Thursday, September 27, 2018

Aftermath

Aftermath (Star Wars: Aftermath, #1)From Goodreads   As the Empire reels from its critical defeats at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance—now a fledgling New Republic—presses its advantage by hunting down the enemy’s scattered forces before they can regroup and retaliate. But above the remote planet Akiva, an ominous show of the enemy’s strength is unfolding. Out on a lone reconnaissance mission, pilot Wedge Antilles watches Imperial Star Destroyers gather like birds of prey circling for a kill, but he’s taken captive before he can report back to the New Republic leaders.

Meanwhile, on the planet’s surface, former rebel fighter Norra Wexley has returned to her native world—war weary, ready to reunite with her estranged son, and eager to build a new life in some distant place. But when Norra intercepts Wedge Antilles’s urgent distress call, she realizes her time as a freedom fighter is not yet over. What she doesn’t know is just how close the enemy is—or how decisive and dangerous her new mission will be.

Determined to preserve the Empire’s power, the surviving Imperial elite are converging on Akiva for a top-secret emergency summit—to consolidate their forces and rally for a counterstrike. But they haven’t reckoned on Norra and her newfound allies—her technical-genius son, a Zabrak bounty hunter, and a reprobate Imperial defector—who are prepared to do whatever they must to end the Empire’s oppressive reign once and for all.

My Thoughts:

-    I enjoyed learning about what happened in different parts of the galaxy after the emperor was killed. There aren't very many stories that deal with recovering from a huge rebellion.

-    I loved revisiting old characters like Wedge, and the main three. I hope there is more Han, Luke, and Leia in the next book. I really wish that they had been the main focus of the book. There is a lot of story missing between Return of the Jedi and Force Awakens.

-    I like the new characters, but I'm still trying to figure them out. There are so many struggles and issues for different people for different reasons.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson, #1)Goodreads Synopsis:    There are six things very wrong with my life:

1. I have one of those under-the-skin spots that will never come to a head but lurk in a red way for the next two years.

2. It is on my nose

3. I have a three-year-old sister who may have peed somewhere in my room.

4. In fourteen days the summer hols will be over and then it will be back to Stalag 14 and Oberfuhrer Frau Simpson and her bunch of sadistic teachers.

5. I am very ugly and need to go into an ugly home.

6. I went to a party dressed as a stuffed olive.
In this wildly funny journal of a year in the life of Georgia Nicolson, British author Louise Rennison has perfectly captured the soaring joys and bottomless angst of being a teenager. In the spirit of Bridget Jones's Diary, this fresh, irreverent, and simply hilarious book will leave you laughing out loud. As Georgia would say, it's "Fabbity fab fab!"
My Thoughts:
-    I had high hopes for this book. I was hoping it would be hilarious and a quick fun read. It was quick, but not fun. It was like Princess Diaries all over again, but worse.
-    I did laugh at first, but Georgia quickly became VERY annoying. She was really dumb, painfully dumb. She was also really whiny and superficial. I just couldn't take it.
-    The rest of the characters weren't any better.
-    I take back the quick remark. I wanted to finish the book, so I drudged through the last half. Ugh!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Authors

Created by The Broke and The Bookish in June 2010 and moved to The Artsy Reader Girl in Jan 2018

Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven't Read

The Silmarillion (Middle-Earth Universe) The Rope Trick
Night Study (Soulfinders, #2; Study, #5) The Tournament at Gorlan (RangerĂ¢€™s Apprentice: The Early Years, #1)
Renegades (Renegades, #1) Mark of the Thief (Mark of the Thief, #1)
Nicholas Nickleby  Sense and Sensibility
Daughter of the Empire (The Empire Trilogy, #1) The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #1)

Friday, September 21, 2018

Fan Art Friday

Today I'm showcasing:
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

I was really happy with all the artwork I was able to find!


















I don't have a favorite from this group. I like them all.

Which is your favorite?

If you'd like to check out more pictures from these artists, all the pictures are linked!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Elska

Elska (Horse Diaries, #1)Goodreads Synopsis:    Elska is a silver dapple Icelandic filly. She spends summers frisking about the countryside and winters in the farmyard, where the girl human Amma takes special care of her. But when a powerful neighbor notices Elska, her contented life suddenly changes. Here is Elska’s story . . . in her own words.












My Thoughts:

-    Gnome read this book, and she finished it really fast. She kept asking me to read it, so we could talk about it. I was worried it was going to be boring and/or super cheesy since the horse is telling the story, but I read it, and I really liked it! It was SO cute!

-    The horse perspective is great. I actually really liked it.

-    The writing is great! The story just flows, and the reading is effortless. 

-    The little girl and her love for her horse is so sweet. The story is so cute!

-    The illustrations great! They capture the story perfectly, and the horses are so life like.

-    It only took me about 30 minutes to read the whole book, but I got really attached to the characters. I almost cried after I finished. . . from cuteness, not sadness.

-    I'm really happy that Gnome encouraged me to read this. This was her first book recommendation to me, and it was a good one. I usually push books on her, so it was fun to have it the other way around.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Slaves of Socorro

Slaves of Socorro (Brotherband Chronicles, #4)From Goodreads:    Hal and his fellow Herons have returned home to Skandia after defeating the pirate captain Zavac and reclaiming Skandia's most prized artifact, the Andomal. With their honor restored, the Herons turn to a new mission: tracking down an old rival turned bitter enemy. Tursgud—leader of the Shark Brotherband and Hal's constant opponent—has turned from a bullying youth into a pirate and slave trader. After Tursgud captures twelve Araluen villagers to sell as slaves, the Heron crew sails into action . . . with the help of one of Araluen's finest Rangers!

In this fourth book in the Brotherband Chronicles, a new battle unfolds as old rivalries are renewed, peace treaties are put to the test, and the action builds to a pulse-pounding finale.




My Thoughts:

-    This was another fun and adventurous journey! I loved it! 

-    I was super excited for the Herons to go to Araluen, and I was doubly excited when a familiar face entered the story. 

-    I always felt that the rivalry with Tursgurd was left unfinsihed, but this book definitely fixed that. It was a fun chase and I got the closure I wanted. 

-    I love that each member of the brotherband add their own unique talent and skill to the story. The friendship and loyalty are amazing, and I'm always amazed at the trust the crew has.

-    Ingvar really shined in this story. I can't help but love his gentle ferocity. 

-    Kloof is awesome! I love that Hal found a giant furry dog! 

-    The author's humor is perfect! I often laugh out loud, or get a case of the giggles during the bantering between characters.

-    I hope I get to see more familiar characters in the next book! 


Previous book in the Brotherband Chronicles:

The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles, #1) The Invaders (Brotherband Chronicles, #2) The Hunters (Brotherband Chronicles, #3)

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Monday, September 17, 2018

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel

Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic NovelFrom Goodreads:    Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation.

The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.

Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved revisiting Green Gables in a new way! I hope they adapt the rest of the series into graphic novels as well.

-    This was such a great adaptation. They really captured the characters, the scenery, and the spirit of the story.

-    The illustrations were great! The facial expressions on Marilla and Matthew were my favorite. They held so much emotion. This book almost didn't need dialogue.

-    Loved it!

Friday, September 14, 2018

The White Stag

The White StagGoodreads Says:    For generations the tribes of Huns and Magyars had moved relentlessly westward, obeying the voices of their pagan gods, which compelled them to follow the elusive white stag to their promised homeland. They swept Europe, all the while pursuing their vision of the stag. Their leader was called Attila, and the land Hungary. Here is the epic story of their tribal migration and their fierce leader—known to us even today.









My Thoughts:

-    When I picked this up from the library, I was hoping that it was going to be somewhat interesting, but if it wasn't, at least it was really short! 

-    You know those weird mythology stories where weird stuff happens? That is what this story is like.

-    I tried to like it. I really did. Sadly, I was bored. At least the book was under 100 pages, so I finished it quickly.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Before the Devil Breaks You

Before the Devil Breaks You (The Diviners, #3)
Goodreads Synopsis:    
New York City.
1927.
Lights are bright.
Jazz is king.
Parties are wild.
And the dead are coming...


After battling a supernatural sleeping sickness that early claimed two of their own, the Diviners have had enough of lies. They're more determined than ever to uncover the mystery behind their extraordinary powers, even as they face off against an all-new terror. Out on Ward's Island, far from the city's bustle, sits a mental hospital haunted by the lost souls of people long forgotten--ghosts who have unusual and dangerous ties to the man in the stovepipe hat, also known as the King of Crows.

With terrible accounts of murder and possession flooding in from all over, and New York City on the verge of panic, the Diviners must band together and brave the sinister ghosts invading the asylum, a fight that will bring them fact-to-face with the King of Crows. But as the explosive secrets of the past come to light, loyalties and friendships will be tested, love will hang in the balance, and the Diviners will question all that they've ever known. All the while, malevolent forces gather from every corner in a battle for the very soul of a nation--a fight that could claim the Diviners themselves.


My Thoughts:

-    This book didn't feel as long as the last book, but it was still a little long.

-    I like that the events from the previous books are all coming together in this third book, but I was hoping for a trilogy. I had no idea there was going to be a fourth book! I don't know if I will read it.

-    I don't care for the direction the story has taken. Some of the character's decisions bug me, and I don't like that all the adults are enemies. 

-    I have become attached to these characters, but I'm okay being done with them. I don't feel the need to see how their story turns out. It was nice knowing ya, but it is time to move on.

-    I am a little upset that explicit sex scenes were included in this book. All of a sudden, everyone is sleeping with someone. It is crazy! I don't need to know where hands are and what they are doing! I also don't think this material belongs in YA. 

-    I'm a little discouraged with Libba Bray's books. I can't seem to finish her series. I like them when I start them, but then I lose interest. 

-    Why don't any of the covers in the series match?

Previous Book in The Diviners' Series:

The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) Lair of Dreams (The Diviners, #2)