Reviews

Grumpy Cat Volume 1 by Ben McCool

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Grumpy Cat, Volume 1 by Ben McCool, Royal McGraw, Elliott Serrano, Ben Fisher, Steve Uy(Author) (Illustrations), Ken Haeser (Illustrations), Tavis Maiden(Illustrations), Agnes Garbowska (Illustrations).

Children’s Fiction
Publishing on the 16th Feb.
Dynamite proudly presents the comic book misadventures of Grumpy Cat, featuring “The World’s Grumpiest Cat” and her brother, Pokey! With her ever-present pout and sassy disposition, Grumpy Cat has won the hearts of people everywhere. Now, her unbearable cuteness and infectious sourpuss are featured in an all-new, all-sensational collection of comic stories, sure to make fans of all ages laugh! If you love the memes, the videos, and that irresistible scowl, then get ready for the wildly fun antics of Grumpy Cat and Pokey!

* * * * * * My Thoughts * * * * * *

Many thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review.

Grumpy Cat who’s real name is Tardar Sauce was born in April 2012 and thanks to an underbite and feline dwarfism she has a grumpy looking pout.  She shot to fame in September 2012 when a photo of her started circulating the internet and subsequently sporned multiple memes. GC meme

I don’t think you need to know who grumpy cat is to find this cute comic collection a fun read. But i’d be shocked if you hadn’t ever heard of her.

wxtkkpmrbnqnqhat4njuGrumpy Cat Volume 1 is a humorous, quick and light hearted read about two cats who are polar opposites personality wise and the mischief they get up to.

I think it’d be the perfect thing to have in a waiting room /coffee table as it would appeal to a large age range, who doesn’t like a grumpy cat and there isn’t anything in there anyone can get offended about.

Grumpy Cat reminds me of 90’s Garfield. With Grumpy Cat we get humor and sarcasm. She is grumpy yet adorable, loves food, loves to sleep and has a dog and Pokey to reign over. There are haunted houses, broken smart phones, stolen treats, revenge (against the dog) and more.  I give It Three “I Liked It” Stars.

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If you want more check out Grumpy Cat on Goodreads or Author Ben McCool’s Website.

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Chains of Water and Stone by Katherine Hurley

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24896872Chains of Water and Stone (Griever’s Mark #2) 

by Katherine Hurley

Who is Logan’s father? The question has been whispered behind his back all his life. He’s ignored it, forced himself not to care, but when Belos starts demanding an answer to this very question, it takes on a new and disturbing significance.

As the race to answer this question begins, others rise in its wake, unearthing a mystery that could shake the very foundation of Earthmaker life, a mystery that could shake the whole world apart.

But Astarti has more immediate concerns. Logan is in grave danger, and she’s desperate to get to him before he is destroyed–body, mind, and soul.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My Thoughts ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’m feeling like a teenage fangirl at the moment. I didn’t want to put this book down and I enjoyed it even more than the first one.

I’m going to use a phrase I’ve only used once before in a review. Ship! As in; I totally ship Astarti and Logan. Actually the plain and frumpy 14-year-old that still resides inside my head wants TO BE Astarti.

In this second instalment we follow Astarti as she fights to free Logan from Belos, the man who was previously her captor. Logan and Astarti’s love grows even more, with them finally admitting, damn the consequences, that they love each other. Their love is delicious and made me fell all warm and fuzzy inside.

Astarti finds a friend, helper and protector in Horik her father’s champion warrior. I loved Horik becoming a major character in this book.

Once Astarti and Horik have freed Logan, we see the three of them partake in a quest for the truth behind Logan’s parentage.

By the end of the book we have found out the truth about what Logan is and a power as old as time has fallen into dangerous hands. Kathrine has set herself up for an Epic third book.

This book has action, romance, revenge, mystic tales of old, destruction, family secrets, a world in turmoil, dancing, pub brawls, evil creepy old skeletal men, clashes between rival races, grandmother visiting, self-discovery, magic, mystery and mead.

