Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair

Title: Cloaked in Malice (Vintage Magic Mystery #5)

Author: Annette Blair

Publisher:

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 284

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Women Authors; Literary Escapes - Connecticut

There's nothing Maddie loves more than fabulous vintage clothes, but the visions she gets while touching them are starting to wear her down. Even so, when a beautifully dressed girl comes to Vintage Magic in search of her past, Maddie isn't about to turn her away, especially since she bears a striking resemblance to her good friend Dolly Sweet.

When Maddie touches Paisley Skye's exquisitely crafted child's cloak, the vision she receives is of the ugliest sort: a decades-old case of kidnapping and murder. To give herself more time to investigate, Maddie enlists the help of her FBI Agent boyfriend Nick and takes Paisley into her home. But when Dolly suddenly skips town, Maddie realizes that uncovering the folds of Paisley's past will reveal more than one vintage crime...

Up until this book, I had really enjoyed this series. I need a little cozy mystery every now and then. But this one really made me confused and the mad. It seemed poorly edited. The dialogue didn’t make sense at times. The characters all seemed to be not-quite-themselves. And the mystery was strange and very very far-fetched (even for this series). I just didn’t dive in like I wanted to. Plus, I’m still upset that Maddie chose Nick over Lytton in the last book. Doesn’t make any sense to me… I’m really going to be upset if Maddie and Nick get engaged and/or married in the last book…

Vintage Magic Mystery:

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Title: Lilac Girls

Author: Martha Hall Kelly

Publisher: Ballantine Books 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 487

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebooks; Popsugar - Plant in Title; Women Authors

New York socialite Caroline Ferriday has her hands full with her post at the French consulate and a new love on the horizon. But Caroline’s world is forever changed when Hitler’s army invades Poland in September 1939—and then sets its sights on France.

An ocean away from Caroline, Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager, senses her carefree youth disappearing as she is drawn deeper into her role as courier for the underground resistance movement. In a tense atmosphere of watchful eyes and suspecting neighbors, one false move can have dire consequences.

For the ambitious young German doctor, Herta Oberheuser, an ad for a government medical position seems her ticket out of a desolate life. Once hired, though, she finds herself trapped in a male-dominated realm of Nazi secrets and power.

The lives of these three women are set on a collision course when the unthinkable happens and Kasia is sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious Nazi concentration camp for women. Their stories cross continents—from New York to Paris, Germany, and Poland—as Caroline and Kasia strive to bring justice to those whom history has forgotten.

This one was such a disappointment to me. It’s gotten great reviews and my book club picked it for April. My strongest reaction to this book was “meh.” The writing was clunky in certain parts. The story definitely needed to be edited down in sections. But my biggest complaints center on the characters. I just didn’t care about them. There was no emotional connection for me. Were we supposed to feel something for Herta? Or even Kasia when she was struggling with her anger? And Caroline was so flat at times, I just couldn’t. I didn’t really get the message we were supposed to ascertain. I know WWII was horrendous and terrible things were done to people, but beyond that, what?

In finishing the book, I read the afterward from the author. Caroline and Herta were real people. She researched them, Ravensbruck, and the horrors of WWII to create this fictionalized account what happened during and after the war. Okay, so they were real people? I would have rather read biographies of them than this imagining of what went on. And apparently Caroline’s romance with Paul was completely made up. I knew I didn’t like that storyline for a reason. It was so unbelievable and flat to me. Turns out it wasn’t real. That makes me feel better. Overall, I was really disappointed in this book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Title: A Discovery of Witches

Author: Deborah Harkness

Publisher: Viking 2011

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 579

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Women Authors; Finishing the Series; Dancing with Fantasy and Sci-Fi - Witches

Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford's Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

All Souls Trilogy:

#1 A Discovery of Witches
#2 Shadow of Night
#3 The Book of Life

I enjoyed every page of this book! This reminds me of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Apparently, I really enjoy books that revolve around libraries, literature, and/or academic investigations. And of course, I fell for this book as soon as it was set at Oxford in the Bodlein Library. I was hooked! And then we get a good main heroine, although I must say she wasn’t my favorite from page one. But over the course of the book, I really come to like her and want to see the progress of her story. My favorite character is Matthew. This is a vampire done right. We get the allure and the charm and also the threat and the unworldly persona. I completely fell for Matthew within the first 10 pages of meeting him. As the novel progresses, we get to meet lots of other interesting characters (very intrigued by Satu and Marthe) and go on an epic adventure. I was predicting a horrid cliffhanger at the end of this book and it happened. But that’s okay, I waited to read this series after all the parts had been published. I can’t fit in the next book in April probably, but it’s on my list for May!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Growing Season by Melanie Lageschulte

Title: Growing Season (Season #1)

Author: Melanie Lageschulte

Publisher: Fremont Creek Press 2017

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 256

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors; Literary Escapes - Iowa

Melinda is already at a crossroads when the “for rent” sign beckons her down a dusty gravel lane. Facing forty and downsized from her successful career at a Twin Cities ad agency, she's struggling to move forward when a phone call brings her home to rural Iowa.

It’s not long before she’s caring for a barn full of animals and working at her family’s hardware store in the community of Prosper, whose motto is “The Great Little Town That Didn’t.” And just like the vast garden she tends under the summer sun, Melinda soon begins to thrive. But when tragedy strikes, can she hold on to the new life she's worked so hard to create?

Filled with memorable characters, from a big-hearted farm dog to the weather-obsessed owner of the local co-op, “Growing Season” celebrates the challenges and joys of rural life.

I picked this one up from Amazon’s Prime Reads. Wasn’t quite sure what I was expected, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this little story of a woman finding her way on a farm in Iowa. I really enjoyed Melinda and her interactions with all the fun side characters. It’s a sweet little story without a definite end clearly setting everything up for the rest of the series. My only negative was when the author really pushed the idea that country living is superior to city living. It was a little heavy-handed in parts. I could have done without all the times she brought it up. At any rate, I think I’ll probably pick up the next book.

Season

#1 Growing Season
#2 Harvest Season
#2.5 A Tin Train Christmas
#3 The Peaceful Season
#4 Waiting Season
#5 Songbird Season

Next up on the TBR pile:

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

Title: P.S. I Still Love You (TATBILB #2)

Author: Jenny Han

Publisher: Simon and Schuster 2014

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary

Pages: 337

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Popsugar - “Love”; Alphabet Soup - H

Given the way love turned her heart in the New York Times bestselling To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, which School Library Journal called a “lovely, lighthearted romance,” it’s no surprise that Laura Jean still has letters to write.

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.

She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.

When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

This second book wasn’t as much of a slam dunk as the first one was, but I still really enjoyed. I loved continuing the story of Lara Jean and Peter. I did get a little annoyed at both of them in various parts of the story, but they pulled their heads out of their asses by the end of it. I wonder what the third book is going to be about? Whatever it is, I’ll read it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Steam Pump Jump by Jodi Taylor

Title: The Steam Pump Jump (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #9.6)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2018

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 65

Stars: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Not one to let being banged up in Sick Bay stop her, Max has had a brilliant idea. But she needs Markham to execute it on her behalf. The subject of this cunning plan is Peterson, struggling with another bereavement and not doing very well. What’s needed to get him through it is sympathy, sensitivity, tact and understanding.

Step forward Mr Markham, for whom sympathy, sensitivity, etc., are things that happen to other people.

Combine a fanatic from R&D, a head of Security with his own problems, a steam-pump, two historians who can’t even be in the same room as each other, some fractious Protestants and a large body of very dirty water.

Told in Markham’s own words, this is the story of an intervention – St Mary’s style.

This little story was lots of fun, but I’ve decided that the Markham narrated stories are not better than the Max narrated stories. I just really like her voice more. But, we get a fun story involving the potential relationship between Lingoss and Peterson and another fun historical event. I’ll take it!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#8.6 Christmas Past
#9 An Argumentation of Historians
#9.5 Battersea Barricades
#9.6 The Steam-Pump Jump
#9.7 And Now For Something Completely Different
#10 Hope is for the Best

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Battersea Barricades by Jodi Taylor

Title: The Battersea Barricades (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #9.5)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2018

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 69

Stars: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

It's not easy being a rebel. So many new skills to assimilate. Never mind strategic planning, weapons expertise and the like - there's bicycle-stealing, oil-stain removal and boat steering to be mastered first. And quickly.

It's the time of the Civil Uprisings and two young women set out to make a difference. Their only problem? They don't know where they are. Or where they're going. Or what to do when they get there. Other than that ...

This was a bit of a departure for a Chronicles of St. Mary’s short story. Instead of actual time travel, we get the telling of the story of the Battersea Barricades involving Enderby, Shaw, and Mack. Over nine books into the series and I’ve always wondered what happened during the Civil Uprisings. I loved being able to learn the story of the three ladies of St. Mary’s. A quick read, but very enjoyable.

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

#0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
#1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
#2 A Symphony of Echoes
#2.5 When A Child is Born
#3 A Second Chance
#3.5 Roman Holiday
#4 A Trail Through Time
#4.5 Christmas Present
#5 No Time Like the Past
#6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
#6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
#7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
#7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
#7.6 My Name is Markham
#8 And the Rest is History
#8.5 A Perfect Storm
#8.6 Christmas Past
#9 An Argumentation of Historians
#9.5 Battersea Barricades
#9.6 The Steam-Pump Jump
#9.7 And Now For Something Completely Different
#10 Hope is for the Best

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Counterfeit Betrothal / The Notorious Rake by Mary Balogh

Title: A Counterfeit Betrothal (Waite #2)/ The Notorious Rake (Waite #3)

Author: Mary Balogh

Publisher: 1992

Genre: Romance

Pages: 560

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Women Authors; Alphabet Soup - B

A COUNTERFEIT BETROTHAL

Lady Sophia Bryant has no intention of marrying anytime soon. Her one desire is to reunite her parents, who have been estranged for fourteen years. Surely, if she happens to announce her betrothal—even a false one—they will be forced to see each other. Devilishly handsome Lord Francis Sutton seems perfect for such deceit, always agreeable to games of passion in which he has nothing to lose. The trap is set—if only Lady Sophia can keep her foolish heart from falling prey to her brilliant snares.

THE NOTORIOUS RAKE

Lord Edmund Waite is everything that Lady Mary Gregg despises: lewd, lascivious, mocking—the most incorrigible and successful rogue around. A bluestocking like her would never tempt a man whose taste runs to pretty playthings—so Mary is startled to find herself the object of Lord Edmund’s desires. Even more surprising is her reaction to his shocking advances. She may be a lady, but this man knows so well how to make her feel like a woman.

Wow! I did not enjoy either one of these stories. All of the relationships were way too problematic for me. I despised how the characters spoke to each other. The romances were not all that believable or interesting. Definitely not a good choice. This volume is obviously going into the to-sell pile.

Waite:

#1 The Trysting Place
#2 A Counterfeit Betrothal
#3 The Notorious Rake

Next up on the TBR pile:

Newt's Emerald by Garth Nix

Title: Newt’s Emerald

Author: Garth Nix

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 304

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - 365 Days of YA; Monthly Keyword - Emerald; Alphabet Soup - N

After Lady Truthful's magical Newington Emerald is stolen from her she devises a simple plan: go to London to recover the missing jewel. She quickly learns, however, that a woman cannot wander the city streets alone without damaging her reputation, and she disguises herself as a mustache-wearing man. During Truthful's dangerous journey she discovers a crook, an unsuspecting ally, and an evil sorceress—but will she find the Emerald?

I picked this one for the March Key Word, Emerald, but it was one of those books that I did want to read before. And I delighted in this book so much. I love the world building and the similarities to our world. The little touches of magic here and there were delightful. And then we get to the great characters. Truthful is a fun main protagonist. And the Major is not what he seems of course. This was a delightful adventure story full of Regency era fashions and social interactions. Such fun.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa

Title: A River in Darkness: One Man’s Escape From North Korea

Author: Masaji Ishikawa

Publisher: Amazon Crossing 2018

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 172

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Motif - Governments; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Outside of My Genre Comfort Zone; Alphabet Soup - I

Half-Korean, half-Japanese, Masaji Ishikawa has spent his whole life feeling like a man without a country. This feeling only deepened when his family moved from Japan to North Korea when Ishikawa was just thirteen years old, and unwittingly became members of the lowest social caste. His father, himself a Korean national, was lured to the new Communist country by promises of abundant work, education for his children, and a higher station in society. But the reality of their new life was far from utopian.

In this memoir translated from the original Japanese, Ishikawa candidly recounts his tumultuous upbringing and the brutal thirty-six years he spent living under a crushing totalitarian regime, as well as the challenges he faced repatriating to Japan after barely escaping North Korea with his life. A River in Darkness is not only a shocking portrait of life inside the country but a testament to the dignity—and indomitable nature—of the human spirit.

Very disappointed in this book. It was our Girly Book Club selection for March. I wasn’t expecting a fun and light read, but was really not in the mood for a super dark and depressing memoir. I struggled to find much light in the book. And most of the information about conditions in North Korea I have read about through news investigations. I felt very sorry for what the author went through to strived and ultimately get out of the situation, but I didn’t couldn’t connect to any in the book. And the writing style really bugged me. I understand that this one has been translated, but I just couldn’t move beyond the simplistic writing. I compare a book like this to Elie Wiesel’s work and really found it lacking. Definitely not for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alex + Ada Vol. 3

Title: Alex + Ada Vol. 3

Author: Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

In this final arc of the sci-fi drama, Alex and Ada struggle against the growing hatred for sentient robots and their human allies. Can they survive what's around the corner? Collects ALEX + ADA #11-15.

What a conclusion! You knew things were not going to end happily ever after at the conclusion of the second volume. I just didn’t expect the magnitude… Seriously this as an intense collection of issues. We get an ending to Alex and Ada’s storyline as well as a general progression of the larger issues. I was devastated about halfway through the volume but recovered by the end. A great series!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alex + Ada Vol. 2

Title: Alex + Ada Vol. 2

Author: Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn

Publisher: Image 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Tensions rise between humans and robots in this sci-fi/drama. Alex took a huge risk to unlock Ada-now she can think for herself and explore life as a sentient android. As Alex and Ada spend more time together, they become closer. But as restrictions tighten on artificial intelligence, Ada feels unsure about her place in the world, and Alex questions being with an android. Collects ALEX + ADA #6-10.

And the plot thickens… We finally get to see more of Ada’s personality as well as Alex’s reactions to it all. And something more happens. There’s action in this volume and a big conflict looming. I sped through this volume just waiting to see what happens.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Alex + Ada Vol. 1

Title: Alex + Ada Vol. 1

Author: Jonathan Luna, Sarah Vaughn

Publisher: Image 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Collects ALEX + ADA #1-5. From JONATHAN LUNA (GIRLS, THE SWORD, ULTRA, Spider-Woman: Origin) and SARAH VAUGHN (Sparkshooter) comes ALEX + ADA, a sci-fi drama set in the near future. The last thing in the world Alex wanted was an X5, the latest in realistic androids. But after Ada is dropped into his life, he discovers she is more than just a robot.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this volume, but I ended up really enjoying this story. On the surface, we get a story of an android gaining sentience, but really it gets into the question of “what is human?” I can’t wait to see where this is headed and learn more about Ada.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns

Author: John Green

Publisher: Dutton 2008

Genre: Young Adult

Pages: 305

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Teen, Top 100 YA; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Same Author; Literary Escapes - Florida

Quentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificent Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. When their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Margo has disappeared. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Embarking on an exhilarating adventure to find her, the closer Q gets, the less he sees the girl he thought he knew.

I’ve been meaning to read this one for a few years, but the library never seemed to have it when I was browsing. Holds to the rescue! After diving in, I basically read this one in two sittings. I was taken on an adventure with Quentin in his attempt to unravel the mystery of Margo. This is my favorite John Green book that I’ve read so far (only have Will Grayson Will Grayson and Turtles All the Way Down to go). I love the adventure and the mystery. I love the inclusion of poetry and music. I love the various side characters and their thoughts.of the events of the book. But most of all, I love Quentin and his need to unravel Margo and her disappearance. If I was 15, I would read and re-read this book often. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Title: Norse Mythology

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: W.W. Norton and Company 2017

Genre: Mythology

Pages: 304

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Random TBR Pick; MMD - Backlist of Favorite Author; Alphabet Soup - G

Neil Gaiman, long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok.

I finally picked this one up to read and loved all the re-imagined stories. Gaiman is a master at creating a beautiful turn of a phrase. I savor every sentence he writes. Beyond the writing, I really enjoyed his updating/condensing/retooling the Norse myths. I re-learned a ton of the stories. This was the perfect before bedtime book. I read a few stories every night. Just enough to get some quick interesting reading done, but not too much.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Beauty Vol. 4

Title: The Beauty Vol. 4

Author: Jason Hurley, Jeremy Haun, Matthew Dow Smith, Thomas Nachlik

Publisher:Image 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Corporate espionage, government secrets, and private military contracts are uncovered as an investigative journalist looks deep into Abericorp, the most powerful pharmaceutical company in the world. Collects THE BEAUTY #17-21

I was on the edge of my seat for every panel in this volume. Just when I thought the conspiracy could not get any weirder or deeper, it does. Loved following Cooper as he investigates and meets with some of the already introduced characters. Really need the next volume…

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Beauty Vol. 3

Title: The Beauty Vol. 3

Author: Jason Hurley, Jeremy Haun, Thomas Nachlik

Publisher:Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 126

Rating: /5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

THE BEAUTY returns, merging characters and storylines from earlier arcs into a twisting tale of vanity, power, and the quest to obtain both at any cost. In a world where achieving pure beauty means dying for it, the question of what life is actually worth becomes more important than ever. Collects THE BEAUTY #12-16

Another great volume. We finally get to see the origins of Foster and Vaughn’s partnership as well as a previous case alluded to in the first volume. Plus we get even more insight into the conspiracy surrounding The Beauty. Hmmm… I have lots of questions that I hope will be answered soon.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Beauty Vol. 2

Title: The Beauty Vol. 2

Author: Jason Hurley, Jeremy Haun, Brett Weldele

Publisher:Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

After the shocking events of issue 6, we're introduced to Timo, Ezerae, and a host of new characters, as well as your favorites from the first arc, to further explore a dark and demented world tainted by THE BEAUTY, where perfection is a fatal disease, and not everyone wants a cure. The disturbing world of THE BEAUTY, from creators JEREMY HAUN and JASON A. HURLEY, expands with new stories featuring guest artists MIKE HUDDLESTON, BRETT WELDELE, and STEPHEN GREEN. Collects THE BEAUTY #7-11.

It took me a minute to realize that this volume begins in the past, but once I got my timeline sorted a bit, I was hooked again. I loved the introduction of the new characters. They added much needed dimension to the story told in the first volume. We get to see more of the larger background conspiracy and more answers to the big questions. Sped through this one enjoying every page.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Beauty Vol. 1

Title: The Beauty Vol. 1

Author: Jason Hurley, Jeremy Haun, John Rauch

Publisher:Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 164

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Imagine a sexually transmitted disease that makes those infected better looking... a disease people want. That disease is real, and it's called the Beauty. Two years after the Beauty burst onto the scene, over half of America is infected. Now, it looks like the downside may be far worse than anyone suspected. Detectives Vaughn and Foster find themselves on the front line of the battle against the Beauty, embroiled in a conspiracy they never knew existed. Collects THE BEAUTY #1-6.

This little horror story really got me. I loved diving into the world of The Beauty and a vast conspiracy. This volume pushes the reader into the deep end and does not let up. I am hooked and must find out what happens next.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Road to Riverdale Vol. 3

Title: Road to Riverdale Vol. 3

Author: Mark Waid, Chip Zdarsky, Marguerite Bennett, Adam Hughes, Fiona Staples

Publisher: Archie Comics 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 136

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

In the past two years, the little town of Riverdale has changed in a number of amazing ways. The entire Archie universe has been given a fresh coat of paint and it's only getting bigger and better from here. Road to Riverdale presents to readers all of the third issues of each of our new series so far, including Archie, Jughead, Betty and Veronica, Josie and the Pussycats, and Reggie & Me.

All the third issues from the Archie universe collected for my reading pleasure. Just like the first two, this collection was a lot of fun. I enjoyed following the various storylines, but my favorite was again Betty and Veronica.

Next up on the TBR pile: