Review: Escape From Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: Escape From Lucien
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Book #6)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fantasy
Pages: 215
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Year Published: 2014

"A worthy mission... or a trap?
Navin and his classmates journey to Lucien, a city ravaged by war and plagued by mysterious creatures, where they search for a beacon essential to their fight against the Elf King. Meanwhile, Emily heads back into the Void with Max, one of the Elf King's loyal followers, where she learns his darkest secrets. The stakes, for both Emily and Navin, are higher than ever."

My Rating: 5/5

I really have enjoyed marathoning this series. This is the last book available at my library and I plan to pick up the last one published this weekend when I'm in the city. I look forward to finishing the series although I am waiting for the last 2 books to be published. And I'm more than willing to wait. I've found that these books have gotten far more serious and complex then what I had at first suspected. I find the characters endearing and powerful. As well, the setting is interesting and beautifully illustrated. I really found this book to more of YA book than Middle Grade but that's a personal choice.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

Title: The Bodies We Wear
Author: Jeyn Roberts
Series/Novel: Novel
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, 
Pages: 368
Publisher: Ember
Year Published: 2016
First Line: "People say when you take Heam, your body momentarily dies and you catch a glimpse of heaven."

"Sometimes redemption can look like revenge.
Heam: It's the hottest drug around. Users claim they are able to see heaven- a place so beautiful, so indescribably serene, many people never want to come back. And some don't, like Faye's best friend Christian. But when Faye was forced to take Heam, she didn't see heaven; she saw hell. And now she spends her nights training to take revenge on the men who destroyed her future and murdered Christian."

My Rating: 2/5

I want to start off by saying that the following is my opinion. Other may have really enjoyed this book, that being said it just wasn't for me.
This is a pretty low rating for me to give. I rarely give below a 2.5, but the way I look at my rating system is the following:
1.... I hated it
2..... I didn't really like it
3.... MAH (ok i guess)
4.... I liked it
5.... I loved it.

This book took a long time to get going and I found that the writing style didn't immediately catch my attention. The way that the story was written didn't interest me although the idea was interesting. I liked the beginning few chapters of the book but over time I found the main character to be predictable and annoying. The world that the characters live in is interesting but not one that I found interesting enough to think about when I wasn't reading the book. I also found that this whole book was jumping from a variety of themes and I couldn't seem to focus on what was going on and what I was supposed to be thinking about during the thickening of the plot.

All and all, I just didn't care for this book. This book may be better suited for a younger crowd as they may relate more to Faye the main character but other than that, I just didn't find anything gripping about the story.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

I found that this wasn't the read that I hoped it would be. The idea of a different kind of drug and it's effect on man kind was an interesting idea, but I found the execution to be boring and slow. This is simply my opinion, and I encourage anyone to find out what they think about this book for themselves. I found that this book was slow to start and I was interested more in how humans had evolved with the use of Heam and the idea of a change in religion. Although this is touched on it isn't really followed through. This and the use of different thoughts such as reincarnation and angels was an interesting take, but not one I completely understood in the course of the story. I found that I though quite often "WHAT IS GOING ON?" and not in a good way. I think this book was trying to be to many things at once and I just couldn't keep up with what it was trying to be. 

Characters:
Faye: This character drove me crazy. I couldn't take her seriously and though she was bad ass to begin with she later on just became a poor me cause. Especially when she decided to shut out everyone else. I found that this was hard to relate too and became more annoying as those around her tried to help. It was so silly.

Chael: I thought that his character was useful in some ways but mostly just a convenient romance. I found that he was not well explained and less of a mystery and more of an annoyance. I wish that I could find a different way to describe this character but really he wasn't of much interest to me.

Gazer: I think that he was the most interesting character for me. His past as a cop could have been an interesting character.

Rufus: I didn't hate him. He was just a dealer. I get it. Crime is crime no matter the drug.

Beth: She was a sad character and one of great importance to understand the overuse of Heam. 


Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "I've still got too much living left to do."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
Series/Novel: The Illuminae Files_01
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction
Pages: 599
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "So here's the file that almost killed me, Director."

"This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she'd have to do today. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.
The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that's little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra- who are barely even talking to each other- are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.
But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutuating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what's really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to the light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.
Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more- Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth and the courage of everyday heroes."

My Rating: 5/5

I've never read a book quiet like this before. I found that it was so interesting in format as well as in the type of story it is. I find that I haven't read a true Science Fiction YA book for a while that didn't involve a dystopian earth. And don't get me wrong I love dystopian which is one of my favorites but this book was crazy. The use of files and documents made it an interesting read and a quick one at that, although it is large in size. If someone was going to read this book I would strongly suggest that you get a physical copy as it's pages are beautiful and help to tell the story so well. I found that the first 100 pages or so seemed to drag and I wasn't interested but after I read for a longer amount of time I fell in love. I finished it this afternoon in 2 hours and just couldn't get it read fast enough. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and am sorrily disappointed that it doesn't come out until October. Don't worry, ladies and gentleman I am putting it on preorder at this very moment. I'm super excited to see where this story leads and would recommend this to anyone who loves science fiction as well as plagues. Something for everyone.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny 

Spoiler: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

This was an incredible story and I was really impressed by how the documents were laid out and how the story was told. It was extremely creative, as well as beautiful. I also think that the story was very unique. I haven't seen anything about space and a universe set in space. I mean I've watched Star Wars, but this is so different and incredible. I hope that the next book is just as good. It was fantastic. 
I also think that the characters were amazing. In the first one hundred pages I thought that I wouldn't like the book because I found the characters annoying, but the more I read the more I loved. I also found that the quick changes in the fleet was what kept me in this book and will continue to interest me. I also wonder how the next book will be written. 

Characters:
Ezra: He's a great character, fun and has amazing banter. I was so surprised when Aidan tells her he's dead, but then the relief that he was alive hit and I may have cried. I look forward to see what happens next. I was really intrigued by his family and their past and hope to learn more about it.

Kady: She's incredible. She's a badass and full of humour although her life has not lead her where she wanted it to go (none of them did) she stays strong. She sacrifices and although she is scared she is incredible. I can't believe how incredible she is and hope to find out so much more about her.

Byron: I also liked him but then he went all crazy eyes and I thought that what he did to save Kady was extremely brave. Looking death in the face, even in madness is something that many wouldn't have the strength to do.

Aidan: Was it crazy? I'm not sure. But I think that he was trying to do what he thought was best, but didn't realise the damage that he took when they picked up the refugees. I also look forward to seeing him in the next book. 


Moments to Read:
Final Line: "Illuminae: Now run"

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

Title: What We Saw
Author: Aaron Hartzler
Series/Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "This video doesn't show you everything."

"Kate Weston can piece together most of the bash at John Doone's house: shots with Stacey Stallard, Ben Cody taking her keys and getting her home early- the feeling that maybe he's becoming more  than just the guy she's known since they were kids.
But when a picture of Stacey passed out over Deacon Mill's shoulder appears online, Kate suspects she doesn't have all the details. When Stacey levels charges against four of Kate's classmates, the whole town erupts into controversy. Facts that can't be ignored begin to surface, and every answer Kate finds lead back to the same question: Where was Ben when a terrible crime was committed?
This story- inspired by real events- from debut novelist Aaron Hartzler takes an unflinching look at silence as a form of complicity. It's a book about the high stakes of speaking up, and the razor thin line between guilt and innocence that so often gets blurred, one hundred and forty characters at a time."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Before getting into this review this book has a few triggers and should be read carefully. It deal with the idea of feminism as well as the look at rape culture. I found that this book really hit on important topics as a young woman in the modern world. It shows how society thinks can change the action of a group as a whole. It makes you wonder about the possibilities and sad about the losses that have happened in the past for victims of such crimes. Mostly this book made me wonder what if? What if the roles were changed? What if it was older people? Younger people? This book is a hard hitter and digs deep where it counts. I did find that the characters were a little young for me, but that being said, this topic is important for all ages, genders and races to read. For everyone. Is it pretty? No, but it's important!
The only reason I docked .5 stars for this book is I found that a few of the characters were hard to get past and the slow start to the book. I just found that the first third seemed to drag a little to long for my liking. I do hope to read more of Aaron Hartzler's work and hope that it's as well thought out as this amazing debut.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

This post will contain triggers for sexual assault victims, as the book focuses on the topics of rape culture and equality. This debut really looks at Western society, specifically in North America and our norms towards rape culture. It looks at how particular things are dealt with in a small town when a woman who has a reputation reports a case of assualt. It was a tough read but an important one. As many people in North America know there are several cases of rape each year and women are told ridiculous reasons for "why" it happened or asked if they were doing something that may have lead to the assualts. For example: Being drunk, dressing a certain way, making any kind of advance, encouraging,  friendly, or the one that makes me angry every time "It can't be assualt if it's your significant other." All of this is bullshit. I'm very passionate about this, for this reason: If you got robbed, would the police ask you if you'd been drinking or if you'd encouraged the robber some way? Would they ask what you were wearing?
This book deals directly with consent and how to give consent through the teachers at the school as well as the characters introduced in the book.

For anyone who is interested in what consent means please visit:
http://www.bhsu.edu/FacultyStaff/HumanResources/TitleIXSexualMisconduct/ConsensualSex/tabid/14246/Default.aspx

Characters:
Kate: She was a strange character to follow as the only time I felt I could relate to her was when she said she was going to the police, but I also found that I was proud of her for stepping up when no one else would. It takes alot to be the "snitch" although it often in the role that is necessary, especially in a case like this. I think that she did the right thing and learned alot about herself through it.

Ben: I found the relationship between Ben and Kate to happen to fast and just didn't seem necessary. Also the fact that he walked in on his teammates raping a girl, and didn't report it is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I can't imagine seeing something like that and doing nothing about it. 

Stacey: It doesn't matter what your reputation is or where you grew up. No one deserves what happened to Stacey. Unless someone says yes, one should assume it's a no.

Lindsey: I'm glad she stood by Kate just disappointed she didn't do more. I understand the small town aspect but really it's ridiculous that this case got so far before someone did anything about it.

Rachel: I want to use so many inappropriate words to describe this character, but mainly she's a product of what she was raised in "Boys will be boys". What bull shit! 

John: I wish that I could say the time he spends in prison is enough and that everything in the world is fair, when in reality it's not. Not even a little. Look at cases that are happening today. You see that criminals don't always do the time they deserve. Especially popular ones who have an in somewhere along the way. 

Sloane: Good for her for being up in everyone's face. It was an important story and someone had to tell it!

Staff at High School: It seems the staff at this school were put into two groups. Ones who supported Stacey and those who backed the golden boys. The principal was one of my least favorite. Rumours can be spread yes, but allegations that someone raped someone else are not taken lightly. Especially with DNA being a thing now, it's not nearly as difficult to find out who did what to who. The coach should be fired for his actions, but likely wouldn't be in real life. While the guidance counsellor got a shitty end of the stick, she stuck up for someone who may not have gotten the help otherwise. Lastly the Mr. Johnston, who puts people in their place while trying to make light of the whole situation. I found from Pg. 280-283 the most important parts of this book and gave me a different perspective on the situation from a grown mans point of view.

Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "Some moments should only be recorded in our hearts."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Title: I'll Give You The Sun
Author: Jandy Nelson
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, LGBTT*
Pages: 371
Publisher: Dial Books
Year Published: 2014
First Line: "This is how it all begins."

"Jude and her twin brother, Noah, are incredibly close. At thirteen, isolated Noah draws constantly and is falling in love with the charismatic boy next door, while daredevil Jude cliff-dives and wears red-red lipstick and does the talking for both of them.
But three years later, at sixteen, Jude and Noah are barely speaking. Something has happened to wreck the twins in different and dramatic ways... until Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy, as well as someone else- an even more unpredictable new force in her life.
The early years are Noah's story to tell. The later years are Jude's. What the twins don't realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to each other, they'd have a chance to remake their world."

My Rating: 4/5

I started reading this at the beginning of this past week and kind of got bogged down with how heavy the writing was. I found that this was a slow start to the book. I thought that it was really hard to get into with the longer sentences and the character driven plot. After about 100 pages I got more interested in the characters but still found the  main characters less interesting then those in the background. I really enjoyed the view from two vastly different characters and the view in on twins. I also found it interesting as there is a bit of mystery as readers make the connection between past and present.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

I found that this book was slow to start but got interesting as the character progressed and changed. I thought that the character driven story was difficult to get into but worth it in the end. The two perspectives told the story well and helped to build a family drama/ mystery about the town but the family as well. I think that around 100 pages I was really drawn in and found my groove with this story.

Characters:
Jude: I think that she was really bratty in the beginning. She watched her brother have trouble fitting in and being pushed away by her father but got jealous about her mother noticing him instead. Life is tough. I found that her pity me act in the high school ticked me off even more. But as I watched her grow closer to Guillermo and Oscar I noticed how many things she regretted and that her self-loathing was eating her alive.

Noah: I think that the beginning Noah was hard to read. He had so many run on sentences from his perspective. I found that he grew on me though. It was heart warming to read that he found someone he could relate to like Brian, but heart breaking when they got caught. Finally how he lashed out was hard to watch but it helped build the story to where it was.

Oscar: I want to know so much more about his past. I thought that he was a great "bad boy" but when he starts to bring back other girls, I got annoyed. 

Brian: I wish that he felt like he could be himself around others but as time goes on you see that he is able to be more comfortable in his skin rather than shy away from who he really was. I thought that he was a sweet characters.

Heather: I'm glad she didn't assume that her and Noah were going out.

Guillermo: I really, really enjoyed this character how broken he was and how much he must have loved the twins mom was beautiful. It was horrible that he believed for so long that she was going to leave him without rhyme or reason. I wish that he found love in the end but 
maybe over time, after grieving he would be able to.


Moments to Remember:
Pg.  174
"And no hot guy should be allowed to have an English accent and drive a motorcycle."

Final Line: "Remake the world."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

Title: Happily Ever After
Author: Kiera Cass
Series/Novel: Selection Series Companion
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Romance
Pages: 416
Publisher: HarperTeen 
Year Published: 2015

"Before they found their happily ever afters, Amberly Maxon, Aspen and Marlee had other stories to tell.
Return to the world of the #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series with the enchanting collection of four novellas."

My Rating: 5/5

This book is a collection of novellas from the Selection series. So this is me completing my endeavour into this series. I must say that I really did enjoy the series as a whole and this was the perfect way to wrap it up. Those of you who have read my previous reviews and spoilers on this series, will know that I was more interested in the first three books than the last two. This is why I loved this book so much. It was amazing closure and I enjoyed the notes from the author at the beginning of the novellas. This was a great story if you're interested in finding out more about the characters in this story I strongly recommend this book. If you're fine with all the endings feel free to leave it out. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass

This book was as mentioned above, a companion novel on the Selection series. This story was a good wrap up for me for the series as I really loved the first three books and disliked alot about the last two books. I found it interesting to see the changes in the country of Illea from different perspectives and especially since it followed up on all the girls in the selection.
Way to go Kiera Cass. 

Characters:
Amberly: I found that this was really helpful to find out more about how such a kind and sweet woman ended up with such an apparent horrible man. I think that it helped to also understand Clarkson. How would we know about how he'd experienced abuse as a child if not reading this. That being said, it's never ok. I was surprised that Amberly put up with so much though. It's hard to do so many things for someone and not be put out by it. 

Maxon: I think that seeing how he felt about America helped me to understand his need to be with her in the second book. I found that they instantly connected but I didn't know what he was thinking.

America: I loved her pregnancy announcement. It was beautiful.

Aspen: I found it sad to watch him losing America, but I still don't care for him. I liked who he was in the fourth and fifth books more so.