I love the world Kathrine’s has created. I love Astarti blending the elements of her earth with the energy of her soul. Actually I find both Astarti and Logan’s powers beautiful and fascinating.

I’ve been trying to decide if this book would stand on its own or not. I think it would still be an enjoyable fantasy fling, but you need to read the first book first to get a grip on how evil Belos’s is and where Logan and Astarti’s love first began.

I received a review copy for the first book in this series, The Griever’s Mark, from Kathrine. I liked it so much I pre-ordered this book as soon as it was available. But then I got so bogged down in review copies and other things I had scheduled, that I only recently got to finally read it. Since it took me so long to read number two I don’t have to wait for number three. Unbound (Griever’s Mark #3) has just been realised. Silver lining right there!

star.5Do you dare to step into the Drift?

24202316The Griever’s Mark (#1)

Astarti’s master controls her through a Leash, a bond of energy anchored deep within her. Despite being one of the few remaining Drifters, able to manipulate the energy world, she cannot break free. She knows her fate: she will serve until she dies, at which point her master will harvest her energy to augment his own.

Oh, yes, she’s done some bad things in her master’s name. She’s not asking for forgiveness. She expects you to hate her.

What she doesn’t expect is Logan, a man meant to be her sworn enemy. A man with secrets as dark as her own.

28396231Unbound (Griever’s Mark #3)

As the growing conflict forces Logan to embrace his newly discovered heritage, he fights to control a power he has long kept buried—a power that threatens everything he has tried to make of himself. Desperate to spare Astarti yet another burden, he tries to hide his crumbling control, but she has long since learned to recognize a lie. As Logan becomes a danger to himself and those around him, Astarti must find a way to help him, even if he doesn’t want it.

Unfortunately, Astarti has other problems. Good and evil wear ever-shifting faces, the right course of action grows increasingly unclear, and the stakes are only getting higher. In this final installment of The Griever’s Mark trilogy, Astarti must decide, once and for all, what she stands for–and what she is willing to sacrifice.

Want to know more about Katherine and her books:

Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Amazon AU | Amazon US

Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson

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25808675Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson

Paperback, 288 pages
Published August 1st 2015 by Allen & Unwin

When Astrid and Hiro meet they give each other superhero names. She’s Lobster Girl and he’s Shopping Trolley Boy. Not an auspicious beginning. But it gets better. Then it gets worse. Much worse. Classic romantic comedy: girl-meets-boy, love blossoms, and is derailed. Incredibly engaging, upbeat, funny and smart.

Astrid Katy Smythe is beautiful, smart and popular. She’s a straight-A student and a committed environmental activist. She’s basically perfect.

Hiro is the opposite of perfect. He’s slouchy, rude and resentful. Despite his brains, he doesn’t see the point of school.

But when Astrid meets Hiro at the shopping centre where he’s wrangling shopping trolleys, he doesn’t recognise her because she’s in disguise – as a lobster. And she doesn’t set him straight.

Astrid wants to change the world, Hiro wants to survive it. But ultimately both believe that the world needs to be saved from itself. Can they find enough in common to right all the wrongs between them?

A romantic comedy about life and love and trying to make the planet a better place, with a little heartbreak, and a whole lot of hilarity.  View on Goodreads

* * * * * My Thoughts * * * * *

Damn it is hard to right a review with out spoilers – This one will be quick, as I don’t want to say too much about Astrid’s relationship with Hiro, or talk about the suburb changing adventure they go on together *wink *wink.

I’ve never used this saying before but…wait for it…I totally ship Hiro and Astrid. I ship them to the victory garden and back. Oh what adorable awkward little eco-warrior darlings.

I loved how Wilkinson kept the story flowing beautifully and entertainingly while sneaking in plenty of educational environmental tidbits.

I found myself feeling like an awkward teen again while I reading Astrid thoughts. There were times when the adult in me wanted to slap some sense into her self righteous but well meaning face and tell her to stop whining, stop judging and stop ignoring her friends. And there were times when I wanted to reach in the pages and hug her and tell her everything would be alright. I really enjoyed the rollercoaster that was seeing Astrid grow and mature.IMG_2532

This was a super cute YA romance, with humor, heart and tomatoes.

star.4

Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi. Aussie YA to be proud of.

