Scarlet Devices

Today's post is on Scarlet Devices by Delphine Drysen. It is the second in her Steam and Seduction series. It is 279 pages long and is published by Berkley Sensation. The cover has the two main characters on it with a steam train behind them. The intended reader is someone who likes steampunk, romance, and travel stories. There is mild foul language, sex, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from third person close of the main characters moving as needed over the course of the story. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- DRIVEN TO WIN.  DRAWN TO LOVE.
Fresh from university, Eliza Hardison is determined to crusade for workers’ rights until her cousin Dexter, the Makesmith Baron, prevails on her to represent Hardison House in the American Dominion Sky and Steam Rally.
The competition is fierce, but only one opponent really matters to Eliza. Dexter’s protégé, Matthew Pence, was always like a big brother to her. But now she’s grown up, and Matthew has made a break from Hardison House with his own business venture—and made his own entry in the rally.
Matthew intends to win while keeping Eliza safe on the perilous route from New York to San Francisco. As the threats escalate through treacherous skies and uncharted American wilds, though, Eliza and Matthew must work together, discovering a bond deeper than either could have imagined…but is winning the rally more important than winning at love?

Review- This is a fun second in the Steam and Seduction series. The characters were fun, the plot was really interesting, and I liked traveling in this world. The real plot is about people who have gone missing. The race is just the way to get there. Eliza is fun, she is a very well educated wealthy woman, who wants to make a difference in the world. Matthew wants to make his own way in the world. Together they both want to win this race. But something more is going on the background of the race. People have been going missing and no one knows anything about it. So with the race, the missing persons, and the romance, this is one fast-paced story. If you read the first one and liked it, then you will like this one too.

I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Metaphors be with You: An A to Z Dictionary of History's Greatest Metaphorical Quotations

Today's post is on Metaphors be with You: An A to Z Dictionary of History's Greatest Metaphorical Quotations by Dr. Marty Grothe. It is 480 pages long and published by Harper Collins. The cover is blue with a light bulb in a speech bubble. The intended reader is someone who likes quotes. There is no foul language, talk of sex, and no violence in this book.  There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Respected quotation anthologist and author of Oxymoronica and Viva la Repartee Dr. Mardy Grothe is at his best in Metaphors Be with You, an A to Z dictionary of 2,750 of history’s greatest metaphorical quotations, meticulously curated for writers, readers, and quotation lovers everywhere.
In Metaphors Be with You, Dr. Mardy Grothe has created the definitive reference on English’s finest metaphors, sourced from literature, politics, philosophy, Hollywood, religion, sports, comedy, history, religion, pop culture, and more. Arranged into two sections—"The Ten Best Things Ever Said" and "The Single Best Thing Ever Said"—Metaphors Be with You includes quotations on five hundred human interest topics and an introduction to the nature, importance, and sheer joy of metaphorical language.
Essential for writers, readers, and language aficionados, this breathtaking, beautifully designed sourcebook also contains elegantly integrated digital access to Dr. Mardy’s Dictionary of Metaphorical Quotations, the world’s largest online database of quotations containing metaphors, similes, and analogies. This one-of-a-kind synergy between print and technology offers a comprehensive look at the diversity of words and phrases we use to relate to, understand, and describe our world by providing access to detailed source information, innumerable "Error Alerts," and fascinating quotation backstories that will engage readers as they delve into metaphorical language and discover their own favorites.
Whether you’re crafting a speech, writing a novel, or simply searching for new ways to express yourself, this remarkable compendium is sure to inspire you with the perfect metaphor every time.

Review- I had so much fun with this book. I love books of  quotes and there are some wonderful ones in here. There are quotes from everything from ability to kisses. The introduction gives the reader some insight into the how and why of using this book. Grothe really gets into how important metaphors are to our language and why we use them so much. Metaphors are things that we all have in common with our common language and usage.As a writer I will have this book on hand for whenever I get stuck on a word and want to make sure that I can make it mean what I want.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I was given this book by Harper Collins exchange for an honest review. 

Rurouni Kenshin volume 23

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 23 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin in front and Kaoru in the background. It is the twenty-third volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first twenty-two in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In order to discover more about the relationship that binds Kenshin and Enishi, Saitô Hajime makes a surprise appearance at Kamiya Dojo--only to find the aftermath of Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yahiko's desperate life-or-death battles with Enishi's cabal of fighters. One member of the "Six Comrades" remains standing--the mysterious and deadly Yatsume Mumyôi. Will the strength of Saitô's Gatotsu be enough to fell this freakish warrior-of-the-shadows?!

Review-  Saitô's fight like all his other ones is short but it is great. Saitô and Kaoru have an interesting conversation as Kenshin and Enishi are fighting. Of course Saitô is not going to help her if Enishi comes for her but he does warn her to run. Kenshin and Enishi's fight is very interesting. Enishi learned to fight with a style that was designed to defeat samurais. But Enishi underestimates Kenshin's love for Kaoru and Kenshin keeps fighting when he should be down. But the volume ends with Kaoru facing Enishi alone. The fight scenes were great fun and I cannot wait to see where the plot is going from here.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Every Heart a Doorway

Today's post is on Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire. It is a stand alone novel but McGuire is going to be writing more in this world and that makes me very happy. It is 169 pages long and is published by TOR. The cover is green with a wooden door standing open in the center. The intended reader is someone who wonders what happens after the quest is done. There is mild language, mild sexuality, and violence in this novel. The story is told from third person of the characters moving as needed. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests
Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.
But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.
Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.
But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.
No matter the cost.

Review- This book is just incredible. I went into this book with high expectations and it blew them away. I remembered the longing as a child to find a doorway to some where else and this book made me feel it all over again. This book is as close to perfect as I can imagine. The characters, the setting, the plot, the everything about this book just works and it is wonderful. McGuire talks about more than just children returned from other places, she talks about people being different. She handles gender and sexual orientation both honestly and with great care. The mystery is excellent and I was so into the story that I did not guess the murderer until they were unveiled at the end. And the best part is it has a happy ending. I highly recommend this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Marrow: A Love Story

Today's post is on Marrow: A Love Story by Elizabeth Lesser. It is 320 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. the cover is a black and white picture of the author and her sister Maggie. The intended reader is someone who likes memoirs. There is mild foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-  A mesmerizing and courageous memoir: the story of two sisters uncovering the depth of their love through the life-and-death experience of a bone marrow transplant. Throughout her life, Elizabeth Lesser has sought understanding about what it means to be true to oneself and, at the same time, truly connected to the ones we love. But when her sister Maggie needs a bone marrow transplant to save her life, and Lesser learns that she is the perfect match, she faces a far more immediate and complex question about what it really means to love—honestly, generously, and authentically.
Hoping to give Maggie the best chance possible for a successful transplant, the sisters dig deep into the marrow of their relationship to clear a path to unconditional acceptance. They leave the bone marrow transplant up to the doctors, but take on what Lesser calls a "soul marrow transplant," examining their family history, having difficult conversations, examining old assumptions, and offering forgiveness until all that is left is love for each other’s true selves. Their process—before, during, and after the transplant—encourages them to take risks of authenticity in other aspects their lives.
But life does not follow the storylines we plan for it. Maggie’s body is ultimately too weak to fight the relentless illness. As she and Lesser prepare for the inevitable, they grow ever closer as their shared blood cells become a symbol of the enduring bond they share. Told with suspense and humor, Marrow is joyous and heartbreaking, incandescent and profound. The story reveals how even our most difficult experiences can offer unexpected spiritual growth. Reflecting on the multifaceted nature of love—love of other, love of self, love of the world—Marrow is an unflinching and beautiful memoir about getting to the very center of ourselves.

