Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift

Title: Gulliver's Travels

Author: Jonathan Swift

Genre: Classics; Fantasy

Pages: 333

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- 18th Century; Mount TBR; Dusty Bookshelf; Book to Movie; 1001 Books; Fall into Reading; Fantasy Project

How I Got It: I own it

Jonathan Swift's satirical novel was first published in 1726, yet it is still valid today. Gulliver's Travels describes the four fantastic voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, a kindly ship's surgeon. Swift portrays him as an observer, a reporter, and a victim of circumstance. His travels take him to Lilliput where he is a giant observing tiny people. In Brobdingnag, the tables are reversed and he is the tiny person in a land of giants where he is exhibited as a curiosity at markets and fairs. The flying island of Laputa is the scene of his next voyage. The people plan and plot as their country lies in ruins. It is a world of illusion and distorted values. The fourth and final voyage takes him to the home of the Houyhnhnms, gentle horses who rule the land. He also encounters Yahoos, filthy bestial creatures who resemble humans.

I can't believe that I've never actually read the entirety of this novel. Sure, I've read excerpts. I know most of the storyline. I've seen multiple television and movie adaptations. I've also read basically everything else that Swift has written. But somehow I've never actually read the whole book. Overall, I would say that I enjoyed the book, but the notes really helped me understand the satirical nature of Swift's writing. The problem is that Swift wrote this very specific to a time and place. I love his commentary on the political state of Great Britain. While Gulliver goes on four adventures and meets four basic groups of people, the Lilliputians are still my favorite. I love how Gulliver finds himself a part of this strange land. A good book but because of its very specific nature, it's a hard volume to get into for modern audiences.

Movie:

I had hoped to watch the Ted Danson miniseries version of the book, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Boo! So I settled for the Jack Black version because the library had it in stock and available for loan. I was very disappointed by this adaptations. All of the satire is lost with Jack Black's incessant nonsense. Even the inclusion of Chris O'Dowd and Catherine Tate (two awesome British actors!) could not save the ridiculousness of this movie. Definitely a disappoint. Glad I didn't pay for this one at all...

Witches 101 by Melissa de la Cruz

Title: Witches 101: A Witches of East End Primer

Author: Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: Paranormal; Witches

Pages: 63

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Monthly Key Word - October; ebook; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

Almost three million copies of The Blue Bloods series in print, Melissa de la Cruz has now written her first paranormal romance for adults, on sale June 21st. The first in the Beauchamp Series, the book features a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites. It’s a page-turning, heart-stopping, magical summer read, fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.
But before you read the book, meet the Witches! In this primer, you’ll meet the three Beauchamp women – Joanna, Ingrid, and Freya – learn a little bit about their special powers, and even get some tips so you can cast a few spells of your own.

Hmm... This was a free teaser ebook for the new Witches of East End series. I was intrigued by the series concept and the appearance of the Beauchamps in the Blue Bloods series. The ebook itself gives the reader a chapter about each of the Beauchamps. We are teased with a larger mystery and storyline. it definitely doesn't stand on its own, but I am fairly interested in reading the series now. I just kinda wish this was a full story to get us into the series, instead of the opening chapters.

San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats by Mira Grant

Title: San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats (Newsflesh novella)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2012

Genre: Zombie

Pages: 120

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombies; ebook; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

It was the summer of 2014, and the true horrors of the Rising were only just beginning to reveal themselves. Fans from all over the world gathered in San Diego, California for the annual comic book and media convention, planning to forget about the troubling rumors of new diseases and walking dead by immersing themselves in a familiar environment. Over the course of five grueling days and nights, it became clear that the news was very close to home...and that most of the people who picked up their badges would never make it out alive.

Ran across this novella being reviewed on another blogger's site. I loved the original Newsflesh trilogy, so I had to download this one right away. And during the FrightFall Readathon seemed like a great time to read a little zombie story. Those who have read the trilogy know how this story is going to end. We know all about The Rising. But the story is written so well that I kept seeing glimpses of hope and survival until the bitter end. It's a great little short read to introduce you to The Rising or just as an extension of the original trilogy. Love, love, love!

Newsflesh

#0.4 Apocalupse Scenario #683: The Box
#0.5 Countdown
#0.75 San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats
#1 Feed
#2 Deadline
#3 Blackout
#3.5 How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea
#3.6 The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
#3.7 Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
#4 Rewind

Cape Storm by Rachel Caine

Title: Cape Storm (Weather Wardens #8)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2009

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 308

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin and her new husband, the Djinn David, are running from a malevolent hurricane bent on destroying her. Joined by an army of fellow Wardens and Djinn onboard a hijacked luxury liner, Joanne has lured the storm into furious pursuit. But even their combined magic may not be enough to stop it-nor the power-mad ex-Weather Warden controlling it...

After the whirlwind that was Gale Force, I liked the slightly slower pace of this volume. I liked getting back to being focused on the main characters of the series. Instead of attempting to update everyone, we get more Joanne, David, and Lewis. I really really love Lewis in this volume. He has taken complete responsibility for the Wardens and for the Earth itself. I also love the villain in this volume, very over the top and slightly cartoonish, but in a good way. And I was very excited about where the whole series is going. I'm very excited to read the last volume in the Weather Wardens series.

Weather Warden:

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow 2013

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 181

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Book Bingo -- 4 from 2013; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: Library Loan

A brilliantly imaginative and poignant fairy tale from the modern master of wonder and terror, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is Neil Gaiman’s first new novel for adults since his #1 New York Times bestseller Anansi Boys.
This bewitching and harrowing tale of mystery and survival, and memory and magic, makes the impossible all too real...

I love how all of Gaiman's books and stories start out fairly normal. You think you're in the world we know. But then, a few pages or a few chapters in, something happens that is not normal. Something appears to throw off our balance. And we find ourselves in a world not quite like ours. This story is no exception. The first chapter lulls you into a sense of normalcy and then bam! you're thrown into something completely different. I loved this little novel about a boy's adventures with "other" things. Since it is told in flashback, I can even imagine the man sitting beside the pond recollecting long forgotten memories of childhood. It's such a peaceful and yet disturbing moment. And as with all Gaiman stories, I could not predict the ending. I had no idea what was going to happen. That made the story all the more fascinating and engaging. Overall, a short but powerful piece.

The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak

Title: The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Publisher: Knopf 2007

Genre: Literature

Pages: 576

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; 52 Books - W40; Book Bingo -- 3 from everyone but me; Fall into Reading

How I Got It: iPad read

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.
Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement.

This book destroyed me. I was utterly helpless to its pull. I had heard that this was a great book, but usually those popular books escaped me. I just don't pick them up. In this case, The Book Thief was chosen as our book club selection. I started reading it and was intrigued but all a bit off balance. The style of switching from the narrator to a third person point of view took some getting used to. I was also thrown off by the interludes of bolded text. I was a bit confused, but soon everything started falling into place. I easily saw where the story was going (helped along by the narrator), but it was okay. The strength of this book lies in the characters. They are all amazing. They all have such layers. Usually the main characters have layers and the side characters are there solely to push the story forward. In this volume, every character has layers. I loved getting glimpses into the neighbor or the mayor's wife or even the members of the Hitler Youth group. Each one has been crafted to appear as a real person. Even the narrator has layers, something you wouldn't expect. By the last 75 pages, I couldn't put it down. Even as my eyes were dropping from lack of sleep, I had to finish this incredible volume. Absolutely amazing! I can't wait to see what the other book club ladies thought about it.

The Sandman: The Dream Hunters and Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Sandman Vol 11: The Dream Hunters and Vol. 12: Endless Nights

Author: Neil Gaiman, Yoshitaka Amano

Publisher: Vertigo 1999, 2003

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128, 160

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; 52 Books -- Week 39; Fall into Reading; NPR SciFan

How I Got It: Library Loan

As I read these back-to-back, I thought I would review them together. Plus, I don't have a huge amount to say about these two volumes. Basically: they were good.

Written by Neil Gaiman; Art by Yoshitaka Amano Featuring striking painted artwork, this love story, set in ancient Japan, tells the story of a humble young monk and a magical, shape-changing fox who find themselves romantically drawn together. As their love blooms, the fox learns of a devilish plot by a group of demons to steal the monk's life. With the aid of Morpheus, the King of All Night's Dreamings, the fox must use all of her cunning and creative thinking to foil this evil scheme and save the man that she loves. This book also boasts an eight page section highlighting Yoshitaka Amano's amazing painted art.

This is an interesting volume. Definitely a departure from the rest of the series, but I like it. It has an even more dream quality than the rest. I believe this is due to the beautiful illustrations. I almost felt like I was intruding on someone's personal dream to follow the storyline. Very interesting...

Joined by a dream team of artists from around the world, Neil Gaiman—the Hugo Award-winning, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of AMERICAN GODS and CORALINE—returns to the beloved characters he made famous in THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS. Alternately haunting, bittersweet, erotic and nightmarish, the seven stories in this book—one for each of the Endless siblings, each illustrated by a different artist—reveal strange secrets and surprising truths. In addition to the seven tales of the Endless, THE SANDMAN: ENDLESS NIGHTS includes a biography section in the spirit of the Sandman collections (designed by Dave McKean) and a summary of each volume in the Sandman Library.

This volume was a nice ending to the series. It wrapped up a few of the leftover story lines. It created a few new ones. But overall, I loved seeing all the Endless siblings highlighted throughout the volume. Very enjoyable series if you like the strangeness of Neil Gaiman. I definitely do!

Sandman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: HarperCollins 2008

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 325

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; ebook; Book Bingo -- 3 from everyone but me; The Fantasy Project

How I Got It: iPad read

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.
There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.
But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family. . . .

This book has been on my list for awhile now. I participated in The Fantasy Project's Wheel of Fortune challenge and this book came up for September/October. Truly I had forgotten what this one was supposed to be about and when I read the summary, I got a bit of a shock. A few weeks ago I read Gaiman's M is for Magic short story collection. That collection includes a story of Bod. I enjoyed that story, but felt like there was so much more to tell. Thankfully Gaiman thought so too and wrote an entire book around Bod.

This was a delightful little book. I loved every minute of it. Gaiman gives us a full story, but broken down into chapters that read almost like separate adventures. The style reminded me of The Hobbit. Each chapter is a story perfect for telling to children at bedtime. I loved all of the characters, especially Silas. I loved the adventures of Bod in and out of the graveyard. I was sad but happy at the ending. I wanted to read more about where Bod went after his time in the graveyard. I wanted to learn more about the Honour Guard. I wanted to see if Bod ever met with Scarlett again. This book was amazing. I think I will put it on the reading list for the boys.

Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Storm Glass (Opal Cowan #1)

Author: Maria V. Snyder

Publisher: MIra 2009

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 504

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Witches and Witchcraft; Mount TBR; Book Blogger Recommendations; 52 Books -- W38

How I Got It: I own it

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowan understands trial by fire. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it from happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap into a new kind of magic. Yet the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control her powers…powers that could lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

The reader is warned: this is a series that connect directly to the Study series. I didn't realize this when I started the book. Therefore, i was a bit lost at some of the references at first. Snyder retells the plotline of that series throughout this book. I probably could have done without all the statements. It got a bit old after awhile.

Focusing on this book, I liked it, but it did feel a bit young. I realize that it's a young adult novel, but does that mean that the characters have to be extremely immature throughout? I would have liked to see more growth over the course of the book. I like Opal, but her constant meekness annoys me. I wanted to see more from her. The storyline is decent enough, but I felt like too much happened in a short amount of time. Maybe a shorter book? I own the other two books in this series, but think I won't be rushing to read those right away. Decent book, but with some issues.

Opal Cowan (DNFed series)

1. Storm Glass
2. Sea Glass
3. Spy Glass

Cotillion by Georgette Heyer

Title: Cotillion

Author: Georgette Heyer

Genre: Regency Fiction

Pages: 482

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Jane Austen; Mount TBR; Dusty Bookshelf

How I Got It: I own it

A sham betrothal isn't the only thing that gets Kitty and Freddy into trouble, but it's definitely the beginning ..
A most unusual hero Freddy is immensely rich, of course, and not bad-looking, but he's mild-mannered, a bit hapless-not anything like his virile, handsome, rakish cousin Jack ...
A heroine in a difficult situation Young Kitty Charing stands to inherit a vast fortune from her irascible and eccentric guardian-provided she marries one of his great-nephews ...
A sham betrothal No sooner does Kitty arrive in London then the race for her hand begins, but between confirmed rakes and bumbling affections, Kitty needs a daring scheme ...

I've read that Georgette Heyer is the successor to Jane Austen herself. So I thought i would give her another chance (previously read The Black Moth), but I am a bit disappointed. That isn't to say that Heyer is a bad writer. I think overall the books is well written and interesting. It's just not Jane Austen to me. Heyer doesn't have the wit or the social awareness of Austen. I predicted the plot line, but that's not the main problem. I could predict Austen's plot lines before I got 30 pages into her novels. The issue is that unlike Austen, Heyer's characters are caricatures to me. I just can't seem to get behind any of them. They seem so one dimensional. I want to be surprised or at least enchanted with the main characters. Yet, I felt none of that here. Overall, many people may love this book, it just wasn't for me.

A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman

Title: A Beautiful Mess Photo Idea Book

Author: Elsie Larson, Emma Chapman

Publisher: Potter Style 2013

Genre: Photography How-to

Pages: 240

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy -- How to; Bingo -- 4 2013 releases

How I Got It: Library Loan

Whether it’s of your sister’s smile, your morning coffee, or your new puppy, photos are a way to connect on Facebook and Instagram, keep a visual diary of our lives, and create momentos for future generations. Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, creators of the mega-popular DIY style blog A Beautiful Mess, are in love with photographing everyday life. Here, they share that love with 95 all-new tips and photo challenges that will inspire you to style and snap better photos and then transform them into simple yet stunning projects and gifts.

I've followed the blog A Beautiful Mess for awhile now. I read about their book publication, but didn't seek out the finished project. And then while perusing the new books section at the library, I spied it. Flipping through, I was treated to gorgeous photographs. When I started actually reading the tips, I found some great and easy ways to create beautiful photographs. I may not follow every one of their tips, but I got some great ideas about how to classy up my pictures. Plus they include some great little DIY projects using your photographs. Very fresh. Very fun. Very useful.

Winnie-The-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Title: Winnie-the-Pooh (Winnie-the-Pooh #1)

Author: A.A. Milne

Genre: Children's Classics

Pages: 159

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- Animal; Ebook; Bingo -- 3 rereads

How I Got It: iPad read

For nearly seventy years, readers have been delighted by the adventures of Christopher Robin and his lovable friends. Paired with the perfectly suited drawings of Ernest H. Shepard, A.A. Milne's classic story continues to captivate children of all ages.

A children's classic. I don't remember all the violence from the Pooh stories, but maybe my memory is tainted by the Disney movies. However, I am still a fan of the collection of stories. These are perfect little stories to read to children before bedtime. You better believe that I will be reading these stories to Arthur after he is born. Definitely a classic for a reason.

Bachelor Girl by Betsy Israel

Title: Bachelor Girl: 100 Years of Breaking the Rules -- a Social History of Living Single

Author: Betsy Israel

Publisher: Perennial 2002

Genre: Nonfiction -- Women's Studies; Cultural Studies

Pages: 294

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nerdy Nonfiction -- Cultural Affairs; Mount TBR; Dusty Bookshelf; Nonfiction Adventure

How I Got It: I own it!

Drawing extensively on primary sources, including private journals, newspaper stories, magazine articles, advertisements, films, and other materials from popular media, Israel paints remarkably vivid portraits of single women -- and the way they were perceived -- throughout the decades. From the nineteenth-century spinsters, of New England to the Bowery girls of New York City, from the 1920s flappers to the 1940s working women of the war years and the career girls of the 1950s and 1960s, single women have fought to find and feel comfortable in that room of their own. One need only look at Bridget Jones and the Sex and the City gang to see that single women still maintain an uneasy relationship with the rest of society -- and yet they radiate an aura of glamour and mystery in popular culture.

One of those books held over from my days as a Women's Studies major. I always meant to get to the this tome, especially since it dealt with women in U.S. History (my concentration). Upon finally reading it years later, I can still say that it held my interest. While some of Israel's "current" references to Sex and the City and Allie McBeal seem very dated in 2013, the meat of the book is a timeless study of the concept of single women in history. Israel goes era by era to give the reader a clear picture of how our attitudes toward single women have and have not changed. Being single is still something of a deformity (just ask any single women of 25 how many times they get asked "when are you getting married?") and yet it is such an integral section of society. I especially loved reading about the various famous examples Israel sprinkles throughout. For example, Florence Nightingale is a fascinating example of a women with aspirations caught by her familial obligations and expectations. A very readable look at a complex societal issue.

Gale Force by Rachel Caine

Title: Gale Force (Weather Wardens #7)

Author: Rachel Caine

Publisher: Roc 2008

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 306

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Dusty Bookshelf

How I Got It: I own it

Weather Warden Joanne Baldwin is on vacation when her Djinn lover, David, asks Joanne to marry him. She’s thrilled to say yes, even if some others may be less than happy about it.
Unfortunately, Joanne’s pre-marital bliss is ended by a devastating earthquake in Florida. And she can’t ask David and his kind for assistance. Because the cause of the quake is unlike anything Joanne has ever encountered—and a power even the Djinn cannot perceive.

Hmmm... I feel like the series is losing a bit of steam, but I'm determined to finish it this close to the end. Only two more books to go. I still love Jo and David, but their constant being in the middle of these huge catastrophes is starting to take its toll. Maybe it's because the timeline for the entire series is so short. Or maybe it's because each threat is crazier than the last. For whatever reason, I just want, no need some closure to this whole idea. I still enjoyed the book. It had the same well drawn out action sequences. We still got snarky comments from Jo. The book still had all the fun side characters (Kevin, Cherise, Ashan, Venna). I just think we need to start wrapping some of this up now.

Weather Wardens:

Ill Wind
Heat Stroke
Chill Factor
Windfall
Fire Storm
Thin Air
Gale Force
Cape Storm
Total Eclipse

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

Title: The Jungle

Author: Upton Sinclair

Genre: Classics

Pages: 458

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Rory Gilmore (Perpetual); Classics -- Nonfiction; Mount TBR; Dusty Bookshelf; 52 Books -- W37

How I Got It: I own it!

1906 bestseller shockingly reveals intolerable labor practices and unsanitary working conditions in the Chicago stockyards as it tells the brutally grim story of a Slavic family that emigrates to America full of optimism but soon descends into numbing poverty, moral degradation, and despair. A fiercely realistic American classic that will haunt readers long after they've finished the last page.

Just to clarify: I know this isn't strictly a nonfiction book. However, it reads in parts like nonfiction. Plus it was written as an expose of the meat packing industry. So, I have decided to include it in my nonfiction category for the Back to the Classics Challenge.

Moving to the book... I wasn't as excited about this tome as I thought I would be. I am a fan of Theodore Drieser and the muckrakers of the Progressive Era. But, I just wasn't a huge fan of this one. Sinclair rambled way too much for my liking. I wished he would focus more on the issues of the meat packing industry than the fictional story of Jurgis Rudkus. I wanted this to be more of a nonfiction volume such as Jacob Riis' How the Other Half Lives. Overall, a bit of a disappointment, but still a fairly interesting read.

As Shadows Fade and Max Stops the Presses by Colleen Gleason

Title: As Shadows Fade (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5); Max Stops the Presses (Gardella Vampire Chronicles #5.5)

Author: Colleen Gleason

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 2009; 2013

Genre: Vampires

Pages: 342; 30

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Angels; Monthly Key Word - Shade; Mount TBR; Seriously Series; Eclectic -- Romantic Suspense; Ebook; Bingo -- 2 2013 releases

How I Got It: I own it

Demons, enemies of both mortals and the undead, have found their way to Earth. To defeat them, Victoria Gardella proposes an alliance between her slayers and Lilith’s vampires. But the vampire queen wants the former slayer Max Pesaro in return for her cooperation—a small price for the world, but a price Victoria is unwilling to pay...

An amazing conclusion to a great paranormal romance series. I loved seeing where the story led. And I'm super excited to find a happy ending, albeit one with a huge twist. I can see the need for the twist, but holy crap it was a shocker. My only complaint was that I wanted a bit more of an ending. Thankfully, we Gleason made a short story to give the readers a bit more of a ending.

This is a short story (about 30 pages) that takes place after the end of As Shadows Fade, the fifth book in the Victoria Gardella Vampire Chronicles series.

And this is the story that helped me find a bit of closure for the characters. Plus, it was a cute little short story to follow up. Love it!

Gardella Vampire Chronicles:

#1 The Rest Falls Away
#1.5 Victoria Gardella
#2 Rises the Night
#3 The Bleeding Dusk
#4 When Twilight Burns
#5 As Shadows Fade
#5.1 Max Stops the Presses
#6 Roaring Midnight
#7 Raging Dawn
#8 Roaring Shadows

The Dragon Men by Steven Harper

Title: The Dragon Men (Clockwork Empire #3)

Author: Steven Harper

Publisher: Roc 2012

Genre: Steampunk

Pages: 365

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Steampunk; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Gavin Ennock has everything a man could desire—except time. As the clockwork plague consumes his body and mind, it drives him increasingly mad and fractures his relationship with his fiancée, Alice, Lady Michaels. Their only hope is that the Dragon Men of China can cure him.
But a power-mad general has seized the Chinese throne in a determined offensive to conquer Asia, Britain—indeed, the entire world. He has closed the country’s borders to all foreigners. The former ruling dynasty, however, is scheming to return the rightful heir to power. Their designs will draw Gavin and Alice down a treacherous path strewn with intrigue and power struggles. One wrong step will seal Gavin’s fate…and determine the future of the world.

Love this series! It's just so much fun! Love the steampunk inventions. Love the action sequences. Love the romance. Love the general adventure. This volume sends us to China and in the midst of a power struggle. Cixi is such a fun character. She added another fun layer to this adventure story. I warn readers that the main story arc ends with this volume, but the series seems to go on to a fourth book. I wonder what it will be about? Even though Alice and Gavin's story seems to be ending, I'll pick up the next volume. Steven Harper writes such great adventure stories; he's on my must-read list.

Clockwork Empire

1. The Doomsday Vault
2. The Impossible Cube
3. The Dragon Men
4. The Havoc Machine

Apocalypse Z by Manel Loureiro

Title: Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End

Author: Manel Loureiro

Publisher: Amazon Crossing 2012 (original text in Spanish 2007)

Genre: Zombies

Pages: 324

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Zombies; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

The dead rise…
A mysterious incident in Russia, a blip buried in the news—it’s the only warning humanity receives that civilization will soon be destroyed by a single, voracious virus that creates monsters of men.
Humanity falls…
A lawyer, still grieving over the death of his young wife, begins to write as a form of therapy. Bur he never expected that his anonymous blog would ultimately record humanity’s last days.
The end of the world has begun…
Governments scramble to stop the zombie virus, people panic, so-called “Safe Havens” are established, the world erupts into chaos; soon it’s every man, woman, and child for themselves. Armed only with makeshift weapons and the will to live, a lone survivor will give mankind one last chance against…

A random find from the library, but it turns out that I had originally had this book on my Goodreads TBR shelf. Imagine that! This is a bit of a run-of-the-mill zombie survival book. Nothing too new or exciting, but it did keep my attention for a day. The book started as a blog published in Spain in 2007. It was translated into English and published as a novel in 2012. While the action scenes are nice, some of the writing seems very detached. I don't know if this is due to the translation or just how the passages were written in the first place. I was not super impressed.

Apocalypse Z

#1 The Beginning of the End
#2 Dark Days
#3 The Wrath of the Just

M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman

Title: M is for Magic

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: HarperCollins 2007

Genre: YA Short Stories Fantasy

Pages: 260

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; TBR Pile; 52 Books - W36

How I Got It: Library Loan

Master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a breathtaking collection of tales for younger readers that may chill or amuse, but that always embrace the unexpected.

I really enjoyed this little collection of YA short stories. Each one has the Gaiman flair for the unexpected. Every time I started a story I knew my ideas of the ending would be dashed once Gaiman decided how he was going to end the story. My favorite stories:

"Chivalry" -- I love the story of the little old lady finding a holy relic at the Oxfam shop. It starts out a simple story and somewhere along the way it delves into mythology.
"The Price" -- There is something bordering on the horrific with this story. The ending leaves the reader at a loss for a conclusion. I love the atmosphere in this one.
"The Witch's Headstone" -- Another moody story that leaves me without a conclusion. I love the of Bod and Liza. Great idea!

The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Sandman Vol. 8: Worlds' End, Vol. 9 The Kindly Ones, Vol. 10 The Wake

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Vertigo 1995, 1996, 1997

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 168, 320, 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W35; TBR Pile

How I Got It: Library Loan

Reminiscent of the legendary Canterbury Tales, THE SANDMAN: WORLDS' END is a wonderful potpourri of engrossing tales and masterly storytelling. Improbably caught in a June blizzard, two wayward compatriots stumble upon a mysterious inn and learn that they are in the middle of a "reality storm." Now surrounded by a menagerie of people and creatures from different times and realities, the two stranded travelers are entertained by mesmerizing myths of infamous sea creatures, dreaming cities, ancient kings, astonishing funeral rituals and moralistic hangmen.
A new edition of the classic title reprinting issues #57-69 of THE SANDMAN and "The Castle" from VERTIGO JAM, with pivotal events that laid the groundwork for the finale of THE SANDMAN.
In the final Sandman tale, Morpheus made the ultimate decision between change and death. As one journey for the Endless ends another begins for the Lord of Dreams and his family. All the final pieces come together for the final moments of the Sandman.

Three more wonderful Sandman volumes. I am consistently surprised by the quality of text and illustrations. For every volume, I don't have much to say other than I seriously enjoy my time.

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
12. Endless Nights