Review: Aquaman Volume 1: The Drowning

Aquaman: Volume 1: The Drowning | Dan Abnett, Brad Walker, Philippe Briones, Gabe Eltaeb, Pat Brosseau

Published by: DC Comics, January 11th 2017

Genre: Superheroes, Fantasy

Pages: 192

Format: Ebook

Source: DC Comics, via Netgalley

Aquaman, the King of Atlantis, has never found a true home in either of the worlds that he was born of. In his undersea realm, Aquaman is both King and outsider. And in the surface world, he's a hero and an outcast. 

In this brand new series by fan-favorite writer Dan Abnett (Titans Hunt) and all-star penciller Brad Walker (Sinestro), the King of Atlantis attempts to broker a peace between Atlantis and the surface, but this noble quest might force Aquaman to finally choose whether to live his life above the waves, or below them. Plus, Black Manta makes his bloody return and seeks to destroy everything and everyone Aquaman loves! 

Collecting: Aquaman 1-7, Rebirth

There's nothing I don't love about this, except that I ran out of book. I love Aquaman, I love Mera (my queen!) and I love how emotional and tense and action-packed the plot is. Their struggle is so compelling, and makes me angry at mankind. For sure this is a comic I will continue. I need more Aquaman and Mera in my life, and I want to get to know the larger cast of characters more. Could have done without Superman making an appearance though, even if he was cast in an antagonistic light (thanks, comic gods!)

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

Review: Loving Vs. Virginia

Loving Vs. Virginia | Patricia Hruby Powell, Shadra Strickland

Published by: Chronicle Books, January 31st 2017

Genre: Historical, Non Fiction, Poetry

Pages: 260

Format: Ebook

Source: Chronicle Books, via Netgalley


Written in blank verse, the story of Mildred Loving, an African American girl, and Richard Loving, a Caucasian boy, who challenge the Viriginia law forbidding interracial marriages in the 1950s.

This book is written with such care and detail and emotion, it's impossible not to be moved. The art is perfect for the story and, with the photographs and quotes mixed in, brings the story to life as well as grounding it in reality. This is a beautiful book about an ugly story of prejudice, cruelty, and racism. The poetry is sparse and high impact, and the whole story is so memorable for it. Highly recommend.

Review: Caraval

Caraval: Caraval | Stephanie Garber

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton, January 31st 2017

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Pages: 416

Format: Ebook

Source: Hodden & Stoughton, via Netgalley

Whatever you've heard about Caraval, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world . . . 

Welcome, welcome to Caraval―Stephanie Garber’s sweeping tale of two sisters who escape their ruthless father when they enter the dangerous intrigue of a legendary game.

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nevertheless becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Ehhh, 4.5 ish. Still not sure, but I'll settle on that.

I really, really liked it, and I loved some parts (that it read like real magic instead of those competition style plots I hate) and I liked the bickery romance between Scarlet and Julian. But I never really clicked into ADORING THIS in the emotional way that makes me obsessed, and that's just a personal thing. But here's what you need to know about Caraval:

- It's very clever. It just feels clever when you're reading it. Like, Legend (ringleader, manipulator, trickster, whatever he is) is clever and deceptive but the book itself feels the same, so you're never sure what's true and what's imagined. It's almost psychological thriller in that sense.

- Scarlet is my favourite kind of character. She starts off very reserved, quiet, scared to break rules (and with damn good reason) but throughout the game she realises her own power and that people ought to be afraid of her too. By the end she's capable, instead of timid and reluctant, and she's pretty damn kickass. But she's very nurturing and loving and emotional under it and I love that. She doesn't become the typically masculine type of strong. She just becomes the best version of herself.

- The story is as imaginative and mysterious and secretive as all the best books. Some twists you will see coming, some secrets you will guess, but most you will guess wrong (As I did. Twice.)

- The ending is the cleverest, most secretive and cunning of the whole book. You sneaky sneak, Caraval.

- It's fast, it's (I will not say furious, I will not say furious) DANGEROUS, seductive as hell, and the beating heart of the book is the love of one girl for her sister. I want to see more of some characters (hi Dante) and I expect the sequel will be even better. Can't wait to read it! 

Characters ★★★★☆

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★☆☆

Review: Wayfarer

Passenger: Wayfarer | Alexandra Bracken

Published by: Quercus Children's Books, January 12th 2017

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Time Travel, Historical

Pages: 507

Format: Ebook

Source: Quercus, via Netgalley

All Etta Spencer wanted was to make her violin debut when she was thrust into a treacherous world where the struggle for power could alter history. After losing the one thing that would have allowed her to protect the Timeline, and the one person worth fighting for, Etta awakens alone in an unknown place and time, exposed to the threat of the two groups who would rather see her dead than succeed. When help arrives, it comes from the last person Etta ever expected - Julian Ironwood, the Grand Master's heir who has long been presumed dead, and whose dangerous alliance with a man from Etta's past could put them both at risk.

Meanwhile, Nicholas and Sophia are racing through time in order to locate Etta and the missing astrolabe with Ironwood travelers hot on their trail. They cross paths with a mercenary-for-hire, a cheeky girl named Li Min who quickly develops a flirtation with Sophia. But as the three of them attempt to evade their pursuers, Nicholas soon realises that one of his companions may have ulterior motives.

As Etta and Nicholas fight to make their way back to one another, from Imperial Russia to the Vatican catacombs, time is rapidly shifting and changing into something unrecognisable ... and might just run out on both of them.

Every bit as amazing and emotional as Passenger.

This series got even more complicated and epic and dangerous with this book, and even though it wrapped up (PERFECTLY), I really want more books just to see where it would GO. With the addition of more cities and times, and Li Min (thank you, Alexandra Bracken, for the lesbians), and the mysterious Shadows, this book reached new heights of awesome. It killed me to have Etta and Nicholas apart for so long, but every second was worth it. My favourite part of this book is Henry. He's just so sweet and a really good dad and I want to keep him. But honestly, I adored every single thing and this book made me so happy.

If you're worried this won't live up to Passenger, you really don't need to be. It's even better.

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★☆

2016 In Review (Best of 2016)

GUESS HOW GOOD I AM AT NARROWING DOWN MY FAVES!!! DID YOU GUESS TERRIBLE? You win a point, my friend, because I am awful at choosing. Here's a long ass post.

Favourites:

Favourite book:

Normally this would be the hardest decision ever but this year ACOMAF existed and I fell SO SO SO hard for that book. ACOTAR was amazing but the sequel is the book of my heart - I have never, in four years of reading, fallen for a book this way.

Favourite series:

Yeah, no contest. I love Thierry and Shaw so fuckin' much.

Most Anticipated in 2017:

Okay, we all know I'm gonna say ACOWAR because it's killing me to wait for my baes to be back together. But I know it's worth the wait.

But also I'm really dying for Royal Bastards because I get such a Six of Crows vibe from it. Has  anyone read it??? Please tell me it's Crows-y!!!

What were your faves? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh

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Reviews: Lost Wolf, Chosen Wolf

Curse Of The Moon: Lost Wolf | Stacy Claflin

Published: July 17th 2016

Genre: NA, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 258

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

She’s hiding a dark secret. It already killed her once. 

Victoria can’t wait to start college, but there’s a hitch—she can’t remember anything before arriving on campus. Her memories finally spark when she sees her ruggedly handsome math professor, but she senses something terrible happened. The shock on his face affirms her fears. 

Toby is an alpha wolf who never thought he’d see his true love again—not after she died in his arms. Nothing could have prepared him for her walking into his class. But to his dismay, not only has she forgotten the past, she doesn’t even know who she is. 

He’s determined to do whatever it takes to restore what they’ve lost. Can Toby help Victoria recover her memories, or will he lose her forever? 

USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Claflin, brings you Lost Wolf, the first book in the Curse of the Moon series. It’s a paranormal romantic suspense saga that features gripping supernatural drama, surprising twists, dynamic characters, and heart-pounding romance. 

Read Lost Wolf today to satisfy your craving for a fast-paced paranormal tale.

So, so damn good. I hoped for a decent paranormal story with okay romance at best but holy hell this was awesome. Exciting and gripping story with tonnes of mystery and questions. A hot as HELL romance. Seriously, I want a Toby. And I really liked Victoria as a MC too. The only downside was Carter, who felt surplus, but I can live with that. A romantic, mysterious story. Don't hesitate to read this.

Characters ★★★★☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Curse Of The Moon: Chosen Wolf | Stacy Claflin

Published: September 29th 2016

Genre: NA, Paranormal, Romance

Pages: 228

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Victoria is a werewolf who can’t shift… and it’s slowly killing her.

Since leaving her family’s pack, Victoria has acquired many enemies. One of them has cursed her with the inability to turn at the full moon. Each un-shift is painfully worse than the last, breaking bones as well as her optimism.

Before finding the cure, Victoria must figure out who is behind it, and that proves harder than it would seem. Even with the high witch, a valkyrie, and a former troll king on her side, the mystery only continues to deepen. A cursed body is unearthed and friends disappear.

Can Victoria and her new pack find the cure in time to save both her and their missing friends?

Chosen Wolf is the second book in the Curse of the Moon series by USA Today bestselling author, Stacy Claflin. It’s a paranormal romantic suspense saga that features gripping supernatural drama, surprising twists, dynamic characters, and heart-pounding romance.

Read Chosen Wolf today to satisfy your craving for a heart-pounding paranormal tale. 

With just as much wolfy, paranormal drama and smoldering romance, this is a strong sequel. I didn't love it QUITE as much as book one, but I like how Victoria and Toby's relationship grew, and the look into their past, along with the growing threat surrounding them. Great action, layers upon layers of mystery, and an awesome cast of characters. I'm so glad I started this series!

Characters ★★★☆☆
Setting/World ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

Monthly Round Up (12)

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

Ayyy I did a whole year of round up posts! This schedule will continue through 2017!

Reviews:

Split The Sun
Zeroes
Green Arrow, Volume One

What I've read this month:

Favourite book:

Zeroes. Thibault captured my heart!

Biggest Disappointment:

Steelheart. I just ... didn't click with that book at all.

What did you read this month? Leave a comment!

~Saruuh