Wilkinson’s Links: Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Amazon AU | Amazon US

Saga, Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

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Saga, Volume 1 (Saga: Collected Editions #1) by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Fiona Staples (Artist)

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

GOODREADS.

* * * * * *   My Thoughts   * * * * * * 

Saga debuted in 2012. This 160 page paperback ‘Saga Volume One’ collects the first 6 monthly issues.

In these first six issues we see Hazel’s birth, learn a back story for her parents romance and see her parent’s constantly fighting to keep her alive and free. We are introduced to some key players; Hazel and her parents Marko and Alana, Prince Robot IV, The Will and Lying Cat – all setting up for a truly epic long running comic series. I’M EXCITED. I only wished I hadn’t waited so long to get on board.

This comic series has action, humour, forbidden romance and a witty cross breed alien baby (Hazel) as the narrator. I would have to say it’s the best comic I have ever read – sorry Batman, sorry Batgirl, sorry Starfire, sorry Scooby Doo, sorry Xmen, sorry Green Arrow, sorry Outcast, sorry The Walking Dead. Ok so you really can’t compare most of those comics to one another, but you get my point.

This right here is an adult comic, and I’m not saying this because it’s got a few inter species sex scenes. Underneath the battle, the bloodshed and the humorous respite, this is a story of a mother and father battling the odds and the universe to give their little girl the best life possible.

I read Frank Miller’s Batman because I love bad boy heroes and vigilantes. I read Amanda Conner’s Starfire because she fricking adorable and orange. With Saga I had the action and fighting the good fight of Batman and Starfire, plus more. I connected with the characters. By the end I wasn’t just reading it for entertainment. I was reading it because I gave a shit about what happened to the world I had just entered.
I was enthralled from page one of issue one “Am I shitting? It feels like I’m shitting!” to the last page of issue six “And then my grandparents came to live with us”.

Not to mention the artwork is stunning!

I’m hooked, good thing I’ve already got the next four collections ready to go. Issue #32 is out today, but if you’re like me and prefer the compendiums over the single issues, it’ll be four more months before the ‘Saga Volume Six’ is available.

star.5

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Miranda’s Rights by Lily Luchesi

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Miranda’s Rights (Paranormal Detectives Book Two) by Lily Luchesi

The dead don’t always rest easy…

Retired detective Danny Mancini is haunted by nightmares after he found out that paranormal creatures exist. All he wants is to forget them…especially a certain half-vampire. When cursed werewolves show up trying to kill him, he is forced to go back to the Paranormal Investigative Division for help against a powerful old enemy. What he was not expecting was a dead ex showing back up after twenty-six years.

Click HERE to watch the BOOK TRAILER!

Coming on January 8th, 2016 from Vamptasy Publishing

Cover art by Rue Volley

~*~*~

Catch up on the first book in the Paranormal Detectives Series, Stake-Out.

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In a city overrun with the undead, an ex-cop is given a chance to get revenge…

Danny Mancini is on a case, following a murder suspect. When he catches him, he finds out that the perp isn’t even human: he’s a 200 year old rogue vampire!

The department doesn’t believe him, and puts him on early retirement, despite his many years of service to the Chicago Police Department, which sends him into a downward spiral.

Two years later, Danny gets an invitation from the beautiful, young and very attractive Detective Angelica Cross to join a secret branch of the FBI to help her track down Vincent, the wayward vamp.

But renegade werewolves, meddling immortal witches and Danny’s strange visions of a life lived a century ago with Angelica make things more difficult than it should be.

~*~*~

> My Review of Stake Out <

About Lily:

Lily Luchesi is a young author/poet born in Chicago, Illinois, now residing in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things “dark”. At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle by the time she was twelve, and, as her family has always been what they now call “Gothic”, she doesn’t believe she shall ever change. She is also a hopeless romantic and avid music-lover who will always associate vampires with love, blood, and rock and roll.

Her interest in poetry came around the same time as when she was given a book of Edgar Allan Poe’s complete work. She then realized that she had been writing her own poetry since she could hold a pen, and just had not known the correct terms. She finished her first manuscript at the age of fourteen, and now, at twenty-one, has two contributing credits in anthologies and her debut novel, Stake-Out (Paranormal Detectives Series Book One), was published by Vamptasy Publishing on May 19th, 2015. Book two, Miranda’s Rights, will be released on January 8th, 2016.

She has a short story, “Undead Ever After” in the Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly anthology Love Sucks (released on June 13th, 2015). Her first erotic short story, “Have No Fears”, was published in the Hot Ink Press anthology Naughty Bedtime Stories: In Three Words on October 10th. She will also have a short erotic horror story, “The Devil’s Dozen”, in the upcoming Hot Ink Press anthology Death, Love, Lust, which will be released in February of 2016.

Lily on writing Stake Out 

* * * * * *    My Thoughts   * * * * * *

Just like the 1st installment, Stake-Out, Miranda’s Rights is a quick and entertaining read. It was a really nice break between some rather longwinded books I’ve been reading lately.

As in the first book Luchesi has put quotes from song lyrics with each chapter heading – I loved this in the first book and was really glad she kept it up. She managed to find a lyric to suit each chapter beautifully.

I also really liked the flash backs Daniel witnesses, I feel that they add some real depth to the story. I obviously already had an affinity to the main characters of Daniel and Angelica from reading the first book.  But I think you could read this as a standalone and still enjoy it.

In this book we see Daniel struggle to come to grips with what Angelica is and the fact that he still loves her never the less. We see the PID tackle evil yet again, but this time they lose one of their own in the process. As in the first book there are two bad guys, one defeated and one slipping out of their grasp to wreak havoc in the next book.

I really enjoyed Miranda’s Rights 🙂 The whole ex-fiance drama, the Leander bomb dropped right at the end, the flash back werewolf love and as in the first book the on point song quotes, fantastic. I am looking forward to the third installment; seeing how Daniel and Angelica cope with her new “condition”, seeing what Fiona’s next move is, the bomb drop that is Leander and how much more he will come into the story.

star.4

Unfortunately, due to possible issues with copyright Lily has had to remove the song quote chapter markers she had in the ARC 😦 but never fear, she has instead put in a Playlist for the book 🙂

Lily Luchesi’s Links: Website | Amazon US | Amazon AU | Twitter

Facebook Page & Profile | Instagram | Goodreads

The Undays of Aralias Lyons by K.L. Horvath

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26043206The Undays of Aralias Lyons by K.L. Horvath

 

Kindle Edition, 348 pages.
Published December 8th 2015 by Booktrope Editions (first published May 10th 2014).

I received a copy from the Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t miss K.L. Horvath’s compelling time travel fantasy with talking beasts, iron monsters, otherworldly creatures and a desperate father!

For centuries the great Houses of Time have watched over the mythical creatures, those who manipulate the past for their own ends and humankind. But now the houses have dwindled and few are left who remember the mandates. One, in fact, is determined to put the world in its proper place—beneath his rule.

To do that, he’s kidnapped Jack Lyons, the youngest of the Time Travelers. And to get him back and defeat Bliss, Lord Aralias Lyons, Jack’s father, will do anything he has to. He’ll fight wicked spiders, an army of clockwork men, let his son suffer and manipulate time itself in order to right what Bliss has put wrong. He’ll even allow the innocent Miss Clara Heartwell to discover more about the Travelers than most mortals know.
Through secret and deadly deals with dragons, battles back in time and with Jack himself, Aralias has to think smarter, act faster, and be more decisive. Because in the end, saving Jack is all that matters … GOODREADS.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * My Thoughts * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

Where to start? I guess you could say the main characters were Aralias Lyons, his son Jack, a woman by the name of Clara Heartwell, Nicholas Seraph and the bad guy of the story, Simeon Bliss. Bliss had minions and Aralia’s also had other family members in the mix. Aralias is not quite human. He is a 223-year-old traveler. A guardian of the rotating sun. A traveler of time. His son Jack starts the story out at 9, but becomes 14 by the end.

I found myself flip flopping with this book. From loving it one minute, Aralias riding a Pegasus in battle. To thinking ‘oh shut up’ at Clara and Aralias banter the next.

For me the story didn’t really start to pick up until we see Jack using his powers for the first time and future Jack coming back to warn his dad about Bliss’s Dragon attack – this all happened around the 20-30% – so it was a bit of a slow starter for me.

What I liked: The detailed Victorian-Steampunk-awesomeness! Aralias fight through time to save his son and as it turned out, the whole of time itself. Individually I liked all the characters and felt they all had their own purpose in the story.

What I Didn’t: I love romance in adventure stories, but I didn’t click with Clara and Aralias. I think the father-son-bond would have been more than enough to push this story along. I liked Clara and felt she was important to the story, but the romance between her and Aralias was awkward, unnecessary and frustrating. I think if she just grew to be their adventure loving friend the story would have flowed better.

I think the idea for this story is brilliant and I’m glad I read it. But sadly I wasn’t blown away. 3 I liked it stars.star.3

Aurthor Links: Goodreads | Twitter | Website | Amazon US | Amazon AU

Poet Anderson by Tom DeLonge

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26494684Poet Anderson by Tom DeLonge, Ben Kull & Djet.

Based on the award-winning animated short film, and inspired by the Angels & Airwaves album ‘The Dream Walker’ by multi-platinum recording artist TOM DELONGE (cofounder and front man of the world-famous punk-pop band Blink-182), this graphic novel collects the critically acclaimed mini-series written by DeLonge and co-writer Ben Kull (Father of the Pride, Mission Hill) and illustrated by animation sensation Djet.

The prequel adventure chronicles young Jonas Anderson’s first foray into The Dream World, where he discovers his destiny to become Poet Anderson, a guardian Dream Walker who protects innocents while they sleep from the horrors their own dreams could pose in the Waking World.

This beautifully-illustrated adventure is supplemented with an in depth interview with DeLonge, exploring the many facets of fringe culture, dream theory, and the philosophy behind his various storytelling avenues. Also included are dozens of concept and design illustrations created during the development of the animated short film and current feature film pre-production. The hardcover edition will also include a CD mounted inside the back cover containing a soundtrack of previously unreleased instrumental and b-side tracks by DeLonge and Angels & Airwaves. >> GOODREADS <<

   *   *   *   *   *  My Thoughts  *   *    *   *   *

When I saw this on Net Galley the teenager inside of me got all giddy at the name Tom DeLonge. I was a little bit obsessed with playing Blink 182 out of my stereo as loud as it would go as a teenager.

Page 1-71 is the three-part graphic novel (comic) and Page 72-92 is the interview with DeLonge and concept art gallery.

We follow Jonas Anderson as he discovers this whole other Dream World created by mankind’s shared unconscious thoughts, as well as his destiny to be a “Poet” and Dream Walker. Jonas has his big brother along for the ride, but the catch is with Alan not having any special abilities he doesn’t remember anything when he wakes up. Because of Jonas natural gifts in the Dream World he is a target for REM (the evil villain) and his Night Stalkers.

This comic arc is set at the beginning of the Poet Anderson’s Dream World adventures so we learn of REM’s evil plans to break through and take over the Waking World using Jonas. We see REM start to facilitate his plan with the murder of both Jonas’s parents.

There is a lot of detail packed into the 71 pages, but I don’t want to spoil your fun by going into it further.

I found the interview with DeLonge interesting and intend to look further into the other Dream Walking projects. The multi-media storytelling of Poet Anderson’s world already includes an album by Angels & Airwaves, an animated short film (with a full length feature in production), one Novel and this three-issue comic arc. From what I gather while the stories are linked, they can all be enjoyed on their own without any previous Poet knowledge.

star.4

25779243Poet Anderson …Of Nightmares by Tom DeLonge & Suzanne Young

From the critically acclaimed transmedia project Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker, comes one of the most anticipated collaborations in YA literature this year: a thrilling, edge of your seat story written by award-winning musician, producer and director Tom DeLonge and New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Young.

Poet Anderson…Of Nightmares follows the epic journey of two orphan brothers, Jonas and Alan, who are Lucid Dreamers. After a tragic car accident lands Alan in a coma, Jonas sets out into the Dream World in an attempt to find his brother and wake him up. What he discovers instead is an entire shared consciousness where fear comes to life as a snarling beast called a Night Terror, and a creature named REM is bent on destruction and misery, devouring the souls of the strongest dreamers to get closer to the Waking World. With the help of a Dream Walker—a guardian of the dreamscape, Jonas must face his fears, save his brother, and become who he was always meant to be: Poet Anderson. >> GOODREADS <<

DeLonge on Twitter, Booktopia & Book Depository

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

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23395680Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff.

Paperback, 599 pages
Published October 2015 in Aus by Allen & Unwin.
 * * *  Synopsis  * * *

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

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* *  * *  * *  * *  * *  My Thoughts  * *  * *  * *  * *  * *

I can’t figure out how to review this book without sounding like a gushing thirteen year old who’s just won tickets to One Direction. It was beautiful, quirky, funny, action packed, exciting, thrilling, twisting, turning, loving, murdering, madness.

I loved the layout idea! The story is told through memos and messages, transcribed footage and images. The textual images are stunning. At one point you have to turn the book 360 to read the spirally writing. You feel like your falling into the void. All the little notes made it feel as if you were really reading a report of actual events. The writing was brilliant I felt as if I was watching the transcribed video footage.

The story line is just my kind of thing; super computers, deadly viruses, young lovers separated and unlikely heroes – I can’t say too much as it’ll give away all the fabulous twists and turns. Just went you think you know whats going to happen, the whole thing switches up. HELL YES, Five Stars, bring on book two and three. Best book I’ve read this year.

star.5

LINKS: Illuminae on Goodreads | Kristoff’s Website | Kristoff’s Twitter | Kaufman Website | Kaufman Twitter

Buy Illuminae: Booktopia | Amazon AU | Amazon US | Book Depository

Bob’s Burgers: Medium Rare

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26778329Bob’s Burgers: Medium Rare

by Loren Bouchard, Adam Beechen, Ben Dickerson, Jeff Drake, Brian Hall,Rachel Hastings, Justin Hook, John McNamee , Mike Olsen, Mark Von Der Heide, Anneliese Waddington, Chad Brewster, Frank Forte, Anthony Aguinaldo (Illustrations), Marcelo Benavides (Illustrations), Tom Connor(Illustrations), Mario D’Anna (Illustrations), Mike Guerena (Illustrations), Joe Healy (Illustrations), Adam Philipps (Illustrations), Hector Reynoso(Illustrations), Tom Riggin (Illustrations), Emiko Sawanobori (Illustrations),Steven Theis (Illustrations), Robin Brigstocke (Illustrations), Bernard Derriman (Illustrations) 
* * *

I was given a ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review, THANK YOU.

Publication: November 17th 2015 by Dynamic Forces

* * * *    ****    Synopsis    ****    * * * *

While Bob and Linda Belcher have their hands full running the family business, their kids Tina, Gene, and Louise have adventures that you won’t believe!

The producers, writers, and animators of the hit animated show Bob’s Burgers proudly present all-original comic book stories, including hilarious installments of “Louise’s Unsolved Mysteries & Curious Curiosities,” “Tina’s Erotic Friend Fiction,” and “Gene’s Rhymey Rhymes That Could One Day Be Songs.”

Whether it’s Tina’s daydreams of cloning back-up dancers or jungle misadventures, Louise’s explorations of underground tunnels and time-stopping Wonder Wharf rides, Gene’s lyrics that reimagine boring Aunt Gayle visits as epic journeys to fantasy worlds, the Belcher family hijinx are guaranteed to make you laugh! Goodreads

* * * *    ****    My Thoughts    ****    * * * *

This was a really fun and quick read. A perfect pick me up on a dull day.

The highlights for me were the multiple Tina clones set loose on Jimmy Jr. Louise’s secret tunnels and time stopping amusement rides. Gene’s musical rendition of Narnia.

The lowlights, there were none. Even the variant cover art is a crack up and the pin ups are definitely worthy of pinning up.

Fans of the show will love this collection as it captures the spirit of the show. Even if you’re not familiar with the show, I guarantee it’ll brighten your day.

star.4

Anything That Isn’t This by Chris Priestly

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25951432Anything That Isn’t This by Chris Priestley

Published October 1st 2015 by Hot Key Books and distributed by The Five Mile Press in Aus.

Thank You to Hot Key, Five Mile and Mr Priestley for my review copy.

A KAFKA-ESQUE NIGHTMARE OF A STORY… ABOUT LOVE

Seventeen-year-old Frank Palp lives in a grim little apartment, in a grim little building, in an exceedingly grim (and rather large) city. Cobbled streets and near-destroyed bridges lead one through Old Town and Old New Town, and war-damaged houses stand alongside post-war characterless, concrete hutches. Most people walk hunched over, a habit from avoiding snipers, but others are proud to stand tall and make the world take notice . . . This is a city full of contradictions, and Frank is no exception.

He mostly hates his life, he definitely hates the ludicrous city he is forced to live in and he absolutely with complete certainty hates the idiots he’s surrounded by . . . and yet he is in love. A love so pure and sparkling and colourful, Frank feels sure it is ‘meant to be’. His love is a reward for all the terrible grey that he is surrounded by – which would be great, if the girl in question knew he existed. And then one day, the perfect sign lands in his lap. A message, in a bottle. A wish, for ‘anything that isn’t this’. The girl who wrote this is surely his soulmate – and now he just needs to find her.

A striking, compelling thriller combined with a tender, moving love story from the award-winning and critically-acclaimed author of UNCLE MONTAGUE’S TALES OF TERROR.

* * * *    ****    My Thoughts    ****    * * * *

star.3

The first quarter of the book I was thinking; hmmmm I’m not feeling this. At page 110 it finally looked like things might be starting to become more engaging and interesting. If I had been reading this as a book I borrowed from the library, I would have given up five, maybe seven chapters in. But as I was given this book to review I pushed through. I’m glad I did, obviously, hello my three star rating. But damn. The whole book is 468 pages. The last 50% is what I really liked. I think if the first 50% was condensed, say cut down by a hundred pages, it would make it spectacular, maybe even a five-star standout.

The Good: We see Frank, the POV character, grow from a self-absorbed teenager to a caring young man. In the end we get some hope and love come shining through the story (for frank and his girl at least).

The Bad: The book is rather depressing and It is really SLOW to take off. Nobody other than Frank and his love interest get to go anywhere. His sister’s life will be better thanks to Franks actions, but she’s still stuck in shit town, along with all the other oppressed people.

The book is listed as for 12 and up. Frank starts the story as a 17-year-old leaving school, fighting with his inner demons, not wanting to turn into his father, not wanting his soul to be taken away by the nine to five drawl, not wanting to become an adult. A 12-year-old would not get any of this. Give this to kids in their final year at high school, that’s who will click with it. Give it to the adults that can still remember how it felt to be those lost teenagers. I think this book could create a huge following, if put in front of the right audience.

About the Author:

Chris Priestly lives in Cambridge with his wife and son where he writes, draws, paints, dreams and doodles (not necessarily in that order). Chris worked as an illustrator and cartoonist for twenty years, working mainly for magazines & newspapers (these include The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Economist and the Wall Street Journal) before becoming a writer.

Chris has been a published author since 2000. He has written several books for children & young-adults, both fiction and non-fiction, and has been nominated for many awards including the Edgar Awards, the UKLA Children’s Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. In recent years he has predominantly been writing horror.

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