Review: The King is Undead

Title: The King is Undead

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Dan Mora & Tamra Bonvillain

Series/Standalone: Once & Future (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Retelling, Fantasy

Pages: 160

Publisher: BOOM! Studios

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"When a group of Nationalists use an ancient artifact to bring a villain from Arthurian myth back from the dead to gain power, retired monster hunter Bridgette McGuire pulls her unsuspecting grandson Duncan, a museum curator, into a world of magic and mysticism to combat the deadly secrets of England's past that threaten its very future."

My Rating: 5/5

This did what I love about graphic novels. You are thrown into the story and have characters that are so eye-catching it dares you to not read it. It's so well written and so enjoyable. While we don't know everything going on in the world (which adds to the intrigue), we get an idea of where we are going in the plot and begin to understand our characters' place in their worlds. I loved the characters and the start of this plot. The art style is so fun and I can't wait to continue with the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Title: Where the Crawdads Sing

Author: Delia Owens

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Adult

Pages: 384

Publisher: G.P Putnam's Sons

Year Published: 2018

Format: Audiobook

"For years, rumors of the 'Marsh Girl' haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet fishing village, Kya Clark is barefoot and wild; unfit for polite society. So in late 1969, when the popular Chase Andrews is found dead, locals immediately suspect her.

But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world- until the unthinkable happens.

In Where The Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exquisite ode to the natural world against a profound coming of age story and haunting mystery. "

My Rating: 2.5/5

I don't know if I'm interested enough in literary fiction. This just wasn't it for me. It was depressing, it was hard to get through, and while I enjoyed the mystery aspect. The back and forth between the timelines was interesting. The characters were intriguing but overall this story was just ok. It was fine. I wouldn't recommend it, but I wouldn't say to read it either. Just because it's not for me doesn't mean it's not for anyone.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Blackout by Dhoneille Clayton

Title: Blackout

Author(s): Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Anthologies, Contemporary, Young Adult

Pages: 256

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook

"Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks...

A first meeting.

Long-time friends.

Bitter exes.

And maybe the beginning of something new.

When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truth. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was fine, I thought I'd try out anthologies, but I don't think they're for me. I was far more interested in the consistent story throughout the book as a whole. I like to get to know my characters and love them before we do follow through with their stories or who they are interested in. Just ok, but not really for me. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Reagan Youth by Rick Remender

Title: Reagan Youth

Author: Rick Remender

Artist(s): Wes Craig, Lee Loughridge

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fiction, Crime

Pages: 160

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy

"It's 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grade sucks. The jocks are hassling his friends. he can't focus in class. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is 'Dismemberment 101' and his crush has a double-digit body count. Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At Kings Dominion School for the Deady Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical."

My Rating: 1/5

I love trying different graphic novels on a whim. Sometimes those graphic novels are winners and other times, they just aren't for you. This one fell into the latter category. It just wasn't what I expected it to be. It was a lot of drugs, and a bit of killing. I was hoping for those two things to be switched. I doubt I'll continue the series, but I may be persuaded if someone can tell me it gets a lot better. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Glint by Raven Kennedy

Title: Glint

Author: Raven Kennedy

Series/Standalone: The Plated Prisoner (Book #2)

Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 441 

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2021

Format: Kindle Unlimited

First Line: "Gold, as far as the eye can see."

"For ten years, I've lived in a gilded cage inside King Midas's golden castle. But one night changed everything. 

Now I'm here, a prisoner of Fourth Kingdom's army, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make it out of this in one piece. They're marching to battle, and I'm the bargaining chip that will either douse the fire or spark a war.  

At the heart of my fear, my worry, there's him- Commander Rip.

Known for his brutality on the battlefield, his viciousness is unsurpassed. But I know the truth about what he is.

Fae.

The betrayers. The murderers. The ones who nearly destroyed Orea, wiping out Seventh Kingdom in the process. Rip has power sizzling beneath this skin and glinting spikes down his spine. But his eyes- his eyes are the most compelling of all. 

When he turns those black eyes on me, I feel captive for an entirely different reason.

I may be out of my cage, but I"m not free, not even close. In the game of kings and armies, I'm the gilded pawn. The question is, can I out maneuver them?"

My Rating: 4/5

This was almost as enjoyable as the first one, especially because there was no Midas throughout most of this story. I also loved that this book did a lot of flashbacks and different points of view. I liked that we spent time with our main character changing and evolving as a person. I also enjoyed learning more about the world and how the magic system works. All and all it was really entertaining but not everything I wanted. I plan to continue the series, but I will be taking a quick break because the next book is 600+ pages.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn

Title: The Viscount Who Loved Me   

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Bridgertons (Book #2)

Genre: Romance, Historical, Adult Fiction

Pages: 354

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2000

Format: Audiobook

"1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, this author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London's most elusive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry. And in truth, why should he? When it comes to play the consummate rake, nobody does it better...

    -Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1814

But this time, the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry- he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield- the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands- and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister- but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony's lips touch hers, she's suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself..."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was really great to read after watching the most recent season of the Netflix show. It was vastly different from the show though and I would recommend reading it if you didn't enjoy the second season of the show as much as the first. This book really helped to explore the inner thoughts of both of these characters, their desires and their rationales to themselves about everything going on. Also, it has quite a different plot than the show so still worth a read even if you did enjoy the last season. I plan on continuing with the series on audiobooks as soon as possible! Would recommend it for romance fans for sure (as I'm finding out I might be one).

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Title: Lore

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Mythology, Fantasy

Pages: 480

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality. Long ago, Lore Perseus fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man-- now a god-- responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fate to Athena's and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost- and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees."

My Rating: 2.5/5

This was just ok for me. I did enjoy the story and I was interested in what was happening at the moment. But this isn't a story that is going to hold any interest for me in the future. It won't really take up space in my memory. The gods were interestingly fleshed out and the story touched on a myriad of topics, not sure that all of them were handled in the way that I enjoyed, but they were handled. Overall just fine.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Spoiler: Gild by Raven Kennedy

 This book was so much more than I thought I was getting into. If you are reading books from Kindle Unlimited, or at least if you're me you have certain expectations about what the book might include. I often expect romance or smut, and while this book had some it was more of a dark adult fantasy than those two things.

Does this book start in an orgy, yes it does. But it really makes sure you're comfortable with anything that could happen in the book. I think that the author did a wonderful job of making all the characters have an individual voice. 

Our main character is interesting to read from, as she's been with King Midas for the past ten years and has seen his rise to royalty. I'm sure we will hear more about that as we continue in the series.

 King Midas best not be our love interest because I will lose my ever-loving shit. What he offers is NOT love! 

Digby was one of my favorite characters and I'm optimistic that he might make a comeback.

Sail was such a heartwarming character I bawled when he died.

I'm interested in Captain Rip and what kind of Fae he will prove to be.

Highlights:

"'What is the king's favored doing out of her carriage?'

Saild scratches the back of his neck nervously. 'Well, see, what happened was... um, she-'"

-Pg. 228 

"It's the arrogance of men, to think so little of women. And it'll be their downfall too."

-Pg. 287

"I won't sit idly by and keep letting men crush me in their fists."

-Pg. 295

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Gild by Raven Kennedy

Title: Gild

Author: Raven Kennedy

Series/Standalone: The Plated Prisoner Series (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Adult 

Pages: 393

Publisher: Raven Kennedy

Year Published: 2020

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line:  "I lift the gold goblet to my lips as I watch the show of naked flesh through the space between my bars."

"The fae abandoned this world to us. And the ones with power rule.

Gold.

Gold floors, gold walls, gold furniture, gold clothes. In Highbell, in the castle built into the frozen mountains, everything is made of gold.

Even me.

King Midas rescued me. Dug me out of the slums and placed me on a pedestal. I'm called his precious. His favored. I'm the woman he Gold-Touched to show everyone that I belong to him. To show how powerful he is. he gave me protection, and I gave him my heart. And even though I don't leave the confines of the palace, I'm safe.

Until war comes to the kingdom and a deal is struck.

Suddenly, my trust is broken. My love is challenged. And I realize that everything I thought I knew about Midas might be wrong.

Because these bars I'm kept in, no matter how gilded, are still just a cage. But the monsters on the other side might make me wish I'd never left."

My Rating: 5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this. This book is more a high fantasy to me than a romance although it does have sex scenes and scenes that include rape, so if that is something that is triggering for you, I wouldn't suggest reading this book. I think that the author does a great job of laying out what can happen in the book with the first chapter. The first chapter starts in an orgy, so if you can make it through that you'll maybe be okay for the rest of the book. I thought that the fantasy aspect of the book and the plot were super interesting, and all the characters had their own unique voice. The one concern I have is whether the main love interest is who I think it is. There is one person I very much don't want it to be, so here's hoping that we get some clarification in book 2.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Title: Serpent & Dove

Author: Shelby Mahurin

Series/Standalone: Serpent & Dove Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 513

Publisher: HarperTeen

Year Published: 2019

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

First Line: "There's something haunting about a body touched by magic."

"Bound as one to love, honor or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Curch as  Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union- holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all."

My Rating: 4/5

It took me a minute to warm up to this book. I thought that the beginning was really slow, but as you begin to get into the relationship aspect of the book and seeing how the world develops around our two main characters helps to flesh the story out. I loved the romance in this, I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers and a protective hero. I will say that the plot while interesting isn't what carried the book for me. I will be continuing the series and I can't wait to see where this story goes.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny