The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Title: The Magicians

Author: Lev Grossman

Publisher: Viking 2009

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 416

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mixing It Up - Fantasy; RYN - G; Mount TBR; Random Reads - January

How I Got It: I own it!

Quentin Coldwater is brilliant but miserable. A senior in high school, he's still secretly preoccupied with a series of fantasy novels he read as a child, set in a magical land called Fillory. Imagine his surprise when he finds himself unexpectedly admitted to a very secret, very exclusive college of magic in upstate New York, where he receives a thorough and rigorous education in the craft of modern sorcery.He also discovers all the other things people learn in college: friendship, love, sex, booze, and boredom. Something is missing, though. Magic doesn't bring Quentin the happiness and adventure he dreamed it would. After graduation he and his friends make a stunning discovery: Fillory is real. But the land of Quentin's fantasies turns out to be much darker and more dangerous than he could have imagined. His childhood dream becomes a nightmare with a shocking truth at its heart.

Holy crap! I am just blown away by this novel. Such twists and turns. Such surprises. I am just baffled by this whole book. The characters are so complex and surprising. Each one was fleshed out, real, complete with faults and insecurities. I just loved these characters. They weren't the most likable people, but for some reason you root for them. You want them to become better people, to find some bit of happiness, to become valuable members of the human race. My only issue with the novel: pacing. The first half of the book seemed much too slow compared to the second half. Plus, the first half has these gaps in time, weeks, months, years, that just seem awkward. J says that the second book fixes these issues and that Grossman's writing style evolves... I will definitely be reading the sequel soon. I feel like I need a bit of a palate cleanser, time to digest the book first. But I will definitely be getting to it soon.

The Magicians:

The Magicians
The Magician King

Hatter M Vol 3: The Nature of Wonder

Title: Hatter M Vol. 3: The Nature of Wonder

Author: Frank Beddor, Liz Cavalier, and Sami Makkonen

Publisher: Automatic Pictures 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 200

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

In Volume 3, The Nature of Wonder, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan follows the Glow of the setting sun into America's wild west in search of Wonderland's lost princess. Hatter's adventures will include a shamanic vision quest in the Grand Canyon and tracking Black Imagination through San Francisco's Barbary Coast where he discovers an astounding clue to his own haunted past.

I don't really have anything to add to this review. Just like the first two volumes: loved the storyline, didn't really like the art. This volume did have a few intriguing bits of information as to Hatter's past and what happened when he was younger. We see his brief interactions with Redd when she was a teen and then after she took over Wonderland. Supposedly there was going to be a fourth volume, but it never appeared.

Hatter M:

Hatter M Vol 2: Mad with Wonder

Title: Hatter M Vol. 2: Mad with Wonder

Author: Frank Beddor, Liz Cavalier, and Sami Makkonen

Publisher: Automatic Pictures 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 208

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

It's a mad, mad, mad world as Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan's maniacal quest to find Alyss continues! In Volume 2, Mad With Wonder, Hatter follows the Glow from London to the battlefields of America's Civil War in search of the Princess who must some day be Queen. The America that Hatter encounters is a sprawling, wounded, boiling landscape of innocence and energy run amok. The war is tearing the country apart, yet Hatter must maintain his sanity in this maelstrom of holy rollers, child healers, prophetic snake handlers, deranged outlaws, and passionate southern belles. As Hatter searches he learns he is not the only Wonderland presence that has found its way to the Promised Land. Queen Redd's black imagination is fueling the Civil War and threatening our world with her evil!

Just like Volume 1... love the storyline, don't really love the art. This volume went much darker than the first. We see Hatter interacting with Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. I loved the section where Hatter is imprisoned in an asylum. Such colorful characters! I'm wondering how the series ends. Guess I'll have to read Volume 3 and find out. Hopefully I like that one more.

Hatter M:

Hatter M Vol 1: The Looking Glass Wars

Title: Hatter M Vol. 1: The Looking Glass Wars

Author: Frank Beddor and Liz Cavalier

Publisher: Automatic Pictures 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 176

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels; Mount TBR; My Years - 2008

How I Got It: I own it!

Put to rest any delusions or disinformation you have of the tea-guzzling madman of faux literary history and prepare to expand your consciousness as the saga of Hatter Madigan and his relentless search for the lost Princess of Wonderland unfolds in Volume 1 of the Hatter M graphic novel series! In Frank Beddor's bestselling The Looking Glass Wars, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan was ordered by Queen Genevieve to take Princess Alyss and leave Wonderland after a bloody palace coup staged by the murderous Redd. But while escaping through the Pool of Tears (the portal connecting Wonderland to our world) crushing centrifugal force pulled them apart, and Alyss was lost. In this first volume of the geo-graphic parallel adventure trilogy, Hatter finds himself in Paris, France in the year 1859 shockingly separated from the child he had been sworn to protect. Hatter must now embark upon a non-stop quest, crisscrossing the globe for 13 years in search of his lost Princess.

I'm a bit disappointed in this volume. I loved the storyline. Since reading The Looking GlassWars, I've always wondered what happened while Hatter was looking for Princess Alyss. The story entertained. We learned more about his travels. We met some other exiled Wonderlanders. We met some humans with a little bit extra. I really enjoyed that part and wanted to hear more. The part I didn't enjoy--the art. The smudgy, dark, not quite complete look just didn't settle with me. I wasn't impressed and had a problem following the action.

Hatter M:

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Title: Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic 2010

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 390

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Young Adult; What's in a Name -- Sky; Mount TBR

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12.

I am still in tears. I held it together until the last 10 pages or so and then I just lost it. This is how I know a book affects me deeply... I lose all sense of time and place and I have a visceral reaction. To this I was anger with Katniss, happy with Katniss, and then sad with Katniss. I am in turmoil over the book. That's not to say I didn't love, because I absolutely did. It's just that I am sad about the consequences of actions in the book and that it then ended. So sad. This series will not be leaving my library. I am definitely going to keep this and reread it (sooner rather than later). And btw, I'm still and forever will be Team Peeta.

The Hunger Games:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers for Book 1.

Title: Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic 2009

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 391

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Young Adult; A to Z - C; Mount TBR

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I am so in love with this series. I just speed right through this book. I couldn't wait to see what happened. It's like an addiction. Collins' writing continues to suck me in. I love her descriptions. I love the characters. I love the dialogue. It's not often that I find a book I don't find major things wrong with. If I had to say something, it would be about Katniss' character. Sometimes I really want to shake her and tell her to stop being so mean and distant to Peeta. But that might be because I really like him... Otherwise I just love this book and the series. I read some reviews that had problems with the cliffhanger and repeat plots, but I don't see those as deterrents. Obviously this is the second book in the series. You had to expect one hell of a cliffhanger and some slower parts. I think this is a great middle book. I didn't get bogged down in the slower parts. They were beautiful bits of characterization. I can't wait to find out how the story ends...

The Hunger Games:

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Author: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic 2008

Genre: YA Dystopian

Pages: 375

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Young Adult; Read Your Name - C; Mount TBR; Books2Movie - 2012 Release

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

I am hooked. I kept hearing all these great things about the books, but I didn't jump on the bandwagon. And then, I finally decided that I wanted to read these. I just finished this book and I am speechless. I was right there with Katniss through the entire story. I was so hopeful that she would survive. I couldn't break away. Suspense, action, quiet moments, romance... this just has everything. I love Collins' style of writing. We really get into the head of Katniss. We feel everything she feels. I love that the story is from her point of view. We experience the Games right along with her. And that ending... Oh my! Such a cliffhanger! I can't wait to start the next one. BTW I am Team Peeta all the way!

The Hunger Games:

The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay

Fables: Rose Red

Title: Fables Vol. 15: Rose Red

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 256

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series; Support Your Local Library; RYN - R; Color Coded - R

Rose Red, sister of Snow White, has finally hit rock bottom. Does she stay there, or is it time to start the long, tortuous climb back up? The Farm is in chaos, as many factions compete to fill the void of her missing leadership. And there’s a big magical fight brewing down in the town square, right under her window.