Review- This is a very moving story about life and death between two sisters. The story begins with Lesser getting a call from Maggie with the first cancer diagnosis. We move back and forth from the past to the present as Lesser talks about her life with her family and her sisters in particular. Lesser gives insight into her family and how it has affected her life in positive and negative ways. She gives a moving memoir about how to learn to love yourself and your family for who each are. When the cancer wins, we are with her to see the impact that loving can have and how much Lesser has changed because she loved. I really liked lesser and how she wanted to understand everything about what was happening to her sister and she was going to do to try and save her. It is a hopeful book about death from cancer.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I was given this book to review by Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. 

Planetfall

Today's post is on Planetfall by Emma Newman. It is 336 pages long and is published by Ace. It is a standalone novel. The cover is white with the form of a woman in the center. The intended reader is someone who likes hard-ish science fiction. There is mild foul language, mild sexuality, and mild violence in this novel. The story is told from the first person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Renata Ghali believed in Lee Suh-Mi’s vision of a world far beyond Earth, calling to humanity. A planet promising to reveal the truth about our place in the cosmos, untainted by overpopulation, pollution, and war. Ren believed in that vision enough to give up everything to follow Suh-Mi into the unknown.
More than twenty-two years have passed since Ren and the rest of the faithful braved the starry abyss and established a colony at the base of an enigmatic alien structure where Suh-Mi has since resided, alone. All that time, Ren has worked hard as the colony's 3-D printer engineer, creating the tools necessary for human survival in an alien environment, and harboring a devastating secret.
Ren continues to perpetuate the lie forming the foundation of the colony for the good of her fellow colonists, despite the personal cost. Then a stranger appears, far too young to have been part of the first planetfall, a man who bears a remarkable resemblance to Suh-Mi.
The truth Ren has concealed since planetfall can no longer be hidden. And its revelation might tear the colony apart…

Review- This is an interesting science fiction novel with problems. The colony part of the story is very interesting, the characters are real feeling but then the ending happens. Ren is eaten up with guilt about whatever happened after planetfall that changed everything. Then a stranger comes to the colony and he upsets everything. He makes Ren think about the past and it begins to drive her mad. So much is going on in this novel from Ren having a problem with hoarding, which feels like a bad plot device to a end game revenge plot that I really had some trouble connecting with this novel. About the hoarding, it could have not been in the novel and nothing would have changed with the story. Ren still would have been eaten with guilt and grief. She would have still ended up in the City of God and still would have died. I think that Newman did some interesting things with this novel but I did not connect with the overall themes of this story.

I give this novel a Three out of Five stars. I was given this novel to review by Ace/ROC published in exchange for an honest review.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 22

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 22 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin looking at the reader. It is the twenty-second volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first twenty-one in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The ghosts of Kenshin's past come to wreak havoc on his future as the fight is literally brought to the doorstep of Kamiya Dojo. Three great battles--three great warriors! Myôjin Yahiko, the student of swords not yet a man, takes on a fighter more than twice his age. Sagara Sanosuke, the free-wheeling street fighter, learns a new humility and becomes stronger for it. And Himura Kenshin, the former slayer of men, begins to see a way to atone for the sins of the hitokiri ...

Review-  This volume is all fighting with little in the way of plot or character development. The biggest problem I have is Kaoru is just put in the back. She does nothing for the whole volume but stand there. Yahiko fights but Kaoru just watches. She is the master of Kamiya Kasshin-ryū but Yahiko, who is only ten years old, is the one to fight on of the big bads. How much Kaoru has just been wasted for so much of this series has been annoying me lately. She is good enough a swordsman to teach others how to fight but she cannot fight to protect herself or her home? That really dampened my enjoyment of this volume and it may start to affect the series as a whole. But Saito is back at the end of this volume so I may enjoy the next volume more than this one at the very least.

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 2: Squirrel You Know It's True

Today's post is on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 2: Squirrel You Know It's True by Ryan North and Erica Henderson. It is the second collected volume of the Squirrel Girl comic book. It is 120 pages long and is published by Marvel. The cover has Doreen in the center with a flashlight lighting up her face. The intended reader is someone who likes humor, puns, and great story lines. There is no foul language, no sex, and only comic violence in this comic book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The breakout character of 2015 continues her one-woman crusade against injustice and jerks! These TAILS of the Squirrel Girl will show you the Marvel Universe's most powerful super hero from a bunch of brand-new perspectives, several of them QUITE ASTONISHING.
Squirrel Girl meets potential new allies, including Chipmunk Hunk, Koi Boi, and... Girl Squirrel!?! Yes! But the two rodent-themed heroines don't quite see eye-to-beady-eye - and Squirrel Girl's dislike might be justified! Now, as the world goes mad and the Avengers attack, Squirrel Girl must face Ratatoskr, the Norse God of Squirrels! There's a theme in this book, I don't know if you can tell. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, though, we promisr. Featuring fights! Feelings! Sass! Punches! Friendship! A character named Hippo who is literally a hippo! And several tails (tales) of Squirrel Girl from all kinds of perspectives!

Review- Another funny adventure with Squirrel Girl and friends. The first story is about Nancy waiting to get recused and trying to tell her fellow hostages about Squirrel Girl and no one listening. It is pretty funny. But the real meat of the story is about the Norse God Ratatoskr. She whispers in everyone's ears when they sleep and make attack others. Squirrel Girl beats up all the Avengers to make them stop being mean. It was awesome. Again the social media interactions with other heroes and Squirrel Girl are just the best thing. Everyone gets in on this one again. Thor, both old and new, and Loki are major side characters for this story. Nancy gets to have some fun and see Asgard. I can not wait to read the next volume of this amazing series.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this comic book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 21

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 21 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin in the foreground and Tomoe in the background looking at the reader. It is the twenty-first volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first twenty in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Though he once killed in the name of the nascent Meiji government, even an infamous manslayer such as "Hitokiri Battôsai" might grow weary and vow never to kill again. As a new age dawns, there are those who yet cling to the ways of bloodshed, and see the days of peace and prosperity Kenshin and others like him fought so hard to bring forth as betrayal. In ten days' time, the enemies of Kenshin will come for him, and all who stand beside him are in danger. Is the time of earthly justice truly at hand?

Review-  We get the last bit of Kenshin tragic past in this volume and it ends with Tomoe's death. Everyone is trying to decide what they think about it. Kaoru handles it very well and leads the rest to peace with Kenshin's past too. Kenshins is surprised when Kaoru sort of admits how she feels about him. That made me roll my eyes a little but whatever his character is a more than a little clueless about so much so why not this too. Kaoru also has a great idea about how to end Enishi and so bringing Misoa and Aoshi into the last arc. But they are going to be late to stop the attack. The volume ends with the attack on the dojo starting. We get a hint about what Enishi is really going to do and I cannot wait to see what it is. More Action, More Drama, and More Over-the-Top Fighting Coming Soon!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

A School for Unusual Girls

Today's post is on A School for Unusual Girls by Kathlenn Baldwin. It is the first in her Stranje House series. It is 334 pages long and published by TOR Teen. The cover has the main character on it with her back to the reader moving towards a house in the distance. The intended reader is someone who likes alternate history, strong female characters, and spy plots. There is mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from the first person perspective of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Welcome to Stranje House.
It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don’t fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle them in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.
After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts…

Review- I had a wonderful time with this book. Georgie is great, she is full of fire and vinegar. She refuses to be just tossed aside by her parents and family. She is going to take some control over her life and she does. But she does it in way that she could not have foreseen. The setting it interesting, the history does get played with but that is why its alternate history. The romance is mild and mixed in with the confusion of what is going on. I liked Sebastian and did not find him too annoying. I believed that Georgie did sweep him off his feet and all the problems that brings with it. The first book is about Georgie but the books that will follow are about the other girls. I have mixed feelings about this. I want to see what is going to happen with Georgie and Sebastian but I do like the other girls enough to read about them. I look forward to seeing where this story is going to go.

I give this novel a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

An Abbreviated Life

Today's post is on An Abbreviated Life by Ariel Leve. It is 288 pages long and is published by Harper Collins. The cover is white with a picture of the author in the center. There is foul language, mild sexuality, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone interested in memoirs and the very interesting prose style. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The unconventional world Ariel inhabited was dominated by her mother, a gifted but unstable poet without boundaries or self-restraint. Mother and daughter lived in a penthouse on Manhattan's Upper East Side, which was the setting for raucous parties that attached New York's cultural and intellectual elite: Gloria Steinem, Norman Mailer, and Andy Warhol, to name a few. For all its glamour, this was a universe that was neither predictable nor safe.
With her beloved father living in Southeast Asia and the death  of a nurturing caretaker, Ariel was left as a child to navigate an emotionally perilous landscape. It took four decades before she was able to make sense of the aftershocks of childhood, which eventually necessitated a voyage in secret to the other side of the world.
In stripped-down prose, Leve paints an indelible portrait of her upbringing and the long fight to tunnel her way out of darkness. The drama of her journey proves to be as exhilarating as it is painful and, ultimately, emancipating. An Abbreviated Life heralds the arrival of a fearless new voice in the literary firmament.

Review- This is a heartbreaking  read. Leve starts with the death of the caretaker next to her as they are flying back to New York from spending the summer with her father in southeast Asia. She does not spare any details of her life with her mother and all the chaos that was there. For once in Leve's life her mother is not the main character; Leve is. Leve spends her life trying to recover from her childhood with a unhealthy mother who needs more than Leve could or should ever give her. Leve has troubled relationships with everyone around her because of her mother. Not just because of the emotional and mental scars from her mother but because her mother had to be involved with everything. But it end on a hopeful note that Leve may, in time, be able to have a happy life of her own.

I give this memoir a Four out of Five stars. I was given this book to review by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 20

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 20 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin in the foreground and Enishi in the background looking over his shoulder. It is the twentieth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first nineteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- To build a new age, must one truly be mad enough to turn from the extreme justice that political allegiance requires? Deep in the Japanese countryside, far from the gore-spattered streets of the capital, a man who never knew what happiness was begins a new life as husband to a woman who claims to have nowhere else to go. If a man cannot fight to protect the woman he loves, what will become of the nation? Can one woman alone be enough to hold back the madness?

Review- We continue with Kenshin's tragic past in this volume. How he met Tomoe, how he fell in love with her, and the volume ends with him fighting to save her from the people she was working for. The story moves very quickly and is full of historical facts for the history lovers. We get to see Enishi as a child and he is not very different from the man he will become, just a little less crazy. We do get a break from the very sad tale to see what Enishi is doing. He is lying to the men he is working with and while I think that Enishi is going to make it out alright I cannot say the same for those men. Whatever Enishi is planning is going to pretty terrible. The volume ends with Tomoe refusing to sell Kenshin out and Kenshin is in a fighting rage. More Action and Drama Ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Gossamer Wing

Today's post is on Gossamer Wing by Delphine Dryden. It is the first in her Steam and Seduction series. It is 300 pages long and is published by Berkley Sensation. The cover has the two main characters on it and it so funny. It is the most cheesy steampunk cover ever but do not judge this book by its cover. There is foul language, sex, and some violence in this novel. The story is told third person close moving from one character to another. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- A Spy. An Airship. And a Broken Heart.
After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.
Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.
But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.

Review- This is a fun steampunk love story. As it is a romance novel the main point of the story is the two characters falling in love, so the steampunk stuff is just in the background. The dirigible is cool and I liked the scenes with it but this is a love story. I liked both characters. Dexter is very compassionate to Charlotte having to play at being in love when she is still mourning her husband but Dexter knows very quickly that he is in love with her. So he has to help Charlotte be okay with being in love with someone else. Charlotte just wants to get her revenge on the French agent that murdered  her first husband and she does not care if that kills her. That said she is not stupid. When they come together there is real passion. I had a fun time with this story and I look forward to reading the others in the series.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Shakespeare's First Folio: Four Centuries of an Iconic Book

Today's nonfiction post is on Shakespeare's First Folio: Four Centuries of an Iconic Book by Emma Smith. It is 320 pages long and is published by Oxford University Press. The cover is black with the first folio on the bottom opened to Richard the Third. The intended reader is someone very interested in the physical history of the copies of the first folio. There is no foul mild language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- This is a biography of a book: the first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays printed in 1623 and known as the First Folio. It begins with the story of its first purchaser in London in December 1623, and goes on to explore the ways people have interacted with this iconic book over the four hundred years of its history. Throughout, the stress is on what we can learn from individual copies now spread around the world about their eventful lives. From ink blots to pet paws, from annotations to wineglass rings, First Folios teem with evidence of its place in different contexts with different priorities.
This study offers new ways to understand Shakespeare's reception and the history of the book. Unlike previous scholarly investigations of the First Folio, it is not concerned with the discussions of how the book came into being, the provenance of its texts, or the technicalities of its production. Instead, it reanimates, in narrative style, the histories of this book, paying close attention to the details of individual copies now located around the world--their bindings, marginalia, general condition, sales history, and location--to discuss five major themes: owning, reading, decoding, performing, and perfecting.
This is a history of the book that consolidated Shakespeare's posthumous reputation: a reception history and a study of interactions between owners, readers, forgers, collectors, actors, scholars, booksellers, and the book through which we understand and recognize Shakespeare.

Review- This is an interesting book but not easy to read. It is very scholarly and detailed but at times it can make your eyes cross. Smith follows the surviving copies of the first folio and traces their history. She writes about how people have interacted with their personal copies of the first folio. From the food stains to the notes in the margins, she examines the remains of these owners and the marks they left behind. It was very interesting to see what people did to the first folio and sometimes I was pulling my hair. Like a copy that a Jesuit monastery had they removed all the female roles from the text. They cut out pieces from a first folio! It was interesting to read this history of one of the most iconic books ever printed.

I give this volume a Three out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 19

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 19 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshinon the bottom with Enishi on top and Tomoe between them. It is the nineteenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first eighteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- It began with a sin, committed by Kenshin, back during his bloody days as hitokiri or a government-sanctioned slayer of men. Although stopping most of the assassins who still come seeking revenge should be easy enough, what of the innocent--Sanosuke and Yahiko (Kenshin's comrades), everyone at Akabeko Inn (Kenshin's friends), Kaoru (Kenshin's...?). For once there was another love in Kenshin's life, one which--given his nature--must by definition have been tragic. Can Kenshin escape the shades of his past, and find the will to fight for the real world--for the living--for reality?!

Review- We finish the two fights from the last volume and at last Kenshin's past is going to be revealed. Kenshin meets Enishi as he is returning to the dojo after his fight. Enishi explains what he is doing. He wants Kenshin to suffer and he knows that just punishing or even killing Kenshin will not make that happen. He is going to destroy everyone who has even spoken to Kenshin in passing. Enishi's very presence is playing with Kenshin's mind. He is starting to see things like skulls all around him and Tomoe beside Enishi. Until now the villains that Kenshin has fought were driven towards personal goals, or greedy, or mad. But from I have seen of Enishi so far is he just insane. He talks to Tomoe and hears her response to him. I am very excited about this last arc in Rurouni Kenshin and to see where everyone is going to end up.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power

Today's post is on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Vol. 1: Squirrel Power by Ryan North, Erica Henderson (Artist). The cover has Doreen on dreaming about being hero welcomed by the Avengers. It is 128 pages long and is published by Marvel. The intended reader is young adult, likes comic books, and over-the-top story lines. There is no foul language, no sex, and comic violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of Doreen and her roommate. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Wolverine, Deadpool, Doctor Doom, Thanos: There's one hero that's beaten them all-and now she's got her own ongoing series! (Not that she's bragging.) That's right, you asked for it, you got it, it's SQUIRREL GIRL! (She's also starting college this semester.) It's the start of a brand-new set of adventures starring the nuttiest and most upbeat super hero in the world!

Review- This is a great comic book. It is so funny with interesting characters and fun plots. Doreen is just starting out in her life both as a superhero and a college student. She wants the normal college student life but there is no way that she is giving up being a superhero. So she has to learn how to manage and it is hilarious. She gets into fights with villains and wins because either is she outsmarts them or talks them out of whatever they were doing. I loved Doreen. She is so funny and she can think outside of the box. The best scene in this volume is when she is talking with Galactus about all the Five stars baddies she has beaten up. I cannot wait to read the next volume.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library. 

Rurouni Kenshin volume 18

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 18 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin, Kaoru and Enishi on it looking very cool. It is the eighteenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first seventeen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- He may be one of the "good guys" now (as Misao insists) but, even a month later, Kenshin still is haunted by Kyoto. How can he not be, when it was in Kyoto that, as the feared "Hitokiri Battôsai," he once made the streets flow red...? And yet, before he departs this place of so many memories, there are ghosts which must be put to rest. It's said that, when strong feelings are attached to a particular wound, so long as those feelings persist, the scar will remain. How did Kenshin get that cross-shaped scar on his face, and who was it that gave it to him?

Review- We finish up with Kyoto and start the final arc of Rurouni Kenshin. The finishing in Kyoto including Kenshin to someone's grave to pay his respects. Sano has really injured his hand and we will see how this comes into play for the final arc of this series. The villain Enishi does not come near Kenshin. He gets five others who have revenge to settle with themselves and sends them to the end of this volume. I really hate what is going on with Kaoru at the moment. She is very damsel in waiting and I am afraid that she is going to be that way for the rest of the series. But the plot is set and I am very curious to learn about this new villain. So more drama, more action, and more fighting ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Th1rteen R3asons Why

Today's post is on Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher.  It is 288 pages long and is published by Razor. It is a stand alone novel. The cover has Hannah on it. The intended reader is young adult, likes intense stories, and realistic plots. There is some foul language, sex, and violence in this novel. The story is told from both Clay and Hannah's point of view. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- You can't stop the future. You can't rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret ... is to press play.
Clay Jensen doesn't want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.
Then Hannah's voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes- and that he is, some way, responible for her death.
All throught the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah's recorded words throughout his small town...
...and what he discovers changes his life forever.

Review- This is not a bad book for what it is. It is book to help teens think about the way that their lives intersect with others. The choices they make, how they treat others and themselves, what could happen to them because of that. My main problem with this book is Clay. He does not deserve to be on the list. Hannah says that  but Asher wanted the reader to have someone who had not hurt Hannah to be the main voice for the book. I think it would have been more powerful if we has followed someone who had helped Hannah to her death. Having Clay as the main character may have helped the reader get through the story easier but I think that it losses some power because of that. That said it does tell the story without being preachy about it.

I give this book a Three out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 17

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 17 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin on it looking very cool. It is the seventeenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first sixteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The madness of Shishio Makoto may know no bounds, but what of his body? An eleventh-hour revelation suggests a possible weakness, but will the news come in time to help a critically wounded Kenshin, whose own strength is reaching its limit? In this new era of Meiji, it's getting harder and harder to tell the innocents from the outlaws. Perhaps, as Kenshin says, it should be for history to decide which side was right, and which side was wrong. The time for hitokiri such as Kenshin and Shishio has passed; let not the man decide the age...but the age, the man.

Review-  The Kyoto Arc is done. Kenshin holds true to his vow but Shishio kills himself in the end. All the side characters get a chance to go at Shishio and Shishio's final men get their chance too. Kenshin would have killed Shishio because Shishio makes him that angry by killing Yumi. Kenshin saw Kaoru in her and Shishio killing the woman who loved him just to get at Kenshin was more than he could stand. In the end Shishio's own body turns on him and he kills himself in a round about way. Kenshin also keeps his promise to Miaso that he will bring Aoshi back to her. The volume ends a month later with Kenshin mostly healed up and everyone getting ready to go back to Tokyo. I did enjoy this arc but I am glad to moving on the next thing.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Something Strange and Deadly

Today's post is on Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennnard. It is the first in her Something Strange and Deadly series. It is 388 pages long and is published by HarperTeen. The cover has the main character on it wearing a lovely black dress. The intended reader is someones who likes historical fantasy, unusual plots, and mild romance. There in mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this book. The story is told from first person of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- There's something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia. . . .
Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about.
Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she's just read in the newspaper:
The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.
And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor . . . from her brother.
Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she'll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

Review- A fun and unusual historical urban fantasy. Eleanor does take a little while to grow on you but she is really up against a wall for the whole story. Her mother has wasted all their money and now they need her brother to return and save them from the poor house. Eleanor is a young woman of her time with needs and wants that are greater than they 'should' be. She wants to be more than just a woman of her time. She wants to be her own. I think that nercomacy which is the magic for this series is very fun and that zombies are being done right. They do not just raise, someone has to control the body. If the nercomancer loses control then the zombies go on a rampage of destruction. But there are lots of plot things and character things happening that are going to be dealt with in the next book. I am curious about where Dennard is going with the story.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood

Today's nonfiction post is on Greetings from Utopia Park: Surviving a Transcendent Childhood by Claire Hoffman. It was 288 pages long and is published by Harper. The cover is yellow with a picture of the author in the center. There is mild foul language, talk of sex, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone interested in memoirs or the Transcendental Meditation movement. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- When Claire Hoffman is five-years-old, her mother informs her and her seven-year-old brother Stacey, that they are going to heaven—Iowa—to live in Maharishi’s national headquarters for Heaven on Earth. For Claire’s mother, Transcendental Meditation—the Maharishi’s method of meditation and his approach to living the fullest possible life—was a salvo that promised world peace and enlightenment .
At first this secluded utopia offers warmth and support, and makes these outsiders feel calm, secure, and connected to the world. Claire attends the Maharishi school, where her meditations were graded and she and her class learned Maharishi's principals for living. But as Claire and Stacey mature, their adolescent skepticism kicks in, drawing them away from the community and into delinquency and drugs. Eventually, Claire moves to California with her father and breaks from Maharishi completely. A decade later, after making a name for herself in journalism and starting a family, she begins to feel exhausted by cynicism and anxiety. She finds herself longing for the sparkle filled, belief fueled Utopian days in Iowa, meditating around the clock.  So she returns to her hometown in pursuit of TM’s highest form of meditation — levitation. This journey will transform ideas about her childhood, family, and spirituality.
Greetings from Utopia Park takes us deep into this complex, unusual world, illuminating its joys and comforts, and its disturbing problems. While there is no utopia on earth, Hoffman reveals, there are noble goals worth striving for: believing in belief, inner peace, and a firm understanding that there is a larger fabric of the universe to which we all belong.

Review- This was an interesting read about a movement that I knew nothing about. Hoffman starts at a current place in her life trying to find herself as a new wife and mother. So she goes back home to Fairfield, Iowa to see if her past can help her find her future. Hoffman begins when she was three years old and getting her personal meditation word. We spend all her childhood with her from moving from New York to Fairfield. She does not spend much time in her teenage years when she began to leave the movement and try to have a life of her own. While she did so much with this memoir I felt that there was a lot that we did not get and that left some holes in the overall narrative. But still an interesting and at times moving story.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review. 

Rurouni Kenshin volume 16

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 16 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin and Kaoru on it looking very cool. It is the sixteenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first fifteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Is there such a thing as divine will or guidance...? Seta Sôjirô, stopping for a moment in mid-battle with Kenshin, may be beginning to think so. When Sôjirô made the fateful decision to ally with the monomaniacal Shishio Makoto, his family paid the ultimate price. But is the flesh of the weak truly the sustenance of the strong, as Shishio insists? Kenshin, whose Hiten Mitsurugi school places the protection of the helpless before all else, would surely disagree. In a world where might makes right only too often, what choice have "the wronged" but to wait for a savior? And when that savior comes too late...what then?

Review- This volume has only two fights in it. The ending of the fight with Sôjirô and the first round with Shishio. Kenshin makes Sôjirô questions himself and we get to see his background and how he came to be with Shishio. Then at last the final fight begins with Shishio. Kenshin and Shishio trade verbal barbs before beginning. At first it looks like Kenshin is going to win then Shishio does a trick with gunpower and Kenshin is down at the end of the volume. Only one volume left in the Kyoto Arc and I just do not see how Watsuki is going to be able to rap all this up but I am sure that he will. More fights, more action, and more drama ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Blood Call

Today's post is on Blood Call by Lilith Saintcrow. It is 302 pages long and is published by Orbit. It is a stand alone novel. The cover is a picture of a cityscape with blood running over it. The intended reader is someone who likes horror, urban fantasy, and just a little romance. There is foul language, implied sexuality, and violence in this book. The story is told in third person close of the two main characters moving from chapter to chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Anna Caldwell has spent the last few days in a blur. She's seen her brother's dead body, witnessed the shooting of innocent civilians, and been shot at herself. Now she has nowhere to turn—and only one person she can possibly call.
Since Anna dumped him, it seems waiting is all Josiah Wolfe has done. Now, she's calling, and she needs his help—or rather, the "talents" she once ran away from. As a liquidation agent, Josiah knows everything about getting out of tough situations. He'll get whatever she's carrying to the proper authorities, then settle down to making sure she doesn't leave him again.
But the story Anna's stumbled into is far bigger than even Josiah suspects. Anna wants to survive, Josiah wants Anna back, and the powerful people chasing her want the only thing worth killing for—immortality. An ancient evil has been trapped, a woman is in danger, and the world is going to see just how far a liquidation agent will go...

Review- This is a fast paced ride of a story. The supernatural elements do not come into the story until after the plot has been established then everything takes on an odd angle. I enjoyed the story mostly but Josiah was a bit of a dick at first. He has been waiting for Anna to call him and he acts like an ass the first chance he gets. But I am willing to forgive him because he is really useful. Anna at times can be trying but she just a normal woman who finds her brother murdered and now people are hunting her for things she does not have. The supernatural elements add just a touch of the weird this story and I liked that. If like you Saintcrow or are curious about her writing style then give this book a try.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible

Today's nonfiction post is on The Book of the People: How to Read the Bible by A. N. Wilson. It is 244 pages long including notes and is published by Harper Collins. The cover is red fresco of Saints. The intended reader is someone interested in a casual history of the Bible. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book - From renowned historian, biographer and novelist, A.N. Wilson, a deep personal, literary, and historical exploration of the Bible.
In The Book of the People, A. N. Wilson explores how readers and thinkers have approached the Bible, and how it might be read today. Charting his own relationship with the Bible over a lifetime of writing, Wilson argues that it remains relevant even in a largely secular society, as a philosophical work, a work of literature, and a cultural touchstone that the western world has answered to for nearly two thousand years: Martin Luther King was "reading the Bible" when he started the Civil Rights movement, and when Michelangelo painted the fresco cycles in the Sistine Chapel, he was "reading the Bible." Wilson challenges the way fundamentalists—whether believers or non-believers—have misused the Bible, either by neglecting and failing to recognize its cultural significance, or by using it as a weapon against those with whom they disagree.
Erudite, witty and accessible, The Book of the People seeks to reclaim the Good Book as our seminal work of literature, and a book for the imagination.

