Review: Green Arrow , Volume 1: The Death & Life of Oliver Queen

Green Arrow: The Death & Life of Oliver Queen | Benjamin Percy, Otto Scmidt, Juan Ferreyra

Published by: DC Comics, January 4th 2017

Genre: Graphic Novels, Superheroes

Pages: 160

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics,  via Netgalley

Green Arrow's life will be forever changed as he is betrayed by those closest to him! A budding relationship with Black Canary forces Ollie to confront the fact that he can't fight "the man" if he is "the man." And one by one, his friends desert him-and all the money in the world won't bring them back when he needs them most.

Collecting: Green Arrow 1-5, Rebirth

I enjoyed the story and how character's lives blended easily with action. I also liked the fast pace. Not sure about Dinah, or how she's so sexualised (and does a skimpy outfit really make sense when dealing with dangerous situations? How protective are fishnets really?) but I liked Oliver and his character development. I do feel like having disfigured villains is a little boring and expected though, and has some pretty shitty underlying messages. But still - a really decent Green Arrow story.

Characters ★★★☆☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Review: Zeroes

Zeroes: Zeroes | Scott Westerfeld, Margo Lanagan, Deborah Biancotti

Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's Books, September 24th 2015

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Superheroes

Pages: 546

Format: Ebook

Source: Simon & Schuster Children's Books,  via Netgalley

Don't call them heroes. But these six Californian teens have powers that set them apart 

Ethan aka Scam has a voice inside him that'll say whatever people want to hear, whether it's true or not. Which is handy, except when it isn't - like when the voice starts gabbing in the middle of a bank robbery. The only people who can help are the other Zeroes, who aren't exactly best friends these days.

Enter Nate, aka Bellwether, the group's 'glorious leader.' After Scam's SOS, he pulls the scattered Zeroes back together. But when the rescue blows up in their faces, the Zeroes find themselves propelled into whirlwind encounters with ever more dangerous criminals. At the heart of the chaos they find Kelsie, who can take a crowd in the palm of her hand and tame it or let it loose as she pleases.

Filled with high-stakes action and drama, Zeroes unites three powerhouse authors for the opening installment of a thrilling new series.

I love love LOVE this book and it was 100% unexpected. The best kind of book to fall in love with. Here's what I thought about Zeroes:

- Thibault is precious and innocent and my smol cinnamon roll. 100% my favourite thing about this book.

- Flicker/Thibault is one of the cutest, most genuine relationships I've read in a long time. Their romance is EVERYTHING.

- I LOVE the dynamic between the cast of characters. Villain-y Nate, moral Chizara, complicated (read: fuckup) Ethan, vibrant, lively Kelsie, lonely, complicated Thibault, and Flicker holding them all together. Squad goals, honestly.

- The plot is fast as hell, exciting, and stays well away from the predictable

- Super abilities that are hella new and inventive

- The writing is so, so strong and compelling and vivid emotionally

- It's just so damn good. SO damn good. I need both sequels immediately. This series excites me so much.

- Just read this book. You won't regret it.

Characters ★★★★★
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Split The Sun

Inherit The Stars: Split The Sun | Tessa Elwood

Published by: Running Press Kids, December 6th 2016

Genre: YA, Science Fiction

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: Running Press Kids,  via Netgalley

The Ruling Lord of the House of Galton is dead, and the nation is in shock—or celebrating, depending on the district. Kit Franks would be more than happy to join him.

Kit’s mother bombed the digital core of the House, killing several and upending the nation’s information structure. No one wants the daughter of a terrorist. Kit lost her job, her aunt wants her evicted, her father is using her as a shield against a drug lord, a group of political rebels need Kit to ignite an interplanetary war, and the boy two floors down keeps jacking up her suicide attempts—as if she has a life worth saving.

When Mom-the-terrorist starts showing up on feeds and causing planet-wide blackouts, everyone looks to Kit for an answer. The rebels want Mom on their side. The government needs to stop Mom’s digital virus from spreading before there’s no record of government left. Both sides will do anything, destroy anyone, to make Kit crack. They believe she’s the key to Mom’s agenda and the House’s future. Worst of all, they may be right.

Kit’s having dreams she can’t explain, remembering conversations that no longer seem innocent, understanding too much coded subtext in Mom’s universal feed messages. Everyone, from Mom to the rebels, has a vision of Kit’s fate—locked, sealed, and ready to roll. The question is, does Kit have a vision for herself?

Tessa Elwood’s final book in the Inherit the Stars series introduces readers to a strong, unique heroine who must chart her own destiny against a minefield of family ambitions and political agendas.

I absolutely adored Inherit The Stars - the world, the characters, the romance, all of it. This book ... not nearly as much. I liked the romance. The story itself was part cool, part strange. I just didn't get why Kit was involved, why she cared at all. And it didn't make sense that she knew nothing about her mum's motive but also knew her secrets at the same time. I just couldn't figure Kit out. BUT I like that she's mean, and unlikeable, and brash. I like that in my ladies - we don't all have to be sweetness and nice.

I liked the romance too. It was pretty sweet, with a layer of angst and drama. And the plot was pretty interesting, even if there were too many people and events to really keep track of and I didn't understand what was driving Kit or what the main storyline really was. But it was decent and interesting and I liked Niles a whole lot. My favourite part was the throwaway reference to the marriage between Fane and Westlet - my babies! - which says a lot about which book I really loved. 

Characters ★★★☆☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Monthly Round Up (11)

Monthly round up is a journal where I record my reading progress, reviews, and my favourite books/biggest disappointments of the month.

Reviews:

Ivory & Bone
What The Dead Want
Relentless

What I've read this month:

ACOMAF ruined me. And then I read Winter and ruined myself. Fun month.

Favourite book:

ACOMAF. Damn that book.

Biggest Disappointment:

I guess Sacred Light, though I didn't dislike it. Wanted more from the protagonist though.

What did you read this month? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh

Review: Relentless

The Hero Agenda: Relentless | Tera Lynn Childs & Tracy Deebs

Published by: Sourcebooks Fire, June 7th 2016

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Superhero+villain

Pages: 288

Format: Ebook

Source: Sourcebooks Fire, via Netgalley

Revenge is easy, but justice is worth fighting for…

Kenna is tired of being lied to—and hunted by the very allies she once trusted. Unearthing the dark secrets of the superhero world has not only endangered her life, now her boyfriend faces execution for crimes he didn’t commit and her mother is being held captive in a secret governmental prison.

Kenna is determined to stand up for what’s right and save those she loves from unspeakable fates. It’s time for the betrayal to end. It’s time for the real criminals to face justice.

But the truth is even more terrifying than Kenna could imagine. A conspiracy threatens the fate of heroes, villains, and all of humanity. If Kenna’s going to survive, she must draw on her deepest strength: her resilience. Because when Kenna’s pushed to the limit, she doesn’t break down. She fights back.

Every bit as awesome and epic and driven as the first book.

This series is so heartfelt and heartbreaking and compelling, and it's just fun, despite all the pain and trauma. The beating heart of this book is really the friendships - not the romance. I love the way the group works together, their dialogue, their complex and trusting bonds. I just love them all. Not to say I don't adore the romance because I so do - Draven, more like Bae-ven - and I FREAKING LOVED Nitro and Riley. They could not be cuter. And gay side pairing - thank you very much, book gods!

I just loved everything - the secrets, the reveals, the evolution of all the powers and Kenna's abilities. The danger and tension ramped up even higher in this book and it was AWESOME. The characters shine, the plot is fast, and the world is just so cool.

You have to read this series.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: What The Dead Want

What The Dead Want | Norah Olson

Published by: Katherine Tegen Books, July 26th 2016

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Gothic, Ghosts

Pages: 320

Format: Ebook

Source: Katherine Tegen, via Edelweiss

16 -year-old Gretchen takes photographs to understand the world around her, a passion her mother Mona fostered and encouraged when she was still around. Since her mom disappeared years ago, Gretchen and her dad have lived on their own in New York City, haunted by Mona’s absence.

When Gretchen’s great aunt Esther calls unexpectedly to tell her that she has inherited the pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s side of the family in upstate New York, Gretchen understands nothing except that her aunt needs her help. But what she finds there is beyond her imagination. The house is crumbling apart, filled with stacks of papers and journals from decades, even centuries past, and it’s crawling with rodents. It’s also full of secrets and a legacy of racism and violence so reprehensible that the ghosts of the past are exacting revenge on the living.

Somehow the mystery of Mona’s disappearance and the atrocities that happened on the land during the Civil War are inextricably intertwined, and it’s up to Gretchen to figure out how…before even more lives are lost. 

This is a damn good ghost story. When I went into this book I expected a run-of-the-mill horror. Flat characters, bland relationships, a tonne of unanswered questions, a bit of tense spookiness to keep me going. But it was Halloween, and What The Dead Want seemed suitably creepy. 

This is not run-of-the-mill. This is stand out, well written gothic paranormal and it has memorable, likeable (what?!) characters. The story was not predictable at all. I LOVED the element of photography, how spirits could be captured on film, and how integral it was to the end of the story. There's a perfect blend of ghostiness (that's a word!), history, mystery, danger, and plucky and brave characters trying to uncover secrets. I also loved how it confronted the racist history of the house and the church, and how Gretchen accepted her own link to her predecessor's horrific actions. How she never shifted the blame or responsibility and was determined to get justice for the victims.

Multi-faceted, horrifying in unexpected ways, and driven by passion and heart. You won't find a better ghost story than this.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Ivory & Bone

Ivory And Bone: Ivory And Bone | Julie Eshbaugh

Published by: HarperTeen, June 7th 2016

Genre: YA, Romance, Fantasy, Historical (inspired)

Pages: 371

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperTeen, via Edelweiss

A prehistoric fantasy—with allusions to Pride and Prejudice.

Hunting, gathering, and keeping his family safe—that’s the life seventeen-year-old Kol knows. Then bold, enigmatic Mya arrives from the south with her family, and Kol is captivated. He wants her to like and trust him, but any hopes of impressing her are ruined when he makes a careless—and nearly grave—mistake. However, there’s something more to Mya’s cool disdain…a history wrought with loss that comes to light when another clan arrives. With them is Lo, an enemy from Mya’s past who Mya swears has ulterior motives.

As Kol gets to know Lo, tensions between Mya and Lo escalate until violence erupts. Faced with shattering losses, Kol is forced to question every person he’s trusted. One thing is for sure: this was a war that Mya or Lo—Kol doesn’t know which—had been planning all along.

Romantic and authentic prehistoric fantasy.

I LOVE Kol and Mya so much. I love them as individuals, I love them as a couple. I cannot WAIT to see their future together. (Even though the summary of book 2 makes me want to pretend the series ended with this book...) I even love Kol and Mya's families, and how distinct everyone was. The characters really shine in this book, and I won't be quick to forget them.

Ivory and Bone has a world that's built so richly and beautifully, I was immersed fully in the setting. The attention to detail is just stunning. 

This book is slow and careful and full of tension. It has a great villain - who's just a a girl! - and the obstacles between Kol and Mya were well done, even if they drove me mad (just say what you mean, idiots!) If you're looking for a plot heavy book, though, this may not be for you. Lovers of thoughtful, tender books should fall in love with Ivory and Bone, though.

Characters ★★★★★
Setting/World ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Monthly Round Up (10)

Monthly round up is a journal where I record my reading progress, reviews, and my favourite books/biggest disappointments of the month.

Reviews:

Flamecaster
How It Feels To Fly
The Amateurs
Relic
How To Disappear

What I've read this month:

Pretty into murder mystery this month, but as always, reading mostly fantasy.

Favourite book:

Obviously Crooked Kingdom

Biggest Disappointment:

Rise of Fire. WHAT THE HELL, BOOK??? Reign of Shadows was one of my favourites EVER and this was just not the same.

What did you read this month? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh

Review: How To Disappear

How To Disappear | Ann Redisch Stampler

Published by: Simon Pulse, June 14th 2016

Genre: YA, Mystery, Thriller

Pages: 416

Format: Ebook

Source: Simon Pulse, via Edelweiss

This electric cross-country thriller follows the game of cat and mouse between a girl on the run from a murder she witnessed—or committed?—and the boy who’s sent to kill her.

Nicolette Holland is the girl everyone likes. Up for adventure. Loyal to a fault. And she’s pretty sure she can get away with anything...until a young woman is brutally murdered in the woods near Nicolette’s house. Which is why she has to disappear.

Jack Manx has always been the stand-up guy with the killer last name. But straight A’s and athletic trophies can’t make people forget that his father was a hit man and his brother is doing time for armed assault. Just when Jack is about to graduate from his Las Vegas high school and head east for college, his brother pulls him into the family business with inescapable instructions: find this ruthless Nicolette Holland and get rid of her. Or else Jack and everyone he loves will pay the price.

As Nicolette and Jack race to outsmart each other, tensions—and attractions—run high. Told in alternating voices, this tightly plotted mystery and tense love story challenges our assumptions about right and wrong, guilt and innocence, truth and lies.

The first line of the summary says it all. How To Disappear really is electric.

Nicolette and Jack have AMAZING chemistry, and made this book seriously, seriously addictive. Their bickering was hilarious and sweet (especially when Nicolette was holding a gun to Jack's head.) The main characters and the interactions made this book amazing, but the plot and the tense, twisty danger made it epic. It kept me guessing the whole way through, and I didn't actually predict the end which was awesome. So many layers and secrets and lies.

Dangerous, romantic, and clever. I loved it.

Characters ★★★★★
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Relic

Relic | Gretchen McNeil

Published by: Epic Reads Impulse, March 8th 2016

Genre: YA, Horror, Mystery

Pages: 293

Format: Ebook

Source: Epic Reads Impulse, via Edelweiss

From Gretchen McNeil, the author of Ten and Possess, comes this teen horror novel perfect for young fans of Stephen King, and Lois Duncan's I Know What You Did Last Summer.

For Annie Kramer, the summer before college is bittersweet—both a last hurrah of freedom and the last days she'll spend with her boyfriend, Jack, before they head off to different colleges. So she and her friends plan one final adventure: a houseboating trip on Shasta Lake, complete with booze, romance . . . and an off-limits exploration of the notorious Bull Valley Mine.

The legends of mysterious lights and missing persons on Shasta Lake have been a staple of sleepovers and campouts since Annie was a kid. Full of decrepit bridges that lead to nowhere, railroad tunnels that disappear into the mountains, and terrifying stories of unexplained deaths and bodies that were never recovered, Bull Valley Mine is notorious and frightening—perfect for an epic conclusion to their high school lives.

The trip is fun and light—at first. But when a deranged stranger stumbles upon their campsite, spouting terrifying warnings and pleas for help, it's clear that everyone is in danger. And when their exploration of the mine goes horribly wrong, Annie and her friends quickly discover that the menace of Bull Valley Mine doesn't stay at Shasta Lake—it follows them home.

As one by one her friends fall victim to this mysterious and violent force, Annie must do whatever it takes to discover the ancient secrets of the mine and save her friends . . . if she's not already too late.

I know this is horror, and there's always going to be a layer of mystery, but I have no idea what I just read. I kind of liked Annie, kind of didn't, and the same goes for Jack and the rest of the characters. I kind of liked the threat and creepy murders, kind of tired of them, and the end was just odd. If you love the genre, you'll probably love this. I will say it's a quick read, and I like the element of the mine, but I'm not sure I liked the rest.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/World ★★★★☆

Writing ★★★☆☆