Graphic Novel Review of Frankenstein Underground by Mike Mignola, Ben Stenbeck & Dave Stewart

Read for: Graphic Novel & it is Frankenstein's Monster time of year!

Synopsis: "After a fight with Hellboy, Frankenstein’s monster escapes the terrible Mexican laboratory where he was imprisoned and discovers strange creatures beneath the desert, where he’ll learn some of the greatest secrets of the mystical world in the strangest Hellboy spinoff yet! Collects Frankenstein Underground #1–#5."

My Review: This time of year always sends me looking for a new version of Frankenstein, and I found this one at a sale in my local comic book shop and had to pick it up. I have never read Hellboy, and I was worried that this would be like so many other super hero style stories and you have to read all related stories to make sense of it, but luckily that was not the case, there was only a little reference to the Hellboy storyline and it wasn't necessary to this one. I really enjoyed the artwork in this book, an interesting combination of beauty and grotesque. I also really like the way that Mignola filled out the happenings between the end of the original Frankenstein and the time of this story. He also integrated a few different belief systems and myths into one new adventure. I am on team Monster so I always love seeing him being the bad guy to be the good guy.

My Rating: I have really started to lower my expectations for anything that might have a super hero connection, but was pleasantly surprised with this one.  While the monster wasn't as perfect as some others I have seen (at least for the picture in my mind) it was still a great one. I give it a rating of Four Paws.

Bedtime Story: Go to Sleep Mom! by Mary Eakin

Read for: Children's Book Challenge

Synopsis: "This is the story of a young boy just trying to put his tired mom to sleep. It begins with him being woken by a strange sound. While sneaking out of his room to investigate, he discovers something terrible, a list of all the chores his mom needs
to do in order to sleep. Not only that but, he surmises if this is not complete, she may just turn into a zombie! In order to save his mother from an awful fate, the boy embarks on a plan to rid his mom of the terrible to-dos and get her to sleep."

My Review: I found this book at just the right time, it really hit both me and Munchkin. I am always up late doing chores and I think Munchkin is just now reaching the age where he is becoming more aware of things going on around him. This was a really sweet book and also a good reminder that there are better ways to spend our time. It also sparked some great conversations about sharing the chores and not making extra work for each other.

My Rating: This was a great story to not only remind me to go to bed at some point every night but also to Munchkin to help out with chores. We really enjoyed this book and give it Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Early Reader Review of We Love Soccer! by Mike Berenstain

Read for: Early Reader Challenge & Munchkin is playing soccer

Synopsis: "The Berenstain Bears win big for their family in this exciting addition to the classic New York Times bestselling series.

From passing the ball to scoring goals, there's enough excitement on the soccer field to fill a sunny afternoon, but when Mama starts getting too involved, it's up to the cubs to remind her what playing soccer is really all about!

The Berenstain Bears: We Love Soccer! is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences."

My Review: This was a great book both for young emerging readers and adults. Munchkin has been playing soccer this fall and been having a lot of fun with it and it has been a fun family endeavor with Hubby coaching, but I have noticed that even with the under 6 teams parents and coaches seem to forget that it is for fun. This is an easy book that young readers will be able to identify sight words and sound out new words. It will also be a great reminder that soccer is supposed to be fun.

My Rating: This was a nice reminder that sports are supposed to be fun games, something everyone can enjoy.  It was also a great way to bring the sport home and inside.  We give it a rating of Four Paws.

Graphic Novel Review of The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

Synopsis: "From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own."

My Review: This book originally came to my attention when I was watching Super Space Chick on youtube with her Bookcon haul. I was immediately attracted to it because of the title and the cover, it sounded like something right up my alley. This was a very cute graphic novel, I don't know if it will be a standalone or a series (I really hope it is a series). It is a unique fantasy world with some different traditions and history, while not 100% clear was still filled out enough to enjoy the current storyline. The illustration in this book is stunning, I loved the cute style and no-line coloring that softens the edges and gives it a more mystical appearance. The characters and story are so perfect for me, I loved them all and I so want a tea dragon now!! 

My Rating: This had such a unique idea and and characters, I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it and I really hope that it leads to all kinds of fan art and more books.  I can't help but give this a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

I received Tea Dragon Society via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

To find out more about Katie O'Neill and her work you can check out her Goodreads Page or Website

The release day for The Tea Dragon Society is October 31st, so be sure to pre-order your copy in print or digital format from Amazon or in print format from Barnes & Noble or request it through your local bookseller or comic book store!

Review of The Lost Pony of Riverdale by Amanda Wills with review of Bonus Poppy's Diary

Read for: Recent Adds

Synopsis: "Poppy McKeever is reluctant to move to an old cottage on Dartmoor - until she discovers that her new home comes complete with its own pony.

But life at Riverdale is not as straight-forward as it seems, especially when Poppy spies a flash of white in the woods next to the cottage.

Her stepmother Caroline is acting strangely and her adrenalin-junkie brother Charlie is on the hunt for big cats. But will Charlie's obsession drive the two children into dangerous territory?

And when Poppy is faced with a terrible dilemma - to save her brother or the pony she has always longed for - who will she choose?

The Lost Pony of Riverdale is an equestrian adventure book about friendship, ponies and horse riding. "

My Review: Of course I want to read it, there is a horse on the cover! This turned out to be a very good book, and enjoyable for adults to read even though it is geared towards a middle grade audience. I was able to really connect with the characters and quickly became involved with the story. I absolutely adore Charlie, he is so fun and energetic. I also found myself more curious about the Dartmoor ponies and the way the herds are managed. A fun book for horse lovers but it has so much more to offer than horses.

My Rating: This was a fun book and I could imagine that I would have quickly become obsessed with it if I was younger.  I may still continue the series but it isn't at the top of my list (but a box set of the series would make an awesome Christmas gift for a young horse obsessed girl).  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Synopsis: "Poppy dreams of showjumping success on her beloved Connemara, Cloud.
But one thing stands in her way. Stage fright.
Can she ever overcome her fears?
Find out as she lays her soul bare in this exclusive free e-book."

My Review: This was a free download for readers of the first book in the series. It was a quick read and a nice book to bridge the gap between books. You get to see how Cloud and Poppy are getting on as he heals and she learns more riding skills. All of the relative characters from the first book also make an appearance. Even if you are not going to read the rest of the series, this is a great book just to bring everything to a close.

My Rating: I really liked how this gave us a glimpse of after the end of the first book, it really brought some closure since I don't plan on continuing the series (at least for now). There are a lot of terms in it that may be off putting to non-horse people but for those of us who are it was great to know that the author really paid attention to those details.  I give it a rating of Three Paws.

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

One Summer Night by Caridad Pineiro

 Books Finished Last Week:

Reviews will be posted at a later date

Lost Pony of Riverdale
Poppy's Diary
Loving the Billionaire
Merry and Bright
Go to Sleep Mom
Her Dark Curiosity

Currently Reading:

Scythe by Neal Shusterman - Print - on page 265 of 435



 Books to be Read Soon:

Pages Read/ Time Listened
222:37 Hours (about 8+ Days) Listened (12:52 listened this week)
44,792 Pages Read (666 this week)

Books Added to Shelves Recently TBR
Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
Samurai Rising by Pamela Turner
Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton
How to Tame a Willful Wife by Christy English
New World: Rising by Jennifer Wilson
The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson
And I Darken by Kiersten White
World Mythology in Bite Sized Chunks by Mark Daniels
Eliza and Her Monster by Francesca Zappia
Windwitch by Susan Dennard
Frogkisser by Garth Nix
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton
The Beast's Garden by Kate Forsyth
Addie on the Inside by James Howe
Also Known as Elvis by James Howe
Viking Warrior Rebel by Asa Maria Bradley
New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns
Puss Without Boots by Shari L. Tapscott
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
Saints Blood by Sebastien de Castell
P.O. Box Love by Paola Calvetti
Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman
Nomansland by Lesley Hauge
The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd
The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by various authors
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley
The Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence
The Nothing Girl by Jodi Taylor
Luin the Sapphire by Rich Feitelberg
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Tortall and Other Lands by Tamora Pierce
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
Wolf Speaker by Tamora Pierce
Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce
Realm of the Gods by Tamora Pierce
The Winter King by CL Wilson
The Christmas Blessing by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Hope by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Promise by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Secret by Donna VanLiere
The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere
Wonder Woman: Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo
The Hearts We Sold by Emily Lloyd-Jones
She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai
Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore
Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
Shadowcaster by Cinda Williams Chima
Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima
The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell
Timekeeper by Tara Sim
Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco
Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter
As You Wish  by Chelsea Sedoti
Invictus by Ryan Graudin
Down and Across by Arvin Ahmadi
Naondel by Maria Turtschaninoff
The Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors by Curtis Craddock
Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo
Every Little Thing by Marie Force
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Klaus by Grant Morrison
Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Lost Pony of Riverdale by Amanda Wills
Poppy's Diary by Amanda Wills
Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan



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Wow, the weekend is already over?!  It was so crazy last week, a short week at the office and then of course because I was going away Munchkin ended up getting sick on Thursday.  Then it was off to Fall In Love With New England romance convention which was such a fun time (and relaxing). I can't believe it is already over and it is back to reality.  Due to all of that I wasn't able to get my posts scheduled ahead of time like usual and I do apologize for the radio silence but it just means I have a lot of fun things coming up for you!

I had best get caught up on my work so I can get some reading time in this week. Have a great week everyone!