Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy

Today's nonfiction post is on Seventy Times Seven: A True Story of Murder and Mercy by Alex Mar. It is 384 pages long and is published by Penguin Press. The cover is blue with title and author in bold black print and pictures of both the murderer and the victim. The intended reader is someone who is interested in true crime and what justice really is. There is mild foul language, no sex, and descriptions of violence. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the dust jacket- A masterful, revelatory work of literary non-fiction about a teenage girl's shocking crime--and its extraordinary aftermath
On a spring afternoon in 1985 in Gary, Indiana, a fifteen-year-old girl kills an elderly woman in a violent home invasion. In a city with a history of racial tensions and white flight, the girl, Paula Cooper, is Black, and her victim, Ruth Pelke, is white and a beloved Bible teacher.
When Paula is sentenced to death, no one decries the impending execution of a tenth grader. But the tide begins to shift when the victim's grandson Bill forgives the girl, against the wishes of his family, and campaigns to spare her life. This tragedy in a midwestern steel town soon reverberates across the United States and around the world--reaching as far away as the Vatican--as newspapers cover the story on their front pages and millions sign petitions in support of Paula.
As Paula waits on death row, her fate sparks a debate that not only animates legal circles but raises vital questions about the value of human life: What are we demanding when we call for justice? Is forgiveness an act of desperation or of profound bravery? As Bill and Paula's friendship deepens, and as Bill discovers others who have chosen to forgive after terrible violence, their story asks us to consider what radical acts of empathy we might be capable of.
In Seventy Times Seven, Alex Mar weaves an unforgettable narrative of an act of violence and its aftermath. This is a story about the will to live--to survive, to grow, to change--and about what we are willing to accept as justice. Tirelessly researched and told with intimacy and precision, this book brings a haunting chapter in the history of our criminal justice system to astonishing life.

Review- A very moving true crime book that examines the crime, the criminal, and what is real justice. The murder of Ruth Pelke by the hands of a group of teenage girls was very shocking to the community and her family. Her grandson started as angry as the rest of the his family but hearing Paula's grandfather cry out for her, something changed in him. He began to question what his grandmother would have wanted and what was justice when someone is 15. This book is very well written and the questions about justice, faith, and personal choice it raises are engaging. I was deeply moved by Bill, the grandson, and Paula, the murderer, as they tried to find peace and friendship with each other. I would 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.

Takane & Hana, Vol. 7

Today's manga post is on Takane & Hana, Vol. 7 by Yuki Shiwasu. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. As it is the seventh volume in the series, you need to have read the first six to understand the story. The cover Hana and Takane looking very dramatic on the cover. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes over the top characters and silly plotlines. The story is told from third person close mostly following Hana. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Stripped of his wealth and now penniless, Takane has to learn to cope with being poor. He refuses any help from Hana, but she isn’t about to let him brush her off! Takane is as difficult as ever, but Hana sticks by him. Will she finally admit she has feelings for him?

Review- Takane is still learning how to live as as a normal person but he is getting back to his normal silly self. Hana is having to deal with the fact that she has grown to like Takane for himself. That unsettles her and that adds to the humor in this volume. But there is good character growth in this volume from both Hana and Takane, so that was enjoyable. But the plot is moving slowing in comparison to the character growth. I hope that we more plot in the next volume to add to the growth the characters have done in this one. More silliness to come!

I give this volume a Four out of Five stars. I get mothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Girl Taking over: A Lois Lane Story

Today's review is on Girl Taking over: A Lois Lane Story by Sarah Kuhn and Arielle Jovellanos (Illustrator). It is 185 pages long and is published by DC Comics. The cover is green with Lois pushing the title from the right. The intended reader is someone who likes Lois Lane and new origin stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this graphic novel. The story closely follows Lois. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Can Lois Lane scrap her entire life plan for an unpredictable summer of ride-or-die friendships, swoony romance, and writing her truth? Ambitious small-town girl Lois Lane tackles a summer in National City with gusto, but a cavalcade of setbacks-including an annoying frenemy roommate, a beyond-tedious internship at a suddenly corporatized website, and a boss who demotes her to coffee-fetching minion-threatens to derail her extremely detailed life plan. And, you know, her entire future! When Lois uncovers a potentially explosive scandal, she must stand up and speak out for the future she deserves without destroying everything she’s worked so hard to create. From beloved author Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Heroine Complex), with lively art by Arielle Jovellanos, comes a charming YA story about the strength it takes to embrace the messiness of life.

Review- A fun new origin story for Lois Lane. Lois has her whole life planned out, including future Pulitzers. But when local paper she was interning for is bought out, everything changes. She has to learn to make herself be heard and try to help others speak up too. Kuhn nails Lois, a gutsy, proud leader who takes no crap from anyone. The art is fun and joyful, tapping into the fun of summer and friends and big dreams. The road blocks to Lois' success are not a bad boss but herself and she overcomes them. I would recommend this graphic novel, especially if you are a Lois Lane fan, like me. 

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

Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres

Today's nonfiction post is on Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres by Kelefa Sanneh. It is 496 pages long and is published by Penguin Press. The cover is yellow with the title in red. The intended reader is someone who is interested in the history of modern music. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- An epic achievement and a huge delight, the entire history of popular music over the past fifty years refracted through the big genres that have defined and dominated it: rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance music, and pop
Kelefa Sanneh, one of the essential voices of our time on music and culture, has made a deep study of how popular music unites and divides us, charting the way genres become communities. In Major Labels, Sanneh distills a career's worth of knowledge about music and musicians into a brilliant and omnivorous reckoning with popular music--as an art form (actually, a bunch of art forms), as a cultural and economic force, and as a tool that we use to build our identities. He explains the history of slow jams, the genius of Shania Twain, and why rappers are always getting in trouble.
Sanneh shows how these genres have been defined by the tension between mainstream and outsider, between authenticity and phoniness, between good and bad, right and wrong. Throughout, race is a powerful touchstone: just as there have always been Black audiences and white audiences, with more or less overlap depending on the moment, there has been Black music and white music, constantly mixing and separating. Sanneh debunks cherished myths, reappraises beloved heroes, and upends familiar ideas of musical greatness, arguing that sometimes, the best popular music isn't transcendent. Songs express our grudges as well as our hopes, and they are motivated by greed as well as idealism; music is a powerful tool for human connection, but also for human antagonism. This is a book about the music everyone loves, the music everyone hates, and the decades-long argument over which is which. The opposite of a modest proposal, Major Labels pays in full.

Review- A wonderful read about music, its history and its fans. Sanneh is a wonderful, engaging writer that loves his topic and is knowledgeable about it. He starts with the birth of his love of music then moves into the meat of the book. He breaks out trends, fads, and the difference between them. As the book moves forward, he doesn't forget about the music that was discuss earlier and links it into the current chapter topic. That gives the reader a very good sense of growth in music and in the world that the music was playing in. The reader truly feels that they are moving through time as they go through the book and learning about the past in a new way, through the music that was popular or hated. Sanneh also including himself in this journey, as he writes about what music he was listening too or discovering or writing about as a professional music critic. He gives the reader insight in himself, his thoughts, his life, and how the music affected him. I would love to read more by Sanneh, he was just a delight to read. I 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. 

Skip Beat!, Vol. 30

Today's manga post is on Skip Beat!, Vol. 30  Yoshiki Nakamura. It is 192 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Kyoko and Ren on it all dressed up. As it is the thirty volume in the series, you need to have read the previous twenty-nine volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this volume. The story is third person close following the main characters mostly. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Ren’s new cast mate Taira Murasame used to be a biker, and he sees show biz as just another gang to get to the top of. Normally Ren would have no problem dealing with a punk, but his role as BJ requires him to tap his darkest depths. When Murasame and Ren have to fight on camera, can Ren remember that it’s only acting?!

Review- This volume is mostly about Ren and him dealing with how this role is making him remember his past. But there is also him getting into the role both on set and alone with Kyoko. Kyoko is a little worried about him because she is so in tune with Ren and his feelings. The rest of the volume is the normal over the top humor. Ren getting into a 'real' fight with Murasame, Kyoko being Setsu and causing some mild drama. I am really enjoying this silly arc with both Kyoko and Ren pretending to be this weird, tough siblings. But it is also nice to get some background trauma for Ren when he lived in America. I look forward to seeing what nonsense they are going to get into next. 