Marlee: I think that learning more about her relationship. I was surprised at how quickly her and Carter fell in love it was really amazing. 

Celeste: It both made me smile and broke my heart to read her section of the story.

Lucy: I was happy that she ended up with someone who loved her and was very interested to see her reaction to learn about Aspen and America but all in all her reaction made sense. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Crown by Kiera Cass

Title: The Crown
Author: Kiera Cass
Series/Novel: The Selection Series (Book #4)
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Romance
Pages: 278
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2016
First Line: "'I'm sorry,' I said, bracing myself for the inevitable backlash."

"A selection can only have one winner.
A princess only has one heart.
When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illea to hold her own Selection, she didn't expect to fall in love the way her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you... and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible- and more important- than she ever imagined."

My Rating: 4/5

This is the final book in the Selection series and reading it was bittersweet. It was nice to see the story come to a close. Seeing how the characters had all grown up as well as the countries change over 2 generations was interesting to me. That being said I'm glad that it's over. I'm not the biggest fan of the main character and found that by the end of this book it was just a little rushed. This being said, Kiera Cass made many twists and turns in this last book that left me hooked until the end. The addition of newer characters and changes of the people in Illea made this book far more enjoyable than the Heir. I hope to read Happily Ever After (a collection of novellas) before putting this series down for a while. 
All of the above being said, I'm grateful that I picked up The Selection when I did as it helped me get out of a reading slump and had very important messages beyond becoming a princess.
I would suggest this book for anyone who enjoyed the Hunger Games or Divergent as long as they can handle slightly more drama and romance. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Crown by Kiera Cass

So this is a conclusion of the Selection series. And I'm grateful that I took the journey to reading these book but also a little sad that it's done. That being said, I also purchased Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass (the companion novel) and hope to read that before moving on to another book series. This story really evolved from America's and although I did not enjoy The Heir, I did enjoy The Crown a bit more. I found that Eadlyn was less whiny and more understanding. I definitely saw her in a different light in this final instalment. The country has also grown throughout the series. From being labelled by a number and told what you can do. To having say in the government with a constitutional monarchy. I found that the world was the most gripping part of the series as a whole and would suggest it to anyone interest in dystopia or romance as well as those who enjoy drama. 

Characters:
Eadlyn: She has grown as a character but this being said, I didn't connect with her as much as I had with America in the past books. I found that because she wasn't really fighting through something I was annoyed. That being said she starts to show love for her family by taking on the throne early and letting her parents be a happy couple. I also found that when she opened up she wasn't so cold which was good lessen in what you see isn't always what you get. This being said, I did find that she was still whiny sometimes and that bothered me to no end.

America: She lived so that's awesome and she's by far my favorite character in this whole series. She has always been a fighters and fights what is right whether it will get backlash or not. I'm happy to see her out of the lime light. 

Maxon: What a strong father character he played. I found that his character evolved best between book 3 and book 4. As you could see he had matured but still remained in many aspects the Maxon we remember from the first 3 books in the series. I also found thought that with him still being so in love with America, it held me captivated to find what would happy to their children. 

Kile: I think that they could have worked out and I was pulling for him. But he had other dreams and I think that Eadlyn did the right thing letting him loose with his future. As much as it upset his mother it was the right thing to do.

Henri: It broke my heart when he found out about Erik and Eadlyn because I thought he would be angry. But he's so fantastic that he encouraged it. That was an incredible character and I wish I knew more about his country of Swendway. 

Erik: Ok, it became increasingly obvious that he was in love with her but I kind of suspected that it would just pass through as other love interests did in the first three books (you should all know who I'm talking about). I think that they will make a good couple, although their relationship near the end seemed to rushed for my liking.

Hale: I was surprised by what happened between him and Ean but alot of things make more sense to me now. I'm glad that he came clean.

Ean: This makes way more sense now that we know he just wasn't interested in any women. I get that he was trying to make the best of a situation but I'm happy that he found Hale.

Marid: This freaking loser. I hope that his parents had nothing to do with his plotting, but he's a piece of garbage. To take advantage of someone in such a way is inexcusable.

