Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Love Freebie

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

Top Ten Book Romances

This one is a love freebie, and I'm going with my favorite romances in books. These not only include some of my favorite couples, but I love the way they fell in love as well.

468274 Poison Study (Study, #1)
Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) Emma
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)
10445208 Dark Disciple (Star Wars)
Sean Griswold's Head 30753645

Monday, February 12, 2018

Snow White: A Graphic Novel

Snow White: A Graphic NovelGoodreads Synopsis:    Award-winning graphic novelist Matt Phelan delivers a darkly stylized noir Snow White set against the backdrop of Depression-era Manhattan.

The scene: New York City, 1928. The dazzling lights cast shadows that grow ever darker as the glitzy prosperity of the Roaring Twenties screeches to a halt. Enter a cast of familiar characters: a young girl, Samantha White, returning after being sent away by her cruel stepmother, the Queen of the Follies, years earlier; her father, the King of Wall Street, who survives the stock market crash only to suffer a strange and sudden death; seven street urchins, brave protectors for a girl as pure as snow; and a mysterious stock ticker that holds the stepmother in its thrall, churning out ticker tape imprinted with the wicked words "Another . . . More Beautiful . . . KILL." In a moody, cinematic new telling of a beloved fairy tale, extraordinary graphic novelist Matt Phelan captures the essence of classic film noir on the page—and draws a striking distinction between good and evil.

My Thoughts:

-    This book went by SO fast, but I really enjoyed it.

-    There is very little dialogue, but the artist puts a lot into the illustrations. 

-    This is the classic tale, but set in the 1920s. It was awesome. I wish there had been a little bit of a twist to the story.

-    I picked this one up on a whim, and I'm really glad I did. 

Friday, February 9, 2018

Fan Art Friday: Nightmare Moon

Today is Gnome's birthday, so I decided to showcase her favorite show and her favorite pony.

I was really happy with the variety I found. There are so many art styles and mediums. There were also some disturbing and weird things out there, some bronies need serious help.
















All the artwork is linked. If you'd like to express appreciation to the artist, please do so!

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Ready Player One

12600138From Goodreads:    In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines, puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.






My Thoughts:

-    I have very mixed feelings about this one. I loved the story and the world created, but the author really pissed me off.

-    My friends warned me about the info dumping, but it was more like info up chucking. The author must think all his readers are complete morons because he has to explain EVERYTHING! I don't really care how such and such game works or who was in what movie and what it was about!! I already know what things were popular in the '80s because they were POPULAR!! Just mention the freakin' movie/game/song and move on!! Most of your readers are going to know these things!

-    The other thing that pissed me off was the author felt like he needed to add his two cents on certain topics. I DON'T FREAKIN' CARE WHAT YOUR OPINION ON RELIGION AND MASTURBATING ARE YOU ARROGANT S.O.B.!! WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE STORY!?!?!? NO ONE CARES!!!

-    On a more positive note, the story (when he finally gets around to it) is very addicting and fun. I couldn't stop reading. I had to know what was going to happen.

-    I didn't care for the MC too much. I thought he was lame, but I loved the other characters. They were awesome!

-    I love that this book is an ode to the '80s. It was an awesome decade!

-    The world building is awesome! I loved the OASIS. It reminded me a lot of World of Warcraft. It was like WoW on steroids. 

-    I'm excited for the movie, and I hope they do a good job with it. 

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Dark Disciple

23277298Goodreads Synopsis:    Based on unproduced scripts from the blockbuster TV show Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

The only way to bring down the dark side's most dangerous warrior may be for Jedi and Sith to join forces.

In the war for control of the galaxy between the armies of the dark side and the Republic, former Jedi Master turned ruthless Sith Lord Count Dooku has grown ever more brutal in his tactics. Despite the powers of the Jedi and the military prowess of their clone army, the sheer number of fatalities is taking a terrible toll. And when Dooku orders the massacre of a flotilla of helpless refugees, the Jedi Council feels it has no choice but to take drastic action: targeting the man responsible for so many war atrocities, Count Dooku himself.

But the ever-elusive Dooku is dangerous prey for even the most skilled hunter. So the Council makes the bold decision to bring both sides of the Force's power to bear—pairing brash Jedi Knight Quinlan Vos with infamous one-time Sith acolyte Asajj Ventress. Though Jedi distrust for the cunning killer who once served at Dooku's side still runs deep, Ventress's hatred for her former master runs deeper. She's more than willing to lend her copious talents as a bounty hunter—and assassin—to Vos's quest.

Together, Ventress and Vos are the best hope for eliminating Dooku—as long as the emerging feelings between them don't compromise their mission. But Ventress is determined to have her retribution and at last let go of her dark Sith past. Balancing the complicated emotions she feels for Vos with the fury of her warrior's spirit, she resolves to claim victory on all fronts—a vow that will be mercilessly tested by her deadly enemy . . . and her own doubt.

My Thoughts:

-    This book was so awesome! I almost gave it 5 stars, but a small part in the book held me back. 4.5 stars though!

-    I probably should have finished watching Clone Wars before I read this, but oh well. It was still amazing! Now I'm even more excited to see what happens in Clone Wars.

-    This story was SO gut wrenching. I was on edge the whole time. I didn't know who to trust or what was going to happen. It was a nail biting journey.

-    Asajj Ventress is one of my new favorite Star Wars characters. I love redemption stories, and her story is one of the best!

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My TBR the Longest

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

Top Ten Books That Have Been on My TBR the Longest

These have been on my TBR since 2012. I'll get around to them eventually!

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
Is he EVER going to finish writing this!?!?!?

11410430 7728889
3993839 12954620
13324841 14805480
10551947 20256570
12394100

Monday, February 5, 2018

Unspoken

10866624From Goodreads:    Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met... a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?

My Thoughts:

-    This book felt like it lasted forever. I was so glad when I finally finished.

-    I didn't care for any of the characters. They were so two-dimensional. 

-    The story was all over the place. I just wanted it to stick to the main story line.

-    There were a lot of Twlightish things about the book. Ugh! 

-     I was really disappointed. This has been on my TBR list for a long time, and when I finally pick it up, it wasn't all that great. 

Friday, February 2, 2018

Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel

29662066From Goodreads:    War is tearing the galaxy apart. For years the Republic and the Separatists have battled across the stars, each building more and more deadly technology in an attempt to win the war. As a member of Chancellor Palpatine’s top secret Death Star project, Orson Krennic is determined to develop a superweapon before their enemies can. And an old friend of Krennic’s, the brilliant scientist Galen Erso, could be the key.

Galen’s energy-focused research has captured the attention of both Krennic and his foes, making the scientist a crucial pawn in the galactic conflict. But after Krennic rescues Galen, his wife, Lyra, and their young daughter, Jyn, from Separatist kidnappers, the Erso family is deeply in Krennic’s debt. Krennic then offers Galen an extraordinary opportunity: to continue his scientific studies with every resource put utterly at his disposal. While Galen and Lyra believe that his energy research will be used purely in altruistic ways, Krennic has other plans that will finally make the Death Star a reality. Trapped in their benefactor’s tightening grasp, the Ersos must untangle Krennic’s web of deception to save themselves and the galaxy itself.

My Thoughts:

-    This is my first canon Star Wars novel! Woo! I've decided to read them all, and it feels good to have one finished. 

-    The book was really slow and really dry, but when I wasn't reading, I wanted to be reading. The book kept calling to me. 

-    I found a lot of things interesting, and I really liked getting to know the characters, especially the Erso family. It was good to get background on Rogue One characters. 

-    I was surprised that this took place at the end of the Clone Wars and the beginning of the Empire. It was interesting to see the civilian side of things during this transition. People were scared, but they wanted to trust in their government.

-    I liked getting background on the research and everything that went into building the Death Star. Wow! It is amazing that the Empire finished building it, let alone how fast they did it. 

Thursday, February 1, 2018

January Stats

I've never done a monthly wrap up post, and I thought I'd give it a try this year!

Books Read: 18

1284021 33657270 The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (Ranger's Apprentice #10)
617086 Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve, #1) The Hutt Gambit (Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy, #2)
Waiting The Lost Stories (Ranger's Apprentice, #11) Rebel Dawn (Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy, #3)
The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice, #12) The Story of Doctor Dolittle Kid Authors: True Tales of Childhood from Great Writers
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (Star Wars) The Tea Dragon Society
Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy, #1) 23277298 Snow White: A Graphic Novel

Pages Read: 5,488
Shortest Book: 72 pgs
Longest Book: 435 pgs

1 Star: 0
2 Stars: 2
3 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 5
5 Stars: 6

I had a really good month! I'm a bit obsessed with the Star Wars universe right now, at least, more than I usually am. I can't get enough. I've been watching The Clone Wars, and I just want to read Star Wars. When I'm not reading Star Wars, I want to finish the book as soon as can, so I can get back to Star Wars. I've got the fever!

Next month I want to read more Newbery Award Winner books, Ready Player One, start the How to Train your Dragon series, and of course, read more Star Wars stuff.