The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

Title: The Sweet Far Thing (Gemma Doyle #3)

Author: Libba Bray

Publisher: Delacorte Books 2009

Genre: YA

Pages: 848

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: YA; Mount TBR; Semi-Charmed -- trilogy

How I Got It: I own it!

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

Overall I really did like this series. I liked Gemma's growth. I liked the world of the Realms, especially the Winterlands. I loved some of the side characters, Kartik, Brigid, Nightwing, Mother Elena, the Gorgon. I fell into the story just as quickly as Gemma fell into visions. I liked that Tom finally saw his sister for she is. I loved that Gemma didn't end up as a corseted prim beauty.

However, I was left with some issues. *spoilers ahead*

Kartik and Gemma -- The ending left me wanting something different. I don't always need the happily ever after, but this was too bleak and hopeless. And Gemma seemed okay with it! I just couldn't take that.
Felicity -- I never liked her. Even after knowing her secret, I still didn't like her. She has no excuse to treat others as she did. Gemma started to stand up to her, but at that point Felicity had already been given power.
Circe -- So was she bad or good? She seemed to redeem herself in the end, but did she. Gemma gave her the spot on the boat. So does that mean that Gemma can never cross over when she dies? I don't think Circe deserved what Gemma gave her.

I have a few issues with the ending. And I think the third book got a bit convuluted with so many red herrings. But I still really enjoyed this trilogy. I feel like I need to read more of Bray's novels. I've heard some good things.

Gemma Doyle

12th Night and Carole's Christmas by Anne Glynn (mini reviews)

Title: 12th Night and Carole's Christmas

Author: Anthology and Anne Glynn

Genre: Erotica

Pages: 227; 42

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR

How I Got It: free iBook download

Two short reviews for two short reads. The first, 12th Night, was an anthology of 12 holiday themed erotic stories. Some were okay, but a few were truly horrid. And the other novella, Carole's Christmas, was a pretty tepid retelling of A Christmas Story. But in this time the ghosts are sexual encounters of Carole's past, present, and future boyfriends. It felt very use and throw away to me. And none of the guys were attractive in any sense. I grabbed these two free iBook downloads as quick bedtime reads. I've found that short stories or novellas are the way to go before bed. However, both of my picks were dull. I wasn't turned on by either of them. The submission was too much. The graphic sex with no set-up was too much. The lackluster men were too much. The weak, sex-focused women were too much. I really need to get back to reading historical romances. At least with those I get a story, however contrived and silly. It's still a story.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville

Title: Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher (A Magic Shop Book #1)

Author: Bruce Coville

Publisher: Sandpiper 2007

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Pages: 176

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: YA; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

In this entertaining fantasy readers will soon realize that things are not always as they seem. Jeremy Thatcher is plagued with all of the problems of a 12-year-old plus a few extra. He is pursued by Mary Lou Hutton, whom he detests, and is constantly put down by his art teacher for reasons he does not understand. One afternoon, in an effort to escape Mary Lou, Jeremy runs through alleys, side streets, and byways and finds himself in a part of town he has never seen before. He enters a small magic shop where he purchases a strange egg. A dragon that only Jeremy and Mary Lou can see enters the picture. The book is filled with scenes that will bring laughter and near tears to readers. Jeremy and his friends are believable characters; their actions and reactions are typical of the children's age. Once again, Coville offers a fantasy that younger readers can handle easily, and one in which dragons really exist for a little while.

The boys and I picked this up as an in between our Riordan books. And I have to say that this was great. I remember reading Coville's books in the 90s. This is a newer series, but just as good. The boys loved the magical twist on the story and the dragons. I think dragons are the boys' new favorite creatures. After finishing, they quickly inquired as to if they are other Magic Shop books. We own three of the five and are on the lookout for the other two.

Magic Shop

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Jennifer Murdley's Toad
Goblins in the Castle
The Monster's Ring
The Skull of Truth
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love
Charlie Eggleston's Talking Skull
The Vampire's Tood
The Mask of Eamonn Tiyado

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

Title: Rebel Angels (Gemma Doyle #2)

Author: Libba Bray

Publisher: Delacorte Books 2006

Genre: YA

Pages: 592

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; YA; Semi-Charmed Challenge -- Trilogy read

How I Got It: I own it!

Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy—spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Lord Denby. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify—visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.The lure is strong, and soon Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world that Gemma takes them to. To the girls' great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship.But all is not well in the realms—or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to Gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face-to-face with her late mother's greatest friend, now Gemma's foe—Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task. . . .

I think this was a much stronger book than A Great and Terrible Beauty. We finally see Gemma beginning to grow up and find her own identity. I hated that she bowed to so many others in the first book. Her defiance as the Priestess is awesome. Ann is still annoying as ever and Felicity is still as conceited as ever. I loved seeing the changes in the Realm after the destruction of the Runes. Plus we get to meet some great new characters. The Gorgon was most definitely my favorite. And the mystery of who Circe is pushed the story along at a great pace. My only complaint: I want more Kartik!

Gemma Doyle

Sandman Volume 5: A Game of You

Title: Sandman Volume 5: A Game of You

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: DC Comics 1993

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192

Rating: 4 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; My Years -- 1993

How I Got It: Library loan

Volume Five of New York Times best selling author Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed creation THE SANDMAN collects one of the series’ most beloved storylines.
Take an apartment house, add in a drag queen, a lesbian couple, some talking animals, a talking severed head, a confused heroine and the deadly Cuckoo. Stir vigorously with a hurricane and Morpheus himself and you get this fifth installment of the SANDMAN series. This story stars Barbie, who first makes an appearance in THE DOLL’S HOUSE and now finds herself a princess in a vivid dreamworld.

An all-encompassing storyline told through five chapters. I loved this story. I loved Barbie and Wanda and Foxglove and Hazel and Thessaly and all of Barbie's toys. The only thing I wanted more of -- Dream. I love him as a character. I was just upset to not really see him until the last chapter. Unfortunately I'm all out of volumes for the time being. I need to get back to the library for the rest.

Sandman

#1 Preludes and Nocturnes
#2 The Doll's House
#3 Dream Country
#4 Season of Mists
#5 A Game of You
#6 Fables and Reflections
#7 The Brief Lives
#8 World's End
#9 The Kindly Ones
#10 The Wake
#11 The Dream Hunters (with Amano Yoshitaka)
#12 Endless Nights

Adrianna's Fairy Tales by Adrianna White

Title: Adrianna's Fairy Tales

Author: Adrianna White

Publisher: 2011

Genre: Erotic fairy tales (I'm calling this a genre)

Pages: 147

Rating: 2 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Telling tales; Mount TBR

How I Got It: Free ebook from iBook store

Adrianna’s collection of novellas take the classic story of fairy tales that we’re all accustomed to and throws it out the window in an erotic retelling of our beloved princes and princesses. The characters are hot and the action is steamy, these stories will titillate both the mind and the nether regions. Be warned, these stories rarely end as we would hope.

I downloaded the free iBook version complete with all three tales. I sped through these stories, but overall was really disappointed.

1. Naughty Cinderella: So Cinderella is a prostitute. I can deal with that. It makes sense. But the Prince is such a white knight on a horse that he's boring. And the most graphic sex scene is one of her clients. Not very sexy at all.

2. Riding Red Hood: I was confused through most of this story. Was Red a werewolf? Was the Big Bad Wolf really a werewolf? What about Red's fiance Fredrick? It felt like an abusive relationship to me. Not sexy at all.

3. Beauty and the Beast with Two Backs: Ugh! I've always issues with Beauty and the Beast storylines (see my review of Beastly and Beauty). This one really just intertwined Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty and it just didn't work. And none of the sex scenes were sexy. They just made me uncomfortable.

Persepolis: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi

Title: Persepolis: The Story of a Return

Author: Marjane Satrapi

Publisher: Pantheon 2004

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 188

Rating: 5 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; My Years -- 2004

How I Got It: Library loan

In Persepolis, heralded by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the freshest and most original memoirs of our day,” Marjane Satrapi dazzled us with her heartrending memoir-in-comic-strips about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Here is the continuation of her fascinating story. In 1984, Marjane flees fundamentalism and the war with Iraq to begin a new life in Vienna. Once there, she faces the trials of adolescence far from her friends and family, and while she soon carves out a place for herself among a group of fellow outsiders, she continues to struggle for a sense of belonging.