Josie: She's growing up. Thank goodness.


Momemnts to Remember:
Final Line: "Or a window as narrow as seven minute."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Review: Prince of the Elves by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: Prince of Elves

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Book #5)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle

Pages: 208

Publisher: GRAPHIX

Year Published: 2012

"The enemy grows stronger...

Emily survived the chaos of the Guardian Academy, but Max Griffin has stolen the Mother Stone. With it, the Elf King forges new Amulets that will give him the power to invade and destroy the nation of Windsor. Emily and her friends lead the soldiers of the Cielis Guard in a fight to stop him, but Max stands in their way. And when she seeks information from the Voice of her Amulet, she discovers that the Voice is much more sinister than she ever could have imagined."

My Rating: 5/5

I made the choice to continue reading tonight and I'm glad that I did. After doing more research on this series I've found out that book 7/9 have been published. My library has the first 6 copies and am planning to pick up the 7th in a few months. I can't wait to read them all. This series is taking further dark turns which is what I really love about it. The dark and sinister plot thickening is amazing. The writing is well thoughout and the plot is marvelous. I'm anxious to see how the series draws to a close over the coming years.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: The Last Council
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Book #4)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure
Pages: 212
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Year Published: 2011

"A fallen city where terrible secrets are revealed...
Emily and her friends think they'll find the help they need in Cielis, but something isn't right. Streets that were once busy are deserted, and the townspeople who are left live in fear. Emily is soon escorted to the Academy, where she's expected to compete for a spot on the Guardian Council, a group of the most powerful Stonekeepers. But as the number of competitors gets smaller and smaller, an awful secret is slowly uncovered- a secret that, if left buried, means the certain destruction of everything Emily is fighting for."

My Rating: 5/5

This has been by far my favourite instalment in the series. It was dark and hard hitting. All in all, an incredible use of illustration to demonstrate our characters power as well as their ability to think quickly. Although I found the ending to be slightly predictable (I'm an adult, not middle grade to be fair), I still loved it. I think that this fourth book got down to the point and I'm more than interested in what will happen next. The world is tremendous and I would imagine it only gets better from here. So buckle up and read these amazing graphic novels.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Review: The Cloud Searchers

Title: The Cloud Searchers
Author: Kazu KIbuishi
Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Book #3)
Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade
Pages: 224
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Year Published: 2010

"An impossible journey with danger at every turn...
Emily, Navin and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of the lost city of Cielis. There they hope to find help from the Guardian Council's powerful Stonekeepers. It's a mission that Alledia's survival depends on, and time is running out- Emily's got to find Cielis before the Elf King finds her.

My Rating: 5/5

Loving where this series is going. Also enjoying getting in deeper into the world as well as with the characters. I really enjoy the different views of characters and the adventures. I loved it and how fast they are to read. I'm sorry I don't have more to say.

Review: The Stonekeeper's Curse by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: The Stonekeeper's Curse
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Series/Standalone:
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade
Pages: 224
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Year Published: 2009

"In this thrilling sequel to AMULET  #1: THE STONEKEEPER, Emily and her brother Navin head for Kanlis, a beautiful and mysterious city of waterfalls, where they hope to find the antidote for the poison that felled their mother. That cure lies in the eggs of a gaint serpent atop Demon's Head Mountain, but the kids' archenemy, Trellis, is headed for the peak, too. A battle taht will engulf all of Kanalis is looming. It's up to Em to triumph over evil while controlling the amulet's power... without losing herself."

My Rating: 5/5

I'm burning through these graphic novels and loving them. This one was a lot more action packed and filled with a ton of adventure. I hope to learn more about the land as well as the supporting characters throughout the series and am thrilled that I picked up the first 5 on my library visit today. They are a marvelous quick read and beautifully illustrated. The story reminds me of fantasy but as well as steam punk ideas (such as robotics and moving houses). I look forward to continuing this series as soon as possible (so tomorrow) and hopefully finishing all the books that are available in my library. Also looked into buying a boxset.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny 

Review: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

Title: The Stonekeeper
Author: Kazu Kibuishi
Series/Standalone: Amulet Series (Book #1)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 192
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Year Published: 2008

"There's something strange behind the basement door...
After a family tragedy, Emily, Navin and their mother move to an ancestral home to start a new life. On the family very first night in the mysterious house, Eme and Navin's mom is kidnapped by a tentacled creature. Now it's up to Em and Navin to figure out how to set things right and save their mother's life."

My Rating: 4/5

So I'll be the first to say that I don't often read graphic novels and I really didn't expect to like it. That being said I am participating in the Epic Reads decathlon of reading 10 books in 10 days. Originally I planned to go for gold and read 10 novels, but with a busy schedule that's not happening. My new goal is to read 5 graphic novels and 5 novels which would set me at silver. This story was interesting and a fast read. I found it to be a real cleansor as I'm having trouble getting into the book I'm reading right now. This story was action packed and filled with beautiful illustrations. That being said, I'm still worried that it might be too young for me. I plan to continue reading this tonight and then doing an overall spoiler on the whole series after completing it. Although this may take some time because it is not at my local library. 
Looking forward to continuing.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny 

Book Review: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

Title: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child 
Authors: JK Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
Series/Novel: Script in the Harry Potter Series
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Play
Pages: 368
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Year Published: 2016

"Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts....
It was always difficult being Harry Potter, and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and a father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
Based on an original new story by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth Harry Potter story and the first to be officially presented on stage. This special rehearsal edition of the script brings the continued journey of Harry Potter and his friends and family to readers everywhere immediately following the play's world premier in London's West End on July 30, 2016."

My Rating: 4/5

I started this book last night and was really enjoying it. To the point where I finished it last night around midnight. This is the 8th story in the Harry Potter series and it takes place nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts. The story follows Harry and his family along with many other characters that we know and love. I found this book extremely enjoyable. It made me want to reread the Harry Potter series once more and review them on here. I really enjoy the series as a whole. I know that this book has had many mixed reviews and that may be because of the way it is written. It is the script from the play taking place in London. I found that it was a quick read because of the format but it did seem to change some of the characters behaviour that I knew and loved. I think that if I had reread the Harry Potter series before reading this I would have been far more disappointed in the story, but I did find that this book gave me a chance to see so many favourite characters that I hadn't for a long time and catch up in their lives. I didn't like how some of the characters behaviour was extraordinarily different from what I recall from the book as well I found some parts to be a bit corny while reading. Therefore I docked 1 star. But overall an enjoyable read. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne

So this is the eighth story in the Harry Potter stories collection including almost everyone's favorite books about a boy wizard. This will spoil some of the story for those who haven't read the original 7 books in the series. Be warned.
So this story takes place 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts and follows some of our favorite characters. Another different thing about this book is that it's the script of the play that took place in London July 30th. I think that it made it an extremely quick read for me and reminded me about what I loved in the original 7 books. I think that the characters changing time was an interesting idea as it gives readers a chance to imagine the what ifs in the series. It also helps us to catch up with series that we know and love. I really found this book enjoyable and hope to be rereading the original 7 soon.

Characters:
Harry: So he's changed alot and has become a true Ministry man. I think I found him frustrating because he was very selfish about his path with Albus and that's not how I imagined Harry at all.  I was glad to see him in the positions he was in. 

Albus: It's hard being the sore thumb the person no one expects you to be. I can understand how that would be heart breaking to him. But Slytherin isn't a horrible house. Does it have a dark past? Of course but it has morals as well. Ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness to name a few. 

Rose: What a little witch. Ooops accidental pun. I just found her to be annoying. But she does take after Hermoine in her snotty ways.

Scorpius: He broke my heart a little bit. I mean to have such a horrible rumour circulating. No one no one wanted anything to do with him. Which is horrible but true. He really came into his own.

Draco: He's changed and put up with so many things in his life. Losing a wife and then having rumours circulate around your only child would be so heart breaking. I was proud of how he turned out though.

Hermione: She's really found her own. And she's a strong mother but not the best Minister in my opinion. Simply for hiding the time turner in a library. Boo. But I liked this version of her far more than any other we saw. 

Ron: Not impressed by his character in all honesty.

Snape: This broke my heart in a million pieces. I may have cried all over again.

Delphi: This was crazy and I kind of expected it but I do wonder more about her life as a child. I would read something about her childhood and where she ends up for sure. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: The Heir by Kiera Cass

Title: The Heir
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection Series (Book #4)
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Pages: 342
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2015
First Line: "I couldn't hold my breath for seven minutes."

"Twenty years ago, her mother won the crown. Now it's Princess Eadlyn's turn to find true love.
Princess Eadlyn has heard countless stories about the Selection that brought her parents together, and while it's a beautiful fairy tale, it's not what Eadlyn wants for herself. Unfortunately, she can't escape the path laid out for her... including her very own Selection. Eadlyn doesn't expect to find love among the Selection's thirty-five eligible bachelors. But finding her own happily ever after might not be as impossible as she's always thought."

My Rating: 3.5/5

So this review will contain a slight spoiler for the first three books in the Selection series. I think that this book was a bit of a let down after reading the first three books in the Selection series. I think that this book had a huge change of characters. This fourth book in the series follows America and Maxon's daughter as she trains to take over the country from her father after many changes have taken place in the country.  The way the characters and the country has changed made me change my opinion of the world. I found that the main character had traits that I just didn't find easy to accept, and they kinda clashed with my feelings on things. I'm not sure if the author did this intentionally or if this was just how she had envisioned Eadlyn. Overall I found this book hard to get through and didn't care to pick it up until about half way through. I am looking forward to finishing this series and am excited to see how it draws to a close. 

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: The Heir by Kiera Cass

So this fourth book in the Selection series. It follows Maxon and America's daughter as the first female heir to the throne of Illea. She is living in a generation of many firsts. The castes have been eliminated, rebels have all been eliminated. People in the country of Illea are experiencing change. And for the monarch, the response is not what was expected. I was surprised to see how the citizens were reacting to the change. Especially the new generation. It was great to see older characters such as Marlee, America and Maxon as adults with a whole life surrounding them. This being said I found the main character extremely annoying. As a reader, I found her whiny and too rude to those around her. I can't even imagine speaking to people the way she does, family, strangers, etc.

Characters:

Eadlyn: I find that she really was a whiny character in the first 2/3 of the books. I found that she just complained about everything. Her life was so tough wah wah wah. I just hated her. around the last third, I started to enjoy the story more but just not enough. I found that this character was hard to read from her p.o.v. I just can't handle her. This being said I'm reading to learn more about the changes in the world of Illea.

Ahern: I don't blame him for leaving Illea and going to get married. I thought that he was brave to do it and that he was brave to speak to his sister when she was acting like such a brat. I think that he would make a better leader and that he just had to leave his family behind.

Maxon: It sounds like he's changed so much in his time as king, and that's incredible. That being said his health is going down hill quickly as he tries to clean up more and more problems throughout the country. I think that the story of his and America's love was what kept me reading.

America: She has become such a graceful queen and I'm happy to see her getting to be a mother to many great children. I was surprised that she didn't tell her children more about the Selection. I was happy that she was stubborn enough to make sure her eldest, no matter the gender had the opportunity to lead the country. I was upset by the ending and the ending is why I am going to be reading The Crown. 

The Boys: Yes I put them in a pile because I didn't get to know all the names and it didn't seem fair to everyone to leave them out. I like Kile, I think he's kind but I don't know if he's the one. I also like Henri, but that would be a difficult relationship. I also enjoy Erik although he is not even a part of the selection. He's perfect. Burke obviously ugh... but the guy he thought a girl saying no was a joke, I wanna kick your butt. So hard!

Moments to Remember:

Pg.  88

"I knew the water would get rid of the mess, and I know it would take away the smell, but no amount of scrubbing  would ever was away this memory."

 Final Line: "And, when I did, I'd have a ring on my finger."

Thanks for reading,

Sidny