Book Review: Gotham Academy vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy

Title: Gotham Academy, Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy

Authors: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ (3)

First off, the art is great. The background art is fantastic and the color pallet is perfect; it really makes Gotham Academy look and feel like a creepy Gothic castle. However, I just wasn’t feeling it. The story felt like the Batman version of Scooby Doo, only without the dog (although there is a killer Croc). The series takes place within Gotham Academy, a boarding school that is funded by the Wayne Foundation. The main character is Olive Silverlock (who, incidentally, has silver hair), due to a mysterious incident over the summer she has become withdrawn, breaks up with her boyfriend, and avoids her once close friends. She also has a grudge against Batman, and to be honest, he’s not doing much to try to win her over. While all this is happening, there are reports of a ghost haunting the school. Olive is skeptical but is eventually roped in to the investigation by her ex’s little sister Maps.

If the intended audience was children, then I think the writers hit the mark. It’s a good series to get kids into the Batman universe without all the gratuitous violence and adult drama. I’m interested to see where the story goes because there is potential there, but I’m worried it’s going to become a story about a bunch of meddling kids unmasking fake monsters.  

Book Review: Core Scramble

Title: Core Scramble

Author/Artist: Euho Jun

Rating: ☕ ☕  (2)

First let me preface this by saying I read a lot of BL manga/manhwa, so I am well aware of the common tropes and story lines in this genre. Some I can tolerate and still enjoy the story, but then there are the tropes that grind on my nerves so much I have to restrain myself from throwing the tablet across the room. This story was the latter.

The initial premise is confusing at first because the reader is dropped into the middle of a battle with no background information as to why this battle is happening. We meet the soldier, Chaeun, as he is forced to fight the mass of bugs alone after his commander abandons him to meet his girlfriend and the rest of his team are pulled from the fight due to injuries. After 7 hours he finally manages to eliminate all of them, but what he didn’t know was that he was being watched by the mysterious Moonhoo, who then shows his appreciation for the exciting battle by giving him a drink of water – using his own mouth.

At first Chaeun seems like a smart, honest guy. He cares about his colleagues and takes his job very seriously. His major flaw is his steadfast loyalty to his violent and reckless commander Gayoon. I understand why he stays with him initially, but as Gayoon’s violent attacks on Chaeun increase in number and severity, I have to wonder why he continues to stay on his team when there are other teams who are ready to take him. Basically, he is conforming to one of the most common BL tropes – staying with the violent, possible romantic lead because of some twisted form of admiration and love. The only trope more common than this one is the “Love Triangle” – which surprise, surprise is also hinted at. About halfway through this volume I was ready to call it quits, but I somehow managed to struggle on and finish it. I just didn’t like it. I’ve read too many stories like it in the past to find it interesting, and I can already predict what is going to happen in the following volumes.

The one redeeming feature in the entire volume was the art. The art was clean and the characters were handsome. The reference panels were also well executed. I just wish the story was tighter and original. Unless you are a huge fan and feel the need to read every BL story out there, I suggest you pass on this one and read something else.

Book Review: Illusionarium

Title: Illusionarium

Author: Heather Dixon

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (4)

I have a little confession to make regarding Illusionarium. Actually, I have two confessions. First, although I like the steam punk aesthetic, I’ve never really read a book that had the steam punk classification. Second, I didn’t choose this book because of the theme, blurb, or even the author. To be honest, I chose it because I love the work of cover artist Nathalia Suellen. I’ve been following her on Tumblr ever since I saw the cover for Splintered by A.G. Howard. 

In Dixon’s Illusionarium, we meet Jonathan Gouden; in his own words he considers himself to be “sort of.” He’s “sort of” tall, and “sort of” smart.  He loves learning about medicine and science and takes pride in his job as his father’s apprentice, but he also looks forward to leaving his frozen home for the capital and the academy, where he will study to become a surgeon. But, before he can leave, a deadly disease takes hold of the entire country, including his beloved mother and sister. Jonathan decides to risk everything to find a cure and save his family, even if it means betraying his father and his country.

Jonathan is a great character: he’s impulsive, naïve, and doesn’t always see the big picture. Basically, he’s a 16-year-old boy. He’s so desperate to find a cure to save his mother and sister that he puts his trust in a strange chemical called fantillium that causes shared illusions –illusions that can be manipulated by those with the skill to do so. Throughout the story, Jonathan waffles between trying to do the right thing and becoming like the people he’s fighting against. I love that Jonathan doesn’t always choose to do the right thing, that’s human nature, humans make mistakes, and Jonathan makes quite a few, but he learns from them and tries to do better. 

To help him (albeit reluctantly) on his journey is a one-eyed soldier named Lockwood. In the beginning, he and Jonathan detest each other. Lockwood sees the world in black and white – he doesn’t understand why Jonathan is willing to go to any lengths to secure a cure for the disease ravaging the country. If it can’t be obtained through honorable (read: legal) means, then it can’t be done. At first I really disliked Lockwood. I couldn’t understand how someone could turn a blind eye (no pun intended) to the suffering of the citizens around him. Throughout the second half of the book we learn a little bit about Lockwood’s past, and how it has influenced his view of the world. He still ticked me off a bit, but as the story went on I started to like him more and more. If the author wants to write a prequel or sequel with Lockwood as the main character I will almost definitely read it because I feel there is more beneath the eye patch (and I would really like to know the rest of the story on how he got that eye patch…). 

I really enjoyed this book. The world building was great and I really loved how the author described Jonathan’s process for creating illusions. They didn’t just appear with a thought, there was a fairly complicated method involved in their creation. Dixon spent a lot of time on the illusions and the parts where Jonathan was on the run, which caused some parts to be rushed or underdeveloped. There are sections that I wished were fleshed out a bit more, especially those with Jonathan and Lockwood. I’m giving this book a 4 because it kept my attention (which is in short supply these days) and I really did love the story.

Book Review: I Am Princess X

Title: I Am Princess X

Author: Cherie Priest

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (4)

In addition to my graphic novel/comic book kick, I seem to be reading quite a bit of YA recently. So it’s no surprise that I picked up I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest. What makes this book so interesting (or irresistible to me) is the combination of the story of friends Libby and May, and the comic that started it all. 

On a boring day at school, Libby and May created a rock’n princess in red Chuck Taylor’s they dubbed Princess X. Over the years the girls spent hours drawing and writing stories about their Princess X. But it all ended one rainy night when the car Libby was in drove off a bridge and into the water below. Years pass, but May still mourns the loss of her first best friend. She still feels there was something strange about how Libby died but she can’t figure out why. While she’s visiting her dad in Seattle, her past comes back to her in the form of a sticker, and the further she digs the more questions she has about the appearance of Princess X. Who put it there and why? Could it be that Libby is still alive and trying to send May a message? After a little sleuthing, May discovers that it’s not just stickers and patches; someone is writing new comics staring Princess X. It is the inclusion of the Princess X comics that really make the story unique. The story was more interesting because the reader was able to see what May was seeing. These new comics drive May to dig deeper until she runs into a dead end (read: a broken laptop).  Calling a tech support flyer she finds in her building introduces her to neighbor “Trick,” who not only tells her how to fix her laptop, he also decides to use his hacking skills to help her discover the identity of Princess X and find out what really happened to Libby. 

I love May; she’s shy and has a hard time opening up to people, even her parents. When Libby dies, she loses the person who understands her the most and brings out the best in her. Then things get worse when her parents decide to divorce and May moves back to Atlanta with her mother, while her father stays in Seattle. She loves her parents but she keeps them at a distance. I really love the friendship she cultivates with Trick. She knows that she needs his help, but she also values their growing friendship.

Although the friendship between May and Libby is the driving force behind the story, I must admit that my favorite character is Trick. He’s so smart but he’s also an impulsive teenager who has made some bad decisions, but he doesn’t let that stop him from acting like the computer genius he thinks he is. I think even he was surprised at how quickly he bonded with May and I believe he really cherishes their growing friendship.

The pacing is good, in fact I was able to finish it in a day, but because the pacing is so fast – especially toward the end, there are scenes that stick out because they are a bit too unbelievable. I also wish the author had fleshed out her descriptions of the places May and Trick visit in Seattle. Since I’ve never been to Seattle, it was hard for me to picture the places she talks about, although someone who has been there probably wouldn’t have an issue with it. I gave this book a 4 because I loved the unique plot and the mixing of the story and the Princess X comics. 

Book Review: Batgirl Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside

Title: Batgirl Vol. 1: The Batgirl of Burnside

Author: Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher

Artist: Babs Tarr 

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ (3)

Geez, I’ve been reading a lot of comics and graphic novels lately. I was given the opportunity to read the “soft” reboot of my favorite Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. This version has Barbara moving to Burnside for a fresh start as she pursues her PhD. It’s been three years since her spinal injury, but she’s back to her crime fighting ways and ready to take on the city. I was looking forward to reading this collection because it was rumored to have a lighter tone compared to Gail Simone’s New #52 Batgirl series. I loved Simone’s work but it was a little too serious for my daughter, so this seemed like a somewhat age appropriate way to introduce her to Barbara Gordon.

I wanted to love this, I really did, but somehow it just fell flat for me. This was indeed a “lighter” storyline and, aside from a few panels, I would feel comfortable handing it over to my daughter to read. The art was fun and colorful. I really liked Batgirl’s motorcycle jacket-style costume, it was practical, functional, and definitely more realistic than some of the other superhero costumes out there.

Since this the first volume, there isn’t much character development for the new supporting characters, but I already love Barbara’s research assistant Nadimah Ali. In some ways Barbara is still recovering from her injuries. In a fight, sometimes she is slow to react, and while I appreciate that the writers aren’t automatically showing her in top form, I also feel she is missing the emotional side of her recovery.  I also liked how they used social media in the storyline, it was almost a character in its own right. The writers did well showing all the great things that can be achieved with social media and coding, but they also show how dangerous this technology can be when it’s in the wrong hands. 

This reboot got off to an okay start, and I hope the story gets better as it progresses but I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues to fall flat. I love Barbara Gordon as Batgirl (and Oracle) so I hope we get to see more dimension in her character and the supporting characters.

**NetGalley provided me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Book Review: Are You My Mother?

Title: Are You My Mother?

Author: Alison Bechdel

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ (3)

Once again I picked a book based on the number of times it ended up on my shelving cart at work.  Though I am someone who enjoys reading both biographies and graphic novels, I rarely read graphic novel memoirs; not that there are many to choose from, and so I decided to give this one a shot. Admittedly, I hadn’t heard of author Alison Bechdel before I picked up this book, so I didn’t have any preconceived notions about her story telling style. And after reading Are You My Mother? I feel like I would have benefited from reading some of her non-autobiographical comics beforehand. 

The art in this book is wonderful. Bechdel manages to put so much detail into each panel without making it look cluttered or messy. I also love how she uses only gray and red for her color pallet, I felt that the red enhances the storytelling and adds an extra dimension to the relationship between the author and her mother, tying the past and the present together.   

Bechdel’s graphic memoir is an interesting blend of accounts of her memories and conversations with her mother and the dissection of those interactions with the help of her psychoanalyst over the course of many decades. I feel that in addition to the memoir, I was given a crash course in psychoanalysis, a field of study I have very little knowledge of outside of the basic Freudian theories I learned in Psych 100, which I took over 10 years ago. At the core though, is the complex relationship Bechdel has with her mother. The author often tries to explain the hows and whys of her complex feelings through the words of others, most prominently Virginia Woolf and psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott. 

Aside from the heady background material, I had a hard time relating to Bechdel and her need to pick apart every conversation, every dream, every action, etc.  I grew up in a very average family and I have a wonderfully uncomplicated relationship with my own Mom, so I had a hard time understanding the relationship between Bechdel and her mother. It seems that Bechdel was also puzzled about their relationship, which is probably why she decided to chronicle the journey to define what her mother is to her. By the end of the book, I felt like I learned more about Winnicott and the Mother-Daughter relationship than about her mother.

It took me a little longer to get through this compared to other graphic novels. Most of this was because of the citations from the many books on psychiatry and psychoanalysis. There were times when I had to stop and reread a passage because I wasn’t sure what I had just read. For some, I even looked up the original source material in order to gain some further insight. Overall I enjoyed reading it and gaining insight to Bechdel’s journey to find out what her mother means to her.  

Book Review: DC Super Heroes Origami

Title: DC Super Heroes Origami

Author: John Montroll

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ (3)

My son loves origami. Actually love isn't a strong enough word, more like he's obsessed with origami. So it's no surprise that when I mentioned that there was a book of origami featuring DC characters he insisted I let him read it as well. Admittedly I’m not as into origami as my son, in fact lately I’ve been avoiding it like the plague since my son decided to use origami crafting for his economics project (I guess they teach economics in elementary school now). But I really enjoyed the Star Wars origami book, as well as Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series, so I decided to give this book a shot.

The book claims to have projects of varying degrees of difficulty, and while I agree that there are projects for both beginner and advanced skills, I felt like some of the easier projects were put in because they were easy and not necessarily because they fit with the DC theme. For example the “easy” projects in the Batman chapter included the Penguin’s umbrella and the Riddler’s walking stick, and while both items are representative of said characters, if the projects were taken out of context they are just an umbrella and walking stick without anything else to tie them to the characters they are supposed to represent.

The projects on the difficult side are challenging and visually pleasing. I really liked the Batwing, after I was finally able to finish it. It was a bit more difficult to put together than I initially thought, but the end result was cool to look at. My favorite projects were from the Wonder Woman and Justice League chapters because they could be used for dress-up. Who wouldn’t want their very own Green Arrow hat or Wonder Woman tiara?

My son, on the other hand, was less impressed. Like me, he enjoyed the projects in the Justice League chapter and he had a blast making a hundred maces and swords. But he wasn’t impressed with all the preprinted character sheets, and after putting together Clay Face, he abandoned the rest of them. He was more interested in the creative or functional projects.

I’m giving this book a low 3. It was fun and creative, but the novelty of it wore off fairly quickly in our house. I think this is a fun activity book for families with younger children (ages 4-7) or for fans of the DC Universe (Disclosure: The Latte-Books Family do appreciate the DC Universe, but are hardcore Marvel fans).

**NetGalley provided me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

Book Review: Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Title: Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Author: Dana Simpson

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕  (5)

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a little girl who fell in love with the movie The Last Unicorn. Fast forward 20 odd years and the now grown-up girl shared this love with her own daughter. Her daughter was even more in love with the movie than her mother and had several t-shirts featuring the beautiful unicorn. This past Saturday was the first day of the Summer Reading Program at the library I work at, so I brought my kids in to sign up and pick out some books. My daughter, Nora, was wearing her favorite “Last Unicorn” shirt. One of the Children’s Librarians saw her shirt and gushed to the point of frightening my very very shy daughter. To smooth it over she told us about this new graphic novel she had just read, Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson. Nora has found her new favorite librarian.

After waiting patiently for my daughter to go to bed the other night, I snuck into her room and grabbed the book to read it for myself. I knew I was going to like it when I opened to the first page and saw that Peter S. Beagle, the author of The Last Unicorn, had penned the introduction. At that point I was sold before even reading the first panel. After some mild internal fangirl screaming, I started reading.

The story begins with Phoebe skipping stones on a pond. One of those stones strikes Marigold Heavenly Nostrils the Unicorn on the head, freeing her from being held captive by her glorious reflection in the water – apparently this is a common problem for Unicorns. In return for saving her, Marigold offers to grant Phoebe any wish that is in her power to grant. Phoebe wishes that she and Marigold could be best friends, Marigold reluctantly grants her wish.

Marigold, like all Unicorns, knows that she is beautiful, intelligent, skilled….basically she’s perfect in every way. And she makes sure that Phoebe understands how amazing and wonderful she is. Phoebe knows that Marigold can do amazing things, but sometimes her attitude needs an adjustment, which Phoebe is more than happy to provide. Phoebe can be a little on the weird side, which baffles the perfect Marigold, but over time she grows to love her new friend, even if she is an ugly pink human.

To say I loved this is probably an understatement. Peter S. Beagle himself compared Phoebe and Marigold to Calvin & Hobbes, which in the beginning seemed like an overly ambitious statement. But after reading it, I can see why he came to that conclusion. The book is funny, sarcastic, and appeals to both children and their adults. There were plenty of moments where I would laugh out loud to the bewilderment of my husband. I can’t wait to read more of Phoebe and Marigold’s adventures! Lucky for me Nora, volume 2 was released on May 26th.

Book Review: Trigger Warning

Title: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances

Author: Neil Gaiman

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕  (5)

I finally had the opportunity to read Neil Gaiman’s new collection of short stories. When I sat down to read Trigger Warning I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m a huge fan of Mr. Gaiman, and I’ve enjoyed nearly everything he’s written, but I’m generally not a fan of short stories or poems. However this book could not have dropped into my hands at a better time. It's been a busy month; basketball, health crises, work, kids, etc... Which makes it difficult to get into a book let alone finish one. Trigger Warning fit perfectly into the chaos that was my life the last few months.

I never know how to review collections of short stories or poems, and it’s not any easier with Trigger Warning. Mr. Gaiman could probably write a novel for every genre and every age group and they would all be great; this time he wrote a short story for every genre and age group and collected them into one book. So you can understand my problem when I sat down to write this review. Since I am a fan, I have learned one very important lesson when reading Mr. Gaiman’s works, don’t skip the introduction! In Trigger Warning, Gaiman uses this space to explain why he chose the title and he also gives the reader a little insight into each piece included in the collection. The stories and poems included in this anthology are as creative as they are varied, and like any anthology, there were some pieces I liked, some I didn’t care for, and some that I absolutely loved. Gaiman’s own brand of wry humor shines through each story, making even the least satisfying story passable.

I wish I could write a review for each story, but I’m afraid by doing so I would give something away. However, my favorites were The Thing About Cassandra, Orange, and The Case of Death and Honey.

In The Thing About Cassandra, Stuart Innes keeps hearing from friends and family that they have recently spoken with his former high school girlfriend Cassandra. Which is odd since Cassandra isn’t a real person, but an imaginary girlfriend Stuart created when he was fifteen.

Orange is something to be experienced. It’s the story of a Jemima and her sister who has an unhealthy obsession with self-tanners.

The Case of Death and Honey is the story of Old Gao and the summer that an odd foreigner took an interest in his cantankerous bees.

Although there were one or two pieces that I didn’t care for, I am giving this a 5 cup rating. The overall quality of the stories and poems included make up for the odd miss. My overall opinion of short stories hasn’t changed, but now I’m a bit more willing to read more instead of avoiding them.

After reading Trigger Warning I was struck with an immediate desire to reread American Gods…

Book Review: The Walls Around Us

Title: The Walls Around Us

By: Nova Ren Suma

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (4)

I was in the middle of a book slump when a friend suggested I read Nova Ren Suma’s new book, The Walls Around Us. In it she tells the stories of two girls who have never met but they share a common link; Violet, the prima ballerina and Amber, an inmate at the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center along with the girl that ties them together, the deceased Orianna. The story is told in alternating viewpoints and through Violet’s and Amber’s voices we learn about Orianna and how she went from celebrated ballerina to an inmate at Aurora Hills.

Aside from the ending, which I’ll get to later, my one major complaint is that Orianna gets lost in the story. For someone who plays a pivotal role in the stories of both girls, I felt like I didn't know who she was, maybe that was the intention of the author, but it left me feeling unsatisfied and made the ending all the more puzzling. 

The one character that really grabbed me was Violet. I hated her. It was great. She has very few redeeming qualities, and you can feel it as you read her narrative. What is so great about her is that she knows she is an unpleasant person and that her outside demeanor is a mask holding back her true self. 

The book itself is not very long and I was able to finish it in a day. However it took about three days for me to wrap my head around what I had read. I’m not even exaggerating here. When I finished, I sat back in my chair and thought “What the hell did I just read?” A few hours later, I went back and reread the last 2-3 chapters to see if I’d missed anything. I had. But instead of clearing things up, I felt as if I were looking at a ball of yarn to be untangled, but every time I pulled the string there was another knot or broken thread. Over the next two days I tried to convince everyone I know to read this book so I would have someone to talk to about it. Even though I've had some time to reflect and untangle the ending, I’m still not sure if I like or dislike it. 

Initially I was going to give The Walls Around Us a 3 star rating, mostly because Orianna’s character lacked dimension. But I changed my mind when I realized I spent the better part of a week thinking about this story. It wasn't a spectacular or life changing book, but it stuck with me long after I finished it.

Book Review: Nightbird

Title: Nightbird

Author: Alice Hoffman

Publish Date: March 10, 2015

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (4)

Friendship? Check. Romance? Check. Family Secret? Check. Pie? Check. Alice Hoffman’s new book Nightbird has all the ingredients needed to create a wonderful story. Our narrator, Twig, lives in the small town of Sidwell, Massachusetts. She’s spent her life trying to be invisible, which is pretty hard to do in a small town where everyone knows each other. But her family has a secret that must be protected no matter what. But when things start disappearing and curious blue graffiti pops up on buildings all over town, Twig and her new neighbor Julia need to find out who the culprit is before the whole town discovers the Fowler Family secret.  

For me, books by Alice Hoffman have been a hit or miss, but I really enjoyed this first attempt at writing for middle-grade readers. There is a fairy tale atmosphere to the story which perfectly complements the setting, even more so because we see it through the eyes of our twelve-year-old narrator.  I just adore Twig; she cares deeply for her family, but at times her loneliness pours into her narrative and it breaks my heart. When she meets the Hall family she starts to open up little by little and we get glimpses of what the real Twig is like.  

There are a couple of things that disappointed me though. The second half of the book was so rushed that when I got to the last page I thought to myself “Is that it?” The ending itself was a bit too neat and pretty, I could almost picture a little wrapped box tied with pretty ribbons and bows.  I also felt that there wasn't enough character development for the secondary characters. For example, I would have liked more scenes with Twig getting to know Julia. All I learned about her was that she had a sunny personality and she liked art. And poor Agate was just a pretty blonde who also liked to sew.

Overall, Nightbird was a story of friendship with a little bit of magic thrown in, I just wish the book was a little longer. I would love to see Alice Hoffman write more stories for middle-grade readers, the scenes that she creates are magical, and out of all of her books that I've read, Twig is by far my favorite character.

**NetGalley provided me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

You can purchase this book and more at the Book Depository

Book Review: Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone

Author: Mary Jennifer Payne

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ (3)

Publish Date: February 17, 2015

It seems like forever since I was given a YA novel to review, and a contemporary one at that. It was nice to have a little break from the non-fiction and fantasy I've been reading lately. Like many of the contemporary YA novels that have been published in the last five years, this one deals with sensitive subjects that real teenagers may be dealing with. Since You've Been Gone begins with 15 year old Edie and her mother fleeing into the night – again. Being on the run is something Edie knows all too well since she and her mother have been fleeing from her abusive father for the last five years. But this time it’s different, they’re not only trying to start over in a new city but a new country.

This story had a lot of potential but it fell flat. The pace of the writing was good, it kept me interested enough to finish the book, but I felt like the story was too rushed. Some of the problems with the storytelling may be because this is the author’s first novel and prior to this she was writing for graphic novels. Storytelling in graphic novels tends to have a quick pace and things can be left out in the dialogue because they can be shown in the art. Since You've Been Gone suffered because it was too short, things that should have been explored in more detail were cut short, and things that weren't necessary to the plot were overdone. The last quarter of the book was particularly rushed to the point where the narrative became unrealistic.

 I also had a hard time sympathizing with Edie, I understand that her circumstances were terrible, but her character was inconsistent at critical points and it made it hard for me to like her since I wasn't sure which Edie the author meant to portray. I would have also liked it if the supporting characters were fleshed out more, especially Jermaine and possibly Precious (when you get to the end you’ll know why).

I’m giving it a 3 because the potential is there. The writing was, for the most part, good and it kept my interest. I just wish there was more.

Book Review: CLAMP's Legal Drug and Drug & Drop

Title: Legal Drug                                                                Title: Drug & Drop

Author: CLAMP                                                                Author: CLAMP

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (5)                                                   Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (5)

If I could post a recording of the squeal I made when I heard Dark Horse acquired the English rights to my favorite CLAMP series, you might wonder if I was a teenage girl instead of a grown woman with children. To say I was excited was probably the understatement of the year – well one of them.
 A little back story, CLAMP is an all-female manga group that currently includes Nanase Ohkawa, Mokona, Tsubaki Nekoi, and Satsuki Igarashi. The English rights to several of CLAMP’s series had been licensed to TokyoPop, which closed their US publishing operations in 2011, thus leaving many titles unfinished and in copyright limbo. At that time the CLAMP series Legal Drug had been on a semi-permanent hiatus since 2003 and all three volumes had been released in English by TokyoPop. It wasn't long after TokyoPop closed its doors that CLAMP announced they were reviving the series under the new title Drug & Drop. Leaving fans to wonder if the series would be made available in the US, and if so, who would secure the English rights.  Fast forward to 2014, Dark Horse announced that they had acquired the English rights for both Legal Drug and Drug & Drop, and announced that Legal Drug would be retranslated and all 3 volumes would be compiled into an omnibus.

Since Legal Drug is my favorite CLAMP series, I already own the original English volumes published by TokyoPop, but that didn't stop me from buying the newly released omnibus. You might ask why I would buy the same manga twice; well, my husband asked me the same question. Since the beginning I've had some, let’s call them concerns, with TokyoPop’s translations. Translating from one language into another is difficult, especially when you compare the subtlety of the Japanese language to the bluntness of American English, but I personally felt that TokyoPop made unnecessary, and at times illogical, changes to many of the titles under their control. I haven’t had those same concerns with titles that have been translated by Dark Horse.

Since I have both versions I had to compare them. While the core dialogue is the same, there are noticeable differences in flow, and Dark Horse didn't ignore the “mini-bubbles” that were ignored by TokyoPop. The fonts were also different and the overall cleaning quality was better in the Dark Horse version – although that probably has more to do with advances in editing technology.

Like many of their titles, Legal Drug fits into the larger CLAMP Universe. And like all CLAMP series, there is more to the story than meets the eye. The main characters are Kudo Kazahaya and Himuro Rikuo (*). They are employed by Kakei, the mysterious owner of the Green Drugstore. In addition to their day job at the drugstore they are often asked by Kakei, or his equally mysterious partner Saiga, to perform “other” jobs that are often supernatural in nature and require both young men to use their own supernatural abilities.

Several layers and crossing storylines are present, but in Legal Drug they are subtle enough that they don’t confuse readers who are new to CLAMP. The majority of the book focuses on the “other” jobs with Kazahaya and Rikuo learning to trust and depend on each other. It also briefly touches on Rikuo’s past. But as the chapters play out, the larger story arc begins to materialize and we get closer to finding out why these four people were drawn to the Green Drugstore.

Drug & Drop picks up where Legal Drug left off when it went on hiatus in 2003. The boys are still working for Kakei at the Green Drugstore, but as their powers grow their “other” jobs become more difficult. The larger story arc begins to take center stage. We start to learn more about Kazahaya’s past and why he needed to run away. And we also learn a bit more about Rikuo’s reasons for staying at the Drugstore. And who shows up to prod the boys in the right direction? The shopkeeper from xxxHolic, Watanuki Kimihiro! This volume is more for the fans and has some obvious crossover characters and storylines that could be confusing to new readers. To be honest it can be confusing for CLAMP fans too since there are conflicting timelines and worlds within the CLAMP Universe, but it’s so fun to try to untangle everything.

The lead artist for Legal Drug and Drug & Drop is Tsubaki Nekoi, who (sorry Mokona!) is my favorite artist of the group. Her art is so beautiful and dramatic, and the way she uses negative space and minimal shading make her work stand out from other shoujo mangakas. CLAMP is known for drawing detailed clothing and hair, and these volumes are no different. Since it has been nearly 10 years between the last volume of Legal Drug and the first volume of Drug & Drop, there are some differences in the art style. Probably the most noticeable is Kakei’s and Kazahaya’s hair – as in you can tell the difference between them without relying on Kakei’s glasses. The shading has also changed a little and the overall look is cleaner and more modern, but still recognizable.

I love this series and I can’t wait to see where it is going to go and how it will tie into the other related CLAMP series. Unfortunately, after volume 2 of Drug & Drop was released in Japan, the series once again went on temporary hiatus. But this time a short one, while CLAMP catches up on the other series they are working on. But don’t let that stop you from reading both series. The Legal Drug/Drug & Drop series are a good introduction to the CLAMP Universe.  

*Japanese style name placement: Family Name, Given Name.

Book Review: Sorako

Title: Sorako

Mangaka (Author/Artist): Takayuki Fujimura

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ (4)

Yay! It’s been awhile since I've had a manga to review! This is a bit different from the mangas I normally read for review because before Sorako was licensed with an English language publisher, it began as a doujinshi. Simply put, doujinshi are independent books created and distributed by the managka at doujinshi conventions and other anime/manga fan events. Artists use this method as a way to share their hobby, create fan fiction, get noticed in the industry, and build their brand. Since doujinshi is often overlooked by Western readers (although this is not the case with BL readers), I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered Gen Manga Entertainment – a publishing company devoted to bringing independent manga to English readers.

Sorako is comprised of a series of one-shots, all of which feature young women who have left high school behind and have joined the adult world. While all of the stories have a slice of life flavor to them, the main characters give off an aimless feeling – they have vague goals, no goals, missed opportunities, and are uncertain about the future before them.

The title story is about a young woman named Sorako who is fresh out of high school and looking for a job. She dislikes her town and lacks enthusiasm toward anything – except her dog Toma. She seems content to just live her life day by day without putting too much effort into anything.

Probably my favorite story from the book is “A Boring Breakfast”. It’s about a young married woman who befriends a boy she meets at the library. She is dissatisfied with her mundane life and the separate lives she and her husband are leading. The boy is shy and self-conscious but manages to open up to this young woman. It’s a lovely platonic relationship between two awkward people who encourage each other to make changes in their lives.

You can’t talk about manga without saying something about the art. Well, Fujimura’s art is beautiful. The lines and panels are clean and simple. The backgrounds add to the atmosphere but don’t distract the eye. Because this is a doujinshi, some panels have a rough, almost pencil drawn look to them, which can sometimes be a little distracting but overall it adds to the slice of life vibe.

I really wish I could do half cups because I feel this is a solid 3.5 but I rounded up to a 4 for simplicity's sake. Ultimately what prevented me from giving this a solid 4 was the length of the stories. This is an issue I have with a lot of one shots. I feel like the main idea of each story would be clearer if there was another 2-3 pages between the climax and the end. Overall Sorako was a quick and enjoyable read. Fujimura is a very talented artist and promising storyteller and I hope to see more of their work in the future – independent and mainstream. 

**NetGalley provided me with an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

***Note: Japanese manga is read right to left***

Book Review: A People's History of the French Revolution

Title: A People's History of the French Revolution

Author: Eric Hazan; Translation: David Fernbach

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I’m a history major and I love reading books about life in times long gone. I’m not an expert on the French Revolution, but I do have a bit more knowledge about the subject than the average (American) person. But this book gave me some trouble. Don’t get me wrong, Eric Hazan’s A People’s History of the French Revolution is full of interesting information and facts, but it is not written for people who have an interest in history but rather people who study history. 

At times it felt like I was reading a textbook and I almost reverted to my student habit of taking notes and making flow charts just so I could have a clearer picture of what I had just read. This is not something I want from a book I picked up because of a casual interest in the subject. At times the writing was engaging and held my interest, but other times it was dry and it was difficult for me to not skim over the chapter. I really wanted to enjoy this book, and I tried so hard to get into it, but more often than not I would put the book down every 10-15 pages because I would find myself seeing the words but not reading and absorbing what was written. 

The reason I rated it at 3 is because it does have loads of great information and it is well organized. This book would be a great resource for a student working on a research paper, as a recommended text on a class syllabus, or for someone who has more than a casual interest in French history.  

**NetGalley provided me with an advanced reader copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.**

Book Review: Nancy Knows

Title: Nancy Knows

Author: Cybèle Young
Genre: Picture Book

Rating:  ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

Nancy Knows is a short little book about an elephant who has forgotten something and tries different ways of remembering what she forgot. The story is simple and cute – great for preschoolers. What makes this book a 4 instead of a 3 is the illustrations. Nancy is a simple pencil drawing, but each time Nancy is reminded of something, beautiful paper sculptures become visible in her body. They are so intricate and beautiful I could look at one page for several minutes and not be bored.

For such a beautiful work, it’s a shame the story is lacking. I felt like the end was thrown in there and had little to do with the pages that came before it. Cybele Young is a very talented illustrator and I can’t wait to read some of her other works to see what techniques she has employed. 

**A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Book Review: Nest

Title: Nest

Author: Esther Ehrlich

Publish Date: September 9, 2014

Rating: ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕ ☕

My Thoughts:

Once again the folks at Random House Children’s Books have sent me a gem. This is oral historian Esther Ehrlich’s first novel and after reading it (twice) I’m left wondering where has she been hiding? In Nest we meet Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, an eleven-year-old bird watching enthusiast living in Cape Cod with her father, a psychiatrist, her mother, a former dancer and thirteen-year-old sister Rachel. Chirp is such a pure soul who loves nature, birds, and her family. She is particularly close to her mother and would do anything to make her smile, something that was becoming rare. As her world starts to change, Chirp grows closer to Joey, the strange boy that lives across the street. As she and Joey try to make sense of the changes taking place, Chirp’s world completely falls apart. 

I was so engrossed in Chirp’s world that I often forgot this story takes place in 1972. Normally I cringe when pop-culture references are thrown into a story, but this was an exception. References were sprinkled throughout and they always seemed to pop up right when I needed to be reminded that it wasn't 2014. I could really feel the love that the author has for Chirp and I fell in love with her too. Her way of looking at the world is so unique and special that I couldn't put the book down. I also loved Joey. In the beginning you think he’s just another “bad boy”, but as Chirp gets to know him, you realize he is a smart, sensitive boy, who is also a bit of a germophobe. I was so sad when the book was finished because I wanted to know what happened next. How will his and Chirp’s friendship change as they entered middle school? High school? And beyond. 

Nest deals with some pretty heavy themes and Ehrlich does a fantastic job addressing them in an age appropriate and sensitive way. She doesn't wrap everything up in a neat little bow, because that is not how real life is, but I still felt some closure in the end. I can’t recommend this book enough, and because of the sensitive nature of some of the themes, it is a good book for middle-grade children to read with their parents. Nest has really stayed with me (something that doesn't usually happen with middle-grade books) and I look forward to reading many more books from Esther Ehrlich in the future.

**Random House Children's Books and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to read and provide an honest review.**

Book Review: Beneath

Title: Beneath

Author: Gill Arbuthnott

Rating: ☕ ☕

My Thoughts:

Beneath is about young Jess, who seeking her kidnapped friend dives into the world beneath the water into the realm of shape shifters. She meets the mysterious kelpie Finn and finds someone who truly understands her. Caught between worlds will she abandon her friend Magnus and the life she has always known or will she leave Finn and the mysterious world below.   
 

To be honest I’m not sure where to begin with this. The simple truth is that I had a hard time getting into this book and it was a struggle for me to finish it. The premise was good, but the execution was not there. The beginning seemed to be going well. Jess was an interesting lead and Finn, despite his stalker tendencies, was a good romantic lead. And then it came to a grinding halt—the middle of the book had so much filler I had to skip pages in order to stave off boredom. I think the nail in the coffin for me was the awkward love triangle between Magnus, Jess, and Finn. 
 

I really wanted to like this book. I really wanted to read more about the kelpies and the world they live in. I wanted more emotion from the characters. Instead the only thing I got was the relief I felt when I was able to finish the book and delete it from my kindle. 
 

**NetGalley generously provided me with a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.**