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Showing posts from February, 2023

A Monster Calls: Inspired by an idea from Siobhan Dowd by Patrick Ness

"This book promises darkness and fear from the very beginning. As the story progresses though, you realize that Ness, in his unique way, has transformed a sad and desperate tale into one of love and life. This book was absolutely incredible."  5 Stars Pros:  The artwork was hauntingly beautiful/Ness, as usual, manages to hit hard and painful topics with grace and subtlety/Essentially everything about this book was good.  Cons:  I wanted to learn more about Conor and his life before. I had so many questions.  Full Review:  Every night since his mother began treatment, Conor's had the same nightmare. He's holding someone's hands, he knows that if he lets go, something terrible will happen. He fights and fights to keep his grip; but the nightmare always ends the same way.   One night, after waking from the nightmare Conor realizes that someone's calling his name. A dark, dangerous voice is calling for him. Conor goes to his bedroom window in search of the voice a

Howl's Moving Castle (Howl's Moving Castle #1) by Dianna Wynne Jones.

"A fun, imaginative and meaningful story about how important the connections we make in life are. That you shouldn't judge a book by its covers. People aren't always what they seem and that if we're kind and honest to one another, life might seem a little easier." 4 Stars Pros:  Has a slight, sardonic hint of humor in the narrative/A fun and imaginative story.  Cons:  I kept getting the sisters confused and the strange love quadrangle between Sophie and Howl, Howl and Lettie, Miss Angorian and Howl, Michael and Martha, I was really rather confused at times.  Full Review:  Sophie, as the oldest is doomed to inherit her deceased fathers' hat shop. Her two sisters get to go off and learn witchcraft, baking etc and Sophie is simply left to tend the family business. Since she's alone most of the time, she keeps herself company by talking to the hats. And strangely enough, the hats she sells usually give their wearer a surprising turn of luck.   When Sophie trie

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) by Charlaine Harris

"Interesting for its unique idea of Vampires existing alongside humans, it quickly devolved into sex, southern twangs and the barest semblance of a plot." 2 Stars Pros:  The idea of Vampires living among humans is what drew me to "True Blood" and then to this book. It was a unique idea, but Harris doesn't deliver any more information.  Cons:  I always find the life altering sex in books hilariously unrealistic. The inevitable scenario of "everybody lusts after the MC but she's completely oblivious" is sigh inducing/The actual use of "gee golly whiz" as dialogue and not in a sarcastic way was cringeworthy.   Full Review:  Sookie Stackhouse lives in Bon Temps, Louisiana. A small, out of the way, rural town. She works as a waitress at the local bar Merlotte's. And she has a secret.  Sookie Stackhouse can read minds.  Telepathy isn't the only preternatural sensation that exists either. There are Vampires. They live and thrive off of s

Tales of Mystery and Madness by Edgar Allen Poe (Illustrated by Chris Grimly)

"What happens when you combine one of the masters of Horror with some truly unsettling illustrations? This book. And it is both stunning and unsettling all at the same time. " 5 Stars Pros:  An awesomely unique way to bring Poe's stories to life/Hop Frog, now that was a good story, always cheering for the underdog. They all got what they deserved.  Cons:  As with most comic books, there were points where the inking was difficult to read since it was made to look like handwriting.  Full Review:  The book is comprised of 4 stories by Poe. The Black Cat. The Red Plague. Hop Frog and The Fall of the House of Usher.  I had already read The Black Cat and few of Poe's other stories,  so I knew what to expect but the other three stories were duly unsettling, since this is Edgar Allen Poe after all.  What made this book stand out was the illustrations that went along with it. It was an interesting mix between a children's book and a comic book. Each illustration helped bri