Fables: Witches

Title: Fables Vol. 14: Witches

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series; A to Z - W; My Years - 2011; Support Your Local Library

While the meek and mild flying monkey Bufkin is trapped in Fabletown's collapsed business office with the evil witch Baba Yaga, Frau Totenkinder and the witches at the Farm upstate prepare to deal with Mister Dark down in what's left of Fabletown.

Loving this turn of events... We see more of Mr. Dark, his building empire, and the plans being made to stop him. I love the changes to Frau Totenkinder. She's always been one of my favorite characters. And now we get an introduction to Ozma. Very interesting turn, indeed! Plus we finally see more interactions in Haven. I'm loving Ambrose, but he really needs to wake up and notice Ride. I feel the big showdown approaching, but it will probably be drawn out for at least two more volumes. I'm okay with that. I love this series so much.

As a side note, I caught a wonderful little comment alluding to the novel Peter and Max. Nicely done!

Fables:

The Great Gatsby Readalong -- Sign Up Post

From Unputdownables:

The following is the reading and posting schedule for this read-a-long. Please note, we will be reading roughly 45 pages per week (about 6 pages a day). Unfortunately, there are not very clean breaks (i.e. ending at chapter breaks) this time, so we’ll always be ending in the middle of chapters… feel free to read ahead if you are on a roll, or at least read to the next natural breaking point. That said, please note that not everyone will be doing so, and I ask that you do not comment on things that happen outside of the scheduled reading (i.e. no spoilers, please). Thanks!
Schedule:
Beginning Thursday, December 29th and ending Friday, January 27th.
READING SCHEDULE:
Week #/ dates :: Place in which to STOP
Week One/ December 29- January 5 :: page 45 Week Two/ January 6- 12 :: page 90 Week Three/ January 13- 19 :: page 135 Week Four/ January 20- 27 :: page 180 (The End)
POSTING SCHEDULE:
Post #/ date post should be up on blog:
Start up Post/ Today! Week One/ January 6th Week Two/ January 13th Week Three/ January 20th Week Four/ January 27th (Final Review)
How it Works:
Each week, on Friday, share your thoughts about the previous week’s reading. If you are stuck on what to comment about, you can respond to my post or others’ comments. Regardless, you MUST check in each week, even if to say you are behind in the reading
Feel free to post reviews of the each week’s reading on your own blog (if you are a blogger), and to visit each other’s links. If I, or other readers, have extra time we will gladly try to visit your blog if you also leave a link to your post about this book. However, please make sure to share your thoughts here on this blog, as this is where the main conversation will be happening.

I joined today. The Great Gatbsy is one of my all-time favorite books. I haven't reread it in about 3 years, so I think now is the time. Now I have to go home and find my copy. I wonder if it's in the grey tub, or the blue tub, or the bookshelf??? Hmmm... this could be interesting!

For purposes of the readalong, I will be commenting solely on the website each Friday. Once the book is completed, I will post a complete review of the books and my thoughts to the discussion posts.

Jack of Fables: The Fulminate Blade

Title: Jack of Fables Vol. 8: The Fulminate Blade

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

With Jack Horner, former star of JACK OF FABLES, permanently transformed into a dragon, Vertigo reboots the series with a new hero, Jack Frost. The world in which this story takes place is the world in which Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers lived, only thousands of years later. All that remains is superstition and feudalism and all of the old technology is regarded as magic now. Jack seeks the magic blade which will defeat the Giant King. But of course nothing is as it seems since the good guys always reveal themselves to be evil in the end.

I was a bit disappointed by this volume. I've come to expect all kinds of great things from the Fables and Jack of Fables series. And this one really just disappointed me. I felt the plot was rushed and lacked the finesse of characters. The witch fell flat. The king fell flat. Hell, even MacDuff the wooden magical owl fell flat. I finished reading the volume and didn't want more. That's a bad sign. Hopefully, Volume 9 gets better...