Another great addition to the Fables series. This one had so many storylines, and I loved every single one. That's not always the case. Of course we get the main storyline of Rose Red's triumphant return. But we also get Beauty and Beast's baby, Bellflower's (Frau Totenkinder) battle with Mr. Dark, an interesting meeting with the North Wind, and a few shorts after the move to Haven. I loved it! The best part... the beautiful illustrations. This volume included the series' 100th issue. The artwork for that issue was too beautiful not to share. So, I made it my button for this year's challenge. Enjoy!

Fables:

Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker

Title: Brains: A Zombie Memoir

Author: Robin Becker

Publisher: Harper Voyager 2010

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 182

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Support Your Local Library; RYN - B

How I Got It: Library Loan

College-professor-cum-zombie Jack Barnes is a different breed of undead—he can think. In fact, he can even write. And the story he has to tell is a truly disturbing—yet strangely heartwarming—one.
Convinced he'll bring about a peaceful coexistence between zombies and humans if he can demonstrate his unique condition to Howard Stein, the man responsible for the zombie virus, Barnes sets off on a grueling cross-country journey to meet his maker. Along the way he recruits a small army of "super" zombies that will stop at nothing to reach their goal. There's Guts, the dreadlocked boy who can run like the wind; Joan, the matronly nurse adept at reattaching decaying appendages; Annie, the young girl with a fierce quick-draw; and Ros, who can actually speak. United they embark on an epic quest to attain what all men, women—and, apparently, zombies—yearn for: equality.

This novel is sweet. I didn't think I would ever say that about a zombie novel, but it's true. You meet Jack Barnes. Sure, he's an asshole in his human life and now he lusts for brains. But yet, you want him to find happiness. You root for his rag tag band of super zombies. They might be zombies, but each one has a distinct personality. I love Becker's interpretation of a zombie apocalypse. My favorite is definitely Annie, the gunslinger. She doesn't appear until halfway through the book, but she makes quite an appearance. I love her back story, well the little we get, and her after story even better. Definitely a must read for zombie fans.

The Boys: The Big Ride

Title: The Boys Vol 9: The Big Ride

Author: Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, and John McCrea

Publisher: Dynamite 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 276

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; RYN - B

How I Got It: J owns it

The Boys Volume 9 collects three separate story arcs, including the momentous issue #50, with bonus pin-ups and interviews! In issues #48-51: "Proper Preparation and Planning" - With Hughie absent, Butcher re-examines the Boys'' first encounter with the Seven, trying to figure out what went wrong. But first there's some disquiet in the ranks to be dealt with, not to mention the return of an old and unexpected enemy who finally, incredibly, has come into his own. Meanwhile, on the Seven's floating headquarters, a flying lesson goes badly awry... In issues #52-55: "Barbary Coast" - Hughie travels out west to finally meet Lieutenant-Colonel Greg Mallory, the man who started The Boys. All kinds of secrets await our hero, beginning with the terrible story of the first supes to see action in World War Two. When the revelations cease, will Hughie return, or walk away from the team forever? In issues #56-59: "The Big Ride" - The countdown to the end begins, as Jack from Jupiter takes one step beyond... or does he? Hughie's triumphant return is not all he'd hoped for, but Butcher has bigger fish to fry. And The Boys meet the mysterious Doctor Peculiar...

I don't know if I have anything to add... The summary is great. I love this series. And the war is coming... It's the calm before the storm. The tension is mounting. When I finished this volume, I think my mouth was hanging open for at least a minute before I recovered. I am at the edge of my seat just waiting for the next volume to be published.

The Boys:

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

Title: Stranger in a Strange Land

Author: Robert Heinlein

Publisher: Ace 1991

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 528

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Science Fiction; A to Z - H; My Years - 1991; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

One of the greatest science fiction novels ever published, Stranger in a Strange Land's original manuscript had 50,000 words cut. Now they have been reinstated for this special 30th anniversary trade edition. A Mars-born earthling arrives on this planet for the first time as an adult, and the sensation he creates teaches Earth some unforgettable lessons. "A brilliant mind-bender."--Kurt Vonnegut.

Overall this book was amazing. I can see why J and others have been hounding me to read it. Usually, I can speed through a book, getting lost in the world. With this one, I found myself having to go back and reread passages to grasp what was transpiring. Heinlein has overlaid so many stories and so many messages into one book. There's passages about religion, philosophy, psychology, science, political science, gender and sex, and many more topics. I loved the variety of each chapter. It's taken me some time to get through it (and I don't understand it all yet) and really come away with a couple of new perspectives and confirmations on some others. My only caution to others is that it is a dense book. I encourage others to read it, but it probably isn't the best introduction to science fiction and Heinlein. You might want to start with Have Spacesuit-Will Travel or Ender's Game. Either one is a bit lighter on the science and philosophy.

Most thought provoking passage:

"Jubal, are you telling me that I ought not to criticize the administration> When they're wrong? When I know they're wrong?" "Nope. Gadflies such as yourself are utterly necessary. Nor am I opposed to 'turning the rascals out' -- it's usually the soundest rule of politics. But it's well to take a look at what new rascals you are going to get before you jump at any chance to turn your present rascals out. Democracy is a poor system of government at best; the only thing that can honestly be said in its favor is that it is about eight times as good as any other method the human race ever tried. Democracy's worst fault is that its leaders are likely to reflect the faults and virtues of their constituents--a depressingly low level, but what else can you expect? So take a look at Douglas and ponder that, in his ignorance, stupidity, and self-seeking, he much resembles his fellow Americans, including you and me... and that in fact he is a notch or two above the average. Then take a look at the man who will replace him if his government topples." (page 232)

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Title: The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3)

Author: Carrie Ryan

Publisher: Delacorte 2011

Genre: Zombies

Pages: 384

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombies; Read My Name - R; Support Your Local Library

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face when she and Elias left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the horde as they found their way to the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters. Annah's world stopped that day and she's been waiting for him to come home ever since. Without him, her life doesn't feel much different from that of the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Then she meets Catcher and everything feels alive again.Except, Catcher has his own secrets -- dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah's longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah -- can she continue to live in a world drenched in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

A great end to The Forest of Hands and Teeth trilogy. This one continued the story well, focusing on Annah and her fight for survival in the Dark City. The plot line was great. The characters were entertaining. The villains (not the Unconsecrated) were sufficiently villainous. The only difference was the style. This book felt more like a discussion on the meaning of life rather than an eventful story. Sure, there were action sequences. Things happened. But the entire book feels more like a philosophical text. And I appreciate this change. We get to really see what The Return means to the future of the human race. We get discussions about the meaning of life. Characters must decided whether the life they have is enough to truly live. And I must say, Annah is a much more likable character than Gabry (Abigail). I enjoyed the conclusion to the trilogy. I will definitely be reading anything that Carrie Ryan writes in the future.

Forest of Hands and Teeth

#0.4 What We Once Feared
#0.5 Hare Moon
#1 The Forest of Hands and Teeth
#2 The Dead-Tossed Waves
#3 The Dark and Hollow Places
#3.5 The Dead and Empty World

The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks

Title: The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks

Author: Max Brooks

Publisher: Three Rivers Press 2009

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 144

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombie; Read Your Name - B; My Years 2009; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
From the Stone Age to the information age, the undead have threatened to engulf the human race. They’re coming. They’re hungry.
Don’t wait for them to come to you!
This is the graphic novel the fans demanded: major zombie attacks from the dawn of humanity. On the African savannas, against the legions of ancient Rome, on the high seas with Francis Drake . . . every civilization has faced them. Here are the grisly and heroic stories–complete with eye-popping artwork that pulsates with the hideous faces of the undead.
Organize before they rise!

Brought to you by the man who wrote World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide, both of which I absolutely loved! The stark black and white drawings of zombie attacks through history were beautiful. I loved little to know writing. The pictures speak for themselves. We start in prehistoric times. And move through the ages to the near present. This is a perfect companion to both of the other books.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I'm reposting this review as it still holds true. I reread the first Harry Potter and loved it just as much as the first time.

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1997

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 309

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP; Read My Name - R

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me. It's been awhile since I read the series. I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants. SO that's what eight years ago? I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts. Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc. And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene: Diagon Alley, you can just see the wondrous shops and Harry enchantment. I love that moment!
Favorite character: Hagrid. He's just such a character in this book. And I loved seeing him on the movie screen.
Favorite expressions: "Gulpin' gargoyles" (Hagrid), "Load of old tosh" (Uncle Vernon), "Codswallop" (Hagrid), "All right, keep your hair on" (Fred), "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak" (Dumbledore)
Didn't notice (or didn't pay attention) to the fact that Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle at the beginning from Sirius Black! I probably thought it was just another name when I read the first time.
I feet sorry for Petunia Dursley. As nasty as she is, I can't help that think that everything she's done has been because she's jealous of Lily. Maybe if she had more love, or acceptance, or a talent than she wouldn't have turned out so urgh!
How much foreshadowing is there when we meet Professor Quirrell? Good graciousness! And that story that he met a vampire... yeah he met a vampire, named Voldemort!
The password for the Gryffindor tower was "pig snout." Awesome!!!
I almost feel sorry for Professor Quirrell at the end. Almost, but not quite...

Favorite quotes:

"Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey..." -- Hagrid's entrance (pg. 47)
"I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter.... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things--terrible, yes, but great." -- Mr. Ollivander (pg. 85)
"Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling" -- back of chocolate frog card (pg. 103)
"Troll--in the dungeons--thought you out to know." -- Professor Quirrell (pg. 172)
"You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed. "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid--we know we're called Gred and Forge." (pg. 202)
"The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (pg. 298)

Movie fun:

Overall, I just adore this movie. It's the closest movie to book transition. It brings the world to life. Much lighter than the later movies, but the first book is much lighter anyway. The set pieces are just amazing. I couldn't have pictured Hogwarts better in my mind. And the icing on the cake: the final lines of the movie about Harry not going home, not really. So much better than the ending of the book. Kudos to the film makers.

My favorite scenes:

Diagon Alley -- All the shops! All the things! The introduction of all the wizards in the background. Such detail!
Sorting ceremony -- All those kids! All those nervous, excited kids! And the way that the sorting hat talks to Harry is priceless!
Christmas at Hogwarts -- It's just too pretty.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

More scenes with the ghosts. They severely underused the genius that is John Cleese in the movie! The ghosts are great; the little intrigues and mysteries are so much fun. And Peeves should have at least made an extended appearance.
Charlie and the escape of Norbert the dragon.
Snape's logic puzzle after the chess match -- really showed Hermione's intellect

Harry Potter:

Jack of Fables: The End

Title: Jack of Fables Vol. 9: The End

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2011

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 144

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series; Name - E; My Years - 2011; Support Your Local Library

Jack Frost seeks to kill a dragon, unaware that it’s his own father. Jack Frost has just set upon the greatest quest in a long and distinguished career of great quests: To kill a dragon. Of course, he is not aware that the dragon in question is in fact his own father. Meanwhile, the Page Sisters find a new purpose in life: restoring the Great Library. This volume includes JACK OF FABLES #50, a special issue that includes appearances by everyone who’s ever shown up in the series.

As much as I loved the Jack of Fables series, towards the end I was just kinda done with it. It was good, don't get my wrong, I just wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened. I didn't get sucked into the world within the pages. Something just wasn't magical enough for me. I continue to read the main Fables series and love all the volumes. Jack just became a tiresome character and I never really got into his son, Jack Frost. I was ready to find out the ending. And boy was it an ending. As the volume notes, they went Shakespearean with the ending. Crazy stuff! Overall, a good read, just not great.

Jack of Fables:

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: