Graphic Novel Review of The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle Adapted by Peter B. Gillis

Read for: Graphic Novel Challenge

 

Synopsis: "Adapted for the first time from the novel by Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn is a tale for any age about the wonders of magic, the power of love, and the tragedy of loss. The unicorn, alone in her enchanted wood, discovers that she may be the last of her kind. Reluctant at first, she sets out on a journey to find her fellow unicorns, even if it means facing the terrifying anger of the Red Bull and malignant evil of the king who wields his power. Adapted by Peter B. Gillis and illustrated by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon."

My Review: I have never read the original book, the movie was a favorite as a kid, but I decided to go with the graphic novel edition to have the beautiful artwork to go with it. I really enjoyed it and the artwork is absolutely stunning. I do have to say that I feel like maybe there was some symbolism that may have gotten lost in this version, but again I am not sure since I never read the orginal by Beagle, but I just feel like there is more to the story.

 

My Rating: Reading this graphic novel definitely took me back and made me nostalgic. I must say that while I enjoyed this version, I think I need to either read the original work or stick to the movie.  I give this one a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Bedtime Story: All By Myself by Mercer Mayer

Read for: Children's Book Challenge

 

Synopsis: "All the many things a young child can do independently are demonstrated, (tying shoes, riding bike, kicking ball), but there is one thing one cannot do alone."

My Review: Of course we love Little Critter books and this is a great one for young ones, especially when they are trying to do more and more things on their own but maybe getting a little frustrated that they can't do everything yet. Munchkin really enjoyed reading this book, and pointing out all the things he can do all by himself and also we discussed the things he is still learning and practicing. Another great book from Mercer Mayer!  

 

My Rating: This was such a great Little Critter book. It makes a nice transition from picture books to early readers, the story was easy and short enough for Munchkin to start reading on his own.  We give it a rating of Four Paws!

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Early Reader Review of Dinotrux: To the Rescue by Emily Sollinger

Read for: Early Reader Challenge

 

Synopsis:"Meet Ty, Revvit, Ton-Ton, Ace, D-Structs, and all the awesome characters from the fantastic and action-packed world of Dinotrux! With text that's perfect for an emerging reader, kids will love reading all about their new favorite friends!

DINOTRUX ©2016 DreamWorks Animation LLC."

My Review: We don't have Netflix but Munchkin has been seeing DinTrux everywhere. I finally found this book for him for Christmas. It is a great story to pull him in, though I think it is more suited to Level 2 readers. I have to say though that the images were very dark and hard to see, making it hard for him to distinguish the characters. He still really enjoyed the story.

 

My Rating: While Munchkin really loves the Dinotrux, it was so hard to see the pictures that it lost some of it's magic.  It was also a little difficult to figure out how to say some of the names.  We give it a rating of Three Paws.

After Dark Review of The Edge of the Blade by Jeffe Kennedy

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

 

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

 

 

Synopsis: "A HAWK S PLEDGE
"The Twelve Kingdoms rest uneasy under their new High Queen, reeling from civil war and unchecked magics. Few remember that other powers once tested their borders until a troop of foreign warriors emerges with a challenge . . ."
Jepp has been the heart of the queen s elite guard, her Hawks, since long before war split her homeland. But the ease and grace that come to her naturally in fighting leathers disappears when battles turn to politics. When a scouting party arrives from far-away Dasnaria, bearing veiled threats and subtle bluffs, Jepp is happy to let her queen puzzle them out while she samples the pleasures of their prince s bed.
But the cultural norms allow that a Dasnarian woman may be wife or bed-slave, never her own leader and Jepp s light use of Prince Kral has sparked a diplomatic crisis. Banished from court, she soon becomes the only envoy to Kral s strange and dangerous country, with little to rely on but her wits, her knives and the smolder of anger and attraction that burns between her and him . . ."


My Review: The first book in the Uncharted Realms series (Pages of the Mind) was my favorite book of 2016 so I was so excited to read this book. Unfortunately I was rather disappointed. This series is a branch off the original Mark of the Tala trilogy and while it wasn't necessary to read those books before Pages of the Mind, it was really needed for this book. There is a lot mentioned about the world, the characters and the backstory from those first three books, that if you hadn't read them (like me) you will end up completely lost and grasping for threads. The villain in this book is I guess the same that they fought all through the first trilogy so there is a lot of history there that you don't have if you hadn't read those books. With that said, there was plenty adventure and action for Jepp and the back and forth between her and Kral was rather entertaining. I would have liked the tension to have been built up a bit more before jumping into bed though. I do love a strong female character that stands by her values but Jepp was almost a little too headstrong for my liking, after reading Daphne's story and her looking at things from both sides, it was an abrupt change. Kral's view of women was so infuriating and I honestly don't think he developed an understanding in that aspect either by the end of the book. If you have read the first trilogy then you may enjoy this book so much better than I did and if you are looking forward to this one, I strongly suggest making sure you read them first otherwise you may end up confused and disappointed.

 

 

My Rating: Unfortunately, I am so disappointed in this book, I had really high hopes after reading Pages of the Mind but with out the backstory knowledge that was needed and little connection to the characters it was a real struggle for me.  I give it a rating of Two Paws.

 

 

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

To find out more about Jeffe Kennedy and her other books you can visit her Goodreads Page and Website.

 

 

The Edge of the Blade was just released December 27, 2016, you can obtain your own copy in digital or print format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble



Monday Reading List

Its Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Share what books you have finished in the last week, are currently reading and what might be coming up next!

Reviews Posted Last Week:

Links will take you to my review

Running on Empty by R.M. Clark
It's Snowing! It's Snowing by Peter Prelutsky (Early Reader)
Big Snow by Jonathan Bean (Bedtime Story)
 

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Harry  Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Running on Empty
Icicles like Kindling
Edge of the Blade
It's Snowing
The Last Unicorn
Of Fire and Stars
Dinotrux to the Rescue
Max has a Fish


 

Currently Reading:
 

Ice Like Fire by Sarah Raasch - Audio - 76%
Like a Closed Fist by E.H. Nola - Kindle - on page 32 of 236
I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka - print - on page 78 of 392




 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Pages Read/ Time Listened
10:56 Hours Listened (none listened this week)
3,357 Pages Read (1,676 this week)

Books Added to Shelves This Month
Be Like a Bird by Monika Schroder
Breath of Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Viking Warrior Rising by Asa Maria Bradley

Books Read From My Shelves
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Last Unicorn
Of Fire and Stars


Interesting Tidbits on the Web:


 



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 It was another great reading week for me this last week, and I am really liking the more laid back posting schedule for the blog too. I feel like I am much less stressed so far, of course that can always change. I am also feeling more on top of my house too so I can have more time for reading, letter writing and crafting.

I did post over the weekend a little discussion post regarding counting Children's books towards reading numbers. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter too!


Anyway, today is a holiday here so Munchkin and I are off to play some games and then do some crafting! I hope you all have a wonderful week and find some great bookish adventures!