I have not been in a manga reading mood for quite some time this year, but I did manage to finish Zombie Loan which is now a complete series at 13 volumes. Zombie Loan has a good mixture of action, humor, and dark elements of paranormal/supernatural background.

Description: Michiru Kita's a weak-spirited girl who has a hard time saying what's on her mind. One day, she notices mysterious, ring-like markings around the necks of two of her classmates, Chika Akatsuki and Shito Tachibana - two boys who miraculously survived a horrible accident six months ago. Michiru, possessing the rare ability to see these rings, knows that they warn of impending death. Thinking that, perhaps, she can do something to save her classmates' lives, she approaches them...but it seems the boys have already made a different kind of deal and garnered themselves a heavy debt.

Review: I am conflicted on my opinions of Zombie Loan. I picked up primarily because I thought it would be a great read-alike for Black Butler, a manga series that I've really enjoyed but have fallen behind on. Zombie Loan shares dark paranormal/supernatural elements and humor of Black Butler, however, there is a lot more thoughtful meditation on the value of life and what it truly means to live sprinkled throughout the series.
  It took me up to the third volume of Zombie Loan to warm up to the characters and finally begin to see the manga story arc a bit clearly. Michiru who at first comes across as a hopeless, ditsy female character soon becomes much more complex as she realizes her destiny. I liked how she slowly grow into her own strong character instead of assuming this role because she has a hidden superpower. I also really liked how the two male leads in this manga, Chicka and Shito, treat her like a sister instead of both falling in love with her.   In addition to Michiru's character development, we also learn back stories of Chicka and Shito as well as watch these two boys with polar opposite personality traits overcome their differences and work together.
  The concept of fighting zombies to rack good points is a fun concept. The story becomes more intricate as it nears to the end, which is expected. There is plenty of action to keep readers on their toes along with moments of thought and reflection.
  I was not a big fan of the artwork in this manga. The girls have gigantic eyes and small features, which plays nicely off of the chiseled good-looking leading men. There were many times where I was confused as to which male character is which because they are drawn so alike. Overall, Zombie Loan was a decent manga series but not one of my favorites. I would have dropped it earlier, but a few students of mine told me to continue and said it got better, which it did. I would recommend this series to readers who like lots of action in their manga along with some food for thought and humor.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language, strong violence, and crude humor throughout the series. This series is rated OT for older teens.

If you like this series try: Black Butler series by Yana Toboso, Blue Exorcist series by Kazue Kato

 After reading three volumes of the Olympians series by George O'Connor, I've definitely become a fan of this series. The great thing about reading this series is that you can read them in any order.

Description: Greek Gods as you've never seen them before!

The strong, larger-than-life heroes of the Olympians can summon lightning, control the sea, turn invisible, or transform themselves into any animal they choose. Superheroes? No! Greek gods. The ancient pantheon comes to explosive life in this new series where myth meets comic books. Epic battles, daring quests, and terrible monsters await readers within the pages of these books.

Volume 2, Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess, is the tale of the goddess of wisdom and war, recounting her many adventures.

Review: O'Connor does a good job in summarizing Zeus's story for new readers. He also introduces the Fates who are the narrator's of this volume. Unlike Zeus's graphic novel, there is not a linear story told but rather a collection of vignettes of Athena's creation and birth story along with the story of Arachne and Perseus. Each story, in the end, tells how Athena added to her Aegis, which became her most powerful weapon. Plus there are two versions of why she took the name Pallas Athena.
  The storytelling and artwork sucked in me in quickly. The myths are brilliantly told, highlighting the prism of emotion that the Greek gods inhibited. The physical characterizations and facial expressions bring the characters to life. There were also some new tales told that I did not know much about, which was great. There is also a lot of violence in this issue, which makes sense since Athena is the Goddess of War, however, there are no graphic details of blood and gore. My only hesitation of adding this graphic novel to a elementary or middle school collection would be the actual birth story of Athena. There is real no way around the fact that her father eat Athena's mother in hopes of avoiding a prophecy only to have her born inside his body and popping out of his skill.


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong violence throughout the graphic novel, however, there is no graphic bloodshed depicted. Given the context of Athena's birthing story I would feel comfortable in recommending this graphic novel to strong Grade 6 readers and up.

If you like this book try: Olympians: Hera by George O'Connor, Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin, Mythology by Edith Hamilton

 If you are a fan of fractured fairy tales, you may enjoy reading the critically acclaimed Fables graphic novel series by Bill Willingham. The series centers on these questions: What if fairy tale characters existed in our world? And what if they had ways of not revealing themselves to us per their magic? Thus far most the fairy tale characters are from the Brothers Grimm and other European regions, but there are few from other regions of the world too. According to Goodreads, there are a total of 22 volumes of Fables and four spin off series.

Description: Ever since they were driven from their homelands by the Adversary, the non-human Fables have been living on the Farm—a vast property in upstate New York that keeps them hidden from the prying eyes of the mundane world. But now, after hundreds of years of isolation, the Farm is seething with revolution, fanned by the inflammatory rhetoric of Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs. And when Snow White and her sister Rose Red stumble upon their plan to liberate the Homelands, the commissars of the Farm are ready to silence them—by any means necessary!

Review: What draws me to the Fables graphic novel series is how the fairy tales are restructured in a completely new and refreshing way. While the fairy tale characters do retain their famous characteristics, they are also completely three dimensional and deeply flawed.
  As you may recall an entity known only as the Adversary have forced out the fairy tale characters, known as Fables, out of their homes. Some of the fables who can pass off as humans are living in Fabletown, New York (clever city name, I know). In Animal Farm, Willingham manages to rewrite his characters into playing an homage to George Orwell's political allegory of the same name by focusing on the non-humans fables such as the Three Little Pigs, The Three Bears, and Shere Khan from the Jungle Book (though I wouldn't necessarily call him a fairy tale character per se), who were forced to live on the Farm so that they would not cause suspicion to the ordinary humans. The non-human fables are unhappy on the farm and fed up with being deemed as secondary class citizens by their more "human looking" counterparts. They have organized a revolution to take back their land from the Adversary and to rule both Fabletown and the Farm. 
  I really enjoyed watching how the furor for the revolution at the Farm grow especially with the involvement unsuspecting key players like Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs. I also  were leading the revolution, which put an insane spin on our favorite fairy tale characters. I also loved how Willingham did a great job at portraying the tumultuous relationship between siblings Rose Red and Snow White. Though they are iconic characters, their fraught relationship felt human and relateable as one sister tries to become closer and the other sister feels nothing but contempt.  
  The artwork in Animal Farm is also very visually appealing. The illustrations of the characters are life-like and convey the emotions written in the text. The coloring was also skillfully done, evoking the dark atmosphere and tone of the story. I hope that the series will add some diversity as it progresses and I look forward to reading more from this series. I would recommend this graphic novel series if you are interested in fairy tales. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and strong violence/gore in this volume. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Fables, Vol. 3: Storybook Love (Fables, #3) by Bill Willingham, Peter and Max by Bill Willingham, Fairest by Bill Willingham

 Today I have to really fun children books to review. Both books feature adorable animals and are really enjoyable. If you have younger readers who like animal picture books, do consider picking these up. Please note that these books were given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review and this has no way influenced my review. 


Description:  

¡Perro!
¡Sombrero!
¡El perro con sombrero!

Meet Pepe! Before he got a sombrero, he was a lonely dog living in the streets. Now he is a movie star, loved by everyone! Well, everyone except…

¡El Gato en Zapatos!

El Gato is one sneaky, jealous kitty. Watch out, Pepe!

Review: Pepe is homeless, hungry, and very sad dog until a fancy sombrero lands on his head and changes his world. Almost immediately, a grocer couldn't resist Pepe's cute face with the hat and gives him a juicy bone. A movie director who drives by in his flashy convertible spots Pepe and must have him in his movies. Soon Pepe becomes famous and has a huge dog mansion, but inside he still longs for a family to love him. Then enters the jealous El Gato-the famous movie star cat whose limelight Pepe stole. Wearing snazzy purple dance shoes, the cat steals the sombrero and a chase through various places in the town ensues until finally, the two animals meet at a sandbox and Pepe's dream of finding a loving family comes true, but don't worry El Gato also has a happy ending. The fun illustrations by Jed Henry composed of pencil, watercolor, and digitalized watercolor- match really well with the fun, energetic, and lighthearted text of Derek Taylor Kent. I also am delighted to find that this book is bilingual where the red type beneath the English is translated in Spanish, which makes this a great choice for a read-aloud for younger readers but also for readers who are learning basic Spanish, and of course for fans of dog books.

Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades Pre-K to Grade 1.

If you like this book try: Little Dog, Lost by Marion Dane Bauer


Description: Waddley, a Macaroni penguin who lives in Antarctica, has always dreamed of seeing the world! He gets his chance when he meets Lexi and Sam, two young visitors traveling with their parents, and secretly follows them back onto their ship. Delighted to see him, they tell Waddley he’s come to the right place: the ship is on a round-the-world cruise and the next stop is Australia! His dream come true, Waddley cruises into Sydney Harbor as the sky blazes with Australia Day fireworks, plays the yidaki and races around the massive rock called Uluru, swims with giant fish in the Great Barrier Reef, and finds himself upside down in a kangaroo’s pouch, as he — and readers — learn all about the country down under.

Review: Waddley Sees the World is an adorable picture book that informs us about the people, places, and things indigenous to Australia. Waddley, our very cute narrator and travel guide is a Macaroni penguin, who jumps aboard a ship traveling around the world. There were many facts in this book that I didn't know about before reading it. I think younger readers who are interested in learning about different countries would really enjoy this book. The illustrations are also great and vibrant with bright colors. I just wished the author had a bit more information on the Macaroni penguin at the beginning of the book as I was a bit confused how Waddley was scientifically able to travel without being in danger. I also thought some of the pages were just a bit too text heavy. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 1-3

If you like this book try: Walley Sees the World: Off the Wall in China by Julie Davis Canter, If I Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche, My First Travel Angelic Airline Adventures by Anna Othitis

Description: Matt Pin would like to forget: war torn Vietnam, bombs that fell like dead crows, and the terrible secret he left behind. But now that he is living with a caring adoptive family in the United States, he finds himself forced to confront his past. And that means choosing between silence and candor, blame and forgiveness, fear and freedom.

Review: All the Broken Pieces is a quick and effective novel in verse about a war refugee coming to terms with his past and his future. In 1977, Matt Pin lives a fractured life. He is the son of a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier and was airlifted to safety from the war zone. Adopted by a caring American couple, he has vivid and horrific memories of the war and worries about the fates of his mother and badly injured little brother. Matt is adored by his adoptive family and he realizes he has a gift for pitching, but he is constantly faced with prejudice by those around him who hold him responsible for the deaths of the young men they lost in the war. The fractured theme runs effectively throughout the book from his biological family, the bodies and hearts of the Vietnam vets, as well as the state of the United States who is broken up due to political beliefs. Unlike the other novel in verse books that I've read before, the individual poems aren't strong enough to be read independently, but that's only issue I had with this book. I think this book would be a great read for those who are looking for a refugee point of view about war and assimilating in a new country. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Matt's nightmares are filled with disturbing images of war. There are also some racial slurs sprinkled throughout the book too.

If you like this book try: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate




Description: If you ask Simon Sharp how his parents died, the 14-year-old New Yorker will tell you King Arthur killed them. Obsessed with Camelot, the two scholars perished in a plane crash en route to an archaeological dig in England.
  Simon spends two awful years in an orphanage before his uncle surfaces. He offers Simon residence at a creepy mansion in Scotland where every shadow hides a surprise— including a girl, Maille Rose, who flickers in and out of view like a ghost. Maille warns Simon he’s in danger and, oh yes, he’s a descendant of King Arthur’s powerful knight, Lancelot. Uh. What?

Review: Camelot Kids contains 4 parts to this story, you can buy them individually or all in one book. The first part of this story kicks off on a good foot by introducing us to Simon and his adventure to the world of Camelot. I like how the author used the Camelot story as a jumping off point and created a new story of its own. Orphaned at a young age, bounced around foster homes and finally ending up with a rather odd uncle. Soon Simon finds out that the Camelot stories are indeed real and that he is a descendant of the famed knight Lancelot. This is where the story gets interesting and starts to really unfold. We also get introduced to a different time of Merlin, an old shadowy figure that has different plans rolling around his head. In addition to a nice solid read the illustrations in The Camelot Kids Part 1 are also great and eye catching. Overall, I found The Camelot Kids Part 1 to be an enjoyable fast paced book full of adventure, mystery and suspense, sure to grab the attention of middle grade aged kids (adults too) who are a big fan of Rick Riordan and is looking for something to read while waiting for The Sword of Summer to be released.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book try: Knights of the Lunch Table series by Frank Cammuso, Here Lies Arthur by Philip Reeve

   Sorry for the lack of reviews these past few days. I'm afraid the craziness of the end of the school year has gotten the better of me. The books below have been given to me as advanced reader's copy by the publisher via Netgalley and are now published.


Description: Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?
   Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is an unusual gothic paranormal romance that didn't quite make sense to me. While I liked the paranormal concept of the book, I wasn't entirely too clear on the author's explanation. It is quite possible that was done on purpose by the author since River is completely unreliable and we have no idea how his powers came to be. He seems to be a cross of a supernatural vigilante and a demon. Though described to be a looker, I didn't find River swoon worthy at all and didn't see why Violet was so drawn to him. Considering the book has the word 'devil' in its title, I thought this book would have lots of things happening, but for the most part it is quiet. There are moments of horror that happen unexpectedly without any build up that worked really well with the creep factor, but I did not anticipate these moments to be bloody in detail. The book does not end in a cliffhanger and we are given some answers to River's past, but the author does present more questions. I'm just not interested enough to pick up the second book in this series. Overall I would recommend it to readers who are looking for a book with just a hint of creepiness and gore without being a full out horror novel.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is some underage drinking, intense make-out scenes, and moments of bloody violence. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Between the Spark and the Burn by April Genevieve Tucholke, Anna Dressed in Blood duology by Kendare Blake, Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff



Description: Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy's shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she's chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy's world.
 When—after a heated argument—Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy's death and everyone's grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy's life was full of secrets. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister's life.

Review: The Secrets We Keep was a disappointing read, but it had potential. The plot reminds me of a sub par tv movie. After a car accident, Ella is not certain who she is when she wakes up and assumes she is Maddy, especially when Maddy's boyfriend, Alex, is at her side. I liked the idea of Ella believing she is Maddy due to her memory loss, but I didn't like the fact that she quickly realized the truth and purposefully continues to be her sister. I understood she felt guilty causing the accident, but I didn't fit it believable. I also found it very hard to believe that Ella's parents wouldn't be able to tell their twin daughters apart. 
  Ella's effort to become Maddy is filled with melodramatic flair with a lot more emphasis of telling rather than showing, which also hindered the character development of the twin sisters. We only know about the sisters superficially by how they are described by their friends. The short chapters, however, allowed the suspense and mystery to build about a school scandal in which Maddy played a key part in and it is what held my attention. There is also a budding romance which I wished had gotten more of page time because it was one of the strongest part of the book. Overall Secrets We Keep is a forgettable read that requires suspension of disbelief and a lot of patience in dealing with melodrama.  

Rating: 2 stars

Words of Caution: There is underage drinking, allusions to sex, and some language. Recommended for Grade 8 and up.

If you like this book try: All We Know of Heaven by Jacqueline Mitchard, After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates



Description: Earth. Fire. Air. Water. One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick understands pressure. He's the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it in for his family, and he's all that stands in the way.
 His girlfriend, Hannah, understands pressure too. She's got a child of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could put her life in danger at any moment. But there are people who have had enough of Michael's defiance, his family's 'bad luck'. Before he knows it, Michael's enemies have turned into the Merricks' enemies, and they're armed for war. They're not interested in surrender. But Michael isn't the white flag type anyway. Everything is set for the final showdown. Four elements, one family. Will they hold together, or be torn apart?

Review: I really enjoyed Sacrifice.  The highlight of this book, really in this entire series, are the relationships between the Merrick brothers. Throughout the Elemental series Michael has always been supporting his brothers and trying his very best to fill the shoes in for their dead parents. It was nice to see Michael become the vulnerable, adult who doesn't have all the answers. He struggled throughout the book to let his vulnerability show whether it is being honest with his siblings or his girlfriend Hannah. In this case he faces the possibility of not only losing guardianship over his brothers but also their lives after several near death misses caused by an Elemental Guide that is stalking the Merrick brothers. There were many emotional scenes that ripped my heart out and were done very well, displaying how much these brothers have gone through and what they mean to each other. There was plenty of action to keep the story moving and I was a bit disappointed that the identity of the Elemental Guide wasn't as developed in the previous books. While the romance between Michael and Hannah were not a big part of the story, I did appreciate learning more about them as a couple in particular the own personal demons that haunt Hannah that she doesn't share with Michael. We are introduced to a few new characters and though the book ends without a cliffhanger, it feels unfinished and left open for further story developments in the future, which I truly hope is pursued in the future. I'm not ready to say goodbye to the Merrick brothers just yet.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some intense action scenes and language. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: Chronicles of Nick series by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Intertwined series by Gena Showalter

 I haven't done a Manga Mondays in a while. Manga Mondays is a meme hosted by Alison at Alison Can Read where bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. I actually haven't been in the manga reading mood lately, but I hope to change that soon.


Description: Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!
  Kaname vows to sacrifice himself. Yuki vows to sacrifice herself to stop him. Zero takes a weapon in hand to protect what is dear to him. Whether parted for eternity or close enough to touch, they each will always desire their beloved.

Review: Volume 19 is the last book in the Vampire Knight manga series. There is a lot happening in this volume that I had to reread it twice in order to wrap my head around the shocking revelations. In the end I had mixed feelings about the book and the series as a whole, mainly because it went in a direction that I didn't agree with.
  Volume 18 has left our three main players going their separate ways. Kaname is done with being a pureblood vampire. Sick of what has become of his race, he has made a decision and is hell bent on sacrificing himself and allowing the vampires to be exterminated for good. He reveals his master plan and acknowledges that he was the one that set Zero's tragedy in motion leading up to this end, which shocks not only Yuki but also me as a reader. I've never liked Kaname though he had some few moments, but I never trusted his motivations and disliked him because of his cruelty.
  When Yuki hears of Kaname's suicide plan, she vows that she will stop at nothing to save him even if it will cost her own life. Yuki and Kaname have had a very weird relationship, hovering between sibling fealty and love and romantic love. I was never shipping for them, but I do understand why she feels responsible towards Kaname. Of course where there is Yuki, there is Zero who keeps getting flashes of his memory that Yuki tried to erase in the previous volumes and goes after her to save her life.
  The pacing of Volume 19 was off balance. The first half moved at a leisurely pace, allowing Kaname to unburden himself and come clean. The second half of the book, particularly the ending, is put on fast forward as we get one large revelations after the other without getting any time to process them. The solution to the love triangle is a cop-out in my opinion and doesn't really work. The alleged character growth of Kaname feels a bit forced and I honestly can't buy Zero's reactions after learning what Kaname did to his family. There is a epilogue that is a bit jumbled and it needs a few rereads to figure what happened in the future.
  Overall I enjoyed Vampire Knight as a manga series. Like any other series there are volumes that were really good and others that were a bit meh. I just wished that it ended on a strong note and not a weak one. I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy paranormal romances.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is a small sex scene, but not graphic. There is also strong violence. Recommended for teens and up.

If you like this book try: Millennium Snow series by Bisco Hatori, Black Bird series by Kanoko Sakurakouji

 I have been anticipating the release of Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson ever since the news came out that there will be a Pakistani-American, Muslim, female superhero. I had high hopes for this graphic novel and for the most part it met my expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Description: Kamala Khan is an ordinary girl from Jersey City — until she's suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm! When Kamala discovers the dangers of her newfound powers, she unlocks a secret behind them, as well. Is Kamala ready to wield these immense new gifts? Or will the weight of the legacy before her be too much to bear? Kamala has no idea, either. But she's comin' for you, New York! 

Review: The theme of identity runs throughout the graphic novel. Our main protagonist, Kamala Khan is an ordinary teen who just happens to be a Pakistani-American and Muslim. Her culture and religion play a big part in her life, but they do not overshadow the graphic novel. I found Kamala to be adorkable, a genuinely good person who wants to do the right thing, and a fan of superheroes. She laments of not being able to fit in with the rest of peers, which is a nice metaphor for her struggling to accept her responsibilities, and limitations of being Ms. Marvel. 
  The author does a great job in showing how Kamala is indeed very much like ourselves by showing Kamala's relationship with others around her like her friend Nakia and Bruno, the neighborhood boy who has a very obvious crush on our heroine who is of course oblivious. The strongest relationship in my opinion is that of Kamala's strict, overprotective yet loving parents. The inclusion of the parents definitely highlights the cultural aspects of Kamala's Pakistani-American background. 
 Ms. Marvel: No Normal is very much an origins story. Kamala must come to terms that she is a superhero and has to figure out how to lead a double life as well as harness new skills and keep her power in check. The action part of the graphic novel was a bit weak. The villain wasn't as interesting nor scary as I had hoped but hopefully he will get fleshed out in the later volumes.  
 The artwork of Ms. Marvel: No Normal is well done. The characters look like real people and the colors used make the illustrations pop and are appealing to the eye. Despite some minor issues, I definitely look forward to continuing this series and I do hope that this graphic novel does pave the way for more diverse characters appearing in mainstream comics as well as debunking myths regarding Pakistanis and Muslims..  

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is a small scene of underage drinking in which Kamala does not participate in, there is some minor language. Recommended for Grades 8 and up. 

If you like this book try: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang, Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson

  I've been trying to diversify my reading by adding more nonfiction titles to the mix. I have a harder time selecting these book as oppose to fiction titles. I have to get over my preconceived notions that nonfiction equals boring and dry textbooks.


Description: Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own. He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nubs's life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis.
   The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis's willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis's human "pack" until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away - without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.
So began an incredible journey that would take Nubs through a freezing desert, filled with danger to find his friend and would lead Dennis on a mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world.

Review: Nubs was a nice, true, and uplifting story about a feral dog from Iraq that found a home in the United States. In October 2007, Border Transition Team 3/5/2 arrived at the border of Iraq and Syria. The team members were greeted by a pack of wild dogs, whose leader became known as "Nubs" because of his docked ears. He developed a bond with Dennis, and as the troops would come and go over the course of several weeks, they were always greeted by the dogs. Nubs exhibited signs of malnutrition and abuse yet he continued to seek food and companionship from the Marines, often trying to follow them when they'd leave. In December 2007, when the Marines relocated to the Jordanian border, Nubs embarked on a treacherous journey across the desert and, two days later, walked into the camp to join Dennis. Since the Marines couldn't have a dog on base, the story then continues on how arrangements and donations were made for Nubs to be sent to the United States. Because Marine regulations prohibit the keeping of pets in a war zone, Major Dennis and his men. The story is quick and the pacing is fast for younger readers who are interested in reading pet stories or inspiring stories featuring animals.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 2 and up.

If you like this book try: Dogs on Duty by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, Tara and Bella by Carol Buckley



Description: A vertible cinematic account of the catastrophe that decimated much of Chicago in 1871, forcing more than 100,000 people from their homes. Jim Murphy tells the story through the eyes of several survivors. These characters serve as dramatic focal points as the fire sweeps across the city, their stories illuminated by fascinating archival photos and maps outlining the spread of fire.

Review: I enjoyed reading the Great Fire since I didn't know a lot about the topic. The inclusion of real life characters and their personal accounts, maps, and illustrations are what brought this book alive for me.  Murphy traces the fire through its three horror-filled days as, fed by prairie winds, cinders from a Saturday night blaze, and structures (even streets and sidewalks) built almost entirely of wood, it consumed block after block of homes, businesses, and bodies, eventually leaving 100,000 people homeless. This was an engrossing read and one I would recommend to readers interested in learning the history of Chicago.

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, Chicago History

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

If you like this book try: The Great Chicago Fire by Tria Smith, The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 by Paul Bennie



Description: Draws on stories from survivors and archival photographs to describe the history of the "Titanic" from its launch to its sinking.

Review: Hopkinson provides a great overview of the Titanic disaster for young readers without over-dramatizing, drawing unwarranted conclusions, or prolonging the ordeal. She uses real survivors as her "characters," whose voices relay many of the subsequent events, include crew members as well as travelers in first, second, and third class. I liked the inclusion of the characters from different social classes and walks of life. Chapter notes, sources, archival photos, a timeline, short biographies of those mentioned, and more are included. Hopkinson provides a bibliography at the end of the book with suggested readings for those who want to know more details of the Titanic disaster. I would highly recommend this book for readers who don't know much about the Titanic disaster but want to know the gist of what happened.

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for strong Grades 5 readers and up.

If you like this book try: The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

  I was able to catch up to Marissa Meyer's fabulous and highly addictive the Lunar Chronicles series. I remember waiting in line for half an hour at the ALA Conference in 2013 just to see if I can get an ARC of Cress. Luckily, I had and it was well worth the wait. All of these book are currently out and published. If you haven't read this series yet and like fairy tales, I highly recommend them!


Description: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review: Scarlet is probably my favorite of the Lunar Chronicles so far. While I liked the original science fiction spin on the fairy tales, I thought Cinder was a bit predictable. Scarlet, however, kept me on my toes with more intrigue and romance. Meyer does an excellent job of subtly using the tale of Red Riding Hood to move the plot along and even gives readers some things to contemplate. I absolutely loved Scarlet, a heroine who is fiery as her name and just as passionate. She guards her heart and finds it hard to trust anyone, which is how she has survived for so long. Wolf stole my heart and I was completely disinterested in Kai. While Wolf has the big physique and intimidating persona at first, he isn't the same bad guy we are use to in the Little Red Riding Hood story. There are many questions surrounding his past and one that I wanted to know in particular is whether or not he can overcome his past? There are plenty of viewpoints in the book and the story of Cinder and Emperor Kai are still present, but I think Scarlet and Wolf stole the show. While there are many transitions in the story, they are seamless and the plot elements meld together well. This novel has enough back story to stand on its own, but is much better after reading Cinder. Cress is introduced in a teasing chapter and I can't wait to learn more.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence but most of it happens off the page. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFever, Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen



Description: Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
 When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Review: As you probably guessed from the cover of the third book in Meyer's Lunar Chronicles that the heroine of this book is connected to the Rapunzel fairy tale. Cress has a different feel than the other books in that it doesn't just feature one fairy tale, but also continues two other continuing stories along with introducing two more leading ladies in the series. Meyer juggles all of the story lines well as there is no shortage of humor, action, or romance.
 Unlike the other heroines before her Cress is a self-proclaimed "damsel in distress" and an expert computer hacker. She has been imprisoned in an orbiting satellite for more than seven years, and has never been allowed to cut her hair, which has grown to Rapunzel-like lengths. Her only knowledge of the outside world is what she sees from her computer. Though Cress is supposed to be tracking down the fugitive Cinder for Lunar Queen Levana, Cress has been secretly aiding her. Cress's relationship with Captain Thorne is sweet and amusing as Thorne is constantly not living up to Cress's version of him that she has fantasized in her head. It was nice watching Cress become her own person and slowly but steady standing on her own two feet. The plan for Cinder and her crew to try to rescue Cress goes awry in more ways than one, leaving Cinder's group scattered and fighting for survival. My minor complaint of this book is that there isn't much romance between the other couples, particularly of my favorite couple Scarlet and Wolf. The plot involving warring governments and a fast-spreading plague leaves a desire for the next book while not being a complete cliffhanger. Winter, the heroine for the last book in the Lunar Chronicles is nothing like what I expected and I am very excited and curious to meet her.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence that mostly take place off the page. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers, Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Golden by Cameron Dokey



Description: Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the Fairest of them all?

Pure evil has a name, hides behind a mask of deceit, and uses her "glamour" to gain power. But who is Queen Levana? Long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress in The Lunar Chronicles, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Review: Like many fans of the Lunar Chronicles, I was disappointed to find out that the publication of Winter, the last book in the series, has been pushed back but was glad to know that Meyer released a novella that will help with the wait for her readers. Though considered a prequel of sorts, I would recommended reading Fairest after reading Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress.
 Fairest does not have a strong story arc, but it works best as a character sketch of Queen Levana, who is more than a beautiful villain. We get an inside glimpse in the evolving character of Levana and get answers to lots of questions about her such as: how did she come to power? Where did the animosity for Cinder come from? How are Cinder and Winter connected? In this prequel, Meyer plays with our sympathies and emotions towards Levana. At times I felt sorry for her as I learned of the environment she was raised and of the childhood "accident" which forces her to permanently assume a glamour, or altered physical appearance. Her desperation of wanting to love is deep and makes her human, but the lengths of her actions as well as her justification for her actions is what repelled me. Even if readers despise her, it is worth reading Fairest to gain insight into Levana's complex character.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence, most of which happen off the page and are alluded to. Recommended for Grades 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Description: Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings… 
  Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most. 
Review: Afterworlds is the most original novel that I read last year. Westerfeld gives us two story lines to follow in his latest and ambitious work. Eighteen-year-old Darcy is an aspiring writer and has completed her book for National Writing Month. She signs with an agent, drops her college plans and moves to New York to revise her soon-to-be-published novel as well as start the sequel to her book. Meanwhile, in chapters that alternate with Darcy’s NYC adventures, her fictional protagonist, Lizzie, survives a near-death experience to find she has become a ferryman, responsible for guiding souls to the afterlife. 
  Westerfeld effectively creates and meshes two divergent reading experiences (a coming of age story and YA paranormal romance) with two distinct yet believable voices in Darcy and Lizzie. I found myself immersed in both stories. In Darcy's tale we get a sneak peak behind the scenes look at what it means to become a writer and the YA publishing world. Darcy needs to deal with her own insecurities and come to terms with her own identity, which may contradict her traditional Indian culture. Watching how Darcy's emotions as well as the influence of her culture bleed into her novel is a really cool way in transitioning to Lizzie's story line. Readers have pointed out that there are some underdeveloped parts in the book, however, I see that as a metaphor for Darcy's immature authorial voice. 
  Though the book is close to 600 pages, I read through it in a matter of days. Afterworlds has something for everyone. Fans of paranormal romance would be drawn to Lizzie's story where as fans of coming of age novel as well as aspiring writers will find Darcy's story to be fascinating. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and scenes of underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 9 and up.

If you like this book try: The Diviners by Libba Bray, The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

  Anyone who has ever been nervous about the first day of school can easily relate to Maggie's dilemma in Faith Erin Hick's graphic novel, Friends with Boys. While I did enjoy the graphic novel, it felt unfinished and left me wanting more.


Description: Maggie McKay hardly knows what to do with herself. After an idyllic childhood of homeschooling with her mother and rough-housing with her older brothers, it's time for Maggie to face the outside world, all on her own. But that means facing high school first. And it also means solving the mystery of the melancholy ghost who has silently followed Maggie throughout her entire life. Maybe it even means making a new friend—one who isn't one of her brothers.

Review: Friends with Boys is an easy to read slice of life graphic novel that centers around Maggie's first entry into a public school after being home-schooled her whole life,. Hicks does a good job in displaying her anxiety and fears. She seeks comfort in her older brothers, who are a nice group of characters and eventually makes a few friends of her own that others might consider weird because of how they look, but they turn out to be good companions.  
 There is also a light supernatural element in the book which I wished had been more developed. Maggie is being haunted by a female ghost who died about 200 years ago. We really don't know much about the ghost per se, perhaps it represents Maggie's feeling of overcoming her fears about school and perhaps getting over the fact that her mother left. Interestingly enough, the graphic novel doesn't steer into the genre with the presence of the ghost (it's unclear if anyone else besides Maggie can she the ghost or since when she's be haunted by it), it remains in reality. And while the book starts out strongly, it left me unsatisfied and I did have quite a few unanswered questions such why did Maggie's mother leave or what does the ghost want, leading to a somewhat abrupt ending. As for the illustrations, I did enjoy Hicks's black and white art which I thought is sharp and expressive.

Rating: 3 stars

Words of caution: There is some language and underage drinking. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol, Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge

  It is nice to take a break from reading novels and picking up a picture book which are full of color, whimsy, and just down right adorable. Today I'll be reviewing Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows, Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle, and Ella Sarah Gets Dressed by Margaret Chodos-Irvine.


Description: Everybody at the station! It’s time for winter hibernation! The sweet rhyming text of this book will calm even the most rambunctious kids and have them dreaming about what it’s like to hibernate. Young readers will be soothed and delighted as this story introduces them to different types of hibernating animals. The creatures on the train are preparing to snuggle into sleep, although with a passenger list that includes chipmunks, bears, snakes, hedgehogs, groundhogs, frogs, turtles, mice, bats, and more, there’s a lot of noise! Will the hibernating critters ever get to sleep? Take a trip to Hibernation Station to find out!

Review: Hibernation Station is full of color and warmth. The book imagines hibernation as a train of hollow logs that runs through the forest on tracks of sticks and gathers all the animals for their winter sleep. Big and small, pajama-clad adorable critters carry their bedding into the logs and make themselves comfy, while two bears, the train’s engineer and conductor, respond to a variety of complaints and technical difficulties. Eventually, as snow begins to fall, the animals settle down and fall asleep. The text is written in rhymed couplets, move along just as the train would which sets a good pace for younger readers. The illustrations are done well with lots of colors and textures that make you wish you had the animal before you so could hug and snuggle with them. In an appended note, Meadows discusses hibernation, “deep sleepers,” and “light sleepers.” Hibernation Station is a charming and sweet read.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades PreK-Grade 2

If you like this book try: Are you sleeping, little one? by Hans Chrisitan Schmidt, Everyone Sleeps by Marcellus Hall



Description: In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!

Review: The author imagines a wordless encounter between a lithe, sultry flamingo and an adorable, pudgy, little girl in a bathing suit, swim cap, and flippers. The plot of the book is very simple: in a series of movements, Flora copies the movements of the flamingo poses. Flora does her best to mimic her model though her movements are awkward. The book has its humorous moments when Flora begins to model her movements of the flamingo's, unbeknownst to the model. A series of stumbles draws a sharp reaction from the flamingo and a sulk from Flora, but the flamingo relents and the two collaborate on a graceful duet that ends with a joyous flourish. I read this picture book as an ebook but I'm told that it has inset flaps which adds drama by revealing new poses. My copy of the book instead had a linear progression of the movements that showed Flora's increase of self esteem and confidence. I do plan on picking up the actual book to see how the flipping of the insets works and enhances the reading experience since I really enjoyed reading this book. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades PreK-Grade 2.

If you like this book try: Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle, Dance! A Story about Being Happy by Tiziana Bendall-Brunello



Description: Ella Sarah may be little, but she has a BIG sense of style--and it isn't at all like that of her mother, father, and older sister. Yet they all want her to dress just like them! Ella Sarah will have none of it--and when her flamboyantly dressed friends arrive, it's clear that Ella Sarah's favorite outfit is just right for her. 

Review: Like many toddlers, Ella Sarah has her own ideas about what she should wear and persists in making her own choices despite her family's suggestions. Kids will definitely see themselves as the spunky and determined Ella Sarah as they chant her refrain: "I want to wear my pink polka-dot pants, my dress with orange-and-green flowers, my purple-and-blue striped socks, my yellow shoes, and my red hat!" At the end, her equally "well-dressed" friends arrive for a tea party. The illustrations do a good job in showing how the adults are larger-than-life as they tower over Ella Sarah, with only their torsos and legs showing. The exuberant illustrations aren't the typical ones found in picture books but with a variety of printmaking techniques. The pictures dance and tumble across the pages, adding emotion to Ella Sarah's defiance. The vibrant yellows, oranges, pinks, and purples work together surprisingly well and make the book pop. Ella Sarah Gets Dressed would be a great read-aloud or simply a one to one share.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades PreK-K

If you like this book try: A Style All Her Own by Laurie B. Friedman, Birdie Plays Dressed Up by Sujean Rim, Let's Get Dressed by Caroline Church

 Dawn of Arcana has been on my manga reading list for quite some time. The series is now complete with thirteen volumes. It is also my first foray into fantasy shoujo and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This review is for all thirteen volumes.

Description: Princess Nakaba of Senan is forced to marry Prince Caesar of the enemy country Belquat, tantamount to becoming a hostage. While Caesar is pleasing to the eye, he is also selfish and possessive, telling Nakaba outright: “You are my property.” With only her attendant Loki at her side, Nakaba must find a way to cope with her hostile surroundings, her fake marriage...and a mysterious power!

Review: Dawn of Arcana is a light fantasy that has the usual tropes of a shoujo manga. The plot is very easy to follow and the characters are quite likable. The heroine, Nakaba, has been discriminated all of her life. Her grandfather denies her royal status and stows her away in a tower where she is treated poorly by many except her loyal servant Loki. Nakaba is a strong heroine, a person always seeing the good in everyone. She has been gifted a power called the Arcana, which allows her the ability to see the past and the future. She struggles to find a balance to use her gift to make a good decision rather than abusing it.
  In another kingdom, Caesar is born as the second son to the king of Dequat. His desirable black hair makes people believe he is fit to be the next king. There is hidden deceptions and factions working to make Caesar the next king. Caesar doesn't crave power, but just wants the love of his family. He is played like a pawn in the politics of the castle and thus grows into a young man who has a negative outlook and distrust of people. Caesar is not a great guy we are first introduced to him, but I like the way his character changes throughout the series. He really grows up and takes his role as a prince seriously and fights for Nakaba.
  Nakaba and Caesar were married only to keep a treaty between the two warring kingdoms. At first Nakaba and Caesar have an antagonistic relationship, but it slowly develops into trust, loyalty, friendship and eventually love to  much of the kingdoms surprise and disgust. Their relationship is tested the true motives behind their respective kingdoms are revealed as well as their individual opinions on how the Aijin should be treated. Aijin are creatures who share traits with various animals with uncanny fighting abilities and skills. Due to their physical appearance, they are horribly treated and used as slaves.
 This series also has a great cast of secondary characters that are given sufficient page time, well flushed out and quite complex as the story continues. I absolutely loved Loki, Nakaba's Aijin servant, who I couldn't quite figure out. I loved reading about his background and the surprise ending which fits everything quite nicely. The artwork is also quite stunning and it was easy to differentiate all the different characters, which can be difficult sometimes in mangas. I highly recommend Dawn of Arcana to anyone who enjoys fantasy with a nice romance and a strong heroine.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution:  There is some violence, brief nudity and scenes of sensuality in the later volumes. Recommended for teens and up.

If you like this book try: Arisa by Natsumi Ando, Sakura Hime by Arina Tanemura

Stories usually end with a marriage and a presumably a happily ever after. What happens when that happily ever after seems to be falling apart at its seams? What lengths are you willing to go in order to salvage it? These are the questions that are posed in Rainbow Rowell's adult book titled Landline.

Description: Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble;it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point.
  Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.
  That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts. Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Review: Landline is an examination of a marriage on the verge of falling apart. Georgie McCool seems to have it all: two wonderful daughters, a loving husband, and a career as a TV writer which she loves.  The career opportunity of a lifetime has appeared, but now her marriage may be ending as a result. Fed up with her work excuses, her husband, Neal, heads to Nebraska for a family Christmas with their kids--without her. 
  The set-up for Landline is very similar to another contemporary novels that center around midlife struggles and marriages falling apart; however, Landline takes a magical realism turn when Georgie finds a way to talk to Neal of the past, before they got engaged through a landline phone. As the days leading up to Christmas tick by, Georgie goes back and forth between talking to the old Neal she fell in love with and avoiding her rapidly crumbling current life, she starts to realize that she might be able to undo the complications of the present and has to decide whether she wants to. 
  Like all of Rowell books that I've read, I loved the characters in this book. Georgie and Neal are extremely likable characters. I also loved watching how Georgie and Neal met and fell in love. The story moves quickly with smooth transitions between the past and the present. I wished we got a reason why the magical landline exists, but it is never mentioned. I also wanted to find out the thoughts and reflections of the present Neal who is always conveniently not picking up his cell phone anytime Georgie calls. 
  Compared to my previous Rainbow Rowell reads, Attachments and Eleanor and Park, I didn't like this one as much. It felt unfinished and a bit too simple without the complexity of adult love, despite the mysterious magical phone. Nonetheless, I'm always excited to see what Rowell comes up with next. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong language and allusion to sex. Recommended for mature teens and adults.

If you like this book try: One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson, The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

 Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch was a debut novel of 2014 that I really wanted to read last year. With comparisons to my favorite YA fantasy novel, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, I was very eager to read Raasch's debut. While Snow Like Ashes is not quite like Cashore's novel, it is a satisfying read for readers who enjoy fantasy with a touch of romance.

Description: Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.
  Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.
   So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Review: Snow Like Ashes is an enjoyable fantasy with the right balance of action, intrigue, and romance. Raasch has created an interesting fantasy world. In Primoria, the world our heroine Meira inhabits, there are eight kingdoms: four Seasons, in a perpetual state of the season they're named for, and four Rhythms that cycle through all four. Meira is one of the remaining eight free Winterians, a kingdom who was enslaved and ravaged by King Angra of Spring sixteen years ago in order to slay the Winterian Queen and to destroy its Royal Conduit (a locket used by a female ruler to magically aid her country).
  Meira is a scrappy, likable female character with a good head on her shoulders. She hates that she can't be taken seriously or given important tasks just because she is female. Refreshingly she is not focused on her own comforts and problems, but longs to take an active role in helping to free the people of her kingdom. In order to show her fellow Winterians that she is indeed useful she goes on a dangerous mission and reclaims half the of the coveted locket. Meira is captured but thanks to her quick thinking and her military training, she escapes. Born an orphan Meira always longed for affection whether its familial in which she seeks from her stoic leader Sir or romantically with Mather, heir to the Winterian throne and best friend, though she constantly reminds herself that their relationship can not be because of their social ranks. I didn't really feel any romantic connection between Mather and Meira and often thought it was one sided. I also wished that Mather's character was a bit more fleshed out too.
 Meira's doesn't get the celebration she thought she would she would receive from retrieving the half locket and instead Spring scouts follow her to camp and the refugees must flee to the Rhythm of Cordell, where court intrigue ensue and Meira meets the instantly likable Prince Theron. While it is clear that with two love interests there would be a love triangle, however, I think Prince Theron is the most logical choice. 
  The running theme throughout Snow Like Ashes is what does it take to become a leader? There are many important decisions that the rulers of Primoria need to make. Meira's role is constantly shifting, especially as the story unfolds, the history of the provinces is revealed, magic explained, and all is not as it seems. I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence. Recommended for Grade 7 and up.

If you like this book try: Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo

 I really liked Brian K. Vaughan's space opera graphic novel, Saga, but haven't been able to get the second volume of that series. Since I liked his writing and the illustrations of Saga, I thought I would check out his earlier series called Y The Last Man. 


Description: When a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome, unemployed and unmotivated slacker Yorick Brown suddenly discovers that he is the only male left in a world inhabited solely by women. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on Earth. But with a gang of feminist extremists and the leader of the Israel Defense Forces hunting him, Yorick's future, as well as that of the human race, may be short-lived.

Review: Y: The Last Man: Unmanned is a dystopian graphic novel that has a really intriguing premise. A plague of unknown origin has spread and killed every mammal with a Y chromosome with the exception of one young man named Yorick and his male monkey pet. We don't find out the explanations for the plague or why Yorick and his monkey were saved, which is actually a good thing because there are several possibilities. 
  This graphic novel and I'm guessing the remainder of this series takes a satirical viewpoint of gender issues and the continual fight between progressive science versus the natural order of things. There is also a lot of humor and not so subtle social criticisms/satire as women commemorate the dead man at The Washington Monument (take a moment and think about it). We also have what society would dub as the crazy feminists who take on the role of the ancient Amazons and tear off one breast and take to believing Mother Earth meant to eradicate the males. Politicians are not left unscathed as Republican wives of dead senators show up with guns, arguing they should have a voice in the new government.
 Our main protagonist Yorrick is a likable slacker who is sometimes clueless. He is more concerned about reaching his girlfriend who he wants to marry and his sister. We are meant to believe that the survival of humanity rests in his head and let me tell you, it doesn't look good. 
  With its humorous dialogue, great illustrations, fun characters and a fast-paced story, I'm willing to take the journey with Yorrick to find out the answers to my questions.

Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: This graphic novel contains strong bloody violence, nudity, and language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.

If you like this book try: Y: The Last Man: Cycles (Vol 2) by Brian K. Vaughan