Review: Attack on Titan Volume 3

Title: Attack on Titan Vol. 3

Author: Hajime Isayama

Artist(s): Hajime Isayama

Series/Standalone: Attack On Titan (Volume 3)

Genre: Manga, Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 208

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Year Published: 2010

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"TRAITOR

The last thing Eren remembers before blacking out, a Titan had bitten off his arm and leg and was getting ready to eat him alive. Much to his surprise he wakes up without a scratch on him, with a crowd of angry soldiers screaming for his blood. What strange new power has he awakened and what will happen when the boy devoted to destroying the Titans becomes one himself?"

My Rating: 5/5

This has been my favourite volume so far. It was action-packed and filled with information about the world. I know that I have a lot more to read in the series and I can't wait to see it all come to light.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Attack on Titan Vol. 2

Title: Attack on Titan Vol. 2

Author: Hajime Isayama

Artist(s): Hajime Isayama

Series/Standalone: Attack on Titan Series (Vol. 2)

Genre: Manga, Young Adult, Dystopian

Pages: 189

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Year Published: 2010

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"BIRTH OF A MONSTER

The Colossal Titan has breached humanity's first line of defense, Wall Maria. Mikasa, the 104th Training Corps' ace and Eren's best friend, may be the only one capable of defeating them, but beneath her calm exterior lurks a dark past. When all looks lost, a new Titan appears and begins to slaughter its fellow Titans. Could this new monster be a blessing in disguise, or is the truth something much more sinister?"

My Rating: 3.75/5

This volume was better for me than the first volume, now that the world is more set up and it all is set up I was able to understand characters better along with their motivation. I can't wait to see where the series goes and hope to watch the show as soon as I finish the manga. 

Sidny

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series/Standalone: Throne of Glass Series (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Pages: 432

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children

Year Published: 2013

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy- and the life of your friend.

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil. 

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances- not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This book was an excellent follow-up to the first book. I will say the way Sarah J. Maas wrote these is just YA enough. This was great for me, but I did wish that it was written as a new adult at some points but that's just because I'm obsessed with fantasy romance right now. The character arcs in this series are headed in an interesting direction, although not surprising. I like how this series is going and am curious about where the world is headed. I can't wait to read on in the series. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Saga Volume 10

Title: Saga Vol. 10

Author: Brian K. Vaughn

Artist(s): Fiona Staples

Series/Standalone: Saga Series (Volume 10)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 160

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"At long last, Hazel and her star-crossed family are finally back, and they've made some new... friends? The collection features the latest six chapters of the most epic adventure in comics, including the series' double-sized first issue back from hiatus."

My Rating: 4/5

This felt like a weird place to pick up. I think when the series is finished or continually putting out more issues I will be buying them as they come out again so I can reread past volumes in order to keep track of the story lines. I liked this one, just didn't quite love it. I look forward to seeing how this series continues.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: You Are Home by Catana Chetwynd

Title: You Are Home

Author: Catana Chetwynd

Artist(s): Catana Chetwynd

Series/Standalone: Catana Comics (Book #4)

Genre: Comics, Coffee Table Book

Pages: 128

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2022

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Author of Little Moments of Love, Snug and In Love & Pajamas, Catana Chetwynd imparts her relationship wisdom once again with her latest collection of comics. This together, the reality of facing time apart, or even officially committing to one another-- all while shining a light on the joy those moments can offer. Catana's unmistakable illustration and writing styles make even the most mundane tasks, like mowing the lawn or deciding whose turn it is to cook dinner, seem charming. Her relatable content is elevated in a fresh and humorous way that only Catana's comics can do."

My Rating: 5/5

These little comic collections give my partner and me so much joy. Catana is able to describe so many relatable little situations you have in a long-term relationship and it helps both my husband and me feel seen. I love them and they always make us giggle together as we take turns flipping through them. I can't wait to read more of them. Would strongly recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

Title: Us Against You

Author: Fredrik Backman

Series/Standalone: Beartown Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 448

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"After everything that the citizens of Beartown have gone through, they are struck yet another blow when they hear that their beloved local hockey team will soon be disbanded. What makes it worse is the obvious satisfaction that'll the former Beartown players, who now play for a rival team in Hed, take in that fact. Amidst the mounting tension between the two rivals, a surprising newcomer is handpicked to be Beartown's new hockey coach.

Soon a new team starts to take shape around Amat, the fastest player you'll ever see; Benji, the intense lone wolf; and Vidar, a born-to-be-bad troublemaker. But bringing this team together proves to be a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the enmity with Hed grows more and more acute.

As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper. By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will to be forced to wonder if, after all they've been through, the game they love can ever return to be something simple and innocent."

My Rating: 5/5

This book was so much more than I anticipated. I didn't expect this to hit so hard. It was hard to imagine how the author was going to make this a series, but once again the small-town hard-hitting contemporary vibes. Since I grew up in this kind of small town all of this hit a little too close to home. The characters in this series felt so deep and realistic. I look forward to continuing the series and seeing how the author wraps up the town's story overall.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Title: Icebreaker

Author: Hannah Grace

Series/Standalone: Maple Hills Series (Book #1)

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Smut

Pages: 435

Publisher: Pig & Bear Publishing

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

First Line: "Again, Anastasia!"

"Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA.

A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driver person weep, Stassie comes to win.

No exceptions.

Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn't solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey tam on the ice rests on his shoulders.

When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia's partner gets hurt in the aftermath. Nate finds himself swapping his sticks for tights, and one scary couch for an even scarier one.

The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it's fine, because Anastasia doesn't even like hockey players... right?"

My Rating: 4/5

For whatever reason, this book took me a long time to get through. I don't think that it had anything to do with the book itself but more so with the format I was reading it on. That being said there was a bit of a lull in the middle of the book for me. The last third of the book flew by though. The smut in this book was so well written and I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers format. The concept of them both being athletes helped the story along and I can't wait to read the next one in this series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Title: The Spanish Love Deception

Author: Elena Armas

Series/Standalone: Spanish Love Deception Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 487

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Cataline Martin desperately needs a date to her sister's wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows- including her ex and his fiancee- will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won't be easy to fool. 

Enter Aaron Blackford- her tall, handsome, condescending colleague- who surprisingly offers to step in. She'd rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the world as he is at the office."

My Rating: 2.5/5

As someone who doesn't work in cooperate America, I don't think I can accurately understand an office job. That seems like a good place to start because I think the office politics in this (office-wise) were not what I anticipated. There are a few scenes in this in the workplace that made me cringe and a few more that made me fume and while they were dealt with, it wasn't in a way that I would have preferred. The romance was fun, and the enemies-to-lovers trope was cute, but the actual steamy scene had a few buzzwords that I just don't prefer (things that just take me out of the moment). It was fun, I will listen to the next one, but I don't think they are new favourites.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny