Graphic Novel Review of Cinderella: Fables are Forever by Chris Roberson

 

Synopsis: "She poses as a haughty socialite in glass stilettos by day--and okay, sometimes by night. But Cinderella is actually Fabletown's master spy. Tasked with doing jobs too dirty and deadly for the average Fable, Cindy's faced down dangers from a dozen worlds and lives to tell tales (over cocktails in a hot tub, if you're lucky).

But every secret agent has one annoyingly ruthless archnemesis, and Cindy is no exception. Back in the Big '80s, Cindy encountered her dark mirror, a rogue American Fable, who was in league with the mysterious Shadow Fabletown. Cindy thought she'd destroyed her rival years ago. But when a powerful magician turns up dead and another seeks her help, Cindy's hunt for her old enemy begins anew.

From the frigid back alleys of Russia to the steaming desert, Cindy will follow the clues down the blood-flecked yellow brick road and risk everything she's got--including her secret identity--to solve the crime and finally get revenge on Silver Slipper."

My Review: This clearly takes place much further in the Fables series than I have read, it is really difficult to read any branch off series of the main Fables because you have to be completely caught up. I must say I was a little bored with this volume even though it contained a really creative and interesting story idea, pitting a CIA type agent Cinderella against a mercenary Dorothy. It didn't really feel like a full story with all the memories that pop up throughout to tell the short main storyline. It just wasn't the one for me I guess.  

 

My Ratings: An interesting conflict but with all the memories and flashbacks it felt a little incomplete. I give it a rating of Two Paws.

Bedtime Story: Storm Song by Nancy Viau

 

Synopsis: "Thunder claps outside the door—Boom. Boom. Bang! Rumble, rap, roar!
Follow the beginning, middle, and end of thunderstorm with children and their dog who find comfort in a cozy home filled with fun and love. With lyrical text and vibrant illustration, STORM SONG captures the essence of a rainy day from that first whisk of a wet leaf to the final spit of a single raindrop."

My Review: This is a great book to lessen any fears of storms. It allows for the introduction of the noises and things that could happen during the storm and that it will all come to an end. I happened to pick the perfect night to read this book as we ended up with a big storm and Munchkin told me it was just the storm noises and he didn't have any fear the entire night.  

 

My Rating: This is a great book for soothing fears of those spring and summer thunderstorms. The images were soothing for bedtime and the sound effects make for a fun read.  I give it a rating of Four Paws!

 

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Mini Blogahead Challenge Wrap Up

 

I participated in the Mini Blogahead challenge that was hosted by Anna over at Herding Cats and Burning Soup. You can see my sign up post HERE.

 

I wasn't the greatest about posting updates, mainly because I was so busy just trying to keep up with the posts during Children's Book Week!

 

- My goal though was to have 34 posts scheduled by the end of the Challenge.

-  I started with 18 posts scheduled.

- I had 38 posts go live during the time of this challenge.

- Some how (thanks to Bedtime Story and Graphic Novel posts) I have managed to achieve my goal of 34 post scheduled! (not even including this one)

 

 

How did your blogahead challenge go? Did you get as far ahead as you had hoped?

 

After Dark Audio Book Review of Rush by Maya Banks

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: "Gabe, Jace, and Ash: three of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the country. They’re accustomed to getting anything they want. Anything at all. For Gabe, it’s making one particular fantasy come true with a woman who was forbidden fruit. Now she’s ripe for the picking...

When Gabe Hamilton saw Mia Crestwell walk into the ballroom for his hotel’s grand opening, he knew he was going to hell for what he had planned. After all, Mia is his best friend’s little sister. Except she’s not so little anymore. And Gabe has waited a long time to act on his desires.

Gabe has starred in Mia’s fantasies more than once, ever since she was a teenager with a huge crush on her brother’s best friend. So what if Gabe’s fourteen years older? Mia knows he’s way out of her league, but her attraction has only grown stronger with time. She’s an adult now, and there’s no reason not to act on her most secret desires.

As Gabe pulls her into his provocative world, she realizes there’s a lot she doesn’t know about him or how exacting his demands can be. Their relationship is intense and obsessive, but as they cross the line from secret sexual odyssey to something deeper, their affair runs the risk of being exposed—and vulnerable to a betrayal far more intimate than either expected."

My Review: I wasn't sure what I expected from this book or series. I listened to the audio version and at first it was difficult to get into, the narrator had a very monotone voice, with little inflection for the characters or what was occurring in the story. Once I got past that the whole storyline and even the characters were all very familiar. This book was too similar to so many others that I have read in the genre to really stand out. Of course I have the entire trilogy already so I will attempt to finish them but no promises there. The one good thing is that the story is so familiar that while listening to the audio you can do something else and if you zone out for a few minutes you don't really worry about missing much.

 

My Rating: Really this wasn't anything I haven't heard before. Nothing brilliant or new, it was just too similar to all the books following the 50 Shades trend. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.



Official Pen to Paper Kickoff

So if you have been hanging around here long enough, you might remember that almost 2 years ago I would occasionally put up Pen to Paper post. They were a record of my resolution to write more letters.  Well they kind of fell by the wayside. 

 

BUT . . .

 

with the Bloggiesta back in March I started brainstorming new post ideas. This was one that really took off and I have a boatload of ideas for posts. Not to mention I do really enjoy letter writing (and it allows for my stationary habit). 

 

 

So I am here to announce that this is the first post of the official Pen to Paper weekly meme here on Eastern Sunset Reads.  I will be posting Thursday mornings with various aspects of letter writing and snail mail communications.  I invite you to join me on this journey and if you would like we can exchange addresses and become pen pals too.

 

So first order of business is to take a look at back when I originally started the little Pen to Paper posts.  You can see my first post HERE where I set out send at least one snail mail communication a month.  Now I wasn't really consistent with my posts but I will say I had a really good run. Even now I think I usually send a letter or card at least once a month, but usually in a burst of several at a time. But you know the real reason why I stopped posting? There wasn't much to talk about, it is hard to continue sending letters when you get little or no response. 

 

I have learned a few things since then and will continue to learn. All of these lessons I will be sharing with you on our journey of putting our Pens to Paper.  So please join me and come check in again on Thursday morning for new posts. I have some very exciting things coming up (including tips, drool worthy letter writing gear, and some giveaways).  Of course if you would like to become a pen pal with me (which I would really love) please email me with your address!



Please feel free to post here or on your own blog and link up with us, telling about your own letter writing experiences.  Did you have a pen pal as a child? Have you continued writing to a dear friend over the years? Are you just wondering and want to start now?






Review of The H.A. Rey Treasury of Stories by H. A. Rey

Read for: Requested Review/ Netgalley

 

Synopsis: "From the creator of Curious George comes this compilation of four humorous and marvelously illustrated stories: Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant; Tit for Tat, concerning kindness to animals; Billy's Picture, a tale of art and individualism; and Zebrology, a wordless celebration of the common ground that lies beneath appearances."

My Review: I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited to see an H.A. Rey book available, we are big fans of Curious George in our house. This book contains several short wordless stories and I love the classic illustration style. I do feel like this leans more towards adult audiences and humor. Though a young reader would still enjoy them. I particularly loved Zebrology, it made me giggle.

 

My Rating: If you are looking for a new kids story along the line of Curious George, this really isn't the book for you. It doesn't seem to me a children's book, yes there are illustrations but it just doesn't seem suited to the audience. I give it a rating of Two Paws.

Review of Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale by Donna Jo Napoli

Read for: Mount TBR

 

Synopsis: "Melkorka is a princess, the first daughter of a magnificent kingdom in mediæval Ireland -- but all of this is lost the day she is kidnapped and taken aboard a marauding slave ship. Thrown into a world that she has never known, alongside people that her former country's laws regarded as less than human, Melkorka is forced to learn quickly how to survive. Taking a vow of silence, however, she finds herself an object of fascination to her captors and masters, and soon realizes that any power, no matter how little, can make a difference.
Based on an ancient Icelandic saga, award-winning author Donna Jo Napoli has crafted a heartbreaking story of a young girl who must learn to forget all that she knows and carve out a place for herself in a new world -- all without speaking a word."

My Review: I was expecting a little more from this story. It is a good story but very slow moving with not much happening. You don't develop much of a connection with the characters but can appreciate the research that went into writing this tale. It was a nice break from books that move too quickly but not one that I would be able to appreciate in every mood. I am a little curious as to the original story this book was based upon and might have to track it down.

 

My Rating: There really wasn't much to keep a reader's interest but thankfully it was short enough just to keep reading and finish. I was a little curious as to where the story would go but it didn't really give me anything in the end. I give it a rating of Two Paws.