Review: Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen

Title: Cryptid Club

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone:  Standalone

Genre: Comics, Coffee Table Book, Humor

Pages: 112

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2021

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Do you hate social gatherings? Dodge cameras? Enjoy staying up just a little too late at night? You might have more in common with your local cryptid than you think! Enter the world of Cryptid Club, a look inside the adventures of elusive creatures ranging from Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster. This humorous new series celebrates the unique qualities that make cryptids so desperately sought after by mankind (to no avail). After all, it's what makes us different that also makes us beautiful."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This one was fun but I wanted a bit more by the end. I think that while it was really cute there were some that were just a little too on the nose for me. Still a cute lil read.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Twisted Games by Ana Huang

Title: Twisted Games

Author: Ana Huang

Series/Standalone: Twisted Series (Book #2)

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Pages: 456

Publisher: Indie

Year Published: 2021

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"She can never be his... but he's taking her anyway.

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever.

He has never once been tempted to break those rules... until her.

Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak that matches his own and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed.

Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer deny: he swore an oath to protect her, but all he wants is to ruin her. Take her.

Because she's his.

His princess.

His forbidden fruit.

His every depraved fantasy. 

***

Regal, strong-willed, and bound by the chains of duty, Princess Bridget dreams of the freedom to live and love as she chooses. 

But when her brother abdicates, she's suddenly faced with the prospect of a loveless, politically expedient marriage and a throne she never wanted.

And as she navigates the intricacies- and treacheries- of her new role, she must also hide her desire for a man she can't have.

Her bodyguard.

Her protector

Her ultimate ruin.

Unexpected and forbidden, theirs is a love that could destroy a kingdom... and doom them both."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is the second book in the Twisted series and I felt very similar to this one as the first one. The first half of this book was well done, especially the banter between the characters. Seeing how they interacted and the longing from the get-go was amazing. I loved the bodyguard aspect, but about halfway through I figured out how this was going to end (or at least pretty close). Over time, I also find it frustrating that the author does a lot of telling and very little showing. I want to see what's happening to the characters not hear about it later (obviously this can't be done for every scenario but a bit more would help with my personal enjoyment). I don't think I will be continuing with the series at this time but I hope to try her other series in the future.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: How War Begins by Igort

Title: How War Begins: Dispatches from the Ukrainian Invasion

Author: Igort

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction

Pages:172

Publisher: Fantagraphics Books

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In 2022, Igort, an acclaimed Italian cartoonist, began taking down the testimonies of Ukrainians during the Russian invasion. He turned them into online comics journalism, collected here for the first time in English. "The collapsing bodies look like marionettes. The clouds of dust captured by drones have a surreal beauty. The crumpling buildings look like houses of cards. Even so, It's upsetting, panic-inducing. How can you not think about the human lives, just like your own, buried under that rubble?" In this real-time work of graphic journalism (posted serially on Facebook), the cartoonist Igort uses the medium of comics to depict the telephone testimonies of Ukrainians as Russia invaded in 2022. In vignettes that grow ever more horrifying- infiltrating spies, bombed cities, recorded accounts of children whose parents were murdered in front of their eyes, and more- Igort also relays the events that led up to the invasion, such as the torture and killing of human rights activists. He tells stories of individual struggle and suffering with no resolutions because they are still Of Tetiana, who fled in the middle of the night with her children and whose car broke down on the steppe. And Maksim, who lived in Belgium and went for a five-day family visit and who could not return home when his mother died of COVID due to martial law. In art styles that veer from cartoon simplicity to photorealism, depending on what the moment demands, Igort paints portraits and scenes of ordinary people trying to survive among almost 10,000 civilian deaths. how War Begins is an important document of the past, the present and the future. Full-color illustrations throughout."

Unrated

This is an extremely important read. The way the war in Ukraine has gone is something we can't even imagine the atrocities that are happening. And to have these documented for historical facts. I would recommend giving it a read.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Title: People We Meet on Vacation

Author: Emily Henry

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 364

Publisher: Berkley

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love.

Poppy and Alex, Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She's a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best friend. For most of the year they live far apart- she's in New York City and he's in their small hometown- but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. 

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven't spoken since.

Poppy has everything she should want, but she's stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together- lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees.

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?"

My Rating: 5/5

I have tried many friends-to-lovers style romance books. I always find that I can't relate to them. For those who may not have read previously, my husband and I were best friends for 6 years before we started dating, so you might say this is a trope I want to relate to. This one is exactly how I felt leading up to my relationship other than the fact that we weren't adults when we were best friends. I loved the changing setting, the characters and the different emotions throughout the years. It was so well done. It's one of my new favourite contemporary romances for sure. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: These Are My Words by Ruby Slipperjack

Title: These Are My Words

Author: Ruby Slipperjack

Series/Standalone: Dear Canada Series 

Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

Pages: 200

Publisher: Scholastic Canada

Year Published: 2016

Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"Violet Pesheen is struggling to adjust to her new life at Residential School. She misses her Grandma; she has run-ins with Cree girls; at her "white" school, everyone just stares; and everything she brought has been taken from her, including her name- she is now just a number. But worst of all, she has a fear. A fear of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishnabe language; the names of those she knew before; and her traditional customs. A fear of forgetting who she was. 

Her notebook is the one place she can record all of her worries, and heartbreaks, and memories. And maybe, just maybe there will be hope at the end of the tunnel. 

Drawing from her own experiences at Residential School, Ruby Slipperjack creates a brave, yet heartbreaking heroine in Violet, and lets young readers glimpse into an all-too important chapter in our nation's history."

My Rating: 5/5

When I was younger I would frequently read the Dear Canada series and seeing that they have expanded the series to encompass some of Canada's less than shining moments interested me. For those who do not know Residential Schools were a cultural genocide planned to eradicate the Indigenous cultures in Canada. While we know some of the things that happened in these horrible environments we will never know all of the stories from these terrible environments. I wanted to read this to proof it for the school-age class in the childcare centre I work at. I would highly recommend reading this as it gives a look at the generational trauma that Residential Schools gave to the Indigenous people in Canada.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen

Title: Herding Cats

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Sarah Scribbles (Book #3)

Genre: Comic, Coffe Table Book

Pages: 112

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Adjusting to life as a world-famous cartoonist isn't easy. Terrifying deadlines, piles of junk-food wrappers under a glowing computer screen and an ever-growing horde of pets.... ummm, never mind- it's pretty much the same.

With characteristic wit and charms, Sarah Andersen's third collection of comics and illustrated personal essays offers a survival guide for frantic modern life: from the importance of avoiding morning people, to Internet troll defense 101, to the not-so-life-changing futility of tidying up. But when all else fails and the world around you is collapsing, make a hot chocolate, count the days until Halloween, and snuggle up next to your furry beacon of hope."

My Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed this. I will say there is something about Sarah's little snippets that makes me feel less alone in this wild world. This very well might be my favourite. Would recommend!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith

Title: Out from Boneville

Author: Jeff Smith

Series/Standalone: Bone Series (Volume 1)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 138

Publisher: Graphix

Year Published: 1991

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins. Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.

One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures.

Humor, mystery and adventure are spun together in this action-packed, side-splitting sage. Everyone who has ever left home for the first time only to find that the world outside is strange and overwhelming will love Bone."

My Rating: 2.5/5

I originally read this when I was quite young and loved it. This time I found that the art was fun but the plot wasn't as encompassing as I remembered. I hope that this series picks up and I look forward to how the series continues.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Sabotage by Shantel Tessier

Title: Sabotage

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: L.O.R.D.S (Book #4)
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult, 

Pages: 229

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2022

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"COLTON

Raylee Lexington Adams is my stepsister and the one woman in the world who can make my blood boil.

She's vindictive, a lot of crazy and absolutely stunning.

I hate everything about her except for when she's on her knees begging me to use her as my own personal toy. 

We've been playing a game of cat and mouse for far too long. We have used each other for our own sick pleasure.

I've ruined every relationship my little princess has ever had. A sure way that she'll come crawling back to me, begging me for what only I can give her when another man fails her.

But I'm tired of watching others get a piece of what is mine. So, I did what any rational man would do- I staked my claims, showed the world that she belonged to me, and I'm going to do whatever it take to make her believe it too.

RAYLEE

Colton Remington Knox is a man I despise but can't say no to.

He's what any girl would call a walking red flag. But I've never claimed to be a smart woman when it comes to men. Why should he be any different?

I've always managed to hold my own against him. But this time, he's gone too far. Posting a video of me on my knees for him, for what? To brag? Embarrass me? He's acting like he doesn't know me very well.

Colt wants to play a game? I'll do whatever it takes to make sure I win. No matter what it costs me.

People already think I have no dignity, so why let them down?"

My Rating: 2/5

After realising the starting plot points, I wanted the start of this, but there was something about how certain things were handled at the end that just disappointed me. I wanted a little more thoughtfulness towards a certain trigger warning, but that's why trigger warnings exist right? It wasn't my favourite in the series, but I look forward to the next one.

Sidny

Book Review: Fragments by Dan Wells

Title: Fragments

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book #2)

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 576

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2013

Format: Audiobook

"Author Dan Wells is back with the sequel to the sci-fi blockbuster Partials, which Pittacus Lore called a "thrilling sci-fi adrenaline rush, with one of the most compelling and frightening visions of Earth's future I've seen yet."

After discovering the cure for RM, Kira Walker sets of on a terrifying journey into the ruins of postapocalyptic America and the darkest desires of her heart in order to uncover the mean- and a reason- for humanity's survival.

Dan Wells extends his richly imagined, gritty world and introduces new memorable characters in this second installment in the Partials Sequence."

My Rating: 4/5

I'm not sure that this installment aged well. There were a few things in this one that I think could have been done differently or I could have completely gone without. I liked the changing perspectives and the plot, but some of the characterisation was not in line with 2024. I also found that adding the need for romance, took away from the overarching plot. I will be continuing the series though, as they are so addicting and fascinating. Hard to put down such a unique dystopian!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Oddball by Sarah Andersen

Title: Oddball

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Sarah Scribbles (Book #4)

Genre: Comic, Young Adult, Coffee Table Book

Pages: 105

Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2021

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The fourth book in the enormously popular graphic novel series, the latest collection of Sarah's Scribbles comics explores the evils of procrastination, the trials of the creative process, the cuteness of kittens and the beauty of not caring about your appearance as much as you did when you were younger. When it comes to humorous illustrations of the awkwardness and hilarity of millennial life, Sarah's Scribbles is without peer."

My Rating: 5/5

This has been my favourite so far in this little collection. They are fun, and they help us feel seen in our day-to-day lives. Fun, hilarious and overall enjoyable!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Adulthood is a Myth by Sarah Andersen

Title: Adulthood is a Myth

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Sarah Scribbles (Book #1)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Coffee-table books

Pages: 112

Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback (Library)

"Are you a special snowflake?

Do you enjoy networking to advance your career?

Is adulthood an exciting new challenge for which you feel fully prepared?

Ugh. Please go away. 

This book is for the rest of us. These comics document the wasting of entire beautiful weekends don't he internet, the unbearable agony of holding hands on the street with a gorgeous guy, dreaming all day of getting home and back in pajamas, and wondering when, exactly, this adulthood thing begins. In other words, the horrors and awkwardness of young modern life."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I enjoyed these comics after a long week and think they are perfect for a fun little read. My only issue is the commentary on weight but I understand that might be a specific problem. Fun and cute. Would recommend.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

Title: Big Mushy Happy Lump

Author: Sarah Andersen

Series/Standalone: Sarah Scribbles (Book #2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Comics, Coffee table book

Pages: 128

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Year Published:2017

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Sarah Andersen's second comic collection picks up right where the first left off- huddled under a pile of blankets avoiding the responsibilities of the real world. These new comics (and illustrated personal essays!) follow the ups and downs of the unrelenting self-esteem roller coaster that is young adult life: budgeting woes, cramps, the nuances of sweater theft and the joy of staying home all day with a box of pizza. All aboard."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I really liked this collection of comics, I have been following this author's Instagram for some time and then came across this collection at my local library. It was the perfect way to wind down and have a few giggles after a long day. Would recommend. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Partials by Dan Wells

Title: Partials

Author: Dan Wells

Series/Standalone: Partials Sequence (Book #1)

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction

Pages: 468

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Year Published: 2012

Format: Audiobook (Own Physical Copy)

"Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials- engineered organic beings identical to humans- has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to fin a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask. 

Playing on our curiosity and fascination with the complete collapse of civilization, Partials is, at its heart, a story of survival, one that explores the individual narratives and complex relationships of those left behind, both humans and Partials alike- and of the way in which the concept of what is right and wrong in this world is greatly dependent on one's own point of view."

My Rating: 4.5/5

This was a fun reminder of why I loved dystopian young adults growing up. This has been on my shelf for YEARS and every time I went to pick it up I was deterred by the fact that the cover is pretty cringe-worthy and that it's a dystopian from the 2010s. Imagine my surprise when I was totally consumed by the plot of this book. Yes there are some plot holes and there are some moments where you can tell a teenage girl was written by a man, but overall the concepts, the intrigue and the atmosphere were so amazing to read. I have already borrowed the next audiobook from my library and I can't wait to settle into it and continue the story! Would strongly recommend it if you are looking for a dystopian from this time with a little romance but not a ton along with a wonderful atmosphere!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Primer by Jennifer Muro

Title: Primer

Author: Jennifer Muro & Thomas Krajewski

Artists: Gretel Lusky

Series/Standalone: Primer Series

Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Superhero

Pages: 159

Publisher: DC Comics

Year Published: 2020

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Primer introduces a brand-new superhero with a colorful array of superpowers to explore.

Ashley Rayburn is an upbeat girl with a decidedly downbeat past. her father is a known criminal who once used Ashley to help him elude justice, and in his attempt to escape, a life was taken. he now sits in federal prison, but still casts a shadow of Ashley's life. In the meantime, Ashley has bounced from foster home to foster home and represents a real challenge to the social workers who try to help her- not because she's inherently bad, but because trouble always seems to find her.

Ashley's latest set of presumably short-term foster parents are Kitch and Yuka Nolan. Like Ashley, Kitch happens to be an artist. Yuko, on the other hand, is a geneticist working for a very high-level tech company, one that's contracted out to work for the government and the military. And it's Yuka's latest top secret project that has her very concerned. Developed for the military, it's a set of body paints that, when applied to the wearer, grant them a wide range of special powers. Fearful that this invention will be misused, Yuka sneaks the paints home, substituting a dummy suitcase with an ordinary set of paints in their place.

From here, signals get crossed. Ashley comes home from school one day with her new friend Luke, and thinking that the Nolans have purchased a surprise gift for her upcoming birthday, finds the set of paints. Being an artist, Ashley naturally assumes these are for her. It isn't long before she realizes that she's stumbled upon something much bigger and a lot more dangerous. Although she uses her newly discovered powers for good, it's not before the military become wise to what happened to their secret weapon. And this spells big trouble not only for Ashley, but her newfound family and friends as well."

My Rating: 4/5

This is such a sweet middle grade story. Not only does it have a girl who is going through some difficult life stuff at a young age, it shows her making friends and taking power into her own hands. The story itself is fun and heartwarming, the art is perfect and I would strongly recommend to middle schoolers. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Sacrifice by Shantel Tessier

Title: The Sacrifice

Author: Shantel Tessier

Series/Standalone: L.O.R.D.S. (Book #3)

Genre: New Adult, Dark, Romance

Pages: 644

Publisher: Self-Published

Year Published: 2023

Format: Ebook (Kindle Unlimited)

"HIS LADY

A Lord is to marry after he graduates from Barrington University, an elite college for the rich. A Lady's job is to help him fit into a world unaware of his secret society. The Lord does not get to choose who he spends the rest of his life with. But there is always an exception to the rule. And I just so happen to be his.

I VOW. YOU VOW. WE VOW.

I was to wed a Lord of my parents' choosing. Wealth can't buy you everything or I would have had freedom years ago. Instead, my strict parents made sure I lived a dull life in a mansion resembling a prison.

But on my wedding day, I was handed over to another man- an even more ruthless Lord that my family hated.

Tyson Riley Crawford only wanted me for his revenge. I'm nothing more than a debt to be paid. I didn't have a say in the matter. So when I said my vows before the congregation, I knew I'd break them. Consequences be damned.

Too bad I underestimated my husband and didn't realize he was more determined to punish me than I was to succeed at escaping. He'll make me choke on those words I used to bind myself to him.

Yet even he couldn't have seen what our future held. Ultimately, we're all just pawns in a game that none of us can win unless you're willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice... and even that may not be enough."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Before we get into it, this is a dark romance. It's messed up and has a lot of things that may not be for everyone. I highly recommend reading a trigger warning list before you start any books in this series. This one was my favourite so far in the series. It leaned into our main character's life story and after seeing Tyson in the first two books, it was exciting to see within his world with the Lords. The plot twists in this one were exactly the overtop thing I needed and the smut was insane.

I look forward to continuing the series and learning more about Carnage. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny