Traveling Through Books

Hunter  by Mercedes Lackey is the first in the Hunter Series. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where bridges have been created between our world and the world of the Faerie/supernatural world. In this world, the majority of citizens now live in protected cities while Hunters protect them from the perils of the creatures trying to attack the city. This book was really good. It is well written and very creative. Of course the main character follows most YA characters in that she is exceptionally talented AND good. But overall the story is a pleasant mix of fantasy and dystopia. The book also touches on political ethics/ corruption; addiction to celebrity/ "reality" entertainment; and the importance of education/ access to information. I haven't read the rest of the series yet, but I will most likely read the rest. So far, there are 3 books total, I'm not sure if the author plans for more. Happy Reading!

If you are a fan of DC- or really superheros in general- (and who isn't these days?), I highly recommend these graphic novels. The popular fighting video game (also really cool) is based on these (or vice versa? I'm not really sure and get conflicting evidence when I Google it.) The graphic novels are set in an almost an alternate universe where the Joker causes Superman to become the antagonist. Basically, in the name of preventing crime, Superman does what everyone fears he will do and becomes a dictator and attempts to take over the world for permanent "peace".  The Justice League is split in two, as some join Superman and some join Batman in his fight against Superman's tyranny. Batman is the star of these graphic novels and basically shows how freaking awesome and smart he is. He's at least 10 steps ahead of everyone all the time. There are currently 4 years to the series, I still need to read 3 and 4. These are beautifully drawn and just fantast...

I actually chose to read this because of how inspiring I found the movie. I wanted more of that, I wanted to delve deeper into the characters that the movie had given me. Big mistake. This has been added to my very, very short list of books that are worse than the movie (it holds the number 3 slot). That may be harsh, the book was well-written. It's characters and plot were well developed. The book should have a disclaimer saying, don't ever read this book while single. Ever. This was one of the more depressing views I've ever read on relationships, men, and dating in-general. This is an entire book about how women just let ourselves be walked on and how men are -everywhere in the world- cheating, lying, scum that women must simply accept. Frankly, this book was not a fair or accurate portrayal of either sex. Every woman in the book was desperate for that one love or wanting so bad to be married she'd settle for less. The one good guy in the book was depicted as bor...

 I chose this book solely based on its cover (book club assignment) in the Denver International Airport Tattered Cover to read on the plane and the beach. Sometimes, picking a book based on it's cover works out. I really enjoyed this book and it was not at all what I expected. This is the story of three boys who live the landfills of South America, picking through trash for recyclables  and anything they can sell to survive. This is a story of 3 boys who find an important bag of money and clues that lead them straight into the heart of the corruption of their city. Told in first person through each of the 3 boys along with their mission teacher and his assistant, this is mystery and adventure story that you simply can't put down. The entire book is well written and exciting, but what really draws you in are the characters. They are all endearing and I honestly loved each of them for their depth and individuality. The other great thing about this book? The ending. It w...

This graphic novel series has been on almost every best graphic novels list I've seen in the last few years. I've been meaning to read it for a long time. I'm really glad that I finally did. Persepolis is an autobiographical story that covers what it was like to grow up through the Islamic Revolution of Iran. It tells her story of watching her country go from modern nation to an extremist Theocracy. Beyond that, it is a classic coming-of- age tale covering a girl becoming a woman. What it's like to find yourself, to learn who you are through the trials of life, and finally come into your own.  The story was told flawlessly. I found it incredibly engaging and learned about a culture, I truthfully don't understand well. I learned the modern history (or at least a little more of it) of a part of the world we in the west (myself included) often stop studying after the fall of the Roman Empire. Now, I want to delve into the history even more. I want to learn ...

Title: Ever Shade (A Dark Faerie Tale #1) Author: Alexia Purdy Genre: YA Fantasy Read in: Kindle eBook I really need  to end the terrible YA (young adult) streak I've been on. I'll probably (once I finish all those in my currently reading list) take a YA break for a while. Ever Shade is an interesting idea. I chose the book because I love the Fae. Especially the traditional Fae that consists of many, many creatures of different powers and alignments. However... it didn't really live up to how good it could have been. I felt the entire time like I was reading a book with so much potential, but it never quite came into its own. The book tells the story of Shade, a seemingly, mostly normal high school girl. She is only mostly normal because she hears voices that instruct her to do or not do things. These voices end up leading her to meet Jack, who, without much preamble or real reason, takes her into the world of the Seelie Fae. Here she meets with the oracle and ...

Title: Xoe: Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh my! (Xoe Myers #1) Author: Sara Roethle Read in: Kindle eBook Genre: Urban Fantasy- Young Adult This is not a great book. It is shallow, over-descriptive, and incredibly predictable.  There are grammar errors everywhere. It is pretty much what you would expect from the Twilight fanbase of authors that are still following Stephanie Meyers in angsty Urban Fantasy. The more of these books I read (I keep picking them up hoping that one day I'll find a gem) the more I wonder if teenagers are really so stupidly trusting. Would they actually meet some hot guy in the woods and immediately believe he is on their side so much to the extent that they trust him to protect them, stay in their room, and basically turn into a controlling stalker- all in the name of "love"? This one started out differently- the protagonist actually really didn't trust the hot new stranger. And turned out to be right that he was dan...

Title: The Thief of Always Author: Clive Barker Read in: Mass media paperback Genre: Children's Fantasy/Horror One of my best friends (you know who you are) has been on me to read this book for a very, very long time. I finally did and am so glad! This book was first published in 1992; I'm not quite sure how I missed out on it as kid, but better late than never! I'm not sure how to explain this book. It is incredibly unique, as much of Barker's work tends to be. The main character is Harvey, a 10 year old boy is bored. Bored with life- school, chores, his toys, the weather. That is until he meets a strange man named Rictus. Rictus promises him a break from boredom and takes him to the Holiday House. The Holiday House is a child's dream: eat what you want, do what you want, all four seasons happen every day including the holidays that come with them. However, it isn't too long before Harvey realizes that something isn't right. That the Holiday Hou...

Title: The 100 (The Hundred Series #1) Author: Kass Morgan Read In: Kindle Genre: YA Sci-fi If you have watched the TV series based on these books, you know the basic premise. However, as usual, the TV show takes a lot of liberties and changed most everything except for character names and some basic motivations. The 100 is set approximately 3 centuries after a nuclear event makes earth uninhabitable. The only known survivors were on space colonies designed to escape Earth and keep the human race alive until the radiation levels lowered to a survivable level. Unable to get any conclusive data from their tests and with the space stations deteriorating, the council decides to send the 100 teens awaiting re-trial on their 18th birthdays to the surface to see if their data is correct and the surface is survivable. For obvious reasons, this idea is fraught with danger. Beginning with the fact that an entire group of teenagers is who have never even been out of a climate controll...

Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Author: Mark Haddon Genre: Fiction Read In: Trade Paperpack This book has been on so many lists as a must-read, that it is almost embarrassing that it took me so long before I read it. In fact, I was sure that it was one of those books that had been over-hyped and was probably not that great. Until one of my friends, a friend whose reading tastes I respect, mentioned it was one of her favorite books. So I bought it; a year or so later, I actually read it. I wish I hadn't have waited so long. This book is great. The narrator is an autistic teen. It is so well done. I have an uncle, who I believe (though his exact diagnosis is unclear) is on the autism spectrum. Reading this book, at points, was exactly like talking to him. It is fantastic to read a book with such a unique perspective on the world and storytelling. The story itself is a little heart-wrenching, so read it with a box of tissues. I have not read anythin...

Title: Romancing the Inventor Author: Gail Carriger Genre: Steampunk Urban Fantasy Novella Read In: Nook ePub So, my fellow readers, I'm sure you know that this is a novella by Gail Carriger. If you've been following me long, you know that means I most likely adored it. You are correct. Carriger strikes again; she has yet to disappoint me with one of her pieces, novel, short story, or novella. This novella is a long-awaited story featuring Genevieve  Lefoux. Madam Lefoux is one of my favorite characters in The Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School Series, so it is extra nice to get yet another glimpse of her later in life- after the Parasol Protectorate Series has ended. In fact, many of the beloved characters from The Parasol Protectorate make an appearance, including Alexia and Conall. The protagonist of the story is a new character. This is a GBLTQ friendly story (obviously, since it focuses on Madame Lefoux). I liked this novella because I thought it much...