Review: Commercial Suicide by Kieron Gillen

Title: Commercial Suicide

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Tula Lotay, Kate Brown, Stephanie Hans, Leila del Duca, Brandon Graham

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Volume 3)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 200

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"After the detonation of Fandemonium, the gods-as-pop-stars of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE try living in the long dark shadow.

Team WicDiv is joined by a stellar cast of guest artists to put the spotlight on each of the gods. The multiple Eisner Award-nominated series continues in the only way it knows how darker, weird, faster. Don't worry. It's going to be okay."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This one was it. It really opens up the story to all the different perspectives of the gods and what they went through before entering godhood. I thought the change of artist was interesting although it did throw me off for a bit during the start. It frequently happens that artists are changed in the middle of a graphic novel series and I don't always enjoy it. I look forward to continuing the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Fandemonium by Kieron Gillen

Title: Fandemonium

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mythology

Pages: 200

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2015

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"The second volume of the award-winning urban fantasy series where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. Following the tragic and unjust death of Lucifer, it takes a revelation from Inanna to draw Laura back into the world of Gods and Superstardom to try and discover the truth behind a conspiracy to subvert divinity."

My Rating: 4/5

This was far more entertaining than the first book. I felt like I started to understand what was going on for the characters and the plot. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The art style is phenomenal. I look forward to continuing the series and finishing it as soon as possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Darkness

Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Series/Standalone: Caster Chronicles (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 503

Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company

Year Published: 2010

Format: Audiobook (Own a Physical Copy)

"Fall under the spell of the Beautiful Darkness, the sequel to the instant NYT bestselling gothic fantasy, Beautiful Creatures!

There were no surprises in Gatlin County. At least, that's what I thought. Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin as a pace where nothing ever changed. Then mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes revealed a secret world of curses and Supernaturals with terrifying abilities. Lena showed him a Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen. Sometimes life-ending.

And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems."

My Rating: 2.25/5

This wasn't what I expected from the sequel and in many ways I was disappointed. I was upset about the love triangle aspects, the changes in character development and setting. That being said, if I had read these when I was in 10th grade when they were published I would be eating this up. I am interested in where the story is going and do enjoy the audiobooks. They are entertaining without being heavy. If you're looking for some 2010s YA angsty paranormal romance, pick them up. I'll be picking up the next book in the new year on audio. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The King of Crows by Libba Bray

Title: The King of Crows

Author: Libba Bray

Series/Standalone: The Diviners Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Pages: 560

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook (Own a physical copy)

"The breath-taking finale to the epic New York Times bestseller, The Diviners, from Printz winner and beloved author, Libba Bray.

After the horrifying explosion that claimed one of their own, the Diviners find themselves wanted by the US government and on the brink of war with the King of Crows.

While Memphis and Isaiah run for their lives from the mysterious Shadow Men, Isaiah receives a startling vision of a girl, Sarah Beth Olson, who could shift the balance in their struggle for peace. Sarah Beth says she knows how to stop the King of Crows- but, she will need the Diviner's help to do it.

Elsewhere, Jericho has returned after his escape from Jake Marlowe's estate, where he has learned the shocking truth behind the King of Crow's plans. Now, the Diviners must travel to Bountiful, Nebraska, in hopes of joining forces with Sarah Beth and to stop the King of Crows and his army of the dead forever.

But as rumors of towns becoming ghost towns and the dead developing unprecedented powers begin to surface, all hope seems to be lost.

In the sweeping finale, The Diviners will be forced to confront their greatest fears and learn to rely on one another if they hope to save the nation, and world from catastrophe..."

My Rating: 4/5

This book started off being just ok for me. If you're going into this book after the excitement of the third one maybe take a breather and think about how much time the author had between writing each installment. It's important to acknowledge that before leaping in. The first half off the book was slow going I felt like part of the magic (New York City) had been taken away without anything to give. After getting to the towns and meeting together I felt better about where this finale was headed. I loved the fast-paced action and horror aspects of the last section in the book. There are a few things I'd like to change, but I do respect what the author chose to do. Overall, I'm satisfied.

Review: The Great Game by Kieron Gillen

Title: The Great Game

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Stephanie Hans, Clayton Cowles

Series/Standalone: Die Series (Vol. 3)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Adult

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In the world of DIE, the players are now real players. Countries are their pieces and the board threatens to run red with blood. Who is the Queen and who are the pawns? Who's playing to win? Who's forgotten what they're playing for? And will they do when they're reminded of the real stakes? The critically acclaimed dark fantasy smash hit goes epic in its third volume."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This wasn't my favorite volume of the series, the more we add characters the less I'm certain about where the series is going. I do love the atmosphere of these stories. A fantasy world based on different works of literature is so entertaining to me. I hope that we gain momentum in the last volume in the series. I plan to read it as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Split the Party by Kieron Gillen

Title: Split the Party

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Stephanie Hans, Clayton Cowles

Series/Standalone: Die (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"No one can escape DIE until everyone agrees to go home. Or rather, no one can escape DIE until everyone who is alive agrees to go home. The second arc of the commercial and critical hit of bleakly romantic fantasy fiction starts to reveal the secrets of the world and our heroes' past. Yes, they can't escape DIE. They also can't escape themselves."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This is just such so bleak, dark fantasy. If you love to play Dnd, or other role-playing games this is a great graphic novel for you to pick up. If you enjoy high-stakes scenarios and an interesting world. This is for you. If you want weird magical abilities, this is for you. If you can't handle blood or gore, DO NOT pick this up. The art style is stunning, the story is amazing, I can't wait to continue on with the series.

Thanks for reading, 

Sidny

Review: Encore by James Tynion IV

Title: Encore

Author: James Tynion IV

Artist(s): Rian Sygh, Brittney Williams, Caitlin Rose Boyle, Katy Farina, Walter Baiamonte

Series/Standalone: The Backstagers (Vol. 3)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, LGBT

Pages: 96

Publisher: BOOM! Box

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"All the world's a stage... but what happens behind the curtain is pure magic- literally!

The Backstagers are back in (stage) blacks, for a festive collection of Valentine's Day and Halloween stories! Join Jory and the rest of the Backstagers as they wrestle with anti0Valentine crusades, totally creepy phantoms (NOT of the opera), and the ever-present magic of the backstage world in this romantically spooky third volume of this hit series."

My Rating: 2.75/5

I just think that this is where the series seems to end. This one was cute, it was a fun holiday read, but it doesn't really add anything to the storyline. Really the plot wrapped up in the second volume, this is just here for some fun character content. I liked it, but it just wasn't where I hoped that the series would go. If another volume comes out and is available at the library, I'd check it out, but it's not something I feel like I need to read.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Title: Clap When You Land

Author: Elizabeth Acevedo

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult

Pages: 432

Publisher: HarperTeen

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"In a novel-in-verse, that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives.

Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people...

In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.

Separated by distance- and Papi's secrets- the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other."

My Rating: 3/5

This audiobook was very intense. The switching of narrators, and their stories kept me interested throughout the book, but I wasn't interested enough in the plot. I felt like there wasn't enough tension in the grief to make me feel what I was meant to feel for the main characters. That being said, I think seeing the different lives they lived, and how their father wasn't the person they believed him to be is what really kept me interested in the story. Overall, just an okay read for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Show Must Go On by James Tynion IV

Title: The Show Must Go On

Author: James Tynion IV

Artist(s): Rian Sygh

Series/Standalone: The Backstagers (Vol. 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 112

Publisher: BOOM! Box

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"All the world's a stage... but what happens behind the curtain is pure magic- literally!

Jory and the rest of the Backstagers have one goal this semester: to put the best show their town's ever seen. But best laid plans aren't easy to achieve when there's an entire magical world that lives beyond the curtain! When one of the actors suddenly goes missing, the Backstagers must band together to save their comrade and maintain the natural balance of.... theater."

My Rating: 4/5

This next installment was such a great addition to the story, and the characters we read about in the first volume. I love the art style in these, and the atmosphere that has been created with the backstage world. I look forward to reading the last installment this upcoming week. If you're looking for a fun, short graphic novel series I would recommend!

Thanks for reading

Sidny

Book Review: Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

Title: Cilka's Journey

Author: Heather Morris

Series/Standalone: The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Book #2)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Pages: 352

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"In this follow-up to The Tattooist of Auschwitz, the author tells the story, based on a true one, of a woman who survives Auschwitz, only to find herself locked away again. 

Cilka Klien is 18 years old when Auschwitz-Birkenau is liberated by Soviet soldiers. But Cilka is one of the many women who is sentenced to a labor camp on charges of having helped the Nazis-- with no consideration of the circumstances Cilka and women like her found themselves in as they struggled to survive. Once at Vorkuta gulag in Siberia, where she is to serve her 15-year sentence, Cilka uses her wits, charm, and beauty to survive."

My Rating: 5/5

 

I was so curious about Cilka after reading about her character in the first book about Lale's life and his struggle in Auschwitz. Cilka was someone he remembered and spoke about fondly. But I couldn't help but wonder about her life. While this book wasn't completely factual, the author based this story on facts that she found about Cilka's life after Auschwitz, and follow her through her continual struggle in life. I was surprised to hear about how just recently (at least in comparison with learning about other aspects of the Holocaust), we are hearing about women who survived the only way they could, and what they had to endure after they were "liberated". I'm curious to read more from the author in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill

Title: Welcome to Lovecraft

Author: Joe Hill

Artist(s): Gabriel Rodriguez

Series/Standalone: Locke & Key

Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror, Adult

Pages: 168

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Year Published: 2008

Format: Hardcover Copy (Library Copy)

"Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all..."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was a great first installment in a horror series. It starts off with a bang, violence, and gore galore. I did think that the gore horror element was well done, but didn't feel terrified by creatures until closer to the end of the book. I do plan on reading the rest of the series, but it's not on the top of my graphic novel list for the moment.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny