Review: Rat Queens: Sass & Sorcery by Kurtis J. Wiebe

 Title: Sass & Sorcery

Author: Kurtis J. Wiebe

Artist(s): Roc Upchurch

Series/Standalone: Rat Queens Collected Volumes (Volume #1)

Genre: Adult, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy (Borrowed Via Friend)

"Who are the Rat Queens?

They're a pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire and they're in the business of killing all the god's creatures for profit. Meet Hannah, the Rockability Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Athiest Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidge Thief. 

This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent, monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack!"

My Rating:4.5/5

I can usually tell if I'm going to enjoy the sequel by the first instalment of a graphic novel series and this was no exception. The story was hilarious, filled with badass women, comedy, role-playing style /fantasy tropes (in the best way) and intrigue. I think that the world was decently fleshed out and I'm certainly curious about the character's lives (current and past). I hope to continue these as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

 

Title: The Color Purple

Author: Alice Walker

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Classic, Adult Fiction
Pages: 288

Publisher: A Harvest Book/Harcourt, Inc.

Year Published: 1982

Format: Library Copy (Paperback)

"Published to unprecedented acclaim, The Color Purple established Alice Walker as a major voice in modern fiction. This is the story of two sisters-- one a missionary in Africa and the other a child wife living in the South-- who sustain their loyalty to and trust in each other across time, distance, silence. Beautifully imagined and deeply compassionate, this classic novel of American literature is rich with passion, pain, inspiration, and an indomitable love of life."

My Rating: 4.25/5

My best friend and I have started a fun little buddy reading thing with my best friend monthly to motivate us to read physical books and audiobooks. It also gives us an excuse to gab on the phone with a glass of wine in the evenings (this hasn't happened yet, but it's only a matter of time). This was our first choice of a buddy read. What we didn't expect was for this book to immediately start out so dark, so when I discussed it with my mom, she mentioned that she loved the movie, although it started out just as dark. Overall, this book has a lot to offer, and there is a reason it won the Pulitzer Prize. This story, while dark and heart-wrenching, touched on religion in a way I didn't anticipate. The idea that if there is a God, we can see him in the smaller things surrounding us, nature, and sun etc. I also thought the discussion about race issues and how they began was incredibly interesting. Topical, now as things once again come to a head throughout the world. 

I would recommend anyone looking for a different style of classic. There are trigger warnings for sexual assault, physical assault and violence (likely amongst others these are what came to mind upon review). 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

 

Title: Dear Martin
Author: Nic Stone
Series/Standalone: Dear Martin Series (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Social Justice, Fiction
Pages: 210
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2017
Format: Audiobook

"Raw, captivating and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut.

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy Leauge but none of that matters to the police officer who just puts him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers on the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up- way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack."

My Rating: 5/5

This book is going to really sit with me. It is no one's responsibility to educate white people on the oppression of people of colour! I think this is an important fact to state. I don't expect that author's who are black to write their books thinking about how it will affect white people. I do hope that this reaches as many black people of colour as possible. Not because they need to be educated, but the ability to be seen in media and pop culture is important!  That being said, I also think this is a great read for everyone to remember what the Black Lives Matter movement is about. It's this story. The idea that while we claim everyone to be equal, we certainly (as a society) do no act like it. This perspective was heartbreak, and unfortunately accurate for many. I'm grateful that I read this book and got to know more about these characters. I am curious about the next book in the series and would STRONGLY recommend.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Unseen World by Liz Moore

 

Title: The Unseen World

Author: Liz Moore

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Adult

Pages: 464

Publisher: W.W. Norton Company

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Ada Sibelius is raised by David, her brilliant, eccentric, socially inept single father, who directs a computer science lab in 1980s-era Boston. Home-schooled, Ada accompanies David to work every day; by twelve, she is a painfully shy prodigy. The lab begins to gain acclaim at the same time that David's mysterious history comes into question. When his mind begins to falter, leaving Ada virtually an orphan, she is taken in by one of David's colleagues. Soon she embarks on a mission to uncover her father's secrets: a process that carries her from childhood to adulthood. What Ada discovers on her journey into a virtual universe will keep the reader riveted until The Unseen World's heart-stopping, fascinating conclusion."

My Rating: 4/5

This is not a story that I anticipated going this way. I thought that it would be more mystery based, based on the shelves that I saw it on on Goodreads. I would personally classify this as a contemporary story with a hint of a mystery, and a hint of sci-fi. But overall it's about the characters, their growth, and the way they choose to live their lives. I enjoyed the concept and was intrigued about the past of some of our main characters. I also enjoyed watching the growth in confidence that Ada and Gregory went through throughout their life. I appreciate what the author did with the story, but at some points found that the writing style seemed to drag out for me. Enjoyable, not an all-time favourite but left me with warm feelings.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny