Raven and Beast Boy

Title:  Teen Titans: Raven and Teen Titans: Beast Boy

Author:  Kami Garcia

Illustrator:  Gabriel Picolo

Series:  Teen Titans

Publisher:  DC Ink

Date Published:  July 2, 2019 and September 1, 2020

Genre:  Graphic Novel, Young Adult, DC Comics

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-  I love the early 2000s Teen Titans show. I used to watch it with my sister, and later my daughter got really into it. We own all the seasons and watch them, so I was really excited when I saw these graphic novels.

-  The author and illustrator are re-imagining the Teen Titan characters and giving them new origin stories. Raven's was really interesting because she doesn't know who she is or what her powers are. It was a shock when she finds out who her dad is. Beast Boy slowly discovers his powers, but he isn't fully in control. I like how both characters are just trying to live normal teenage lives. Their stories reminded me of the Ms. Marvel show.

-  I enjoyed these enough to continue the series. I don't know how many there will be, but the fourth one is coming out this year, and it is about Robin. 

-  The illustrations were great. I felt like I was reading a comic book. I think the character designs were spot on. I wonder if Beast Boy will turn green eventually.

-  Even though, this is different from what I'm used to. I'm enjoying the new take on some old friends. I feel like there is enough nostalgia, but it is still unique and interesting.

My Thoughts in a GIF:

The Silence of Bones

Title:  The Silence of Bones

Author:  June Hur

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  April 21, 2020

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Seol is practically a slave to the police bureau, but she has dreams of home and finding her long lost brother. When a wealthy woman is murdered, Seol becomes invaluable to the detective put in charge of the investigation. It turns out the Seol is brave, good at getting information, and clever. Besides solving a murder, Seol also has to deal with the struggles of her station. 

-    I loved Seol's character. She was easy to root for, and I just wanted her to get a happy ending. I loved how fear didn't stop her from doing things. She was so brave, and her curiosity was a curse and a blessing. 

-    I didn't know who to trust most of the time. I had no idea how the story was going to end. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. The ending gave me all the feels. 

-    I loved the beautiful setting of Joseon Korea. It was such a beautiful time and place in history, but it also had it's low points. I loved all the politics and intrigue.

-    I really appreciated this book, and I hope there are a lot more Korean historical fiction books coming. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Instant Karma

Title:  Instant Karma

Author:  Marissa Meyer

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  November 3, 2020

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating:  ⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I have been dreading this review. I usually love Marissa Meyer's books, but this one was a big disappointment. 

-    Prudence (a terrible name) is a self-righteous, judgmental, selfish, wound up so tight she should be on blood pressure medication perfectionist. She is constantly complaining about her lab partner slacking off, to the point of obsession. For some reason, the universe grants her the power to inflict karma, good or bad, on random people. After getting a subpar grade on a report, she is determined to redo her project, but she has to work with Quint, her lab partner. Prudence ends up volunteering for a sealife rescue shelter, and guess who's mom runs it? Yup, Quint's mom owns and runs the shelter. Prudence and Quint work together for a few weeks, and you get the picture. You know what happens.

-    Prudence annoyed me from the very beginning, but what really irked me was that there was no character growth. Prudence learns a few lessons throughout the story, but in the end, she is still a selfish, self-righteous, judgmental jerk. The only thing that changes is her opinion of Quint.

-    Quint is a sweet guy. I didn't mind him as much, but I feel like he was pretty dumb to pine after Prudence. He could do SO much better. 

-    I couldn't get behind the story because I didn't like the characters. 400 pages of Prudence is WAY too much Prudence. 

-    The only thing I liked about the story were the cute sea lions and seals. I am all about animal rescue shelters. Sadly, it wasn't enough to change my opinion of the book. 

-    I lied, I also liked the beach town setting. Meyer did an amazing job with the town and ocean. I had no problem visualizing the place. So there were two things I liked about the book.

-    I will continue to read Meyer's books. I still think she is an amazing author. I'm just sad this one was a bummer. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Trigger Warnings:    Animal injury, Drinking

Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics

Title:  Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics

Author:  Tom Scioli

Publisher:  Ten Speed Press

Date Published:  June 30, 2020

Genre:  Biography, Graphic Novel, Non-Fiction

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Jack Kirby's life told in a graphic novel? Yes please!

-    I am a Jack Kirby fan. He does not get enough credit for his contribution to the world. Comic books would not be what they are today without this man! He worked for both Marvel and DC, and both companies wanted their artists to mimic Kirby's art style. His art is the OG of comic book art! 

-    I knew a little about why Kirby had a falling out with Stan Lee and left Marvel, but I loved getting Kirby's POV. I've only heard/read Marvel and Stan Lee's side. It would be super frustrating to not get the acknowledgement you rightly deserve. If Stan Lee had played nice with Kirby and given him the credit he deserved, can you imagine what they could have done together!? I feel like we were robbed of some amazing characters and stories. 

-    I am glad Kirby is getting more credit for stuff now, but it isn't enough, and I kinda feel like it is too little too late. 

-    I have always wanted an original Jack Kirby drawing. It would be amazing! I might have to just settle with some trading cards or reproduction though.

-    Just to be clear, I love both Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. I believe they both contributed to the characters and stories we love today. Just look at what they created when they worked together! 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

When Stars Are Scattered

Title:  When Stars Are Scattered

Author:  Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Publisher:  Dial Books

Date Published:  April 14, 2020

Genre:  Middle Grade, Memoir, Graphic Novel

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Omar and his brother were forced to leave their home in Somalia and travel to a refugee camp in Kenya. They were separated from their mother, so they were assigned a mother figure at the camp. Life isn't easy for the two brothers, and they are unsure of their future. Omar makes the hard decision to leave his brother each day and go to school. It is the first step of many that leads Omar to the life he has today. 

-    I loved this story about refugees and their trials. It made me so grateful for what I have, and gave me a desire to help those who need it. It also helped me better understand what refugees go through. The book does a wonderful job at portraying the struggle to create a better future, and the struggle of day to day life in the camps.

-    The author's note was vital to fully understand Omar's story. I loved how Jamieson collaborated with Omar to help tell his story. 

-    The illustrations do a wonderful job at portraying the story. They add so much to the dialogue. 

-    My daughter (6th grader) also read the book, and she loved it. She is recommending it to her friends at school. 

-    This beautiful story is one that should be required reading in schools. It is informational, eye-opening, and a joy to read.