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Jack Frost, son of Jack of Fables, has left our world and has decided to make his way to the Imperial Homeworld, where his mother is still trapped under a city of thorns. Along the way he will encounter many fantasy monsters, brigands and troops of roving goblins, and have to battle his way through them.
And while Jack Frost undertakes his quest, Jack of Fables is slowly transforming into something unexpected -- and deadly.

I've liked the Jack of Fables series, but it has been getting a bit old. I was done with Jack's antics. I needed something new. Thankfully, Jack's son Jack Frost has more or less taken over the volume. And he's out to make a name for himself as a hero. His naiveté intrigues me. He's just so heroic and innocent, such the opposite of his father. I wonder where the story will lead to next? Here's hoping we see more of Jack Frost and that lazy dragon!

Jack of Fables:

Fables: The Great Fables Crossover

Title: Fables Vol. 13: The Great Fables Crossover

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 232

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

All nine issues of the long awaited crossover between Vertigo's two popular series Fables and Jack of Fables are collected here.The world of Fables is introduced to a whole new set of characters...The Literals. The Literals are characters that embody, literally, different literary genres such as Mystery, Comedy and Romance. One of The Literals goes by the name The Storymaker, one who can vanquish the world of Fables with one stroke of his pen.When Jack discovers the existence of The Literals and their leader Kevin Thorn aka The Storymaker, Jack must leave his own book and crossover to the world of Fables to warn Fabletown about Kevin Thorn. Does the The Storymaker plan to close the book on the Fables universe once and for all?

I loved The Literals! How could you not? Mystery, comedy, blockbuster, noir, science fiction, and especially fantasy... And come on, horror as a little girl? Perfectly creepy! The fight between the Fables/Literals/half-Fables (that would be Jack of course) was perfect fun. I loved seeing the culmination of the volumes length buildup between the Litearls and Jack and the Page Sisters and Mr. Revise and Kevin Thorne. It made for an interesting read. The only thing I didn't like: no mention of Mr. Dark. I hope we get back to that storyline in Volume 14 Witches...

P.S. Bigby as a little girl? Priceless!

Fables:

Fables: The Dark Ages

Title: Fables Vol. 12: The Dark Ages

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Tourists of the world unite! If you've ever craved a guided tour of Fabletown's secret Manhattan location, prepare to be voraciously satiated. Pinnochio has a field day taking a certain VIP around the city. And exactly which Fabletown denizens are no longer active (dead, alive or otherwise) just might shock you into a comic book coma. Also in this volume, you'll find the 4-part story featuring Freddy and Mouse, two local rogues who just want to get along and perhaps turn a bit of profit in the post-war, topsy-turvy world. Meanwhile, in Fabletown, a new political group forms called the Society of Seconds, and what they want doesn't seem very reasonable at all.

First of all, look at that cover! It is gorgeous! I was mesmerized by the cover for at least 10 minutes without even starting the volume. But don't worry, once I got into the volume I most heartily enjoyed that as well. Such twists and turns. I've come to expect surprises with every Fables volume, but this one really got me. I admit it, I teared up with Boy Blue's story. I wanted to smack Rose Red. I championed Bigby and Frau's attempts to save Fabletown. And I tried to hide myself away from Mr. Dark. The art continues to be more and more intricate and beautiful. I can't wait until tomorrow when I can start the next volume!

Fables:

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Title: Inkheart (Inkheart Trilogy #1)

Author: Cornelia Funke

Publisher: Scholastic 2003

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 535

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 2011 - Bablefish

How I Got It: I own it!

Meggie's father Mo has an interesting talent: when he reads aloud, things, and sometimes people, come out of their stories and into the real world! But now the evil Capricorn wants to use Mo's talents to bring himself great wealth and power. Then Meggie discovers that maybe Mo isn't the only one who can read things to life. This is an enchanting story full of adventure, suspense, and magic. The characters are vivid and delightful. Unlike many books for younger readers there is a distinct emphasis on the importance of family as seen in the close relationship between Meggie and her father. Unfortunately the author does include several instances of mild profanity which seems totally unnecessary in a children's book and is perhaps the biggest detractor from the story. Lightly magical, humorous, and fun, Inkheart will appeal to those who like adventure and fantasy, and to anyone who ever wished a story could come to life.

I wanted to like this book so much... I really did. But somehow I never became completely immersed in the book. I liked the main characters. I loved the villan, Capricorn. I felt for the characters. I wanted Meggie and Mo to succeed and even for Dustfinger to find his happy ending. But I wasn't willing ot put these characters' stories above other activities. I've decided that that is a mark of a favorite story. If I basically stop eating, sleeping, and everything else, I loved the book. That just didn't happen here. I liked it, but that was all. The story is well written. I especially loved the quotes from other stories at the beginning of the chapters. They always seemed very appropriate and often foreshadowed the chapter to come. Again, I liked the book, I just didn't adore it.

By the way, the movie was crap. Just saying...

Inkheart (DNFed series)

#1 Inkheart
#2 Inspell
#3 Inkdeath

Fables: Sons of Empire, The Good Prince, and War and Pieces

I read these three volumes back to back, so I decided to just do a combined review.

Title: Fables Vol. 9: Sons of Empire; Vol 10: The Good Prince; Vol. 11 War and Pieces

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2007; 2008; 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 200; 240; 192

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Collecting FABLES #52-59! Pinocchio suffers seriously divided loyalties between his father, the evil Adversary, and his fellow Fable refugees in New York. Plus, Bigby Wolf reluctantly decides it's finally time to square accounts with his long-estranged father, the North Wind, and makes a journey with Snow White and their kids to find him.

Collecting issues #60-69 of the hit series, collecting the epochal "Good Prince" storyline. Flycatcher is drawn into the spotlight as he discovers the startling truth about his own past as the Frog Prince. At the same time, he learns that the Adversary plans to destroy his foes once and for all. How can the meek Flycatcher stop this deadly foe?

The final battle between the free Fables of the mundane world and the Empire occupying their former Homelands is about to begin, and the scrappy storybook heroes have already managed to even the odds considerably. With his previously unstoppable wooden soldiers neutralized, the Adversary is about to get his first taste of high technology in the form of steel-jacketed bullets and laser-guided bombs. But the ruler who conquered a hundred different worlds didn’t do it by fighting clean—and he’s still got a surprise or two left to spring on the residents of Fabletown.

I continue to devour these volumes, much as Bigby devours a huge store of meat. I love the story lines. Willingham has taken all the old fairy tales and put his own spin on them. I love the characters. Blue has become a recent favorite, but I continue to love Cinderella and Flycatcher and Snow White and Bigby, and really of them. I love the paintings. Each cell is intricately drawn. But also we get panels along the top and sides. Very intriguing and eye-catching. I am very happy with how they handled the war with the Adversary. There were enough twists and twins in there to keep me engaged throughout. I love the strategies each side tried to varying successes. The only thing I am sad about is the loss of Prince Charming. He was such a fun character! I hope he's not permanently lost.

This series has officially become an epic. And now it's come to an end. Well, not really. The war has come ot an end by there are many stories left to tell. Unfortunately I again have to wait for the library for the next volume. I'm hoping they get it marked for holds on Tuesday so I can pick it up on my lunch hour. But I have to restrain myself and keep some of the already published volumes for my Fables Reading Challenge for next year.

Fables:

Peter and Max by Bill Willingham

Title: Peter and Max: A Fables Novel

Author: Bill Willingham and Steve Leialoha

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 400

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables

How I Got It: borrowed from library

Set in the imaginative realm of the award-winning comic book series FABLES, the book takes place long ago, in the deepest dark of The Black Forest. Two brothers — Peter Piper and his older brother Max — encounter ominous forces that change them both irreparably. Thus begins an epic tale of sibling rivalry, magic, music and revenge that spans medieval times to the present day, when their deadly conflict surfaces in the placid calm of modern day Fabletown.
PETER & MAX: A FABLES NOVEL features the prose of award-winning comic book writer Bill Willingham and the lush ink drawings of FABLES artist Steve Leialoha. The novel also reveals secrets of some of the regular FABLES series cast members including Bigby Wolf, Frau Totenkinder and Bo Peep. Also included is an 8-page sequential story by Willingham and Leialoha that serves as a bridge to the FABLES titles.

So excited about this story! Throughout the entire novel, I had this image of sitting in front of fire listening to a storyteller tell a tale. The writing throughout felt like a conversations. it didn't have stilted descriptions or unrealistic dialogue. I enjoy the style so much I kept stopping to wonder how Willingham can write like this. I want to write like this. It seemed so effortless.

In regards to the story itself, I loved how Willingham weaves all the Peter stories into one seamless tale. We see Peter and Max both in the Homelands and on the outskirts of the Farm. We get appearances by many other Fables throughout. My favorites still has to be Frau Totenkinder (or the Witch of the Black Forest or whatever name she happens to go by). I loved that the story was associated with the comic series, but not dependent on reading the Fables series to enjoy the book. Overall a hit!

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn

Title: The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (Bevelstoke #1)

Author: Julia Quinn

Publisher: Avon 2007

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z Authors: Q; Historical Fiction

How I Got It: I own it!

2 March 1810 . . . Today, I fell in love.
At the age of ten, Miranda Cheever showed no signs of Great Beauty. And even at ten, Miranda learned to accept the expectations society held for her—until the afternoon when Nigel Bevelstoke, the handsome and dashing Viscount Turner, solemnly kissed her hand and promised her that one day she would grow into herself, that one day she would be as beautiful as she already was smart. And even at ten, Miranda knew she would love him forever.
But the years that followed were as cruel to Turner as they were kind to Miranda. She is as intriguing as the viscount boldly predicted on that memorable day—while he is a lonely, bitter man, crushed by a devastating loss. But Miranda has never forgotten the truth she set down on paper all those years earlier—and she will not allow the love that is her destiny to slip lightly through her fingers . .

Not bad. I read this in one sitting, granted I was on a plane, but still one sitting. I liked the main characters, Miranda. She was tough and feisty, but still a dreamer. The male lead, Turner, was mostly likable. There were a few times throughout the book that I really wanted Miranda to smack him for his actions and speech. But overall, I thought he was a good character. I was really rooting for him by the end. The plot is fairly typical with a "will they, won't they" romance, a tragedy, steamy sex scene, and a plenty of other characters to complicate matters. I admit that I even started tearing up in the last few chapters. They really pulled at my heart-strings. But by the end, I was happy and got my fairy tale ending. Quinn writes description, exposition, and dialogue smoothly. I'm really looking forward to reading more by her.

Bevelstoke

#1 The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever
#2 What Happens in London
#3 Ten Things I Love About You

The Queen's Dollmaker by Christine Trent

Title: The Queen's Dollmaker

Author: Christine Trent

Publisher: Kensintong 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 384

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Historical Fiction; A to Z: Title Q

How I Got It: Library lend

On the brink of revolution, with a tide of hate turned against the decadent royal court, France is in turmoil - as is the life of one young woman forced to leave her beloved Paris. After a fire destroys her home and family, Claudette Laurent is struggling to survive in London. But one precious gift remains: her talent for creating exquisite dolls that Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France herself, cherishes. When the Queen requests a meeting, Claudette seizes the opportunity to promote her business, and to return home...Amid the violence and unrest, Claudette befriends the Queen, who bears no resemblance to the figurehead rapidly becoming the scapegoat of the Revolution. But when Claudette herself is lured into a web of deadly political intrigue, it becomes clear that friendship with France's most despised woman has grim consequences. Now, overshadowed by the spectre of Madame Guillotine, the Queen's dollmaker will face the ultimate test.

I started reading this book with high hopes. I loved the premise, the characters were interesting, and I really like historical fiction. Yet, most of this fell flat. I loved the main character; Claudette was a real women with hopes, dreams, and insecurities. Beatrice was tiresome, but her daughter was wonderful. All the other side characters in Claudette's life were interesting and intriguing. I even liked the interactions between Claudette and Marie Antoinette. The setting was unique. I haven't read a historical fiction novel set on the Eve of Revolution in France. I was really liking the story. The part I disliked: the switches in point of view and voice to Marie Antoinette. I felt like the author was trying to educate us mere mortals about the Revolution by following Marie Antoinette's story also. It felt very cluttered and unnecessary. I don't think the readers needed a history lesson that detailed. So what? We could have understood Claudette's story and even how her story interacts with Marie Antoinette's without the switches. I kept having to reorient myself to various characters. For that reason, I gave the book 3 stars. I liked the main storyline and characters, just not the point of view changes.

Heartless by Gail Carriger

Title: Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher: Orbit 2011

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 385

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk

How I Got It: I own it!

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.
Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

I think this was my favorite one yet from the series. I love pregnant Alexia; she's feisty but clumsy. She's such a treat to continue to follow her unconventional life. Although I love her to pieces, Lord Akeldama and Biffy have become my favorite characters. The interplay between those two is just fantastic. Carriger has captured me again. I can't wait to read Timeless and find out what happens with the baby, the newly installed hive and of course the pack. It's such a shame I have to wait until spring!

Alexia Tarabotti

Fables: Arabian Nights (and Days)

Title: Fables Vol. 7: Arabian Nights (and Days)

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Collecting issues #42-47 of writer Bill Willingham's Eisner Award-winning creation, FABLES: ARABIAN NIGHTS (AND DAYS) opens a new front in the struggle between the Fables and the Adversary as the worlds of the Arabian Fables are invaded — leading to an unprecedented diplomatic mission to Fabletown and a bad case of culture shock! This seventh volume of the popular Vertigo series also includes "The Ballad of Rodney and June," the 2-part story of forbidden love among the Adversary's wooden soldiers, and features stellar Art by Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, Jim Fern, Jimmy Palmiotti and Andrew Pepoy.

When I went to read Volume 7, I found out that the library didn't have it!! Horrors upon horrors. Someone had lost it. A new copy was on order, but no availability date. I was saddened. But I decided to read on in the series. I would just have to fill in the blanks later. Thankfully Vol. 8 didn't rely heavily on Vol. 7. But I still wanted to read it. Thursday I received an email from the library that Vol. 7 was available. Thank goodness! I rushed to the library Saturday (would have gone Friday, but Veteran's Day so closed) and snatched it up. I even thought about reading it before finished the book I was reading, but I restrained myself.

The storyline about the Arabian Fables lands was interesting. I liked the twist on the djinn (genie in the bottle). He's not your Disneyfied version, but much closer to the legendary djinns of mythology. It was a good bridger bringing in Sinbad, Mowgli, Red Riding Hood, and Boy Blue. I liked it.

However, I felt like "The Ballad of Rodney and June" was superior storytelling. It starts out as a simple story about one of the wooden soldiers, but then it becomes something more. We get insight into the Adversary's army. We see how the wooden soldiers think. And we get a twist... I won't give it away, but I imagine it will become important as the series progresses. I can't wait to see Rodney and June again!

Fables:

The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall

Title: The Russian Concubine (Russian Concubine #1)

Author: Kate Furnivall

Publisher: Berkley Trade 2007

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 517

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Historical Fiction; 2011 - Will Power? What Will Power?

How I Got It: I own it!

A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center.
In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered most of them, including her husband. As exiles, Lydia and Valentina have learned to survive in a foreign land.
Often, Lydia steals away to meet with the handsome young freedom fighter Chang An Lo. But they face danger: Chiang Kai Shek's troops are headed toward Junchow to kill Reds like Chang, who has in his possession the jewels of a tsarina, meant as a gift for the despot's wife. The young pair's all-consuming love can only bring shame and peril upon them, from both sides. Those in power will do anything to quell it. But Lydia and Chang are powerless to end it.

To say that this is a love story is selling the book short. It is so much more than a love story. The story takes place in a short amount of time but includes so many actions and events it seems so long. Rereading that sentence, it seems like I felt the novel was long and drawn out, but it was just the opposite. The action flew through the storyline. I love the fierce nature of Lydia, the determination of Chang, and the mystery and intrigue surrounding the other characters. The characters made the story. I loved all the twists and turns. A beautiful epic novel. And it's the first novel in a trilogy. I am dying to read the second and third. I want to find out what happens to Lydia, Alexei, Liev, and Chang. I can't wait!

Russian Concubine

#1 The Russian Concubine
#2 The Girl from Junchow
#3 The Jewel of St. Petersburg

Take a Chance on Me by Jill Mansell

Title: Take a Chance on Me

Author: Jill Mansell

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2010

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 412

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Contemporary Romance

How I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Even in a small town the drama is larger than life...
Cleo Quinn doesn't have the greatest track record when it comes to men, but now Will's come along. Handsome and attentive, he could be her Mr Right. Things are definitely looking up for Cleo... apart from one small problem with a rather large ego. Johnny LaVenture, sculptor extraordinaire and her personal childhood nemesis, is back in Channing's Hill and tormenting her as if he'd never been away.
Meanwhile Cleo's sister Abbie has a problem of her own-husband Tom has become distant and withdrawn, and she's determined to find out why. But will the shocking truth mean the end of their idyllically happy marriage?
The sisters are about to discover that the past can come back to haunt you, and that love can flourish in the unlikeliest of places...

There is something so predictable about Mansell's book, but I love them anyway. These books are like a cup of hot tea, a blanket, and a warm fire. They are comfort. I lose myself in the characters and the little village atmosphere. I love the setting and the mood. The characters are lovely, so diverse. I don't know everything that's going to happen in any given book. Mansell still manages to throw in little twists and turns that keep me from being bored. I think of these as comfort books and that's okay. Every once in a while we need a little comfort to get us through the day. I find myself coming back to Mansell's books. Thank goodness I have another sitting in my library pile.

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Title: Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher: Orbit 2010

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 374

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk

How I Got It: I own it!

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.
Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.
While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto.

So good!!!! I love the adventure and paranormal in these books. They're like a supernatural Indiana Jones story. Alexia is still feisty, even after encountering killer ladybugs, Germans, vampires, and Templars. I loved the continued inclusion of Madama Lefoux. A very interesting character indeed. And we get to resolve at least part of the cliffhanger from last book. I must read Heartless soon.

Alexia Tarabotti

Jack of Fables: The Big Book of War

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 6: The Big Book of War

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

The Siege of the Golden Boughs occurs in which Bookburner's army attacks Revise's compound. Jack returns not as a prisoner but as its Commander in chief. A further explanation of the Literals, and their extended family of characters who symbolize literary notions is explored. Secrets and setups are revealed such as the relationships between Jack and the Page sisters.

Back to Jack's big story involving Golden Boughs and the Bookburner. I loved this volume. It had it all: action, romance, drama, cliffhangers, comedy. We finally learn about the connection between the Bookburner and Revise and all the Literals. I love how they've expanded the world beyond the Fables. We are getting to see how all the worlds are connected and in fact rely on one another to survive. That's something that the Bookburner fails to grasp. if he succeeds in destroying all the Fables, what does he then do? He would have no purpose, no goal. He would cease to exist. Interesting concept... I am continually amazed by how well written this series and the parent series, Fables, are. I love them to pieces.

Jack of Fables:

Jack of Fables: Turning Pages

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 5: Turning Pages

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series

Get ready for Jack's adventures out West, as Smiling Jack Candle crosses paths with a grim sheriff from back East who carries no gun. Collecting issues #22-27 of the series Publishers Weekly says "any sophisticated comics fan will enjoy."

Jack in the Wild West! Very entertaining. I liked the story. However, I think the better story was when we moved back to present day with the Page Sisters, Mr. Revise, and the Bookburner. The story's getting so complicated and twisted... just the way I like it. I loved seeing the different personalities of the Page Sisters as not just women for Jack to shag but women with their own agendas. It certainly clarified a few things for me. And we get to see more of the interaction of Kevin Thorne and Priscilla Page. I wonder what's going to happen next? Oh yeah, and we see what Jack's about to get himself into by returning to Golden Boughs. Interesting, interesting.

Jack of Fables:

Changeless by Gail Carriger

Title: Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publisher: Orbit 2010

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 386

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk

How I Got It: I own it!

Alexia Tarabotti, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears - leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.
But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can.
She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

Another great book to add to the series. I love feisty Alexia, stubborn Conall, and the frivolous Miss Ivy. Carriger's characters are her strength. Sure the story is fun. The mystery is intriguing. The action is fast-paced. Yet, through all this it's the characters that keep me reading. It's the characters that keep me wanting for more. She has the ability to develop well-rounded characters that are each three-dimensional and complicated. Even the side characters are interesting. I loved Tunstell. Felicity keep Alexia on her witty toes. Conall's great great great granddaughter embodies the famous Scottish charm. All of the Kingair pack are components in the plan. Madame Lefoux is a welcome addition, a mysterious and fashionable addition. My only wish was for more Professor Lyall. Hopefully next book.

Alexia Tarabotti

Night World Vol. 2 by L.J. Smith

Title: Night World Vol. 2 (Dark Angel, The Chosen, Soulmate)

Author: L.J. Smith

Publisher: Simon Pulse 2008

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 688

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires

How I Got It: I own it!

Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters -- they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.In Dark Angel, Gillian is saved from drowning by her guardian angel. Only visible to Gillian, Angel will fulfill her heart's every desire. But when Angel starts making strange and sinister requests, Gillian must question who he truly is and where he came from.
Armed with a wooden stake, martial arts, and the will to resist a vampire's mind control, Rashel struggles to avenge her mother's death in The Chosen. Then she meets Quinn, her soulmate, who is part of the world she has vowed to destroy.
Hannah receives notes warning her of incredible danger in Soulmate. But if death is her destiny, is the Lord of the Night World's love strong enough to save her?

I have a confession to make: I didn't actually finish this book. I read the first two stories, but then I got upset and stopped reading the book. Let's discuss the first two stories and then I will get the issue that stopped me reading.

Dark Angel -- I liked how this story started. I liked Gillian and her radical change. I also liked Angel. His character was very interesting. You start thinking he's the best thing that's ever happened to Gillian. But then little things started happening. And you start thinking that there's something wrong with this whole story. I liked the story. And then we find out that Gillian's soulmate is David and the ending felt way too formulaic and a cop-out. On to the next story...

The Chosen -- Right away, this story struck me as wrong. The beginning flashback of how Rashel became Rashel the vampire hunter was so clichéd. I knew that the vampire that killed her mother would come back and guess what... he did. Of course. And then she met Quinn and of course they're soulmates. It just seemed so clichéd. I finished the story, but that was it.

So my problem with the Night World stories... soulmates. In the first volume, we are told that people finding their soulmates is incredibly weird. Very rarely do people find each other. And yet, in every story in the volumes, characters find their soulmate. And the soulmate is always from the wrong world. One human, one Night World. Therefore, I am done with this series. I can't keep the formula going. So I'm done and moving on to something else.

Night World

Volume 1: Secret Vampire/Daughters of Darkness/Spellbinder
Volume 2: Dark Angel/Chosen/Soulmate
Volume 3: Huntress/Black Dawn/Witchlight