Review: The Infernal Path by Kurtis J. Wiebe

 Title: The Infernal Path

Author: Kurtis J. Wiebe

Artist: Owen Gieni

Series/Standalone: Rat Queens Volume 6

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 144

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"The further adventures of the booze guzzling, death dealing battle maidens-for-hire in the business of killing all the gods' creatures for profit. Hannah the Rockability Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric, Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief and Braga the Orc Princess.

Rat Queens is a modern spin on an old school genre, a monster-killing epic with a twisted sense of humor."

My Rating: 2.5/5

In my opinion, this instalment was just trying to do too much. There was a great combination of a whole bunch of storylines from past volumes. There was a change in pace adn while I thought that was fun, it was also a bit confusing. I am still longing for the original storyline that we read about in the first 3 volumes, instead of this mashing of different storylines. I will continue the series, but I do feel like I have lost the love of the story overall. Now it's just ok.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

 Title: The Henna

Author: Adiba Jaigirdar

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult, LGBT

Pages: 400

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Year Published: 2020

Format: Audiobook

"When Dimple Met Rishi meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this from com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses.

When Nishat comes out to her parents, they say she can be anyone she wants- as long as she isn't herself. Because Muslim girls aren't lesbians. Nishat doesn't want to hide who she is, but she also doesn't want to lose her relationship with her family. And her life only gets harder once a childhood friend walks back into her life.

Flavia is a beautiful and charismatic and Nishat falls for her instantly. But when a school competition invites students to create their own businesses, both Flavia and Nishat choose to do henna, even though Flavia is appropriating Nishat's culture. Amidst sabotage and school stress, their lives get more tangled- but Nishat can't quite get rid of her crust on Flavia and realizes there might be more to her than she realized."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was an interesting read to wrap up my end of the month reading. This story follows Nishat through coming out to her family, fighting for her culture and enduring bullying continually based on who she is. I think that this story does well highlighting cultural appropriation and the reasons its harmful to all who participate in it and the people's culture it lifts from. The characters in this book were interesting enough to read and I enjoyed hearing about Bangali culture, that being said I found that Nishat was a little self-centred at times. This might be due to the fact that I am a 26-year-old and I believe that Nishat is likely 16 or 17. A bit of development happens between those ages. I also found that there is a twist in the story that wasn't surprising at all. I'm not sure if we are supposed to realize what's going on, or if it's set up as a surprise, but either way that is one of the reasons this story didn't get 5/5 stars for me.

Overall a good story, and will be reading more work from the author. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Saga Volume 9 by Brian K. Vaughan

 

Title: Saga Volume 9

Author: Brian K. Vaughan

Artist(s): Fiona Staples

Series/Standalone: Saga Series

Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction

Pages: 160

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Edition)

"The multiple Eisner Award-winning series returns with a spacefaring adventure about fake news and genuine terror. Get ready for the most shocking, most impactful SAGA storyline yet."

My Rating: 5/5

There is something about this world that just sucks me in every time.  I think the ever-evolving characters, the changing setting and the dramatic stakes. This was continued on the path that the artist and author are taking us on. A heartbreaking path but one I'll continue on wherever it goes. While it's started a new arch I am curious to see how the rest of the series goes.  I look forward to rereading the volumes that are out and continuing on as the series is published.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Colossal Magic Nothing by Kurtis J. Wiebe

 Title: The Colossal Magic Nothing

Author(s): Kurtis J. Wiebe

Artist: Owen Gieni

Series/Standalone: Rat Queens Series (Volume 5)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 152

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

" Palisade has a new resident: a strange wizard who wants to end the suffering of others. As the Queens disappear one by one, Betty uncovers a terrifying truth that finally reveals the events following Hannah's imprisonment in a magical void."

My Rating: 4/5

This was so much better than the fourth instalment in the series. I found that it touched far more on things that happened in the third volume, so if you're wondering where that storyline goes it does get picked up a bit. That being said, I'm not 100% sure I know what just happened. I think I understand most of the plot points and I enjoyed them, but I don't understand where we are going to go from here. I look forward to finding out and continuing the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

 Title: The Maze Runner

Author: James Dashner

Series/Standalone: The Maze Runner Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 384

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Year Published: 2009

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air."

"If you ain't scared, you ain't human.

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He's surrounded by strangers- boys whose memories are also gone.

Nice to meet ya, shank. Welcome to the Glade.

Outside the towering stone walls that surround the Glade is a limitless ever-changing maze. It's the only way out- and no one's ever made it through alive.

Everything is going to change.

Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying.

Remember. Survive. Run."

My Rating: 3/5

I thought upon entering this story we were going to be very lord of the flies style survival book. And it just wasn't that. It was more mysterious than that. I enjoyed the intrigue of getting back the memories of the boys who have memories missing, the idea of figuring out why they're in a maze, what's going to change and how they're going to get out. Those are the parts I loved. The characters themselves don't have huge personality traits just due to the fact that most of them only remember living in the maze these past 2 years. So there isn't anything to really know about them. I also thought the final plot twist was perfection. I am looking forward to continuing with the series and seeing where these characters go.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Paper Girls Vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughan

 Title: Paper Girls, Vol. 6

Author: Brian K. Vaughan

Artists: Cliff Chiang, Matt Vilson

Series/Standalone: Paper Girls (Vol. 6)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 144

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Edition)

"THE END IS HERE!

After surviving adventures in their past present and future, the Paper Girls of 1988 embark on one last journey, a fire part epic that includes the emotional double-sized series finale. Featuring a new wraparound cover from Eisner Award-winning co-creator Cliff Chiang, which can be combined with the covers of all five previous volumes to form one complete mega-image!"

My Rating: 4/5

As a finale, this was really well done. At first, upon entering the final plot points I felt a little disappointed but as I read it through I was happy that this was the decisions the creators made in ending the series. The characters were well written, the worlds were interesting and the plot was very out there but always interesting. I will be missing this world, but look forward to reading more stories with these creators. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Million Worlds With You by Claudia Gray

 Title: A Million Worlds With You

Author: Claudia Gray

Series/Standalone: Firebird Trilogy (Book #3)

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance

Pages: 419

Publisher: HarperTeen

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"A million universes. A million dangers. One destiny.

The fate of the multiverse rests in Marguerite Caine's hands. Marguerite has been at the centre of a cross-dimensional feud since she first traveled to another universe. using her parents' invention, the Firebird. Only now has she learned the true plans of the evil Triad Corporation- and that those plans could spell doom for dozens or hundreds of universes, each facing total annihilation.

Paul Markov has always been at Marguerite's side, but Triad's last attack has left him a changed man- angry and shadowed by tragedy. He struggles to overcome the damage done to him, but despite Marguerite's efforts to help, Paul may never be the same again.

So it's up to Marguerite alone to stop the destruction of the multiverse. Billions of lives are at stake. The risks have never been higher. And Triad has unleashed its ultimate weapon: another dimension's Marguerite- wicked psychologically twisted and always one step ahead.

In the conclusion to Claudia Gray's Firebird trilogy, fate and family will be questioned, loves will be won and lost, and the multiverse will be forever changed. It's a battle of the Marguerites... and only one can win."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I really enjoyed the start of the series overall, the exploring or worlds and the idea of a revenge plot really drew me into the series, but by the time I got to this last book I just didn't care about where the plot was going. I was just ok with what was going on, it wasn't great, it wasn't horrible. It was just ok.  I liked the jumping to different worlds aspect still, but I thought that the villains while dynamic, were to easily defeated. I also found that Marguerite got significantly more annoying in this installment, unable to ever focus on the end of the world and the loss of her family in multiple dimensions instead worried that a boy might not love her. 

Hope to read more by the author in the future as I'm interested in her ideas and concepts within her other novels.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Naturally Tan by Tan France

 Title: Naturally Tan

Author: Tan France

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Autobiography, LGBT

Pages: 304

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"In this heartfelt, funny, touching memoir, Tan France, star of Netflix's smash-hit QUEER EYE, tells his origin story for the first time. With his trademark wit, humor and radical compassion, Tan reveals what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional Muslim family, as one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England. He illuminates his winding journey of coming of age, finding his voice (and style!), and how he finally came out to his family at the age of 34, revealing that he was happily married to the love of his life-- a Mormon cowboy from Salt Lake City.

In Tan's own words, "The book is meant to spread joy, personal acceptance, and most of all understanding. Each of us is living our own private journey, and the more we know about each other, the healthier and happier the world will be."

My Rating: 2/5

I think I'm coming to realize that celebrity autobiographies/memoirs are not for me. I just find that they appear a bit performative and while they do touch on important topics, it's just not for me. That being said, Tan France speaks about growing up in a predominately white neighbourhood, racism, homophobia, religious beliefs, marriage, media diversity etc. Many important topics, I just didn't find that the audiobook did much for me. And that's fine, not every book is for everybody to get something from. So for me, this was just ok. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Broken Throne by Victoria Aveyard

Title: Broken Throne

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series/Standalone: Red Queen Series (Book #4.5)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 468

Publisher: Orion

Year Published: 2019

Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)

"Return once more to the deadly and dazzling world of Red Queen in Broken Throne, a beautifully designed must-have companion to the chart-topping series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard.

The perfect addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, this gorgeously designed package features three brand-new novellas, two previously published novellas, Steal Scars and Queen Song, and never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries and much more exclusive content.

Fans will be delighted to catch up with beloved characters after the drama of War Storm and be excited to hear from brand-new voices as well. This stunning collection is not to be missed!"

My Rating: 4.75/5

I feel like this book really brought me back to what I love about the series. While it took me a long time to read through the separate novellas and bonus scenes it was exactly what I wanted from it. 

I had already read Steel Scars and Queen song as they were in a separate wrap up Cruel Crown. These two stories give great context to the world and characters we see/hear about in passing during through the first two books in the series. 

I thought that the novella World Behind didn't do anything for me other than mention sepearte characters that I wanted to hear more about in the future. I just wish that we had gotten Jon's backstory rather than this one. 

Iron Heart was a great novella and gave the insight that I wanted into Evangaline's mind and helped me understand the relationship she has with Elane. 

Fire Light is what I freaking needed at the end of the series.It brought back so many great memories of reading the series for the first time. The relationships between characters is just so fantastic to read. I loved the swoon worthy moments and the humour that was brought in by familiar characters.

The last section had me crying. I can't wait to read more from this author, even in a separate world than this one. 

Would recommend for fans of Red Queen Series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

 Title: The Black Flamingo

Author: Dean Atta

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Poetry, LGBT, Young Adult, Contemporary

Pages: 360

Publisher: Hodder Children's Books

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen- then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers- to show ourselves to the world in bold colour."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This story follows Michael as he further discovers himself, and expands his view about who he wants to be. I really thought after reading the description that this story would focus more on the drag aspects, but it was far more about self-discovery. I enjoyed the writing style and the changes in dynamics between characters, but I will say that verse while beautiful was too much for me at some points. I just don't vibe well with poetry. I will read more from the author in the future and plan to find more books about entering the drag community as it is something that really interests me.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny