world, when you turn 18, you chose a quest and complete it in order to "find yourself". He has decided to seek out the fabled Folklords, myIn Ansel's world, when you turn 18, you chose a quest and complete it in order to "find yourself". He has decided to seek out the fabled Folklords, mysterious figures wrapped in mystery and myth.
He has chosen to find the Folklords because of curious dreams he has been having of a world with metal machines, high rises, and people dressed strangely. (This is supposed to be our world, but Ansel doesn't know that.)
Unlike in our world, the librarians of Ansel's world hoard knowledge and stories. He'll have to get past them to complete his quest. Will he find the Folklords before the librarians catch him?
This middle grade, fantasy graphic novel was fun. I liked the juxtaposition of our modern world with Ansel's fantasy one.
I also liked the homage to the New York Public Library with a fantasy library and real lions guarding its gates.
This book is appropriate for middle grade readers. There's a few pages that deal with torture but it isn't graphic and is dealt with tastefully. Just a warning for parents who may be concerned about that kind of thing.
The story is predictable, but good.
As more book banning challenges arise all across the country, I can't help but wonder if the librarians of Ansel's world might cross over to ours, so to speak, locking away books and telling people what sort of information they should seek out.
I'm a huge fan of libraries and librarians (in fact, I borrowed this book from the library). So I hope we will continue to have champions standing up for knowledge and free access for all!...more
Morgan, Annie, Mitch, and Van live in a bubble, a manufactured dome that protects them from the alien lifeforms outside of the city.
Occasionally, the Morgan, Annie, Mitch, and Van live in a bubble, a manufactured dome that protects them from the alien lifeforms outside of the city.
Occasionally, the critters outside get in and that leads to Morgan fighting back to save the people around her. She's very good at it because she grew up outside the bubble, learning to kill aliens with a bow and arrow.
But when one of the corporations running the bubble develops an app called Huntr to hire people to kill the imps and various creatures that plague the bubble residents, Morgan discovers she hasn't left her past behind as much as she thought.
Things accelerate from there.
I enjoyed Bubble very much for its story and characters. I realize it is a satire on various things from the gig economy to millennials to survivalists, but it also stands on its own legs as a fun fantasy.
The story leaves a small opening for a second entry in the series, but closes the first book in a satisfying way. Not all comics bother to do so, and I appreciated it.
Because of some of the content (language and drug use), I'd recommend this book to older teens or adults only.
It is clever and a lot of fun. Highly recommended....more
The Relic Master is set in the early stages of the Reformation and concerns holy relics, so-called pieces of the bodies of saints as well as objects tThe Relic Master is set in the early stages of the Reformation and concerns holy relics, so-called pieces of the bodies of saints as well as objects that were said to have belonged to them.
Our hero, Dismas, is a trader in holy relics. When he finds himself in a thorny situation because of a false relic, he is sent on a quest to steal what would later be called the Shroud of Turin. Hijinks ensue on the way.
"This bone dealing, Dismas. There's something not right about it." "We used to earn our living by killing. Was that right?" pg 26, ebook
I enjoyed this historical fiction. It is humorous, not in a laugh-out-loud way, but instead in a satirical manner about religion. If you find such things offensive, it would be wise to choose another book.
The only main female character in this book is somewhat of an after thought but I liked her anyway. She's a trained medic (as much as someone could be in that time period) and is mistaken for a witch.
Recommended for readers with a sense of humor and a little patience as the story has somewhat of a slow burn....more
Two crime syndicates war over control of a city using a special type of jade that gives magical powers to some, and brings addiction and death to otheTwo crime syndicates war over control of a city using a special type of jade that gives magical powers to some, and brings addiction and death to others.
In other reviews, this book has drawn comparisons to The Godfather and I can see the similarities. Both works deal with families and hierarchies within a criminal world. However, the fantasy element makes the story feel entirely new.
And it is well written. The pacing and characters are well done. I just didn't connect with the characters and I felt like I should have.
This disconnect led me to not enjoying this book as much as others, which is a shame. Perhaps if I had felt more invested, I would have looked forward to the twisting and turning plot. As it was, I wasn't interested.
That being said, this story may appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy a criminal element in their reads. Let me know what you think about it....more
In Greenmantle, author Charles de Lint mixes fantasy and the mob and creates something new.
Invisible in the shadows of the side of his house, a small In Greenmantle, author Charles de Lint mixes fantasy and the mob and creates something new.
Invisible in the shadows of the side of his house, a small figure stirred. A smile touched her fox-thin features." pg 67
Ali and her mother, Frankie, recently won the lottery and used the money to move to a house out in the country. Their neighbor, Tony, has a checkered past and has moved out to the country for reasons of his own.
Together, they'll explore a mysterious force in the woods that is connected to haunting music as well as face threats from a far more earthly menace.
I enjoyed Greenmantle quite a lot.
"Where it passed sleepers, dreams were suddenly filled with resonances never sensed before, while those who were awake, paused in their conversations for that one moment it took for the stag to go by, resuming them again then, knowing they weren't quite the same, but not knowing why." pg 100
The fantasy portions of the story were my favorite. Lint writes them well- making the fantastical seem as if it is actually possible.
Easy to see why he was one of the first writers of the modern urban fantasy genre.
That was what Sara liked best about Tamson House: that it didn't seem to be a part of the world outside its walls. Stepping over its threshold was likThat was what Sara liked best about Tamson House: that it didn't seem to be a part of the world outside its walls. Stepping over its threshold was like stepping into a place where everything you knew had to be forgotten to make way for new rules." pg 25
Moonheart is a story about magic, myth, and how one special house connects it all.
There are many characters in Moonheart, so many that I won't list them here. But they are easy to keep up with in the story because they are so different.
For as old as this book is (published in 1984), I felt that it had a lot of modern urban fantasy elements to it. Charles de Lint could be considered as one of the creators of that genre.
His story goes from this world, to other worlds, and back again. I enjoyed it a lot.
"There is no such thing as chance in the workings of the world," he replied, repeating something he'd told her the second time they'd met on the shore. pg 309
That being said, the plot drags in places. This is a book for readers with solid attention spans. I struggled a little to stay interested until the ending, which comes quickly. But once you're in the ending, you race to finish the book- because it is that good.
The Dragon Republic was not my favorite read so far this year. It follows upon the heels of The Poppy War, which, though also very dark, was wholly orThe Dragon Republic was not my favorite read so far this year. It follows upon the heels of The Poppy War, which, though also very dark, was wholly original and, I thought, an interesting read. The magic system was particularly good.
I expected something more and different out of the second book in the series. Instead, what I got, was more, much more, of the same.
"She didn't have to debate this any longer. She wanted this war." pg 653, ebook.
I never warmed to our protagonist, Rin, which was a shame. I should have... but she kept making these decisions that I couldn't get behind. Rather like a teenager with too much god-like power- which is what she is. And I didn't like it.
"They said I'm like a dog. They said I'd be better off dead. Does everyone want me dead?" pg 172, ebook
I'm passing on the last book in this series. I've read about enough war and bloodshed to last me for awhile....more
"Her destiny had not been written in the stars... She had made her choices fully and autonomously. pg 528 ebook
The Poppy War begins like other fantasy"Her destiny had not been written in the stars... She had made her choices fully and autonomously. pg 528 ebook
The Poppy War begins like other fantasy novels: an underprivileged young person fights her way into a school where she learns more than she ever imagined. But after that, things go in an entirely different direction with war and all of the darkness and misery that goes along with that.
Despite friend's reviews that this was a dark book, I didn't expect it to go as far as it did. Don't get me wrong, this is still a great story about human passions, shamanism, and war - it was just hard to read at times.
And it is a long book, which is great because it gives R.F. Kuang plenty of time to develop characters and flesh out her world. She does both very well.
My favorite parts of the book were Rin's interactions with her fellow soldiers, the Cike, a group of shamans who all have different powers. Their comradery was refreshing in the midst of some very dark times.
This is not a young adult book, so librarians please classify it correctly. Highly recommended for readers who like their fantasy epic and dark. ...more