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

Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass

Title: The One
Author: Kiera Cass
Series/Novel: The Selection Series (Book #3)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Romance
Pages: 323
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2014
First Line: "This time we were in the Great Room enduring another etiquette lesson when bricks came flying through the window."

"The time has come for one winner to be crowned. When she was chosen to compete in the Selection, America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown- or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the end of the competition approaches, and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose- and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants."

My Rating:  5/5

So I waited for this book in the mail for what seems like forever, and it came right before a postal strike in Canada, so yay for beating deadlines. I really think that it was interesting to see the change in America throughout the series and hope to see more of her in the following book. I found that because I didn't read this book before the rest came out. I found that it made the ending more predictable, although the getting to any ending was interesting. I loved learning more about the characters and learning more about the country's life every day. I found that the story was both interesting and romantic. I really enjoyed it all together and look forward to reading The Heir, The Crown and The Selection Stories collection. I hope to learn more about the future of the country. 

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny

Spoiler: The One by Kiera Cass

As I will mention in the review I bought the rest of the Selection Series online and received them right before a postal strike in Canada. Yahoo. Lucky me! And honestly I don't think I could have waited anymore. I'm looking forward to completing this series and learning more about the past of Illea as well as more about the characters life. I look forward to also catching up with characters after so many twists. 
I found that this book had a lot of twists such as: attacks, character changes, changes in love, etc.
I think that it helped to keep me gripped and it was incredible to zoom through the rest of the book tonight. Yahoo.

Characters:
America: I think that her character growth throughout the first three books is huge. She changes from being so uncomfortable to kinda whiney to finally fierce. I think that in this last book she is an incredible female character. I did get frustrated in the end when she kept putting off I love yous and telling Maxon about Aspen but you know to heck with it. It all worked out how I wanted so hell ya. Interested to see her as a mother. Also horribly sorry about her dad, how crazy is it that her dad was a rebel! Shock!

Maxon: I think that he also grew up. In the last book I think he was enjoying intimate company with too many women although that's part of the competition. I think he really found himself in this instalment. He was able to learn more about his people, their past and what kind leader he wants to be. When he became so cold with her about Aspen, I understand but I was angry. 

Aspen: I was glad that he was able to find someone worth loving and I think that while letting go is hard, holding on is even harder in this circumstance. He needed someone who needed him and they had both changed so much. 

Lucy: She needed someone strong to help her and all together they belong together. I hope that he explains the issue with America so jealousy is not an issue.

Anne: I felt sorry for her and hope that she didn't die horribly. 

Kriss: Wow I never imagined she was a rebel, but looking into things more and more I started to realize she was hiding something. It makes sense that that would be it. I was glad that she was supportive with America. I do hope that she finds someone who gives her the love she deserves.

Celeste: This took me by surprise. For so long I disliked her but then just when I start to like her. Bang. Literally, bang. Too soon? Also there were unexpected tears. 

Elise: Her idea of honour was an interesting concept and I think she will be a key adviser in the future of this series. 

The King: What a jerk! I think a serious issue of control issues was happening so he eventually had to go one way or another. And I'm sorry to say it was this way but hopefully Maxon will be a better leader.

The Queen: Will be missed, so sad. Very glad to have known more about her characters.


Moments to Remember:
Pg. 170
"Celeste's dress... well, it would certainly be unforgettable. Her neckline was plunging, and it seemed a little inappropriate for the occasion. She caught me staring, and pushed her lips together and shook her shoulders at me."

Final Line: "It's so much more than that."

Thanks for reading,
Love,
Sidny