Title: The Delirium of Hope
Author: Rick Remender
Artists: Greg Tocchini, Dave McCaig
Series/Standalone: Low Series (Vol. 1)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction
Pages: 144
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2015
Format: Paperback Copy (Library Edition)
"Millennia ago, mankind fled the earth's surface into the bottomless depths of the darkest oceans. Shielded from the merciless sun's scorching radiation, the human race tried to stave off certain extinction by sending robotic probes far into the galaxy to search for a new home and among the stars.
Generations later, one family is about to be torn apart in a conflict that will usher in the final race to save humanity from a world beyond hope. Dive into an aquatic fantasy like none you've ever seen before, as writer Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Uncanny Avengers) and artist Greg Tocchini (Last Days of American Crime) bring you a tale mankind's final hour in the cold,m deathly dark of the sea."
My Rating: 3/5
I don't know how I feel about this graphic novel. I couldn't help but be confused by some of the premisses. I enjoyed the art but at times without the distinct lines it was difficult to see what was where, especially during action scenes. I'm unsure how I feel about the series so far but I plan to continue the series to see where it goes at this point.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Escaping from Houdini
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #3)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
Pages: 416
Publisher: JIMMY Patterson
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook
"Audrey Rose Wadsworth and her partner-in-crime-investigation, Thomas Cresswell, are en route to New York to help solve another blood-soaked mystery. Embarking on a week-long voyage across the Atlantic on the opulent RMS Etruria, they're delighted to discover a travelling troupe of circus performers, fortune tellers, and a certain charismatic young escape artist entertaining the first-class passengers nightly.
But then, privileged young women begin to go missing without explanation, and a series of brutal slaying shocks the entire ship. The disturbing influence of the Moonlight Carnival pervades the decks as the murder grow ever more freakish, with nowhere to escape except the unforgiving sea.
It's up to Audrey Rose and Thomas to piece together the gruesome investigation as even more passengers die before reaching their destination. But with the clues to th next victim pointing to someone she loves, can Audrey Rose unravel the mystery before the killer's horrifying finale?"
My Rating: 4/5
This was a great installment in the series. If you have not read Stalking Jack the Ripper (this will contain spoilers for the other books in the series). I loved the change of characters and as always the change of setting. The mystery was good, but a little more predictable than I expected. I will say the real draw of this book was to see where the characters relationships would turn out. The start of the murders was interesting and very graphic (similar to the other two novels in that sense). Can't wait to finish the series this fall and find where our characters end off.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Cruel Crown
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book # 0.1- 0.2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopian
Pages: 208
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Physical Copy (Own it)
First Line:
"Two women on either side of the Silver and Red divide tell the stories no one else knows.
Discover the truth of Norta's bloody past in these two revealing prequels to #1 NEW YORK TIME bestseller RED QUEEN.
Queen Song
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary- how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lie ahead for her in royal life.
Steel Scars
Captain Farley was raised to be strong, but being tasked with planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected. As she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for the first attempt at an attack on the capital, she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation- Mare Barrow."
My Rating: 5/5
This is my third or fourth time rereading this novella collection and every time that I start it I think it can't be as good as I remember. But it always is. Aveyard is able to conjure such enormous feelings for characters who appear briefly in the series itself. I think that this novella collection does an amazing job of bringing different perspectives to the series. It helps us understand why certain groups of people act the way they do.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Hunting Prince Dracula
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper Series (Book #2)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult
Pages: 435
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook
"In this New York Time bestselling sequel to Kerri Maniscalco's haunting #1 debut Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer... or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?
Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europes best schools for forensic medicine... and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries of the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again."
My Rating: 4.25/5
I've been eating up these audiobooks as I am waiting for the anticipated conclusion that will come out in September, but at this rate, I will be finished the rest of the books far before I get to read that one. I cannot recommend these audiobooks enough. I think that the narrator does a wonderful job of capturing the characters and who they truly are. I also think that her reading of the books helps add to the suspense of the story overall. I liked the writing, the only thing that I found to be a little over the top this time was the continual reminder that we are in a castle with potentially haunted woods. I understood the first time I was told but then it was repeated quite a few times. I can see that the author was really trying to drive home how dangerous it was but it got to be a little over the top. I can't wait to continue the series and see where the author takes us.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Glass Sword
Author: Victoria Aveyard
Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 444
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover (Own it)
First Line: "I flinch."
"If there's one thing Mare Barrow knows, it's that she's different.
Mare Barrow's blood is red- the color of the common folk- but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.
The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but she makes her escape from Maven, the prince- the friend- who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.
Pursued by Maven, now vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.
But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, a risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.
Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?
The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they've always known- pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul."
My New Rating: 4.5/5
This is kind of a surprise for me. We all know that this is one of my favourite series of all time. And I know it's not the most original but find any YA book that is 100% original and I'll be surprised. I had to change my rating due to the fact that it took me so long to finish this, that being said this is my 3rd reread of this book and I still found the ending emotional and so gripping. I can't wait to continue my reread and finish the series.I love the characters, setting and the idea of questioning good vs. evil.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Series/Standalone: Stalking Jack the Ripper (Book #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery
Pages: 337
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Year Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook
"Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion...
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege, stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.
Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practise of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.
The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period phot, will make this dazzling, #1 New York Times bestselling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget."
My New Rating: 4/5
This was a really great reread. For anyone looking to read this book, I would strongly recommend the audiobook. I'm still looking forward to continuing the series and upon rereading the "villain" is spottable. You can notice the person throughout the story but not in a way that is obvious. It also doesn't come out of nowhere. I love the writing style and era. I also enjoy the way the author uses history and gender in a way that makes sense. She doesn't shun the past but embraces how far women have come overall.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Archenemies
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series/Standalone: Renegades Trilogy (Book #2)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 560
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2018
Format: Audiobook
"The Renegades Trilogy continues, in this fiercely awaited second installment after the New York Times- bestselling Renegades by Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles.
Time is running out.
Together, they can save the world.
But they each other's worst nightmare.
In Renegades, Nova and Adrian (aka Insomnia and Sketch) fought the battle of their lives against the Anarchist known as the Detonator. It was a short-lived victory.
The Anarchists still have a secret weapon, one Nova believes will protect her. The Renegades also have a strategy for overpowering the Anarchists, but both Nova and Adrian understand that it could mean the end of Gatlon City- and the world- as they know it."
My Rating: 4.25/5
I was unsure whether or not I would enjoy this installment in the series. I was just ok with the first one, but couldn't shake the way it reminded me of other superhero work that I'd read in the past. That being said, the last book I read physically but finished with the audiobook. I knew that the audiobook helped me keep the characters straight and helped me to better enjoy the story. I really enjoyed this story. I think that the exploration of good and evil is always interesting and this novel is no exception. I enjoyed getting to know more of the characters and beginning to understand more of the changes in the city over time. I think the history of the city is a real highlight in this second book. I can't wait to listen to the third book and look forward to seeing how the characters intertwine in the last novel.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: In Real Life
Author: Cory Doctorow
Illustrator: Jen Wang
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Pages: 175
Publisher: Fir Second
Year Published: 2014
Format: Paperback Copy (Library)
"Anda loves Coarsegold Online, the massively-multiplayer role-playing game where she spends most of her free time. It's a place where she can be a leader, a fighter, a hero. It's a place where she can meet people from all over the world, and make friends.
But things become a lot more complicated when Anda befriends a gold farmer-- a poor Chinese kid whose avatar in the game illegally collects valuable objects and then sells them to players from developed countries with money to burn. This behaviour is strictly against the rules in Coarsegold, but Anda soon comes to realize the questions of right and wrong are a lot less straightforward when a real person's real livelihood is at stake."
My Rating: 3.5/5
This graphic novel is a great quick read about the changes in economics and their relation to the internet and gaming. It was interesting to see how these things correlated as well as watching someone expand their horizons through gaming. That being said the story was short and just seemed like the slightest glimpse into the lives of the characters. I wish that we had gotten a little more. I would recommend this for the middle-grade age range rather than young adult.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Author: Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction
Pages: 291
Publisher: Dial Press
Year Published: 2008
Format: Audiobook
"'I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some sort of secret homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers.'
January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she's never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb...
As Juliet and her correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends- and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society- born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its member were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island- boast a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.
Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society's members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.
Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises and of finding connection in the most surprising ways."
My Rating: 5/5
I heard about this book from my best friend. Her local book club had read it and she just had a feeling that I would love it. She knows me so well! This story captured my interest within the first quarter and I was intrigued throughout. The idea of using letters for the format during this crucial setting of post-WWII was truly astounding and made the plot seem lighter at some points than it really was. That being said the story didn't just contain memories from a brutal war. It contained moments of friends, comradery and romance for many of the characters. I would highly recommend the audiobook as all the voice actors are fantastic and look forward to recommending it to other lovers of historical fiction in the future.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Of Neptune
Author: Anna Banks
Series/Standalone: The Syrena Legacy (Book #3)
Genre: Paranormal, Young Adult, Romance
Pages: 330
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Year Published: 2014
Format: Audiobook
"Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma's grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.
Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn't sign up to the be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn't bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn't expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms.
In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever."
My Rating: 3.5/5
I'm excited that I was able to finish this series so quickly and won't lie that it was a bit of a guilty pleasure. The romance is cheesy and the plot lines are at some points corny but that being said it's still a fun read. At some points, I was fully intrigued and cheering on the romance that we'd experienced throughout the other books. That being said, it was easy to see how this series can be considered corny and over the top. Overall it was enjoyable and look forward to reading other works by the author in the future.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