I thought that the last volume pulled at my heart. This one tops it. I was right there with Marjane as she struggled to find herself alone in a foreign city. Every time she she faced another setback, my heart broke just a little bit. Once she was back in Iran, things didn't automatically get better. While I've never felt completely out of place, I empathize with her journey. The two volumes create a beautiful picture an Iranian woman's life through tumultuous times. A must read.

Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists

Title: Sandman Volume 4: Season of Mists

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: DC Comics 1992

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 224

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Support Your Local LIbrary; My Years -- 1992

How I Got It: Library loan

Volume Four of New York Times best selling author Neil Gaiman's acclaimed creation, with updated coloring and new trade dress. Ten thousand years ago, Morpheus condemned a woman who loved him to Hell. Now the other members of his immortal family, The Endless, have convinced the Dream King that this was an injustice. To make it right, Morpheus must return to Hell to rescue his banished love - and Hell's ruler, the fallen angel Lucifer, has already sworn to destroy him.

A great pick-up from Volume 3. I loved Dream's journey to Hell and all the characters he meets along the way. We get another appearance from Death (my favorite of the Endless). And we meet Lucifer again. He is an interesting character; one that I really can't figure out. I also loved the reappearance of his banished love. We met her in a previous volume. I can't wait to see what happens next on the journey.

Sandman

#1 Preludes and Nocturnes
#2 The Doll's House
#3 Dream Country
#4 Season of Mists
#5 A Game of You
#6 Fables and Reflections
#7 The Brief Lives
#8 World's End
#9 The Kindly Ones
#10 The Wake
#11 The Dream Hunters (with Amano Yoshitaka)
#12 Endless Nights

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

Title: Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Author: Marjane Satrapi

Publisher: Pantheon 2003

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 154

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

How I Got It: Library loan

Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages six to fourteen, years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, Marjane bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country.

This is a beautifully constructed autobiography of life in a tumultuous time period. I must admit that Iran's history is not one of my strong points. However, Satrapi weaves her story in such a way that I understand all the sides of the conflict. Even through black and white drawings, I feel the pain and confusion Satrapi felt through her childhood. I sped through this volume wanting to find out what happened to her. We end with a cliffhanger, but thankfully there's a second volume.

Sandman Volume 3: Dream Country

Title: Sandman Volume 3: Dream Country

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Vertigo 2010

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Support Your Local LIbrary

How I Got It: Library loan

The third book of the Sandman collection is a series of four short comic book stories. In each of these otherwise unrelated stories, Morpheus serves only as a minor character. Here we meet the mother of Morpheus's son, find out what cats dream about, and discover the true origin behind Shakespeare's A Midsummer's Night Dream. The latter won a World Fantasy Award for best short story, the first time a comic book was given that honor.
This volume includes issues 17-20 of the original series and features completely new coloring, approved by the author, of issues 17 and 18.

Hmmm... So I didn't like this volume as much as the first two. We get appearances by Dream, but the stories are stories of others. I did enjoy the story featuring Death. She is fast becoming my favorite character in the series. Her spunk is a great contrast to her job. I think my favorite part of the volume was actually the extras at the back. We get an actual manuscript from Gaiman detailing the stories to be included. They read like a play script with stage directions and character descriptions. I find the journey from story to comic to be an interesting one.

Sandman

#1 Preludes and Nocturnes
#2 The Doll's House
#3 Dream Country
#4 Season of Mists
#5 A Game of You
#6 Fables and Reflections
#7 The Brief Lives
#8 World's End
#9 The Kindly Ones
#10 The Wake
#11 The Dream Hunters (with Amano Yoshitaka)
#12 Endless Nights

Intentions of the Earl by Rose Gordon

Title: Intentions of the Earl (Scandalous Sisters #1)

Author: Rose Gordon

Publisher: Second Wind 2012

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 270

Rating: 3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR; A to Z -- I

How I Got It: Own it in ebook form

Will he secure his future by ruining hers, or will she ruin his plans by securing him? A new twist on the old fortune hunter plot puts an impoverished earl in a position to gain his fortune only by ruining an innocent's reputation without offering marriage. The innocent he's selected, however, has no plans to settle for anything less than marriage and will go to almost any length to secure him. With no other means for an income, the impoverished Andrew Black, Earl of Townson, makes an agreement that will put a definite end his eight year poverty streak. But, in order to gain his fortune he must do only one simple thing: ruin an innocent young lady’s reputation enough to make her flee to America. Brooke Banks isn’t interested in marriage, or so she thinks. She came to London to have a good time, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. Widely known for her tendency to flout the rules, she suspects nothing when a handsome stranger appears on her doorstep. Thirteen days, a handful of kisses and one scandalous situation later, Andrew and Brooke will have to choose to stick to their original plans, or decide if a life together is worth the risk.

Light and fluffy romance. I do love those types of books. Brooke, while impestuous, is great heroine. She's full of spunk and confidence, even when things aren't going her way. Andrew is a great hero and Gateway is the stereotypical villain. The storyline is great fun. Then I got to the last 20 pages and the story seemed to get way too complicated and convenient at the same time. The pacing was great until those last 20 pages. Everything seemed to get out of control and wrapped up quickly without much discussion. I just couldn't get behind those last 20 pages. I wished the ending had been a bit more drawn out. We get more of an explanation for the conclusion and not a rushed happily ever after. This if the first book in a trilogy. I'm still trying to decided whether or not to read the other two. Overall I enjoyed the book, just disappointed at the ending.

Scandalous Sisters

#1 Intentions of the Earl
#2 Liberty for Paul
#3 To Win His Wayward Wife

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Title: Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy #3)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 443

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

Shadow Kiss continues the story of the main character, Rose Hathaway and her education in becoming a Guardian. Rose knows it is forbidden to love another guardian. Her best friend Lissa- the last Dragomir princess- must always come first. Unfortunately, when it comes to gorgeous tutor Dimitri Belikov, some rules are meant to be broken... Including school rules and the law when she takes her romance with Dimitri to the next step... love. Then a strange darkness begins to grow in Rose's mind and ghostly shadows warn of a terrible evil drawing nearer to the Academy's iron gates. The immortal undead are closing in, and they want vengeance for the lives Rose has stolen

Another solid volume in this young adult paranormal series. This isn't the best series I've ever read, but it's definitely enjoyable and a quick read. I find myself getting more and more wrapped up in Rose's life. I can't wait to see what happens next. What will she do about the whole Dmitri situation? What about her future as Lissa's guardian? Will she follow duty or her heart? Twists and turns...

Vampire Academy

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Title: The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus #1)

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion 2010

Genre: Children and YA/Fantasy

Pages: 576

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Mixing It Up -- Children's and Young Adult;

How I Got It: I own it!

After saving Olympus from the evil Titan lord, Kronos, Percy and friends have rebuilt their beloved Camp Half-Blood, where the next generation of demigods must now prepare for a chilling prophecy of their own:Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.Now, in a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they’ll need the help of some familiar demigods.

An absolutely amazing follow-up to the Percy Jackson series. We started with a bang and ended with a bang. Riordan knows how to pull the reader in, let them get to know the characters, and then throw the characters into heart-pounding situations. I loved that we get to meet three new major characters while revisiting some of our old favorites (Annabeth, Rachel Dare, Chiron). Piper quickly became my favorite new character. She had a great sense of loyalty and confidence (except when it came to Jason). And all of the action sequences were great. Lots of mystery. I always love trying to figure out the new characters (friend or foe) before the heroes do. I am glad to say that I called two of the major baddies before the reveal. (The one in the department store was definitely my favorite). My boys loved every minute of it. Just like the Percy series, they learned a ton of mythology along the way. They are definite fans of Riordan. Of course Riordan ends this book with a cliffhanger. Thankfully we have the second book and will be starting soon. Unfortunately we have to wait until the fall for the third book... Oh well, I must be patient for great books.

Heroes of Olympus:

#1 The Lost Hero
#2 The Son of Neptune
#3 The Mark of Athena
#4 The House of Hades
#5 The Blood of Olympus

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 2006

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 652

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it! (in pretty hardcover no less)

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:

Every one of the memories of Tom Riddle. They are so illuminating. I really wish they included them in the movie...
The opening scene between the Minister of Magic and the Prime Minister. It's a great opening sequence showing the interaction between the magical and muggle world. Another thing I really wish they would have put in the movie.

Favorite character(s):

Narcissa Black Malfoy -- Even though she's only in it for one actual scene, I love her. I especially love the contrast between her and her sister Bellatrix.
Ron and Hermione -- Their whole will-they or won't-they is fascinating. I just adore them. And I especially love the scene in the hospital.

Other odds and ends:

I forgot how angry Harry is in this movie... Teenage angst is a bit much.
There's a whole passage on pages 180-181 comparing Harry and Snape. As much as Harry doesn't want to admit it, they are very similar.
Slughorn is a great side character.

Favorite quotes:

No one really sticks out to me.

Movie fun

My favorite scenes:

Ron and Hermione's fight with the birds -- I love the emotional vulnerability in this scene. It just works.
Slughorn Christmas Party -- Between Hermione avoiding Cormac and Harry wanting Ginny, this is a great scene of teenage hormones. Plus it just looks pretty.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

The book's opening sequence. Unfortunately they change to one (Harry in the tube station) that doesn't really make a lot of sense. However I did love the destruction of the bridge and Diagon Alley. It's mentioned in the book, but to see the raw power from the Death Eaters is just terrifying.
Harry and Ginny's kiss in front of the entire Gryffindor common room. The small kiss in the room of requirement just doesn't really work.

Other odds and ends:

In the books, I love Ginny Weasley. She's a great mix of Fred and George and Mrs. Weasley. I understand why Harry likes her. Yet, in the movies, she's more of a wet blanket. The movies rob her of all the interesting aspects of her personalty. Very sad change of character from books to movies...
I loved loved loved watching Draco's transformation from arrogant elitist to broken little boy. It makes his realization of what's right and wrong that much better. Tom Felton really gave him a haunted look in most of the scenes.
Attack on the Burrow -- WHY!?!?! It's just completely wrong...

Harry Potter:

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Title: Frostbite (Vampire Academy #2)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2008

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 327

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library; A to Z -- F

How I Got It: Library Loan

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…It’s winter break at St. Vladimir’s, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy’s crawling with Guardians—including Rose’s hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn’t bad enough, Rose’s tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason’s got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa’s head while she’s making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy’s not taking any risks.... This year, St. Vlad’s annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

I still really like Rose and Christian is amazing. But I am getting more and more ambivalent towards Lissa. She's just a wet blanket of a character. Thankfully this volume focused more on Rose and her relationships with others (Dimitri, her mother!, Tasha, Christian, and Mason). I loved seeing her interact with those other people. I even loved the inclusion of Mia to that list. She was an absolute bitch in the first book, but now we see where she's coming from. I think she's a great counterpart to Rose. And Adrian was an interesting addition. To me this series is really about the characters. The supernatural elements some second. And I love that! Even Rose's occasional immature behavior is okay. She's growing like real people should. I don't expect her to be perfect; her flaws are what make her interesting. This is one young adult series that has me hooked. And all those comparisons to Twilight are just ugh! It's not the same at all. I can't wait to see what happens next...

Vampire Academy

Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick

Title: Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

Author: Nathaniel Philbrick

Publisher: Penguin 2006

Genre: U.S. History Nonfiction

Pages: 463

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Dewey -- 970s; My Years -- 2006

How I Got It: I own it!

Nathaniel Philbrick became an internationally renowned author with his National Book Award-winning In the Heart of the Sea, hailed as "spellbinding" by Time magazine. In Mayflower, Philbrick casts his spell once again, giving us a fresh and extraordinarily vivid account of our most sacred national myth: the voyage of the Mayflower and the settlement of Plymouth Colony. From the Mayflower's arduous Atlantic crossing to the eruption of King Philip's War between colonists and natives decades later, Philbrick reveals in this electrifying history of the Pilgrims a fifty-five-year epic, at once tragic and heroic, that still resonates with us today.

It felt so good to get back to reading history books. And this one is beautifully written! Philbrick creates an engaging narrative that hits all sides of the history of the Pilgrim settlement. My favorite side of the story was all the politics. We get Pilgrims and Strangers, we get Pilgrims and various native groups, we get native groups and other native groups, we get Pilgrims and Puritans. All sides with their own agendas, needs, and wants. Although it took me a while to read this one, but it was worth it. Philbrick's narrative is so dense that it took me a couple of times to rereading paragraphs to digest all the information. But I didn't mind because it was well-constructed. A definite read for a comprehensive history of the Pilgrims and their history and impact on American history.

The Boys: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men

Title: The Boys Vol 11: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men

Author: Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, and John McCrea

Publisher: Dynamite 2012

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; Read Your Name -- O

How I Got It: J owns it

The first of The Boys' two concluding stories is collected here, in "Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men". By now you should know that The Boys is one of Dynamite's most popular and critically acclaimed series, and that it's coming to an end very soon. Don't miss this 2nd-to-last collection, featuring issues #60-65, along with a complete cover art gallery by Darick Robertson.

OMG! I knew this was going to be a nail biter and it didn't disappoint. I started to question why the people were a few issues ago and my questions have been partially answered. I don't want to give away the twists, but let's just say that not all is what it seems. I am on pins and needles for the last volume of the series. The carnage is undeniable in this volume. Be forewarned.

The Boys:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Title: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1)

Author: Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razor Bill 2007

Genre: YA Vampires

Pages: 332

Rating: 4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Vampires; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library Loan

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school–it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's–the very place where they're most in danger. Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi–the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires–make Lissa one of them forever.

I've been meaning to start this series for awhile. I had heard good things and it didn't disappoint. I don't know why it took me so long to read this book once I started, but I finally got through it.

I love the main character, Rose. She's tough, outspoken, loyal, and intelligent. I loved her comebacks and each time she stood up to some bully at the academy. On the other hand, I wasn't a huge fan of Lissa, at least until the end. Throughout most of the book she is the fragile Moroi princess and I just couldn't get why she was so wonderful. When she grew a backbone I started to come around to her. I think my favorite character in the book was Christian. Very interesting side character that obviously knows more than Rose or Lissa thinks. I can't wait to see what happens between him and Lissa. And Dmitri is obviously some awesome eye candy.

The story is interesting. Not really new or different, but a good solid story. The first book ends on a cliffhanger, but not a "I want to rip my hair out" cliffhanger. I'm okay with the ending, but I can't wait to pick up the next series. I hope it stays strong throughout.

Vampire Academy

The Boys: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker

Title: The Boys Vol 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker

Author: Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, and John McCrea

Publisher: Dynamite 2012

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; A to Z -- E

How I Got It: J owns it

The story of Billy Butcher, the Boys'' mysterious leader, is told at last! From the backstreets of London''s East End to the carnage of the Falklands War, from the heights of love to the depths of tragedy, the most violent man in comics reveals the terrible nature of the forces that drive him. And when he''s done, he''ll be ready - to finish things once and for all! Collects the hit 6-issue mini-series of 2011, along with a complete cover gallery and bonus material.

All through the series I have wondered how Butcher became Butcher. What makes him the way he is? I know that Hughie has always wondered. And know at the eve of the end, we finally get his story. I loved it. Now I understand. I see why he is the way he is now. I don't know if I would have made the same choices, but it's his life. Look at me talking like Butcher's real. This series has really gotten under my skin. I want to see how all of this will be resolved. I know it won't be pretty or happily ever after, but I have to know.

The Boys:

Sandman Volume 2: The Doll's House

Title: Sandman Volume 2: The Doll's House

Author: Neil Gaiman, Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg

Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics 2010/1990

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 232

Rating: 5 /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Support Your Local LIbrary; My Years -- 1990

How I Got It: Library loan

During Morpheus's incarceration, three dreams escaped the Dreaming and are now loose in the waking world. At the same time, a young woman named Rose Walker is searching for her little brother. As their stories converge, a vortex is discovered that could destroy all dreamers, and the world itself. Features an introduction by Clive Barker.
This volume includes issues 9-16 of the original series and features completely new coloring, approved by the author.

Another exciting Sandman volume. I love that this volume connects the reader to a very human Rose Walker. She's someone we can all travel with through the Dreamland. The Corinthian was extra creepy as a part of the Collectors. I think that part may just give me nightmares. I don't know what else to say. I just want to find out what happens next in the story.

Sandman

#1 Preludes and Nocturnes
#2 The Doll's House
#3 Dream Country
#4 Season of Mists
#5 A Game of You
#6 Fables and Reflections
#7 The Brief Lives
#8 World's End
#9 The Kindly Ones
#10 The Wake
#11 The Dream Hunters (with Amano Yoshitaka)
#12 Endless Nights