Graphic Novel Review of Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor

 

Synopsis: "George O'Connor is a Greek mythology buff and a classic superhero comics fan, and he's out to remind us how much our pantheon of superheroes (Superman, Batman, the X-Men, etc) owes to mankind's ORIGINAL superheroes: the Greek pantheon.

In OLYMPIANS, O'Connor draws from primary documents to reconstruct and retell classic Greek myths. But these stories aren't sedate, scholarly works. They're action-packed, fast-paced, high-drama adventures, with monsters, romance, and not a few huge explosions. O'Connor's vibrant, kinetic art brings ancient tales to undeniable life, in a perfect fusion of super-hero aesthetics and ancient Greek mythology.

Volume 1 of OLYMPIANS, ZEUS: King OF THE GODS, introduces readers to the ruler of the Olympian Pantheon, telling his story from his boyhood to his ascendance to supreme power."

My Review: I am thinking that this Graphic Novel series definitely needs to be read in order. This first volume was not only about how Zeus came to be the King of the Gods but the whole origination of the Gods and fall of the Titans. I really enjoyed the story line and illustrations. There are extras in the novel as well including a family tree of the gods so it really helps to keep everything straight, at the end there are brief profiles (for lack of a better word) of the main players of this volume. I can not wait to read the rest of the series!!

 

My Rating: I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Bedtime Story: Dr. Seuss's Sleep Softly Book by Dr. Seuss

 

Synopsis: "A yawn is quite catching, you see. Like a cough.
It just takes one yawn to start other yawns off.

This interactive touch-and-feel book lets toddlers snuggle and squish the soft beds, bellies, and pillows of Dr. Seuss's iconic sleepy characters!"

My Review: I rather enjoyed this book, it has nice rhyming but not as much of a tongue twister as the usual Dr. Seuss books. Munchkin also loved all the touchy stuff. For such a small book there was a nice variety of textures. If you aren't quite ready to spout off crazy Dr. Seuss stories, this is a great way to get started.

 

My Rating: Another great Dr. Seuss touch and feel book. I really love this nursery set, they are simple enough for my Dr. Seuss/tongue twister hating hubby to read but still have that classic Dr. Seuss rhyming and feel. I give it a rating of Four Paws.

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

After Dark Review of Bound to Seduction by Elisabeth Naughton

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 ;)

 

 

 

Synopsis: "Careful what you wish for…

Sentenced as a pleasure slave, Djinn Prince Tariq of the Marid tribe has but one duty: travel into the human realm and corrupt souls by granting wishes to the women who possess the Firebrand opal, a gemstone of magical power. Ten years of imprisonment have left Tariq bitter, but to save his brothers’ lives, he’ll submit to his endless personal hell, even if it means giving up his own hope for freedom.

When Mira Dawson obtains the Firebrand opal, she’s sure the rumors about its magical qualities must be fiction. Until, that is, she touches the stone and a dark and dangerous warrior appears in her living room, offering to pleasure her beyond her wildest dreams. Soon, fantasy becomes a temptation she can’t deny. The only question left is…will the pleasure be worth the price? Because as Mira’s been warned, nothing…not even fantasies…are free."

My Review: I wasn't quiet sure what to expect from this book or the series really as I am not familiar with Djinn legends and myths. It took me a little while to understand what was going on but as Mira did her research I got to learn along with her. I liked the dynamic between the characters and it was a pleasant change from the usual male dominated scenes I read so often to have the female a little more in charge. I thought the conclusion of this book was clever and it makes me want to continue reading the series to see where it leads and how things turn out for Mira and Tariq.

 

My Rating: This was an interesting one, and after having stepped away from PNR & Fantasy Romance for a while it was fun to get back into it. This was a quick read, the pages just kept turning and I look forward to continuing the series. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.

Review of One Shark, No Swim by Lehua Parker

 

Synopsis: "There’s something bugging adopted Zader Westin, something more troubling than his water allergies where one drop on his skin burns like hot lava. It’s bigger than his new obsession with knives, designing the new murals for the pavilion with Mr. Halpert, or dealing with Char Siu’s Lauele Girlz scotch tape makeover. Zader can’t stop thinking about a dream, the dream that might not have been a dream where Lē‘ia called him brother then jumped into the ocean and turned into a shark.

Zader’s got a lot of questions, not the least being why he’s hungry all the time, restless at night, and why he feels a constant itch on the back of his neck. It’s making him feel like teri chicken on a pūpū platter, but Zader doesn’t want to think about chicken, not with his growing compulsion to slip it down his throat—raw.

With Jay busy at surf camp and Uncle Kahana pretending nothing’s happening, Zader’s left alone to figure things out, including why someone—something—is stalking him before it’s too late.

Summer in Lauele Town, Hawaii just got a little more interesting."

My Review: Now that I am comfortable with the language and writing style I really am getting into these books. This was a great follow up to the first book, 'One Boy, No Water' and was just as adventure packed, if not even more so. I liked that we got some more of other character's points of view and definitely a lot more back story. This is such a great book to get those young boys into books, and even young girls will enjoy this series. I will warn you the ending will leave you with a Wow and scrambling for a next book (which isn't expected to be published until this year). I will definitely be tracking this series and keeping it in mind for Munchkin as he grows up.

 

My Rating: This series just go better! I don't know if its that I am more comfortable with it or if the adventure is picking up.  I give this one a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

 

 

One Shark, No Swim was sent to me by the publicist for an honest review.

 

You can find out more about Lehua Parker and her work on her Goodreads Page and Website.

 

You can also purchase One Shark, No Swim in digital or print format on Amazon.

 

Review of Sun Blind by Gwen Hansen

Synopsis: Sheila continues to ride with the Unicorn Queen and her riders in their quest to free the unicorns. She is still waiting for Dr. Reit to find a way to bring her home to her own time, but must face new dangers and enemies until she can return home.

My Review: This was another action packed adventure in the series. I think it would be appropriate for both boys and girls as is full of both swords & battles and fantasy & a dash of age appropriate romance. I enjoyed the story and how Sheila manages to escape dangerous situations and aid in the struggle of the Riders. While we got to know Darian and Laric a little more in this book, many of the other characters are still a little vague. I do like how the unicorns are developing strong personalities themselves. The ending of this one was quite surprising and I look forward to the next book.

 

My Rating:  I am enjoying this series even though it is clearly written for a much younger audience.  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

Breaking Reins by Juliana Haygert
Gifted Apprentice by Nicholas A. Rose
Love, Lust and Letters by K. Nicole Williams (After Dark)
Sneetches on Beaches by Dr. Seuss (Bedtime Stories)

Books Finished Last Week:
Reviews will be posted at a later date

100 Cupboards
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Vol. 2
The Collection of Heng Souk
Not Just Spirited
Slave to Passion
Gifted Hunter

 

Currently Reading:

Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein - PB - on Page 138 of 310
Making the Rounds with Oscar by Dave Dosa - Audio - 35%
Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins - PB - on page 36 of 441
Knightmare by Deborah Valentine - Kindle- 4%


 Books to be Read Soon:

 

Water Harvest by Eric Diehl (Requested Review)
Lest the Dew Rust Them by Michael Drakich (Requested Review)
From My Heart to Yours by Michelle Zarrin (Requested Review)
Hard as You Can by Laura Kaye
Enchanted No More by Robin D. Owens (Mount TBR)
Firebringer Trilogy by Meredith Ann Pierce (Series & Mount TBR)

 



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Both me and Munchkin are still fighting this cold, though he seems to be doing much better than I am, but neither of us have been sleeping much. But having a head cold didn't stop me from reading! I feel like I actually got a lot of reading done this week and am looking forward to the books that are coming up.  I have finally given myself permission to put down a book I am not enjoying in favor of starting something new.

I am also probably going to cut down my reading by one book a week so I can start getting some projects done. I have so many arts and crafts projects planned but never have time, so instead of reading one night a week I am going to craft.

I wanted a pretty spring like color this weekend for my birthday and of course lilacs are my favorite flower so I picked Lush Lilac that I found on Etsy. It is such a pretty color, it is almost translucent and pearly.