Graphic Novel Review of WE3 by Grant Morrison

 

Synopsis: "WE3 tells the unforgettable story of three innocent pets -- a dog, a cat and a rabbit -- who have been converted into deadly cyborgs by a sinister military weapons program. With nervous systems amplified to match their terrifying mechanical exoskeletons, the members of Animal Weapon 3 have the firepower of a battalion between them. But they are just the programs prototypes and, now that their testing is complete, they're slated to be permanently decommissioned" until they seize their one chance to make a desperate run for freedom! Relentlessly pursued by their makers, the WE3 team must navigate a frightening and confusing world where their instincts and heightened abilities make them as much a threat as those hunting them, but a world, nonetheless, in which there is something called Home. Action-packed and heart-wrenching, WE3 is a new high mark from two of comics greatest talents."


My Review: Graphic Novels usually aren't my thing but this one was suggested by a good friend of mine (who also got me into the Song of Fire & Ice books). I was very pleasantly surprised, WE3 was not only touching but also made you think. I loved the connection between the animals. Grant Morrison also did a great job of highlighting the dark side of some people but also a little bit of the good. It is amazing how much was crammed into just a short graphic novel. I think The Onion stated it best "Creepily Touching" because that it was, very touching but creepy. I will say though that it is definitely not meant for a younger audience, I was kind of surprised at the graphic nature of some of the images.

 

 

My Rating: I really enjoyed reading this one, which kind of surprised me and may even convince me to add a graphic novel review at least once a month! It had a great story line, was delivered well, and did a great job of getting me invested in such a short time. I give it a rating of Four Paws!



Bedtime Story: Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go

Synopsis: Artfully extracted and adapted almost entirely from Ted Geisel's work, this is a must for all expectant parents - and introduction to the wonderful world of Dr. Suess for their adorable baby-to-be. Exciting new discoveries are being made all the time about how much learning takes place while a baby is still in its mother's womb, and Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go! makes the perfect welcome! It's never too early to start them on a rich and healthy regimen of good ol' Dr. Seuss.

My Review: I received this book as a gift for my baby shower and am glad I did. I don't know if it is actually for the baby or the mom. As you read it you make stops at some of the most popular Dr. Seuss books. I think it was a great way to get use to reading the tongue twisters of Dr. Seuss. I read it several times before munchkin was born and have taken to reading it to him now when he is fussy. The rhythm of the rhymes of my voice while reading it seem to calm him down. Now it may be that he heard it before he was born or it may just be the magic of Dr. Seuss!        

 

 

My Rating: I have to give this book a rating of Four Paws, I think it was great to get use to reading out loud to Munchkin and you can't beat having something to soothe a fussy baby!

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

After Dark Review of Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L. James



Synopsis: "FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER: Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life.

FIFTY SHADES FREED: Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality."

My Review: Well I finally gave into they hype and read these three books. Lets see what can I say?! They were ok, eh. I am not going to pick everything apart since I am sure it has been done a million times over. I think this is once set of books that either you love or you don't, and my guess is that if you loved it, you probably haven't read anything quite like it before. It is very obviously originally written as a fan fiction of Twilight, some of the lines are dead on as well as a lot of the character personality traits and reactions. I think that Ms. James also used Pretty Woman as an inspiration for the story. So that about summed it up for me a mashup of Twilight and Pretty Woman with some more intense bondage and dom/sub thrown in to get ladies heated up.

Of the three books I did enjoy the second book, Fifty Shades Darker, best. It seemed to have a little more going on and a little less sex. Unlike some of the reviews I have read, I do love Ana's inner goddess, she gave me some brief comic relief, some of the emails gave me that little chuckle too and that is probably what saved the books for me.

My Rating: So yea, I have read better romances and better after dark books, but it was an easy, no brain required series. I give the set as a whole a rating of Two Paws.

Wednesday Writing

So Wednesday is my official writing update day. I have so many story projects going on and I need a push to get some done. So I will be trying to post each Wednesday about how my writing adventures are going (and I may need a swift kick in the pants by you guys sometimes).

Current Active Project:

The Last Mountains - 13,468 (handwritten) = 15,766 (typed)

A equine shapeshifting family is being hunted to near extinction and the young new leader must go against all her lessons and approach the elite council for aide. Will they help her? How will she keep her family's traditions and values alive, let alone her herd?

Tamlyn Marie's Grace -

Think Cinderella only with a matchmaker ;)

Other Works in Progress:

The New Old Home - 17,193 words

Everyone dreams of winning the lottery, but what would you do with that money? That is the question presented to Natalie, when she is at the lowest point in her life, she is presented with an opportunity to make any normal person's dreams come true, but all those winnings can't give her what she wants most.

Princess Bs - 32,131 words

A story about a woman, recently divorced and returned to her home town to figure out what is next. She encounters an old friend and spends a weekend with him and his daughters. Feelings that are long since buried are rising up again, but are her recent loss and his current life going to stand in the way of their happily ever after?

Night Rider - 17,229

Alice is a recent high school graduate who is a very accomplished competitive rider in Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Western/Rodeo. Her parents had arranged for her to attend a private college on the east coast geared specifically to equine professions. However, Alice wants to focus on her studies in English Literature. When she arrives at the college she hides her riding abilities, but can she keep her talent and love of horses hidden?

Other Ideas Plotting:

Bloodsoar's Story

A pegasus struggles through life, ejected from the herd, near capture by humans.

The Assassin's Assassin

A student learns what the school is really teaching and sets out to destroy those who support the program.

Angel Story

Angels battle out an age old feud in a parallel world

 

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Well sadly I haven't gotten anything else accomplished since my last Wednesday Writing post :(  

 

Writing is really having to take a back seat, especially with a lack of sleep I don't feel very inspired. Hopefully Munchkin will start letting me sleep so it will come back.  I was invited to an awesome writing conference and even the hubby feels bad that I can't go but hopefully another time.

 

 

I hope all of you have been inspired and have been putting ink to the paper!! 

Review of The Brotherhood of Piaxia by Michael Darkich

 

Synopsis: "Years have passed since the overthrow of the monarchy by the Brotherhood of Warlocks and they rule Piaxia in peaceful accord. But now forces are at work to disrupt this rule from outside the Brotherhood as well as within! Follow Tarlok, Savan and Tessia as their paths intertwine, with the Brotherhood in pursuit and the powerful merchant’s guild manipulating the populace for their own end."


My Review: I really enjoyed this one, like most other epic fantasy novels, it takes some time and effort to get into but that is just due to a lot of needed world building. I didn't connect with all the characters as much as I would have liked, especially the main characters, but I absolutely loved Bron! The Brotherhood of Piaxia had a lot of very interesting twists and was filled with magic, politics, and war, there was even a touch of romance but it was a breath of fresh air that the romance didn't take over the story! The only issue I did have with the book was that there seemed to be a lot of pointless characters, granted some were needed for a while and were killed off, but there were still others that gave you a little hint of history or a side story that got you interested but you never got to revisit that story. All in all though it was really a great stand alone fantasy novel.

My Rating: It has been a while since I read a really good epic fantasy, they are so few and far between, especially as a stand alone novel! I really enjoyed it, even with the slow start, it grabs your attention and you really want to find out what the "key" is and how they found it.  I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag!

 

 

The Brotherhood of Piaxia was sent to me by the Author for Review.

If you would like to check it out, please visit Goodreads or you can get an ebook copy for yourself at Barnes & Noble or Amazon

Finally an Update!

Hi there everyone, I want to take a second to apologize for being MIA for the past month, but in my life family comes first, particularly the newest family member!  As most of you know we have been expecting a little one and well he finally arrived.

Little munchkin arrived on the 29th of August and the past two and a half weeks have been a real adjustment period for all of us here (and will continue to be). He has been a blessing for our family, but an exhausting one. 

While preparing for him to arrive, reading and writing fell by the wayside so I could get the little guys room ready.  It is a Dr. Seuss themed nursery and here are a few of the pieces of artwork I made for the room  . . .

The inspiration for this one came from something similar I saw on Etsy.

 

 

 

And then the following couple of weeks have been spent recovering and getting to know the little guy.  We have had a lot of sleepless and near sleepless days and nights, but thankfully I have finally figured out how to hold Munchkin and a book at the same time!

 

 

I thank you all for your continued visits and patience! I have about a dozen reviews to type and post so keep your eyes peeled!

 

 

~Ang