Book Review: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: Waverider

Author/Artist(s): Kazu Kibuishi

Series/Standalone: Amulet (Volume 9)

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Pages: 256

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 2024

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The highly anticipated, thrilling conclusion to Kazu Kibuishi's #1 New York Times bestselling series! After her confrontation with Ikol, Emily finally understands the stone's power and what she must do to defend Alledia from the shadows. As she travels to Typhon to help her mom and Navin. Prince Trellis returns to the Kingdom of the Elves to save his countrymen-- and confront the fraud who has seized power in the absence of a king. The threat of darkness follows all Stonekeepers closely, and it will take the strength of both new friends and old foes to conquer it... and survive."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm not sure what I expected for the end of the series, but it wasn't this. I guess I thought the ending itself would be a bit more epic, but I have to remind myself that this is for middle grade. So happy endings and endings that are open-ended might make sense for this age range. I liked it, I can see why people love it, and I look forward to getting it into the hands of preteens and middle grade students as time goes on.

Thanks for reading, 

Sidny

Book Review: Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

Title: Paris

Author: Paris Hilton

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult

Pages: 336

Publisher: Dey Street Books
Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"Until, in a revealing documentary, Paris Hilton disclosed that her childhood was shattered by two years of strip searches, isolation, beatings, restraint, and brainwashing within the now infamous "troubled teen industry," Paris Hilton was simply the billionaire heiress America had watched grow up on television, on the internet, and in tabloids. But there was always more to Paris Hilton than met the eye. Yes, she is the media personality, DJ, entrepreneur, model, singer, actress, and icon beloved all over the globe. And yet...

Paris is the story people have always wanted Paris Hilton to tell--the story of who she really is. In this revealing and thought-provoking book, Hilton will separate the creation from the creator, the brand from the ambassador, and show the woman who grew up with incredible privilege but was also trapped in a world of unreasonable expectation at a moment when young women were humiliated for sport in a gossip economy on steroids. Paris recounts her perilous journey through pre-#METOO sexual politics with grace, generosity, and plenty of fun, rising above a series of heart-wrenching challenges to find healing, lasting love, and a life of meaning and purpose.

The parallel story arcs in Hilton's braided narrative come to full bloom as a watershed portrait of the Aughts, challenging each of us to question our role in her story and her role in ours. The result is an intimate and unexpected memoir about persona and personification, the price of being young and disobedient, and the complexity of manifesting your dreams after watching part of yourself disappear."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really enjoyed this memoir. After watching 'The Program' on Netflix I was curious to learn more about the trouble teen industry and upon doing a little digging (like fairly minimal given how many stories their are online about this situation), I kept reading about Paris Hilton's documentary which talks about her experience in one of these schools. I was curious to hear more about her, especially because she was such an icon when I was growing up. After reading her book, I was impressed by her ability to share gritty details, while also showing the aspects of her life that average people may have no idea about (paparazzi, festivals, rumors and more). I would recommend the audiobook as it is read by the author, and I think without her narration, some of her phrases wouldn't be as easy to read without hearing her tone. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Rock Jaw Master of the Eastern Border by Jeff Smith

Title: Rock Jaw Master of the Easter Border

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 5)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 116

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1998

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Trying to return a rat creature cub to the mountains, Fone & Smiley Bone encounter yet another adversary: the sly and mighty mountain lion, Rock Jaw.

In this fifth volume of the BONE saga, Fone and Smiley Bone strike out into the wilderness to return a lost rat creature cub to the mountains. It doesn't take long before they run smack into Rock Jaw, "Master of the Eastern Border," an enormous mountain lion with a none-too-friendly disposition. Life gets even more complicated when they befriend a group of baby animals who are being orphaned by rat creature attacks. Everything comes to a head in an earth-shattering clash between Rock Jaw and Kingdok, the leader of the rat creatures."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was not what I expected to read in this next installment. It wasn't what I was hoping for, and while the plot was interesting and we gained some intrigue, I look forward to reading the next volume in the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith

Title: The Dragonslayer

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 4)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 168

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1996

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Jeff Smith's New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning BONE books are one of the most popular graphic novel series of all time! Fone Bone confronts a host of Along with Gran'ma Ben and Thorn, he has a terrifying encounter with Kingdok, ruler of the Rat Creatures. The Hooded One is inciting their army to full-scale war. Someone is continuing to haunt Thorn in her dreams. And then Gran'ma Ben disappears. To make matters worse, Phoney Bone has hoodwinked the townspeople into believing that he is a mighty dragonslayer. When he actually does catch the Red Dragon- much to his surprise-- he must face up to his promise-- to slay the dragon at sunrise."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I don't know if it was the length of this one or if I just was struggling to focus on it, but this one had a lot of action, but almost felt like it was a touch too long. I enjoyed it. I love where the plot is going and the art is great, I'm curious to see how the next volume continues on this arc. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Supernova by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: Supernova

Author/Artist(s): Kazu Kibuishi

Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Volume 8)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade

Pages: 199

Publisher: Scholastic

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Emily has lost control of her Amulet and is imprisoned in the Void, where she must find a way to escape the influence of the Voice. Meanwhile, Emily's brother, Navin travels to Lighthouse One, a space station where the Resistance is preparing to battle the approaching Shadow forces that would drain planet Alledia of all its resources. Emily and Navin must be smarter and stronger than ever to ensure Alledia's survival."

My Rating: 5/5

This installment in the series was such a great turn for the plot. Not only did we expand on the world, but we also expanded on the magic system, which was super interesting. I also love a little foreshadowing, which I can assume was present. Again, the art style is excellent, and I recommend it to both lovers of graphic novels and middle grade students alike. Loved it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Eyes of the Storm

Title: Eyes of the Storm 

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 3)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 174

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1994

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In 'Eyes of the Storm,' volume three of the nine-book BONE saga, Lucius, Smiley and Phoney survive an attack by the rat creatures and return safely to Lucius' taven in Barrelhaven. Phoney, desperate to win a bet with Lucius, stokes the townspeople's fear of dragons and boasts that he is a professional dragonslayer. Back at the farm, Fone Bone and Thorn are troubled by strange dreams, and Gran'ma Ben's reaction to them is stranger still: She reveals long-kept secrets and warns of great danger. Thorn, Fone Bone, and Gran'ma Ben may have to leave the farm forever."

My Rating: 5/5

I remember reading this volume when I was in middle school, and it blew my mind. At that time, my library didn't have any of the other volumes, so I stopped reading there. This is one of my favourites so far in the series, and I look forward to continuing on and seeing where this series takes me. I think there are more than nine books in the series now. I'm looking forward to continuing and learning more about the forces at play. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

Title: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband

Author: Julia Quinn

Series/Standalone: Rokesby Series (Book #2)

Genre: Historical Romance, Fiction, Adult

Pages: 393

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"While you were sleeping...

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother, but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie...

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is- even if he does not recall her face- and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true...

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself- completely- to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby."

My Rating: 4/5

I really enjoy these prequels. I think the fact that the setting felt so different in this one added to my enjoyment. The idea that we were seeing the war in America from the perspective of the British wasn't something I can say I've read a lot of. As a Canadian (NOT AMERICAN), we do see a lot of American media about this time period. I also loved the concept. There was miscommunication, but in a way that I understood. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst use of that trope. The reason this book lost a star for me is the use of the phrase "coming home". I think we can all guess when and why this gave me the ick. Interesting choice. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Chasing The Wild by Elliott Rose

Title: Chasing the Wild

Author: Elliott Rose

Series/Standalone: Crimson Ridge Series (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Westerns, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Pages: 444

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2024

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"What happens when you're snowed in on a mountain ranch, with the one man you definitely should not be fantasizing about?

I've always done what was expected of me, Layla Birch, the good girl.

Forced to grow up too fast. To take care of everything myself. I had a plan.

Only I didn't count on him. Colton Wilder. The cowboy nearly twice my age. 

He's my dream man. One who takes care of me, gives me a job, and makes my pulse thud harder every time he comes near.

My ex-boyfriend's father.

The nights are long and cold on top of this mountain. As the snow grows thicker and the tension builds between us, we're both inching closer to a line we shouldn't cross. 

Each day, it grows harder to resist the man who looks at me with longing in his eyes. 

It's tempting to forget about being the good girl for once.

No one would find out. Would they?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book wasn't what I anticipated it to be. First off, calling this an ex-boyfriend dad book is a bit misleading, as the FMC calls it a situationship at best. I also don't think that this book needed to be this long. By the end, I felt like I had reread the same conversations or inner thoughts at least 10 times. Finally, the spicy scenes were fun, but the phrases used to describe genitals were off-putting, to say the least. That being said, the concept was fun, the relationship was interesting and the atmosphere was excellent. I look forward to trying the next one in the series. If it doesn't get any better than this one from the halfway point, I'm uncertain if I will continue.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Front Runner by Elsie Silver

Title: The Front Runner

Author: Elsie Silver

Series/Standalone: Gold Rush Ranch (Book #3)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Western

Pages: 356

Publisher: Indie 

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"Stefan Dalca is infuriatingly handsome. And annoyingly persistent. We're supposed to hate each other. But apparently, he didn't get the memo, because he's been asking me out for years.

And I always say no. Until today.

Today he has something that I desperately need. Today he's a savior and I'm his prize.

Our time together starts out as a simple transaction. Three dates. No touching. No telling anyone. And definitely no falling in love.

But with ever intimate conversation, and each stolen glance, the tension between us builds.

The way he looks at me gives me butterflies. And when he finally touches me? We sizzle.

Stefan makes me feel seen in a way no other person has before. He cherishes my words as passionately as my body.

He makes me laugh. He makes me blush. He calls me kitten.

He's not the villain he's been made out to be.

And suddenly I find myself longing for him in a way the people closest to me wouldn't approve of or understand.

Giving in to Stefan Dalca is playing with fire.

But with him, I don't even mind the heat."

My Rating: 4/5

Elsie Silver has to be one of my favourite authors. If she writes it, I will read it! I loved the two characters that this book covered and I think that the longing was written so beautifully. Also while there was a miscommunication trope, I felt it wasn't the main plot of the story. I loved the way this story and Stefan tied it to the other characters in the story. I look forward to continuing on with the series and starting the next series soon. Although if anyone else uses the nickname kitten, I might have to knock it down a star as well. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert

Title: The Dragon's Bride

Author: Katee Robert

Series/Standalone: A Deal With A Demon (Book #1)

Genre: Fantasy, Monster Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 190

Publisher: Indie Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)\

"Briar Rose might have a name out of a storybook, but she learned at a very young age that no prince was coming to save her. She'll have to save herself. Unfortunately, even that is an impossible task in her current situation- trapped in a terrifying marriage to a dangerous man.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is how she finds herself making a deal with a demon. Freedom from her husband... in return for seven years of service. 

She expects the service to be backbreaking and harsh. She doesn't expect to be put on an auction block in a room full of literal monsters and sold to the highest bidder.

To Sol.

A dragon.

He might seem kinder than his fearsome looks imply, but she knows better than to trust the way he wants to take care of her, or how invested he is in her pleasure. In her experience, if something seems too good to be true, it certainly is.

Falling for Sol is out of the question. She's suffered enough, and she has no intention of staying in this realm... even if she leaves her heart behind when she returns to normal life."

My Rating: 2/5

This was maybe my first foray into monster romance, and I really need someone who is a fan of the genre to tell me if this book is good for the genre or a bad example of the genre. It wasn't for me, it was a little too out of the realm of my comfort zone. Now was I entertained? Yes. Did I get the ick multiple times? Yes. Would I reread it? No, but I might try another one in the series. Anywho all that to say two stars for the two penises. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny