Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5

Today's manga post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 5 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi (Illustrator). It is 208 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Albert Moriarty on it pouring a glass of wine. As it is the fifth in the series, you need to have read the first four volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes Sherlock Holmes and re-telling's of classic stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this manga. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- William James Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes meet again on a train back to London, and a dead body is discovered in a locked passenger cabin. With John Watson named as the prime suspect, Sherlock challenges Moriarty to a contest of who can solve the murder first. Will Sherlock be able to clear Watson’s name? Back in London, a state secret that only the royal family is privy to has been stolen and MI6 is tasked with retrieving it, lest the whole empire fall into ruin! Meanwhile, Sherlock is visited by the king of Bohemia, who asks him to cover up a recent scandal…

Review- The volume starts with a locked room mystery and Watson is the one blamed for the murder. Sherlock and James both know that he is innocent and they make a bet about who can prove it first. Then we jump into the re-telling of Scandal in Bohemia and Irene Alder. She is wonderful and unsettles Sherlock so well. I like spending half time with Moriarty and half with Sherlock. It's fun to see how Moriarty's plans influence what cases Sherlock has and how Sherlock solves the cases, impresses Moriarty. Good manga and I look forward to the next volume. 

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. 

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 4

Today's manga post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 4 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi (Illustrator). It is 208 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has John Watson on it. As it is the fourth in the series, you need to have read the first three volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes mysteries, re-imaging of classic literature, and intense plots. There is mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in this volume. The story is told from third person close of characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Mycroft Holmes gives MI6 a top secret mission to put an end to the Third Anglo-Afghan War. William believes Colonel Moran, who once fought in the war, is the right man for the job and asks Albert to recruit the colonel. But will old memories from Moran’s past hinder his efforts to assist the mission? Meanwhile, more dark figures lurk in London’s nobility, spreading further chaos in the country…

Review- This volume is about one of Moriarty's men and it is very interesting to see his background and what made him join Moriarty. I like seeing this story lines that focus on Moriarty's men and why they would join him and do things that will be seen as bad. Moran is shown to be both a good agent and a good leader. But of course Moriarty knows who he chose to join him on the quest. I hope that we see Holmes in the next volume but this was a good volume.

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. 

Strike the Zither

Today's post is on Strike the Zither by Joan He. It is 368 pages long and is published by Roaring Brook Press. the cover is an illustration of the main character Zephyr. The intended reader is someone who likes Asian inspired fantasy. There is very mild foul language, no sex, and some action violence in this novel. The story is told form first person close of the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead. 

From the dust jacket- The year is 414 of the Xin Dynasty, and chaos abounds. A puppet empress is on the throne. The realm has fractured into three factions and three warlordesses hoping to claim the continent for themselves.
But Zephyr knows it’s no contest.
Orphaned at a young age, Zephyr took control of her fate by becoming the best strategist of the land and serving under Xin Ren, a warlordess whose loyalty to the empress is double-edged—while Ren’s honor draws Zephyr to her cause, it also jeopardizes their survival in a war where one must betray or be betrayed. When Zephyr is forced to infiltrate an enemy camp to keep Ren’s followers from being slaughtered, she encounters the enigmatic Crow, an opposing strategist who is finally her match. But there are more enemies than one—and not all of them are human.
An epic YA fantasy about found family, rivals, and identity, from New York Times and Indie bestselling author Joan He, inspired by Three Kingdoms, one of the Four Classics of Chinese Literature.

Review- An interesting and imaginative fantasy inspired by classic Chinese literature. Zephyr is the most brillant strategist and she is loyal to the weakest lordess in the realm but the most noble. Her lordess Xin Ren is trying to save the empire and Zephyr is devoted to her and the cause. But there is a twist about Zephyr that not even she knows about herself. This novel is well written, interesting reimagining of the classic novel Three Kingdoms. The author Joan He is doing very interesting work that also connects with her culture. I'm very curious about how the story is going to turn out and if Zephyr can pull Xin Ren from failure into glory. 

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. 

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 3

Today's post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 3 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi (Illustrations). It is 208 pages long and published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Louis Moriarty. As it is the third in the series, you need to have read the first two volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes re-imagining of classic characters and mysteries. There is some foul language, implied sexual assault, and some violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Just as everything appears to be going his way, Sherlock finds himself arrested for a murder he didn’t commit in a plot orchestrated by none other than Moriarty! He soon escapes police custody and sets out to clear his name. The victim, Count Drebber, wrote Sherlock’s name in blood before he died, but why? Will Sherlock be able to solve this puzzle and save himself?

Review- Sherlock has gained Moriarty's attention and Moriarty wants to test Sherlock's mettle. So watching from behind the scenes, Moriarty and his brothers want to see what Sherlock will do to get the information he needs. This volume was fun with Sherlock dealing with being wrongfully accused of murder and then dealing with his new celebrity from John's writing. Moriarty clan have big plans both for themselves and for Sherlock. I look forward to seeing my favorite stories from a new light. 

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

Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 6

Today's manga post is on Villains Are Destined to Die, Vol. 6 by Gyeoeul Gwon and SUOL (Artist). It is 288 pages long and is published by Ize Press. The cover has Penelope and Winter on it. As it is the sixth in the series, you need to have read the first five volumes to understand the story. The intended reader is someone who likes isekai stories with dark plots. There is mild foul language, no sex, and action violence in this manga. The story closely follows Penelope. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the manga- Following the conditions of a contract between herself and Winter, Penelope is once again leaving the duchy! She joins the marquis for volunteer work in a war-stricken nation, and while their time there is hectic, the two are able to grab a moment alone at the seaside. But the couple’s peace is shattered when they learn sorcerer children have been kidnapped! In the face of Penelope’s desperation to save them, Winter’s calm approach to the situation has the duke’s daughter suspecting that everything is not as it seems...

Review- Penelope finally has something of her own to make money with and she reaches out to Winter to handle things for her. But before he is willing to do that, he wants to test Penelope. Of course, he doesn't tell her that and when the children they are with are really kidnapped by the back guys, Penelope loses what trust she had in Winter. Too bad for Winter, good for Callisto, as he saves the day and makes Penelope questions herself about him again. With her birthday getting closer and the end of hard mode, Penelope is starting to feel the pressure and Callisto doesn't understand. I love this series and I cannot wait for the next volume. 

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. 

Alice Ever After

Today's post is on Alice Ever After by Dan Panosian, Giorgio Spalletta (Illustrator) and Cyril Glerum (Illustrator). It is 128 pages long and is published by BOOM! Studios. The cover has Alice trapped in a glass pill jar, crying, trying to get out. The intended reader is someone who is interested in what happened to Alice after she grew up. There is mild foul language, no sex, and mild violence in this graphic novel. The story follows Alice and her sister Edith. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Alice first visited Wonderland as a child. Now an adult, it’s her only escape from her cold, strange reality. But in order to return, Alice needs something stronger than mushrooms, and is forced to resort to crime to feed her growing addiction… When this fateful decision takes her a step too far down a terrible path, Alice finds herself committed to the dreaded asylum. What horrors await her in the bowels of this twisted place? And will Alice ultimately choose to escape from her uncaring family and childhood trauma in Wonderland, or find the courage to face her demons in the real world?

Review- A dark for Alice and a dark reason for her going to Wonderland. When Alice was a child, she was given a drug to help her sleep and she dreamed of Wonderland. But She was given too much and is now addicted and need the drug. This has some very dark moments when Alice is in the asylum with the guards and the madam. The art is good, bright in Wonderland and more muted tones in the real world. If you are a big Alice in Wonderland fan, then you should enjoy this graphic. If you like darker takes on classic stories, you should like this graphic. But if you are neither, then you may not care for this one. 

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

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.

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 2

Today's post is on Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 2  by Ryōsuke Takeuchi. It is 208 pages long and is published by Shonen Jump. The cover has Sherlock Holmes on it. As it is the second volume in the series, you need to have read the first volume to understand the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and ,mild violence in this manga. The intended reader is someone who likes reimaging of Sherlock Holmes and mystery plots. The story is told from third person close of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- After successfully establishing a foothold in Durham and cleansing the city of some of its corruption, William James Moriarty sets his sights on London. To make headway there, he needs the aid of his brother Albert. But while on his way to London, William is kidnapped by a gang of criminals! Will Albert be able to save him in time?

Review- This volume has a lot going on from William dealing with kidnappers to bringing another corrupt nobleman down and meeting his rival Sherlock Holmes. The kidnapping plot is all planned to help get Albert into running MI6 and thus William into the heart of the government itself. The main story is dealing with nobleman, who likes to hunt and kill commoners for sport. The plot to stop him is very twisty and the reader is going to have a fun ride with it. Holmes is well done and the last chapter is following him as he meets Watson for the first time. I look forward to seeing what trouble William is going to stir up in the next volume. 

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.

Moriarty the Patriot, vol 1

 

Today's post is on Moriarty the Patriot, vol 1 by Ryosuke Takeuchi and art by Hikaru Miyoshi. It is 216 pages long and is published by Viz Media. The cover has Moriarty on it with a gun and a red background. The intended reader is someone who likes retelling classic stories. There is mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of Moriarty. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Before he was Sherlock's rival, Moriarty fought against the unfair class caste system in London by making sure corrupt nobility got their comeuppance. But even the most well-intentioned plans can spin out of control- will Moriarty's dream of a more just and equal world turn him into a hero ... or a monster?
In the late 19th century, Great Britain rules over a quarter of the world. Nobles sit in their fancy homes in comfort and luxury, while the working class slaves away at their jobs. Then young Albert James Moriarty's upper-class family adopts two lower-class orphans, the cruelty the boys experience at his family's hands cements Albert's hatred of the nobility he was born into. He asks the older of the two boys- who has a genius mind and a killer instinct- to help him rid the world of evil, starting with Albert's own family!

Review- A wonderful reimaging of the world of Sherlock Holmes. Moriarty was a abused child but he had a plan and the will to see it through. With help from natural and adopted brothers, they get revenge and freedom. From there the rest of the volume is building the world and the characters who live in it. The reader sees how badly most nobles treat everyone around them, including murdering innocent people who are just in the way. The art is very good, the plot was fascinating, and the characters are reinvented in this manga. I hope that Sherlock will be joining the cast soon because I want to see Moriarty as the good guy interacts with Sherlock, who is going to be a villain in this version. 

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.

Harleen

Today's post is on Harleen by Stjepan Šejić. It is 208 pages long and is published by DC Black Label. The cover has Harley on it grinning. The intended reader is someone who likes Harley Quinn and beautiful art. There is foul language, sex, and violence in this graphic novel. The story is told from third person of Harley. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Dr. Harleen Quinzel has a theory: mental illness is a survival mechanism. As she seeks to help the broken souls of Gotham City piece together their sanity she will become the one thing she fears the most: one of them. A bold new retelling of the tragic origin of Harley Quinn told through the eyes of the only person who knows her better than anyone: Harleen.
A young psychiatrist with a potential cure for the madness that haunts Gotham City, Dr. Harleen Quinzel must prove her revolutionary theory to a skeptical establishment by delving into the disturbed minds of Arkham Asylum's deadliest inmates. But the more time she spends with her criminally insane subjects, the closer she is drawn to one patient in particular--and the further she falls away from reality. The birth of legendary antihero Harley Quinn and the shocking origins of her twisted romance with the Joker are revealed in Harleen, a stunning new tale of love and obsession written and illustrated by renowned comics storyteller Stjepan Sejic.

Review- This is a great re-imagining of Harley's origins. Harley is trying to understand why some people become killers and others don't. But as she gets closer to her study subjects, she begins to slip herself. Joker is there to help her understand the criminal mind, of course. While the story is good, the art is incredible, just gorgeous. If you are a fan of Harley, then you should check out this graphic novel. But if you are a fan of incredible art, you need to check out this graphic novel and meet Stjepan Šejić, his art is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. I would love for him to write more with Harley and maybe with Ivy too. 

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. 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Today's post is on Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. It is 512 pages long and is published by Harper Voyager. The cover is a beautiful art piece with the moon, flower, and the main character, Xingyin in the center. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and violence in this novel. The intended reader is someone who likes fantasy novels, Chinese fantasy, and reimagining of mythology. The story is told from first person perspective of the main character, Xingyin. There Be Spoiler Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

Review- This is a marvelous, sweeping, epic tale of a young immortal trying to get justice for her mother and find herself in the process. As a huge fan of Chinese mythology and storytelling, I had a wonderful time with this novel. It is has everything I wanted- from epic battles, first love, impossible quests, and magic. Xingyin is the hidden daughter of the Moon Goddess and a heroic human. The Celestial Empire cannot even know of her existence. But when she is forced to flee her home, she decides to make her own way and free her mother. Everything about this novel is just the best. The story, the writing, the characters, I loved it all and I cannot wait to get my hands on the second volume. If you like fantasy at all then you need to read this novel. 

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. 

Sky Without Stars

Today's post is on Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell. It is 579 pages long and is published by Simon Pulse. The cover is a world with different French landmarks on it. The intended reader is someone who likes young adult novels, romance, and reimagines of stories. There is some mild foul language, no sex, and some violence in this novel. The story is told from three different perspectives of the main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- A thief. An officer. A guardian.
Three strangers. One shared destiny . . .
When the Last Days came, the planet of Laterre promised hope. But five hundred years later, it’s now a place where an extravagant elite class reigns supreme; where the clouds hide the stars and the poor starve in the streets; where a rebel group, long thought dead, is resurfacing.
Whispers of revolution have begun—a revolution that hinges on three unlikely heroes…
Chatine is a street-savvy thief who will do anything to escape the brutal Regime, including spying on Marcellus, the grandson of the most powerful man on the planet.
Marcellus is an officer—and the son of a traitor. Groomed to command by his legendary grandfather, Marcellus begins to doubt the government he’s vowed to serve when he discovers a cryptic message that only one person, a girl named Alouette, can read.
Alouette is living in an underground refuge, where she guards and protects the last surviving library on the planet. But a shocking murder will bring Alouette to the surface for the first time in twelve years…and plunge Laterre into chaos.
All three have roles to play in a dangerous game of revolution—and together they will shape the future of a planet.
Power, romance, and destiny collide in this sweeping reimagining of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Misérables.

Review- A epic beginning to a trilogy that takes Les Misérables not only into space but into places never explored before. The story follows three very different characters with very different perceptions of life and their futures. Chatine only wants to get away from Laterre, Marcellus wants to be who his grandfather expects him to be, and Alouette wants to protect the hidden past without knowing her own. The three are on a collision course with planned revolution, old secrets, and murder. This was a good read with lots of world building, characters development, and fast pacing. The reader gets a handle on the world of Laterre and the people who live and die there. With the chapter heading telling the reader who perspective they are in, the reader sees Laterre from very different places and that adds so much to the world. I look forward to reading the next volume. 

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

TEN

Today's book review is on TEN by Gretchen McNeil.  It is 294 pages long and is published by Balzer + Bray. The cover is a picture of an isolated island in the Pacific Northwest. The intended reader is someone who likes young adult mysteries, thrillers, and retelling of classic mystery novels.  There is mild foul language, discussions of sex and sexuality, and violence in this novel. The story is told in the first person of the main character Meg. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-  It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives-  three days on Henry Island at an exclusive house party. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their own reasons for wanting to be there, which involved are schools most eligible bachelor, T.J. Fletcher, and look forward to three glorious days of boys, bonding, and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get. Suddenly, people are dying, and with a storm raging outside, the teens are cut off from the rest of the world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn't scheduled to return the days. Aa the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on one another, can Meg find the killer before more people die? or is the killer closer to her than she ever imagined? 

Review-  A masterful retelling of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None updated for modern tastes.  Meg is trying to handle just the last few months before she can get away and go to college at UCLA  but her best friend Minnie is not handling their soon-to-be separation very well. So this was supposed to be a last big hurrah for the two of them to spend time together and have a little fun. But soon accidents start to happen, and then a suicide or at least it looks like one and Meg knows something has gone terribly wrong. The story kept me guessing, I wasn't sure exactly who was the one behind it but when the reveal happened I wasn't surprised necessarily by who the person was but who they were pretending to be. Of course if you have read the Agatha Christie classic novel you will enjoy this novel more but if you're just looking for a teen thriller, who done it; I would recommend it. It is well written, the characters are interesting and complex, and it's just in general a good teen slasher novel.

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.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Today's post is on The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White. It is 287 pages long and is published by Delacorte Press. The cover is beige like skin with the title as snitch work. The intended reader is someone who likes horror novels, retelling stories, and dark young adult novels. There is some mild foul language, no sex or sexuality, and some violence in this novel. The story is told from first person perspective of the main character Elizabeth. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.
Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.
But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

Review- An interesting and engaging retelling of Frankenstein that keeps the horror of the original novel with more insight into Elizabeth and the life she had to life. Elizabeth Lavenza is sold to the Frankensteins' as a young child on the promise that she is nobility. She has no real memory of her life before the beatings but she is never going back to that life, no matter what takes. We travel the whole of the original novel but from Elizabeth's perspective and her personal motivation of surviving at all costs. She is an interesting character, dark in a different way from Victor but she grows over the course of the story as she learns what Victor truly is. I liked traveling with her and seeing her discover for herself who is monster truly is. I recommend this novel if you wanted more define ending than what Frankenstein gave.

I give this novel a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I was given this novel as a gift.

Shut Out

Today’s post is on Shut Out by Kody Keplinger. It is 273 pages long and is published by Little, Brown, and Company. The cover is a close up the main characters' face. The intended reader is young adult. There is mild foul language, talk of sex and sexuality, and no violence. The story is told from first person close. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Most high school sports teams have rivalries with other schools. At Hamilton High, it’s a civil war: the football team versus the soccer team. And for her part, Lissa is sick of it. Her quarterback boyfriend. Randy. Is always ditching her to go pick a fight or haze a freshman. And on three separate occasions Randy’s car has been egged while he and Lissa were inside, making out. She is done competing with a bunch of sweaty boys for her own boyfriend’s attention.
Lissa decides to end the rivalry once and for all. She and the other players’ girlfriends go on a hookup strike. The boys won’t get any action from them until the football and soccer teams make peace. What they don’t count on is a new sort of rivalry: an impossible girls-against-boys showdown that hinges on who will cave to their libidos first. And her own sexual tension with the leader of the boys? Lissa never sees it coming. In this hilarious and romantic reimagining in of Aristosphanes’ Lysistrata, the battle of boys against girls is on.

Review- In this very clever retelling of Lysistrata Keplinger gives the reader a very nice treat. There are lots of to like about this book. The honest way that the characters talk about sex, the sweet romance, the lack of actual teen sex, and the fast moving plot. I do not dislike anything about this book. The characters are interesting, fun, and they tackle the hard issues of the book is very honest and feels very real to life. Lissa is trying to be the perfect girlfriend but her boyfriend is not helping her with that. He is not very considerate to her feelings and that is why we have our plot. Our real hero is a nice guy who does care about the way that the girls feel, not just Lissa. He wants people to stop getting hurt too and decided to the guys together to win the girls back. There is some back and forth between the two groups and Lissa has to learn to both stand up for herself and when to bend for the other person. This is a great book and I had a really great time reading it, I recommend it.

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.

Once Upon a Kiss

Today's post is on Once Upon a Kiss by Jayne Fresina. It is the first in her Book Club Belles Society. It is 401 pages long and is published by Sourcebook. The cover is green with the heroine and hero on top in a state of déshabille. The intended reader is someone who likes historical romances and mild retellings. There is mild foul 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- The Perfect Hero
When handsome, mysterious Darius wainwright stroll into town, the Book Club Belles are instantly smitten with his brooding good looks and prideful demeanor. It's as is he walked out of the pages of their favorite new novel, a scandalous romance called Pride and Prejudice. But Justine Penny can't understand why her fellow Belles are starry-eyes in the newcomer's arrogant presence- surely a wicked Wickham would be infinitely more fun...
An Unlikely Leading Lady
Justina is the opposite of Darius's ideal woman- not that he's looking for romance. But when he discovers her stealing apples from his uncle's orchard, he can't resist his own thieving impulse. A stolen kiss from the mischievous Miss Penny leaves Darius wanting much, much more. If it's a dashing villain she desires, Darius is more than willing to play the part...

Review- An indifferent sort-of retelling of P&P. I wanted to have a really good time with this novel but in the end it was just meh. The blurb is also not right. Darius never tries to be more villainy to get Justina. He does act much more like Darcy than Wickham. Now that said we do have sex between them before they are married but that is part of this kind of romance novel. There is lots of set up for future novels but I will not be reading any of them. There is nothing really wrong with this book but it was just very meh for me.

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

Lady's Bridget's Diary

Today's post is on Lady's Bridget's Diary by Maya Rodale. It is the first in her Keeping up with the Cavendishes series. It is 361 pages long and is published by Avon Books. The cover is white with Lady Bridget in the center looking at the reader. The intended reader is someone who likes retellings, funny characters, and quick reads. There is no foul language, sex, and no violence in this novel. The story is told from the third person close of the two main characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From back of the book- Lord Darcy is the quintessential Englishman: wealthy, titled, impossibly proper, and horrified that a pack of Americans has inherited one of England's most respected dukedoms. But his manners, his infamous self-restraint, and his better judgment fly out the window when he finds himself with the maddening American girl next door.
Lady Bridget Cavendish has grand—but thwarted—plans to become a Perfect Lady and take the haute ton by storm. In her diary, Bridget records her disastrous attempts to assimilate into London high society, her adoration of the handsome rogue next door, her disdain for the Dreadful Lord Darcy, and some truly scandalous secrets that could ruin them all.
It was loathing at first sight for Lady Bridget and Lord Darcy. But their paths keep crossing . . . and somehow involve kissing. When Lady Bridget's diary goes missing, both Darcy and Bridget must decide what matters most of all—a sterling reputation or a perfectly imperfect love.

Review-  This was a fun retelling of Pride and Prejudice with some fun twists. The only problem I have is that no gentleman would behave like that in front of or with a lady. But overlooking that, I had a fun time with this book. The characters were funny, I liked the siblings, and Lord Darcy was as stuffy as he should be. The family dynamics were very fun and really added something to the story. The subplot of the other woman was unnecessary drama and the way that that Lord Darcy handled it did not surprise me or impress me. But as much as I had reading this I do not think that I will be reading any more in the series. The writing was just okay. It was not bad but it really just did not grab me.

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

The Diabolical Miss Hyde

Today's post is on The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr. It is the first in her Electric Empire series. It is 444 pages long and is published by Harper Voyager. The cover has Lizzie Hyde on it with Captain Lafayette behind her. The intended reader is someone who likes steampunk, sort-of retellings, and a fun story lines. There is some language, sex, and violence in this book. The story is told in two ways third person from Eliza's perceptive and first person from Lizzie's. There be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Magic, mystery, and romance mix in this edgy retelling of the classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde–in which Dr. Eliza Jekyll is the daughter of the infamous Henry...
In an electric-powered Victorian London, Dr. Eliza Jekyll is a crime scene investigator, hunting killers with inventive new technological gadgets. Now, a new killer is splattering London with blood, drugging beautiful women and slicing off their limbs. Catching "the Chopper" could make Eliza's career—or get her burned. Because Eliza has a dark secret. A seductive second self, set free by her father's forbidden magical elixir: wild, impulsive Lizzie Hyde.
When the Royal Society sends their enforcer, the mercurial Captain Lafayette, to prove she's a sorceress, Eliza must resist the elixir with all her power. But as the Chopper case draws her into London's luminous, magical underworld, Eliza will need all the help she can get. Even if it means getting close to Lafayette, who harbors an evil curse of his own.
Even if it means risking everything and setting vengeful Lizzie free . . .

Review- This is a very fun steampunk adventure with some old literary threads. Carr does a lot with this plot and she makes it work. The steampunk world is very well realized and I want to see more if it. I liked both of our heroines. They bring different things to the table. Eliza is very practical and uses her brains to get through everything but Lizzie is the dark side that can solve the problems that need more than just brains. The villain for this book was okay but he was just stand in for the real villain. The real villain is very fun and I look forward to seeing more of him. The good captain was interesting and I look forward to seeing where he goes in the story. The one thing that I found annoying was how much Eliza and Lizzy dislike each other. They look down and almost hate their other half. That did get old. But it is a solid first in a new 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.

Alice

Today's post is on Alice by Christina Henry. It is the first in her Alice series. It is 291 pages long and is published by Ace. The cover is brown with a white rabbit head with a blood spot over its eye. The intended reader is someone who likes dark stories, good writing, and a little madness. There is language, rape, and lots of violence in this book; be warned. The story is told from third person close perspective of Alice. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- A mind-bending new novel inspired by the twisted and wondrous works of Lewis Carroll...
In a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people called the Old City, there stands a hospital with cinderblock walls which echo the screams of the poor souls inside.In the hospital, there is a woman. Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back. She doesn’t remember why she’s in such a terrible place. Just a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood…
Then, one night, a fire at the hospital gives the woman a chance to escape, tumbling out of the hole that imprisoned her, leaving her free to uncover the truth about what happened to her all those years ago.
Only something else has escaped with her. Something dark. Something powerful.
And to find the truth, she will have to track this beast to the very heart of the Old City, where the rabbit waits for his Alice.

Review- This is an excellent horror sequel to Alice in Wonderland. This world is very scary. I felt Alice's fear of not only what happened to her but what was going on around her. I did not think that she was weak because of this fear. That said I do like what Henry did with the original source book and her own take on it. Alice is someone who I liked as the main character. I feel that she she did what she had to do. I do wish that we had a chance to her from her family why they put her in the hospital; Alice has her beliefs but I am not sure that is really why. In addition the blurb makes you think that the Rabbit is the real villain. He is not, he is in the story for about ten pages then we get back to the real villain. I am very curious about where is Henry is going to go from here.

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

Hellsing volume 10

Today's post is on Hellsing volume 10 by Kohta Hirano. It is 183 pahes long and is published by Dark Horse. As it is the last book in the series you need to have read the first nine to understand the story. The cover has the cast looking at the reader smiling. The intended reader is someone who likes vampires, lots of actions, and retellings of classic stories. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this volume and series. The story is told from third person god perspective following the characters. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The curtain rises on the final act of the apocalyptic war between vampires, Nazis, Catholics, werewolves, Protestants, and mercenaries, and the outcome is still in doubt. Amidst the blood-soaked wreckage of London, the Champions of light and darkness face off in a final showdown that will determine the future of humanity... or see humanity's fall!

Review- A good ending. All questions are answered, all enemies are dead, and Count Dracula is still kicking. Walter just wanted to fight Alucard at full strength and in the end is loyal to Sir Hellsing.The Nazis were crazy but they were smart. The major never saw Alucard as his real enemy because Alucard is a monster and the major saw himself as a man. So everything was about getting a human to kill him, like Sir Hellsing. In the end everything works out for the 'heroes'. They stop the bad guys, save the world, and become a real vampire. All well that ends well. This is a fun and fast paced series, that takes the vampire lore into a fun place. Dracula is hard to really make new but Hirano does fun things with him and with vampires in general. Good series.

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.