Graphic Novel Review of The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie

Read for: Graphic Novel Challenge

 

Synopsis: "Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM reunite to create a world where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever. Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #1-5"

My Review: I have seen a few of my fellow book lovers whom I share preferences with rave about this GN series so I thought I would give it a try. I am not really sure if I like it yet or not. It was a little confusing and you really need to at least have a basic knowledge of several different mythological gods and goddess (ie. Greek, Roman, Norse and Egyptian). With that said I really did like the various characters and the artwork is fantastic. I am still a little lost on the plot lines and where the story may be going but it is definitely worth checking out Vol. 2 and maybe further.

 

My Rating: I must say I am a little confused as to what this is all about and like I said you need to be pretty aware of many different mythologies. I like to think I am fairly versed in many of them but there were several gods and goddesses in this that I wasn't familiar with.  That said I found it to be pretty unique and interesting enough to continue.  I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Bedtime Story: Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic

Read for: Children's Book Challenge

 

Synopsis: "Max the duck is cooking up an amazing soup. But what's this? A feather floating in the soup! And where's Max? Brody the dog, Dakota the cat, and Bebe the bird race about in their hilarious search for the missing Max. But remember, sometimes things just aren't as they appear."

My Review: This was a very silly book that Munchkin enjoyed. It does seem as though maybe it is part of a series because there are characters that aren't really introduced, you are just expected to know them which kind of threw both me and Munchkin off. It is a fun book to read though and a lot of silliness to laugh about. It also has a great little message in the background of getting all the facts before doing something.  

 

My Rating: This was a fun and silly book but it definitely lost something since you clearly need to read the first book in the series to fully enjoy it. We give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

 

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Early Reader Review of Transformer Rescue Bots: Meet Blades the Copter Bot by D. Jakobs

Read for: Early Reader Challenge and its Transformers

 

Synopsis: "Optimus Prime has selected a special team of Transformers to work side-by-side with the people of Earth--they are called the Rescue Bots! Blades the Copter-Bot changes into a helicopter and is partnered with pilot Dani Burns. Together they're unstoppable!"

My Review: Munchkin loves watching the Rescue Bots on TV so this was a great treat to find this series of books. It is a great level 1 book with simple words and sentences and familiar characters. It doesn't seem to follow a TV episode exactly which is nice to see, it is a nice introduction to Blades and also how him and Dani developed their working relationship and friendship.   

 

My Rating: I am just going to admit this now, I am just as excited, if not more so, as Munchkin about Transformers. I like finding these TV show tie in books that don't follow episodes exactly. We really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading the rest of the set.  We give it a rating of Four Paws.

Review of Lord of the Mountains by Sabrina Jarema

Read for: Netgalley/ Requested Review

 

Synopsis: "Amid the glittering fjords and majestic mountains of Norway, this stunning series delves into the loves, battles, and dreams of the Viking clans—powerful men and women who believed in the call of the flesh as well as the soul…

It was said that the man who could look into Silvi Ivarsdottir’s eyes would be meant for her. Powerful jarl Magnus Sigrundson knows he is that man, and that Silvi’s dowry can give him the ships, swords, and silver he needs for his trading empire. Yet beautiful Silvi’s dream is not to be a wife, but a Priestess of the gods for the great temple at Uppsala. Who dares interfere with such passion? The answer lies in Silvi herself, in the way her body awakens to Magnus’ touch, in the way she inspires a reverence he didn’t know he possessed—and in the battles she takes on when she journeys to his mountain home of Thorsfjell.

But soon a dangerous, deceitful enemy threatens to shatter. Now they face another quest: can they find each other again—and dare live and love in each other’s worlds?"

My Review: I see Vikings and in the romance genre, you better believe I was looking forward to reading this book. It is the second book in the series so I wasn't sure if I would be lost, but I definitely wasn't. This book can be read as a stand alone but I will be going back to read the first book. There is a handy glossary and pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book which was great as there were times where a longer description would have thrown the story off. I really enjoyed each of the characters, they were each unique in their own ways, even from other similar books I have read in the past. I loved that Jarema obviously spent a lot of time researching not only the world and customs but also the belief systems and put her own spin on everything to suit the story. I will definitely be following this series in the future and be reading more of her books!

 

My Rating: I really enjoyed this book, more than many of the Viking books I have come across. Jarema did a great job of weaving a beautiful story together with the tough and brutal world it takes place in.  I give this book a rating of Four Paws!

 

Note: This is an adult romance and there are a few explicit scenes but if you prefer not to read those you can skim them.  Also being a book set in a brutal time and place there is some fighting and violence.

 

 

 

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

 

To find out more about Sabrina Jarema and her work check out her Goodreads Page.

 

Lord of the Mountains is scheduled for release on March 14th but you can pre-order your copy in digital or print format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or your favored book provider.

February Challenge Update & March TBR

ACK! How are 2 months of this year already gone?! I can't believe that this year is going so fast, and it seems like I am behind in everything. Well until I look at my actual reading list, then I realize I have done a ton of reading this year so far. I read a total of 35 books this month!

 

So here are the books I read this month along with the challenges. (I have decided to just list the books read this month instead of full lists because it gets a little long towards the end of the year. If you want to see all the books I have read this year you can check out my challenges page).

 

Children's Book Challenge

7. Duck Soup
8. I Will Take a Nap
9. Hedgehugs
10. Happy Valentine's Day Little Critter
11. Love Monster
12. Love Monster and the Perfect Present
13. Duck and Hippo in the Rainstorm
14. The Quite Contrary Man
15. Foreman Farley has a Backhoe
16. Cody the Cloud
17. Monster Trucks
18. Today I Will Fly

 

 

Early Reader Challenge

6. Bubble Trouble
7. Blaze Loves to Race
8. Pig and Pug
9. Meet Blades the Copter-Bot
10. Let's Make Something
11. Tony Baloney: Pen Pal

 

Graphic Novel Challenge

4. Will & Whit

 

 

Audio Book Challenge:

3. Frost Like Night
4. Winner's Curse
5. Winner's Crime

 

 

Trilogy Challenge:

1.  Snow Like Ashes Trilogy: Book 1, Book .1, Book 2, Book 2.5, Book 3

2. Winner's Curse Trilogy: Book .5, Book 1, Book 2
3. Sons of the Revolution Trilogy: Book 1, Book 2

 

 

 

Requested Reviews:

5. Miranda and Caliban (netgalley)
6. Guilded Cage (netgalley)
7. Lord of the Mountains (netgalley)

 

 

 

Books Added to Shelves

I am trying to read each book I receive (purchase, subscription box, download) within a month so as not to add more to my TBR shelves I will add links as I read them:

1. Breath of Fire

2. Light Like a Bird

3. Viking Warrior Rising

4. Winners Kiss
5. Bubble Trouble
6. Blaze Loves to Race
7. Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book
8. Heartstone
9. Beauty and the Beast
10. Norse Mythology
11. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
12. Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Library
13. Trapped
14. Samurai Rising
 

 

TBR Shelf Books

11. How My Dorky Dad Became a Hero

12. Frost Like Night
13. Vienna Nocturne
14. Winter Studs
15. Bridge of Snow
16. Making of a Duchess
17. Making of a Gentleman
18. Winner's Curse
19. Winner's Crime
20. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
21. Poems from the Mind of a Madman
 

 

 

RI Authors

2. How My Dorky Dad Became a Hero
3. Cody the Cloud
4. Monster Trucks
5. Poems from the Mind of a Madman
 

 

 

 

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March has come up super fast it seems and I can't believe that April is right around the corner, I really need to get to reading books for my RI Author month, I may not even be able to line up interviews like I want. Oh well, so here are the books I plan to read in March.

 

Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

The Rogue Pirate's Bride by Shana Galen

Songlines by Carolyn Denman

Ashes by Steven Manchester

Hidden Deep by Amy Patrick

The Trail by Ray K. Anderson
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
The Wicked & The Divine Vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen
From Ant to Eagle by Alex Lyttle
Heartstone by Elle Katharine White
Belle's Library by Disney
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
Maid for Love by Marie Force
Ruined by Amy Tintera
March Book 1 by John Lewis
Motocross Summer by Thom Ring
Mad Tales by Joseph Mazzenga
The Thirteenth Hour by Joshua Blum
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer

Then of course some Children's books and Early Readers

 

 

 

What was your favorite book of February? What are your reading plans in March? Will you be reading less as the weather warms (at least in the Northern Hemisphere)?

 

 



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

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly
Tony Baloney: Pen Pal by Pam Munoz Ryan (Early Reader)
Love Monster by Rachel Bright (Bedtime Story)
Vienna Nocturne by Vivien Shotwell (Mini Review)
Viking Warrior Rising by Asa Maria Bradley (Mini Review)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (Mini Review)

 

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Winner's Crime
Making of a Gentleman
Cody the Cloud
Poems from the Mind of a Madman
Monster Trucks


 

Currently Reading:
 

Hidden Presences by Jenna O'Del - Print - on page 156 of 328
Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski - Audio - 13%





 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Pages Read/ Time Listened
54:50 Hours Listened (10:00 listened this week)
9,712 Pages Read (1,312 this week)

Books Added to Shelves This Month
Viking Warrior Rising by Asa Maria Bradley
Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
Bubble Trouble by Mary Tillworth
Blaze Loves to Race by Mary Tillworth
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly
Heartstone by Ella Katharine White
Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by JK Rowling
Beauty and the Beast: Belle's Library by Walt Disney Company
Trapped by Michael Northop
Samurai Rising by Pamela Turner



Books Read From My Shelves
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Making of a Gentleman
Winner's Crime
Poems from the Mind of a Madman


Interesting Tidbits on the Web:


 



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have really been enjoying the majority of the books I have been reading and I can't wait to read more, the year of trilogies has been a great idea so far.  Can you believe that we are already nearly done with February?! I feel like this year is flying by faster than it ever did in the past, maybe because we seem to have had an abbreviated winter, and already having beautiful spring like days.

Hope you have had a great February so far and that you have a great week this week!

Mini Reviews: Vienna Nocturne, Viking Warrior Rising and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

So with reading and reviewing so many books, I am running out of days in which to share them with you.  I am going to start posting Mini Reviews of books that I read through out the month but couldn't find the time to post on the last Sunday of each month.

 

 

 

I am surprised I don't have more books for my mini reviews this month, but I guess I have been focusing on my trilogies and will have 2 full series reviews coming up soon. I have also been working on getting books read for RI Author Month coming up in April. So anyway here are a few mini reviews . . .

 

I was so disappointed with this book, the cover, the synopsis and the design all promised so much but it sadly fell short. One Paw and a Stump Wag

Full Review

 

 

A surprisingly action and romance packed book with Vikings, mythology and some genetic research all mixed together. Three Paws

Full Review

 

This is the last book in the series I am re-reading, the rest will be new to me. I must admit that this one was much more entertaining, though I am still not a fan of the main characters, at least there was more action and some interesting characters introduced. Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

Full Review