Review- This was a strange book about the author, a friend of his, and where the Bible met between them. Wilson takes the reader from the beginning of the Bible and his friendship with the mysterious L all the way to end the gospels. Now Wilson does not go from a to b but jumps around from book to book and story to story. You would think that would make it interesting but it is not. The only parts of this book that I enjoyed were the parts with L. She was interesting but the rest of this book was boring. I was bored reading about Wilson's personal interpretations of the Bible and it's stories. I was bored reading about all the travel that Wilson has done. I look forward to seeing L, reading her words, and I was sad when I read of her death. If the above sounds interesting or fun to you then try this book. If not then do not read it.

I give this books Two out of Five stars. I was given this book to review by Harper Collins.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 15

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 15 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin and Kaoru on it looking very cool. It is the fifteenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first fourteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- At the madman Shishio Makoto's headquarters, the long-delayed duel between Kenshin and Shinomori Aoshi concludes, while at Aoi-Ya, those left behind wage their own, desperate battle against Shishio's Juppongatana or "Ten Swords." The strength of one swordsman in particular seems monstrous, and defeat imminent...that is, until Kenshin's former Hiten Mitsurugi master, Hiko Seijûrô, takes the field. Will the respect of one warrior for another succeed where all else has failed? Elsewhere, Kenshin and Sôjirô cross swords at last. Although well-matched, Kenshin's victory is by no means certain...

Review- This volume is a group of three battles. Kaoru and company at the Aoi-Ya, Hiko Seijûrô and a giant, Kenshin and Sôjirô at the end. Kaoru does a wonderful job of keeping the others focused on what is going and not worrying about what could be. Yahiko makes Kaoru proud and Hiko saves not only the Aoi-Ya but the giant who faced him. The volume ends with Kenshin facing Sôjirô, who is a creepy kid. Shishio trained him and he has no emotions, no desires, and no way to stop. Kenshin, of course, at the beginning of the fight is not fast enough and that is where the volume ends. But Sôjirô did not get a killing hit when Sôjirô thought he had landed a killing blow. More action scenes, more drama, and more over-the-topness ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Frozen

Today's post is on Frozen by Melisaa De La Cruz and Michael Johnson. It is the first in their Heart of Dread series. It is 325 pages long and is published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. The cover is blue with a girl's face rising from water. The intended reader is someone who likes young adult, dystopian, and unexpected magic. There is mild language, no sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from the third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Welcome to New Vegas, a city once covered in bling, now blanketed in ice. Like much of the destroyed planet, the place knows only one temperature—freezing. But some things never change. The diamond in the ice desert is still a 24-hour hedonistic playground and nothing keeps the crowds away from the casino floors, never mind the rumors about sinister sorcery in its shadows.
At the heart of this city is Natasha Kestal, a young blackjack dealer looking for a way out. Like many, she's heard of a mythical land simply called “the Blue.” They say it’s a paradise, where the sun still shines and the waters are turquoise. More importantly, it’s a place where Nat won’t be persecuted, even if her darkest secret comes to light.
But passage to the Blue is treacherous, if not impossible, and her only shot is to bet on a ragtag crew of mercenaries led by a cocky runner named Ryan Wesson to take her there. Danger and deceit await on every corner, even as Nat and Wes find themselves inexorably drawn to each other. But can true love survive the lies? Fiery hearts collide in this fantastic tale of the evil men do and the awesome power within us all.

Review- This book is a very interesting mix of science fiction and fantasy. Having read the Kate Daniels series I can draw some comparisons. I did like the Fae angle for the fantasy side and the science fiction stuff that humans are dealing with. But at times I was bored with it. I think that the mystery of what is going on in this world a little too long. Some of the bad guys and scenes with them could have not been there and I think I would have liked the book better. The last fight was important and  I liked it but other than that one I think that the characters dealing with the end of the old world and all the threats that people like Nat have is more than enough. But I did like all the characters and I found them be interesting and engaging. And I am curious about they are going to save the world.

I give this book a Three out of Five. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Saving Alex: When I Was Fifteen I Told My Mormon Parents I Was Gay, and That's When My Nightmare Began

Today's nonfiction post is on Saving Alex: When I Was Fifteen I Told My Mormon Parents I Was Gay, and That's When My Nightmare Began by Alex Cooper with Joanna Brooks. It is 245 pages long and it published by HarperOne. The cover has a picture of Alex on it with the title above her. The intended reader is someone who is interested in real life horror stories and LBGT+ issues. There is foul language, sex, and voilence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, life was pretty ordinary in her sleepy suburban town and nice Mormon family. At church and at home, Alex was taught that God had a plan for everyone. But something was gnawing at her that made her feel different. These feelings exploded when she met Yvette, a girl who made Alex feel alive in a new way, and with whom Alex would quickly fall in love.
Alex knew she was holding a secret that could shatter her family, her church community, and her life. Yet when this secret couldn’t be hidden any longer, she told her parents that she was gay, and the nightmare began. She was driven from her home in Southern California to Utah, where, against her will, her parents handed her over to fellow Mormons who promised to save Alex from her homosexuality.
For eight harrowing months, Alex was held captive in an unlicensed “residential treatment program” modeled on the many “therapeutic” boot camps scattered across Utah. Alex was physically and verbally abused, and many days she was forced to stand facing a wall wearing a heavy backpack full of rocks. Her captors used faith to punish and terrorize her. With the help of a dedicated legal team in Salt Lake City, Alex eventually escaped and made legal history in Utah by winning the right to live under the law’s protection as an openly gay teenager.
Alex is not alone; the headlines continue to splash stories about gay conversion therapy and rehabilitation centers that promise to “save” teenagers from their sexuality. Saving Alex is a courageous memoir that tells Alex’s story in the hopes that it will bring awareness and justice to this important issue. A bold, inspiring story of one girl’s fight for freedom, acceptance, and truth.

Review- This is a real life horror story that is still happening today. Alex was sent to the home of two people who like to abuse children and do so with the smile of their community. Her parents did not know what the Siale's were really doing but they also did not listen to her when she told them. They allowed their fear of Alex going to Hell to let them put her in Hell. To this day they do not believe her. Alex was saved because she found help and did not let the Siale's make her afraid of everyone and everything. She continued to reach out and try to save herself. I believe that she is now trying to save others. It was hard to read this book at times but I believe that Alex deserves to be heard.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 14

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 14 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin and villains on it looking very cool. It is the fourteenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first thirteen in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- As the Juppongatana or "Ten Swords" move to attack those at Aoi-Ya (Kaoru, Yahiko, Misao, and the rest of the Kyoto-based spy clan), Kenshin--accompanied by Sanosuke and Saitô--squares off against one of his most powerful opponents yet: Shinomori Aoshi, former Okashira or "head" of the Oniwabanshû. Bound by promises to both return Misao's "Aoshi-sama" to her safely, and to face Shinomori himself in a climactic, decisive battle, the time is now to learn once and for all who has the will to live, who has the will to die...and who has the will to fight.

Review- We begin with finishing Sano and Anji's fight. Sano makes him remember why he was kind in the first place. Anji warns them about what is to come and the heroes move forward. This volume has Saitô's first fight in it and it is the best in the volume. I like Saitô's fights because they are short. He just gets right to the point and does not hold back. Saitô does his thing and undermines his opponent by seeing through him. Then Saitô kills the guy by cutting him half. Saitô is not one for mercy, unlike Kenshin. Most of the volume is Kenshin's fight with Aoshi. They talk and fight and Aoshi comes back to himself at the end. The next volume will pick up with them. At the Aoi-Ya things are going to get rough but other than that nothing much happens there. This volume is really just one short fight some the beginnings of some long ones. No character development, no new plots twists, just over-the-top action but I still had a good time with it.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

Nimona

Today's post is on Nimona by Noelle Steveson. It is 256 pages long and is published by HarperTeen. The cover has the three main characters on it. The intended reader is young adult but adults who like comics will like this comic too. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this comic. The story is told from the third person god perspective with the epilogue told from Ballister's perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism!
Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.
But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Review- A cute story about friendship and being different. Nimona believes that she is a villain for story reasons so she seeks out the biggest named villain in the world Sir Ballister Blackheart to become his sidekick. Sir Ballister has been painted as a villain by the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics for reasons that he does not know but his once best friend Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin is now his sworn nemeses. Lots of character development so it is a little light on plot but the characters more than make up for that. There are questions about what is real villainy and how do you know what real heroes are and all that good stuff. I really had a good time with this comic and I look forward to what Stevenson writes next.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library. 

The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal

Today's post is on The Last Goodnight: A World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal by Howard Blum. It is 544 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover is like a folder with a picture of Betty, the spy, and marked secret in red at the top. The intended reader is someone who likes WW2 stories, spies, and well researched information. There is foul language, sex, and violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Dark Invasion, channels Erik Larson and Ben Macintyre in this riveting biography of Betty Pack, the dazzling American debutante who became an Allied spy during WWII and was hailed by OSS chief General “Wild Bill" Donovan as “the greatest unsung heroine of the war.”
Betty Pack was charming, beautiful, and intelligent—and she knew it. As an agent for Britain’s MI-6 and then America’s OSS during World War II, these qualities proved crucial to her success. This is the remarkable story of this “Mata Hari from Minnesota” (Time) and the passions that ruled her tempestuous life—a life filled with dangerous liaisons and death-defying missions vital to the Allied victory.
For decades, much of Betty’s career working for MI-6 and the OSS remained classified. Through access to recently unclassified files, Howard Blum discovers the truth about the attractive blond, codenamed “Cynthia,” who seduced diplomats and military attachés across the globe in exchange for ciphers and secrets; cracked embassy safes to steal codes; and obtained the Polish notebooks that proved key to Alan Turing’s success with Operation Ultra.
Beneath Betty’s cool, professional determination, Blum reveals a troubled woman conflicted by the very traits that made her successful: her lack of deep emotional connections and her readiness to risk everything. The Last Goodnight is a mesmerizing, provocative, and moving portrait of an exceptional heroine whose undaunted courage helped to save the world.

Review- An interesting look about a woman who helped win the second world war. The book covers all aspects of Betty's life from childhood to her death of cancer. The story is broken up as it is being told to Harford Hyde. He was looking for a way to make some money and Betty wanted to understand herself and her life. They met briefly during the war and just never forgot about each other. Together they lay out Betty's life before, during, and after her spy work in WW2. Betty was charming, beautiful, and totally committed to the cause of saving lives and ending the war. But she was also cold, cunning, and did not care about anything else but her cause. She lived for it and it alone. All the lover she took in life were nothing to her cause and drive. At the end of her life, she wanted to understand herself and I think that we get to understand her too.

I give this books a Four out of Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 13

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 13 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin on it looking very cool. It is the thirtenth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first twelve in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The Great Kyoto Fire behind them (and casualties relatively slight), Kenshin and the others consider their next move. The Oniwabanshu may indeed be allies this time ("Now there's a weird twist," as Sano says), but their leader, Shinomori Aoshi, is not. Is Kenshin truly, as it is claimed, the only one who can bring peace to the former Okashira or "head" of the Kyoto-based spy group...? Elsewhere, madman Shishio Makoto has made his own plans for Kenshin and the others, plans involving a "man-to-man," death match-style battle to the finish…

Review- So the first big fight of the Kyoto Arc has begun and Sano is the first one up. He must fight with the monk that trained using the same technique.  But of course they must go over their reasons for fighting for or against in this battle. With Kenshin and others in the background we get to see what Sano can do with his new fist. Shishio is having some trouble with his second in command, who wants to make sure that Shishio wins at any cost. But Shishio wants to face Kenshin in one-on-one combat. But the second does get what he wanted in the end and trouble is headed back to Kaoru and the others at the inn. More fights, more drama, and more action ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior

Today's post is on The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior by Megan Frampton. It is the first in her Dukes Behaving Badly series. It is 375 pages long and is published by Avon. The cover has the half-naked Duke looking at our heroine. The intended reader is someone who likes historical romances, light humor, and slightly ridiculous plots. There is some mild language, sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from the third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- All of London knows the Duke of Rutherford has position and wealth. They also whisper that he’s dissolute, devilish, and determinedly unwed. So why, everyone is asking, has he hired a governess?
When Miss Lily Russell crosses the threshold of the Duke of Rutherford’s stylish townhouse, she knows she has come face to face with sensual danger. For this is no doting papa. Rather, his behavior is scandalous, and his reputation rightly earned. And his pursuit of her is nearly irresistible—but resist she must for the sake of her pupil.
As for the duke himself, it was bad enough when his unknown child landed on his doorstep. Now Lily, with her unassuming beauty, has aroused his most wicked fantasies—and, shockingly, his desire to change his wanton ways. He’s determined to become worthy of her, and so he asks for her help in correcting his behavior.
But Lily has a secret, one that, if it becomes known, could change everything . . .

Review- I really wanted to like this book but it is just not hit with me. There was nothing wrong with the book. The characters were likable enough, the dialog was funny, but the plot was just okay to me. The beginnings of each chapter had a snippet from The Duke's Guide to Correct Behavior and at time it was funny. I liked when Marcus would just cross something out and write in his own thoughts. I did like all the consent in this book. Marcus pushed Lily to say if she wanted him and their interactions or not. She had to think about it, not just respond. So I did not feel that he was taking advantage of her. But for everything else, it was just okay for me.

I give this book a Three out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 12

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 12 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin and company on it looking cool. It is the twelfth volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first eleven in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- As Kenshin continues his re-education at the hand of his master in Hiten Mitsurugi, Hiko Seijûrô, he looks back also to the first, early years of that training...including the moment in his life in which he changed his name to "Kenshin." Meanwhile, the remaining members of the Juppongatana , or "Ten Swords," arrive in Kyoto, while the first phase of Shishio Makoto's plan for Japan finally gets underway. While Misao and the Oniwabanshu plan how best to pool their resources to stop Shishio from setting Kyoto ablaze, Kenshin, Sano, and Saitô--now reunited--must consider their own next course of action.

Review-  This volume finishing dealing with Hiko Seijûrô and Kenshin finishes his training. Shishio makes his first move to try and burn Kyoko and bomb Tokyo. But because of Misao and her spies that fails. Because Kenshin can think like Shishio, Tokyo is safe. No sign of Aoshi anywhere but everyone else is present for the drama. The fighting in this volume is mostly between Kenshin and his master as they finish. We get to see some of Kenshin's childhood. How him and Hiko Seijûrô met and why Hiko Seijûrô choose to take Kenshin as his apprentice. But there will be more Drama Ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money. 

A Criminal Magic

 

Today's post is on A Criminal Magic by Lee Kelly. It is 422 pages long and is published by Saga Books. The cover is black with lightening going in a cocktail glass. This is a stand alone novel. The intended reader is older young adult and adults, someone who likes unusual settings, and good plots. There is some mild language, implied sex, and violence in this book. The story is told from third person close of the two main characters Joan and Alex. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Magic is powerful, dangerous and addictive - and after passage of the 18th Amendment, it is finally illegal.
It's 1926 in Washington, DC, and while Anti-Sorcery activists have achieved the Prohibition of sorcery, the city's magic underworld is booming. Sorcerers cast illusions to aid mobsters' crime sprees. Smugglers funnel magic contraband in from overseas. Gangs have established secret performance venues where patrons can lose themselves in magic, and take a mind-bending, intoxicating elixir known as the sorcerer's shine.
Joan Kendrick, a young sorcerer from Norfolk County, Virginia accepts an offer to work for DC's most notorious crime syndicate, the Shaw Gang, when her family's home is repossessed. Alex Danfrey, a first-year Federal Prohibition Unit trainee with a complicated past and talents of his own, becomes tapped to go undercover and infiltrate the Shaws.
Through different paths, Joan and Alex tread deep into the violent, dangerous world of criminal magic - and when their paths cross at the Shaws' performance venue, despite their orders, and despite themselves, Joan and Alex become enchanted with one another. But when gang alliances begin to shift, the two sorcerers are forced to question their ultimate allegiances and motivations. And soon, Joan and Alex find themselves pitted against each other in a treacherous, heady game of cat-and-mouse.
A CRIMINAL MAGIC casts a spell of magic, high stakes and intrigue against the backdrop of a very different Roaring Twenties.

Review- A fantastic story about roaring twenties with incredible magic. The magic and the sorcerers are just so much fun in this book. On one hand this is a very dark story about drugs and the mob and cops coming to get people but on the other it is a wonderful story about two characters trying to survive this dark world. Both characters want to fix the past but they cannot so they are floating in the present, unsure of where they are going or why they are still going on. Joan says she has to protect her sister and cousin but over the course of the story she has to deal with feeling her lack of place in this world. Alex wants make his mother proud but he is in over his head. They both want more than just what they have. It is very tragic but I really enjoyed this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Rurouni Kenshin volume 11

Today's post is on Rurouni Kenshin volume 11 by Nobuhiro Watsuki. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Kenshin on it looking cool. It is the eleventh volume in the long running series. You have to have read the first ten in the series to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes historical stories, manga, and interesting characters. There is no foul language, no sex, but some violence in this series. The story is told from third person close following different characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- With Misao's help, Kaoru finally manages to locate Kenshin in Kyoto--at the home of Hiko Seijûrô, his master in the school of Hiten Mitsurugi. Having convinced his master to resume (complete) his training, Kenshin assumes the role of pupil once more, while elsewhere in Kyoto, other forces come together. There is the arrival of Shinomori Aoshi, soon approached by the men of Shishio Makoto to join their cause; there is the arrival also of Saitô Hajime, who comes to free Sano from jail and also to join him in questioning "Ten Swords" member Chô. The truth of Shishio's plan for Japan is beginning to be unveiled…

Review- The main fight in this volume is between Aoshi and Okina.  Aoshi has lost his mind in the quest for revenge against Kenshin. Misao gets to see how bad Aoshi is and she decides that she is going to lead the Oniwabanshu now. It is hers by blood-right but that freaks everyone out. Kenshin does have an interesting battle with Chô. Chô loves swords and loves to kill people with them. Kenshin feels that he must stop Chô before he starts killing people just because. The sword they end up fighting over is a reverse blade just like the one that was broken. It ends with more villains being introduced and are impressively crazy. More Drama and over-the-top fighting ahead!

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I bought this manga with my own money and I get nothing for my review. 

Falling into bed with a Duke

Today's post is on Falling into Bed with a Duke by Lorraine Heath. It is the first in her Hellions of Havisham series. It is 372 pages long and is published by Avon Books. The cover has the main character with her back to the reader. The intended reader is someone who likes historical romance and heroines with a spine. There is some language, sex, and no violence in this book. The story is told from the third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- After six unsuccessful Seasons, Miss Minerva Dodger chooses spinsterhood over fortune-hungry suitors. But thanks to the Nightingale Club, she can at least enjoy one night of pleasure. At that notorious establishment, ladies don masks before choosing a lover. The sinfully handsome Duke of Ashebury is more than willing to satisfy the secretive lady's desires—and draws Minerva into an exquisite, increasingly intimate affair.
A man of remarkable talents, Ashe soon deduces that his bedmate is the unconventional Miss Dodger. Intrigued by her wit and daring, he sets out to woo her in earnest. Yet Minerva refuses to trust him. How to court a woman he has already thoroughly seduced? And how to prove that the passion unleashed in darkness is only the beginning of a lifetime's pleasure?

Review- The blurb is was drew me but the story is really quite good. I liked both my main characters, the misunderstanding was handled pretty well, and I believe that they will live happily ever after. The only thing that I did not like about the heroine was that she believe she was physically unattractive. It was the fact that she has a spine and mind of her own that made the men who wanted to court find her unattractive. But she did not see this until of course the hero shows her a picture of herself. Then she can see that she is beautiful. That annoyed me but other than that I enjoyed this book. The sex scenes are not too detailed and not very long, so if that offends you they are easy to skip. A very fun historical romance.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.