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 Dragon's Promise

Today's post is on The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim. It is 484 pages long and is published by Knopf Books for Young Readers. The cover has Shiori and Seryu with a black pearl in her arms. As it is the second volume of the duology, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes re-telling of fairy tales and adventure stories with mild romance. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild action violence in this book. The story is told from first person close of Shiori. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A journey to the kingdom of dragons, a star-crossed love, and a cursed pearl with the power to mend the world or break it...
Princess Shiori made a deathbed promise to return the dragon's pearl to its rightful owner, but keeping that promise is more dangerous than she ever imagined.
She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
The pearl itself is no ordinary cargo; it thrums with malevolent power, jumping to Shiori's aid one minute, and betraying her the next—threatening to shatter her family and sever the thread of fate that binds her to her true love, Takkan. It will take every ounce of strength Shiori can muster to defend the life and the love she's fought so hard to win.

Review- This book picks up right where the last one left with Shioro and Seryu going to the Dragon Kingdom for help. But the dragons are not pleased with her or that Seryu is helping her. The pearl is wanted by more than just demons and the dragon it belongs to, everyone wants the pearl and the power it holds. So Shiori has to fight to get the pearl back to the right dragon, with only her brothers and Takkan to help her. This book was fine but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one. I think that it was a slower start than I was expecting. The ending was good with all the plot threads tied up. I would read another book by this author. 

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.

Homicide

Today's nonfiction book is on Homicide by Philippe Squarzoni (Adapter/Illustrator), David Simon. It is 320 pages long and is published by First Second. The cover is grey with yellow accents. The intended reader is someone is who interested in classic true crime and likes graphic novels. There is foul language, no sex, and discussion of violence in this graphic novel. The story is from told third person perspective. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Homicide, the celebrated true crime-book from the creator of HBO's The Wire, is re-envisioned in this first volume of a gritty, cinematic graphic novel duology.
In 1988, journalist David Simon was given unprecedented access to the Baltimore Police Department’s homicide unit. Over the next twelve months, he shadowed detectives as they took on a slew of killings in a city where killings were common. Only the most heinous cases stood out–chief amongst them, the rape and murder of eleven-year-old Latonya Wallace.
Originally published in 1991, Simon’s Homicide became the basis for the acclaimed television show Homicide: Life on the Street and inspired HBO’s The Wire. Now, this true-crime classic is reimagined as a gritty two-part graphic novel series.

Review- A great introduction to a classic true crime book. Homicide was a ground breaking book and then a ground breaking television show. I have been a fan of the show for over twenty years but I have never gotten around to reading the original book. So when the graphic novel came out, I knew I had to get my hands on it and it was a great read. The style of the art is very traditional with muted greys, browns, whites, and blacks. So when a more intense color, like red for blood, is on the page, it stands out even more. The narration style is very unique, there is little dialog more back narration, like someone read over your shoulder, talking about what is happening and other information. I liked the style, it made it feel like I was reading the original book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second volume and I would like to see more nonfiction books get this treatment. 

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

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, Vol. 2

 

Today's post is on Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal Edition, Vol. 2 by Naoko Takeuchi. It is 343 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Sailor Mercury on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga, magical girl manga, and classic manga. There is no foul language, no sex, and some violence in this manga. The story closely follows the main character, Usagi. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the flaps on the book- The guardians in sailor suits return in this definitive edition of the greatest magical girl manga of all time! Features all-new cover illustrations by creator Naoko Takeuchi, a glittering holographic coating, an extra-large size, premium paper, French flaps, and a newly-revised translation!
Teenager Usagi is not the best athlete, she's never gotten good grades, and, well, she's a bit of a crybaby. But when she meets a talking cat, she begins a journey that will teach her she has a well of great strength just beneath the surface and the heart to inspire and stand up for her friends as Sailor Moon! Experience the Sailor Moon manga as never before in these extra-long editions (about 300 pages each).

Review- So much happens in this volume. We get so much plot and everyone's basic back story from the Silver Millennium, and we met Sailor Venus and the Sailor Scouts defeat the first major bad guy, Queen Beryl. Usagi and Mamoru remember who they were and how they died the first time. The action is very paced with a lot happening as Takeuchi wraps up the first major arc for the series. The ending is someone claiming to the Usagi, who is looking for the Silver Crystal, holds a gun at Usagi and Mamoru. This arc was very interesting with so much going for it, I can understand why Sailor Moon became a classic, just from this first story arc. The art is just beautiful, in this edition there are many full color pieces, that add so much to the series and really shows off Takeuchi's beautiful art style. I am looking forward to reading the next volume and seeing what is going to happen to Usagi next. 

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.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin

Today's post is on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird and Tom Waltz. It is 224 pages long and is published by IDW Publishing. The cover is black with a red moon and a turtle in black with his back to the reader. The intended reader is someone who is a fan of the series but you don't have to read all the previous series to enjoy this. There is mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this graphic novel. The story is told from third person close of the Last Ronin. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Who is the Last Ronin? In a future, battle-ravaged New York City, a lone surviving Turtle embarks on a seemingly hopeless mission seeking justice for the family he lost. From legendary TMNT co-creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, get ready for the final story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles three decades in the making!
What terrible events destroyed his family and left New York a crumbling, post-apocalyptic nightmare? All will be revealed in this climactic Turtle tale that sees longtime friends becoming enemies and new allies emerging in the most unexpected places. Can the surviving Turtle triumph?
Eastman and Laird are joined by writer Tom Waltz, who penned the first 100 issues of IDW’s ongoing TMNT series, and artists Esau & Isaac Escorza (Heavy Metal) and Ben Bishop (The Far Side of the Moon) with an Introduction by filmmaker Robert Rodriguez!
Collects the complete five-issue miniseries in a new graphic novel, an adventure as fulfilling for longtime Turtles fans as it is accessible for readers just discovering the heroes in a half-shell.

Review- This was an incredible graphic novel and a great ending for the original turtle series. The story is in the future and New York is a mess without it's half-shelled protectors. The story is full of emotion not just from the turtle but from the others around him that are still healing from the events that made the Ronin a Ronin. The biggest emotion to me was the turtle dealing with loneness. They were always together or with April/Casey and in the present he has been alone for years and it has taken a toll on him. But he is committed to ending the war and stopping the last Oroku at last. I would strongly recommend this graphic novel. 

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

Waiting for Spring, Vol. 7

Today's Manga Monday post is on Waiting for Spring, Vol. 7 by Anashin. It is 176 pages long and is published by Kodansha Comics. The cover has Mutsuki and Towa on it. As it is the seventh volume in the series, you need to have read the first six volumes to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters, Mutsuki and Towa. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the back of the book- One-On-One
Mitsuki has been working so hard to prepare for the school festival that she passes out from exhaustion. When she wakes up, she finds herself in an unfamiliar bed...
It turns out to be Aya who's come to her rescue, like he always used to. Meanwhile, Towa comes to an important realization on his own- he resolves to confess his feelings to Mitsuki, ad the day of the school festival may be his best chance!

Review- Mutsuki does a lot of growing in this volume. She is reaching out and finding out that she likes being around other people and being involved in school clubs. Towa has been thinking about his feelings, Mutsuki and Aya. So some big things happen in this volume. The plot is more the focus and moving forward. I hope that we get more character development in the next volume with all the plot movement in this one. I want to see how Mutsuki is going to face her own feelings and how she is going handle both boys. I am looking forward to the next volume and seeing what is going happen next. 

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. 

Star Wars: Thrawn

Today's post is on Star Wars: Thrawn by Jody Houser (Writer), Luke Ross (Illustrator), Paul Renaud (Cover Art). It is 152 pages long and is published by Marvel. The intended reader is someone who enjoys Star Wars and wants more. There is no foul language, no sex, and action violence in this graphic novel. The story is told from third person close mostly of Thrawn. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The fan-favorite Imperial Grand Admiral gets the Marvel Comics treatment!
He's one of the most cunning and ruthless warriors in the history of Star Wars! Now, discover how Grand Admiral Thrawn became one of the most feared military tacticians in a galaxy far, far away. Jody Houser and Luke Ross adapt Timothy Zahn's New York Times best-selling novel about Thrawn's rise through the Imperial ranks!
Meet young Lieutenant Thrawn, who graduated the Imperial Academy with the highest marks possible. He's been assigned his own personal assistant, Ensign Eli Vanto, and is ascending quickly - but that doesn't mean everyone in the Imperial Navy wants him to succeed. And Thrawn isn't the Empire's only rising star - so is Arihnda Pryce. The two rivals' paths will cross, and tensions will run high, when they discover a dark secret within the Empire.

Review- This is a re-telling of the origins of Thrawn, one of the best characters in the extended universe of Star Wars. This starts from the beginning of Thrawn joining the Empire to his ascendancy as Grand Admiral. The reader sees the racism that Thrawn deals with, his genius, and his will to complete his tasks. He is basically Sherlock Holmes in Star Wars and working for the Empire. Thrawn has his reasons for everything he does and we get to see and understand what his aims are. A great introduction to a favorite character and I hope that more is written on Thrawn. 

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